Author: Floyd Hawkins

Ford  reported an 8.3% decline in electric vehicle (EV) sales in October compared to the same month last year, underscoring the challenges the automaker faces as it transitions to its next-generation EV lineup. The drop was led by a significant decline in sales of the F-150 Lightning, Ford’s flagship electric truck, which fell by 49.8%. This decrease follows the company’s recent announcement to temporarily halt production of the Lightning later this month, with a planned restart in early 2024. Despite the setbacks for the F-150 Lightning, Ford’s Mustang Mach-E posted a 21.3% increase in sales, totaling 3,313 units for the…

Joby Aviation has conducted its first demonstration of eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi technology in Japan, following a major $500 million investment from Toyota. The test flight, performed without a pilot onboard, took place at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Shizuoka, showcasing Joby’s progress in sustainable air mobility against the scenic backdrop of Mt. Fuji. Toyota has been a strategic partner for Joby since 2019, providing not only substantial funding but also technical support as the eVTOL company prepares for high-volume production in the United States. With Toyota’s engineers working alongside Joby’s team, the partnership aims to…

Amprius Technologies has shipped its A-Sample EV cells to the United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC), a collaboration among major automakers focused on advancing electric vehicle battery technology. The new SiMaxx cells achieve an energy density of 360 Wh/kg, surpassing the USABC’s target of 275 Wh/kg. This improvement could lead to longer driving ranges for electric vehicles without increasing battery size or weight. The cells also feature a power density of 1200 W/kg, enhancing energy delivery efficiency. A notable aspect of the A-Sample EV cells is their rapid charging capability, allowing them to reach 90% charge in approximately 15 minutes,…

Nissan announced that cumulative global production of its e-POWER vehicles exceeded 1.5 million units as of the end of October. Currently, e-POWER vehicles are available in 68 markets worldwide. e-POWER is a unique technology developed by Nissan, utilizing a small-capacity gasoline engine and lithium-ion battery to power an electric motor that drives the wheels. This configuration provides an electric vehicle driving experience characterized by responsive acceleration and quiet operation. The e-POWER system was first introduced in Japan in 2016 with the Note e-POWER. Since then, its availability has expanded to include the Kicks and X-Trail sport utility vehicles, as well…

Swedish logistics property developer Catena has announced a partnership with Einride to establish charging hubs for electric trucks at two of its strategically located properties. This initiative aims to support the growing demand for electric vehicle infrastructure along key transport routes in Sweden. The first charging hub, located in Norrköping in eastern Sweden, is already operational. The second hub, situated in Helsingborg on the western coast near the Danish border, is anticipated to commence operations by November 2025. Each hub will feature six to eight charging terminals with capabilities of up to 400 kW, accommodating various electric truck models. While…

Aptera Motors has successfully completed the first drive of its production-intent solar electric vehicle (sEV), marking a significant step in validating the vehicle’s design and components. This development paves the way for rigorous real-world testing to assess critical performance metrics, including range, solar charging, and overall efficiency. The vehicle features Aptera’s newly integrated Vitesco Technologies EMR3 drivetrain, which is an in-board motor solution unveiled earlier this year. The initial test drive confirmed the compatibility of Aptera’s proprietary battery pack with the EMR3 powertrain under real-world conditions. Notably, this marks the first time that Aptera’s composite body structure, known as its…

Caterpillar has introduced the first of its next-generation CAT 793 XE Early Learner battery electric trucks, equipped with a massive 240-ton payload, at Newmont’s Cripple Creek and Victor (CC&V) mine in Teller County, Colorado. This deployment marks a significant milestone in Caterpillar’s Early Learner electric vehicle program. The announcement follows the unveiling of Caterpillar’s new battery electric Large Mining Truck line, with Newmont’s CC&V mine selected as a key testing and validation site for the initial seven CAT 793 XE Early Learner haul trucks. This production phase is pivotal, following the demonstration of Caterpillar’s first battery electric 793 prototype in…

Denza, the premium brand of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, has officially launched in Thailand, marking its fourth entry into the Asia-Pacific market after Hong Kong, Cambodia, and Singapore. The expansion reflects Denza’s aim to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia, a region increasingly receptive to electric and luxury vehicles. Denza introduced the Premium-AWD version of its D9 MPV, an all-electric, luxury multi-purpose vehicle tailored for both urban and long-distance driving in Thailand. The D9, spanning over 5.25 meters, boasts a power output of up to 275 kW (368 hp) and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9…

Asahi Kasei and Honda Motor Co. are launching a new joint venture to produce advanced lithium-ion battery separators at an integrated plant in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. The project aims to convert an existing Asahi Kasei subsidiary into a high-output facility, capable of producing Hipore lithium-ion battery separators. The joint venture, tentatively named the Asahi Kasei Honda Battery Separator Corporation, has been in discussions since April 2024 and is expected to gain regulatory approval, with production projected to start in early 2025. With an initial capital of CAD$240 million, Asahi Kasei will hold a 75% stake while Honda will acquire…

BCA has introduced an EV Battery Health Grading service, giving used electric vehicle (EV) buyers detailed insights into battery condition and transparency in the purchasing process. The new service, supported by the AVILOO battery testing system, assesses traction battery health in used EVs and is expected to accompany BCA’s 40,000 EV sales projected for the next 12 months. According to BCA COO Stuart Pearson, the rapid growth in EV volumes at BCA’s online auctions has fueled advancements in remarketing services. “Thanks to our continued investment in infrastructure and support services, our customers remain best placed when it comes to selling…

