Author: Harding Greenwood

BMW has commenced production of test vehicles at its new factory in Debrecen, Hungary, marking a significant milestone in its transition to all-electric mobility. The test cars, prototypes of the all-electric X model under the Neue Klasse lineup, are part of the automaker’s efforts to validate and optimize production processes ahead of full-scale series production slated for late 2025. “This is an important milestone in commissioning the new plant,” said Milan Nedeljković, BMW AG Board Member for Production. “These operations are just as complex as actual series production. Every part and every production step is closely scrutinized to ensure smooth…

Volkswagen UK has introduced new trim levels across its acclaimed ID. electric car range, offering enhanced features, improved affordability, and sporty driving dynamics. The updated trims, available for order from Thursday, November 21, bring a new entry-level battery option for select models alongside upgraded specifications. The ID.3 hatchback gains two new trims: Pure Essential and Pure Match, both featuring a new 52 kWh battery. This entry-level battery delivers 170 PS of power and an approximate range of 240 miles. Charging capabilities include up to 145 kW DC, allowing a 10-80% charge in just 25 minutes. The Pure Match trim builds…

Stellantis is reshaping the future of electrified trucks and SUVs with its STLA Frame platform, an innovative architecture set to underpin the next generation of Ram and Jeep vehicles. Unveiled alongside the electric Ram 1500 REV and plug-in-hybrid Ramcharger pickup trucks, the STLA Frame promises to deliver exceptional versatility, performance, and efficiency. With its ability to accommodate both fully electric and range-extender hybrid powertrains, this platform reflects Stellantis’ bold vision for sustainable mobility. Specifically designed for full-size, body-on-frame vehicles, the STLA Frame supports models with lengths ranging from 216 to 234 inches and wheelbases between 123.7 and 145.3 inches. The…

Ample, a startup focused on revolutionizing electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure with battery swapping technology, has raised $25 million in a funding round led by Mitsubishi Corporation. This new capital will help the company scale its operations, bringing its swappable battery packs and automated stations to more commercial fleets worldwide. The fresh funding follows Ample’s previous successful fundraising, including a $190 million raise in 2021. Co-founder and president John de Souza told TechCrunch that the current raise marks the first close of a larger $75 million round. Ample has spent the past three years piloting its battery swapping technology in cities…

EVgo announced an expanded partnership with supermarket chain Meijer to deploy up to 480 new fast chargers across six Midwestern states, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the region. The collaboration, which began in March 2021, has already resulted in 24 public fast-charging stalls at six Meijer locations in Michigan and Ohio. With the new expansion, EVgo plans to add 30 stations by the end of 2026 and another 30 by late 2027, broadening the network to include stores in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Kentucky. “Fast charging should be an effortless part of…

Jaguar is undergoing its most extensive transformation in its 90-year history, unveiling a bold new brand identity on Tuesday as it shifts exclusively to an all-electric luxury vehicle lineup. “Jaguar has its roots in originality. Sir William Lyons, our founder, believed that ‘A Jaguar should be a copy of nothing,’” said Professor Gerry McGovern OBE, Jaguar’s Chief Creative Officer, as he introduced the revamped brand. The company’s new identity is built around a creative design philosophy it calls “Exuberant Modernism,” which will define its future models. Central to the transformation are four design elements, described by Jaguar as “symbols of…

Tesla has introduced a new feature to simplify Supercharger access for owners towing trailers or other equipment, reflecting the company’s recent commitment to improving the experience for drivers using its Trailer Mode. The update, part of Tesla’s 2024.44 software release, prioritizes trailer-friendly Supercharger locations when Trailer Mode is activated. For users not in Trailer Mode, the interface also allows quick identification of compatible charging stations with a single tap. Tesla Charging shared a preview of the functionality on X, highlighting the streamlined navigation tailored for towing scenarios. You can now tap on the Supercharger pin to see if there are…

In a disappointing turn for U.S. Mini enthusiasts, the BMW Group’s British brand has announced that it will not launch its smallest electric models—the Mini Cooper Electric and Aceman—in North America for the foreseeable future. The decision, likely influenced by the 100% import tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles (EVs), has put a halt to the brand’s plans to expand its EV offerings in the U.S. and Canada. The Mini Cooper Electric three-door hatchback and the Aceman five-door crossover, which debuted in 2023 and 2024 respectively, were intended to mark Mini’s transition to an EV-only platform. However, both models are currently…

Stellantis has announced that the launch of its highly anticipated all-electric Ram 1500 REV pickup will be delayed until the first half of 2025, a shift from the originally planned release by the end of 2024. The delay comes as the company manages an extensive workload associated with its upcoming product launches. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares attributed the delay to the “significant” amount of work required to ensure the successful launch of the Ram 1500 REV, which will be built on the new STLA Frame platform. This platform, unveiled by Stellantis on Tuesday, is designed to power the next generation…

Japanese technology group Asahi Kasei has commenced construction of a battery separator plant in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. The facility, to be operated as a joint venture with Honda, aims to bolster the North American supply chain for electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries. The plant will produce separators for lithium-ion batteries, primarily for electric vehicles manufactured at Honda’s upcoming EV factory in Ontario. Commercial production is slated to begin in 2027, pending regulatory approvals. The factory will have an annual production capacity of approximately 700 million square meters of coated lithium-ion battery separators and is expected to create around 300…

