Author: Floyd Hawkins

BYD, the world’s second-largest electric vehicle manufacturer, has been making significant strides in the EV market, and its success has not gone unnoticed by Tesla. With a diverse fleet of electric vehicles and its own blade battery technology, BYD has become Tesla’s most formidable direct competitor, as acknowledged by Elon Musk himself. The company is expanding into niches where Tesla does not have a presence, such as affordable compact EVs for the mass market. BYD recently launched its first affordable electric car for the mass user, the Seagull. The top model of this EV costs less than US$14,000 and can…

Alpine made headlines in early 2021 with their announcement to transform into a fully electric brand. They unveiled their ambitious “Dream Garage” project, featuring three distinct cars: a compact hatchback designed for individual use, a crossover suitable for a group, and a sports car perfect for weekend adventures. While the electric GT X-Over crossover has already been spotted in test mule form, the first vehicle to be revealed will be the hot hatch. However, it won’t be the production version; instead, it will be a concept called A290_β (A290 “beta”). The global premiere is scheduled for May 9, preceding a…

Tesla is moving forward with the production of 4680-format battery cells at its Texas plant, with the company making an improved version of the cylindrical cell already. The company is also set to make its cathode material in Austin before the end of the year. Drew Baglino, a high-ranking manager at Tesla, revealed during a conference call that the company will make the first generation tabless cell in Texas and a “second mote manufacturable one.” The 4680 cylindrical cells, unveiled at Tesla’s Battery Day in 2020, will significantly reduce battery costs by up to 50% due to several innovations. However,…

Just Eat, the online food delivery company, has announced plans to replace its entire corporate sales fleet in the UK with electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025. The move follows the company’s commitment to global sustainability, and the first 12 EVs, including the Cupra Born and VW ID.3, have already hit the road. While the UK fleet is made up of 175 diesel cars, the company’s goal is to ensure that all corporate and sales car fleets are electric by 2030. Just Eat currently operates in several cities in the UK, including London, Manchester, and Liverpool, as well as remote towns…

General Motors (GM) and Samsung SDI have announced a joint battery cell factory investment of more than $3 billion to be built in the US, with operations commencing in 2026. The factory, whose location has yet to be announced, is expected to have an annual capacity of over 30 GWh. GM’s investment in the joint venture, including its existing partnership with LG Energy Solution, is projected to increase its total battery cell capacity in the US to about 160 GWh at full production. See also: Samsung and Stellantis open up opportunities to build electric vehicle battery factories in the US…

Siemens and Freyr Battery, two major players in the industrial technology and sustainable energy fields, have joined forces to develop sustainable battery production. The partnership was announced at Hannover Messe and will see Siemens become Freyr’s preferred supplier of automation and digitalization technology. The aim of this collaboration is to design and operate Freyr’s planned gigafactories in Norway and the US using Siemens’ ‘Industrial Operations X’ portfolio, a suite of hardware and software solutions that combines operational technology (OT) with integrated information technology (IT). The partnership will encompass the entire battery design and manufacturing process, including production design, product design,…

Skoda, the Czech Volkswagen subsidiary, has recently launched a new app for its Enyaq iV and Enyaq Coupé iV infotainment systems. The app, called Powerpass Map, offers EV drivers a range of features that make it easier to locate charging stations across Europe. One of the most notable features of the Powerpass Map is its ability to show public charging points directly on the central display of the Enyaq iV and Enyaq Coupé iV. The app provides essential information such as operating hours, the number of charge points available, maximum charging power, and prices. The map displays available charging points…

In a significant step towards achieving a net-zero UK bus fleet by 2035, Stagecoach has added 39 new electric buses to its Scottish fleet. The delivery, made by BYD UK and Alexander Dennis, includes 24 Enviro200EV solo buses and 15 Enviro400EV double-deckers. These new electric buses will operate in several Scottish cities, including Perth, Dunfermline, Aberdeen and Ayrshire. With this delivery, Stagecoach now operates a total fleet of 85 BYD-ADL electric buses in Scotland. See also: Alexander Dennis and Stagecoach to Launch UK’s First Full-Size Autonomous Bus Service in East Scotland “We are delighted to deliver the UK’s first all-electric…

Ford has announced the launch of its all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup in Europe, starting with a limited number of launch edition units available for pre-order in Norway. The move is in response to what Ford claims is “overwhelming public demand” for the vehicle in the country, where customers have reportedly been “banging on the door” to get their hands on the highly-anticipated EV. While the carmaker has not disclosed the exact number of launch edition vehicles available in Norway, it has stated that the EV will be exclusively offered in the Super Crew Cab body style and Antimatter Blue metallic…

Researchers at Fraunhofer IWS have launched a new research project called ‘MaSSiF – Material Innovations for Solid-State Sulfur-Silicon Batteries’ to develop high-performance sulfur-based prototype cells. The team expects the cells to become “very lightweight and cost-effective” while securing the battery’s longevity. The research team will apply silicon as the anode material to “significantly improve” the cycle life of the battery cells. Meanwhile, the combination with sulfur as the cathode active material holds “particular promise” due to its high energy densities. Unlike lithium-ion technology, sulfur is free of the critical elements cobalt and nickel. See also: Fraunhofer IFAM Develops New Method…

Powerland ATV, an Indian company, is making waves in the nascent electric ATV market with the upcoming Tachyon electric ATV. Although the market for electric ATVs is still limited, Powerland ATV believes that the Tachyon has what it takes to stand out in terms of speed, power, and efficiency. The Tachyon is equipped with four in-wheel motors that provide all-wheel-drive and 50 hp (37 kW) of peak power, with a torque output of 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) per wheel. Unlike traditional ATVs, the Tachyon has no differential, transmission, gearbox, or CV joints, resulting in a simplified mechanical design that requires…

Nick Cassidy has secured his first Formula E race victory of the season in Berlin, and it was no easy feat. The race was disrupted by protesters, who gained access to the track during the start procedure, sitting down on the circuit and delaying the start. The race director, Scot Elkins, sent marshals to examine the track surface amid fears that something had been put on it. Despite this, the race eventually got underway, with pole-sitter Robin Frijns leading the pack away. As the race progressed, it became apparent that the leaders were taking their attack modes early, dropping into…