Author: Jonathan Collins

Pope Francis has received a new, fully electric Popemobile based on the latest Mercedes-Benz G-Class, marking a significant shift in the Vatican’s efforts toward sustainability. This hand-built, one-off vehicle, which has a range of 473 km powered by a 116 kWh battery, was personally delivered to the Pope in the Vatican. This move aligns with the Vatican’s broader efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, following previous steps to electrify its fleet. The Pope has been using ‘popemobiles’ based on the G-Class for nearly 45 years, and this marks the first time an electric version has been introduced. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola…

Stellantis has entered into a partnership with U.S.-based Zeta Energy to develop lithium-sulfur batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), with plans to make the technology commercially available by 2030. This collaboration aims to reduce EV production costs by replacing expensive materials like nickel and cobalt used in traditional lithium-ion batteries. According to the joint statement from Stellantis and Zeta Energy, lithium-sulfur batteries are expected to cost less than half the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of current lithium-ion batteries. While these batteries are likely to have a shorter lifespan, they will offer a more affordable production alternative. “Lithium-sulfur batteries are expected to…

Chinese automaker Li Auto reported a second consecutive monthly decline in vehicle deliveries, raising questions about its performance during a traditionally strong sales season. The company delivered 48,740 vehicles in November, a rise of 18.79% from 41,030 units in the same month last year but a 5.25% drop from October’s 51,443 units. Year-to-date deliveries totaled 441,995, up 35.72% compared to the same period in 2023. Li Auto has guided fourth-quarter deliveries between 160,000 and 170,000 vehicles, requiring at least 59,817 units to be delivered in December to meet projections. Annual deliveries are expected to range between 501,812 and 511,812 vehicles.…

Gogoro, a Taiwan-based electric scooter and battery-swapping provider, has entered the Chilean market in partnership with Copec Voltex, the electric mobility arm of local energy firm Copec. This move marks Gogoro’s second venture in Latin America, following its debut in Colombia. Copec Voltex has launched Gogoro’s battery-swapping network with ten stations strategically located across Santiago, the country’s capital. These stations are situated in areas such as La Reina, Ñuñoa, Santiago, and La Florida, among others. By year-end, the company plans to add eight more outlets, aiming to enhance accessibility and convenience for urban commuters. “Our partnership with Gogoro lets us…

Zero Motorcycles, a California-based electric motorcycle maker, is advancing its strategy for affordability through industry partnerships, with Hero MotoCorp at the forefront. Hero, India’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, is reportedly close to unveiling its first electric motorcycle developed in collaboration with Zero. Hero MotoCorp CEO Niranjan Gupta confirmed progress during the company’s Q2 earnings call, stating, “The work is in progress… It’s in the advanced stage. We haven’t announced the timeline yet, but we would be looking at something which would not be too far off.” The collaboration focuses on the lucrative middleweight motorcycle segment, with additional plans for a performance-oriented…

Italian automation expert Comau is taking a leading role in the European Union’s Reinforce project, a major initiative addressing the critical challenge of end-of-life management for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The project aims to create standardized, automated, and cost-efficient processes for recycling and repurposing lithium-ion batteries while maximizing material recovery. As part of its involvement, Comau is leading one of Reinforce’s eight working groups and developing a cutting-edge robotic solution for safe battery disassembly. “Our advanced robotic disassembly solution will not only enhance the efficiency and safety of the disassembly process but also support the circular economy by maximizing the…

Quantron AG, a German provider of electric commercial vehicle solutions, has announced the continuation of its operations through the end of 2024, following the initiation of provisional insolvency proceedings. The company has also begun a structured process to identify a potential investor for reorganization. Provisional insolvency administrator Constantin Graf Salm-Hoogstraeten, representing the restructuring law firm BBL, confirmed that approximately 40 employees would maintain operations. Funding has been secured to cover wages for October, November, and December, ensuring the company can continue its activities during the transition. According to Salm-Hoogstraeten, any goods ordered with the administrator’s approval will be paid for…

Funds managed by Goldman Sachs (GS.N) will write off nearly $900 million after Swedish lithium-ion battery producer Northvolt filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this week, according to a report from the Financial Times. The Goldman private equity funds, which were the second-largest shareholders in Northvolt, plan to write down their $896 million investment to zero by the end of the year, the report revealed, citing letters to investors. In a statement, Goldman Sachs acknowledged the disappointment of its investors, saying, “While we are one of many investors disappointed by this outcome, this was a minority investment through highly…

May Mobility, a self-driving vehicle startup, has launched a small-scale deployment of autonomous shuttles in Michigan, marking a significant step forward in its driverless technology. The company will initially operate one or two Toyota Sienna minivans along a fixed route, serving employees and “invited guests” within a 2-square-mile area of the city. These shuttles will drive autonomously, with no human safety driver present. This marks the second city where May Mobility has implemented “driver-out” operations, following a similar launch in Sun City, Arizona, in December 2023. In Sun City, the company has been offering free passenger rides as part of…

Traton Charging Solutions, the in-house charging service for Traton subsidiaries MAN and Scania, has partnered with Hubject to provide truck fleet customers access to a wide-reaching roaming charging network. The collaboration will enhance the capabilities of the existing ‘Scania Charging Access’ and ‘MAN Charge&Go’ services, allowing seamless use of Hubject’s roaming platform. The partnership simplifies the charging process by offering integrated access, a single invoice system, and standardized pricing across the network. Christian Hahn, CEO of Hubject, highlighted the significance of the cooperation in promoting electric commercial vehicles. “This partnership ensures that Scania and MAN can offer well-packaged commercial services…

