Author: Harding Greenwood
Altilium, a UK-based clean technology company, has commenced construction on the country’s first large-scale electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility in Plymouth, Devon. This new facility, designed with integrated chemical refining capabilities, will focus on recovering critical battery minerals such as lithium, nickel, and graphite from up to 24,000 EVs annually. The plant aims to support the development of a domestic battery recycling ecosystem and contribute to the UK’s transition to net-zero emissions. The facility, known as the ACT 3 scale-up plant, will use Altilium’s proprietary EcoCathode™ process to recycle battery scrap into important intermediate materials, including Nickel Mixed Hydroxide…
Infineon Technologies has unveiled a new generation of high-voltage power semiconductors designed to significantly enhance the efficiency, performance, and power density of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids. The new product lineup includes third-generation Electric Drive Train (EDT3) chips and Reverse Conducting Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (RC-IGBTs), both engineered to meet the evolving demands of modern EV architectures, including 800-volt systems. The high-voltage IGBTs play a crucial role in EV propulsion by converting the DC voltage from a battery into AC voltage needed to power electric motors. RC-IGBTs, which integrate both the transistor and a freewheeling diode onto a single…
Insurance premiums for Tesla vehicles are rising nearly three times faster than the U.S. average, driven by high repair costs and a surge in vandalism, according to a new study by insurance comparison site Insurify. The sharp increases are adding to concerns over the total cost of ownership for the electric carmaker’s popular models. The study, which analyzed over 97 million insurance quotes between February 2024 and February 2025, found that the average annual premium for full coverage in the U.S. rose 10% year-over-year, from $2,102 to $2,302. In comparison, premiums for Tesla’s Model Y spiked 29% to $3,996 —…
Shared micromobility provider Lime has selected Redwood Materials as its exclusive battery recycling partner in the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands, the companies said on Monday. The partnership aims to recover and recycle valuable minerals from batteries used in Lime’s electric scooters and e-bikes. Under the agreement, Redwood Materials will extract lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper from used battery cells and reintegrate them into the battery supply chain. While the deal does not include all of Lime’s global operations — such as in Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe — it represents the company’s first direct relationship with a…
Hyundai Motor Group is taking steps to develop and manufacture its own electric vehicle (EV) battery cells, according to a recent report from South Korean news outlet The Chosun Daily. The decision follows growing concerns about falling behind in the rapidly evolving battery race, particularly after Chinese EV and battery giant BYD unveiled its megawatt charging platform earlier this year. See also: Hyundai Teases Potential Ioniq 4 Ahead of China Launch To drive this new initiative, Hyundai has reportedly formed a dedicated team under its manufacturing division. Known as the “B Task Force,” the team will be led by top…
Falkirk Council has transitioned its fleet of 12 diesel vehicles to fully electric, becoming the first local authority in Scotland to operate electric tipper trucks and the first in the UK to deploy electric Luton vans. The move aligns with the council’s broader climate goals and marks a milestone in local government fleet decarbonisation. The new fleet includes eight Ford E-Transit Tippers and four E-Transit Luton vans. These vehicles will be used to support local operations such as building maintenance and street cleaning. The Building Maintenance department, which services roughly 17,000 council properties, will use the vans for building repair…
Renault has introduced a significant technical update to its Scenic E-Tech Electric and Megane E-Tech Electric models, alongside a reduction in their UK starting prices. Enhancements include One Pedal Driving, Plug & Charge, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, aimed at improving daily usability and driver convenience. As part of the update, One Pedal Driving is now available, allowing drivers to accelerate and decelerate using only the accelerator pedal. The regenerative braking strength can be adjusted via steering wheel paddles. “Besides smoother and less demanding driving in cities, it reduces brake-pad wear and optimises energy harvesting,” Renault noted. This feature can also…
Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus is set to invest tens of millions of pounds in the development of next-generation electric and hydrogen-powered buses, with a key focus on expanding and upgrading its StreetDeck Electroliner platform. The company has earmarked £10 million for the electric double-decker model, which is widely used in London’s iconic red bus fleet. The investment will primarily support enhancements to the Electroliner range, which is available in both single- and double-deck configurations. The current double-decker version features a range of up to 320 kilometres on a single charge and can be recharged in approximately 2.5 hours. Battery…
Tesla has significantly expanded its public charging infrastructure at its Giga Berlin facility, with 546 publicly accessible charging points now available on-site, making it one of the largest single-site charging parks globally. Most of the charging stations are located in the factory’s southern car park, where 527 AC charging points have been installed. Of these, 226 are covered by a roof equipped with photovoltaic modules, which contribute to the energy supply of the facility. See also: Tesla 2025 Spring Update Adds Adaptive Headlights, Expanded Dashcam Views, and Cybertruck-Specific Features The AC points utilize Tesla’s Wall Connector technology with a nominal…
MG Motor has released teaser images of its upcoming Cyber X, a new electric SUV set to debut at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 23. The Cyber X is the second vehicle under MG’s Cyber branding, following the Cyberster electric roadster, and appears aimed at a broader audience with a rugged, youthful design and SUV practicality. The images showcase a boxy silhouette with a wide stance, flared fenders, and design elements intended to appeal to younger buyers. A full-width LED light bar and illuminated MG badge dominate the front, while flush door handles and roof rails suggest both tech-forward…
BMW Group reported a 32.4% year-on-year increase in global deliveries of fully electric vehicles (BEVs) in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 109,516 units, with notable growth in Europe and strong momentum from the revamped Mini lineup. In total, BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce delivered 586,149 vehicles across all drive types between January and March. Electric vehicles accounted for 18.7% of the company’s global deliveries, up from 13.9% in the same period last year, when 82,700 electric cars were sold. The European market played a significant role in the growth, with BEV deliveries rising by 64.2% year-on-year—far outpacing the 6.2% increase…
Volkswagen reported a steep 40% drop in first-quarter earnings, falling significantly short of market expectations, as the automaker booked charges related to potential EU emissions penalties and the valuation of vehicles affected by new U.S. tariffs. Despite the earnings miss, shares in the German carmaker rose 8.2% after the U.S. administration announced a 90-day pause on newly imposed tariffs for several countries. However, a 25% tariff on automobile imports remains in effect, posing a continued risk to Volkswagen, which has substantial exposure to the U.S. market through vehicles produced outside the country. See also: Volkswagen Previews $22,000 ID.1 EV in…