Author: Harding Greenwood

Kia enjoyed a standout year in 2024, marking its second consecutive year of global record vehicle sales. The automaker moved 3.1 million units worldwide, up 0.1% from the previous year, despite a small increase of just 2,073 units. This growth was particularly evident in the United States, where Kia recorded its highest-ever annual retail sales and its seventh consecutive year of growth. In total, the company sold 796,488 passenger vehicles in the U.S., a 1.8% increase from 2023. On the electric vehicle front, Kia saw impressive results, with a 74% increase in overall EV sales compared to the previous year.…

Norway’s dominance of the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to set a global benchmark, with 88.9 percent of all new cars registered in 2024 being electric, according to the Norwegian Road Information Authority (OFV). While this marks a notable year-on-year increase of 9.4 percent, the share of EVs dipped slightly below the average in December, with electric vehicles accounting for 85.5 percent of the market. In December 2024, 11,668 new EVs were registered, reflecting a 30.3 percent increase compared to December 2023. However, the proportion of emission-free vehicles fell short of previous months’ exceptional figures. Notably, November 2024 saw an…

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD set a new sales record in December, surpassing 4 million units in annual sales for the first time. The company sold 514,809 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in December, marking the third instance it has exceeded the 500,000 mark and the seventh consecutive month of record sales, according to data released by BYD. This December’s figure represents a 50.95% year-on-year increase from 341,043 units in the same month last year and a 1.58% increase from the previous month’s sales of 506,804 units. In 2024, BYD’s total NEV sales reached 4,272,145 units, reflecting a 41.26% year-on-year increase.…

Dutch fuel cell specialist zepp.solutions and the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) have partnered to develop a liquid hydrogen fuel cell system aimed at achieving a manned flight by 2026. The collaboration centers on adapting the Pipistrel Velis Electro, an electric research aircraft, to operate using hydrogen power. The project marks a key step in NLR’s Climate Neutral Aviation program, which seeks to advance sustainable aviation technologies. Zepp.solutions will design and integrate the hydrogen fuel cell system into the aircraft, with installation space allocated under the cockpit for the new system. The initiative is part of the Dutch government’s Aviation in…

Italian bus manufacturer Iveco Bus has won a significant tender in Germany to supply 580 buses to the German BusGruppe, marking its largest electric bus order in the country to date. The deal includes 250 electric buses and underscores the company’s growing presence in sustainable public transport. Under the five-year framework agreement, Iveco will deliver 200 Crossway LE Elec buses and 50 articulated E-Way electric buses. The exact configurations of these models remain unclear, as the Crossway LE Elec, for instance, is offered in a 12-meter city bus version and a 13-meter intercity variant with battery capacities of 416 or…

Swedish electric-vehicle battery manufacturer Northvolt announced on Friday that it is in discussions with over 100 lenders and investors to secure additional bankruptcy financing, aiming to finalize new funding arrangements by late January. Northvolt filed for bankruptcy on November 21 with an initial $100-million loan from Swedish truck maker Scania, its largest customer and shareholder. However, the loan was designed to provide temporary support, and the company is actively evaluating proposals for longer-term financing to complete its restructuring. “We are pleased with the results of this hearing, at which we gained final approval of our motions to access new funding,…

Shell Recharge Solutions (SRS) has entered into an agreement with Dutch charging solutions provider 50five, transferring responsibility for its home and workplace chargers across six markets, including Germany. As part of the transaction, Shell employees will also move to 50five. The deal includes markets such as the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Shell Recharge Solutions will continue to operate in other regions and explore additional external partnerships in the future. The transition, which will not affect services for existing customers, includes the migration of Shell Recharge Solutions’ charge points to 50five’s operations. Customers will be informed directly…

The Volkswagen Group and its battery subsidiary PowerCo are making a significant move in the lithium supply chain with a $48 million investment in Patriot Battery Metals, acquiring a 9.9% stake in the company. This strategic partnership aims to ensure a stable lithium supply for PowerCo as the company prepares to begin industrial lithium production at its Shaakichiuwaanaan project in Quebec, Canada. The investment goes beyond financial backing, as the agreement includes a long-term supply commitment of 100,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate per year for ten years, starting with the commencement of production at the Shaakichiuwaanaan project. Spodumene concentrate, a…

Mitie, the British energy service provider, has achieved a significant milestone by adding the 6,000th electric vehicle (EV) to its fleet. With 73% of its fleet now running on electricity, the company is making rapid progress towards its goal of fully electrifying its fleet by the end of 2025. This means that nearly 6,850 vehicles are currently part of Mitie’s electric fleet. Having already reached the 4,000th and 5,000th EV milestones earlier this year, Mitie continues to accelerate its efforts. The company began its fleet electrification journey in 2018 as part of its broader sustainability initiative, “Plan Zero,” aimed at…

China’s battery manufacturing giant, CATL (300750.SZ), announced on Wednesday the co-development of 10 electric vehicle (EV) models featuring its innovative swappable battery technology, marking a push to reshape the EV charging landscape. CEO Yang Jun of CATL’s battery-swapping brand EVOGO revealed that the first vehicle utilizing the “choco-swap” battery system will debut this month, with additional models to follow in the coming months. To bolster adoption, CATL plans to establish 1,000 battery-swapping stations in 2024, with an accelerated rollout anticipated through partnerships. “China could eventually have 30,000-40,000 battery swapping stations, potentially replacing a third of the country’s approximately 100,000 gasoline…

Volvo continues to invest heavily in the electric vehicle (EV) market, despite stepping back from its commitment to go all-electric by 2030. The Swedish automaker has emphasized its plans to expand its electric lineup, with plans to introduce a new model each year over the next five years. However, the company remains uncertain about launching an all-electric estate to compete with rivals like the BMW i5 Touring, Audi A6 e-tron, and VW ID.7 Tourer. In recent years, Volvo has trademarked the names EV60 and EV90, sparking speculation that these models could be the next step in the brand’s electric expansion.…

Car.los has introduced its V1 electric cargo bike in Germany, offering a practical solution for urban transport with its foldable design and high-capacity features. The V1 is available in two versions: the V1 Basic and V1 Full, with the primary difference being the inclusion of a collapsible front basket in the Full model. The V1 Full’s basket can carry up to 65 kg (143 lbs), while the total permissible weight, including the rider, reaches 195 kg (430 lbs). The V1 is powered by a Brose Drive T motor, offering a top speed of 25 km/h (16 mph) and paired with…