Author: Harding Greenwood

Geely, the Chinese automotive giant, is reportedly considering acquiring an 85% stake in the German air taxi startup Volocopter for approximately $95 million, according to Bloomberg. This potential deal highlights growing interest from Chinese companies in the electric aircraft sector, which is sometimes referred to as “flying cars.” The family office of Gerhard Sturm, founder of fan manufacturer EBM-Papst, is also believed to be involved in the discussions. Geely’s interest in Volocopter is not entirely surprising, as the car manufacturer has been involved with the company since 2019, becoming one of its investors. Additionally, the two companies formed a joint…

Integrals Power, a company specializing in advanced battery materials, has commenced the distribution of its Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate (LMFP) cathode materials to key customers in the automotive and energy storage industries. This step is aimed at strengthening the global supply chain for sustainable energy solutions. The LFP and LMFP materials are being produced at Integrals Power’s UK pilot plant, which has a capacity of 20 tonnes of LFP annually. This facility also plays a crucial role in the development of LMFP, a higher-performance version of LFP that includes manganese to enhance energy density. LMFP…

The State of Michigan has partnered with Electreon, a wireless EV charging specialist, and Xos, Inc., a commercial electric vehicle manufacturer, to expand wireless charging availability for commercial vehicles in Detroit, including UPS delivery trucks. The collaboration builds on Michigan’s ongoing efforts to establish itself as a leader in sustainable transportation innovation. This initiative follows the successful deployment of the first wireless EV charging roadway in the U.S. on Detroit’s 14th Street, unveiled last year by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Electreon. The roadway integrates Electreon’s inductive charging coils, enabling EVs equipped with receivers to charge while driving.…

Tesla has made strides in reducing the battery drain caused by its Sentry Mode, an anti-theft system that has been a source of frustration for many vehicle owners. The system, which alerts owners to suspicious activity around their vehicles by recording footage from cameras and sensors, has long been known to drain significant amounts of battery power. The issue was particularly pronounced when the system was left on for extended periods. Sentry Mode is designed to be activated by voice commands or through the Tesla app. Once enabled, it keeps the vehicle’s cameras and sensors powered while in Park mode,…

The incoming administration under U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to eliminate the federal tax credit for electric vehicles (EVs), which currently offers up to $7,500 in savings for EV buyers, according to sources familiar with the plan. The federal incentive, aimed at reducing EV costs for consumers, could be rescinded as part of Trump’s tax reform agenda, which has advocated for less government involvement in promoting EVs. Two individuals with direct knowledge told Reuters that the tax credit’s removal is likely under the Trump administration, marking a shift from current policy favoring EV affordability. Tesla, the largest U.S. EV…

German software company Vector has partnered with Hubject to enhance the development of Plug & Charge technology, a key advancement in electric vehicle (EV) charging. The collaboration aims to streamline certification processes for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and charging station manufacturers by enabling the acquisition of Hubject’s QA (Pre-Production) and Production Certificates via the Vector Security Manager. This integration will support the standardization of security functions, making it easier to ensure compliance with the ISO 15118 standard for bidirectional communication between EVs and chargers. Phanuel Hieber, Product Manager at Vector, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “Through this collaboration, we…

Zeekr, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, reported a significant reduction in its net loss for the third quarter of 2024, despite a slight drop in revenue and nearly flat vehicle deliveries compared to the previous quarter. The company posted revenue of RMB 18.36 billion ($2.62 billion) for the quarter, missing analysts’ expectations of RMB 19.71 billion, as per unaudited results released today. This figure represents a 30.71% increase from the same period last year but a decline of 8.39% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Zeekr did not provide any prior guidance on its revenue or vehicle deliveries…

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has approved a $544 million loan for SK Siltron CCS, LLC, with $481.5 million in principal and $62.5 million in capitalized interest, to develop a new semiconductor materials manufacturing facility in Bay City, Michigan. This project, part of the Biden administration’s Investing in America initiative, will support the production of silicon carbide (SiC) wafers for electric vehicle (EV) power electronics, advancing U.S. capabilities in the semiconductor industry. The project is expected to create up to 200 construction jobs initially and another 200 skilled operations positions once fully operational. The facility will position SK Siltron…

Porsche has expanded its Taycan electric vehicle lineup by adding three new model variants, raising the total options for the electric sedan to 16. The new versions include the Taycan 4 sports sedan, Taycan GTS, and Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, with all models now available for order and expected in dealerships by early 2025. The Taycan 4 sports sedan offers all-wheel drive and enhanced traction, capable of an overboost output up to 320 kW with the Performance Battery Plus. This model, priced from €106,200, offers a range up to 643 kilometers, and its dual-motor setup enables it to accelerate from…

Volvo Cars has announced the sale of its 30% stake in the Chinese automaker Lynk & Co to Zeekr, in a deal valued at approximately RMB 5.4 billion (SEK 8 billion). This move, which marks a significant shift in Volvo’s involvement with Lynk & Co, is expected to close during the first quarter of 2025. The divestment will be paid in cash, with 70% of the payment made at the transaction’s closing, and the remaining 30% plus interest due one year later. The sale is part of Lynk & Co’s broader transition into a new phase of development, which includes…

Mitsubishi Electric is set to begin shipping samples of its silicon carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) bare die by 14 November. The new component is designed to enhance energy efficiency in electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), and other electric mobility solutions. The SiC MOSFET bare die incorporates Mitsubishi Electric’s proprietary manufacturing technologies, including a gate oxide film process that minimizes power loss and on-resistance fluctuations. This process results in a 50% reduction in power loss compared to conventional planar devices. The component also uses oblique ion implantation, which helps lower switching loss, further optimizing its performance. The…

Chinese auto giant Geely is reportedly set to integrate its Lynk & Co brand into the Zeekr division, as part of a broader strategy to concentrate resources on the rapidly evolving new energy vehicle (NEV) market. According to sources cited by state-run Economic Daily, the integration will see Zeekr take a controlling stake in Lynk & Co, with an official announcement expected soon. This move follows Geely’s strategic shift, announced on September 1, 2024, when the company declared a transition from strategic expansion to a strategic focus on its core businesses. Since then, Geely has accelerated its brand integration, with…