Author: Joshua Morris

Rolls-Royce, a British provider of power and propulsion solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) to introduce CATL’s new TENER product line in the European Union and the United Kingdom. The collaboration is seen as a strategic move to capitalize on the growing market for power storage systems in Europe, driven by the rapid development of renewable energies. It also signifies a deeper level of cooperation between China and Europe in manufacturing, moving beyond traditional sales, to mitigate risks arising from geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts. See also: CATL Restructures Operations, Elevates…

Self-driving truck developer Waabi has announced securing $200 million in funding from a consortium of investors, including Nvidia, Volvo Group, and Porsche Automobil Holding SE. This latest funding round adds to the $80 million Waabi has previously raised and positions the company for a significant push into the autonomous freight truck market. Founder and CEO of Waabi, Raquel Urtasun, expressed confidence in the company’s readiness to launch self-driving freight trucks in Texas by 2025, stating, “With this funding, we now have everything we need to make our vision a reality.” See also: Waabi Unveils Autonomous Trucking Terminal in Texas, Aiming for…

Mirattery, also known as Wuhan Weineng, has forged a strategic partnership with Chinese electric truck startup Newrizon, aiming to expand its customer base and enhance its battery asset management services. The partnership between Mirattery and Newrizon encompasses various areas, including battery technology, data intelligence, and asset management, according to statements from both companies. Mirattery plans to leverage its expertise in battery asset management to enhance the performance and quality of Newrizon’s new energy vehicle products, meeting the increasing demand for efficient and safe battery systems from customers. Through this collaboration, Mirattery aims to broaden its application scenarios and market reach…

General Motors (GM) is gearing up to commence production of the Cadillac Optiq in Mexico, marking the luxury electric SUV’s second global production location after China. The manufacturing is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. According to a report from Cluster Industrial, GM plans to produce the Cadillac Optiq at its Ramos Arizpe plant in Coahuila, Mexico. This facility currently manufactures the Chevrolet Equinox EV, the mainstream counterpart to the luxury EV. The Cadillac Optiq is already being produced in China at a SAIC-GM joint venture factory in Jinqiao, Shanghai, as reported by GM Authority. The…

OC Transpo, the public transport provider serving Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Québec, has announced the purchase of 51 units of the electric city bus LFSe+ from Nova Bus, a Canadian company acquired by the Swedish Volvo Group in 2004. This procurement is part of OC Transpo’s zero-emission bus program, which aims to transition the entire bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2036. The LFSe+ model has proven to be highly successful, with ten public transport operators in Quebec collectively ordering 1229 electric buses of this type last year, including 339 as permanent orders and 890 as options. According to Nova…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is proving to be a game-changer in planning prices for charging electric vehicles, benefiting both consumers and providers, with one notable exception. One of the biggest challenges for electric vehicle (EV) drivers is finding charging stations with transparent pricing, sufficient charging capacity, and minimal waiting times, especially while on the move. Charging station operators aim to earn revenue while passing on fluctuating electricity prices. They also seek to maximize station utilization. On the other hand, EV drivers seek affordable charging, minimal wait times, and high charging capacity. In a recent experiment, AI was employed to determine charging…

At this year’s French Open, tennis fans had the opportunity to experience an autonomous bus service presented by Chinese company WeRide and French automaker Renault Group. The Level 4 autonomous shuttle service provided a glimpse into the potential of self-driving transport and marked WeRide’s entry into the European market. Throughout the tournament, the WeRide Robobus ferried fans in Paris from a parking lot near Roland-Garros to the stadium and back, covering a three-mile route in approximately 12 minutes. Operating between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily, the shuttle showcased the evolving landscape of autonomous transportation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdYS9UlfFH8 WeRide’s CEO, Tony Han,…

Irizar, the Spanish bus manufacturer, has clinched a new deal with the Transport Union of the French Basque Country for the supply of eleven “ie tram” electric buses. This order includes seven 18-meter articulated buses and four 12-meter solo buses, adding to the 18 electric buses already operating in the region since 2019. The electric road trams have become iconic in the French Basque Country, with Irizar’s factory located in Aduna, in Spain’s Basque Country, nearby. The “Tram’bus,” as it’s known in the region, has been a success story, having transported 12 million passengers since its introduction five years ago.…

Innoplate, the joint venture between Schaeffler and Symbio for the production of bipolar plates for fuel cells, has officially opened its plant in Haguenau, France. The facility, located near the Franco-German border, has been operational since the first quarter of this year. The plant, with an initial capacity of four million bipolar plates, is projected to ramp up production to 50 million units per year by 2030. Innoplate was established in 2022 to produce bipolar plates for fuel cells with proton exchange membranes (PEM), serving as a crucial component for regulating hydrogen and air inflow, as well as water vapor…

Volvo Cars is making waves with the announcement of the world’s first EV battery passport, a groundbreaking initiative designed for its upcoming flagship EX90 SUV. This passport will meticulously track the origins of raw materials, components, recycled content, and carbon footprint, offering customers unparalleled transparency regarding the vehicle’s environmental impact. Developed in collaboration with UK startup Circulor, known for its use of blockchain technology to map supply chains, the battery passport has been a labor of over five years. Volvo’s forward-thinking approach aligns with forthcoming EU regulations, where battery passports will be mandatory for all EVs sold from February 2027,…

Dongfeng Motor Corporation, a key player in China’s automotive industry, is taking a significant step towards the future by integrating Ubtech Robotics’ humanoid robots into its vehicle manufacturing processes. This strategic agreement marks a new era in next-generation mobility, combining advanced robotic technology with automotive manufacturing. The subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Corporation has partnered with Ubtech Robotics, a renowned smart service and humanoid robot company. The implementation of Ubtech’s humanoid robots into Dongfeng’s production lines represents a groundbreaking advancement in the automotive sector, showcasing the potential of robotic technology in enhancing efficiency and precision in manufacturing. See also: Tesla’s Optimus Humanoid…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng delivered 10,146 vehicles in May, achieving a milestone by surpassing the 10,000-vehicle mark for the first time this year. While this figure represents only half of what the company delivered in December last year, it marks a 35.17 percent increase year-on-year and an 8.02 percent increase from April, according to data released today. So far in 2024, Xpeng has delivered 41,360 vehicles, showing a solid 26.04 percent increase. See also: XPeng Aims for Level 4 Autonomous Driving in China by Next Year A significant portion of May’s deliveries came from the Xpeng X9 MPV (multi-purpose vehicle),…