From mid-2025, Hamburg will become the testing ground for an ambitious autonomous on-demand ridepooling service as part of the ALIKE project. The trial, taking place across a 37-square-kilometre zone in the city centre, will feature up to 20 autonomous electric shuttles available for booking via an app. The service will offer a blend of convenience and sustainability, using two distinct models: the Holon Mover, a mid-sized shuttle bus, and the Volkswagen ID.Buzz AD, equipped with advanced sensors for autonomous operation. The project will gather valuable real-world data on urban traffic and autonomous vehicle integration. Initially, safety drivers will be present…

Kia’s plans to manufacture its electric SUV, the EV9, at its new plant in Georgia may be hindered by stricter requirements tied to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which limits the eligibility for tax credits based on the origin of the vehicle’s battery materials. According to reports from The Korea Herald, Kia produced only 21 units of the EV9 at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in the third quarter, with just one unit sold in the United States. While this appears concerning, the low production figure is not unexpected as the HMGMA plant, which opened in October,…

Daimler Buses has unveiled the Mercedes-Benz eIntouro, a near-series prototype of its first battery-electric intercity bus. The eIntouro is expected to enter series production in late 2025, with deliveries commencing in 2026. The new model represents a strategic step to electrify interurban transport, offering a range of up to 500 kilometers powered by a shared technology platform from Daimler Truck’s electric portfolio. The eIntouro features two battery pack configurations, with a combined capacity of 414 kWh. Utilizing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, the bus offers improved longevity and efficient energy usage. Charging capabilities include a CCS Type 2 connector supporting…

Automotive supplier Webasto has implemented a one-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery storage system at its plant in Schierling, southeast Germany. The system utilizes 30 second-life commercial vehicle batteries to store electricity generated by the facility’s solar power system, enhancing its energy sustainability. The battery storage unit is housed in a container, allowing easy installation and replacement through slide-in mechanisms. Each battery module offers a capacity of approximately 33 kWh, with most sourced from pre-series production. The system is integrated with the plant’s energy management infrastructure via Ethernet, enabling the storage of self-generated solar power. It is also connected to the local power…

The BMW Group has officially launched the initial phase of its new battery testing center in Wackersdorf, Germany, a year after the project was first announced. The facility, which spans over 8,000 square meters, will conduct comprehensive testing on battery cells, high-voltage batteries, and other electric powertrain components for upcoming BMW electric models. The center is expected to be fully operational by late 2025. Key highlights of the project include a significant investment of approximately 100 million euros, aimed at advancing test-bench technology and upgrading the infrastructure. The initial phase is now active, with the testing of battery cells taking…

The Swedish government has no plans to take an ownership stake in Northvolt, the lithium-ion battery maker facing financial challenges, Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch said on Tuesday. Busch confirmed that state ownership was not under consideration as the company grapples with production setbacks, the loss of a key customer, and funding shortages. “To come up with a completely new system that doesn’t exist today, that’s not on the table,” said Busch, who also serves as Sweden’s minister for energy, business, and industry. “To go in and have state ownership in Northvolt, for example, is not on the table.” Her…

SAIC-GM-Wuling has announced a partnership with CATL to introduce battery swap technology to the logistics vehicle segment, marking a new application for the technology. The companies unveiled the initiative on Monday, highlighting its potential to improve the efficiency and economic viability of commercial vehicle operations. The collaboration will integrate CATL’s Choco-SEB (swapping electric block) solution into logistics vehicles, enabling rapid battery swaps tailored to operational needs. This approach is expected to enhance energy replenishment processes for logistics fleets while supporting cost-effectiveness and reliability in operations. Previously focused on shared mobility vehicles, CATL’s battery swap technology offers modular flexibility to meet…

Altilium, a UK-based battery material and recycling company, has made progress in developing cathode active material (CAM) recovered from used electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Recent tests at Altilium’s ACT1 facility in Devon have shown that the recycled CAM performs similarly to commercially available materials used in high-performance EV batteries. The electrochemical testing of cells made with Altilium’s recycled CAM indicated comparable charge rates and cycle performance to commercial CAM, specifically for high nickel NMC 811 batteries. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis further confirmed that the structure of Altilium’s recycled material is similar to that of commercial variants. Christian Marston, Altilium’s co-founder…

Xiaomi Corp reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter revenue for 2024, buoyed by the success of its electric vehicle (EV) business, particularly its SU7 model. Total revenue rose to RMB 92.5 billion ($12.6 billion), marking a 30.5% increase year-over-year, with growth seen across both its smartphone and AIoT segment and its EV and new initiatives segment. “In the third quarter of 2024, we achieved record revenue and solid earnings growth,” Xiaomi stated. “Revenue from our smartphone × AIoT segment reached RMB 82.8 billion, up 16.8% year-over-year, while our smart EV and other new initiatives segment contributed RMB 9.7 billion.” The company reported an…

Xiaomi’s high-performance electric sedan, the SU7 Max, is facing criticism following two reported brake failures during track use in China. Despite its impressive specifications, including 663 horsepower and a 0-62 mph time of 2.8 seconds, the vehicle’s braking system has been deemed inadequate for circuit driving. In April, a Chinese influencer crashed the SU7 Max while lapping the Shanghai Tianma Circuit. Video footage showed the vehicle failing to turn properly before barreling into a barrier. The crash, attributed to severely worn brake pads after five laps, garnered millions of views online. A similar incident occurred in June when another SU7…