Author: Joshua Morris

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL is ramping up its push into clean tech with plans to scale its mobile EV charging robot subsidiary CharGo, aiming to capture 20% of China’s EV charging market and expand internationally by 2026. The announcement comes as CATL concluded its €4.1 billion Hong Kong IPO on Tuesday, further fueling the company’s transition from a battery supplier to an integrated energy solutions provider. At the center of this strategy is CharGo, established last year to provide autonomous charging robots in areas where traditional charging infrastructure is limited or inaccessible. CharGo’s mobile robots, which can be booked via…

SparkCharge, a U.S.-based startup offering mobile electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, has secured over $30 million in new funding to accelerate its expansion across North America. The company said it closed a $15.5 million Series A-1 funding round led by Monte’s Fam, with participation from Cleveland Avenue, Collab Capital, Elemental Impact, MarcyPen, and non sibi ventures. An additional $15 million in venture debt was raised from Horizon Technology Finance Corporation. Founded in 2018 by Joshua Aviv, SparkCharge initially focused on mobile roadside charging, including a partnership with Allstate to assist stranded EV drivers. The company has since pivoted toward what…

Tesla has quietly adjusted its driver monitoring system (DMS) in the latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) software update, making it less sensitive to brief driver glances away from the road. The change was noticed by users soon after the rollout of FSD version 13.2.9 (2025.14.6) for vehicles equipped with Tesla’s Hardware 4 (HW4). The update, which was not detailed in the official release notes, was confirmed by Tesla’s Vice President of Autopilot AI, Ashok Elluswamy, who described the adjustment as “much needed.” The DMS uses an inward-facing camera to track driver attention and has faced criticism for issuing warnings or FSD…

Clarios, an automotive battery manufacturer owned by investment firm Brookfield, is evaluating sites in Indiana, Texas, and Utah for a proposed critical minerals processing and recovery plant worth up to $1 billion, the company said on Tuesday. The project, supported by recent U.S. executive orders and federal advanced manufacturing tax credits, aims to bolster the domestic supply of critical minerals essential to both national security and advanced technologies. “We’re excited to announce the next step in our strategy to increase our investment in the United States,” said Clarios CEO Mark Wallace in a statement. The proposed facility will focus on…

Graphene’s unique properties continue to draw attention from battery researchers as a potential successor to graphite in lithium-ion battery anodes, but widespread commercial adoption remains constrained by high costs and the lack of scalable production methods, according to a new scientific review. The review, titled “Graphene Roadmap Briefs (No. 4): Innovation Prospects for Li-ion Batteries” by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI), explores the promise of graphene in improving energy density, charge times, and overall battery performance. Graphene’s exceptional electrical conductivity and mechanical strength position it as a strong candidate to enhance the anode component of lithium-ion…

Interest in electric vehicles (EVs) remains strong among American car shoppers, though actual adoption rates continue to lag and vary widely across regions, according to a new study by consumer research firm J.D. Power. The firm’s latest survey found that 24% of auto shoppers say they are “very likely” to purchase an EV, while another 35% are “somewhat likely”—figures largely unchanged from 2024. However, EVs accounted for only 7.5% of total vehicle sales in the United States in the first quarter of 2025, indicating a wide gap between consumer sentiment and actual market penetration. See also: EVs 30% Cheaper to…

A U.S. bankruptcy judge has rejected an effort by U.K. financier Charles Garson to overturn the sale of Canoo Inc.’s assets to its own CEO, Anthony Aquila, ruling that Garson lacked legal standing and failed to meet the deadline for submitting a valid bid. Judge Brendan Linehan Shannon, presiding over the electric vehicle startup’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings, said during a Tuesday hearing that Garson had not formally submitted an offer to purchase the company’s assets and was not a creditor of Canoo, disqualifying him from challenging the sale. “I am sympathetic to Mr. Garson’s frustration at what I sense…

The borough of Reading in the United Kingdom is set to expand its electric bus fleet with the addition of eight new Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV double-decker buses, scheduled for delivery in 2026. The vehicles will be operated by Reading Buses and mark a further step in the town’s transition to zero-emission public transport. The new buses bring Reading Buses’ total fleet of Enviro400EVs to 32, following a prior order of 24. The latest procurement was made possible through additional government funding awarded after a joint bid by Reading Borough Council and Reading Buses. The new fleet will enable the full…

Canadian electric bus distributor Damera is set to establish its first U.S. assembly plant in Peoria, Illinois, with an investment of $31.5 million, supported by state tax incentives. The new facility will produce the Karsan eJEST electric minibus and is expected to generate 90 full-time jobs initially, with future employment projected to reach between 300 and 500 positions once operations scale. The project arrives as fellow electric bus maker Lion Electric auctions its shuttered factory in nearby Joliet. Damera, the exclusive North American distributor of Turkey’s Karsan electric buses, secured backing from the state through the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles…

Finnish electric motorbike maker Verge Motorcycles has established a new B2B division, Verge Next, to license and commercialise its in-wheel motor technology for use by other manufacturers in the two-wheeler industry. The initiative aims to bring Verge’s proprietary drivetrain, originally developed in partnership with Donut Lab, to a broader market that includes electric motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, and bicycles. The focus of Verge Next is the Donut Motor, a compact in-wheel drive system that boasts high torque and power density. Weighing 40 kilograms, the motor delivers 4,300 Newton metres of torque and an output of 630 kW. While initially designed for…

Tesla has launched a wave of new discounts across its lineup, including the new Model Y, as the automaker widens its eligibility criteria to offer incentives to a broader group of American consumers, including military personnel, first responders, students, and teachers. The $1,000 discount, previously limited in scope, will now apply to any new Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, or Cybertruck. Buyers must verify their eligibility through ID.me, a digital identity verification service. See also: Tesla Adds Factory-Grade Charcoal Suede Dashboard Upgrade for New Model 3 and Model Y Tesla said its Military Purchase Program now covers…

Tesla has introduced a new interior upgrade for its latest Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, offering a factory-installed charcoal suede dashboard décor wing aimed at enhancing the cabin’s visual and tactile appeal. The décor wing, made from 100% vegan suede, is now available on Tesla’s online shop for C$345 (US$250). The part was first seen on the Launch Series Model Y and is now offered to a broader customer base. It is compatible with Model 3 units produced from 2024 onwards and Model Y units built from 2025 onwards. See also: Ford F-150 Lightning Overtakes Tesla Cybertruck in U.S.…