Author: Joshua Morris

Portocel has integrated an autonomous truck into its operations at the Aracruz terminal in Espírito Santo, Brazil. This move, in partnership with Lume Robotics and VIX Logística, marks the first deployment of an autonomous vehicle in a Brazilian port. The truck has undergone over a year of testing, covering 4,500 km and logging more than 400 hours of operation. The autonomous vehicle utilizes AI-driven sensors, computer vision, and real-time decision-making to navigate the port. It is designed to respond more quickly than human operators, with a reaction time of just one-tenth of a second in emergency situations. Portocel’s initiative is…

Registrations of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the UK grew by 41.6% year-on-year in January, reaching a market share of 23.7%, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed on Wednesday. However, the figure remains below the government’s 28% mandate for 2024, raising concerns over the pace of EV adoption. “Affordability remains a major barrier to uptake, hence the need for compelling measures to boost demand, and not just from manufacturers,” said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes. See also: UK Government Explores Loan Subsidies to Boost Private Electric Vehicle Sales The industry has called for a…

Self-driving technology firm Waabi has entered a partnership with Volvo Autonomous Solutions, the driverless systems unit of the Swedish truckmaker, to develop and deploy autonomous big rigs, the company announced on Tuesday. The collaboration will integrate Waabi’s virtual driver system, along with sensors and computing technology, into Volvo’s VNL Autonomous truck, which will be produced at Volvo’s New River Valley plant in Dublin, Virginia. The initiative comes as fleet operators and truck manufacturers seek self-driving solutions to address driver shortages and improve operational efficiency. See also: MAN Truck & Bus Releases Comprehensive Dataset for Autonomous Truck Development “The technology we…

Turkish bus manufacturer Bozankaya has selected Forsee Power to provide battery systems for its upcoming fleet of electric trolleybuses. The agreement will see Forsee deliver its Zen Plus and Pulse 15 battery systems to power Bozankaya’s new generation of electric buses, available in four sizes: 10m, 12m, 18m, and 25m. Forsee’s Zen Plus system will be used for the 12m and 18m models, while the Pulse 15 system, which supports fast charging, will be implemented in the trolleybus versions. The buses are designed for flexible charging options, either overnight or via fast charging, depending on the infrastructure and requirements of…

The Tata Ultra EV 9 is a 9-meter electric bus designed for intra-city transportation, making it an ideal choice for city buses, staff transport, and school bus applications. With a low floor height of just 90 cm, the Ultra EV 9 is accessible and suitable for a wide range of passengers. Tata Motors offers the bus in both single- and two-door configurations, catering to diverse passenger requirements. The standard configuration includes 23 passenger seats and dedicated space for a wheelchair, with the option to customize seating layouts based on specific needs. See also: Everything You Should Know About Tata Intercity…

Tesla has reiterated plans to launch more affordable electric vehicles (EVs) by mid-2025, combining next-generation platform elements with existing production methods, according to recent company statements. The automaker aims to broaden market accessibility with models expected to start around $30,000. Initially targeting a late-2025 release, Tesla accelerated the timeline to the first half of 2025 in early 2023, attributing the shift to streamlined manufacturing that integrates current and next-gen techniques on existing lines. The company reaffirmed the schedule in both its Q3 and Q4 2024 shareholder reports, stating production remains on track. See also: Tesla to Launch Unsupervised Self-Driving Service…

Audi has unveiled its next-generation MHEV Plus hybrid system, a new technology designed to enhance efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and improve performance. The system is featured in the latest A5 and Q5 models, which are built on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). It incorporates advanced components such as a powertrain generator (PTG) and a 48-volt mild hybrid architecture, enabling partially electric driving and better fuel economy. This development represents a significant step in Audi’s broader electrification strategy. See also: Audi Unveils Q6 e-tron Offroad Concept with Portal Axles, Draws Mixed Reactions The MHEV Plus system includes a powertrain generator (PTG),…

Audi will close its Brussels production facility on February 28, 2025, as part of a long-planned restructuring. The decision follows declining demand for the Q8 e-tron, which is currently built at the site, and plans to shift production of its successor to Mexico. This marks the first time the Volkswagen Group has shut down a plant in Europe. Approximately 3,000 employees will be affected by the closure. In response, Audi has agreed to a social plan with staff representatives, offering a company bonus on top of the legally required redundancy pay. See also: Audi Unveils Q6 e-tron Offroad Concept with…

When choosing your next car, safety is likely to be a key consideration, especially for those thinking about transitioning from an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle to an electric vehicle (EV). The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has been conducting crash tests to answer the question of whether electric cars are safer than their gasoline-powered counterparts. The results reveal that while EVs tend to perform better in crash tests, the gap is not as wide as it might first appear. According to ANCAP, 57 EVs have been tested, with only six failing to achieve the highest safety rating. In…

Tesla’s highly anticipated drive-in diner Supercharger station, located on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, may be nearing its grand opening, according to new details unearthed from the EV maker’s latest mobile app update. The innovative facility will allow Tesla drivers to enjoy food and beverages while charging their vehicles, with entertainment provided on two large movie screens. Waitstaff on roller skates will add to the retro-style diner experience. Tesla has reportedly been applying for HVAC and plumbing permits, signaling significant progress in construction. See also: Tesla Discounts Legacy Model Y in North America, Hints at Refresh Launch Eagle-eyed…

