Author: Harding Greenwood

Tesla has implemented price cuts in several major markets, including China and Germany, following similar moves in the United States. The price adjustments come as Tesla faces declining sales and heightened competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market, particularly from Chinese EV manufacturers. The decision to reduce prices follows Tesla’s recent report of a drop in global vehicle deliveries for the first quarter, marking the first decline in nearly four years. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, emphasized the need for frequent price changes to align production with demand. The EV market leader initiated an EV price war over a year ago…

Mining and construction fatalities have seen a concerning rise, prompting companies to innovate for safer operations. In response, FIRSTGREEN Industries has introduced a new line of cabinless, remote-operated skid steers tailored for critical mining tasks, aiming to enhance safety and sustainability in high-risk environments. The company, known for its electric loader Elise CBL designed for remote operation in demolition environments, has expanded its offerings with the ROCKEAT equipment line. These skid steers are specifically designed for underground mining, providing operators with a safer alternative to traditional equipment. Marcus Suess, COO of FIRSTGREEN Industries, highlighted the significance of the ROCKEAT skid…

A Liebherr electric excavator at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek mine in Western Australia recently achieved a significant operational milestone by moving its one millionth tonne of dirt. This success has prompted Fortescue to plan the purchase of two additional electric excavators. Since its introduction earlier this year, the converted mining excavator has been steadily working. Following a 90-day break-in period operating at partial capacity while the site team familiarized themselves with the new technology, the excavator is now operating at full speed. Fortescue Metals CEO, Dino Otranto, expressed excitement about the milestone, stating, “This is such an exciting milestone for Fortescue…

Daimler Truck’s newest brand of all-electric vehicles, RIZON, has announced the Canadian launch of its class 4-5 trucks, marking its entry into the Canadian market. The RIZON trucks will be available for preorders starting in June 2024, offering Canadian customers a range of versatile and sustainable transportation solutions. RIZON trucks, which made their debut in the U.S. in 2023, are already in operation on American streets, serving a diverse range of customers. In Canada, RIZON will offer four model variants, including the e16L, e16M, e18L, and e18M, each tailored to meet the unique requirements of customers, with gross vehicle weights…

Tritium, the Australian fast charging station manufacturer, has found itself in financial distress, leading to the appointment of self-appointed administrators and insolvency administrators by creditors. The company, which has its headquarters in Australia but is listed on the Nasdaq in the USA, made a notification to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) stating that Tritium DCFC and three of its Australian subsidiaries are either insolvent or likely to become insolvent. Following the directors’ acknowledgment of their (probable) insolvency, three managers from management consultants KPMG were appointed as administrators, while administrators from the law firm McGrathNicol Restructuring were appointed by…

Redwood Materials has achieved notable progress at its Nevada campus. Over the past year, the company has intensified its hydrometallurgical operations, inaugurated a large-scale recycling rotary calciner, and commenced production of battery anode copper foil. These developments signify a pivotal advancement in Redwood’s mission to create a sustainable source of battery materials for the domestic electric vehicle industry. The company’s hydrometallurgical facility, the first commercial-scale nickel “mine” to open in the US in years, not only recycles battery scrap but also represents a new source of domestic lithium supply. Emphasizing environmental responsibility, Redwood’s hydrometallurgical process achieves a remarkable 95% lithium…

A joint venture between LG Chem Ltd. and Korea Zinc Inc. is gearing up to commence mass production of precursor, a crucial material for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The facility, currently in test operations, aims to help customers comply with US requirements for clean car federal tax benefits. Established in August 2002, the joint venture, Korea Precursor Co., successfully manufactured a precursor prototype just two weeks after completing the test operations of its plant last month, according to Korea Zinc. LG Chem, South Korea’s leading chemicals company, along with Korea Energy Materials Co. (KEMCO), an affiliate of Korea Zinc, invested…

Gogoro, a battery-swapping ecosystem provider, and TSMC, a semiconductor company, have revealed three new mobility initiatives in Taiwan, furthering their commitment to promoting clean energy in the region. As part of their partnership agreement, the two companies are installing 15 GoStations across Taiwan that will be powered entirely by renewable energy, a first for Gogoro’s battery swapping stations. Additionally, they will launch Gogoro’s GoShare scooter-sharing service at TSMC’s headquarters in Hsinchu and upgrade and expand the Gogoro Network in the city. Horace Luke, founder and CEO of Gogoro, commended TSMC’s dedication to the energy transition, stating, “Gogoro and TSMC are…

After a slow start in the electric vehicle (EV) market, Toyota is gearing up to introduce a wave of new electric cars, starting with its second best-selling SUV in the US, the Toyota Highlander, which will go fully electric. This move may be followed by other familiar names like the Tacoma and Tundra. Toyota has been criticized for its slow transition to fully electric vehicles, offering only two EV models in the US—the bZ4X and Lexus RZ—and with no new offerings expected for at least another two years. Despite selling over 565,000 vehicles in the US in the first three…

Jaguar Land Rover is reportedly considering using platforms from Chinese automaker Chery to underpin its future electric vehicles, as part of the British brand’s strategy to thrive in the electrified era. Chinese media suggests that Jaguar Land Rover is looking at hybrid and battery-electric platforms from Chery’s Exeed brand. By leveraging Chery’s technology, Jaguar Land Rover aims to accelerate the development and launch of its upcoming electric vehicles. Although a Chery spokesperson denied any finalized deal with Jaguar Land Rover regarding the use of its platforms, Chery’s chairman, Yin Tongyue, mentioned that two luxury European brands have shown interest in…

Tesla, the pioneering electric vehicle manufacturer, has suffered a significant setback with the departure of Drew Baglino, its top engineering executive. Baglino, one of Tesla’s earliest employees, played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and technological advancements. Baglino’s association with Tesla dates back to its formative years, where he collaborated closely with co-founder and former CTO JB Straubel. Following Straubel’s departure from the executive team in 2019, Baglino assumed a critical role as the de facto most senior engineering leader at Tesla. He was entrusted with overseeing key areas including batteries, motors, drive units, power electronics, and energy products…

In a bid to boost sales and attract Tesla owners, Ford has launched a new program named Tesla Competitive Conquest Bonus Cash, offering a $1,500 discount on the purchase of a new F-150 Lightning, irrespective of the chosen trim. This initiative can be combined with other incentives, potentially reducing the price by up to $14,000 when combined with Retail Bonus Cash. Ford has also announced discounts on 2024 models of the F-150 Lightning, with adjustments of up to $5,500. The adjusted prices for the various trims are as follows: Ford F-150 Lightning XLT Standard Range: $2,000 discount to $62,995 Ford…