Author: Jonathan Collins

Volkswagen Group has reported a notable drop in global deliveries of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) for the third quarter of 2024. The company delivered 189,400 BEVs between July and September, a decrease of 9.8% compared to the same period in 2023, when 209,900 units were sold. This drop in BEV deliveries reflects the broader challenges the automaker is facing in key markets as it navigates increasing competition and fluctuating demand for electric vehicles. Cumulatively, Volkswagen delivered 506,500 BEVs from January to September 2024, down 4.7% from the 531,500 electric cars sold during the same period last year. Despite the overall decline,…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor, which recently partnered with Stellantis to expand into Europe, will unveil two new models at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. The world premiere of the B10 SUV and the European debut of the C16 are set to strengthen Leapmotor’s portfolio, as the company accelerates its expansion into the European market. The B10, a new SUV positioned between the compact T03 and the larger C10, is highly anticipated, though details remain scarce. Early images show a camouflaged vehicle with a boxy design and recessed door handles, signaling an emphasis on aerodynamics and interior space. Built on…

Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt assured Reuters on Thursday that it will be able to meet its tax obligations due on October 14, amid rising concerns over the company’s financial stability. This statement comes in response to widespread speculation about whether the cash-strapped firm could fulfill its tax payment commitments. In September, Northvolt announced plans to downsize and reduce its workforce, raising alarms that Europe’s most promising homegrown electric vehicle battery manufacturer might face significant setbacks due to production challenges, declining demand, and increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers. Despite having rapidly expanded in recent years and securing over $10 billion in…

JOLT Energy, headquartered in Munich, has received a significant order from Stockholm to install 50 high-power charging (HPC) stations, each with a 300 kW capacity, across the city by the end of 2025. The company, known for its innovative fast-charging infrastructure, sees this project as a blueprint for expanding urban EV charging solutions in other European cities, including Germany. JOLT’s battery-buffered charging technology allows for fast EV charging without requiring extensive grid connections. Using integrated battery storage, these charging stations can deliver up to 300 kW of power while only needing a low-voltage connection, making installation quicker and less disruptive.…

Gatik has announced plans to implement new safety procedures aimed at establishing standards within the autonomous vehicle (AV) industry. The Silicon Valley-based company, which focuses on autonomous middle-mile logistics, is conducting a comprehensive safety audit prior to the large-scale deployment of its ‘freight-only’ trucks on U.S. roads. These vehicles will operate fully driverless, without any human presence onboard. The audit will be carried out by Edge Case Research, a Pittsburgh-based specialist in autonomous driving systems, in collaboration with TÜV SÜD, a German organization known for vehicle testing and certification. Edge Case Research will utilize its DevSafeOps process across Gatik’s system…

Swedish car manufacturer Volvo Cars has unveiled an organizational change aimed at increasing speed and reducing complexity within its top management. A significant personnel shift includes the departure of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Deputy CEO Björn Annwall. The newly streamlined structure is intended to foster simplicity, speed, and collaboration, while empowering regional teams to make key decisions that align closely with customer needs. “In a rapidly changing world, we need to ensure our organization is equipped to navigate a more challenging market. We are now regrouping our commercial leadership team with a focus on making Volvo Cars even stronger…

Ford is ramping up its efforts to attract buyers from rival brands, specifically targeting pickup truck drivers. In its latest initiative, Ford is offering Ram owners a discount of up to $2,000 if they switch to the F-150 Lightning electric pickup. In the third quarter of this year, Ford sold an additional 7,162 Lightning models, bringing the total to over 22,800 electric pickups sold in the U.S. through September. As competition intensifies with new entrants like Tesla’s Cybertruck, Chevy Silverado EV, and GMC Sierra EV, Ford aims to maintain its market share. Previously, Ford extended a $1,500 discount to Tesla…

Sports car manufacturer Porsche has successfully acquired a majority stake in Varta subsidiary V4Drive Battery, which specializes in large-format lithium-ion round cells used by Porsche. This move comes as Varta continues its restructuring efforts, recently announcing a bridge loan and a reorganization plan agreed upon with loan and promissory note lenders, as well as with Austrian shareholder Michael Tojner. As part of this plan, both Porsche and Tojner are investing €30 million each into Varta, ensuring the company’s financing through the end of 2027. Porsche’s investment in Varta and V4Drive Battery aims to secure its supply chain. V4Drive Battery currently…

Honda has outlined its ambitions for the upcoming Honda 0 Series, a new generation of electric vehicles (EVs) slated for global launch in 2026. The announcement was made during the “Honda 0 Tech Meeting,” where the automaker revealed plans to introduce seven distinct models by 2030, including options across small, medium, and large vehicle categories. These models are expected to achieve a range of approximately 300 miles (482 kilometers) in EPA testing conditions. The production of the Honda 0 Series will take place at the Honda Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio, moving away from the company’s traditional manufacturing base in…

A recent analysis of patent applications related to charging technology for electric mobility has underscored China’s dominance in this field, with the country accounting for over 62,000 charging technology patents. In stark contrast, Japan, Germany, South Korea, and the USA collectively contributed between 4,000 and 6,000 patents, highlighting a significant disparity in research and innovation. Conducted by the Munich-based law firm Grünecker, the analysis focused on annual initial patent applications associated with electric mobility, revealing that charging technology has experienced substantial growth in recent years. In 2014, only ten percent of all e-mobility patent applications were related to charging technology;…

Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt announced on Wednesday that the head of its Northvolt Ett gigafactory, Mark Duchesne, will step down immediately, as the company continues its efforts to address ongoing production issues. Angeline Bilodeau, vice president of Northvolt’s North American operations, will assume the role on an interim basis. The reorganization comes as Northvolt struggles to accelerate battery production at its Swedish facility, which was built to support the European automotive industry’s transition to electric vehicles. Production at the plant has lagged behind targets, with output in mid-September at less than 1 gigawatt-hour (GWh) annually, far below its intended 16…

J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Robotaxi Experience study has revealed that consumers who have used driverless ride-hailing services rate their experiences highly, with an average score of 8.53 out of 10. The study, now in its second year, surveyed 3,773 respondents, including 773 individuals from cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Dallas—where robotaxi services are already operational. The study highlighted a significant difference in consumer confidence between those who had previously ridden in a robotaxi and those who had not. Confidence was measured at 76% for experienced users, compared to just 20% for those who hadn’t. Interestingly,…

Renault is showcasing the Emblème at the Paris Motor Show, presenting a vision for a family vehicle that integrates both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. The Emblème aims to demonstrate how CO2 emissions can be significantly minimized throughout a vehicle’s entire lifecycle. Building on the Scenic Vision H2-Tech Concept introduced in 2022, the Emblème reportedly reduces CO2 equivalents by 90% compared to conventional combustion engine vehicles. This innovative family car is a product of collaboration between Renault and Ampere, emphasizing a low carbon footprint achieved through a variety of sustainable practices. Renault’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond just the…

ENNOVI has expanded its battery cell contacting systems with the introduction of the ENNOVI-CellConnect-Pouch. This new system is tailored for battery manufacturers that prefer the pouch cell form factor, focusing on cost-effectiveness, expedited manufacturing cycle times, and enhanced safety features during thermal events. The ENNOVI-CellConnect-Pouch prioritizes several key factors: it aims to reduce production costs and cycle times while providing protection against thermal runaway through advanced lamination and flexible die-cut circuit (FDC) technologies. “With the ENNOVI-CellConnect-Pouch cell contacting system, we offer battery manufacturers a fully vertically integrated production solution, enabling us to produce a part at a lower cycle time…

Sales of zero-emission buses and coaches in Europe surged by 35% in the first half of 2024, rising from 2,088 units to 2,819 units, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). However, despite this growth, the overall market share of zero-emission buses dropped slightly, from 16% in the same period in 2023 to 15% in 2024. Leading the electric bus segment were Yutong and Daimler Buses. The ICCT’s report on the market for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) in Europe reveals that total zero-emission HDV sales, spanning multiple segments, increased by 54% in the first half of 2024 compared to…

UK-based hydrogen truck developer HVS has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Spanish company Kopala International, headquartered in Barcelona, to supply hydrogen-powered trucks and assist the customer in its emissions reduction efforts. This agreement marks HVS’s first contract for left-hand drive vehicles. Under the terms of the MoU, Kopala International plans to deploy HVS’s hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on actual delivery routes. The partnership will leverage HVS’s Transition to Zero Programme, which will provide support in areas including technology evaluation, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, financial options, safety standards, and government incentives. The Spanish government has identified hydrogen adoption…

Sony has introduced the ISX038 sensor, designed to enhance assistive and autonomous driving systems by providing simultaneous RAW and YUV image outputs. This innovation aims to minimize the number of camera sensors required in modern vehicles, streamlining automotive technology. The sensor is compatible with the widely used Mobileye EyeQ 6 system-on-a-chip, which is integrated into various advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) by manufacturers such as Porsche. The 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor features 2.1 μm pixels, offering a dynamic range of up to 130 dB in HDR mode. When the anti-LED flicker mode is activated, the sensor maintains a dynamic range of 106…

Rolls-Royce is set to transition to an all-electric lineup by 2030 but has expressed openness to alternative options based on customer preferences. Unlike many car manufacturers that are adopting hybrid powertrains as a temporary measure before fully embracing electric models, Rolls-Royce has stated that hybrids do not align with the driving experience it aims to deliver. According to Rolls-Royce CEO Chris Brownridge, the brand does not envision incorporating hybrids into its offerings, as doing so could compromise the signature driving experience known as “waftability.” This term describes the smooth, effortless ride characteristic of Rolls-Royce vehicles, emphasizing a tranquil driving experience…

Xpeng, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup, is exploring options to localize production in Europe as a strategy to avoid impending tariffs on Chinese-built EVs. With plans for a significant global expansion in 2024, Xpeng is set to begin sales in nearly 40 new countries, including several in Europe, as well as markets in Southeast Asia and Australia. The European Union is scheduled to vote on the implementation of new tariffs on Chinese EVs this week. If approved, Xpeng could face a substantial additional tariff of 21.3%, layered on top of the existing 10% duty it currently pays. In an…

Oshkosh Corporation announced that Republic Services has placed an order for 100 McNeilus Volterra ZSL electric refuse and recycling collection vehicles, following a successful initial deployment. This marks a significant step in Republic Services’ efforts to transition its fleet toward more sustainable operations, reinforcing its commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Republic Services, which first ordered 50 Volterra ZSL electric vehicles in 2023, plans for electric trucks to make up half of its new purchases over the next five years. “This second order strengthens our partnership with Oshkosh and highlights our goal of making our fleet more environmentally friendly,” a company…