Author: Floyd Hawkins

UK-based Ilika has announced a significant advancement in the development of its solid-state Goliath batteries, reporting a fivefold increase in capacity for its 10 Ah cells since July. The milestone, referred to as the “D6 milestone,” marks a step closer to the commercialization of its innovative battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs). Ilika is targeting a design freeze (D7 milestone) in the first quarter of 2025, paving the way for the release of 10 Ah prototype cells, dubbed P1.5 prototypes. These will build on the success of the earlier 2 Ah P1 prototypes, which have been under trial by a…

Ben Maclean, a 24-year-old entrepreneur and owner of Down to Earth Developments, is redefining land reclamation in the UK with a focus on sustainability. His company transforms degraded or unusable land into productive plots for residential and agricultural purposes, employing hybrid construction machinery to reduce environmental impact and improve efficiency. Earlier this year, Maclean made headlines as the youngest customer to purchase Caterpillar’s D6XE electric drive dozer, a hybrid machine designed to enhance fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Pleased with its performance, he recently acquired a second unit to expand his fleet, which also includes CAT 323 hydraulic excavators. “It’s…

Husqvarna has revealed its latest electric motorcycle, the Pioneer Electric Enduro, aimed at blending off-road adventure with street-legal convenience. Scheduled for release in March 2025, the Pioneer offers riders a quiet, emissions-free alternative to traditional dirt bikes while meeting road-legal requirements. The Husqvarna Pioneer is designed for riders who want to transition seamlessly from suburban streets to rugged trails. Equipped with a 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, the bike promises a range of up to 137 km (85 miles) per charge on the WMTC cycle, although real-world performance may vary. Charging the battery takes eight hours with a standard wall plug,…

Fisker has issued a recall for 7,745 Ocean electric SUVs due to a transmission defect that could cause the vehicle to roll away unintentionally while in Drive or Reverse, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall centers on a software glitch that may prevent the vehicle from maintaining its selected gear. Although Fisker introduced an over-the-air update in March 2024 to address the issue, the recall suggests that not all owners have implemented the fix. Vehicle rollaways pose significant safety risks, with NHTSA data showing they contribute to approximately 144 fatalities and 1,900 injuries annually…

German wallbox manufacturer ABL has introduced its first DC charging station, the Supernova 220, developed by Spanish parent company Wallbox Chargers. The charger is tailored to meet the regulatory requirements of the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), including Eichrecht certification for public-sector use in Germany and Austria. The Supernova 220, originally launched by Wallbox Chargers in 2020, is now adapted for the German-speaking markets with ABL’s expertise in calibration law compliance. The charging station offers modular functionality with three power levels—75 kW, 150 kW, and 220 kW—making it a scalable solution for various applications. Equipped with six independent power…

PALFINGER, a global leader in material handling solutions, has launched the FLS 25 eDRIVE, marking its entry into the electric forklift market. The truck-mounted forklift is designed to meet the needs of construction engineers, motorcycle dealers, and logistics fleets seeking sustainable and efficient lifting solutions. The FLS 25 eDRIVE boasts a 26 kW (35 hp) electric motor and a lifting capacity of 2.5 tons (5,000 lbs.), making it suitable for demanding tasks. Its innovative design features up to 180 degrees of steering angle, enabling exceptional maneuverability. Combined with the precision offered by its electric drive, the FLS 25 eDRIVE promises…

Nissan has joined the list of automakers whose electric vehicles can now use Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) Supercharger Network. The update, reflected on Tesla’s official NACS webpage, allows Nissan EV drivers to access over 15,000 Supercharger stalls across the United States and Canada. This development follows Tesla’s existing partnerships with automakers like Ford, Rivian, General Motors, Volvo, and Polestar. Nissan had previously announced that its all-electric Ariya crossover would gain NACS access later this year, alongside plans to distribute NACS adapters to Ariya drivers by the end of 2024. “This adapter will allow Ariya drivers to conveniently charge…

Vulcan Energy and BASF have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on developing geothermal energy at BASF’s Ludwigshafen site in Germany, aiming to generate renewable energy and sustainably extract lithium. The partnership aligns with both companies’ commitments to decarbonization and renewable resource utilization in the industrial sector. The project focuses on harnessing geothermal energy from the Upper Rhine Graben. BASF aims to produce CO₂-free steam through heat pumps, with the potential to generate 300 megawatts of thermal energy annually. This renewable energy source could reduce BASF’s reliance on fossil fuels, preventing approximately 800,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions each…

UK government officials have reiterated their commitment to phasing out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2030, following discussions with the automotive industry on zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates and targets. While manufacturers welcomed the government’s resolve to lead the ZEV transition, concerns remain over financial penalties tied to non-compliance with emissions goals. Under the ZEV mandate, 22% of cars and 10% of vans sold must be zero-emission by year’s end. These quotas will increase annually until 2030, when the sale of new ICE vehicles will cease. Automakers failing to meet the targets face fines of £15,000 per ZEV allowance for…

Landis+Gyr, a global provider of energy management solutions, has announced its entry into the DC fast charging market, unveiling a new portfolio of scalable, high-power charging products aimed at addressing the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. The company’s new offerings feature bidirectional charging capabilities and integrated battery storage systems designed for Battery-to-Grid applications. These systems can deliver high-speed charging in areas with limited grid capacity, minimizing the need for expensive and time-consuming grid upgrades. “Our entry into the DC charging market reflects our commitment to nurturing and strengthening the grid,” said Michael Viktor Fischer, CEO of Landis+Gyr EV…

