Author: Joshua Morris

The Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO) has written down its $400 million investment in Northvolt, becoming the latest shareholder to distance itself from the financially troubled battery manufacturer, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. IMCO, a Canadian pension fund, had purchased convertible bonds from Northvolt in 2023 to support the company’s expansion in battery cell production ahead of a planned stock exchange listing. However, IMCO declined to comment on the write-down, according to Bloomberg. See also: Scania Steps In to Support Northvolt’s Struggling Battery Production The Swedish battery maker has faced mounting financial difficulties, filing…

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast said on Thursday it delivered approximately 97,000 cars in 2024, nearly tripling its sales from the previous year, with most units sold in its domestic market. The automaker aims to at least double global sales in 2025, following a surge in deliveries in the final quarter of 2024, when it sold over 53,000 vehicles—more than half of its total annual sales. The company exceeded its revised target of 80,000 units, though it initially projected 100,000 sales for the year. See also: VinFast Introduces Promotion Offering Complimentary VF DrgnFly E-Bike with VF 9 SUV Purchase “VinFast’s…

Illinois’ largest utility provider, ComEd, has unveiled a $100 million rebate program for 2025, aiming to encourage private, public, and business customers to invest in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, the company announced. Of the total funds, $53 million is earmarked for business and public fleets purchasing electric vehicles. The rebates apply across all vehicle weight classes, provided the EVs are used for commercial purposes. An additional $38 million will be allocated for “make ready” infrastructure upgrades to support Level 2 and DC fast chargers at fleet locations open to the public. Meanwhile, non-residential customers will have access to $9…

Solaris Bus & Coach has delivered the first hydrogen buses to Bologna and Ferrara as part of a large-scale order from Italian public transport operator TPER, marking the initial phase of a 137-unit contract signed at the end of 2023. TPER, the primary transport provider in the Emilia-Romagna region, has received 37 of the 137 ordered Urbino 12 hydrogen buses. The vehicles will be deployed as part of hydrogen bus projects in Bologna and Ferrara, supporting local efforts to reduce emissions in public transportation. See also: Warsaw’s MZA Orders 50 More Electric Buses from Solaris “We are honored to contribute…

Subaru has officially unveiled the 2025 Forester Hybrid, marking the brand’s first hybrid Forester for the U.S. market. The all-new hybrid SUV, which debuted at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show, features a next-generation series-parallel hybrid system that integrates Subaru’s 2.5-liter BOXER® engine with electric motors. This system delivers a combination of enhanced performance and improved fuel efficiency, making it a standout in Subaru’s lineup. The 2025 Forester Hybrid offers 194 total system horsepower, a significant increase from the 180 horsepower found in the non-hybrid version. This power boost is paired with up to 40% better fuel efficiency, delivering an EPA-estimated…

Stellantis is reportedly exploring the use of BYD’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells as part of its strategy to introduce an electric vehicle priced below €20,000, according to French publication L’Argus. This shift would allow Stellantis to diversify its battery supply, which currently relies on SVOLT, and take advantage of BYD’s highly integrated supply chain and economies of scale. The Chinese manufacturer, known for its extensive battery production capabilities, owns its own lithium mines and has the capacity to deliver cost-effective solutions for mass-market EVs. See also: Fiat Sets UK Pricing for Grande Panda EV, Orders Open in Germany…

BorgWarner has signed agreements for four new projects with three major Chinese domestic automakers, supplying electric drive systems for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The first project involves providing 400V high-voltage hairpin (HVH) motors to a leading Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer for its 200kW hybrid rear-drive platform. Production is set to begin in August 2025. See also: BorgWarner Receives New Xpeng Orders, Debuts Torque Vectoring in Polestar Electric Cars In another agreement, BorgWarner will supply drive systems to a “top Chinese domestic OEM” developing a 150kW pure electric platform, with…

Foxconn Chairman Young Liu stated on Wednesday that the company is focused on cooperation with Japan’s Nissan, rather than seeking to acquire the automaker. This clarification came amid reports of Nissan reconsidering a $60 billion merger with Honda, which was poised to create the world’s third-largest automaker. Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, has expressed interest in working with Nissan, following the collapse of the Honda deal last week. See also: Foxconn Expands Electric Vehicle Portfolio with New Models: Model C and Model D Unveiled A source told Reuters that Nissan is open to collaborating with Foxconn, particularly after…

Global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) rose by 18% year-on-year in January, with growth in Europe and the United States surpassing that in China for the first time since last February, according to research firm Rho Motion. The European car market began the year robustly as new CO2 emission targets came into effect in the European Union. In contrast, the Chinese market experienced a 43% month-on-month decline in sales, attributed to the Chinese New Year holidays, noted Charles Lester, Data Manager at Rho Motion. See also: BYD Sells 300,538 NEVs in January, Up 49.16% Year-on-Year…

Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer Yutong is set to launch its T75e electric truck in the UK during the second quarter of 2025, offering two battery options and a range of up to 180 miles (290 km), according to its local distributor, Pelican Engineering. The T75e will be available with a 100 kWh or 132 kWh battery pack, designed for urban and regional transport applications. Pelican Engineering stated that the vehicle’s chassis-cab has an unladen weight of under three tonnes and is compatible with various body configurations, including box, tipper, curtain side, compaction, and insulated bodies. The model will also offer…

TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné has raised concerns over the expansion of the European battery joint venture Automotive Cells Company (ACC), arguing that efforts should be concentrated on its current factory in France rather than pursuing additional plants in Germany and Italy. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Pouyanné stated, “From my point of view as an industry representative, it is better to concentrate efforts on one plant than three.” He emphasized that TotalEnergies’ priorities lie with the existing factory in Billy-Berclau, noting that building a second facility is risky when the first is not yet fully operational.…

Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) lineup is encountering growing competition and potential headwinds as newer, lower-cost electric pickups like the Tesla Cybertruck and Chevrolet Silverado EV gain traction in the U.S. market. While Ford has maintained its commitment to expanding its EV offerings, including plans for more affordable models such as a smaller SUV and pickup, the timeline for these vehicles to reach the market could leave the company trailing behind its rivals for at least another two years. See also: Ford Motor’s Model e Division Posts $5.1 Billion Loss, Restructures Leadership Since the launch of the first F-150 Lightning models…

Students in Florida’s Glades County School District will soon experience cleaner, quieter, and more comfortable school commutes with the introduction of 13 new Blue Bird electric school buses. The deployment marks a significant upgrade for the district, replacing aging diesel buses, some of which have been in service for over two decades. The transition to electric buses offers numerous benefits, from reduced emissions and operational cost savings to a quieter, smoother ride for students and drivers alike. However, the most immediate and noticeable improvement for students will be the inclusion of air conditioning—an essential feature in Florida’s sweltering climate. Until…

Ford Motor is looking to leverage Chinese battery technology as it seeks to remain competitive in the global electric vehicle (EV) market, CEO Jim Farley said in an interview with The New York Times. Farley acknowledged that Chinese automakers have gained a significant lead in battery production and technology. “The way we compete with them is to get access to their IP just the way they needed ours 20 years ago, and then use our innovative ecosystem and American ingenuity and our great scale and our intimacy with the customer to beat them globally,” he told the newspaper. See also:…

French freight forwarder Ceva Logistics is adding 23 battery-electric trucks to its fleet as part of efforts to lower its carbon footprint, the company announced. The expansion builds on Ceva’s existing fleet of 518 electric trucks and vans. The latest additions include 21 trucks with gross vehicle weights of 7.5, 16, and 19 tonnes, along with two tractor units. These vehicles will be deployed for collection and distribution services from eight Ceva sites across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Commissioning began in late 2024 and will continue through the first half of 2025. While Ceva has not disclosed the vehicle…

Poland’s government has introduced a new subsidy program for electric vehicles (EVs), offering financial incentives to private individuals and self-employed entrepreneurs. The ‘NaszEauto’ initiative, launched on Feb. 3, has a total budget of 1.6 billion zlotys (€380 million) from the EU’s recovery fund. The program applies to new, unregistered M1-category EVs priced under 225,000 zlotys (€53,500). The base subsidy is 18,750 zlotys (€4,450), with additional bonuses available. Buyers scrapping an old combustion engine vehicle can receive an extra 10,000 zlotys, while individuals earning under 135,000 zlotys annually are eligible for a further 11,250 zlotys, bringing the maximum subsidy to 40,000…

The Town of Oakville, Canada, will add 15 new Nova LFSE+ 40-foot electric buses to its public transport fleet this month. In the next two years, the town plans to expand its electric bus fleet by adding 29 additional buses, both small and large-capacity models. The 40-foot LFSE+ buses, produced by Volvo Group subsidiary Nova Bus, will replace some of the existing diesel buses currently in service. This is not Oakville’s first purchase from Nova, as 30 of the company’s electric buses are already operating in the town. See also: Canada Allocates Funding for 180 Electric Buses in Ontario’s York…

Toyota has announced plans to establish a wholly-owned electric vehicle (EV) plant in Shanghai, following a similar strategy by Tesla. The new facility, aimed at producing Lexus-branded battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and batteries, will be located in the Jinshan district of southwest Shanghai. In a statement, Toyota China confirmed that it has reached an agreement with the Shanghai municipal government to form a carbon-neutral partnership for the new venture. The plant is expected to produce the first Lexus BEV model by 2027. The company highlighted that Shanghai’s mature industrial ecosystem, logistics network, and talent pool would play a key role…

Nissan’s highly anticipated next-generation LEAF has been spotted undergoing testing in the U.S., offering a glimpse into the automaker’s reimagined electric vehicle (EV). Slated for an official debut later this year as a 2026 model, the refreshed LEAF is expected to feature a more stylish and aerodynamic design, improved range, and faster charging capabilities. The latest spy shots confirm a significant shift in design philosophy, transitioning from a traditional hatchback to a sleek crossover coupe style. See also: Nissan to Launch Next-Generation LEAF with Updated Powertrains from New JATCO Facility in Sunderland View this post on Instagram A…

Decathlon has introduced the Rockrider E-ACTV 100 e-bike, an entry-level model designed for affordability, which is set to retail for €999. This new e-bike targets consumers seeking a cost-effective solution for commuting and leisure rides, offering an array of features at a competitive price. The Rockrider E-ACTV 100 is equipped with a 356 Wh battery, providing an assistance range of up to 70 km (44 miles). The bike is powered by a rear-hub motor delivering 45 Nm of torque and offers various assistance modes, including Eco and Boost. A rotation sensor replaces the pedal sensor found in previous models, contributing…