Author: Andy Williams

Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein (VHH), one of the largest local transport companies in northern Germany, has placed a groundbreaking order for up to 350 new electric buses. The move is part of the company’s goal to convert its entire public transport fleet to zero-emission vehicles by the 2030s. The tender for the new electric buses was won by two major bus manufacturers, MAN Truck & Bus and Daimler Buses. This is the largest electric bus tender in the history of VHH, and the order comes after news that the conversion of Hamburg’s bus fleets to electric vehicles is progressing more slowly than…

Lucid Motors, a company partially owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced that its first electric vehicle (EV) to be assembled in Saudi Arabia will be launched this September. Faisal Sultan, Global Vice President and Managing Director Middle East for Lucid Motors, shared this exciting news during his participation in the PIF private sector Forum, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The goal of Lucid Motors is to establish a stand-alone plant in Saudi Arabia and localize its industries. Sultan highlighted that Saudi Arabia is one of the largest car consumers in the region, making it…

Gatik, the leading provider of autonomous middle mile logistics solutions, has announced a multi-year partnership with Kroger, one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States, to transport customer orders within its Dallas distribution network. As part of the collaboration, Gatik’s medium-duty autonomous box trucks will be utilized to transport fresh and popular products from a Kroger Customer Fulfillment Center (CFC) in Dallas to multiple retail locations. These industry-leading autonomous trucks are equipped with a cold chain-capable 20-foot box designed to safely and efficiently transport ambient, refrigerated, and frozen goods. See also: Microsoft in Advanced Talks to Invest in…

China’s largest battery maker, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co (CATL), has delayed its plan to raise at least $5 billion in Swiss global depository receipts (GDR) due to concerns raised by Beijing regulators over the scale of the offering. Three individuals with direct knowledge of the matter stated that CATL had expected to receive approval from the Chinese securities regulator by the end of January, but the process is taking longer than expected. The delay comes a week after Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed mixed feelings about CATL’s status as the biggest player in the rapidly growing business of electric vehicles…

Japan’s industry minister, Yasutoshi Nishimura, announced on Tuesday that Japan and Canada are in discussions to collaborate on building strong supply chains for battery metals. According to Nishimura, a public-private mission led by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and consisting of 16 companies that work with batteries visited Canada last week for talks on building sustainable and resilient supply chains. Nishimura highlighted Canada’s abundance of battery metals and good market access to the United States, noting that “Canada is one of the most important countries for Japan when it comes to strengthening our supply chains of storage…

Canoo is one of the most promising electric vehicle startups on the market. The company plans to produce the Lifestyle Vehicle, an innovative new product that can serve as both a people-carrier and a delivery van. However, it is the delivery van variant that has really saved Canoo from going under. Last year, the company received substantial orders for its Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle (LDV) from major fleet customers such as Kingbee, Zeeba, and Walmart, totaling almost 17,000 units with the option for an additional 16,200. To meet the demand, Canoo has acquired a new vehicle manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City.…

As per numerous media reports, General Motors (GM) is reportedly set to announce a fresh partnership related to electric vehicle (EV) batteries with Samsung SDI. Unofficial sources indicate that the two companies may sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, March 8th. Earlier news revealed that the talks between GM and LG Energy Solution (LGES) regarding their fourth battery plant in the US stalled. GM and LGES have already initiated three Ultium Cells battery projects, with the first plant producing battery cells since 2022. See also: Samsung and Stellantis open up opportunities to build electric vehicle battery factories in…

Honda’s commercial vehicle division has introduced the third generation of its electric Autonomous Work Vehicle (AWV), providing an all-electric, fully autonomous flatbed truck that makes work on construction sites easier than ever before. While the Japanese automaker’s passenger electric cars may not have been as quick to market as some of its competitors, contractors now have an electric Honda that can carry all their heavy loads, building materials and anything else that’s required on a construction site. So what exactly is the AWV? Essentially, it’s an electric flatbed truck that carries heavy loads and materials around a construction site, and…

Tesla has reduced the prices of its Model S sedan and Model X SUV in the United States. This marks the second time that the electric vehicle manufacturer has slashed prices this year, a move that could potentially increase sales as the end of the quarter approaches. The Model S all-wheel drive is now retailing for $89,990, a reduction of about $5,000 or 5.2% from its original price of $94,990. Meanwhile, the Model S Plaid now costs $109,990, a decrease of 4.3% from its previous price of $114,990. See also: Tesla announces prices for new Model S and Model X…

Xiaomi’s foray into the automotive industry has been met with numerous challenges, but the tech giant’s CEO, Lei Jun, recently confirmed that the business is progressing at an impressive pace. In fact, the winter test of Xiaomi’s first car was completed successfully, and the team behind it is rapidly expanding, achieving tasks faster than anticipated. According to Lei Jun, the company is right on track with its plans, and mass production is expected to commence in the first half of 2024. To date, Xiaomi has already invested over $433 million in its automotive business and currently boasts a team of…

