Author: Floyd Hawkins

Tesla has applied for permits to double the size of its Gigafactory Texas in Austin, aiming to support increased production and add new vehicle lines, according to recent filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Gigafactory Texas, already one of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities at over 5 million square feet, could see its footprint significantly expanded by the end of 2025. Tesla’s filings mention areas like “Body in White,” “Castings,” “Paint,” “Plastics,” “Stamping,” and “Drive Unit,” pointing to the factory’s potential expansion for enhanced vehicle assembly and production capacity. These facilities are crucial for the manufacturing stages…

Danish software company Monta, which specializes in solutions for the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry, announced on Tuesday its expansion into the U.S. market, targeting one million connected charging points within five years. The company’s CEO, Casper Rasmussen, relocated to Miami to lead Monta’s U.S. operations and explained the timing of the move. “We’ve been looking for a while at the U.S. market, which has been a couple of years behind Europe for EV adoption,” Rasmussen told Reuters. “It’s a very large market, so we want to be there when it starts picking up.” Monta’s expansion follows a successful Series…

Kia Motors is gearing up for the U.S. launch of its updated 2025 EV6, an all-electric crossover that first debuted in 2021 on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform. The upgraded EV6 was recently seen testing on U.S. roads, showcasing new design updates as Kia aims to maintain its position in a competitive EV market. While the EV6 gained initial traction for its bold design and range capabilities, newer models have intensified competition, leading to a double-digit dip in sales for three consecutive months in the U.S., although year-to-date sales are up by 8%. The 2025 model sports a refreshed look, with Kia’s…

Japanese material handling company Tadano has introduced its 100-ton GR-1000XLL EVOLT electric crane to the North American market. Designed to handle rough terrain and unfinished job sites, this all-wheel drive crane features four-wheel steering and boasts a maximum lifting height of over 224 feet (approximately 70 meters) and a maximum arc radius exceeding 190 feet (58 meters). Dean Barley, president and CEO of Tadano America, expressed confidence in the product’s potential, stating, “We are very confident in the investment we’ve made in this crane. This crane has been tested and retested. We wanted to make sure that the first fully…

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…