Author: Jonathan Collins

Electric truck startup OX Delivers has signed a $163 million multi-year agreement to bring its electric “trucks-as-a-service” vehicles to East Africa, marking a significant step in the company’s mission to expand e-mobility in the Global South. The deal will create a new franchise venture, OX East Africa, which will supply electric trucks, provide access to OX Delivers’ tech platform, and offer vehicle maintenance services across several East African nations. The agreement will focus on strengthening OX Delivers’ operations in Rwanda while expanding into Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi to meet the growing demand for its electric trucks. Simon Davis, Co-Founder…

Porsche and Austrian boatmaker Frauscher have unveiled the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom, an all-electric luxury boat sharing its powertrain with the Porsche Macan Turbo EV. The sleek vessel, a revised version of Frauscher’s 850 Fantom Air, combines cutting-edge automotive engineering with maritime elegance. The 28.4-foot (8.67-meter) long boat is powered by a 100 kWh battery pack paired with a 536 hp (400 kW) electric motor, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 56 mph (49 knots). At a cruising speed of 25 mph (22 knots), the boat has a range of 28 miles (45 km), extending to 62…

Indian conglomerate JSW Group is considering launching its own electric vehicle (EV) brand, signaling a significant step beyond its joint venture with China’s SAIC Motor, which currently markets MG cars in India. Chairman and Managing Director Sajjan Jindal revealed the group’s ambition to independently develop and manufacture electric cars within India, aiming to establish a fully localized production ecosystem. “Our idea is not to be an outpost of a Chinese company to sell products in India,” Jindal said in an interview with The Financial Times. He underscored the company’s commitment to manufacturing vehicles domestically, adding value within the country, and…

WeRide, a Chinese autonomous driving technology company, has begun offering robotaxi services on Uber Technologies’ platform in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This partnership, announced in late September, marks the first time Uber has integrated autonomous vehicles into its services outside the U.S. and establishes the largest commercially operated robotaxi fleet outside the U.S. and China, according to an announcement. Backed by Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre and local transportation company Tawasul Transport, the new service allows Uber users to book WeRide’s robotaxis through the UberX and Uber Comfort options. Initially, the autonomous vehicles will serve…

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…