In October, Norway’s electric vehicle (BEV) market sustained its dominance with BEVs accounting for 94% of new car registrations, according to the Norwegian Road Authority (OFV). A total of 10,862 electric cars were registered, led by Toyota’s bZ4X with 761 units, narrowly surpassing the Skoda Enyaq’s 757 units. Non-electric models were limited to only 23rd place in the sales rankings, reinforcing Norway’s position as a global leader in electric mobility. Though down slightly from the record-breaking 96.4% BEV market share seen in September, October’s figures remain consistent with Norway’s steady progress toward full electrification. The country’s BEV market share for…

Hyundai Motor Company is making significant strides toward a sustainable future by signing the largest renewable energy supply contract in South Korea. Announced on Wednesday, the agreement with Hyundai Engineering & Construction, SK E&S, GS E&R, and Enlighten will provide the automaker with 610 GWh of renewable energy annually over the next 20 years, enough to fully charge its all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV more than 7 million times. The new power purchase agreement (PPA) is poised to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with Hyundai estimating a decrease of approximately 5.6 million tons as a result of the contract. “In addition…

VinFast Auto, a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, officially launched its brand in the Middle East during an event on Bluewaters Island in Dubai on October 28, 2024. The company also inaugurated its first dealership in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), located in downtown Dubai. The new dealership spans over 1,000 square meters and includes a showroom as well as a service workshop. It features VinFast’s electric vehicle lineup, which includes models such as the VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9. VinFast plans to expand its dealership network to additional countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar,…

Xiaomi, the Chinese tech titan, has taken a bold step into the high-performance electric vehicle (EV) market with the debut of its luxury SU7 Ultra sedan. Unveiled at a comprehensive product launch event in Beijing, the new EV highlights Xiaomi’s intent to compete with established automotive giants. Priced at RMB 814,900 ($114,200), the SU7 Ultra is nearly four times more costly than the standard SU7 model. The company has already opened pre-orders, requiring a refundable deposit of RMB 10,000, ahead of the model’s official release in March 2025. The SU7 Ultra, described by Xiaomi’s founder and CEO Lei Jun as…

Canadian EV battery repurposing company Moment Energy will establish the first UL1974-certified facility for EV battery reuse in the United States, following a $20.3 million award from the Biden-Harris Administration. The project, set to begin in 2025, will create a manufacturing hub in Texas to transform used EV batteries into safe, reliable energy storage systems, with an eventual capacity of 1 GWh annually. The funding forms part of a $428 million initiative aimed at boosting clean energy production in former coal communities, supporting the Justice40 initiative by creating over 250 jobs in Taylor, Texas, and nearby disadvantaged areas. “This facility…

Peugeot has been chosen to supply Royal Mail with over 2,000 electric vans as part of the postal service’s push to expand its electric vehicle fleet. The new addition comprises 1,100 Peugeot e-Partner and 1,000 e-Expert models, building on Royal Mail’s initial announcement in July to acquire 2,100 electric vans. This expansion supports Royal Mail’s goal to electrify its entire fleet by 2030. The updated Peugeot e-Partner offers a range of up to 213 miles (WLTP) and features an electric drivetrain delivering up to 270Nm of torque powered by a 50kWh battery. Equipped with a regenerative braking system adjustable at…

Tesla has applied for permits to double the size of its Gigafactory Texas in Austin, aiming to support increased production and add new vehicle lines, according to recent filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Gigafactory Texas, already one of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities at over 5 million square feet, could see its footprint significantly expanded by the end of 2025. Tesla’s filings mention areas like “Body in White,” “Castings,” “Paint,” “Plastics,” “Stamping,” and “Drive Unit,” pointing to the factory’s potential expansion for enhanced vehicle assembly and production capacity. These facilities are crucial for the manufacturing stages…

Danish software company Monta, which specializes in solutions for the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry, announced on Tuesday its expansion into the U.S. market, targeting one million connected charging points within five years. The company’s CEO, Casper Rasmussen, relocated to Miami to lead Monta’s U.S. operations and explained the timing of the move. “We’ve been looking for a while at the U.S. market, which has been a couple of years behind Europe for EV adoption,” Rasmussen told Reuters. “It’s a very large market, so we want to be there when it starts picking up.” Monta’s expansion follows a successful Series…

Kia Motors is gearing up for the U.S. launch of its updated 2025 EV6, an all-electric crossover that first debuted in 2021 on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform. The upgraded EV6 was recently seen testing on U.S. roads, showcasing new design updates as Kia aims to maintain its position in a competitive EV market. While the EV6 gained initial traction for its bold design and range capabilities, newer models have intensified competition, leading to a double-digit dip in sales for three consecutive months in the U.S., although year-to-date sales are up by 8%. The 2025 model sports a refreshed look, with Kia’s…

Japanese material handling company Tadano has introduced its 100-ton GR-1000XLL EVOLT electric crane to the North American market. Designed to handle rough terrain and unfinished job sites, this all-wheel drive crane features four-wheel steering and boasts a maximum lifting height of over 224 feet (approximately 70 meters) and a maximum arc radius exceeding 190 feet (58 meters). Dean Barley, president and CEO of Tadano America, expressed confidence in the product’s potential, stating, “We are very confident in the investment we’ve made in this crane. This crane has been tested and retested. We wanted to make sure that the first fully…