Author: James Bryant

Chinese automaker BYD is set to intensify competition in South Korea with the launch of its Seal EV, priced at under $25,000, aiming to rival Hyundai and Tesla in the electric vehicle market. The Seal EV, initially launched in China in 2022, is now expanding its presence into new markets, including Europe, Australia, and Brazil. Sporting a sleek design, the BYD Seal EV measures 4,800 mm in length, 1,875mm in width, and 1,460 mm in height. This puts it in direct comparison with Tesla’s Model 3 in terms of size and performance. The recent introduction of the new Seal EV…

Decathlon has introduced the BTWIN Electric Family Cargo Bike F900E, designed to accommodate larger families with the capacity to transport up to four children simultaneously. The model, now listed on Decathlon’s European websites, offers a range of features tailored to family needs. The BTWIN F900E comes with a Long John cargo carrier at the front, equipped with a two-person bench and a one-person folding seat. Additionally, it features a door, windshield, and retractable rain protector, providing a comfortable and safe environment for children. For families with a fourth child, a baby seat can be fitted to the bike’s rear pannier…

Atlante, the charging infrastructure operator, has secured a contract to install 19 electric vehicle (EV) charging points at Turin Airport on behalf of airport operator SAGAT, with provisions for future expansion. The charging points, offering capacities ranging from 22 to 200 kW, will be located in six areas across the airport. The project, part of the ‘Torino Green Airport’ plan launched by SAGAT in 2021, aims to enhance the airport’s sustainability by improving energy efficiency, reducing consumption and emissions, and increasing self-production from renewable sources. Atlante’s charging infrastructure, powered by renewable energy, aligns with these goals. Stefano Terranova, CEO of…

Nikola Corporation has announced that AiLO, a prominent player in the port industry, has placed a substantial order of 100 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) from Tom’s Truck Centers, a member of Nikola’s sales and service dealer network. The deliveries of these vehicles are scheduled for 2025, with AiLO aiming to enhance its operations to meet the increasing demands of the port sector. Ryan Clayton, Nikola’s Global Head of Sales, expressed pride in AiLO’s decision, stating, “Nikola trucks are on the road today, and the biggest test of our trucks is measured by our customers and their repeat orders.…

ChargePoint, an US-based charging services provider, has introduced a groundbreaking EV charging payment terminal in collaboration with Scheidt & Bachmann, a German provider of energy retail solutions. The new terminal, hailed as the first in the industry to meet the new OCPI industry standards and comply with recently enacted EU regulations for EV charging, represents a significant advancement in the charging infrastructure sector. The payment terminal, developed by ChargePoint, not only meets the new OCPI standards but also boasts Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance, ensuring the highest standards of security for transactions. This compliance is particularly crucial given the EU’s…

ZF Mobility Solutions has announced a strategic collaboration with Aidrivers to provide autonomous mobility solutions in port logistics, marking a significant shift from manual to autonomous operations in port vehicle management. The partnership will see AI-enabled autonomous mobility company Aidrivers supplying an autonomous driving software ecosystem, while ZF will serve as the engineering partner for integration, validation, and deployment. The converted vehicles will be capable of operating in mixed traffic operations without the need for special lanes, offering port operators enhanced terminal safety and efficiency through advanced autonomous technologies. Alexander Makowski, Head of ZF Mobility Solutions, expressed enthusiasm for the…

EcoG, a leading provider of charging systems for electric vehicles (EVs) based in Munich, Germany, has completed the acquisition of the Josev charger operating system from Switch EV, a London-based company specializing in EV charging solutions. The deal includes the acquisition of the Josev team and marks a strategic partnership between EcoG and Switch EV. The acquisition allows EcoG to expand its offerings to include AC and commercial vehicle charging solutions, complementing its existing expertise in DC charging. EcoG will also assume full operational responsibility for the Josev team and its products, ensuring continued support for existing Josev customers, including…

General Motors CEO Mary Barra has reiterated the company’s commitment to transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), despite recent remarks indicating a longer timeline for the switch. Barra’s comments come as EV sales in the U.S. have experienced a slowdown, prompting speculation about the future of GM’s EV strategy. Barra initially tempered expectations, suggesting that the transition to EVs would take “decades” rather than years. This statement raised questions about GM’s earlier pledge to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) offerings from its lineup by 2035. However, a spokesperson later clarified that GM remains dedicated to this goal. See also: GM Taps…

ABB has introduced a new, more energy-efficient motor and converter package designed for electric buses. The package integrates the compact AMXE250 permanent magnet synchronous motor with the HES580 inverter, which ABB claims is the first 3-level inverter on the market for electric buses. According to ABB, the new inverter offers a longer service life and can achieve up to twelve per cent lower motor losses in typical driving cycles compared to previous 2-level inverters. The HES580 is designed to reduce harmonic losses of the motor by up to 75 per cent, significantly reducing heat dissipation and maximizing energy savings. See…

