Author: Harding Greenwood

SERES Automobiles has launched its inaugural showroom in the Gulf region, collaborating with Green Motors, a UAE car distributor. Located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, the showroom features the luxury electric SERES 5 and SERES 7 models. This opening supports the UAE’s focus on sustainable mobility and aims to promote electric vehicles in the region. The showroom expands Green Motors’ existing network, which includes locations in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. It offers visitors the opportunity to explore the SERES 5 and SERES 7 models, which highlight advanced electric vehicle technology. Notably, SERES’ Extended Vehicle Range (EVR) technology…

Arriva, a British public transport operator, has secured a significant contract to manage rail and bus services in the Dutch province of Gelderland. The ten-year contract, commencing in December 2025, mandates the deployment of a new fleet of electric buses, contributing to the province’s goal of emission-free public transport by 2030. Arriva, which has been operating in Gelderland for several years, will expand its services in the province with the introduction of around 100 electric buses from the outset of the contract. The contract is valued at approximately 2 billion euros and includes a modernization plan for 24 trains, along…

EKA Mobility, an Indian electric vehicle manufacturer, has secured an order for 250 electric buses to be deployed in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The buses will be operated by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on key routes throughout the city. Hansa Vahan India Private Limited, a bus rental and transport service company based in Mumbai, will procure the electric buses from EKA Mobility. These buses will be supplied to NMC, likely under a long-term leasing arrangement. “This partnership with Nagpur Municipal Corporation marks another critical step towards India’s transition to clean energy mobility,” said Rohit Srivastava, Chief Growth Officer of EKA Mobility.…

Electrify America and 4 Gen Logistics have announced the opening of a new charging station at the Port of Long Beach as part of their electrification project. The facility includes 30 Hyper-Fast chargers, each capable of delivering up to 350 kW, designed to support 4 Gen’s fleet of zero-emission Class 8 trucks. This charging station aims to facilitate zero-emission drayage operations between the Inland Empire and the Port of Long Beach. The project represents the first phase of a larger initiative by Electrify America, which plans to install a total of 44 chargers across Rialto and Long Beach. Funding for…

Amazon is implementing a new proprietary AI solution called Vision-Assisted Package Retrieval (VAPR) to enhance the efficiency of its delivery drivers in locating packages within their vans. This innovative system could significantly transform the delivery process, reducing the time and effort drivers spend managing their packages. VAPR aims to simplify the delivery process by automatically identifying which packages need to be delivered at a specific stop. The system projects a green “O” on the relevant packages for delivery, while all other packages are marked with a red “X.” Once the driver picks up the designated packages, VAPR provides an audible…

Electric aerial vehicle (EAV) maker Eve Air Mobility has secured an $88 million loan from the Brazil National Development Bank (BNDES) to fund the development of its eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle production facility. The manufacturing plant will be located in Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil, and represents a significant step in Eve’s development. This new loan follows a $92.5 million line of credit provided by BNDES in 2022 to support the development of Eve’s eVTOL program. Eve’s eVTOL features eight propellers for vertical flight, fixed wings for cruising, and offers a range of 60 miles. Johann Bordais, CEO…

Integrals Power, a UK-based battery technology company, has developed a new cathode active material, Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate (LMFP), that could increase the range of electric vehicles (EVs) by up to 20 per cent. The breakthrough, which involves raising the manganese content in the material to 80 per cent, has the potential to enhance both the performance and sustainability of EV batteries. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Milton Keynes, Integrals Power has focused on improving battery technology for long-range electric vehicles. The company’s new LMFP material has demonstrated a specific capacity of 150mAh/g and operates at a voltage of…

Ford Pro has launched E-Switch Assist, a digital tool designed to help businesses assess the feasibility of transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles (EVs). By analyzing connected vehicle data, E-Switch Assist determines whether gas-powered Transit® vans and F-150® pickups can be replaced with electric models like the E-Transit™ and F-150® Lightning®. Additionally, Ford Pro provides home charging solutions to support employees using company vehicles. E-Switch Assist is intended to assist businesses in evaluating their readiness for electrification. The complimentary tool uses algorithms to analyze various factors, including distance driven, cargo load, and driving conditions, to identify gas-powered vehicles that may…

Electrify America has unveiled a new Technology Campus near its headquarters in Northern Virginia, expanding its capacity to develop and test electric vehicle (EV) charging technology. The facility spans 32,000 square feet and includes 22 Hyper-Fast chargers, alongside a state-of-the-art Technology Development Lab. The Volkswagen subsidiary noted that the new campus will play a crucial role in testing and validating EV charging equipment under real-world conditions. The site includes two key laboratories: the existing Center of Excellence, opened in 2018, and the newly launched Technology Development Lab. The former focuses on hardware testing, software development, and interoperability, while the new…

Infineon Technologies has introduced the HybridPack Drive G2 Fusion, an innovative power module designed for traction inverters in electric mobility applications. This new module leverages both silicon and silicon carbide (SiC) technologies, aiming to achieve a blend of high performance and efficiency while reducing system costs. The Munich-based company emphasizes that this combination is essential for making electric mobility more accessible to a wider audience. The HybridPack Drive G2 Fusion is positioned to establish a new standard for power modules in the e-mobility sector, reflecting Infineon’s commitment to enhancing electric vehicle technology. Central to the module’s design is the use…

