Author: Harding Greenwood

South Korea’s LG Energy Solution said on Wednesday it has secured a $4.3 billion contract to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries globally over a three-year period beginning in August 2027. The company did not disclose the identity of the customer or specify whether the batteries will be used in electric vehicles or energy storage systems. The agreement, which runs through July 2030, includes an option to extend the duration by up to seven additional years and scale up the volume, depending on future discussions with the unnamed buyer. The announcement follows growing interest in LFP batteries, which are typically…

The UK government has announced an additional £30 million investment to accelerate the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, backing clean technology projects and boosting regional economies. The funding is being distributed through the sixth round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), part of the wider UK SHORE programme. Maritime Minister Mike Kane unveiled the new investment during a visit to Clydeport in Glasgow, where he highlighted the FastRig project by Smart Green Shipping — a high-tech wing sail system developed in Scotland. “It’s so exciting to see investment in green fuels and technologies spurring on skills, innovation and manufacturing…

Honda has unveiled its latest all-electric kei car, the N-ONE e, aimed at urban commuters looking for a compact yet capable daily driver. Following the earlier launch of the N-VAN e in October 2024, the N-ONE e is Honda’s second light electric vehicle in the segment and is designed with everyday usability in mind. Honda says the N-ONE e was “developed in pursuit of the ideal EV,” pairing retro charm with a reengineered electric platform. While its exterior closely resembles the gasoline-powered N-ONE sold since 2012, the EV version features a refreshed front fascia with a smoother black grille, a…

UK-based startup Vertical Aerospace has successfully completed the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft flight between two airports through public airspace, marking a world-first achievement at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in Gloucestershire, England. The company’s VX4 prototype traveled 17 miles from its Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station used by the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft reached speeds of 115 mph and an altitude of 1,800 feet. It also became the first eVTOL to land at a public venue, showcasing operational readiness in a real-world aviation environment. Vertical’s…

UK electric vehicle charging network Be.EV has partnered with AAAZ Investments to install two ultra-rapid charging bays at a site on Livesey Branch Road in Blackburn, which houses a Tesco Express store, the companies said on Monday. The installation represents a £223,000 investment by Be.EV and features 150kW Kempower chargers capable of delivering up to 80% charge in 20 minutes. The site is located around 10 minutes from the M65 motorway, a key route with an average daily traffic flow of over 69,000 vehicles. “We’re very happy that AAAZ Investments have put their trust in us to deliver this solution…

Tesla’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) has outperformed Chinese electric vehicle brands including BYD, Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Huawei in a rigorous test of highway driving scenarios, according to results jointly released by TikTok owner ByteDance’s automotive platform Dcar and China’s state broadcaster CCTV. In a test that featured 36 vehicles sold in the Chinese market, the organizers shut down a highway to simulate real-world and high-risk conditions. These included abrupt vehicle cut-ins, dark construction zones with stationary trucks, aggressive lane merges, a charging wild boar dummy, and emergency braking situations. While most vehicles passed the emergency braking scenario, many struggled…

Lyft said on Friday it plans to deploy fully autonomous electric shuttles from Austrian manufacturer Benteler Group starting in late 2026, with initial operations focused on U.S. cities and airports. The shuttles, produced under Benteler’s Holon brand, will be designed specifically for urban environments and feature no steering wheel or pedals. According to Bloomberg News, which first reported the deal, the vehicle will accommodate up to nine seated and six standing passengers in a cabin with inward-facing seating. “This is a partnership to deploy a purpose-built vehicle designed for autonomy from the ground up,” Lyft said in a statement to…

Volkswagen is evaluating a potential capital increase for its autonomous mobility unit ADMT, which oversees the Group’s robotaxi initiative under the Moia brand, as part of a broader review of its corporate holdings, sources familiar with the matter told Manager Magazin. The German carmaker has begun seeking strategic and financial investors for ADMT, with discussions centred around the sale of a minority stake. The move is intended to strengthen the unit’s capacity for future growth while maintaining control. ADMT provides autonomous mobility services using vehicles such as the ID. Buzz AD, along with fleet management, sensor technology, and related software.…

Blink Charging and Universal Media have launched the EV Totem in Salt Lake City, Utah, introducing a unit that merges electric vehicle (EV) charging with dual-sided digital media displays. The first deployment is located at Mountain View Village, a commercial retail destination. Each EV Totem is equipped with Blink’s EV charging hardware and two elevated 55-inch high-definition screens. The design is intended to support both vehicle charging and targeted media delivery in high-traffic areas. Mike Battaglia, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blink Charging, said, “Blink is proud to collaborate with Universal Media to bring this future-focused innovation to life.…

The 2025 Tesla Model Y has received the Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), becoming one of two midsize luxury SUVs to achieve the organization’s highest safety rating this year. To earn the Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must meet rigorous criteria, including top performance in small overlap front and side crash tests, strong results in pedestrian front crash prevention, and consistent headlight performance across all trims. The model must also receive a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front crash test to qualify for the “Plus” tier. Tesla’s 2025 Model Y met…

Kodiak Robotics, a U.S.-based developer of autonomous vehicle technology, has appointed Mohamed “Mo” Elshenawy to its board of directors as the company continues its preparations to go public through a merger with Ares Acquisition Corporation II. Elshenawy brings over two decades of experience in artificial intelligence, robotics, and engineering leadership, including his most recent role as President and Chief Technology Officer at General Motors-backed Cruise. At Cruise, he led the launch of its commercial driverless rideshare service in San Francisco and scaled operations to multiple U.S. cities. He currently serves as CTO at Hims & Hers Health, where he is…

Buick’s foray into the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) segment takes a bold step forward with the Electra L7, a premium sedan under the automaker’s new Electra sub-brand in China. Designed as part of SAIC-GM’s strategy to sell only new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the Chinese market from 2025, the L7 combines long-range capabilities, robust powertrain features, and next-generation technologies. At a starting price expected around 300,000 yuan (approximately $41,800), the Electra L7 directly targets competitors like the Stelato S9 EREV. At the heart of the Electra L7’s EREV setup is a 1.5T LD3 gasoline engine, delivering 115 kW (154 hp)…