Rivian is set to launch its Electric Delivery Van (EDV) to customers outside of Amazon in the coming weeks, marking a significant step in expanding its market reach. This move will allow companies outside the e-commerce giant to purchase the EDV for their own commercial package delivery needs. The EDV, priced starting at $83,000, is expected to be one of the few electric vans designed specifically for commercial use. Its features make it an attractive option for businesses seeking to adopt sustainable practices and reduce their carbon footprints. See also: Rivian Outpaces Ford as Best-Selling Electric Van in the US…

Nissan has confirmed the location for its upcoming LFP battery factory, which was first announced last year. The plant will be constructed in Kitakyushu, located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, with construction set to begin this year. The Japanese carmaker plans to invest 53.3 billion yen (approximately 985 million US dollars or 950 million euros) into the facility, which is expected to commence operations in 2028. The factory will have an annual capacity of 5 GWh and will primarily produce LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries for use in small electric vehicles, including compact battery packs. See also: Nissan to Launch Next-Generation…

Savannah Resources announced on Wednesday that its Barroso lithium project in northern Portugal could hold a larger deposit than the previously estimated 28 million metric tons of high-grade lithium. The London-listed company aims to extract enough lithium annually from the project to supply batteries for 500,000 to one million electric vehicles. See also: U.S. Rollback of EV Targets May Impact Lithium Demand, but Global Growth Expected to Offset Slower U.S. Pace “The results from the surface exploration which our team undertook are truly exciting,” said CEO Emanuel Proenca, highlighting the project’s potential. The Barroso site, which contains Europe’s largest known…

Rivian is bringing its R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV to select Ikon Pass destinations this winter to showcase its Snow Mode feature. From January to February 2025, the electric vehicles will be available for demo drives at specific Alterra Resorts, inviting enthusiasts to experience the performance of Rivian’s Dual and Tri-Motor vehicles in snowy conditions. In addition to demo drives, Rivian has organized a scavenger hunt featuring its Gear Guard mascot, hidden on the mountain at each location. Clues to Gear Guard’s whereabouts will be shared via @rivianofficial and resort social media accounts, including @strattonresort, @steamboatresort, and @palisadestahoe. For…

Austrian logistics company Hödlmayr is set to launch the nation’s first electric truck for car transport this month. The vehicle will operate between the Magna plant and Hödlmayr’s facility in Graz, marking a milestone in sustainable logistics for the region. The electric truck, with an estimated range of 300 kilometers, is the result of meticulous planning. Hödlmayr stated that extensive analysis of the route and operational requirements was conducted to optimize charging schedules. The truck will be charged for one hour during breaks between production shifts and fully recharged overnight while parked. Hödlmayr’s CEO, Johannes Alexander Hödlmayr, praised the collaboration…

British firm Evolt Charging has launched a new security solution called “Cable Alarm,” designed to detect when electric vehicle (EV) charger cables are cut or removed. Claimed to be the first system of its kind in the UK, the innovation is already being trialed by charge point operator Osprey. The device, manufactured by Circontrol, can be installed on Osprey’s DC chargers in under an hour, according to Evolt. When activated, the system triggers an audible alarm and a flashing beacon, with alarm durations adjustable between 10 minutes and two hours. “The device can also be integrated with notification and management…

Aegis Energy, a British startup, has secured a £100 million ($122 million) investment from Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners to develop five multi-energy refuelling stations for commercial vehicles, the company announced on Monday. The stations, touted as the first of their kind in the country, will cater to trucks and vans with a variety of clean energy options, including electric, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), hydrogen, and biomethane. This initiative aligns with efforts to reduce emissions as Britain reconsiders its EV sales targets amid concerns over slow adoption rates due to limited charging infrastructure and high costs. “By providing public hubs with multiple…

Swedish public transport authority Svealandstrafiken has placed an order for 73 electric buses from Volvo Buses, marking a shift from its previous agreements with Dutch manufacturer Ebusco. According to Swedish trade media Bussmagasinet.se, this new order will replace older buses and contribute to expanding services. Currently, Svealandstrafiken operates 17 Volvo electric buses in Västerås. The 73 buses will include 13 articulated buses for urban transport in Örebro, scheduled for delivery in early 2026, and 60 buses for regional transport across Örebro and Västmanland counties. The order also includes an option for additional vehicles, with the buses to be manufactured by…

DeepRoute.ai has entered into a strategic partnership with smart, a global premium intelligent auto brand, to accelerate the development of advanced autonomous driving solutions. The collaboration focuses on creating end-to-end models and applications aimed at delivering safer and more reliable intelligent driving experiences. The partnership builds on DeepRoute.ai’s innovative DeepRoute IO platform, which has already been adopted by over 30,000 vehicles. The company aims to expand this reach to 200,000 vehicles by the end of the year. The initiative seeks to address complex driving scenarios such as navigating roundabouts, handling missing lane markings, and offering seamless parking-to-parking functionality, enhancing both…

Australian lithium miner Ioneer has secured a historic $996 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support the development of an on-site processing facility at its Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron project in Nevada. The loan is a record for an Australian company and underscores the U.S.’s efforts to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals. The 20-year loan will fund the development of the project, which aims to supply lithium for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and boron for industrial uses. The mine, located 362 kilometers north of Las Vegas, will be the first new lithium mine in the…