Author: Jonathan Collins

Peterbilt, an US truck manufacturer, has announced its largest electric vehicle (EV) order to date. Swedish electric transport specialist Einride has placed an order for 150 of Peterbilt’s 579EV electric heavy-duty trucks, marking a significant step in the electrification of North America’s transport sector. While Peterbilt manufactures its own range of electric trucks, including the Peterbilt 579EV and the medium-duty 220EV, Einride has opted to integrate Peterbilt’s technology platform with its trucks to enhance its service offerings in North America. The Peterbilt 579EV, a Class 8 electric truck, boasts a gross combined vehicle weight rating of 82,000 lbs and can…

Dutch retail giant Albert Heijn is ramping up its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions by expanding its fleet of electric vehicles. The company has set an ambitious goal to supply all its stores and customers in the Netherlands and Belgium with zero-emission vehicles by 2030. Albert Heijn currently boasts the largest fleet of electric vehicles in the Netherlands, with 74 electric trucks and 250 electric delivery vans already in operation. These vehicles can be charged at ten charging hubs equipped with 270 charging stations. The expansion of the electric delivery network to more cities is a significant development. After successful…

French battery start-up Verkor announced on Friday that it had finalized its funding by securing more than 1.3 billion euros ($1.41 billion) in green financing for its first battery gigafactory in Dunkirk. The financing comes at a time when Europe is actively working to attract electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers, aiming to reduce dependency on Asia and compete in the green subsidies race with the United States. Verkor’s gigafactory is one of four electric vehicle battery factories planned in northern France. See also: Renault-Backed Verkor Secures €2 Billion in Funding for Battery Gigafactory Construction “This debt financing will enable us to…

Daimler Truck North America has announced a partnership with Li-Cycle to recycle its end-of-life lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The move is part of Daimler’s efforts to maximize battery lifespans and reduce material waste. However, specific details of the arrangement between the two companies, such as scope and timescale, have not been disclosed. Li-Cycle, a Canadian company listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol LICY, operates four pre-processing facilities, known as “Spokes,” in North America: Kingston, Ontario; Rochester, New York; Gilbert, Arizona; and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. These facilities produce an intermediate product called “black mass,” which contains lithium, nickel, cobalt,…

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the award of nearly $900 million to 530 school districts across the country as part of its Clean Bus Rebate Program. This funding will support the purchase of more than 3,400 new school buses, the majority of which will be electric. This marks the third round of funding through the program, which includes grants and rebates. The EPA has highlighted that 67 percent of the funding went to 45 percent of the selected projects, with a focus on school districts in low-income, rural, and Tribal communities. Originally, the EPA had planned to…

Tesla has recently highlighted various Full Self-Driving (FSD) experiences from customers using the v12 software, as shared in a mega-thread on its platform X this week. The thread includes several videos demonstrating the capabilities of FSD in handling different edge cases on the road. In a post on Tuesday, the official Tesla X account shared an article featuring multiple FSD videos from customers, showcasing how the vehicles handled various scenarios. The drivers in the videos are utilizing either FSD Supervised v12.3.4 or v12.3.6, with Tesla specifically noting the situations addressed by the semi-automated driving system in each video. https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1795194936964366377 The…

Volkswagen has expanded its Golf series with two new variants, both featuring plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technology. The new GTE and eHybrid models are equipped with second-generation powertrains, delivering up to 272 horsepower and fast DC charging capabilities. These new models also come standard with Discover Media navigation and Digital Cockpit Pro infotainment features, with optional extras like Lane Assist. The latest iterations of the Golf series, the GTE and eHybrid, boast Volkswagen’s latest and fastest charging rates, offering up to 11 kilowatts (kW) over AC and up to 50 kW over DC. The new powertrains in the Golf…

Following the TDI emissions scandal, Volkswagen underwent a transformative period under the leadership of Herbert Diess, who envisioned electric vehicles (EVs) as the future of the industry and sought to rebuild the brand’s tarnished reputation. However, with Diess stepping down, Volkswagen’s new leadership is reassessing its approach. Volkswagen has joined other automakers like Ford, GM, and Mercedes in scaling back its ambitious EV commitments. The brand now intends to focus more on expanding its range of plug-in hybrid vehicles, citing growing customer demand, particularly in markets like China and the U.S. “We see that customers want plug-in hybrids now, including…

Lilium, the developer of an electric vertical take-off aircraft, is in advanced discussions with the French government regarding plans to expand its production capacity in France. The company is also exploring the possibility of receiving state subsidies and loan guarantees to support its growth. The announcement was made during the ‘Choose France’ economic summit in Versailles, an event aimed at attracting foreign investors to the country, spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron. To qualify for the state aid, Lilium, headquartered in Munich, would need to establish a production site in France. The company is currently evaluating several potential locations, including…

Ford has revealed the culmination of two years of development: a rally-inspired version of the Mustang Mach-E designed for optimal performance on gravel tracks. Dubbed the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally, this variant offers a unique blend of performance and off-road capability, setting it apart in the competitive electric crossover segment. Unlike many concept vehicles, the Mustang Mach-E Rally is not a one-off special but a production variant priced starting at $59,995. It comes equipped with the 91-kilowatt-hour extended-range battery pack, although the EPA range slightly drops from 280 miles to 265 miles due to the rally modifications. The Mach-E Rally…

Canoo faced a challenging first quarter, posting a larger-than-expected loss. The company, however, maintained its outlook for the year. Factors such as slowing demand in the United States and fierce competition from Chinese EV makers have impacted Canoo and other companies in the EV space. Fisker raised concerns about its ability to continue operations in February. This was followed by the delisting of its stock from the New York Stock Exchange and the collapse of talks with a major automaker in March. Canoo had previously expressed doubts about its ability to continue as a going concern in 2022 and has…

Electric vehicle (EV) startup Canoo appears to have delivered at least one of its electric delivery vans to the United States Postal Service (USPS), according to recently posted images. The images show a customized Canoo LDV 190 bearing USPS badging and a design slightly different from the original renderings. Canoo has been an intriguing player in the EV market, balancing between actual vehicle production and conceptual ideas. Despite facing challenges, the company has consistently managed to rebound with positive news, keeping its stock buoyant. For instance, in March, Canoo executed a reverse stock split when its share prices hit an…