Author: Harding Greenwood

Researchers at McGill University in Montreal have announced a significant advancement in the development of solid-state lithium batteries, successfully eliminating the interfacial resistance between the solid electrolyte and the electrodes. This achievement could enhance battery efficiency and performance for various applications, particularly in the automotive sector. The findings, detailed in the study titled 4.8 V All-Solid-State Garnet-Based Lithium-Metal Batteries with Stable Interface, were published in Cell Reports Physical Science. Solid-state batteries are seen as a promising alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries, which utilize flammable liquid electrolytes. The new solid-state designs offer the potential for greater durability and reduced degradation over…

Toshiba Corporation has announced a partnership with Kawasaki Tsurumi Rinko Bus Co., Ltd. (Rinko Bus) and Drive Electro Technology Co., Ltd. to jointly study a demonstration project for a super-rapid charging battery system powered by a pantograph. The project, scheduled to begin in November 2025, will see a modified bus operating on public roads in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo. This initiative, Japan’s first demonstration of an e-bus charged by a pantograph on public roads, aims to assess the feasibility of commercial operations. Rinko Bus will manage the bus service, while Drive Electro Technology will provide the pantograph charging system and…

BYD will officially launch its highly anticipated Seal 06 GT model on October 18, following its debut at the Chengdu Auto Show in August. Zhang Zhuo, BYD’s head of sales for the Ocean series, confirmed the launch date in a video shared on Weibo, adding that more detailed specifications will be revealed during the event. BYD began taking reservations for the Seal 06 GT on August 30, offering a price range between RMB 150,000 ($21,370) and RMB 200,000, though specific variants have not yet been disclosed. The Seal 06 GT is being positioned as the first rear-drive, all-electric performance hatchback…

Ionna, the North American fast-charging joint venture formed by BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota, has started construction of its first charging site, or ‘Rechargery,’ in Apex, North Carolina. The station, located at a former petrol station site, will feature ten covered fast-charging stations offering up to 400 kW of power through both CCS and NACS connectors. The site is designed with a focus on customer comfort, with amenities such as secure bathroom access, coffee service, food and beverage options, and Wi-Fi, allowing drivers to relax or work while their vehicle charges. Outdoor facilities, including pet-friendly…

Magenta Mobility, a leading provider of e-mobility solutions for logistics in India, has announced that it now operates over 2,000 electric vehicles (EVs) across more than 18 cities in the country. This fleet includes 2,000 electric three-wheelers and over 250 electric four-wheelers, facilitating deliveries in major urban centers such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Pune, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Manesar, Noida, Faridabad, Surat, and Ghaziabad. The company plans to expand its reach to additional planned cities like Jaipur and Lucknow and has recently integrated 100 electric trucks from Tata Motors into its fleet. Maxson Lewis, founder and CEO of Magenta Mobility,…

A California-based eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle manufacturer, Jump Aero, has entered into a partnership with the Calhoun County Emergency Management Service in Texas to trial its emergency response flying vehicle in rural communities. The announcement noted, “The county spans barrier islands with poor road access, is in a geographic area susceptible to disaster incidents, and includes many remote and rural communities.” The collaboration aims to address the issue of delayed ambulance arrivals, which can significantly impact emergency outcomes. By enabling skilled first responders to fly directly to emergency scenes, Jump Aero’s JA1 Pulse vehicle is expected to…

Waymo has announced that members of the public can now hail self-driving taxis in Austin, Texas, marking a significant step toward the commercial launch of its autonomous ride-hailing service in the city. Previously, the autonomous vehicles were only accessible to Waymo employees. Selected customers can now order a Waymo taxi through the company’s Waymo One app, with the service initially being available to those on the “interest list” on Waymo’s website. The announcement was made via a post on X, stating, “This week, we’re beginning to welcome riders in Austin from our interest list to try our fully autonomous ride-hail…

The European Union’s recent decision to implement tariffs on electric vehicles made in China is not anticipated to lead to immediate price changes for the affected vehicles, according to various automakers. In a statement released before the EU member states’ vote, the French division of SAIC’s MG Motor indicated that the outcome of the vote would not affect the prices of its electric vehicles in France for the current year. In the vote, 10 EU member states supported the tariffs, five opposed them, and there were 12 abstentions, EU sources reported. MG Motor France criticized the tariffs as “excessive,” asserting…

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares on Thursday dismissed rumors of a potential merger with Renault as “pure speculation” during a visit to one of the French-Italian automaker’s hubs in eastern France. His comments came in response to growing media reports suggesting a tie-up between the two automotive giants. Meanwhile, Renault CEO Luca de Meo, speaking at an event in Paris, declined to comment directly, saying, “I don’t comment on rumors,” when asked about the possible merger. Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore had earlier reported that discussions of a merger were becoming more persistent, with economies of scale seen as a…

The United States Department of Energy announced a conditional loan guarantee of up to $1.05 billion to EVgo (EVGO.O) on Thursday to expand its public electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide, including installations in underserved urban communities. ‘If finalized, the loan will support the deployment of approximately 7,500 high-power public charging stalls at nearly 1,100 stations, capable of charging two EVs at once. Jigar Shah, head of the Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the Department of Energy, emphasized the significance of the financing, which will help EVgo, a company with high capital costs, compete more effectively with Tesla’s (TSLA.O) charging network.…

Volkswagen’s (VW) plant in Osnabrück is reportedly at risk of closure following Porsche’s recent decision not to assign production contracts for the facility after Easter 2026. This development comes in the wake of VW’s earlier warnings about potential plant closures in Germany due to high costs and underutilization. A Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed to German media that Porsche will not be awarding a follow-up contract for the Osnabrück plant, which currently produces three models, including the VW T-Roc Cabrio. The T-Roc Cabrio is set to be discontinued in spring 2026, with no successor planned. Production of the regular T-Roc has already…

Swissport, the world’s largest operator of airport ground support equipment, has announced a new procurement policy mandating the purchase of several electric ground handling vehicle models, effective January 2025. This initiative is part of Swissport’s broader strategy to electrify ground services at nearly 300 airports worldwide, focusing on vehicles for baggage transport, conveyor belts, mobile passenger boarding stairs, and service vehicles for waste disposal and fresh water supply. From 2027 onwards, Swissport plans to procure only electric ground handling vehicles, contingent on the availability of the necessary equipment and the development of sufficient charging infrastructure at airports. “Swissport reaffirms its…