Author: Joshua Morris

HEAG mobilo, the transport company based in Darmstadt, Germany, has increased its electric bus fleet to 49 with the recent addition of ten new Mercedes-Benz electric buses. This raises the proportion of electric buses in its fleet to approximately 65 percent. The new buses, the eCitaro G model, feature the latest NMC battery generation, providing an energy content of 686 kWh and a range of around 220 kilometers. Charging for these articulated buses is conducted via a plug at the Böllenfalltor depot. The purchase of these buses was part of a funding initiative, the “Directive for the promotion of buses…

According to an analysis by the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), the number of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) worldwide reached approximately 42 million by the end of 2023. Despite slower growth in some markets, the overall momentum for electric mobility remains strong. The ZSW reports that there were 41,993,140 electric vehicles on the road globally by year-end 2023, a significant increase from 7.8 million in 2019 and 27.85 million at the end of 2022. China leads the global electric vehicle market with 23.4 million vehicles, followed by the US with 4.84 million, and…

Tesla Senior Manufacturing Engineer Cole Otto has shared a photo of the first Dry Cathode Cybertruck, a significant development featuring Tesla’s in-house 4680 cells. The vehicle, which has been eagerly awaited by the electric vehicle community, is now undergoing testing. Otto posted the update on LinkedIn, noting that the company has commenced testing of the Dry Cathode Cybertruck. The photo, which shows the 4680 team with the vehicle, depicts the truck wrapped in matte black. “Introducing the first-ever Dry Cathode Cybertruck! In July, we kicked off vehicle testing with our groundbreaking in-house dry cathode 4680 cells. This is a significant…

Renault has appointed Anne-Catherine Brieux as the new Vice President of Industrial Operations for its electric vehicle division, Ampere, effective August 1. Brieux succeeds Luciano Biondo, who is departing the company. Brieux, a long-time Renault executive, will oversee Ampere’s four industrial sites: Douai, Maubeuge, and Ruitz, which comprise the ElectriCity hub, and the Cléon site. She will also be responsible for Ampere’s purchasing, quality, production technology, supply chain, and IT functions. Brieux joined Renault in 1997 and has held various roles in engine design, development, and production management. https://evmagz.com/renaults-ev-unit-ampere-embraces-lfp-technology-for-mass-electric-vehicle-production/ “I would like to thank Luciano for his commitment since he…

Images reportedly showing Tesla’s upcoming Model Y “Juniper” update have surfaced online, hinting at potential design changes for the popular electric crossover. While these images remain unconfirmed, they suggest that the best-selling vehicle may soon receive some notable enhancements. In March 2023, amid news of Tesla’s Model 3 “Highland” refresh, Reuters reported that the company was also working on an update for the Model Y, codenamed “Juniper.” Given the similarities between the first-generation Model 3 and Model Y, many in the EV community speculated that the “Juniper” update might incorporate the reengineered Model 3’s upgrades into the Model Y. https://www.reddit.com/r/teslamotors/comments/1eg8nib/model_y_juniper/?share_id=gy1PvqhlNrkXkO3kfbYhF&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1…

Monarch Tractor, creator of what is considered the world’s first fully electric, driver-optional smart tractor, has announced it raised $133 million in a Series C funding round. The funding round, co-led by Astanor and HH-CTBC Partnership, also saw contributions from At One Ventures, PMV, and The Welvaartsfonds. The company plans to use the funds to advance its artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and expand its operations both in the U.S. and internationally. Monarch Tractor has now raised over $220 million to develop sustainable and efficient agricultural solutions. “Driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and electrification, agriculture has arrived as the next frontier…

A Tesla Model S Plaid has set a new record for the quarter-mile run, completing it in an impressive 8.56 seconds. The achievement, however, comes with a caveat: the vehicle appears to have undergone significant weight reduction. While the Model S Plaid is often cited as the fastest-accelerating production vehicle in the world, this claim is subject to debate. Comparisons are frequently made with the Rimac Nevara, a $2 million vehicle produced in limited numbers, and the Lucid Air Sapphire, which has previously outperformed the Model S Plaid on the drag strip with its own nine-second quarter-mile run. https://twitter.com/DragTimes/status/1817909829119152357 The…

ZF Friedrichshafen AG has announced plans to reduce its workforce in Germany by 11,000 to 14,000 employees by 2028. This decision is part of a broader restructuring strategy primarily affecting its Electrified Powertrain Technologies division, which faces “strong competition, cost pressure, and weak demand for electric vehicles,” the company stated. Currently employing around 54,000 people in Germany, ZF’s restructuring will leave between 40,000 and 43,000 employees by the end of the four-year program. The company cited the need to enhance competitiveness and adapt to changes in the mobility sector, particularly in electromobility, as key reasons for the workforce reduction. ZF…

Q8 and renewable energy company Storm are set to build a high-power charging (HPC) network with up to 200 locations in Belgium over the next five years. Each site will feature 10 to 16 Kempower chargers, with the first four sites slated to be operational this month. The initiative involves an investment of 250 million euros. Q8 will operate the fast-charging stations under long-term leases, while Storm will handle development and construction. See also: Kempower Expands into North American Market with Opening of US Production Facility The fast-charging parks will be strategically located nationwide near main traffic routes and city centers,…

Audi is adjusting its strategy in response to declining demand for its electric vehicles, specifically the Q8 e-tron. The automaker is now placing greater emphasis on plug-in hybrids as it navigates the transition to an all-electric future. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner recently highlighted the Volkswagen Group’s revised outlook on the transition to electric vehicles, stating that it will take “longer than we initially thought.” As a result, Audi plans to expand its lineup of plug-in hybrids, which are viewed as a bridge to a fully electric portfolio. See also: Audi Integrates ChatGPT AI into In-Car Voice Control Systems While Audi still…

