Author: Jonathan Collins

German chemical company BASF and Chinese battery maker CATL have signed a global framework agreement to jointly develop and supply cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries, the companies said, deepening their strategic partnership in the sector. Under the agreement, BASF will become a key supplier to CATL and support the Chinese firm’s international expansion through its global production network. The companies did not disclose specific financial or operational terms of the deal, nor details on supply volumes or regional allocations. The announcement builds on a 2021 partnership focused on battery material solutions and recycling, which aligned with CATL’s localization efforts…

Acura, the luxury vehicle division of Honda Motor Co., has donated 75 of its all-electric ZDX SUVs to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to aid the environmental organization’s field operations and community outreach. The move marks Acura’s largest vehicle donation to date and underscores Honda’s continued support for environmental initiatives. The vehicles, distributed through Acura’s U.S. dealership network, will be deployed across TNC operations in rural and remote areas, where staff regularly travel to conduct conservation work and support local engagement efforts. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to help TNC electrify its operational fleet. “The donation of these…

InstaVolt has secured a 40-year lease to construct a major ultra-rapid charging hub on the A303 in Wiltshire, with 30 charge points, large-scale solar generation, battery storage, and retail services. The site, located in Cricklade on the Fonthill Estate, is set to open in spring 2026. Designed to serve the A303 corridor — a key route in the UK’s Strategic Road Network — the site aims to offer high-capacity charging alongside sustainable energy generation and convenient amenities. The government and National Highways have recently prioritised the A303 for improved EV infrastructure, including updated signage to increase visibility and awareness of…

Xpeng has reaffirmed its commitment to a vision-only approach for its autonomous driving systems, denying recent media reports that suggested the company may reintroduce LiDAR technology in future vehicle models. The clarification followed a report from a technology-focused WeChat account, which cited a source close to LiDAR supplier RoboSense. The report indicated that Xpeng might reconsider using LiDAR due to challenges encountered in complex driving scenarios. It also suggested the company may integrate LiDAR as a backup system in future Level 4 autonomous driving phases, while continuing to rely on vision-only solutions for Level 3 applications. Xpeng, however, has pushed…

The rollout of electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging infrastructure in the United States is accelerating rapidly, with 2025 poised to become a record-breaking year, according to a new report from EV charging data firm Paren. The “State of the Industry Report: US EV Fast Charging – Q2 2025” forecasts the installation of 16,700 new DC fast charging ports in 2025, marking a 19% increase from the previous year. The report notes this comes on the heels of a record-setting 2024. In the second quarter alone, 4,242 new fast charging ports were activated across 784 stations, bringing the national total to 59,694—an…

Rio Tinto and Chile’s state-owned mining company Empresa Nacional de Minería (ENAMI) have signed a binding agreement to establish a joint venture for the development of the Salares Altoandinos lithium project in the Atacama region. The agreement outlines Rio Tinto’s acquisition of a 51% interest in the project. The company has committed up to $425 million in cash and non-cash contributions, including its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology. Cash contributions will be staged and used to fund a pre-feasibility study and subsequent assessments, subject to joint venture approvals at each stage. The transaction is expected to close in the first…

Air pollution has been increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for dementia, and a new large-scale review published in The Lancet Planetary Health offers further evidence of a connection. The study, led by researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, found that long-term exposure to certain air pollutants is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. The research team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 51 studies involving over 29 million individuals from mostly high-income countries who had been exposed to air pollutants for at least a year. Of these,…

Slate Auto, a U.S. electric vehicle startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has selected the site of a former printing facility in Warsaw, Indiana, as the manufacturing base for its upcoming electric pickup, the Slate Truck. Production is expected to begin ahead of the truck’s targeted market debut at the end of 2026, according to Business Insider. The Warsaw facility spans approximately 130,000 square metres and formerly housed a printing operation that closed in 2023. The new electric vehicle plant is projected to create up to 2,000 jobs—well above the 500 jobs lost when the previous facility ceased operations.…

Tesla may be developing a smaller electric pickup truck as part of its efforts to expand into more global markets and diversify its product offerings, according to remarks made by a company executive over the weekend. Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Vice President of Engineering, indicated at a Tesla owners and investors event in California that the company has long considered producing a smaller version of its Cybertruck. The vehicle’s unconventional design and size have limited its appeal and usability in certain regions, prompting internal discussions on how to better serve those markets. “We always talked about making a smaller pickup,” Moravy…

Hyundai Motor on Monday launched an updated version of its all-electric Ioniq 6 sedan in South Korea, boasting improved range, upgraded interior features, and new smart functionalities, making it the country’s longest-range domestic EV. The refreshed Ioniq 6 is equipped with Hyundai’s fourth-generation battery technology, enabling up to 562 km (349 miles) of range on a single charge — surpassing the Kia EV6’s 549 km (341 miles). The updated model is offered with two battery options: a 63 kWh standard-range version rated at 437 km (272 miles), and an 84 kWh long-range variant achieving the maximum range figure. Despite the…

Mercedes-Benz Vans is moving forward with the development of its upcoming all-electric vehicle, the VLE, scheduled for market launch in 2026. Designed to accommodate up to eight passengers, the vehicle is intended for a variety of uses, ranging from family transportation to shuttle services. Prototypes of the VLE have recently completed several phases of testing, including aerodynamic evaluations at the company’s wind tunnel in Stuttgart. Despite being camouflaged, the vehicles demonstrated a low drag coefficient, aided by a roofline and rear section designed to optimize airflow and efficiency. Additional performance testing was conducted at the Nardò test track in Southern…

EO Charging has partnered with Horizon Energy Ventures to roll out fully funded electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure projects in the United Kingdom, aiming to support the transition of public transport fleets to electric power through a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) model. The collaboration includes a bundled offering that covers charging hardware, software, installation, and ongoing maintenance under a predictable monthly fee, removing the need for upfront capital investment from fleet operators. The first deployment will begin in London with Transport UK, with plans to scale the initiative across the country. The projects will be underpinned by EO’s Charge Assurance platform, which manages…