Author: Floyd Hawkins

Australian raw materials firm Syrah Resources has signed a binding agreement to supply Lucid Motors with natural graphite for use in lithium-ion battery production. The graphite will be sourced from Syrah’s U.S. facility in Vidalia, Louisiana, the company announced. Under the three-year contract starting in 2026, Lucid will purchase approximately 7,000 tonnes of graphite. The deal employs a floating price mechanism tied to a natural flake graphite index, leaving the total financial value undisclosed. See also: Lucid CEO Steps Down as EV Maker Forecasts Higher Production in 2025 Lucid will not process the graphite directly but will utilize battery cells…

Lucid Group  said on Tuesday that Peter Rawlinson will step down as chief executive officer after more than five years in the role, as the electric-vehicle maker expects to more than double its vehicle production this year. The announcement sent Lucid’s shares up 10% in extended trading. Rawlinson, who has been with Lucid for 12 years, oversaw the launch of the company’s Air models and its transition to a publicly traded firm. “Now that we have successfully launched the Lucid Gravity, I have decided it is finally the right time for me to step aside from my roles at Lucid,”…

Wallbox, a provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management solutions, has raised approximately $10 million in a funding round that included participation from Inversiones Financieras Perseo, S.L., a subsidiary of Iberdrola, Orilla Asset Management, and CEO and Co-Founder Enric Asunción. Several long-term shareholders also took part in the investment. The company stated that the funding will strengthen its financial position and support its efforts to expand globally. “This investment will help us enhance EV charging accessibility while improving operational efficiency,” said Asunción. “It reflects our shareholders’ confidence in our long-term strategy and commitment to sustainable mobility.” See also:…

Adden Energy has officially launched a pilot production line to manufacture its dynamic-stability lithium metal solid-state batteries, aiming to advance battery technology with improved energy density, faster charging, and enhanced safety. The Massachusetts-based company leverages a Harvard-discovered scientific principle known as dynamic stability, which allows lithium metal and all-solid-state technologies to be combined efficiently. Early prototypes have demonstrated a 50% increase in energy density and charging times under 10 minutes, while maintaining a non-flammable composition. See also: Adden Energy Raises $15 Million in Series A Funding for Solid-State Battery Development “We can manufacture these batteries on the same equipment that…

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the federal agency responsible for managing government-owned buildings, plans to shut down its entire network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers, The Verge reported on Saturday. The GSA oversees a network of hundreds of EV charging stations with a total of 8,000 plugs, which are used to charge government-owned vehicles and those of federal employees. See also: Trump Signals April 2 Start for New Auto Tariffs, Expanding Trade Measures According to a source cited by The Verge, federal workers are expected to receive guidance next week instructing them to take the chargers offline. Some regional…

BP Pulse, the charging subsidiary of BP, has launched its first UK location exclusively for electric vehicle charging, marking a shift from traditional petrol stations. Situated on the A4 in Hammersmith, London, the site offers no refueling options for petrol or diesel vehicles but features a convenience store and café, highlighting BP’s focus on customer amenities. The new “EV charging and convenience hub” is equipped with five fast chargers, each capable of delivering 300 kW and supporting two vehicles simultaneously. A canopy covers all charging stations, providing weather protection for users. See also: DPD Partners with BP Pulse to Enhance…

The European Commission has approved a state aid grant of up to €920 million from the German government to support Infineon’s new semiconductor factory in Dresden, the EU executive said on Friday. The funding aligns with state aid regulations and aims to bolster Europe’s semiconductor production capacity. The financial support will contribute to the €3.5 billion investment required for the plant, which is expected to reach full production capacity by 2031. The facility will also advance Infineon’s MEGAFAB-DD project, designed to manufacture various semiconductor technologies. According to the EU Commission, the plant will enhance Europe’s supply security, resilience, and technological…

Electric-truck maker Nikola has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and will pursue a sale of its assets, the company said on Wednesday, marking the latest collapse of an EV startup grappling with funding challenges and weak demand. “Like other companies in the electric vehicle industry, we have faced various market and macroeconomic factors that have impacted our ability to operate,” said Nikola CEO Steve Girsky. “Unfortunately, our very best efforts have not been enough to overcome these significant challenges.” See also: Mullen Acquires Battery Equipment From Nikola as Struggling Truck Maker Weighs Options Nikola’s bankruptcy follows similar filings by…

German automotive supplier ZF is reportedly exploring a complete spin-off of its ‘Electrified Drive Technologies’ division under the internal project name ‘Verde,’ according to a Handelsblatt report. The move, if confirmed, would mark a significant restructuring beyond previously announced cost-cutting measures. The financially strained company had previously announced plans to cut up to 14,000 jobs in Germany, primarily within the ‘Electrified Drive Technologies’ division, which includes electric drives, plug-in hybrid transmissions, and combustion engine components. While individual site closures and potential technological partnerships were considered, a full spin-off had not been publicly discussed until now. The proposed spin-off would affect…

ReBattery has officially launched as the first global digital marketplace designed to streamline and simplify the management of end-of-life battery recycling and reuse. By connecting businesses with pre-vetted, certified recyclers and repurposers from around the world, ReBattery aims to enhance sustainability and improve the resilience of supply chains for critical battery materials. See also: TNO and SusPhos to Develop Profitable LFP Battery Recycling Process in the Netherlands The platform provides businesses with access to a comprehensive, single global network that offers cost-efficient solutions, reducing the transport expenses that often account for up to 40% of recycling costs. By cutting evaluation…

