Author: Joshua Morris

Hyundai Motor Co. is set to establish its first electric vehicle (EV) battery production lines by 2027, aiming to internalize battery technology and enhance EV performance and cost competitiveness, according to sources familiar with the plan. The South Korean automaker is expected to build production lines with a capacity of 1-2 GWh at a research and development center in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, producing prototype battery products independent of its current battery suppliers. Hyundai has reportedly been negotiating with cathode material suppliers such as L&F Co., LG Chem Ltd., and Chinese companies to procure materials for these prototype batteries, with shipments…

LG Energy Solution (LGES) has unveiled its new brand, B.around, aimed at providing comprehensive solutions in battery management systems (BMS). This initiative focuses on integrating software and hardware tailored for electric vehicle battery management, extending to customized solutions for software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms and battery-as-a-service (BaaS) applications. The name B.around signifies LGES’s strategic expansion into the BMS market, marking its commitment to delivering enhanced customer value and promoting safer battery usage beyond traditional battery manufacturing. The new brand aims to revolutionize battery management by offering more advanced solutions, incorporating features such as safety diagnostics, battery monitoring, and software integration specifically…

Tesla has begun the deployment of Full Self-Driving (FSD) V12.5.4 to vehicles equipped with both Hardware 3 and Hardware 4, according to reports from the Tesla community. The update, part of software version 2024.27.25, introduces significant enhancements, including a wider range for Actually Smart Summon (ASS) and improved vision-based driver monitoring, even when wearing sunglasses. https://twitter.com/TeslaNewswire/status/1838133190394851362 Tesla software tracker Not a Tesla App highlighted that the update brings the “Longer Range” feature for Actually Smart Summon, which was previously marked as “Coming Soon,” and raises the app version requirement to V4.37.0. The release notes also detail additional customization options for…

Sora Aviation, based in Bristol, U.K., has begun testing battery technology for its 30-passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, the Sora S-1, in collaboration with the University of Bath. This partnership is taking place at the advanced propulsion research center, IAAPS, located at the Bristol and Bath Science Park. The Sora S-1 is designed to offer air taxi services at a fare of $30 to $40 per passenger. According to Sora CEO Furqan, “The aircraft has six tilting rotors, like the Joby S4,” referencing a similar model by Joby Aviation. The Sora S-1 distinguishes itself by accommodating more…

Tesla has already made significant improvements to its Actually Smart Summon (ASS) feature, just weeks after its initial release in early September. This feature allows Tesla vehicles to park themselves and pick up drivers via a smartphone app, representing a major advancement in the company’s self-driving capabilities. https://twitter.com/teslascope/status/1838104918768677000 According to the release notes for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 12.5.4, the latest update extends the operating range of the ASS feature. “To use Dumb Summon or Actually Smart Summon, your phone must be connected to Model 3 within 279 ft. (85 meters) of the vehicle. If Model 3 is more…

BYD is set to introduce its Shark plug-in hybrid (PHEV) pickup truck to the Australian market in October, ahead of rival models from Ford and Great Wall Motor (GWM). The 2025 BYD Shark 6 will be available for orders starting October 29, 2024, outpacing competitors like the Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV by nearly a year. According to a report by Drive, the BYD Shark 6 is expected to start at AUD$68,000, a price point similar to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. The price information reportedly came from a leak in a government database, although official…

ChargePoint has been awarded more than $19 million through its partners to deploy 248 DC fast charging ports at 45 locations along California highways. This funding, recently approved by the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Department of Transportation, marks a significant step in the state’s efforts to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The initiative is part of California’s initial allocation from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The 45 sites selected for the installation of ChargePoint’s fast chargers are strategically positioned along highways experiencing high EV charger congestion, particularly along key routes like I-5, aimed at…

Portuguese charging station manufacturer i-charging has introduced its new megawatt charging system, i-light, at the IAA trade fair in Hanover. The system is designed to meet the growing demand for fast, efficient charging in the heavy-duty transport sector, offering a total output of up to 1.5 megawatts. The i-light system consists of a central power unit and multiple satellites, each with a single charging point. The power unit’s output can be dynamically distributed among up to six satellites, allowing for charging capacities ranging from 250 kW to 1.5 MW in 250 kW increments. Both MCS (Megawatt Charging System) and CCS…

Kodiak Robotics, a self-driving technology company, has partnered with Textron Systems to launch the RIPSAW M3, an autonomous ground vehicle designed for military applications. This vehicle integrates Kodiak’s AI-powered Kodiak Driver technology, marking a significant advancement in uncrewed robotic ground vehicles. The collaboration, first announced in May, aimed to produce a purpose-built autonomous vehicle, which has now materialized in the form of the RIPSAW M3. Kodiak’s technology can be adapted for various vehicle types, previously demonstrated in freight trucks and a Ford F-150 prototype for the U.S. military. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KNRxE4moCE The RIPSAW M3 is notable for being the first application of…

Decathlon has announced the upcoming release of its Rockrider E-ACTV 900 e-bike, anticipated to launch later this year. This hybrid model features a double mid-drive motor with a peak power of 600W and a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT), making it a notable addition to Decathlon’s electric bicycle lineup. The Rockrider E-ACTV 900 is the second model in the series, following the E-ACTV 500, which debuted in April. Similar to its predecessor, the new e-bike includes Bluetooth connectivity, enabling users to track their rides and modify settings via the Decathlon Ride app. The e-bike is equipped with a double mid-drive motor…

