Author: Joshua Morris

UK-based battery recycling company Altilium has partnered with LevertonHELM, a subsidiary of German chemical firm HELM AG, to advance a sustainable domestic supply chain for lithium in the UK. The collaboration aims to address the country’s reliance on imported lithium, a critical component for electric vehicle batteries. The partnership will combine Altilium’s expertise in recovering battery materials from waste with LevertonHELM’s lithium production capabilities. Initially, LevertonHELM will process technical-grade lithium carbonate derived from spent batteries and production waste at Altilium’s ACT1 recycling plant in Devon. Should the qualification process prove successful, the companies expect to enter into agreements for long-term…

General Motors (GM.N) has signed a multi-year, multi-billion dollar agreement with Norway’s Vianode to supply synthetic graphite anode materials for its electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The deal, running from 2027 to 2033, will provide the crucial material for batteries produced by the Ultium Cells joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution. This collaboration is part of GM’s ongoing efforts to enhance its EV battery technology. “This project will help advance our battery technology and drive greater value to our customers,” said Jeff Morrison, GM’s senior vice president of global purchasing and supply chain, in a statement. Vianode plans to…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has concluded its investigation into General Motors’ (GM.N) self-driving unit, Cruise, regarding the safety of its robotaxis and pedestrian protection. The probe, which was initiated in October 2023, followed five incidents where Cruise vehicles collided with pedestrians, three of which resulted in injuries. NHTSA raised concerns about the vehicle’s ability to avoid collisions in each case, as the Cruise vehicles failed to successfully evade the pedestrians. NHTSA also highlighted two additional incidents involving Cruise vehicles operating near pedestrians on crosswalks. However, the agency decided to close the investigation, citing GM’s November 2023…

BYD introduced the Sealion 07 EV at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 on January 10, as part of its strategy to expand its battery electric vehicle (BEV) offerings in international markets. The Sealion 07 EV will be BYD’s fourth model in Japan, following the introduction of the Yuan Plus, Dolphin, and Seal. The vehicle is set to enter the Japanese passenger car market later this year. In 2024, BYD sold 2,223 NEVs in Japan, achieving a 54% year-on-year increase, surpassing domestic giant Toyota’s NEV sales in the region. BYD entered the Japanese market in 2022 and launched its first passenger…

The BMW Group maintained its growth trajectory in 2024, delivering 426,594 all-electric vehicles (BEVs) globally, marking a 13.5% increase over the previous year. The BMW brand itself achieved double-digit BEV growth, with 368,523 units sold, up 11.6% from the 330,596 deliveries recorded in 2023. While the overall growth rate remains positive, it reflects a moderation compared to previous years. In 2022, the BMW Group saw a 108% year-on-year increase in BEV sales, followed by a 74.4% rise in 2023. Despite this deceleration, BMW’s BEV deliveries now approach the total group-wide BEV sales from just two years prior, showcasing the expanding…

Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung, has introduced its latest in-car technology, Ready Engage, at CES 2025. The AI system, featuring an empathetic avatar named Luna, is designed to transform vehicles into “emotionally intelligent companions” by personalizing interactions and adapting to occupants’ needs. Integrated with Cerence AI’s voice assistant platform, Luna adds a friendly voice and visuals to Harman’s suite of AI solutions, fostering a natural connection between passengers and technology. Ready Engage is customizable for automakers and works seamlessly with Harman’s Ready Vision products, including the QVUE windshield display, which provides augmented reality features like dynamic street visualization. The system…

Tesla has updated its North American Charging Standard (NACS) “coming soon” page, revealing that several new automotive brands will soon gain access to its Supercharger network. This includes Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Jaguar/Land Rover, and Lucid, as well as the previously announced Mercedes-Benz. The move is part of Tesla’s broader effort to open up its charging infrastructure to other electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers. In 2022, Tesla initially announced it would open its Supercharger network, spurred in part by the financial incentives offered through the Biden Administration’s federal EV charging grants. The initiative, while initially met with skepticism due to the industry’s…

Indian electric two-wheeler startup Oben Electric has successfully raised ₹500 million (approximately €5.6 million) in its Series A funding round. The company intends to use the new capital to broaden its vehicle offerings and expand its distribution network across India. Key investors in this funding round include Ambis Holding US, Kuberan Ventures, Tanzania’s Karimjee Group, U.S.-based venture capital firm Mission Vertical, as well as family offices like Sanjeev Saraf (Polyplex) and Pravek Kalp. With this fresh capital, Oben Electric’s total equity capital now stands at ₹1.5 billion (approximately €16.8 million). Oben Electric plans to expand its operations significantly in India,…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio (NYSE: NIO) has inaugurated its latest showroom, Nio Space, at Gate Avenue in Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), bolstering its expansion into the Middle East market. “This milestone marks a significant step forward in Nio’s expansion plan in the UAE, reinforcing its commitment to redefining the premium electric vehicle experience in the region,” Nio stated. The Nio Space in Dubai is the company’s 439th globally and its second in the UAE, following the November 2024 launch of Nio House in Abu Dhabi. Nio’s showrooms highlight its lineup of smart electric vehicles, including the flagship six-seat…

One in three newly registered buses in Sweden in 2024 was electric, even as the overall bus market contracted sharply, according to data from industry organization Mobility Sweden cited by Bussmagasinet.se. A total of 783 buses across all drive types were registered in Sweden last year, marking a 30% decline from 2023. Among these, 235 were electric buses, representing a modest 5.6% decrease from the 246 electric buses registered in the previous year. Despite the decline, the market share of electric buses grew from 28% in 2023 to 32% in 2024, solidifying their position as a key component of Sweden’s…

Italy’s electric bus market surged in 2024, with one in five newly registered buses featuring battery-electric drive systems, according to figures from Associazione Nazionale Filiera Industria Automobilistica (AZINA). City buses led the shift, with battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounting for 40% of new registrations in this category. The year saw a remarkable 162% increase in electric bus registrations, with 1,026 units added to Italy’s roads. This growth propelled BEVs to a 21% share of the overall bus market, which expanded to 4,920 units in total—a 20% year-on-year rise. Diesel-powered buses remained the largest segment with 1,740 registrations, though they recorded a…

Slovenian in-wheel motor specialist Elaphe has unveiled its new Sonic.1 high-performance in-wheel motor at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. Positioned as the world’s first direct-drive in-wheel motor compatible with high-performance brakes, the Sonic.1 is tailored for use in the front wheels of high-performance vehicles, where space and weight optimization are critical. The Sonic.1 integrates large 400 mm brake discs within a 21-inch rim, offering a continuous output of 200 kW per wheel and peak outputs reaching up to 255 kW. Additionally, the motor delivers a continuous torque of 1,000 Nm, with a peak torque of 1,700 Nm per wheel. Its…