Northern Irish bus manufacturer Wrightbus has completed the delivery of 31 hydrogen fuel cell buses to Regionalverkehr Köln (RVK), marking its first deployment of such vehicles in Europe. The buses, ordered in May 2022, are undergoing final testing before commencing operations in the Cologne region. Wrightbus has also established a European service center in Brühl, strategically located within RVK’s operating area. This facility is set to provide maintenance and support for the RVK buses and other orders Wrightbus has secured, including those from Saarbahn, Vestische, Cottbusverkehr, and West Verkehr. The Brühl center is also envisioned as a hub for servicing…

Charging infrastructure manufacturer XCharge North America has announced a collaboration with Swiss recycling startup Grensol Group to tackle end-of-life waste from Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). The initiative aims to reduce waste associated with EV charging cables and modules, promoting sustainability in the rapidly growing EV sector. Under the agreement, XCharge will supply Grensol with discarded EVSE components, such as broken cables and worn-down equipment, to develop industrial recycling solutions. Grensol plans to utilize advanced technologies, including metals recovery and photolysis, to process the waste and produce raw materials for a circular economy. These materials could include critical metals required…

Kia showcased its updated 2025 EV6 at the LA Auto Show, featuring a suite of enhancements, including a larger battery, a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, and new production plans in Georgia to improve eligibility for U.S. EV tax credits. The refreshed EV6 introduces several updates to its design, performance, and technology. Most notably, the vehicle now offers an 84kWh battery option for extended range, up from 77kWh in the previous model. Base models also receive a boost, with the smaller battery upgraded to 63kWh. The larger battery includes improved vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities, now capable of delivering up to…

Lectron, a U.S.-based manufacturer, has increased production of its NACS-to-CCS adapters to meet rising demand from electric vehicle drivers accessing Tesla’s expanding Supercharger network. The company now produces up to 12,000 adapters weekly, including the Vortex Plug, which supports 1,000 volts and 500 amps. “Our expanded production guarantees that every EV driver with a compatible vehicle can access the largest fast-charging network in the U.S. from day one,” said Christopher Maiwald, Lectron’s CEO. The adapter enables non-Tesla EVs to utilize Tesla’s Supercharger network, though it remains incompatible with Destination Chargers and home NACS chargers. Ford has partnered with Lectron to…

At this week’s Guangzhou Auto Show, Toyota introduced its all-electric bZ7 concept, an electric sedan set to launch in China next year. The sleek new model showcases Toyota’s updated design theme and will likely feature BYD-supplied batteries and motors, following the trend set by the bZ3 sedan. The bZ7 features a modern, streamlined design with slim LED headlights and a light bar across the front, mirroring design elements seen in the updated Prius models. It is expected to be produced by GAC Toyota, the company’s joint venture in China, which currently offers the bZ4X and bZ3X. Toyota’s other Chinese partner,…

Capital Metro, the public transport operator in Austin, Texas, has decided to store 46 newly delivered ZX5 electric buses from Proterra for at least a year, citing unresolved technical issues and warranty concerns following Proterra’s bankruptcy and the acquisition of its bus division by Phoenix Motor. The decision reflects ongoing challenges for Proterra’s customers even after Phoenix Motor acquired its bus operations late last year. According to local reports, CapMetro will keep the buses off the road until Phoenix can address outstanding issues. Proterra, once a prominent name in electric buses, filed for insolvency, leaving several customers in uncertainty over…

Honda has revealed a demonstration production line for its all-solid-state EV batteries, marking progress in its efforts to develop next-generation battery technology. The facility, located at Honda’s R&D center in Sakura City, Japan, will be used to finalize the specifications of the batteries and prepare for mass production. The production line, spanning about 295,000 square feet, replicates key manufacturing processes, including material preparation, coating, and module assembly. Honda plans to begin operations in January 2025 and aims to launch vehicles with these batteries in the second half of the 2020s. The company expects the new technology to improve driving range…

Hyundai has unveiled the Ioniq 9, its first electric three-row SUV, joining the Ioniq 5 compact SUV and Ioniq 6 sedan in the brand’s expanding electric vehicle (EV) portfolio. Designed to cater to growing families, the Ioniq 9 combines eye-catching styling, a spacious interior, and robust performance, making it a significant addition to Hyundai’s lineup. The Ioniq 9 is expected to offer a range of over 300 miles for every trim, with rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations available. The vehicle will go on sale in the first half of 2025, with pricing details to be revealed closer to its release. The…

Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) plans to expand its model lineup to over 10 vehicles next year, nearly doubling its current offerings, local media outlet 36kr reported on Monday. The expansion includes a new Aito-branded SUV designed to rival Li Auto’s popular Li L9. HIMA’s 2025 lineup will feature updates and new releases across its joint venture brands, including Aito’s M5, M7, M8, and M9; Stelato’s S9 and an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variant; Luxeed’s S7 and R7; and two models under the Maextro brand. Notably, the upcoming Aito M8 is set to challenge Li L9’s dominance, with Huawei…

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast launched deliveries of its VF 9 electric SUV in the United States on Monday, marking the arrival of its first large, three-row SUV in the market. The event, held at VinFast’s U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles, saw the delivery of the first eight VF 9 units to customers. VinFast, founded in 2017 as a subsidiary of Vingroup, entered the U.S. market in 2023 with its VF 8 mid-size electric SUV. The VF 9, which has been available in Vietnam since the 2023 model year, is now ready to expand its presence in North America after…