Author: Floyd Hawkins

The Volkswagen (VW) Group is set to begin pre-series production of its small electric vehicles at Seat’s Martorell plant in Spain this year, with full-scale production of the Cupra Raval and VW ID.2 models scheduled for 2026. However, production targets for these models and related projects have been scaled back, reflecting slower adoption of electric vehicles in Europe. Seat has been upgrading the Martorell facility to accommodate the new electric models, relocating production of combustion-engine vehicles like the Ibiza and Arona to make room for the “Electric Urban Car.” The company has installed a more efficient press and the VW…

In the ever-evolving world of e-bikes, staying ahead of the curve requires innovation, foresight, and a deep understanding of rider needs. ADO (A Dece Oasis), a rising star in the mid-level e-bike market, has once again proven its commitment to innovation with the upcoming launch of the Air 30 Ultra. This e-bike is not just another addition to the crowded market; it’s a game-changer designed to redefine urban commuting. Here’s everything you need to know about its specifications and features. A Fresh Take on Urban E-Bikes The Air 30 Ultra is the latest addition to ADO’s Air lineup, and it’s already generating buzz…

Electric truck maker Nikola has seen a fresh wave of executive departures as it postpones its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings report and evaluates strategic options, including a potential sale or new partnerships, sources say. Among those exiting are Jaime Ulloa, Nikola’s global head of manufacturing and quality, and Nick Ioppolo, head of battery operations. Ulloa, who joined the company in 2021, updated his LinkedIn status to “Semi-Retired,” while Ioppolo has taken on a new role as vice president of operations at AmSafe Aviation. See also: Nikola Faces Financial Crisis, Warns of Inadequate Funds for 2025 The leadership changes follow last week’s…

Polestar, the Swedish electric vehicle (EV) brand owned by China’s Geely Group, is actively seeking non-Chinese suppliers for its connectivity components to comply with an upcoming U.S. ban on Chinese-made hardware and software in connected vehicles, CEO Michael Lohscheller said in an interview. The ban, announced by the U.S. government in the final week of President Joe Biden’s term, prohibits the sale of connected vehicles and related components produced by entities “owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of the PRC [People’s Republic of China] or Russia.” The regulation, aimed at safeguarding automotive supply chains from…

BASF, Germany’s largest chemical manufacturer, reported a decline in annual earnings for 2024, with results falling below market expectations. The company attributed the drop to impairments in its surface technologies unit, which produces battery materials for electric vehicles (EVs), and to restructuring costs. The unit faced challenges due to reduced EV demand in the German automotive sector and increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers. See also: Vulcan and BASF Partner to Explore Geothermal Energy and Lithium Production at Ludwigshafen Site Preliminary earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) stood at €2 billion ($2.10 billion), significantly lower than the consensus estimate of €3.2…

Forum Mobility has opened the FM Harbor electric truck charging depot at the Port of Long Beach, the world’s largest port-based facility dedicated to electric truck charging. This fully operational site is designed to support over 200 electric drayage trucks daily, in alignment with California’s efforts to promote zero-emission freight transport. The opening event featured key figures from the California Air Resources Board and the Port of Long Beach, who highlighted the facility’s contribution to reducing emissions and enhancing air quality. See also: Forum Mobility Secures $4.5 Million to Develop Electric Truck Charging Depot with Capacity for 96 Vehicles The…

MP Materials has initiated production of rare earth materials at its Independence facility in Fort Worth, Texas, marking progress in reestablishing a domestic supply chain for rare earth magnets. The facility has started commercial production of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) metal and is conducting trial production of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets. These magnets are essential for applications in industries such as automotive, robotics, aerospace, and defense. The company aims to produce 1,000 metric tons of finished magnets annually by late 2025. See also: Phoenix Tailings Raises $43 Million to Boost U.S. Rare Earth Metals Processing Capability Raw materials for the magnets are supplied…

Nuvve Holding Corp., a company specializing in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, has launched a new range of bidirectional and unidirectional charging solutions. With power capacities ranging from 20 kW to 360 kW, these chargers are designed for various applications, including school buses, commercial fleets, public infrastructure, and microgrids. The lineup features flexible configurations such as wall-mounted and mono-block units, some with dual-port options to enhance usability. Advanced functionalities, including Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) compatibility, remote monitoring, and over-the-air software updates, are integrated into the chargers to optimize performance. All models are embedded with Nuvve’s GIVe™ and FLEETBOX™ platforms for efficient…

Kia has issued a recall for more than 80,000 electric and hybrid vehicles in the United States, citing a critical safety issue involving the floor wiring assembly. The recall, announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Saturday, includes the 2023-2025 models of the Kia Niro, Niro EV, and Niro plug-in hybrid. See also: Affordable EVs Compared: Kia Niro EV Vs Chevrolet Bolt The NHTSA revealed that the floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may be at risk of damage. This defect could interfere with the proper deployment of front airbags and seat belts, potentially increasing…

Kia’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales saw a significant increase in 2024, with the company selling 201,000 BEVs, representing a 10.2% year-on-year growth. This contributed to a total of 638,000 eco-friendly vehicles sold globally, including 367,000 hybrids and 71,000 plug-in hybrids. BEVs accounted for approximately 31.5% of Kia’s total eco-friendly car sales in 2024. See also: Kia Confirms Electric Version of Tasman Pickup Truck, Expanding EV Lineup The fourth quarter was particularly strong for Kia, as the company sold nearly 770,000 vehicles globally, a 5% increase from the previous year. The Q4 sales were driven by eco-friendly cars, with 164,000…

Kempower, a manufacturer of EV chargers, has partnered with Ziegler Energy Solutions (ZES) to offer fast charging infrastructure tailored for commercial fleets. This collaboration brings together Kempower’s DC fast charging technology and ZES’s focus on infrastructure, energy efficiency, and operational flexibility, aiming to meet the needs of fleet operators adopting electric vehicles (EVs). See also: Kempower and DLL Partner to Offer Flexible Financing for EV Charging Infrastructure Troy Monson, General Manager of Ziegler Energy Solutions, highlighted the growing importance of reliable and adaptable EV charging infrastructure. He noted, “As businesses and municipalities increasingly transition to electric fleets, reliable and adaptable…

Tesla has announced a recall of more than 1.2 million vehicles in China, citing software-related concerns. The recall, which takes immediate effect, involves various models including imported Model S and Model X, as well as locally produced Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Production dates for the affected vehicles range from July 16, 2023, to December 14, 2024. According to the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), one issue involves a reverse current that may damage the power supply component on the main board of the vehicle’s computer. See also: Tesla China Launches Free 30-Day Trial of Enhanced Autopilot for…