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…