Author: Andy Williams

Swedish electric car manufacturer, Polestar, has unveiled an updated version of its flagship model, the Polestar 2, set to hit showrooms for the 2024 model year. The new iteration boasts an increased range and faster charging capabilities, in addition to additional standard equipment. The sleek five-door, five-seat fastback, which made its debut in 2020, is currently the only vehicle offered by Polestar. However, the brand has plans to expand its electric lineup with the impending release of the Polestar 3 in 2023, and future models such as the Polestar 6 roadster, expected to arrive in 2026. Polestar has undergone significant…

The Volvo Group Venture Capital AB has announced an investment in the autonomous trucking technology company Waabi. The Canadian start-up is developing next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) technology to solve autonomy at scale. Recently, Waabi unveiled its core autonomous trucking solution, the Waabi Driver, designed for large-scale commercialization and safe deployment. This solution is complemented by Waabi World, a scalable high-quality simulator, which exposes the Waabi Driver to a vast diversity of scenarios to hone its driving skills and pave the way for widespread adoption of autonomous trucking. Martin Witt, President of Volvo Group Venture Capital, said, “The company Waabi is…

Battery cell manufacturer SK On has teamed up with US graphite processor Urbix to develop anode materials for its batteries. The South Korean company is looking to secure its US supply chain with innovative materials. Should the partnership with Urbix prove successful, SK On may pave the way for establishing an anode supply chain in North America. Additionally, the Korean firm has expressed interest in securing subsidies under the US government’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which requires materials to be sourced primarily in the US for electric vehicles to be eligible for federal subsidies. SK On has yet to reveal…

Rivian and Clearloop will unveil a new electric vehicle (EV) charging site, Waypoints, in Paris, Tennessee. The event follows the previously announced partnership between the two companies to support the development of one megawatt (MW) of the Paris Solar Farm project, which is developed, owned, and operated by Clearloop’s parent company, Silicon Ranch. The Waypoints chargers will be powered by 100% carbon-free renewable energy. The companies share a common approach of utilizing emissionality to determine where new solar generation can displace the most carbon, in order to expand access to clean energy in the communities that can benefit the most.…

BP Pulse, the electric vehicle charging unit of British Petroleum, has placed a significant order for charging stations from Tritium Charging. The order, which is Tritium’s largest to date, will see the installation of chargers in the United States, Europe, and Australia under the BP Pulse brand. The specifics of the order have not been disclosed, but Tritium has stated that it is part of a multi-year contract that was announced in April 2022. The contract will see Tritium supply BP Pulse with a combination of 50 kW RTM and 150 kW PKM chargers. Tritium describes the 50 kW RTM…

French performance car brand, Alpine, delivered a mere 3,546 vehicles in 2022, all of them being various versions of the A110 sports car. However, the company has ambitious plans to significantly increase its production volumes in the upcoming decade. This includes the launch of a redesigned electric A110, as well as four additional EV model lines. Alpine plans to introduce a compact crossover and a hot hatch by 2025, followed by the redesigned A110 in 2026. In 2027 and 2028, the company will unveil two SUVs in the same segments as Porsche’s Macan and Cayenne models. These larger SUVs have…

At the CES in Las Vegas, Volkswagen displayed the ID.7 sedan, highlighting its key features and innovations, including the intelligent climate control system. According to Volkswagen, the smart air conditioning in the ID.7 will be the best in its class and the most advanced on the market. One of the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) is that they don’t need time to warm up during winter, allowing the air conditioner to start heating the car instantly. Volkswagen goes even further with the ID.7 – the cabin will begin to be conditioned as soon as the key is near the vehicle.…

Stellantis and Finnish mining company Terrafame have entered into a supply agreement for nickel sulfate to be used in electric car batteries. Beginning in 2025, Terrafame will provide Stellantis with the nickel sulfate for a five-year period, though the exact quantity has not been announced. Terrafame, which already supplies nickel to Renault, operates one of the largest battery chemistry plants for EVs in Finland and boasts a fully integrated production process from its own mine to refining battery-grade materials, allowing for traceable production and minimal CO2 emissions. “Cooperation with industry leaders such as Stellantis fortifies the position of Terrafame as…

The year 2022 saw a historic milestone for the electric vehicle (EV) market, as sales reached a record 7.8 million units, making up 10% of global automotive sales. According to the Wall Street Journal, global EV sales saw a 68% increase in 2022 compared to the previous year. China, being the largest automotive market, also held the highest percentage of EV sales, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total. This means that around 20% of cars sold in China were fully electric. In Europe, the figure was slightly lower, with electric vehicles comprising 10% of new car sales, but increases…

Porsche, the German automaker, is reportedly in talks with Google, a Silicon Valley tech company, to potentially use their software for Porsche’s infotainment system. This follows Porsche ending their partnership with Volkswagen’s software development unit, Cariad, and searching for a new provider. Porsche has traditionally developed its own software for its vehicles, due to concerns over data use and privacy. However, recent reports indicate that Porsche is now in talks with Apple to use their infotainment system. This is a change from their usual approach. But, given that Porsche 911 customers already have access to Google Maps and Google Assistant…

Chinese company BYD has begun shipping a batch of 304 electric trucks to the Adani Group in India. The BYD Q1R electric trucks, which will be used as terminal tractors, are being transported by sea to four Adani Group ports in India. The Adani Group has ordered a total of 400 BYD electric trucks, which are set to enter service later this year at ports in Ennore, Katupalli, Hazira, and Mundra. Five of the electric trucks have already arrived at the Katupalli port and have been put into operation. The Adani Group is an Indian multinational corporation known for its…

Volvo has announced new updates for its electric vehicle lineup, including longer range, increased power, faster charging, and the addition of rear-wheel drive options for the C40 and XC40 Recharge models. The company aims to have 100% electric vehicles by 2030, and to sell 50% electric vehicles by 2025. In 2022, Volvo sold 66,749 electric vehicles, a 159% increase from the previous year and its electric vehicle market share exceeded 10%. The all-wheel drive variant (P8) now features electric motors developed in-house. The previous setup had two e-motors with 204 PS (201 hp or 150 kW) output, but the new…