Author: Floyd Hawkins

Kraken, an AI-supported platform, has announced the acquisition of the Dutch smart charging specialist Jedlix, which includes both the technology and the team from the Dutch company. Kraken plans to transform Jedlix’s facilities in Rotterdam into a technology center as part of this integration. The acquisition aims to bolster Kraken’s position as a provider of flexible demand management solutions for energy suppliers while also enabling electric vehicle drivers to access “cheaper and cleaner energy.” Specific details regarding the financial terms or future offerings stemming from the acquisition have not been disclosed. Devrim Celal, Kraken’s Chief Marketing & Flexibility Officer, stated,…

Tesla has introduced a series of promotions in the U.S. and globally as the company approaches its third-quarter earnings call, aiming to boost end-of-year vehicle deliveries. This effort, although typical near quarter-end, comes earlier and on a larger scale than usual, reflecting Tesla’s determination to meet its 2024 goals. Among the offers available in the U.S. are zero-percent financing on the Model 3 and Model Y, free Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised transfers for deliveries made before year-end, and additional incentives such as free paint on the Model 3 Performance or a paid option on the Model X AWD. https://twitter.com/tesla_na/status/1848518458486518146 Tesla…

Qualcomm announced a partnership with Alphabet’s Google on Tuesday to provide automakers with a combination of chips and software, enabling them to develop their own AI-powered voice assistants. The collaboration aims to integrate Qualcomm’s chips with Google’s AI technology, allowing automakers to create voice assistants that do not depend on a driver’s smartphone. The partnership builds on Qualcomm’s history of powering mobile devices with Google’s Android operating system. Over the years, Qualcomm has expanded into the automotive sector, providing chips for dashboards and automated driving systems used by companies such as General Motors. Qualcomm stated that its new collaboration with…

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has secured a contract with Unibuss, one of the major bus operators in Oslo, to supply its Depot360 managed services solution. This system will be utilized to optimize Unibuss’ fleet management and charging infrastructure for their growing fleet of electric buses. Unibuss, which operates 259 electric buses across 51 routes, selected Siemens’ Depot360 Managed Services to enhance the efficiency of their existing charging infrastructure. The Depot360 solution, launched in April 2024, provides a comprehensive service that is adaptable to various charging infrastructures and is designed for logistics companies and municipal transport services. Siemens highlights its capacity to…

Mercedes-Benz has opened Europe’s first battery recycling plant utilizing an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process in Kuppenheim. The facility is aimed at enhancing the company’s efforts to create a circular economy by recovering more than 96% of essential raw materials, including lithium, nickel, and cobalt. The plant is expected to produce enough recycled materials for over 50,000 new battery modules annually, operating under net carbon-neutral conditions with power sourced entirely from green electricity. A company representative emphasized the investment as part of Mercedes-Benz’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. By employing this mechanical-hydrometallurgical approach, the facility seeks to improve the efficiency of raw material…

BMW has introduced two fully electric trucks at its Leipzig plant to transport components between a logistics warehouse and its high-voltage battery production facilities. The trucks, manufactured by Designwerk, are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by around nine tonnes annually compared to traditional diesel-powered vehicles. These electric trucks will cover an eight-kilometer round trip, completing up to twelve trips per day as part of the plant’s three-shift operation. Powered by four electric drives delivering 610 horsepower (450 kW), the Designwerk trucks operate on 340 kWh batteries, which can charge to 80% in approximately 1.5 hours during drivers’ breaks. This new…

According to the latest estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 300,000 people die each year from respiratory illnesses caused by poor air quality, with millions more suffering from related health issues. In response to this alarming trend, European citizens may soon have the opportunity to seek compensation for health problems arising from violations of pollution limits. In Spain alone, more than 21,000 fatalities were attributed to air pollution last year, particularly due to suspended particulate matter. To address these serious health risks, new legislation has been implemented across the European Union (EU) that establishes stricter emission limits for…

PowerGo and E.ON Drive Infrastructure have inaugurated a new ultra-fast charging hub at Lillebælt Syd, Denmark, on October 11. To celebrate the launch, both companies offered free electric vehicle (EV) charging for one day, promoting green energy solutions and accessibility for travelers along the highway. In collaboration with the Danish Road Directorate, the two operators have expanded their public charging network, focusing on user-friendly solutions and sustainable energy. While they operated independently during the construction phase, PowerGo and E.ON Drive Infrastructure have consistently collaborated to enhance EV charging services. The new charging hub is designed to meet the growing demand…

Rimac Group has completed the first phase of its new Campus in Croatia, a 75,000 m² production facility that marks a significant milestone for the company. With production already underway, this phase accounts for approximately 70% of the entire project, which will ultimately support hypercar development, battery production, and research for both Rimac Technology and Bugatti Rimac. The total investment in the project so far stands at 120 million EUR, with the final costs expected to exceed 300 million EUR once phase two is complete. Designed by Croatian architecture firm 3LHD, the facility features cutting-edge capabilities, including hypercar assembly, CNC…

If you’re a fan of BMW’s design direction with the Neue Klasse concepts but are less thrilled by the electric powertrains, there’s good news. The Bavarian brand plans to roll out this new styling language across all future models—EVs, hybrids, and even traditional internal combustion engines (ICE). The next generation of BMWs will not only feature a similar look but will also share high-tech, futuristic features, ensuring a nearly identical user experience regardless of what’s under the hood. This revelation came from Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group’s design chief, who stated that every future BMW will embrace the Neue Klasse…

