Author: James Bryant

Volkswagen UK, OVO Energy, and platform provider Kaluza have formed a consortium called INFLEXION. The partnership aims to launch vehicle-to-everything (V2X) solutions that could save drivers over £420 ($563) per year. INFLEXION is described as “the world’s first and largest deployment of domestic vehicle-to-grid (V2G) solutions” and will rely on the Combined Charging System (CCS). Drivers participating in the program may earn around £420 per year by selling the energy stored in their cars back to the grid. The ultimate goal of the program is to help users lower the total cost of EV ownership and maximize the impact on…

Despite facing a challenging market and supply chain shortages, Tesla managed to increase vehicle sales by 40% in 2022. However, their 1.3 million deliveries were still considered a miss by analysts, as they fell short of the company’s annual guidance of 50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), a target set in early 2021. Despite this, Tesla remains committed to their CAGR goal and has provided additional context in their Q4 2022 report, stating that “in some years we may grow faster and some we may grow slower, depending on a number of factors.” Looking ahead to 2023, Tesla anticipates delivering…

Stellantis announced a recall of 76,000 plug-in hybrid electric minivans due to a potential short circuit issue that could cause unexpected engine stall. The recall affects 67,000 2017-2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans in the United States and an additional 9,000 in other countries. The issue is caused by a potential short circuit in an internal transmission wiring connector. While Stellantis reports being aware of six customer assistance records, 242 warranty claims, and 59 field reports potentially related to this issue, there have been no reported accidents or injuries. An internal review found that the issue occurred in 0.2% of this…

Ballard Power Systems has entered into an agreement to launch a pilot project in partnership with Adani and Ashok Leyland to develop a hydrogen fuel cell electric truck for use in mining operations. This collaboration aims to result in the creation of Asia’s first hydrogen-powered mining truck. Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) will lead the demonstration project, leveraging their experience in both mining operations and developing green hydrogen projects. Ballard will provide its FCmove fuel cell system for the hydrogen truck, while Ashok Leyland will supply the vehicle platform and offer technical support. Details about the planned truck have also been…

Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, recently announced that the ride-hailing company is collaborating with car manufacturers to develop vehicles specifically designed for ride-sharing services. Speaking at an event hosted by the Wall Street Journal, Khosrowshahi stated that the company is working on vehicles optimized for urban use, as well as for transporting passengers and making deliveries. He emphasized that these vehicles will have lower top speeds and seating arrangements where passengers can face each other. He also mentioned that, “top speeds that many cars have are not necessary for city driving that’s associated with ride-share. That can reduce the specs and…

California is taking steps to prohibit the operation of older diesel trucks on its roads. A new regulation, which took effect on January 1, 2023, bans any diesel vehicle weighing over 14,000 pounds with an engine model year of 2009 or older from California roads. Implemented by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in 2008, the rule affects approximately 200,000 trucks and buses, including 70,000 big rigs, according to SFGate. Exemptions will be granted to vehicles that have had their engines replaced with newer 2010 models or vehicles that travel less than 1,000 miles per year. In a recent memo,…

Volvo Trucks has delivered 15 refrigerated electric trucks to Spanish logistics company Grupo Primafrio as part of a joint effort to transition the company’s regional operations to 100% electric. The Volvo FH Electric trucks will be used to collect fruits and vegetables in the Spanish Murcia region and transport them to Germany’s Edeka supermarkets. José Esteban Conesa, President of Grupo Primafrio, highlighted that this was “a joint project that allows us to add value to the supply chain” Edeka, a logistics partner of Grupo Primafrio, helped fund the acquisition of the electric trucks and was present at the handover ceremony.…

Mercedes-Benz has announced the arrival of the all-electric EQE in the Australian market. The car went on sale on January 17th, with prices starting at AU$134,900. Three variants of the EQE have been released for the local market, each with its own unique features and specifications. At the base of the range is the EQE 300, which comes equipped with an 89 kWh battery pack and a rear electric motor that produces 180 kW of power and 550 Nm of torque. According to Mercedes-Benz, the EQE 300 can travel 626 km on a single charge and accelerate from 0-100 km/h…

As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road increases, so does the amount of mining and raw material extraction required to support their production. This can have a significant impact on the environment. Redwood Materials, a pioneer in the battery recycling industry, aims to address these issues by creating a closed system for refining and recycling raw materials. According to Redwood’s CEO and founder, JB Straubel, electrifying all modes of transportation is the best way to address sustainability challenges. However, this requires a significant amount of batteries, which can only be sustainably produced through recycling. Straubel notes that…

Izera, a Polish company with plans to produce the country’s first electric vehicles (EVs), has revised its production strategy following a partnership with Chinese automaker Geely. According to recent reports, an Izera-branded EV based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) will enter production in late 2025 at a new factory in Jaworzno, Poland. The state-owned ElectroMobility Poland (EMP), which owns the Izera brand, will invest around €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) in the factory, set to begin construction in 2024 with the goal of being operational by the end of 2025. The factory will employ 2,400 people and rely heavily on…

Following Tesla’s decision to cut prices across its vehicle lineup by as much as $13,000, consumer interest in the company’s electric vehicles has seen a significant spike. According to data from Edmunds, on-site shopper consideration of Tesla pages more than doubled from 1.9% last week to 4% this week. This has led to the Tesla Model 3 moving up from 47th to 11th on Edmunds’ most-searched vehicle list, while the Model Y moved up a whopping 68 places from 70th to 2nd. Analysts are divided on the reasoning behind Tesla’s price cuts, with some believing it was a move to…

Oil companies are not sitting idly by as the electric vehicle (EV) revolution continues to gain momentum. Instead, they are actively investing in the EV charging market, a field they are already familiar with. For example, Shell recently announced its acquisition of Volta, a company that operates a network of EV charging stations across the United States and Europe. Volta’s current network includes 3,050 destination chargers in 31 states, with an additional 3,400 stations planned for the near future. Shell recently acquired Volta for $169 million, gaining access to satisfied customers and strategic charging station locations in retail parking facilities.…