Author: James Bryant

Ram, a subsidiary of Stellantis, has recently unveiled its all-electric Ram 1500 REV at the New York Auto Show. While this move towards electrification is exciting, the company’s CEO, Mike Koval, acknowledged that it will be an expensive transition. “The cost of electrification is expensive, so for sure we need to make sure that we protect the profitability of our current in-market [internal combustion engine] business to help fund the transition to electrification,” Koval stated. Ram is not just focusing on the Ram 1500 REV, as it has also previewed an electric midsize pickup to dealers, which will be available…

Ford is doubling down on its commitment to electric vehicles (EVs) with a $1.3 billion investment to convert its Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario into the Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex. This transformation is part of Ford’s larger $50 billion commitment to electrification by 2026 and is set to be the company’s first high-volume conversion of an existing plant in North America to make EVs. The Oakville facility is expected to have the capacity to produce 300,000 EVs per year and will also assemble battery packs using cells and arrays from Kentucky’s BlueOvalSK Battery Park. The conversion process is expected to…

Watt Wagons, a leading manufacturer of high-end electric bicycles based in the United States, has just announced the release of their latest model, the HOUND. Designed specifically for off-road adventures, this bike boasts several impressive features that are rarely seen in the electric bicycle industry. With a range of up to 200 miles and built-in chargers compatible with electric car charging stations, the HOUND is a game-changer for those seeking an electric bike that can handle serious terrain. The HOUND is available in two models: the base model and the Supercharged model. Both models feature a custom-developed frame that is…

Polestar, the Swedish electric car brand known for its sleek and sustainable vehicles, is set to reveal its latest creation, the Polestar 4, at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 18, 2023. This new addition to the Polestar lineup combines the aerodynamics of a coupé with the spaciousness of an SUV, resulting in a modern, technology-enhanced vehicle that is sure to turn heads. The Polestar 4 is not simply a modified version of the brand’s first SUV; rather, the design has been entirely reimagined to create a new breed of SUV coupé. This next-generation vehicle will feature design cues and…

The Shanghai Auto Show is an event that brings together automakers from around the world to showcase their latest and greatest innovations. This year, the 20th edition of the show promises to be an exciting event, with automakers vying for the spotlight with their new electric vehicles, innovative designs, and cutting-edge technology. One automaker that is not to be left behind is BMW’s Mini brand. Mini is known for its iconic design and playful attitude, and this year, they are bringing two electric vehicles and a new digital companion to the Shanghai Auto Show. The Mini Cooper SE Convertible is…

Delta has announced the launch of its DC Wallbox 50kW EV charger in the EMEA region. This highly efficient EV charger offers a range of benefits, including a charging efficiency of up to 97%, a slim 25 cm thickness, and support for simultaneous charging. With a maximum output of 50kW DC power from two charging guns, the DC Wallbox 50kW is suitable for a wide range of sites, including roadside parking, conventional parking lots, department stores, commercial and office buildings, and EV fleet charging stations. One of the key features of Delta’s DC Wallbox 50kW is its optimised spatial efficiency.…

Portable Electric has announced a partnership with Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) to provide mobile charging solutions for construction sites across North America. As part of this collaboration, customers will have the opportunity to purchase the Voltstack 30k Level 2 e-Charger alongside Volvo’s electric equipment. This move highlights both companies’ shared commitment to sustainability and innovation in electrifying job sites. The Voltstack 30k Level 2 Mobile EV Charger is a versatile and robust mobile charging solution that caters to a wide range of electric equipment requirements. It offers boost charging, temporary charging stations, and recharging services whenever needed, making it…

Gridserve, the UK-based sustainable energy company, and Moto, a leading UK motorway service area operator, have joined forces to launch two new ‘Electric Super Hubs’ on the A1(M) at Moto Washington North and South. Each hub consists of six 350kW high-power chargers, contributing to Gridserve’s Electric Highway network, which now comprises over 160 locations. One of the critical factors in the success of EV charging networks is the ease of use and accessibility for users. To address this issue, all of Gridserve’s charging hubs feature both CCS and CHAdeMO connectors, accept contactless payment, and provide real-time status updates to a…

Kuka, the automation specialist, has announced a new contract with Valmet Automotive in Finland to design “CO2-neutral” assembly systems for sustainable battery production. This extensive investment in sustainable battery production will involve the installation of friction stir welding systems and equipment for end-of-line testing in the assembly line. Kuka CEO, Gerald Mies, highlighted that Valmet’s decisive criterion for choosing Kuka was their commitment to energy efficiency, alongside their ability to offer “everything from a single source”. Valmet Automotive, a Finnish supplier, also emphasizes the use of resource-saving processes and programming optimized for sustainability, such as the “sleep mode”. The new…

Opel is expanding the use of their Mokka Electric model by offering it as a workshop and service vehicle with an innovative drawer and shelf system in the rear. This new in-vehicle equipment is a result of a collaboration with conversion specialist Bott, who integrated their Vario3 system into a safety frame that is firmly attached to the body of the car. The system is designed to store tools and smaller spare parts safely and comfortably, while also allowing for easy removal in just a few steps when more space is needed in the rear compartment. Opel highlights the exceptional…

