Author: Floyd Hawkins

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), the Chinese battery cell manufacturer, has appointed Mathias Hüttenrauch as the CEO of CATL Europe, a newly created position within the company. The move comes as CATL expands its production capabilities in Germany and looks to strengthen its presence in the European market. Hüttenrauch brings with him over 30 years of experience in Asia and Europe, having previously served as CEO of Nedschroef, a Dutch automotive supplier, and founded his own company focused on investments in new-mobility and digitalisation projects. See also: CATL’s Qilin Battery Enters Mass Production, Boasting 13% Higher Capacity than 4680…

Porsche is gearing up for the production of its first-ever all-electric SUV, the Macan EV, which is set to begin production at the end of 2023. To get ready for this significant milestone, Porsche has been upgrading and improving its Leipzig site over the past few years. The entire production facility is now powered entirely by electricity from renewable sources, which aligns with Porsche’s vision of a more sustainable future. The Macan EV will be built on the same assembly line as the carmaker’s combustion models and hybrid vehicles, thanks to the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture. The PPE…

Lancia is set to reveal its new styling language at the “Emozione Pu+Ra” event on April 15, and the Italian automaker is doing it with a bang. The company is unveiling a new two-door sportscar concept that will showcase Lancia’s new design direction, marking the brand’s manifesto for the next decade. The concept car will be fully electric, further cementing Lancia’s commitment to a sustainable future. The teaser images released by the company show a circular roof and wraparound greenhouse, which promises to offer a panoramic view and natural light inside the cabin. The rear end features round LED taillights…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Zeekr has reported a strong rebound in its monthly deliveries, according to data released on Friday. The company delivered 6,663 EVs in March, marking a 271.20% increase from the same month in 2022 and a 22.14% rise from February 2023. However, Zeekr’s first-quarter delivery figure of 15,234 was down 53.08% from its fourth-quarter figure of 32,467. The company’s decrease in deliveries in the first quarter was mainly due to a production halt at its Ningbo, Zhejiang plant for 21 days around the Chinese New Year holiday. The factory resumed production on February 1, resulting in…

NIO, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, has announced its delivery results for March and the first quarter of 2023. The company delivered a total of 10,378 vehicles in March, comprising of 3,203 premium smart electric SUVs and 7,175 premium smart electric sedans. In the first quarter of 2023, NIO delivered 31,041 vehicles, marking a YoY increase of 20.5%. As of March 31, 2023, the company has delivered a total of 320,597 vehicles. To further support its EV ecosystem, NIO has been deploying its third-generation Power Swap station in China since March 28, 2023. Each station can service up to…

Honda has announced its plan to unveil prototype models of the second set of “e:N Series” electric vehicles (EVs) at the upcoming 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2023), scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China from April 18-27, 2023. As part of its electrified vehicle booth, Honda will showcase its range of electrified mobility products available in China, including the world premiere of prototype models of e:N Series EVs, hybrid-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric models, and three electric bicycle (EB) models announced earlier this year. The intelligent technology booth at the exhibition will feature exhibits that provide visitors…

The popularity of electric bikes has surged in recent years, with the UK market expected to experience significant growth in the coming years. However, this growth brings with it a new challenge: the safe and responsible disposal of end-of-life electric bike batteries. In response to this challenge, the UK-based Bicycle Association has announced plans to set up a nationwide electric bike battery collection and recycling service. After conducting a thorough tender process, the Bicycle Association selected the European Recycling Platform UK (ERP UK) as its partner to develop this initiative. Although the final form of the programme has not been…

The European Parliament has recently reached a preliminary agreement with the EU Council regarding the deployment of charging and hydrogen refueling stations throughout Europe. This decision is part of the EU’s ambitious transport network project, TEN-T, which aims to connect all parts of the Old Continent through highways, roads, ports, and trains. The new rule mandates that by 2026, there must be charging stations every 60 kilometers along the TEN-T network. This will enable electric vehicles to travel longer distances with ease, addressing one of the main concerns of EV owners – range anxiety. Additionally, these charging stations should offer…

NIO, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, recently unveiled its third-generation battery swap station during a test run in Haikou, Hainan province. This latest facility was showcased alongside a hotel and was attended by NIO’s CEO and senior vice president, among other executives. The third-generation battery swap station, which was first revealed at the NIO Day 2022 event on December 24, 2022, boasts a 30% increase in daily service capacity compared to its predecessor, capable of servicing up to 408 battery packs a day. Additionally, the station can store up to 21 battery packs, compared to the 13 of the…

Ford CEO Jim Farley emphasized the necessity of building out a supply chain in the US for critical battery minerals, calling it the constraint to accelerating EV production. Meanwhile, the American automaker continues manufacturing massive batteries, upwards of 140 kWh, for its full-size electric truck, the F-150 Lightning. Imagine how many EVs could be produced by making smaller, more efficient models. Perhaps like an electric Maverick? Ford jumped out of the gate in 2022, selling 61,575 electric vehicles in the US and becoming the second largest EV maker domestically behind Tesla. However, it also came at a price. Ford revealed…

Winnebago Industries, the iconic manufacturer of RVs and motorhomes, has announced that it is set to acquire lithium-ion solutions provider Lithionics Battery. The move will enable Winnebago to harness Lithionics Battery’s cutting-edge technology and engineering expertise as it ramps up production of electric RVs. Winnebago has been in the RV business for decades, but with the industry shifting rapidly toward electric power, the company has been working to develop new solutions. Its electric RV prototype, the eRV2, made its debut earlier this year, but with a range of just 108 miles, the vehicle still has a long way to go…

Rivian has been making waves in the automotive industry with its highly anticipated R1T and R1S models. These vehicles have been praised for their range, power, and sleek design. However, as with any new product, there are bound to be some issues that arise. This was the case for Chase Merrill, a 24-year-old from upstate New York who had been eagerly awaiting the delivery of his R1S for three years. Just two days after taking ownership of his new electric SUV, Merrill ran into trouble when driving through a snow drift on his family’s property in the Adirondack Mountains. Despite…