Author: Jonathan Collins

HEVI has revealed its latest electric heavy equipment model, the H65L wheel loader, now the largest battery-electric wheel loader in the North American market. With an operating weight nearing 50,000 lbs., the H65L boasts a rated load capacity of more than 14,300 lbs., a 5.5-cubic-yard bucket capacity, and over 47,000 pound-feet of breakout force, making it a strong competitor against models like the Volvo CE L120 Electric. Raymond Wang, CEO of HEVI, highlighted the machine’s advanced capabilities, stating, “This marks another major achievement for us, as we introduce North America’s largest all-electric wheel loader.” The H65L offers extended runtime, faster…

A competitive selection process is reportedly underway within the Volkswagen Group to identify the plant designated to produce the anticipated €20,000 electric cars, slated for launch in 2027. According to a report by Der Spiegel, three factories are leading the race, with none located in Germany. The favoured candidates for this project are the Volkswagen facility in Palmela, Portugal; the Poznan factory in Poland; and Skoda’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. The report notes that the VW plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, has minimal chances of being chosen for this project. Every year, the Volkswagen Group conducts a ‘planning…

California-based start-up Helm.ai has launched an upgraded version of its generative AI model, VidGen-2, designed specifically for autonomous driving applications. Following the earlier release of VidGen-1, this updated model produces highly realistic driving video sequences, enhancing the capabilities for automakers developing and validating autonomous vehicles. VidGen-2 boasts double the resolution of its predecessor, now at 696 x 696 pixels, and offers improved realism at up to 30 frames per second, along with multi-camera support. The model can generate videos either without an input prompt or from a single image or input video, resulting in smoother and more detailed simulations. According…

SK on, a subsidiary of SK Innovation, has initiated a rights offering to enhance its standing in the electric vehicle (EV) battery sector. On October 2, SK Innovation revealed that SK on plans to issue 18,031,337 common shares, which constitute 3.7% of the company’s total issued shares. The shares will be offered at an issue price of KRW 55,459 each, aiming to raise approximately KRW 1 trillion. The payment date for the new shares is set for October 15, with the distribution of share certificates scheduled for October 16. This rights offering is part of a larger strategy to secure…

A recent study published in Nature Catalysis has identified a method to enhance the durability of proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells by embedding cobalt oxide clusters within an ultrafine platinum catalyst. The research, led by Yu Huang, a professor at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, indicates that passenger vehicles equipped with these innovative fuel cells could potentially last 87.5% longer than the U.S. Department of Energy’s target of 8,000 hours, or approximately 150,000 miles. Experts in the transport sector have noted that PEM fuel cells are particularly suited for hard-to-decarbonize sectors, such as long-haul trucking, heavy-duty vehicles, aviation, and…

As the electric vehicle (EV) market evolves, now may be an opportune time to consider purchasing an EV from Ford Motor Company. The automaker is offering free home EV chargers and complimentary installation for customers who buy or lease select models, including the Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, or E-Transit van. This promotional offer begins on October 1, 2024, and will be available until the end of the year. In light of the slowdown in EV sales this year, Ford is strategically pivoting its approach by enhancing access to charging infrastructure and addressing key customer concerns regarding battery range and pricing.…

Zeon Charging, one of India’s largest charging point operators (CPOs), has announced a partnership with Finnish hardware provider Kempower to enhance its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the country. The collaboration has already resulted in the establishment of the first charging site. The partnership aims to develop over 20 charging hubs utilizing Kempower’s satellite charging systems, which offer power outputs ranging from 200 to 520 kW and are equipped with six to eight DC connectors. Rahul S, Franchise Manager of Zeon Charging, indicated that the company sources its DC chargers from Finland, where Kempower operates three EV charging solutions…

Electrify Canada has announced its expansion into Nova Scotia, marking the addition of its seventh province to the network. The initial two charging locations will be established in Amherst and Bedford. In conjunction with this expansion, Electrify Canada is also adding five new locations in Québec, including hubs in Greenfield Park, Québec City, St-Hyacinthe, Mont-Tremblant, and Laval, with the latter two already operational. This latest initiative enhances Electrify Canada’s network with over 40 next-generation chargers, each capable of delivering charging speeds up to 350 kW. The charge point operator (CPO) has partnered with Canadian Tire for this expansion, aiming to…

Scania and Australia’s Fortescue Metals Group have entered into a partnership to develop and validate a fully integrated autonomous road train solution aimed at the global mining industry. The collaborative project will take place at Fortescue’s iron ore operations located in Christmas Creek, Queensland. Leveraging Scania’s expertise in truck automation, the autonomous system will be integrated with Fortescue’s Fleet Management System (FMS). This integration aims to enhance fleet utilization and productivity while ensuring optimal fuel and energy consumption. The autonomous solution will utilize Scania’s onboard automation hardware and technology, specifically designed for the Scania R770 prime mover platform, which will…

Ford is considering restarting production at its Chennai factory in southern India, with reports suggesting the American automaker may focus on manufacturing electric vehicles for export. The plant, located in Tamil Nadu, has been dormant since Ford ceased production in India in 2022. Ford has signed a Letter of Intent with the Tamil Nadu government, signaling its interest in utilizing the Chennai facility for export purposes. According to a report from Business Standard, the company is expected to produce electric cars for Southeast Asian markets. While Ford has not officially confirmed these plans, industry insiders suggest the automaker could reintroduce…