Group14 Technologies, a battery materials manufacturer, has announced the construction of its second factory in Moses Lake, Washington state. The new factory will produce silicon battery materials for electric vehicles, making it the world’s largest factory of its kind. According to a company statement, the first two factory modules will each supply 2,000 tonnes of the silicon-carbon anode material SCC55 and are expected to be operational by 2024. The entire one-million-square-foot site is planned to have at least six modules, producing a total of 12,000 tonnes of production capacity. See also: Automobili Pininfarina Expands US Dealership Network for its Electric…

Tritium, the Australian manufacturer of fast electric vehicle (EV) chargers, has announced that it is now taking orders for its first product under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program in the USA. This new charging system will include four of Tritium’s 150kW PKM150 charging stations, along with two power rectifiers. These chargers can deliver up to 150kW of power to four EVs simultaneously. This comes as part of the NEVI Formula Program, which was introduced in February with the aim of boosting the US EV charging market with a $7.5 billion subsidy program. To qualify for the subsidy…

Tesla is reportedly in the early stages of planning for a smaller version of the Model Y, according to a report from Chinese media outlet 36kr. Citing industry insiders with knowledge of the plans, the report claims that Tesla is building an annual capacity plan of up to four million units for a “low-priced small Model Y” that will be produced across its factories worldwide, including the newly announced Gigafactory Mexico. The sources stated that Tesla’s North American plants, Fremont, Giga Texas, and Giga Mexico, will take on two million units of capacity, with the Mexico plant taking on the…

XPeng, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has already installed almost 200 charging stations with the latest S4 ultra-fast chargers. The company launched a charging station upgrade program earlier this year, and has upgraded over 160 stations with S4 charging capability so far. These upgrades cover 91 cities across China and allow for charging piles with maximum outputs of 360 kW and 480 kW. Including the new S4 charging stations, XPeng now has 186 ultra-fast charging stations in operation in China. XPeng’s charging network added 349 third-party charging stations in Q1 of this year, which are free to use for the…

Aventon, the popular e-bike brand, has recently unveiled their latest models, the Pace 350.3 and Pace 500.3, which are the third-generation versions of their popular commuter bikes. These bikes are designed for budget-minded riders who are looking for quality electric bikes to ride to work or run errands. One of the biggest updates that Aventon has made to these models is the new torque sensor, which engages the pedal assist. This means that the motor’s assist is delivered precisely when the rider pedals, and the power level is based on how hard the rider is pedaling. This is a significant…

Extreme E, the all-electric off-road racing series, is gearing up for its next race at an abandoned open-pit coal mine in Scotland. The Hydro X Prix, as the race is dubbed, will take place at the former Glenmuckloch opencast coal mine site in Dumfries and Galloway from May 13-14, 2023. The site is being transformed into a bastion of renewable energy, serving as the home of a Pump Storage Hydropower plant, which will provide a fully renewable energy source for the region for centuries to come. Alejandro Agag, the founder and CEO of Extreme E, expressed excitement about the event,…

Electrogenic, a British company specializing in electric vehicle conversions, has recently announced the release of its plug-and-play kit for classic Porsche 911s. The kit, called the E62 911 package, is designed to make electromodding easier and more accessible for any mechanic. The company has already delivered the first customer example, which started life as a 1985 G-Body 911 but was backdated to look like the 2.7 RS. The E62 911 package includes a cutting-edge electric powertrain that delivers 215 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. This is enough to get the car off the line and up to 60 mph…

Nissan, in collaboration with EV adventurers Chris and Julie Ramsey, has embarked on an ambitious journey to become the first group to drive from the North to the South Pole in a single journey. The adventure started at the 1823 North Magnetic Pole, where the Ramseys began their journey in an all-electric Ariya after undergoing a comprehensive safety assessment. The journey will take the team through North, Central, and South America, covering over 16,777 miles (27,000 km) before reaching the South Pole in December. This challenge, named Pole to Pole, is the biggest and most exciting adventure for the Ramseys,…

Mercedes-Maybach, the ultra-luxury sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz, is set to debut its first fully electric SUV, the Maybach EQS 680 premium luxury SUV, on April 17, 2023, at Auto Shanghai in China. This marks a significant milestone in the automaker’s journey towards zero-emission vehicles. This will not be the first time Mercedes-Maybach has teased an SUV concept; five years ago, it revealed a concept vehicle at Auto China Beijing. However, the German automaker has since made significant changes to its plans. In 2021, Mercedes unveiled a Maybach SUV concept model of its EQS electric sedan, which it claimed was “near-production” at…

South Korean electronics giant, LG Electronics, is reportedly making its foray into the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure business. The move is in line with LG Group’s strategy of having its major subsidiaries, including LG Electronics, provide all services from charger manufacturing to charging solutions and platforms, according to a Korean media report. Last year, LG Electronics acquired AppleMango, a South Korean manufacturer for EV chargers. The report suggests that LG’s charging infrastructure division has commenced operations and could unveil the “LG Electric Vehicle Charger” as early as April. However, it remains unclear whether the charger will be an AC…