Struggling battery manufacturer Varta is exploring restructuring options through pre-insolvency reorganization proceedings, with a possible investment from Porsche under consideration. According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Porsche is contemplating acquiring a stake not only in Varta’s V4Drive division but also potentially in the parent company, Varta AG. “The fact that the sports car manufacturer now apparently also wants to get involved with the parent company shows the dramatic situation of Varta AG,” the FAZ reported. Porsche emphasized that “only the high-performance cell is important” to their interests. In a statement to Reuters, Porsche indicated that its involvement could extend…

South Korean enterprise Woojin Industrial Systems, known for its electric buses since 2015, is set to expand into the hydrogen bus sector. According to ET News, the company will unveil the 11-metre ‘Apollo 1100 H2’ as its inaugural hydrogen model. Vice President Kim Kwang-seok disclosed that Woojin Industrial Systems is currently working on the certification process for the Apollo 1100 H2 and is developing additional hydrogen bus models. The Apollo 1100 H2 is an adapted version of the Apollo 1100 battery-electric bus, which boasts a range of 412 km. To ensure the hydrogen bus remains lightweight, Woojin will utilize aluminium…

New car sales in the European Union saw a 4.3% increase in June, reaching their highest levels since July 2019, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). The rise was bolstered by strong performances in key markets such as Italy, Germany, and Spain, although registrations of battery electric cars experienced marginal declines. “While registrations of battery electric cars in Belgium and Italy surged, declines in Germany, the Netherlands, and France offset these gains,” ACEA noted in its report. Sales of battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars in June declined by 1% and 19.9% respectively compared to the…

Durham County Council, in collaboration with Zest, is set to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across County Durham. The partnership aims to identify 250 new charging locations, benefiting residents without driveways. The initiative, supported by a government grant exceeding £4 million from the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme, will see Zest investing over £7 million to provide and maintain the charge points and associated services. Cllr Mark Wilkes, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change at Durham County Council, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are delighted to be able to expand our EV infrastructure across the county.…

Recent sightings of Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Kia’s EV6 vehicles at a Supercharger station using native NACS ports instead of adapters suggest progress in the development of native NACS support for these models. The vehicles were spotted at a Supercharger station equipped with a Magic Dock in Ypsilanti, Michigan, by automotive journalist Sam Abuelsamid. Both vehicles, camouflaged during testing, were observed connected directly to the regular Supercharger plug. Post by @samabuelsamid View on Threads This development indicates Hyundai and Kia’s potential move towards integrating native NACS compatibility earlier than initially planned. While many automakers have prioritized distributing adapters…

Singapore will prohibit the sale of diesel cars and taxis from 1 January 2025, citing the availability of eco-friendly alternatives, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced, enforcing a rule set by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) in 2021. “Cessation of new diesel car and taxi registrations from 2025 is a crucial target under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, aimed at advancing sustainability and enhancing our eco-friendly landscape,” said an LTA spokesperson. Under the new regulations, imported cars protected by the Classic Vehicle Scheme and Vintage Vehicle Scheme will be exempted from the restrictions. Existing diesel car owners in Singapore registered…

Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) has secured significant funding for its cutting-edge battery research initiative, as the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) greenlights a substantial investment in the new COMET K1 centre, ‘Battery4Life.’ The ambitious project, spearheaded by Christian Ellersdorfer from TU Graz’s Institute for Vehicle Safety, aims to enhance the safety, longevity, and sustainability of batteries in collaboration with international partners from academia and industry. “We are excited about the opportunity to address the critical challenges in battery technology,” said Christian Ellersdorfer. “The ‘Battery4Life’ initiative will focus on improving battery safety across diverse applications and throughout their lifecycle.”…

Polestar is set to captivate automotive enthusiasts at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the unveiling of its latest concept, the Polestar Concept BST. This concept car, alongside updates to the 2 sedan and new 3 and 4 crossovers, aims to preview Polestar’s future in high-performance electric vehicles. The Polestar Concept BST builds upon the design language introduced by the O2 concept in 2022, featuring aggressive styling with flared arches, a striking front end, and a unique BST livery over silver paint. Sporting 22-inch wheels and a prominent rear wing, the concept suggests a focus on both aesthetics and aerodynamics.…

Volkswagen has reported a stabilization in its global vehicle deliveries for the first half of 2024 (H1), with figures closely mirroring those of the previous year. The automaker delivered 4.25 million vehicles worldwide, indicating flat growth compared to H1 2023. However, its electric vehicle (EV) sales experienced a modest decline, with 317,200 EVs delivered compared to 321,600 in the same period last year. Despite this, Volkswagen noted a significant uptick in orders for all-electric vehicles in Western Europe, marking a 124% increase year-on-year. This surge suggests a growing preference for electric mobility in the region, albeit amid broader challenges. The…

Toyota’s subsidiary has announced significant price cuts across its electric vehicle (EV) range in the UK, marking a strategic move to enhance market competitiveness amid shifting political landscapes. The luxury arm of Toyota, known for its innovation in sustainable mobility, has notably reduced prices on its entry-level electric model, the UX 300e, by as much as £7,100. The starting price now stands at £40,795, positioning it more competitively in the growing EV market. In addition to the UX 300e, the RZ 450e standard model sees a reduction to £57,895, down £2,100 from its previous price in April, reflecting the brand’s…