Author: Joshua Morris

Lidl Italia has become the first company in Italy to operate the all-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 truck, marking a milestone in the retailer’s push for sustainable logistics. The vehicle, supplied in collaboration with Italian haulier LC3 Trasporti, is already in operation, delivering to Lidl stores in Trentino-Alto Adige and the Lake Garda area. The deployment is part of a broader plan by LC3 Trasporti, which has ordered 30 eActros 600 units, making it one of the early adopters of electric long-haul trucks in Europe. The eActros 600, developed by Mercedes-Benz Trucks, features a battery capacity of 621 kWh, distributed across…

Canadian rare earth recycling specialist Cyclic Materials and micromobility firm Lime have launched a partnership to recover rare earth magnets from used electric bike and scooter motors, targeting an often-overlooked resource in the clean mobility sector. The project focuses on the recycling of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, which are widely used in electric motors. With surging demand for rare earths in the energy transition, experts estimate that more than 43,000 tonnes of such material could be recoverable in the U.S. by 2035. Yet currently, less than 1% of rare earth magnets are recycled globally. “This partnership sets a powerful precedent for…

Amprius Technologies, a California-based developer of silicon anode batteries, has entered into a contract manufacturing agreement with a leading, unnamed South Korean battery manufacturer. The move is intended to bolster Amprius’ production capabilities for its SiCore battery platform, aimed at high-demand sectors such as aerospace, defence, and electric mobility. The agreement allows the South Korean partner to manufacture SiCore silicon anode cells in accordance with Amprius’ specifications. The additional capacity will support both current and next-generation battery platforms, and is part of the company’s wider strategy to scale its operations globally. Amprius said the collaboration “represents a pivotal step in…

DEKRA has inaugurated a new automotive testing centre in Plymouth, Michigan, aimed at bolstering the evaluation and certification of electric vehicle (EV) components in North America. The Michigan Automotive Testing Laboratory, developed in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is the company’s first such facility in the region with a broad portfolio of testing services tailored to the evolving needs of the mobility sector. The newly launched centre will offer a wide array of services, including electric vehicle component testing, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) evaluations, reliability assessments, and testing for automotive connectivity systems. It will also provide services related to…

UK-based commercial charging provider Paua has introduced Paua Share, a scheme that allows electric vehicle (EV) fleets to access charging infrastructure at 11 First Bus depot locations, the companies announced on Wednesday. The initiative provides Paua’s commercial fleet customers with access to fast chargers rated between 150 kW and 350 kW, all powered by sustainable energy. Fleets sign up through a matchmaking process that aligns them with a depot and sets sharing terms including access hours and safety regulations. Drivers then use the Paua app and Paua Card to charge vehicles, with usage and billing managed via a fleet dashboard.…

Cumberland Council has secured £3.465 million in funding from the UK government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme to develop a network of electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the county. The initiative aims to improve access to public charging for residents, particularly those without off-street parking. The funding, managed by the Department for Transport, will support the installation and maintenance of EV charge points, with Cumberland Council planning to release tender documents next month to select a long-term charge point operator (CPO). The project seeks to ensure that at least 70% of local residents who do not have private…

Ford is recalling 29,501 of its 2024 and 2025 F-150 Lightning electric pickups in the United States due to a suspension defect that could lead to a loss of vehicle control, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall affects 20,528 vehicles from the 2024 model year and 8,973 from the 2025 model year. Ford said the issue involves an improperly torqued nut on the ball joint of the front upper control arm. If the nut becomes loose, the control arm can separate from the knuckle assembly, potentially causing a loss of steering control.…

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has introduced its Remote 3.0 mobile application, designed to offer drivers of its electric eActros 600 truck real-time access to critical vehicle and charging information via smartphones. The app is part of the manufacturer’s efforts to improve connectivity for battery-electric trucks and will be expanded to other Mercedes-Benz truck models starting in summer 2025. The new app allows drivers to monitor the status of their vehicles and charging processes remotely, delivering notifications on key metrics such as tyre pressure, compressed-air supply, mileage, and, specifically for the eActros 600, battery-related data including state of charge, remaining range, and estimated…

Donald Trump said on Friday that automakers operating in the United States, including Tesla, should manufacture entire vehicles domestically, including all parts, as part of a broader push to reduce reliance on imported components. The comments were made during a press conference marking Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s final day as a senior adviser at the White House. Trump responded to a question regarding the impact of tariffs on companies like Tesla that rely on imported auto parts. “He’s going to end up building his whole car here. Pretty much he does,” Trump said, referring to Musk. “All of the manufacturers…

German bicycle manufacturer Cube has introduced its latest electric bike aimed at urban riders, the Supreme RT Hybrid Comfort Exc 625, equipped with a Bosch motor and a suite of features designed for commuting and light trail use. The new step-through e-bike is fitted with a Bosch Performance Line mid-drive motor, delivering up to 75 Nm of torque. The motor is part of Bosch’s smart system platform and is paired with a 625 Wh PowerTube battery that is fully integrated into the frame but removable for convenient indoor charging. A Kiox 500 display, which is 40% larger than its predecessor…

Deepal, the new energy vehicle (NEV) unit of Changan Automobile (SHE: 000625), has launched the S09, a six-seater extended-range electric SUV positioned to compete in China’s fast-growing large SUV segment. The new model debuted on May 22 and has already received more than 21,000 confirmed orders, according to the company. Available only in extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants, the Deepal S09 is priced between RMB 239,900 and RMB 309,900 ($33,310–$43,000). A limited-time RMB 35,000 discount further reduces the entry-level price to RMB 204,900, significantly undercutting rivals such as Li Auto’s Li L9, which starts at RMB 409,800. Deliveries began immediately…

A research team at the University of Michigan has developed a new electrode coating that significantly enhances the charging speed of lithium-ion batteries in subzero temperatures, offering a potential solution to winter range anxiety for electric vehicle (EV) users. The innovation combines a glassy lithium borate-carbonate coating with a precision-engineered microchannel structure in the battery’s graphite anode. Together, the technologies allow lithium-ion batteries to charge up to five times faster at –10°C while preserving energy density and maintaining long-term durability. “For the first time, we’ve shown a pathway to simultaneously achieve extreme fast charging at low temperatures, without sacrificing the…