Battery technology start-up Addionics has announced the launch of its new state-of-the-art pilot line for the manufacture of its advanced Smart 3D Electrodes™. The company is dedicated to expanding its technological developments, with support from its partners, primarily for the automotive industry, including global leading automakers and tier 1 suppliers. The new site, inaugurated in February 2023, covers over 1,500 sq. ft and will serve as the company’s headquarters, in addition to its existing locations in the US, UK, and Germany. The facility features office space for over 50 employees, advanced laboratories, and a pilot line designed to accelerate the…

EVBox has recently announced the release of their latest AC charging station, EVBox Liviqo, which is set to be available for purchase in the summer of 2023. This new addition to the company’s product line is designed to facilitate the transition to electric mobility by providing commercial spaces, hospitality businesses, and workplaces with a simple and effective way to start and expand an EV charging offering. As electric vehicles gain popularity, public and semi-public destination charging at locations like supermarkets, hotels, and offices are becoming increasingly essential. Research by EVBox suggests that many EV drivers are looking for more charging…

AutoFlight, a Shanghai-based R&D specialist focused on autonomous flight and eVTOL technology, has achieved a new milestone on its path to certification for passenger flights by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) by 2025. The company’s 4th generation Prosperity I eVTOL has successfully completed the world’s longest flight, covering 250 km on a single charge, beating Joby Aviation’s previous record of 248 km achieved in 2021. AutoFlight’s achievement is a testament to the company’s progress in testing and pushing the aircraft’s performance envelope incrementally. The eVTOL is capable of achieving speeds over 200 km/h (124 mph) and offering all-electric range…

Farasis Energy, a Chinese battery manufacturer, is set to supply Na-ion battery packs for the EV3 small electric car of Jiangling Motors Electric Vehicle (JMEV), which is majority owned by Renault. Farasis Energy had announced plans for a new factory in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province in August last year, aiming to achieve a final annual capacity of 30 GWh. The company has now converted some ternary lithium battery production lines at the plant into sodium-ion battery production lines to meet JMEV’s requirements for mass production of the EV3 by June 30. The use of sodium-ion batteries in Chinese electric cars is…

Universal Hydrogen, a Los Angeles-based company, has successfully completed a 15-minute test flight of a prototype aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells, marking a significant milestone for zero-emission aviation. The test flight took place at Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington, and was conducted under an experimental airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft, a 40-passenger De Havilland Dash 8-300 turboprop, was converted to run on a hydrogen fuel cell system mounted on the right wing of the plane. The system includes a fuel cell built by Plug Power and a megawatt-class motor built by MagniX,…

Volkswagen’s IT company, Cariad, has recently launched an app store for its vehicles, marking a significant step in the automotive industry’s move towards creating a “smartphone on wheels.” The app store, designed as an open ecosystem, will allow in-car customers access to exclusive apps from Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, and other Group brands, as well as content from third-party providers. Partnering with Samsung company Harman, Cariad has created a scalable platform that enables developers to reach multiple brands and an estimated 40 million Volkswagen Group vehicles without additional customization. The store will offer essential and popular functions, such as music and…

Segway announced at the MWC 2023 that the Ninebot Gokart PRO is finally making its way to Europe. This latest addition to Segway’s product lineup offers an exhilarating driving experience with its impressive features. The Ninebot Gokart PRO packs a 4,900 W peak power motor that enables it to reach speeds of up to 40 kph (~64 mph). Segway claims that this power level exceeds that of a 150cc vehicle, providing up to 1.02 G acceleration and 96 Nm torque. However, beginners can start in Safety mode, limiting the speed to a safe 8 kph (~5 mph). See also: Segway…

Tesla has silently upgraded the suspension system in its China-made Model Y crossovers at its Shanghai plant, the company announced on Weibo. The upgrade has been in production for two months, and all Model Ys manufactured at the plant since January 1, 2023, are equipped with the optimized elastic and damping components in the suspension system. The improved suspension system reduces bumps at low speeds, resulting in a more stable ride at high speeds. The stiffness of the top of the shock absorbers has increased by 50 percent, while spring stiffness has been reduced, resulting in a smoother ride. Tesla…

Cenntro has announced the start of production of its LS400 and Metro trucks at its recently expanded assembly facility in Howell, NJ. The company is also excited to reveal the completion of its new assembly facility in Jacksonville, FL. The LS400 and Metro electric commercial trucks are now being assembled at the Howell facility, with a focus on meeting the demand in the Northeastern region of the United States. Cenntro’s expansion in Howell will provide a significant boost to the company’s production capacity, allowing for more vehicles to be assembled and delivered to customers in the region. See also: Cenntro…

Roam, a developer of electric vehicles (EVs), has teamed up with Hitachi to expand the use of electric transportation in Africa, specifically in Kenya. Through this collaboration, Hitachi’s expertise in EVs and fleet electrification will be utilized to increase the number of electric motorcycles and e-buses in the country. The partnership is made possible by The Earthshot Prize, which will also enable the exchange of international knowledge within the EV industry through its Fellowship Program. See also: Roam launches first electric bus in Kenya, capable of carrying 90 passengers Transportation accounts for approximately one-fifth of global emissions, making it a…