Author: Harding Greenwood

Hyundai Motor and Kia have initiated a four-year project in South Korea to develop cathode materials for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. This effort is part of the automakers’ strategy to improve electric vehicle (EV) battery safety, performance, and cost efficiency. The project, undertaken in collaboration with Hyundai Steel and EcoPro BM, seeks to advance the production of LFP battery materials through a direct synthesis process aimed at reducing emissions and production costs. LFP battery cathodes are typically made by adding lithium to precursor materials such as phosphate and iron sulfate. However, Hyundai’s approach involves directly synthesizing the cathode material…

Vay Technology has announced a partnership with Verizon Business to utilize its 5G connectivity for the company’s fleet of remotely controlled vehicles in Las Vegas. Vay, a German company that launched commercial operations in the city earlier this year, will rely on Verizon’s high-performance, low-latency network to manage the significant data needs of its teleoperated fleet. Vay’s approach differs from traditional autonomous driving, as the company uses remote human drivers to control Kia EVs from a central teledrive center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVSifReOYG8 These vehicles are delivered to users without occupants, and once the customer reaches their destination, control is returned to the…

Volvo Trucks North America has delivered 70 VNR electric trucks to various fleets in Southern California as part of the SWITCH-ON initiative. These trucks, designed for regional transport and drayage, are supported by subsidies under the programme aimed at improving air quality. The delivery includes 15 units of the first-generation Volvo VNR Electric trucks, with the remaining 55 featuring extended range and faster charging capabilities. The trucks will collect data through 2025 to provide insights into electric trucking operations. “Infrastructure development remains a challenge for fleets, even with public funding,” said Wayne Nastri, Executive Officer of South Coast AQMD, highlighting…

Hyundai Motor Group’s Kia and Hyundai Motor brands have entered a strategic partnership with Samsung Electronics to develop an open ecosystem that connects vehicles with smart home devices and smartphones. The agreement, signed at Samsung Electronics’ Seoul R&D Campus, focuses on preparing for the era of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Under the partnership, Hyundai and Kia aim to enhance in-vehicle services by leveraging Samsung’s technology. In return, Samsung will work to link its smart home devices and phones with Hyundai and Kia vehicles, allowing seamless integration. The next-generation infotainment system developed by Hyundai and Kia will be connected to Samsung’s SmartThings…

ChargeHub, a North American roaming provider, has announced a partnership with Ampeco to utilize its charging management platform, enhancing access for charge point operators (CPOs) and eMobility Service Providers (eMSPs) across the US and Canada. This collaboration aims to provide EV drivers with access to over 100,000 chargers and enable payments through a single account. Additionally, CPOs and eMSPs already using the Ampeco platform can now join ChargeHub’s Passport Hub roaming service, facilitating greater connectivity. ChargeHub boasts over 150 active roaming connections, covering more than two-thirds of networked CCS and J1772 chargers throughout North America. This initiative follows Ampeco’s recent…

Rivian has announced that it will include a North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapter with every new R1T and R1S purchase made in Canada and the United States. This move enhances the charging experience for new owners, as Rivian was one of the first automakers to agree to adopt Tesla’s NACS plug, enabling Rivian vehicle owners to access Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network. Historically, Rivian vehicles have been equipped with a CCS1 charging port, requiring existing owners to use a separate adapter to charge at Supercharger stations. The company is currently working on integrating an NACS port into future electric vehicle…

Rivian’s R1S electric SUV is now available for rent in the United Kingdom through rental firm EVision, marking the company’s growing presence overseas despite its vehicles not being sold in Europe. While Rivian’s website states that it only accepts reservations in the United States and Canada, the R1S is making its way onto the streets of the UK. EVision announced, “The Rivian R1S has arrived at EVision,” emphasizing that the electric SUV can be rented for durations ranging from one day to three years. The rental cost for the R1S is approximately $1,300 (£990) per day, which includes VAT. For…

Fisker Ocean owners are relieved to learn that 23 service locations across the U.S. and Canada have been confirmed for servicing their electric vehicles. This comes as a significant development after months of uncertainty, following Fisker’s financial struggles, including a bankruptcy filing and abandoned corporate offices. Earlier this year, concerns grew among owners when reports emerged of “bricked” vehicles—cars that were undrivable due to a lack of functioning service centers. Many feared they had lost significant investments in vehicles that couldn’t be repaired amid the company’s distress. The Fisker Owners Association (FOA) recently announced 20 approved service shops in the…

Investment firm Monroe Capital LLC announced plans to establish a $1 billion fund aimed at supporting smaller auto suppliers as the automotive industry transitions from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). The new initiative, named the Drive Forward Fund LP, seeks to provide financial assistance to small- and medium-sized suppliers who are critical to the U.S. automotive supply chain but often face challenges accessing capital. The White House praised the fund, stating it would “facilitate access to lower cost capital for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers to refinance, grow, and diversify their businesses.” According to the administration, more than 250,000…

General Motors and Ford Motor may have to stop importing vehicles from China under a proposed U.S. rule aimed at restricting Chinese software and hardware, a Commerce Department official told Reuters. The rule could impact other automakers operating in the U.S., including Volvo Cars and BYD. GM currently imports the Buick Envision, and Ford brings in the Lincoln Nautilus from China. In the first half of 2024, GM sold approximately 22,000 Envisions, while Ford sold 17,500 Nautilus SUVs in the U.S. Ford did not comment on the potential impact of the rule. “We anticipate at this point that any vehicle…

BYD has been chosen to supply electric buses for Connect Bus in Växjö, Sweden, following the cancellation of an order for 47 Ebusco electric buses. The decision comes after Ebusco failed to deliver the ordered Ebusco 3.0 models by the end of 2023, prompting Connect Bus to seek a new supplier. Connect Bus CEO Jonas Kempe noted that the company evaluated six alternatives before selecting BYD, citing the latter’s superior combination of product quality and delivery timelines. This change marks a significant shift in the local electric bus landscape. Ebusco has been experiencing notable challenges, both operationally and in its…

Tesla is set to roll out its Autopark feature to a broader group of Cybertruck owners after initially offering it to select testers earlier this month. The feature, which allows for automatic parking, is now expected to reach more customers in the coming days, according to a report from Teslascope. Teslascope reported that Tesla’s software update version 2024.32.5.3 has been spotted on four Cybertruck vehicles as of early Saturday morning. While the exact timeline for wider release remains unclear, those who have purchased or subscribed to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised package could receive the update shortly. https://twitter.com/teslascope/status/1837398115948941398 Autopark enables…