Swedish electric boat manufacturer X Shore has confirmed a major order of 32 electric vessels to be delivered to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, marking the company’s largest order to date. The boats, ordered by M Yachts, will be available for display in the company’s showrooms across these markets, with the first units expected to be delivered by the end of the year. X Shore highlighted the significance of this partnership for enhancing customer access to its electric boats in the DACH region, allowing local customers to view, test, and receive after-sales support for the vessels. The company anticipates that the…

Hyundai Motor America has recalled certain 2019-2024 Nexo models due to a possible fire hazard linked to a defective thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD), which could result in a hydrogen gas leak. This issue affects approximately 1,545 units, and the automaker has advised owners to park their vehicles outside and away from buildings until repairs are made. Hyundai will replace the faulty TPRD at no cost. Although no fires have been reported globally, owners will receive notification letters starting December 10, and dealers will replace the pressure release devices. This latest recall adds to earlier concerns about the Nexo’s…

As the electric vehicle (EV) revolution encounters new challenges, several automakers are shifting focus toward hybrids, including Nissan, a long-time EV pioneer. According to Car & Driver, Nissan is gearing up to launch its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in the U.S. next year, with the 2025 Rogue PHEV leading the charge. While details are still scarce, the new eco-friendly crossover is expected to draw heavily from the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which currently pairs a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivers a combined 248 horsepower and could be carried over to the Rogue PHEV, though…

Chinese charging infrastructure manufacturer XCharge is enhancing its research and development (R&D) presence in Europe by opening a new test center in Hamburg, Germany. This facility aims to support the company’s efforts to strengthen its footprint in the European market. According to XCharge, the Hamburg-based test lab will focus on ensuring compatibility between its charging stations and the latest electric vehicle models, including not only electric cars but also trucks and buses. The test lab is designed to address past challenges where new vehicle models or software versions have caused communication issues with charging stations, an issue not unique to…

Mercedes-Benz has announced updates to several models in its U.S. electric vehicle lineup for 2025, including larger batteries for the EQE and EQS models, as well as the introduction of the fully electric G-Class. These updates aim to improve vehicle range and provide new incentives for customers, alongside the debut of the electric G-Class. One of the key highlights is the upcoming fully electric G-Class model, starting with the G 580. Priced at $161,500, this model features a 116 kWh battery pack capable of delivering a WLTP range of 293 miles. The vehicle is powered by a quad-motor setup, with…

Cash-strapped electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors announced on Thursday a public offering of over 262 million shares, which is expected to generate approximately $1.67 billion in proceeds. The announcement, coupled with a warning of a larger-than-anticipated loss for the third quarter, triggered a decline of more than 17% in the company’s shares during premarket trading. Lucid anticipates reporting an operational loss between $765 million and $790 million for the quarter ending September 30, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $751.7 million, as per data compiled by LSEG. In addition to the public offering, Lucid has signed an agreement with Ayar Third Investment,…

Swedish battery maker Northvolt is seeking to secure short-term funding to stabilize its finances, with co-founder Harald Mix reportedly prepared to inject 100 million crowns ($9.50 million) into the company, according to Swedish broadcaster SVT. This follows earlier reports that Northvolt is in discussions with investors and lenders to raise around 200 million euros ($217 million). Pension funds AMF and the AP Funds, both of which have previously invested in Northvolt, may also contribute more funds, contingent on additional support from other shareholders and lenders. While AMF has yet to make a decision, a spokesperson for the AP Funds said…

Tesla has officially introduced its Supercharger network to Chile, marking the company’s first EV charging stations in the South American country. The new Supercharger stations follow the arrival of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, which landed in Chile earlier this year in April. The initial Superchargers have been installed at two locations: Quilicura in Central Chile and Curauma, a coastal area near the South Pacific. https://twitter.com/TeslaCharging/status/1846340396764508353 Each site houses four V4 Superchargers with a capacity of 250 kW, offering fast charging options for Tesla vehicles. Additionally, the stations are equipped with CCS compatibility, allowing non-Tesla electric vehicles to…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has begun pre-sales of its new P7+ sedan in China, offering a price significantly lower than Tesla’s Model 3. The P7+ was introduced by Xpeng’s Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng at the Paris auto show on Monday, marking its debut to European consumers. Pre-sales for the P7+ start at RMB 209,800 ($29,610) in China, a price that is RMB 22,100 (9.53%) less than Tesla’s Model 3, which starts at RMB 231,900. In line with typical EV launches in China, the price of the P7+ could drop further when the model officially hits the market. Customers…

Electric vehicle startup Fisker has received court approval for its bankruptcy liquidation plan, following intense negotiations that preserved the company’s $46 million sale of its remaining inventory, which includes approximately 3,000 Ocean SUVs. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Thomas Horan approved the plan during a court hearing held in Wilmington, Delaware, enabling Fisker to repay creditors using the proceeds from the asset liquidation. Fisker filed for bankruptcy in June after unsuccessful attempts to secure a partnership with Nissan for the production of its electric vehicles. During negotiations, the company faced cash flow challenges, leading to a pause in vehicle production and subsequent…