Industry experts agree that affordability remains the primary barrier hindering the growth of electric vehicle (EV) sales. Dave Katarski, COO of Feldman Automotive Group, emphasized that consumer interest in EVs surges when prices align with buyers’ budgets. “We’re seeing a ton of people flock to them—when they can afford them. EVs, when the price and payment is there, they’re not afraid to buy them. The biggest issue in our industry is affordability,” Katarski stated during the Automotive News Congress in Pontiac, Michigan. This year, many automakers and related businesses have experienced a slowdown in EV demand, prompting some to conclude…

New research from Purdue University engineers has revealed that AI-powered chatbots, like ChatGPT, may play a significant role in improving communication between autonomous vehicles (AVs) and passengers. The study, led by Ziran Wang, assistant professor at Purdue’s Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering, explores how large language models (LLMs) could help AVs better understand and respond to passengers’ commands. Wang’s team found that LLMs have the potential to simplify the interaction between AVs and their occupants, allowing for more natural communication. “The power of large language models is that they can more naturally understand all kinds of things you…

China urged the United States on Wednesday to cease its “unreasonable suppression” of Chinese companies, following U.S. proposals to ban Chinese software and hardware in vehicles over national security concerns. A spokesperson for the Chinese commerce ministry criticized the U.S. actions, stating, “The U.S. move has no factual basis, violates the principles of market economy and fair competition, and is a typical protectionist approach.” The U.S. Commerce Department proposed a regulation that would require American and major foreign automakers to eliminate key Chinese software and hardware from internet-connected vehicles, particularly those related to navigation systems. This initiative, reported first by…

South Korean battery manufacturer LG Chem has entered into a supply agreement for cathode active materials (CAM) with Prime Planet Energy & Solutions (PPES), the battery joint venture formed by Toyota and Panasonic. Under the agreement, LG Chem will supply the PPES plant in Japan starting in 2026, although the company has not disclosed the specific volume of deliveries. This partnership is part of LG Chem’s broader expansion strategy to align with PPES’s electric vehicle (EV) battery initiatives. Since its establishment in 2020, PPES has experienced rapid growth, highlighted by the announcement of its third battery plant in China in…

CAA-Quebec has added a fully electric Lion5 flatbed tow truck to its roadside assistance fleet, marking a significant milestone as it claims to be the first 100% electric tow truck in service in North America. The Lion5, a medium-duty truck outfitted with a flatbed body by XpaK Industries, represents a progressive step for CAA-Quebec, which has a history spanning 80 years in roadside assistance. Marie-Soleil Tremblay, president and CEO, emphasized the organization’s commitment to leading the way in electric towing and environmental stewardship. Equipped with 210 kWh of in-house 800V battery packs, the Lion5 offers a range of up to…

Elon Musk has hinted that Tesla may develop a version of the Cybertruck tailored for markets outside North America, signaling the automaker’s intent to tap into potential demand for the futuristic pickup truck in Europe and Asia. The Cybertruck was first delivered to U.S. customers in November 2023, but despite international tours, Tesla has not officially launched the vehicle in other regions. The primary concern has been the size of the Cybertruck and its compatibility with the narrower streets of Europe and Asia. In a December interview with TopGear, Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, confirmed that the truck…

Ford Motor Company is offering free home charging to its electric vehicle (EV) customers in Texas through a partnership with TXU Energy, one of the state’s largest energy providers. The initiative, which comes with specific conditions, aims to encourage EV owners to charge their vehicles during off-peak hours to support grid stability and promote sustainable energy practices. To benefit from the offer, owners of newer Ford battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) must be TXU Energy customers. The free charging is available between 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. the following day, during which time customers will…

Electric vehicle (EV) battery prices in China have continued their downward trend in July, driven by falling battery material costs, according to a report from market research firm TrendForce. The report reveals that while demand for power batteries in China remained stable, the prices of key battery materials, including cathode materials and metals such as cobalt, nickel, and particularly copper, continued to decline. This has led to a slight reduction in battery cell prices. In July, the average price of square ternary cells was RMB 0.48 ($0.0672) per watt-hour (Wh), a decrease of 2.1 percent from June. Square lithium iron…

Fast-charging network operator Allego, owned by French infrastructure investor Meridiam, is set to be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Meridiam announced that the delisting process has begun. In June, Allego concluded a framework agreement with Meridiam, under which Meridiam would acquire the remaining shares in Allego. As a result, Allego’s shares will no longer be traded on the NYSE. The Dutch charging point operator (CPO) confirmed that the outstanding shares have been transferred to Meridiam, making it the sole owner, thereby initiating the delisting process. Meridiam and Allego stated that the move to delist will provide Allego…

The European Commission plans to amend the EU Battery Regulation in 2027, shifting the basis for calculating the CO2 footprint of electric vehicle batteries from the actual electricity used to the national electricity mix. This proposal has sparked opposition from Germany’s automotive industry. The EU’s Battery Regulation, aimed at promoting the circular economy, came into force in August 2023, with most provisions effective since February 2024. The Commission, which initiated the regulation in 2020, now seeks to adjust the calculation method for the CO2 footprint of car batteries. From 2027, the CO2 footprint will be based on the national electricity…