South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor has joined forces with Silicon Valley AI company Plus to introduce the first-ever self-driving Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric truck in the United States. The autonomous XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck made its debut at the ACT (Advanced Clean Transportation) Expo in Las Vegas, alongside another self-driving truck, the VNL Autonomous developed by Volvo and Aurora Innovation. What sets the XCIENT apart is its utilization of fuel cell technology, aligning with Hyundai’s commitment to expand the use of hydrogen as part of its sustainability program. Fuel cell vehicles operate on compressed hydrogen gas, which is…

Ohio, already a pioneer in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure with the installation of the first federally funded DC fast charger, continues to spearhead EV development with the rollout of new charging stations under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. Despite these advancements, the state lags in offering EV incentives to its residents. Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, has allocated nearly $16 million to install 22 new DC fast-charging stations along federally designated EV corridors on interstates, state routes, and US routes. This funding is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s NEVI Program, aimed at creating a nationwide network of EV…

A comprehensive study indicates that the costs of battery systems and fuel cells are poised to decrease noticeably by as early as 2030, with the necessary framework conditions already partially in place. California and the EU have set ambitious targets for truck emissions, aiming for zero emissions or a 90 percent reduction by 2036 and 2040, respectively. China also plans to nearly eliminate emissions in the transport sector by 2060, highlighting the increasing need for emission-free electric drives using batteries or fuel cells. The study, published in Nature Energy, suggests that this shift could trigger a significant drop in prices…

ZF has unveiled its latest innovation in the e-bike sector, the ‘ZF Bike Eco System,’ at the Eurobike 2024 trade fair. The system integrates all components necessary for the drive system, including the motor, batteries, control and operating units, an app, and a cloud connection. The new drive system is designed to simplify the installation process for bicycle manufacturers, offering compatibility with nearly all types of e-bikes. Compared to standard e-drives on the market, ZF’s system requires significantly less effort to install and provides greater design freedom due to its compact form factor. Daniel Härter, Head of the Micro Mobility…

Chinese automaker Geely has inked a partnership deal with Israel’s Foretellix, a pioneer in AV simulation and verification technology. Geely will leverage Foretellix’s AI-driven training and validation solution, Foretify, to streamline development processes, enhance safety standards, and accelerate time-to-market for its AVs. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Geely, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and technological advancement in the automotive sector. ChuanHai Li, Vice President of Geely Research and Development, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “The Foretellix solution will expedite and enhance Geely’s development and validation process. It will enable us to ensure proper Operational Design Domain (ODD)…

Swiss startup 8inks, based in Schlieren, Switzerland, has secured three million euros in funding from Founderful and other investors to scale up its multi-layer coating technology for lithium-ion battery production. The company, spun off from ETH Zurich at the end of 2022, has developed a manufacturing platform aimed at addressing current challenges in battery technology. 8inks claims that their multi-layer process technology can produce both new and established battery designs and materials up to ten times faster, leading to an average cost savings of 30 percent. Using techniques from the paper and photography industries, 8inks has created a battery production…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Aiways has announced plans to go public through a merger with U.S. special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Hudson Acquisition Corp, in a deal that is expected to value the company at around $400 million. The move comes as a lifeline for Aiways, which halted production at its Shangrao plant last summer due to intense competition in the Chinese EV market. The SPAC merger is set to close by the end of the year and will provide Aiways with much-needed financial support. Prior to its production halt, Aiways had been selling its U5 and U6 electric models…

VinFast has announced the upcoming launch of the VF 3, an electric crossover set to debut in Vietnam with an attractive starting price of 240 million VND ($9,428). The vehicle, designed to cater to various driving needs, offers a unique battery subscription service with three different plans to choose from. According to VinFast, the VF 3 will come in an array of colors, including four standard hues and five additional options. For those seeking a more personalized touch, a custom color can be selected for an extra 15 million VND ($589). The VF 3 boasts practical features such as 7.5…

Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled its NorCAL ZERO Project, an initiative in the US aimed at bringing zero-emission freight transportation to the San Francisco Bay Area and California’s Central Valley using hydrogen fuel cell technology. The project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 24,000 metric tons in the US. As part of the initiative, Hyundai has deployed 30 Class 8 XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks with a 6×4 drive axle configuration in California, which have been in commercial operation since 2023. This deployment represents the largest commercial deployment of Class 8 hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric trucks in the US.…

Automobili Pininfarina has announced a collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to create a collection of bespoke pure-electric vehicles inspired by the iconic character Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman. The collection includes two exclusive versions of the Automobili Pininfarina B95 hyper Barchetta and the Battista hyper GT, both featuring design and technology elements that pay homage to the legendary superhero. The vehicles are powered by a 120kWh lithium-ion battery and four motors, delivering an impressive 1,900hp. This power enables the cars to accelerate from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in less than two seconds, faster than a current Formula 1…

MightyFly, a leading developer of autonomous cargo drones, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to commence flight testing of its large autonomous cargo drone. This approval marks a pivotal moment, making MightyFly the first autonomous cargo eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) company to receive such authorization from the FAA. The company’s announcement follows its recent commencement of flight testing for its Cento aircraft along the designated flight corridor, which began just a month ago. Under the FAA approval, MightyFly is now permitted to conduct autonomous flights of up to 5,000 feet…