A fire broke out at Rivian’s automotive factory in Normal, Illinois, over the weekend, damaging an undisclosed number of vehicles in the parking lot. The blaze did not reach the main facility, and no injuries were reported, according to company and fire department sources. On Saturday evening, local news reported that the fire spread to an unspecified number of Rivian’s electric vehicles (EVs) parked near the factory. While the vehicles were severely damaged, the factory building itself remained unaffected. https://twitter.com/EVguyZach/status/1827560257389744527 “We are investigating the cause of a fire that damaged a number of vehicles in a parking lot at our…

ABB E-mobility has appointed Brandt Hastings as President of its North American operations, effective from July. The move is expected to bolster the company’s position in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging market. Hastings brings a wealth of experience in EV charging to the role, having previously served as CEO and President of Volta Charging in North America. Prior to leading the company, he held key positions as Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Commercial Officer at Volta Charging. “ABB E-mobility is writing the next chapter of what’s possible in EV charging, and Brandt is the right leader at a…

The U.S. state of New York has unveiled a $200 million funding initiative aimed at helping school districts and operators transition to electric school buses. This marks the second round of financial support under the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. The initial round of funding, which occurred about a year ago, made $100 million available and saw over 75 school districts applying for assistance to acquire approximately 350 electric school buses. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) played a pivotal role by releasing the criteria for manufacturers…

ChargePoint has introduced its new ‘Omni Port’ charging solution, designed to simplify the charging process for electric vehicle (EV) drivers in North America. The core feature of this innovation is an integrated adapter within the charging station, allowing North American Charging Standard (NACS) vehicles to use Combined Charging System (CCS) stations, ensuring the correct plug is always available. Unlike separate adapters typically used by consumers, the ‘Omni Port’ is built directly into the charging station. The system operates seamlessly: when a user starts the charging process via the ChargePoint app or the NFC sensor on the station with a smartphone,…

Mitsubishi Fuso will launch a demonstration of battery-swapping technology for electric trucks this month on public roads in Japan. The trial, conducted in Kyoto, will be managed by Yamato Transport, a courier service partner. The test will feature Mitsubishi Fuso’s eCanter light-duty electric truck equipped with exchangeable battery modules from US-based Ample. The batteries will be swapped at Ample’s automated exchange stations, with each swap taking approximately five minutes. Specific details about the batteries have not been disclosed. The partnership, which began over a year ago, aims to evaluate customer satisfaction, scalability, and commercialization potential of the technology. Ample’s battery…

Tesla will rectify an issue affecting 1.68 million vehicles in China through an Over-the-Air Software Update, the State Administration for Market Regulation announced on Tuesday. The recall includes Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles built between October 2020 and July 2024. The regulator specified that the issue pertains to the vehicles’ hoods, which could potentially unlatch and obstruct the driver’s view by covering the windshield. “An unlatched bonnet could obstruct the driver’s view of the road as the hood could open and cover the windshield,” the statement said. The affected Model 3 and Model Y units…

AEHRA, an Italian-based ultra-premium electric vehicle (EV) brand, has announced the names of its first two models: the Impeto SUV and the Estasi Sedan. These models are set to enter production by mid-2026. The company plans a strategic rollout of these vehicles in key markets, including North America, Europe, and the Gulf States. AEHRA has also revealed plans to establish a new manufacturing campus in Mosciano Sant’ Angelo, located in the Abruzzo region of northeast Italy. Groundbreaking for the 207,000 square meter facility is scheduled for later this year. The new facility will create 540 jobs, with an additional 110…

Starting September 1, 2024, only fully electric and emission-free vehicles in Hungary will be eligible for green licence plates, ending the current benefits extended to plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs). As of the end of June 2024, there were 52,209 battery electric vehicles (BEVs), 12,358 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and 29,646 REEVs in Hungary, according to the Hungarian Future Mobility Alliance. This brings the total number of vehicles with green licence plates to 101,213. Under the new regulations, plug-in hybrids and REEVs, which have an all-electric range of 25 to 50 kilometres, must replace their green plates…

Geely Auto Group has unveiled the latest addition to its Galaxy lineup: the Galaxy E5, an all-electric compact SUV designed for both domestic and international markets. The model was introduced at a launch event in Guiyang, Guizhou province in southwest China. Overview and Pricing The Galaxy E5 starts at RMB 112,800 ($15,750) and is available in five variants with different price points in China: RMB 112,800, RMB 122,800, RMB 128,800, RMB 138,800, and RMB 148,800. Geely is also offering right-hand drive versions to cater to markets outside China. Dimensions and Design The compact SUV measures 4,615 mm in length, 1,901…

China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle announced on Monday that a local court has ruled that two of its subsidiaries should enter bankruptcy and reorganization proceedings. This decision follows a recent request by individual creditors of the units for such proceedings. Shares of China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle fell by 7% on July 29, a day after the creditors of Evergrande New Energy Vehicle (Guangdong) and Evergrande Smart Automotive (Guangdong) filed for bankruptcy protection and reorganization. The court hearing took place on August 2, leading to the court’s decision to proceed with the bankruptcy and reorganization of the units. The electric…