Dutch logistics service provider Simon Loos is set to significantly expand its fleet of electric trucks by ordering 75 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 units, which will more than double its current fleet of 60 electric trucks. This order was placed during the IAA Transportation event in Hanover, with the first eActros 600 expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2025. Upon completion of the delivery, Simon Loos will have a total of 135 electric vehicles, claiming to possess the largest fleet of electric trucks in the Netherlands. The company currently operates 60 fully electric trucks, predominantly sourced from Daimler…

armaker Stellantis announced on Wednesday a global recall of 54,000 hybrid crossover SUVs due to a defect that could cause the brake pedal to disengage during use. The recall affects 2024-2025 model-year Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid SUVs and 2024 model-year Dodge Hornet plug-in hybrid SUVs, which share the same platform. The recall was detailed in a filing with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a separate statement from Stellantis. A total of 21,069 vehicles in the United States, approximately 2,280 in Canada, 134 in Mexico, and around 30,517 units outside North America are affected, the company…

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has released a study outlining the CO2 reduction requirements for the ten largest car manufacturers to comply with the European Union’s fleet limits set for 2025. On average, manufacturers will need to increase their battery electric vehicle (BEV) share by up to twelve percentage points, raising it from 16 percent in 2023 to approximately 28 percent by 2025. According to the ICCT survey, Volkswagen and Ford face the most significant challenges, with required CO2 reductions of around 21 percent. Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota are also required to reduce their emissions beyond the average…

Volkswagen is set to launch a new ID.3 model in China, featuring a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery pack, as it aims to strengthen its position in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market. The move comes amid increasing competition from local automakers, such as CATL and BYD, which dominate the LFP battery segment. Despite delivering 6.52 million vehicles in the first nine months of 2024—down nearly 3% from the previous year—Volkswagen reported a 27% increase in EV deliveries in China through September. However, the company’s overall vehicle sales have declined by double digits, attributed to “particularly intense” competition in…

Elon Musk recently announced that the Tesla Semi, a class 8 electric truck, will soon be available worldwide, although production is still ramping up. The Tesla Semi has been gaining traction recently, despite skepticism regarding its feasibility, particularly concerning its advertised 500-mile range. This skepticism is compounded by Tesla’s ongoing credibility issues in the realm of vehicle autonomy. Recent trials, including one conducted with DHL, are beginning to validate Tesla’s claims about the performance of its semi-trucks. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1846230339070398639 This comes as the long-awaited vehicle program, initially slated for production in 2019, prepares to enter volume production after significant delays. Currently,…

Wolfspeed, a U.S.-based chipmaker, is set to receive $750 million in government grants for its silicon carbide wafer manufacturing plant in North Carolina, the U.S. Commerce Department announced on Tuesday. The news sent Wolfspeed’s shares surging by over 30%. This preliminary funding agreement is part of the government’s efforts to bolster domestic semiconductor production under the $52.7 billion Chips and Science Act. The grant requires Wolfspeed to take additional steps to strengthen its balance sheet. “We believe today’s announcement is a testament to the market-leading quality of Wolfspeed products and significance of Wolfspeed to broader U.S. economic and national security…

Luxury electric vehicle (EV) maker Lucid Motors has announced a partnership with the high-end hotel chain Four Seasons, providing guests with complimentary access to Lucid’s flagship Air sedan at select hotel locations. The program is expected to begin rolling out in the U.S. this fall, with plans to expand to Europe and the Middle East in the coming months. Through this collaboration, guests staying at participating Four Seasons locations will have the opportunity to reserve the Lucid Air for personal use either on-site or online. In addition to self-driving options, hotel guests can also request a chauffeured service using a…

Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EVs) rose 30.5% year-on-year in September, bolstered by record numbers in China and renewed growth in Europe, according to market research firm Rho Motion. The U.S. market saw slower but steady progress ahead of the Nov. 5 election, adding uncertainty to future sales trends, Rho Motion’s data manager Charles Lester told Reuters. In September, global EV sales reached 1.69 million units. China led the surge with a 47.9% increase, reaching 1.12 million vehicles sold. North America, including the U.S. and Canada, saw a modest rise of 4.3%, with sales totaling 0.15…

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced plans to strengthen Mexico’s electric vehicle (EV) supply chain in a bid to encourage domestic production and reduce dependency on imports. Speaking during a daily press briefing, Sheinbaum outlined the government’s vision to create a more self-sufficient EV industry by uniting local manufacturers and researchers. “We are going to generate supply chains so that everything that is in the electric car is manufactured in the country and we import as little as possible,” Sheinbaum said, noting that Mexican companies have already been producing electric motors for years. Sheinbaum revealed that Mexico has developed prototypes of domestically…

Following its insolvency this summer, Fisker has left its former headquarters in La Palma, California, in a state described by the landlord as “complete disarray.” Reports indicate that the premises are littered with rubbish, abandoned prototypes, and what appears to be hazardous waste, leading to estimates of “tens of thousands of dollars in cleanup costs,” according to landlord Tony Lenzini. Fisker’s legal representatives have responded to the claims, stating they cannot verify whether the items left behind belong to their client. The situation has been complicated further by reports that Fisker has sold some of its assets, including parts of…