Chinese tech giant Huawei and SAIC Motor are set to introduce a new electric vehicle (EV) brand, Shangjie (尚界), with its first model based on a Roewe sub-brand vehicle, according to local media reports. The vehicle, expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, will start at around RMB 150,000 ($20,700), making it the most affordable model under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) umbrella. The initial model, internally codenamed “ES39,” will incorporate Huawei’s smart cockpit and advanced driving technologies. It will be available in two battery-electric vehicle (BEV) variants and target the mid-range EV segment priced between RMB…

Tesla’s vehicle sales in Canada fell sharply in January, as the automaker and other electric vehicle (EV) brands faced the impact of reduced federal and provincial incentives alongside recent price increases. Preliminary data from S&P Global, cited by the Toronto Star, indicated Tesla sales dropped by 70% from December 2024 to January 2025, while overall EV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales declined by 79% over the same period. The sales downturn was not exclusive to Tesla. Chevrolet EV sales fell by 65%, while Hyundai recorded a 30% month-over-month decline, according to S&P Global. The sudden pause of Canada’s federal iZEV…

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on imported automobiles beginning April 2, as part of broader trade measures that include levies on Chinese imports and metal products. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Trump said the tariffs would cover all imported vehicles rather than targeting specific components. “Maybe around April 2,” Trump said when asked about the timeline. “I would have done them on April 1, but we’re going to do it on April 2.” See also: U.S. Senate Republicans Propose $1,000 Tax on New EV Purchases The administration is also set to release reports on…

A Rivian R1S owner has reported that his vehicle became undriveable after a minor collision in a parking garage, with the automaker attributing the issue to a built-in safety feature. The owner, who shared his experience on Reddit under the username JCarlosLima, stated that his SUV sustained only a cracked taillight and a scratched bumper after bumping into a pillar. However, he said that after inspecting the damage, the vehicle failed to shift into drive, reverse, or neutral. Attempts to restart the system were unsuccessful. See also: 2025 Rivian R1S Earns Top Safety Pick+ Rating from IIHS “After attempting multiple…

Tesla is taking steps to reduce charging cable theft by introducing a new anti-theft feature to its Supercharger network. The company has begun stamping its name, “Property of Tesla Motors,” on the copper inside the Supercharger cables to make them easily identifiable and harder to resell. This measure is part of Tesla’s ongoing efforts to combat theft and vandalism that affect the availability of charging equipment. Max de Zegher, Tesla’s Head of Charging, explained in a post on X that the engraving will deter thieves who may attempt to sell the cables to recycling companies, as the markings will make…

The Volvo EX30, the automaker’s compact electric crossover, has started arriving at U.S. dealerships, with the dual-motor variant currently available ahead of the forthcoming single-motor version priced under $40,000. While the EX30 offers strong acceleration, Volvo’s official fast-charging claims were recently put to the test in a real-world scenario. See also: Volvo EX30 Cross Country Debuts with Off-Road Upgrades, Aiming for Outdoor Enthusiasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZacc1yk8Ts According to Volvo, the EX30 Twin Motor Performance variant delivers an estimated range of 253 miles on a full charge and can charge from 10% to 80% in 26 minutes using a DC fast charger. However,…

British parcel delivery service HIVED has made a significant step towards sustainability by placing an order for 11 Mercedes-Benz eActros electric trucks, consisting of nine eActros 600 and two eActros 400 models. These electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) will be deployed in the company’s middle-mile delivery network, marking HIVED’s first venture into electric trucking. In addition to the vehicle order, HIVED plans to install megawatt chargers at its hubs in East and West London, the Midlands, and Manchester by next year. These chargers will specifically cater to the eActros 600, which offers a range of approximately 310 miles on a…

Nissan and Honda have ended discussions on a potential $60 billion merger, the companies said on Thursday, but they plan to continue collaborating on electric vehicle (EV) technology. The talks had been complicated by differing visions for the deal, with sources saying Honda had proposed making Nissan a subsidiary. The two companies had explored a partnership to strengthen their position against growing competition from Chinese EV manufacturers. See also: Nissan Explores New Partnerships, Including Foxconn, After Ending Talks with Honda “Honda is pretty confident and has a lot in their favor, whereas Nissan is in a bad place. They don’t…

Cenntro has delivered more than 1,000 autonomous delivery vehicles in 2024, equipped with its iChassis 100 platform. The vehicles were provided to third-party contractors in China, underscoring the company’s involvement in the autonomous electric vehicle (EV) sector. The iChassis 100 platform, which forms the basis for various autonomous commercial vehicles, continues to see increasing demand. In response, Cenntro has set up dedicated production lines and testing facilities to support large-scale manufacturing. The 1,000+ vehicle deliveries in 2024 follow an initial production phase that began in 2023. See also: QEV Technologies Orders 200 Special Edition Logistar 450P Electric Vans from Cenntro…

The Catalan government has announced a comprehensive initiative to invest over 1.4 billion euros in public and private funds to significantly expand electric vehicle (EV) adoption and charging infrastructure by 2030. The ambitious plan aims to triple the number of electric vehicles in Catalonia and double the number of charging stations, positioning the region as a leader in sustainable mobility. See also: ICL and Dynanonic to Establish €285 Million LFP Cathode Plant in Spain Key measures under the plan include financial incentives for companies, institutions, and homeowners’ associations to develop charging infrastructure and promote the use of electric vehicles in business…