Author: Floyd Hawkins

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…

A team of Chinese researchers has introduced a novel, eco-friendly method for recycling NCM (nickel, cobalt, manganese) lithium-ion batteries using citric acid. This innovative process offers an energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional recycling techniques, as detailed in the journal Angewandte Chemie. The researchers, representing institutions including the China University of Mining and Technology and Tsinghua University, devised a method that uses minimal citric acid to extract over 99% of lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese from NCM cathodes. The process eliminates the need for additional chemicals, reducing both energy consumption and carbon emissions compared to conventional hydrometallurgical methods. The…

Honda’s Alabama assembly plant has begun utilizing the all-electric Peterbilt 579EV semi truck as part of a pilot program aimed at advancing the electrification of transport. The electric truck, which is being used to transport newly-built Honda vehicles to a nearby railhead for shipment, is part of a collaboration between Honda, Alabama Power, Virginia Transportation Corp., and other key stakeholders, including the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition and Peterbilt. Leo Doire, CEO of Virginia Transportation Corp., emphasized the importance of testing the new Peterbilt 579EV under the demanding conditions of short-haul and drayage applications. “Our new Peterbilt 579EV model will be…

Renault has expanded its Renault 5 E-Tech Electric lineup with the introduction of a new battery version, the ‘Urban Range,’ featuring a 40 kWh battery. This version is designed to lower the entry price of the small electric vehicle, although the long-awaited €25,000 model will not be available until next year. The ‘Urban Range’ version, available with the new ‘Evolution’ trim, starts at €27,900, making the Renault 5 accessible for under €30,000. Renault previously offered the 52-kWh battery variant, starting at €32,900. The 40-kWh version differs not only in battery capacity but also in equipment. While initially set for release…

Chinese flying taxi pioneer Ehang has successfully completed test flights of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the EH216-S, in Bangkok without a pilot, but with passengers on board. This marks the latest milestone for the company, with Thailand becoming the 18th country to approve the aircraft for flight. The demonstration flights took place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center during the Thailand Drone Exhibition & Symposium 2024. Ehang received prior approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to conduct these flights. The company plans to conduct further flight tests in the country and aims…