Author: Floyd Hawkins

Sila, a battery materials startup, has begun operations at its new facility in Moses Lake, Washington, marking the launch of the first large-scale silicon anode plant in the United States. The milestone could enable automakers to deliver longer-range and faster-charging electric vehicles (EVs). The factory, under construction for nearly two years, will initially produce enough material for 20,000 to 50,000 EVs, with future expansion planned to support as many as 2.5 million vehicles. “When you invent something new, it’s a lot easier to then produce it where you invent it,” co-founder and CEO Gene Berdichevsky told TechCrunch. Silicon anodes have…

U.S.-based ReElement Technologies and South Korea’s Posco said they plan to build a joint facility in the United States that would process rare earth raw materials and produce permanent magnets under one roof, a move the partners describe as a new level of vertical integration. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the project, which they said would be the first complex in the United States to integrate the full value chain “from securing rare-earth raw materials and conducting separation and refining, to manufacturing permanent magnets and recycling manufacturing scrap and end-of-life magnets—all within one facility.” ReElement…

Nigeria’s state-backed ride-hailing service LagRide has expanded its fleet with 100 new electric vehicles and is targeting at least 70% of the Lagos EV-hailing market, as part of a broader plan to deploy more than 3,000 EVs over the next three years. The company did not specify the models acquired but said the vehicles can travel over 333 kilometres per charge and can recharge to “operating readiness” in 30 minutes at a fast charging station. A GAC GS3 electric SUV was shown in the press release with LagRide branding. “With charging stations now deployed across Lagos, LagRide is optimising routing…

The Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University has received road approval for its first modular truck drive system combining a fuel cell and electric motor, marking a milestone in Germany’s push to decarbonise heavy goods transport. The prototype is part of the “SeLV” research project, which has been supported by €16.9 million in funding from the Federal Ministry of Transport since 2021. The project aims to develop configurable powertrains for trucks that can be tailored to different applications. The system is designed not only for new vehicles but also as a retrofit option for…

Trek has launched the Checkpoint+, its first electric gravel bike, expanding the U.S. company’s lineup into a new category with three models now available worldwide. The Checkpoint+ is built on an OCLV carbon frame from Trek’s 500 series and integrates the latest HPR60 motor from German manufacturer TQ. The motor delivers up to 350W of peak power and 60 Nm of torque, providing pedal-assist support up to 28 mph (45 km/h) in the United States. Unlike some competitors, the model does not include a throttle option. A 360 Wh internal battery is standard, offering an estimated range of 50 miles…

Volkswagen is grappling with difficulties in its software partnership with U.S. electric vehicle maker Rivian, with several planned electric models facing delays of at least a year, according to a report by German business magazine Manager Magazin. The software joint venture, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, was set up in mid-2024 as part of Volkswagen’s multibillion-euro effort to resolve longstanding challenges with its in-house software unit, Cariad. The partnership aims to integrate Rivian’s zonal electronic architecture into both Rivian and Volkswagen Group models. However, software designed primarily for electric vehicles has proven difficult to adapt to Volkswagen’s internal combustion engine…

Nissan’s electric vehicle lineup in the United States is undergoing another shakeup, with the Ariya crossover set to be discontinued after the 2025 model year. Barely three years after its launch, the electric SUV will be pulled from the U.S. market as the automaker reallocates resources toward the upcoming 2026 Leaf, according to a dealer memo first reported by Automotive News and later confirmed by Nissan. “Nissan is pausing production of the MY26 Ariya for the U.S. market and reallocating resources to support the launch of the all-new 2026 Leaf, which will have the lowest starting MSRP out of all…

Chinese automaker Changan has supplied 443 Deepal electric vehicles to Krungthai Bank in Thailand as part of a fleet order aimed at supporting the lender’s goal of transitioning entirely to electric mobility by 2030. The vehicles are being provided through asap Car Rental, a leasing company based in Samut Prakan Province. Krungthai Bank has already taken delivery of the first batch under the agreement. The order includes three Deepal models—the S05 compact SUV, the S07 mid-size SUV and the L07 mid-size saloon—though Changan has not disclosed the breakdown by model. Retail prices for the vehicles in Thailand range from 799,000…

Waymo announced that its self-driving fleet has completed a total of 96 million rider-only miles without human intervention as of June 2025. The mileage was recorded across four major U.S. cities: Los Angeles (16.46 million miles), San Francisco (29.88 million miles), Phoenix (46.39 million miles), and Austin (3.22 million miles). Waymo also clocked the highest number of autonomous miles driven in Phoenix, Arizona, with 46.39 million miles. https://twitter.com/Waymo/status/1968072428178825618 The company highlighted the safety performance of its fleet, noting that its self-driving cabs experienced 91% fewer serious injuries and 79% fewer airbag deployments compared to human drivers in the cities where…

Xpeng will introduce Eve Energy as a new battery supplier for its Mona lineup to lessen reliance on BYD, local outlet Jipian Lab reported on Monday. The company plans to use Eve Energy’s prismatic-cell batteries in the base models of upcoming Mona vehicles, while long-range versions will continue using BYD’s blade batteries. The Mona series, launched in August with the M03 sedan priced from 119,800 yuan ($16,820), relies entirely on BYD’s lithium iron phosphate blade batteries through its FinDreams unit. Eve Energy’s solution allows greater layout flexibility compared with BYD’s short blade design, helping Xpeng diversify supply and manage costs,…

