Author: Floyd Hawkins

Redwood Materials has unveiled a new business unit, Redwood Energy, focused on converting used electric vehicle batteries into cost-effective, large-scale energy storage systems. The company, founded by Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, aims to extract residual value from EV batteries before recycling, providing a scalable solution for growing grid demands. The new venture recently deployed its first major project—a 12 MW, 63 MWh microgrid built entirely from second-life EV batteries. The system is currently powering a modular data center operated by Crusoe AI and is reported to operate at a lower cost compared to conventional storage technologies. https://twitter.com/RedwoodMat/status/1938440536928420243 Redwood Energy’s strategy…

Volkswagen has increased its investment in U.S. electric vehicle maker Rivian by an additional $1 billion, after Rivian achieved two consecutive quarters of gross profit — a key milestone defined in the agreement between the companies. The payment marks the second tranche of a potential $5.8 billion partnership announced in 2024, which includes $3.5 billion for equity investment in Rivian and $2.3 billion allocated to a joint venture. The venture, Rivian Volkswagen Technologies, is aimed at developing electric vehicle (EV) software and electronics architecture for both companies. See also: Rivian’s R2 Platform to Become Backbone of Volkswagen EV Strategy Volkswagen…

Hyundai and Kia are offering discounts of up to $17,000 on their electric vehicle models in several key global markets as part of a broader effort to boost sales outside the United States amid rising trade tensions and looming tariffs. The South Korean carmakers have launched aggressive promotional campaigns across regions including North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Discounts are being applied to popular models such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and the Kia EV9. According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, buyers in Serbia are seeing price cuts of up to $17,400 on some…

The global electric vehicle (EV) fleet has reached 56 million units, with China accounting for more than half of that total, according to a new study by Germany’s Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW). The report underlines the growing dominance of Chinese automakers in the transition to electric mobility. China, the world’s largest automotive market, is home to 31.4 million EVs — about 56% of the global total. The United States ranks second with 6.4 million, followed by Germany with 2.6 million. The United Kingdom and France each have around 2.1 million electric vehicles, while Norway, with…

Travis Kalanick, co-founder and former CEO of Uber Technologies, is exploring a possible acquisition of the U.S. division of Chinese autonomous vehicle startup Pony.ai, The New York Times reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Kalanick is said to be working with a group of investors to finance the deal, and Uber may also play a role in facilitating the transaction. The potential acquisition would mark Kalanick’s re-entry into the autonomous driving sector, which he exited in 2017 after resigning from Uber. Pony.ai, which went public last year with a market capitalization of roughly $4.5 billion, reportedly began preparing…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company has completed what it claims is the first-ever fully autonomous vehicle delivery to a customer, marking a milestone in the company’s efforts to commercialize self-driving technology. According to Musk, the vehicle departed from Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas and arrived at the customer’s location without a driver or remote operator at any point during the trip. “There were no people in the car at all and no remote operators in control at any point. FULLY autonomous!” Musk wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first…

Uber is stepping up efforts to support electric vehicle (EV) adoption among its drivers and couriers through new partnerships aimed at expanding charging access and offering electric two-wheel transport options. The ride-hailing giant announced collaborations with C40 Cities and electric mobility firm Vmoto, targeting key metropolitan areas in the UK, US, and Europe. Through its agreement with C40 Cities, a network of global city mayors focused on climate action, Uber will work to improve EV infrastructure for up to 55,000 high-mileage Uber drivers in London, Boston, and Phoenix. The partnership will focus on data analysis, policy engagement, and technical support…

Mercedes-AMG has revealed the CONCEPT AMG GT XX, a fully electric four-door performance prototype that combines axial flux motor technology, Formula 1-inspired battery design, and active aerodynamic features in a preview of the brand’s future high-performance electric vehicles. The concept is scheduled to enter series production in 2026 on AMG’s dedicated electric vehicle platform, AMG.EA. Powered by three axial flux motors – two at the rear in a High Performance Electric Drive Unit (HP.EDU) and one at the front for boost functionality – the drivetrain system delivers over 1,000 kW. The motors were developed by YASA, a British e-motor firm…

Beijing Hyundai, the joint venture between Hyundai Motor Co and BAIC Group, is set to introduce its first dedicated electric SUV, the Elexio, in China in the third quarter of 2025. Recently released regulatory data reveals that the vehicle will feature lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs supplied by FinDreams, a battery subsidiary of Chinese EV leader BYD. The Elexio, positioned in the mid-size SUV segment, measures 4.62 metres in length and 1.88 metres in width, with a wheelbase of 2.75 metres. Two drive configurations will be offered: a front-wheel drive variant powered by a 160 kW electric motor and…

Lucid plans to introduce a trio of new electric vehicles based on a midsize platform beginning in late 2026, with a target price point of around $50,000, the company’s interim CEO Marc Winterhoff said this week. The move marks Lucid’s entry into a more affordable EV segment dominated by Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y. Lucid, known for its luxury Air sedan and upcoming Gravity SUV, is preparing to expand its lineup with three vehicles built on a new midsize EV platform. Speaking on the Automotive News Daily Drive podcast, Winterhoff said the platform will support “three top hats,” with…

