Author: Floyd Hawkins

Chinese power battery manufacturer CATL has introduced a battery swap solution for heavy-duty trucks, expanding on its previous release of a similar solution for passenger cars. The new offering, called Qiji Energy, was unveiled during an online launch event. It comprises battery swap stations, battery blocks, and a cloud platform. The battery swap stations for heavy trucks incorporate adaptive tuning technology and cover the full wheelbase of these vehicles. The battery blocks, powered by CATL’s third-generation lithium iron phosphate batteries, feature advanced heat dispersion technology and boast a cycle life of over 15,000 cycles. Similar to EVOGO’s Choco-SEB (swapping electric…

Munich-based e-mobility start-up EcoG will be unveiling its standard-compliant bi-directional charging technology in collaboration with Infineon at the Power2Drive industry trade fair in Munich this week. The solution offered by EcoG has been thoroughly tested with vehicle manufacturers and complies with the new ISO 15118-20 standard, ensuring universal bidirectional charging compatibility. This eliminates the need for technical agreements during development, benefiting both charging stations and vehicle manufacturers. EcoG’s software has been designed to be compatible with all vehicle-to-grid-capable (V2G) vehicles, including those still in development. Additionally, EcoG handles interoperability tests with vehicle manufacturers, streamlining the process for all parties involved.…

XPeng, the renowned electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has witnessed a remarkable reception for its newly unveiled SUV, the G6, as revealed by the company’s pre-sale order announcement today. Within just 72 hours of initiating pre-sales, the XPeng G6 secured an impressive 25,000 orders, according to the company’s update on Weibo, a popular Chinese social media platform. Enthusiastic visitors flocked to XPeng stores over the past three days to experience the G6 show cars firsthand, highlighting their keen interest in the vehicle, XPeng reported. Positive comments have poured in from visitors, commending the spaciousness, impressive 755 km range, and fast-charging capabilities…

In a significant step towards its goal of achieving carbon-neutrality on the road by 2040, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has entered into a framework agreement with North American manufacturer New Flyer. The agreement entails the delivery of up to 621 battery buses, with an initial order of 186 units already placed. The order specifically includes 186 units of New Flyer’s Xcelsior Charge NG model, featuring a length of 40 feet (approximately 12 meters). Furthermore, the framework agreement allows for an option to purchase an additional 435 units of the same model. The contract extends over a period of five…

A recent study conducted by Carnegie Mellon and Yale University, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has projected that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are likely to make up the majority, or at least a near-majority, of passenger cars by the year 2030. According to the study, this shift in consumer preference towards BEVs can be attributed to several factors, including the significant decrease in battery costs. The findings reveal that the cost of batteries has plummeted by a factor of ten between 2010 and 2021. Furthermore, the study indicates that the average driving range of BEVs…

German automaker Mercedes-Benz has recently secured a supply contract with Swedish start-up H2 Green Steel (H2GS) for approximately 50,000 tonnes of virtually CO2-free steel annually. The steel will be utilized in various series models produced by the car manufacturer at its European press plants. Mercedes-Benz has held a stake in H2 Green Steel since 2021, and the start-up aims to commence production in 2025. This partnership will enable Mercedes-Benz to introduce nearly carbon-neutral steel into mass production. The agreed delivery volume pertains to the European press plants, but both companies have expressed their intentions to establish a supply chain for…

PPG has recently inaugurated its Battery Pack Application Center (BPAC) in Tianjin, China. The state-of-the-art facility, built at a cost of $30 million, is equipped with a comprehensive range of capabilities to test and validate PPG coatings technologies, materials, and systems specifically designed for electric vehicle (EV) battery packs. This center aims to facilitate and expedite the development of innovative EV technologies for PPG’s customers. The establishment of the new application center marks a significant milestone in PPG’s commitment to supporting its customers in the rapidly growing EV battery market in China. By providing customers with a platform to evaluate…

The forthcoming release of the Tesla Cybertruck, hailed as the most highly anticipated vehicle launch of 2023, is rapidly approaching the start of production. Encouraging signs of progress have emerged as numerous rear castings for the electric pickup truck were spotted outside Giga Texas. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, provided the latest update, stating that the company aims to commence Cybertruck production later this summer, with a delivery event planned for the end of the third quarter, likely around September. Musk acknowledged that initial production will be slow, gradually ramping up in 2024 to achieve significant volumes. This increase is…

Images circulating online have captured a surprising scene of a Ford Mustang Mach-E engulfed in flames, yet remarkably, the electric crossover emerged from the incident with minimal damage. Unlike previous incidents involving electric vehicles (EVs) where the cars or two-wheelers were often left totaled, authorities were able to extinguish the blaze and salvage a significant portion of the Mustang Mach-E within just a few hours. In a video capturing the aftermath of the incident, it becomes evident that the damage inflicted upon the Mustang Mach-E was considerably minimized. Firefighters took swift action by elevating one side of the SUV and…

In a stunning display of automotive technology, the BMW M8 Competition and the Lucid Air Grand Touring recently went head-to-head in a U-drag race, showcasing their capabilities and highlighting the ongoing transition towards an all-electric future. This unique race format not only tested acceleration but also evaluated braking and handling, providing a comprehensive assessment of each car’s performance. Let’s delve into the specifications of these two remarkable vehicles. The BMW M8 Competition boasts a twin-turbo V8 engine, generating an impressive 617 horsepower (460 kW) and 553 lb-ft (748 Nm) of torque. On the other hand, the Lucid Air Grand Touring,…

Leapmotor, an emerging player in the electric vehicle (EV) market, experienced a remarkable surge in sales during May, with a total of 12,058 vehicles delivered. This figure represents a substantial increase of 19.75 percent compared to the same period last year, and an impressive growth of 38.18 percent compared to April of this year. These encouraging numbers were revealed in the latest data released by the company. While specific sales figures for individual models were not disclosed, Leapmotor did disclose that the delivery of their higher-priced C-series models witnessed a substantial surge of over 38 percent since April. Remarkably, these…

XPeng, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, continues to witness a slow but steady rebound in its delivery figures, setting the stage for the arrival of their highly anticipated new SUV model, the G6. In the month of May, XPeng delivered a total of 7,506 vehicles, representing a 25.87 percent decline compared to the same period last year. However, it marked a 6.03 percent increase from April, making it the fourth consecutive month to demonstrate sequential growth. During the period from January to May, XPeng’s deliveries amounted to 32,815 vehicles, reflecting a decrease of 38.88 percent compared to the corresponding timeframe…