Author: Floyd Hawkins

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…