Germany’s Vacuumschmelze (VAC), one of the few rare earth magnet producers outside China, said it is pressing ahead with a $500 million plant in South Carolina, backed by U.S. government funding, to expand production of permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and defense equipment. The facility, due to open before the end of 2025, will produce just under 2,000 metric tons of magnets annually when fully operational. VAC said it has secured about $200 million in U.S. funding and tax credits for the project, with roughly 90% of output contracted to General Motors (GM.N) and the remainder to…

General Motors has released a comprehensive software update for its battery-electric full-size pickups, the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV, introducing new driver-assistance tools, infotainment applications, and user interface enhancements. The update, identified as version 86277880 with Build Number SQBR6, is applicable to 2024 and 2025 models, and replaces the previous SQBR5 build. GM has indicated that installation must be performed at dealerships, although the 2026 models already come with the new software pre-installed. See also: GM CEO Mary Barra Reaffirms EV Ambitions Amid Production Shifts Among the new features, the update enables Turn Signal Activated View, which displays…

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD said its sales growth in the United Kingdom will not be hindered by the country’s new Electric Car Grant (ECG), despite being excluded from the subsidy scheme aimed at encouraging buyers to switch to EVs. The ECG offers up to £3,750 ($5,000) off the price of a new EV, depending on the sustainability of its manufacturing process. Chinese brands, including BYD, were excluded under the rules that consider energy use in production. See also: BYD To Launch 1,000 kW ‘Flash Charging’ In Europe With Single-Cable CCS System Stella Li, BYD’s executive vice president, told Autocar…

The U.S. auto industry is facing sweeping changes in 2025 after the Trump administration eliminated federal tax credits for electric vehicles and removed penalties for automakers that miss fuel economy targets under Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The moves are reshaping strategies across the sector, favoring traditional combustion-focused manufacturers while creating new challenges for EV specialists. See also: Stellantis Pays $190.6 Million In U.S. Fuel Economy Penalties For 2019-2020 Automakers such as General Motors, Ford Motor, and Stellantis stand to benefit immediately, as they are no longer required to purchase emissions credits to offset sales of trucks and SUVs.…

Australia’s first dedicated charging hub for electric trucks will be built in Melbourne, backed by AUD 12.3 million ($8 million) in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The Laverton North facility will feature 14 dual plug chargers for heavy battery-electric trucks and is intended to showcase the feasibility of electrifying freight operations. The funding has been awarded to Mondo Power, which will develop, build and operate the hub in Melbourne’s western freight precinct. Alongside the installation of charging infrastructure, the initiative will support 20 heavy electric trucks and reduce their total cost of ownership. Mondo also plans to…

Dreame Technology, a Chinese company best known for its robot vacuum cleaners, has secured its first round of funding for its electric vehicle (EV) business, just two weeks after announcing its entry into car manufacturing. Chinese tech outlet Sina Tech reported the financing on Thursday without disclosing the investment amount or participants. Securing this funding signifies capital recognition of Dreame’s automotive strategy — “China R&D, Germany manufacturing, global sales”, the company was cited as saying. Dreame added that its existing brand, technology and global distribution channels will support the new unit. The company is scouting a factory site in Germany,…

Joby Aviation, a developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, said on Friday it plans to participate in the White House’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), which allows mature aircraft designs to operate in select markets before receiving full Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. The pilot program, established under a recent Executive Order, seeks to advance the deployment of eVTOLs for passenger transport, cargo delivery, and emergency response by partnering private companies with state, local, and tribal governments. Greg Bowles, Joby Aviation’s Chief Policy Officer, said the company is prepared to demonstrate its technology and operational readiness. “We’ve…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor has revealed additional specifications for its Lafa 5 hatchback following a regulatory filing, ahead of its planned launch in China later this year. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) included the Lafa 5 in its latest catalog of vehicles pending public comment, which will be open from Sept. 11 to 17. Inclusion in the catalog represents the final major regulatory step before a model can be sold in China. The all-electric hatchback, produced at Leapmotor’s Jinhua facility, measures 4,430 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, and 1,520 mm in height, with a…

LG Energy Solution (LGES) has suspended construction of its battery factory in Georgia after U.S. immigration raids led to the arrest of hundreds of workers at the site and at Hyundai Motor’s nearby electric vehicle plant, the South Korean company said. The raids, conducted last Thursday by nearly 500 agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal authorities, resulted in 475 arrests, including more than 300 South Korean nationals. The sweep targeted Hyundai’s U.S. electric vehicle plant, known as HMGMA, and the battery facility it is jointly developing with LGES. LGES had already pushed back the start of…

Volkswagen on Sunday unveiled the ID.CROSS, a concept for a compact electric SUV aimed at bringing more affordable battery-powered vehicles to market, as Europe’s largest carmaker faces pressure from rising competition, weak demand, and global trade tensions. Priced between 28,000 and 30,000 euros ($32,780–$35,121), the ID.CROSS is positioned above the ID.Polo hatchback and joins a wave of new models Volkswagen expects to launch through 2025. “We’ve always faced major challenges,” Chief Executive Oliver Blume told reporters ahead of the Munich auto show. “But we didn’t hold back,” he said, highlighting the group’s plan to bring about 60 new vehicles to…