Author: Floyd Hawkins

Nissan Motor  is set to produce electric vehicles for its Chinese joint-venture partner Dongfeng Motor at its Wuhan factory by the end of the year, reported the Nikkei newspaper on Tuesday. This move is seen as a strategic response to the challenges facing Nissan’s China business, aiming to reduce fixed costs and boost the factory’s operating rate, which has been affected by declining sales. The joint venture between Nissan and Dongfeng already manufactures the Ariya EV and the X-Trail SUV at the Wuhan plant, which has an annual production capacity of 260,000 vehicles. The factory will soon begin production of…

German chemicals giant BASF and French mineral recovery and processing company Eramet have decided to shelve their plans to invest in a nickel-cobalt refinery complex in Indonesia for electric vehicle batteries. BASF announced the discontinuation of all ongoing evaluation and negotiation activities for the Weda Bay project. The companies had been considering a $2.6 billion investment in a nickel-cobalt refinery in Indonesia since the beginning of 2023. The first agreement between BASF and Eramet to jointly determine the potential of such a plant dates back to 2020. See also: BASF and WHW Recycling Collaborate to Boost Sustainability in Battery Cell Production…

The 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb showcased the impressive performance of electric vehicles (EVs), with several setting new records during the weekend’s races. The grueling race, which spans from 9,390 feet to 14,110 feet, saw Romain Dumas driving a modified Ford F-150 Lightning, dubbed a “Supertruck,” to victory with a record-breaking time of 8:53.553. This achievement placed Dumas ahead of the 2024 Wolf Aurobay GB08 2.0 HP, which trailed by approximately 11 seconds. Among the notable EV entries was the Hyundai Ioniq 5N TA spec, driven by Dani Sordo, who secured third place with a time of 9:30:852. Additionally,…

BYD plans to construct an electric vehicle (EV) plant in Mexico are expected to generate around 10,000 jobs, positioning it among the largest auto factories in the country. The EV behemoth is in the final stages of negotiations for the facility’s location, with an official announcement anticipated in the coming months, according to Jorge Vallejo, BYD’s general director in Mexico. Vallejo did not specify the breakdown of direct employees versus contractors or suppliers. See also: BYD Launches Seagull Electric Mini Vehicle in Brazil and Mexico A plant of this scale would employ more individuals than some other carmakers’ facilities in Mexico,…

Volkswagen Truck & Bus has revealed a prototype of an electric bus in Brazil featuring a battery technology that promises ultra-fast charging, thanks to the use of the heavy metal niobium to enrich a lithium-ion battery. The collaboration between Volkswagen Truck & Bus, CBMM, and Toshiba has resulted in a battery that enables ultra-fast charging, with the vehicle’s maximum range achievable in just 10 minutes. The prototype, built on an 18-ton chassis, has an estimated range of 60 kilometers with a charging time of 10 minutes using a 300 kW pantograph. It is equipped with four lithium battery packs with…

Bus manufacturer Wrightbus has launched a new initiative, NewPower, aimed at converting diesel buses to electric, with the goal of encouraging more fleet operators to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) without the need for a complete fleet overhaul. The program aims to make fleet electrification more accessible and cost-effective by offering a conversion service that eliminates the need for operators to purchase new electric buses. According to Wrightbus, the cost to re-power a bus is approximately £200,000, a significantly lower price point compared to purchasing new electric buses. This cost-effectiveness is expected to incentivize operators to convert mid-life bus fleets,…

A pilotless air taxi developed by Chinese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle manufacturer EHang Holdings has successfully completed its first autonomous flight in Saudi Arabia. The EHang vehicle, known as EH216-S, flew in Mecca in collaboration with Front End Limited Company, a Saudi company serving various industries. EHang’s presence in Saudi Arabia is supported by the country’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, Ministry of Hajj, and Ministry of Interior. This milestone flight represents a significant step in EHang’s internationalization efforts and highlights the potential for its pilotless eVTOL products in the Middle…

Japanese automaker Suzuki has partnered with automated driving tech start-up TIER IV to develop self-driving micro cars. The collaboration aims to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous technology, particularly in the production of autonomous kei cars, which are popular in the Japanese market. Suzuki, based in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka prefecture, has entered into a “capital and business alliance” with the Nagoya-based start-up. According to reports, Suzuki has committed to investing approximately 8 billion yen ($50 million) in TIER IV. See also: Nissan Launches Autonomous Driving Trials in Japan with LEAF Prototype Kei cars, known for their compact size and efficient engines, adhere…

Tesla’s lawyers are seeking a delay in the ongoing litigation regarding Elon Musk’s $56 billion pay package, citing a recent shareholder vote that re-approved the package and decided to move Tesla’s incorporation from Delaware to Texas. The lawyers argue that the July 8 hearing should be delayed as the shareholder vote “alters the course of the ongoing litigation.” This litigation stems from a January ruling by a Delaware judge who voided Musk’s 2018 pay package due to conflict of interest issues involving undisclosed conflicts of interest among Tesla board members. The upcoming July hearing was supposed to address lawyer compensation…

Avatr, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, has announced its entry into the Middle East automotive market through a strategic partnership with Al Saqer Group, a leading luxury car dealer based in the UAE. The agreement, finalized in Abu Dhabi, will see Avatr working closely with Al Saqer Group to introduce its EV models to the local market, as per a press release issued recently. With over 40 years of experience in distributing luxury brands like Rolls-Royce, BMW, and McLaren, Al Saqer Group is poised to play a crucial role in Avatr’s global expansion strategy. This move marks 2024 as…

Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC), a UK-based EV startup, has introduced a new lightweight modular EV architecture aimed at facilitating the development of various low-to-medium volume vehicle designs, including sports coupes, off-road buggies, and rideshare vehicles. The company’s new platform architecture, announced today, is built on WEVC’s proprietary Passenger And Commercial EV Skateboard (PACES). This adaptable bonded aluminum platform can be modified to suit a wide range of low-volume passenger EVs, supporting front-wheel, rear-wheel, and all-wheel drive powertrain configurations. The PACES platform utilizes an innovative assembly technique called FlexTech, which interlocks and bonds flat, laser-cut pieces together, avoiding the need…

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has restructured its smart driving technology development teams, signaling a renewed focus on this critical area. The company recently spun off a team responsible for its own technology at its planning institute’s smart driving research and development center to create a separate unit named Tianxuan, according to a report by local media outlet Jiemian. Heading the new unit is Xu Lingyun, formerly the director of smart driving at HiPhi. Xu joined BYD in September 2023 as the head of the perception technology team, reporting to Han Bing, the head of BYD’s smart driving center at…

Researchers at RWTH Aachen University’s Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) have reportedly developed a new laser process that significantly reduces the drying time for battery electrodes, potentially revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion batteries. The high cost of lithium-ion batteries, which account for 31% of the total costs of an electric car according to PEM, has been a major barrier to widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Current production processes, in addition to raw material procurement, contribute significantly to these costs. One of the most energy-intensive steps in battery production is the drying of electrode paste, which is applied…

Dutch fast-charging network operator Allego has reached a significant agreement with its majority shareholder, French infrastructure provider Meridiam, involving a total of 356 million euros in fresh capital. As part of the agreement, Meridiam will acquire the remaining shares in Allego and provide 310 million euros to support the company’s growth. Additionally, Meridiam will inject an additional 46 million euros into Allego’s charging network in Germany. The agreement will see Allego being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, where it has been listed under the ticker symbols “ALLG” and “ALLG.WS” since its public debut in spring 2022 via a…

ChargePoint has notified Fisker owners via email about the removal of their EV charging credits. This action follows Fisker’s alleged abandonment of its contract with ChargePoint, leading to a dispute over unpaid promotional charging costs. “Fisker has abandoned its contract with ChargePoint, failing to pay for promotional charging offers given to its customers, including the one you redeemed,” stated ChargePoint in an email shared with Drive Tesla. See also: Fisker Files for Bankruptcy as Deal Talks Collapse, Citing Cash Burn and EV Market Challenges The move comes in the wake of Fisker’s financial challenges, culminating in the company filing for Chapter…

South Korean company SK On has made significant strides in solid-state battery technology, announcing the creation of a solid polymer electrolyte for lithium-metal batteries that can operate at room temperature. This development could potentially revolutionize the field of solid-state batteries, offering improved performance and ease of production. Working in collaboration with researchers from the University of Texas, SK On developed a novel polymer electrolyte named “SIPE” (single-ion conducting polymer electrolyte). The company believes that this electrolyte will play a crucial role in enhancing the performance of solid-state batteries and expediting their development. The research findings were recently published in the…

Polish electric vehicle charging station manufacturer, Ekoenergetyka, has finalized a loan agreement with Bank Pekao for 741 million zlotys (approximately 170 million euros). This funding will be utilized to fuel the company’s ongoing growth initiatives. Initially, Ekoenergetyka will receive 691 million zlotys, with an additional 50 million zlotys earmarked for release subject to specific conditions. Bank Pekao will lead the financing consortium and, in collaboration with the company, will choose other members. Ekoenergetyka’s recent commissioning of a new production line is expected to significantly enhance efficiency and product quality, resulting in a 50 charger per shift output increase. The company…

Tata Motors has revealed plans to introduce Avinya EVs, potentially comprising SUVs and MPVs, based on Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) EMA platform. According to a report from Autocar India, Tata Motors Chief Communication Officer Vivek Srivatsa indicated that the Avinya EV lineup will encompass various body styles, with SUVs and MPVs dominating the lineup. Tata Motors has been rumored to be developing a compact MPV similar to the VW Touran since 2013. While the company never launched this model with an internal combustion engine, there is speculation that it could be considering an electric version of this vehicle. The EMA…

Volvo has announced a recall of all 71,956 EX30 models produced to date due to a software bug that could cause the speedometer to go into test mode when the vehicle is started. The glitch, although not critical, requires attention to ensure proper functionality. The EX30, Volvo’s most affordable EV, has seen remarkable success since its launch late last year. With 14,500 units sold in the first quarter and over 35,000 units sold through May, it has quickly become one of the best-selling fully electric cars in Europe, according to Björn Annwall, Volvo Cars’ CCO and deputy CEO. DataForce research…

Tesla has joined forces with Baidu to enhance its mapping software. The collaboration is anticipated to significantly improve Tesla’s prospects of securing regulatory approval for FSD in the region. Over the weekend, Baidu revealed plans to offer lane-level navigation services to Tesla vehicles in China. According to a report by CNN, Baidu stated that its navigation services would provide drivers with more detailed information, thereby enhancing overall driving safety. Baidu explained, “With the support of Baidu’s lane-level map, Tesla’s navigation can accurately render lane changes on the road the user is currently on, upgrading from providing road-level guidance to providing…