Author: Jonathan Collins

General Motors (NYSE: GM) is working with South Korean battery makers LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI to introduce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery production at their joint U.S. factories, as the automaker seeks to lower the cost of its electric vehicles, South Korea’s The Korea Economic Daily reported, citing industry sources. GM has reportedly asked both partners to equip production lines for LFP cells in their respective U.S. joint ventures, replacing the current nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) chemistry used in several models. The shift is intended to support a broader rollout of mid-range EVs such as the Chevrolet Bolt, Equinox, Blazer,…

Germany’s public transport initiative KIRA has commenced real-world road testing of its Level 4 autonomous robotaxi vehicles in the Offenbach district, marking a significant milestone for driverless public transit in the country. The program, a partnership between Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Rhein-Main Transport Association, is the first in Germany to trial Level 4 automated vehicles for public use. The autonomous shuttles, operated by DB Regio Bus Mitte, are currently running in the city of Langen and the municipality of Egelsbach, with plans to expand service into parts of Darmstadt later this year. The fleet comprises six Nio ES8 electric…

Belgian location analytics firm RetailSonar has acquired German e-mobility company Ladeplan, aiming to bolster its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure planning services across Europe. The two companies, which have both developed AI-based platforms to guide the rollout of EV charging stations, will now collaborate under one umbrella. RetailSonar’s ChargePlanner platform is already used by over 200 clients—including Q8, McDonald’s, Jumbo, Basic Fit, and Decathlon—to identify optimal sites for EV chargers based on data such as traffic patterns, pricing, and competitive presence. Similarly, Ladeplan offers a planning tool that draws on data from more than 800 charge point operators (CPOs) and serves…

Xpeng reported 33,525 vehicle deliveries in May, marking a 230.43 percent increase from the same month a year earlier despite a 4.34 percent decline from April’s 35,045 units, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker said on Monday. This marks the seventh consecutive month in which Xpeng has delivered more than 30,000 vehicles. Year to date, deliveries have totaled 162,578 units, representing a 293.08 percent increase compared with the first five months of 2023. Since its inception, Xpeng has delivered a cumulative 752,957 vehicles. See also: Xpeng Files for Regulatory Approval of Next-Gen P7 Sedan, Eyes Mid-Year Launch in China Among…

Rivian Automotive is working with JPMorgan Chase on a potential high-yield bond offering to raise up to $2 billion, partly aimed at refinancing bonds maturing in 2026, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Initial pricing discussions suggest the bonds could yield around 10%, according to the report. JPMorgan is sounding out investor interest, and the transaction could launch as early as next week. However, sources cautioned that the deal remains under consideration and may not proceed. See also: Rivian Reports Record Gross Profit in Q1 2025, Lowers Annual Delivery Forecast Amid Trade Uncertainty The potential…

Stellantis said it has appointed Antonio Filosa as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a leadership transition nearly six months after the departure of Carlos Tavares. The announcement follows an extensive internal and external search led by a special board committee chaired by Executive Chairman John Elkann. Filosa, currently Chief Operating Officer for North and South America and Chief Quality Officer, will officially assume the CEO role on June 23. He was unanimously chosen by the Board of Directors, which cited his more than 25 years of experience in the automotive sector, global leadership acumen, and strong track record in…

Kinchbus, a Leicestershire-based bus operator, has ordered a new batch of electric single-decker buses from Chinese manufacturer Yutong to serve routes in Loughborough. The order, placed through UK supplier Pelican Bus and Coach, includes a mix of E9L midi and E12 full-size models, with deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025. The purchase is being part-funded through Leicestershire County Council’s successful bid in the second round of the UK government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme. The initiative is aimed at accelerating the transition to low-emission public transport across the country. “This significant investment underscores our…

Ford Motor is reportedly allowing Nissan to utilize part of its underused battery manufacturing capacity in Kentucky, in a move that underscores the U.S. automaker’s ongoing retreat from its ambitious electric vehicle (EV) expansion plans, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. The facility in question is part of BlueOval SK, a joint venture formed in 2022 between Ford and South Korean battery manufacturer SK On. The venture includes two factories in Glendale, Kentucky, each with a planned annual capacity of 43 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to support Ford’s EV lineup. While both plants have been…

Researchers at Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) have developed a new sodium super-ionic conductor (NASICON) electrolyte that could enable more stable, high-performance solid-state batteries operating at room temperature. The breakthrough may improve safety and reduce costs compared to current lithium-ion technology. The BAM team, led by visiting researcher Gustav Graeber, is working to overcome the limitations of traditional lithium-ion batteries, which rely on graphite anodes with limited ion storage. Switching to metallic lithium—or more readily available sodium—could increase energy density by up to 40%, but solid-state batteries require compatible solid electrolytes to avoid void formation at…

UK bus operator First Bus has begun operating its first set of diesel buses converted to electric under a refurbishment programme aimed at accelerating low-carbon transport while extending vehicle lifespans. Four electric buses converted from diesel vehicles are now in service on routes across Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport. The initiative is part of a broader effort to repurpose older diesel models into zero-emission vehicles through a partnership with NewPower, a repowering division of Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus. The conversion process, which takes around one week at NewPower’s factory in Bicester, Oxfordshire, involves stripping out the diesel engine, gearbox and…

BP Pulse and U.S. diner chain Waffle House have signed a strategic partnership to install fast electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at restaurant locations across the country, the companies announced on Tuesday. Each site will feature six charging bays equipped with 400kW DC chargers and a combination of CCS and NACS connectors. The chargers will be installed in Waffle House parking lots, starting in Southern states such as Texas, Georgia, and Florida, with 24/7 access expected in line with the restaurant’s round-the-clock service. BP Pulse, the EV charging division of British oil major BP, said the partnership forms part of…

Royal Mail has deployed its 7,000th electric vehicle (EV) in the United Kingdom, reinforcing its position as the operator of the country’s largest electric delivery fleet. The milestone vehicle was put into service at the South Lambeth delivery centre, which currently operates around 70 electric vans. The new EV will serve multiple London boroughs, including Chelsea, South Kensington, and Westminster. Lilian Greenwood, the UK’s Minister for the Future of Roads, presented the vehicle and highlighted the significance of Royal Mail’s electrification efforts. “Today’s unveiling of its 7,000th EV is a crucial milestone for Royal Mail as it continues to decarbonise…