Author: Floyd Hawkins

Electric vehicle charging startup Revel has opened its first fast-charging station in San Francisco, marking its expansion into the Bay Area, the company said on Monday. The Brooklyn-based company launched the 12-charger facility in the city’s Mission District, with plans to install more than 125 fast chargers in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and South San Francisco over the next year. The chargers, developed by EV charging firm Kempower, will be open to all vehicle makes and available 24/7. See also: Revel and Port Authority to Install 24 Fast Chargers at JFK Airport “For years, Revel has operated the largest,…

German battery technology startup Pulsetrain has raised €6.1 million ($6.6 million) in seed funding to scale and industrialize its battery management solution, which it claims can extend battery life by up to 80%. The investment round, led by Vsquared Ventures and Planet A with participation from Climate Club, will support Pulsetrain’s efforts to enhance product development and prepare for commercialization. The company’s technology is designed to improve battery longevity, increase range and performance, and reduce manufacturing costs for electric vehicle (EV) makers. See also: German Battery Startup Theion Secures €15 Million to Advance Sulfur-Based Cells Pulsetrain, formerly known as Bavertis,…

French aviation startup Beyond Aero has introduced improvements to its hydrogen-electric light aircraft as it moves toward certification, aiming for commercial deliveries by 2030. The company has also secured backing from industry figures to accelerate development. Since unveiling the concept at Le Bourget in June 2023, Beyond Aero has enhanced the aircraft’s safety and efficiency. The updated design features a battery-free hydrogen fuel cell system, powering two electric engines through independent channels for improved reliability. The fuel cell’s output has been increased to 2.4 megawatts. See also: REGENT’s Full-Scale Electric Seaglider Takes to the Water for Testing “We have designed…

German battery startup Theion has raised €15 million ($16.4 million) in a Series A funding round led by technology holding firm Team Global, investment group Geschwister Oetker Beteiligungen, and German renewables company Enpal. The funding will be used to scale up its sulfur-based battery technology, which the company claims offers significant advantages over conventional lithium-ion batteries. Theion says its sulfur-based cells provide three times the energy density of traditional lithium-ion batteries while costing only a third as much and generating a third of the carbon emissions. CEO Ulrich Ehmes stated that the company has successfully developed small coin cell prototypes…

Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic have announced a strategic partnership to introduce electric air taxi services in the UK, initially focusing on short-range airport transfers for airline customers. Under the agreement, Joby will operate and maintain its fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, while Virgin Atlantic will provide marketing and regulatory support. The initiative builds on an existing collaboration between Joby and Virgin stakeholder Delta Air Lines. See also: Joby Aviation Partners with Jetex to Build eVTOL Charging Infrastructure in Middle East The companies aim to launch operations at Heathrow and Manchester Airport, where Virgin Atlantic has a…

Europcar UK will introduce price parity between electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle rentals for its business customers starting April 2025, eliminating a key financial barrier to corporate EV adoption. The initiative will cover a broad range of electric vehicles, including hatchbacks, SUVs, saloons, and vans, such as the Jeep Avenger, Mercedes EQ models, Renault Kangoo, and Skoda Enyaq. Europcar Mobility Group UK said the move aims to encourage businesses to transition to electric mobility by removing the higher rental costs typically associated with EVs. “We understand that cost is a significant factor for businesses considering electric vehicles,” said…

Landis+Gyr (LAND.S), the Swiss energy management firm, has reached an agreement to sell its EV Solutions business to Slovenian investment firm KD Group, ensuring the division’s operations, employees, and customer commitments remain intact. The move follows Landis+Gyr’s announcement last month that it would withdraw from the electric vehicle charging infrastructure market in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). At the time, the company did not disclose any plans to seek a buyer, raising uncertainty over the future of the unit. See also: BYD Unveils Super e-Platform with 1,000-kW Charging, Adding 2 km of Range Per Second “As part of…

Tesla has urged the U.S. government to consider the potential consequences of new auto tariffs, warning that retaliatory measures from affected countries could hurt American car exports. The electric vehicle maker raised concerns in a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) this week, joining other automakers in opposing the Biden administration’s proposed 25% tariffs on imported vehicles, set to take effect in April. See also: Tesla Aims to Double U.S. Vehicle Production Within Two Years, Says Musk “While Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade…

British electric sportscar startup Longbow has unveiled two ultra-lightweight models, the Speedster and Roadster, as it aims to carve out a niche in the high-performance electric vehicle segment. Both vehicles weigh under 995 kg and offer a stated range of 442 km (275 miles). Longbow, founded by former executives from Tesla and Lucid, describes its creations as “the world’s first Featherweight Electric Vehicles” (FEVs), drawing inspiration from classic British sportscars such as the Lotus Elise and Jaguar E-Type. “Many modern ‘sportscars’ tip the scales at 1500kg and BEVs can reach almost double that,” said Longbow CEO and co-founder Daniel Davey.…

Lexus has introduced an updated RZ lineup featuring improved range, faster charging, and increased motor output, along with its first steer-by-wire system and a new virtual manual gear shift system called Interactive Manual Drive. The company says enhancements to the battery and powertrain have resulted in up to 20% greater driving range, with the all-wheel-drive variant achieving up to 500 km and the front-wheel-drive model extending to 575 km. See also: Toyota to Build Wholly-Owned Lexus EV Plant in Shanghai, Aims for Production in 2027 Charging times have also been reduced, while performance has been boosted through a high-output motor…

Tesla is working with Chinese technology firm Baidu to enhance the performance of its Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) in China, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, Baidu has dispatched engineers from its mapping team to Tesla’s Beijing office in recent weeks. Their focus is on integrating Baidu’s navigation map data, including lane markings and traffic signals, into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Version 13 software. The effort aims to improve FSD’s ability to navigate Chinese roads by providing more accurate and updated map information. See also: Tesla Aims to Double U.S. Vehicle…

Volkswagen’s software division, Cariad, will cut 1,600 jobs by the end of 2024 as part of a restructuring plan aimed at improving efficiency, German business newspaper Handelsblatt reported on Wednesday. The move affects about 30% of Cariad’s 5,900 employees. The unit, founded in 2020, was created to develop digital solutions across Volkswagen Group’s brands but has struggled with delays and cost overruns. Volkswagen had initiated a transformation plan for Cariad two years ago to enhance operational performance. “Now, it is time to look at the headcount,” the report stated, citing company sources. Volkswagen Faces Broader Cost-Cutting Measures The job cuts…