Nissan has called on the UK government to relax its Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which requires automakers to ensure that at least 22% of their new car sales in 2024 are fully electric vehicles (EVs). The Japanese automaker warned that missing this target could result in significant fines for manufacturers and urged for more flexibility, citing a slowdown in consumer demand. The ZEV mandate, introduced by the former Conservative government, imposes strict sales requirements for EVs, with penalties for those failing to meet the target. Nissan has asked the government to allow more flexibility in borrowing credits and proposed…

Mercedes-Benz has revealed promising efficiency figures for its upcoming CLA-Class sedan, claiming the model will achieve an impressive 5.2 miles per kWh. If these numbers hold up, the CLA-Class could surpass the Lucid Air Pure, which achieves 5.0 miles per kWh, making it one of the most energy-efficient electric vehicles available. The CLA-Class is built on Mercedes-Benz’s new modular platform, MMA, designed to accommodate both electric and hybrid powertrains. This dual compatibility is noteworthy, as platforms traditionally designed to support both internal combustion engines (ICE) and EVs often compromise on the efficiency of one or the other. However, the MMA…

First Bus has achieved a significant milestone in its transition to electric vehicles in Leeds, with the final installment of a 79-strong electric bus fleet now in service. The Bramley depot, which supports the fleet, has been upgraded with new charging infrastructure following a £29 million investment. This includes £16.4 million financed by First Bus and an additional £12.6 million secured through the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funding program in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). The first 57 electric buses from Wrightbus, a Northern Ireland-based manufacturer, arrived early in the year. A subsequent order of…

UK-based startup Integrals Power announced on Tuesday that it has commenced shipping its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode materials to automakers and battery manufacturers for evaluation. According to CEO Behnam Hormozi, shipments have already been delivered to three clients, with additional trials planned for ten more companies across Europe and the United States, though the names of the clients were not disclosed. Achieving testing agreements with automakers is considered a crucial step for battery materials suppliers. Integrals Power’s LFP cathodes are designed to compete with Chinese suppliers, which dominate global LFP production, providing a…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer Leapmotor, partially backed by Stellantis NV, reported record financial results for the third quarter, driven by robust vehicle deliveries and the successful launch of its C16 model. The company’s revenue reached RMB 9.86 billion ($1.37 billion), a 74.3% increase from the same period last year and up 83.9% from the previous quarter, according to unaudited results. Leapmotor delivered a record 86,165 vehicles in Q3, a 94.39% year-on-year increase. Higher-priced C-series models accounted for 78.3% of sales, bolstered by Leapmotor’s proprietary Leap 3.0 technology architecture. The recent launch of the C16 model, which offers both…

Kenyan electric motorcycle manufacturer Roam has successfully completed a groundbreaking 6,000-kilometre journey from Nairobi, Kenya to Stellenbosch, South Africa, with its all-electric Roam Air powered entirely by solar energy. The expedition, which began on 29 September and concluded on 16 October, traversed four countries—Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana—over the course of 17 days. The Roam Air, supported by two solar-powered vehicles, demonstrated an impressive range, covering up to 113 kilometres on a single charge and achieving 1,000 kilometres within 18 hours. The journey highlights the potential for sustainable electric mobility in Africa, according to the company, and showcases the continent’s…

Kia has released pricing details for the 2025 Niro EV in the United States, following its recent discontinuation in Germany. Priced at $39,600 for the base ‘Wind’ trim and $44,600 for the premium ‘Wave’ trim, the updated Niro EV retains most features from the previous model but includes added technical enhancements. The pricing excludes a $1,375 destination charge, with both trims seeing minor adjustments compared to the 2023 pricing structure. The Niro EV, equipped with a 64.8 kWh battery, offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 253 miles. Both trims support fast charging to 80% in approximately 43 minutes on…

A machine learning model predicts that five to 19 million tons of lithium may lie beneath southwestern Arkansas, a quantity capable of meeting projected global lithium demand for electric vehicle batteries in 2030 nine times over. This recent development is the result of a collaborative study between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Office of the State Geologist. The study focused on lithium-rich brines in the Smackover Formation, a geologic unit known for its oil and bromine deposits, which stretches across Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. The Smackover Formation’s porous limestone…

Volt Time, a Dutch provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, has launched its Source 2 EV charger in collaboration with UK-based Versinetic. The Source 2 is designed for both residential and commercial users, featuring technologies such as dynamic energy tariff support, solar load balancing, and enhanced security features, aimed at enhancing the competitive landscape of the Dutch EV charging market. The Source 2 charger includes MID Certified Metering for precise billing, making it suitable for various applications. It also features a lifetime 4G SIM and Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) Proxy for seamless connectivity, allowing users to switch service…

German bicycle cooperative ZEG has announced plans for significant layoffs and the relocation of production at Flyer, a Swiss e-bike manufacturer it acquired in 2017. According to company statements, the Huttwil site in Switzerland’s Bern canton will remain operational, but production will be moved overseas. Reports from Swiss Radio and Television indicate that the job cuts will affect a “large proportion” of Flyer’s 170 employees, with an insider suggesting up to 155 positions may be eliminated. The restructuring marks ZEG’s latest effort to address challenges in a sluggish e-bike market. When it first acquired Flyer, ZEG aimed to leverage its…