Author: Harding Greenwood

Chemical giant BASF and recycling specialist WHW Recycling have joined forces in a new partnership focused on processing cathode and anode waste to create new raw materials, aiming to enhance the sustainability of battery cell production in Europe. The agreement enables WHW Recycling to complement BASF’s processes by processing cathode and anode foil waste from battery cell production. This collaboration will expand BASF’s recycling service offering for its customers, contributing to a more sustainable battery supply chain. Starting from the end of this year, WHW Recycling’s two new separation plants in Baudenbach, Germany, will process and separate cathode and anode…

OVAG Oberbergische Verkehrsgesellschaft, a German public transport operator, has announced plans to put 15 hydrogen buses into operation next year. The vehicles, sourced from Solaris, a Polish manufacturer, will be part of OVAG’s efforts to transition to more sustainable public transport solutions. The order includes 15 Urbino 12 Hydrogen buses from Solaris, featuring a fuel cell drive with an output of 70 kW, supplemented by a battery for higher power demands. Solaris also offers an articulated bus version, the Urbino 18 Hydrogen, and both variants are available with battery-electric drives. The delivery of the first five hydrogen buses is scheduled…

Swedish electric-vehicle manufacturer Polestar announced its plans to venture into seven new markets next year, including France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Thailand, and Brazil. This strategic move comes as the company seeks to broaden its customer base and boost sales. The decision follows a challenging period for Polestar, with deliveries dropping by 40% in the first quarter of this year. Expanding into untapped markets could not only help Polestar regain momentum but also strengthen its position in negotiations with suppliers. See also: Polestar Integrates with Nio’s Charging Network in China, Enhancing EV Charging Options The global electric vehicle market has…

Asahi Kasei, the Japanese technology company, has achieved a significant milestone in lithium-ion battery technology with the successful proof of concept for a new type of electrolyte boasting high ionic conductivity. The company anticipates commercial availability of this product as early as 2025. The new electrolyte is poised to revolutionize battery performance, particularly in challenging temperature conditions. Asahi Kasei reports that batteries using this electrolyte can deliver higher performance at low temperatures and offer an improved service life at high temperatures. Moreover, this breakthrough could lead to a reduction in the size of battery packs, as fewer cells would be…

Tesla has rolled out a new promotion in several European countries, offering new car buyers up to 15,000 miles or 20,000 kilometers of free Supercharging credits. The announcement was first made by the official Tesla United Kingdom (UK) account on X, revealing that customers who take delivery of a custom-ordered Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model X, or Model Y, or a vehicle from existing inventory, before July 1, 2024, will receive 15,000 miles (24,140km) of free Supercharging. https://twitter.com/tesla_uk/status/1800135837201596429 Tesla’s promotion comes with terms and conditions, including flexibility on the June 30th deadline. The company states, “If delivery is postponed…

Nissan is enticing Chevy Bolt EV and EUV owners to consider switching to a Nissan LEAF with a new incentive offer. The 2024 Nissan LEAF, priced starting at $28,140, is already one of the most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. Citing data from Cox Automotive, Nissan notes that the LEAF was the most affordable EV in the first three months of 2024, with an average selling price (including discounts) of $27,956, beating out Nissan’s Ariya, which came in second at $35,556. See also: GM Claims Next-Gen Chevrolet Bolt to Be the Most Affordable EV on the Market With access…

Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y are experiencing reduced wait times for their full range of variants in China, suggesting a potential softening in demand for the electric vehicle (EV) maker. Both models now boast shorter wait times of 1-6 weeks, down from the previous 3-6 weeks for Model 3 and 2-6 weeks for Model Y variants. The adjustment in delivery wait times is a notable shift, as the last time Tesla models in China saw such short wait times was on December 26, 2022, when the entire lineup of Model 3 and Model Y had a wait time of…

Fiat, part of Stellantis, has revealed plans to introduce a new hybrid version of its popular 500e small electric car, aiming to meet the market demand for more affordable electric options. The company’s move comes amid a global slowdown in electric car sales. The new “mild” hybrid 500e will offer a combination of a petrol engine and a battery, providing customers with a cost-effective alternative to the fully electric model. Gaetano Thorel, the head of the Fiat brand for Europe, stated that market demand for the hybrid 500e is estimated at 100,000-110,000 units per year, surpassing the sales figures of…

Ford Motor’s U.S. new vehicle sales experienced an 11.2% increase last month compared with May of last year, driven by robust sales growth in all-electric and hybrid models. The Detroit automaker revealed a substantial 65% sales surge in both hybrid and all-electric vehicles, contrasting with a 5.6% rise in sales of Ford’s traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Despite the notable growth in hybrids and EVs, sales in these segments combined for about 26,600 vehicles, accounting for only 14% of Ford’s total sales of over 190,000 vehicles last month. The rise in EV sales presents a dilemma for investors. While Ford…

Tesla has announced a scheduled five-day shutdown at its Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg plant, stating that it is a regular part of production operations and not indicative of any unusual circumstances. The shutdowns are planned for the 7th, 14th, 17th, 27th, and 28th of this month. During these periods, production in the vehicle manufacturing and powertrain areas will be halted, while the Casting, Plasma, and Cell areas will continue to operate. Tesla has informed plant employees that the downtime will be used to “optimize processes in the factory” and “prepare them for future challenges.” This move comes as Tesla grapples with weakening…

General Motors has announced the promotion of two former Apple executives to spearhead its software and services operations as the company intensifies efforts in developing and marketing electric, autonomous, and connected vehicles. Baris Cetinok has been appointed as the senior vice president of software and services product management, while Dave Richardson will serve as the senior vice president of software and services engineering. Both executives joined GM in September last year, according to a statement released by the Detroit automaker on Monday. The move comes as GM endeavors to enhance revenue generation from software and services and transition from internal…

In a strong showing of growth, Subaru of America Inc. reported that its May car sales in the United States rose to 58,356 units, marking a 7.0% increase compared to the same period last year. This achievement signifies the 22nd consecutive month of year-over-year growth for the automaker, with year-to-date sales reaching 267,215 units, up 7.3% from last year. A significant contributor to this growth has been the impressive performance of the Subaru Solterra, the brand’s all-electric SUV. Last month, Subaru recorded a tripling of its electric vehicle (EV) sales, with Solterra sales totaling 1,546 units, marking a remarkable 255%…