British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis has announced a major restructuring of its UK production footprint, proposing the closure of its two Scottish factories in Falkirk and Larbert and the consolidation of operations at its facility in Scarborough, England. The decision puts up to 400 jobs at risk and marks a significant shift for one of the country’s oldest vehicle builders. The move follows a comprehensive internal review and is part of a broader effort to adapt to “changing market dynamics,” according to the company. A formal consultation process with employees and stakeholders has begun. “We must take significant action to…

The families of three individuals killed in a September 2024 Tesla Model S crash in New Jersey have filed a lawsuit against Tesla Inc, alleging that the vehicle’s Autopilot system was defective and unreasonably dangerous, leading to the fatal accident. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey by the estates of David Dryerman, his wife Michele Dryerman, and their daughter Brooke Dryerman. The family was returning from a music festival when their Model S left its lane and struck a concrete bridge support. All three were reportedly wearing seatbelts at the time.…

Mercedes-Benz is deploying nearly 5,000 electric vans to Amazon’s European delivery partners, marking the automaker’s largest electric vehicle delivery to date. The rollout will take place over the coming months across five European countries, with over 2,500 vehicles bound for Germany alone. Three-quarters of the new fleet are the larger eSprinter vans, while the rest are compact eVito panel vans. According to Amazon, this electric fleet will help deliver more than 200 million parcels annually across the region. The milestone expands on an existing partnership formed in 2020, when Amazon first integrated over 1,800 Mercedes electric vans into its logistics…

Tesla began a small-scale deployment of its self-driving taxi service in Austin over the weekend, with a handful of modified vehicles picking up paying passengers as part of a carefully monitored pilot trial. The launch, announced by CEO Elon Musk, comes after years of development and is being closely watched as Tesla races to fulfill its long-standing promise of a fully autonomous transport service. A fleet of about ten Tesla vehicles equipped for autonomous driving began operations on Sunday, circulating in Austin’s South Congress neighborhood. The vehicles featured no one in the driver’s seat but included a Tesla employee seated…

Tariffs on cars and parts are reshaping how Americans buy and budget for vehicles, with more than 70% of prospective car buyers adjusting their plans in response to rising costs, according to a new LendingTree survey. Half of consumers planning to purchase a vehicle in 2025 said they’ve increased their budgets due to tariffs, while 72% reported changing their timeline — with 37% planning to buy sooner and 36% delaying their purchase. LendingTree insurance expert Rob Bhatt noted that the long-term impact of tariffs remains uncertain. “We don’t know the full impact of tariffs on car prices yet, and we…

IVECO Bus has delivered the first 13 of 19 new E-WAY electric buses to the Malaga Transport Company (EMT), further expanding the Spanish city’s fleet of zero-emission vehicles. The new additions will join 80 existing electric buses in service, with six more expected soon, reinforcing Malaga’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility. Designed for maneuverability on the city’s narrow streets, the 9.5-meter-long and 2.33-meter-wide buses feature a modular NMC battery system tailored to meet EMT’s charging and passenger capacity requirements. Each E-WAY bus can accommodate up to 55 passengers, including 16 seated, and offers accessible low-floor entry with both manual and…

Ireland is set to significantly expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with the addition of 53 new high-powered charging hubs, supported by €7.9 million in government funding. The new hubs, scheduled to be operational by the end of 2025, will bring 175 fast and ultra-fast charging points to the national road network, improving long-distance EV travel and accessibility. The investment, part of the Light Duty Vehicle (LDV) strand of the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) programme, was announced by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien. “We’re taking real, practical steps to make electric vehicles work for everyone,” O’Brien said. “With…

Factorial has launched Gammatron™, a proprietary AI-powered simulation platform designed to accelerate the research and development of next-generation batteries. The platform leverages artificial intelligence, advanced modeling, and high-fidelity lab data to enhance the prediction, validation, and optimization of battery performance at both the material and system levels. “Validating a new cell design can take years,” said Siyu Huang, CEO of Factorial. “With Gammatron™, we’ve demonstrated that we can dramatically shorten that timeline—forecasting long-term performance from just two weeks of early testing, instead of the typical three to six months.” Born from Factorial’s internal R&D needs, the tool aims to address…

At least six cities and regions in China have suspended their car trade-in subsidy programs this month, a development that could dampen auto sales momentum in the world’s second-largest economy. The suspensions come as the initial round of central government funding for the incentive program runs dry and regulators respond to mounting concerns over misuse. Local authorities in Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Shenyang, and Chongqing, along with the Xinjiang region, cited either exhausted funding or adjustments aimed at improving the efficiency of capital use, according to official notices reviewed by Reuters. The program, part of a broader government effort to spur domestic…

Scania announced it will begin offering electric trucks with Megawatt Charging System (MCS) capability starting in early 2026, a move the company says will significantly enhance the practicality and profitability of long-haul electric freight. The announcement was made at EVS38 in Gothenburg, where Scania confirmed that its R 450e truck will be the first model equipped with an MCS port from the factory. While MCS is designed to support charging up to 3,750 kW, Scania’s first implementation will offer a charging capacity of up to 750 kW — about twice the current maximum of the CCS2 standard. The system will…