Author: Andy Williams

A European research consortium has launched the HyMetBat project to accelerate the shift from lithium-ion to more resource-efficient battery technologies such as sodium-ion, aiming to support developers and manufacturers with new analysis tools. The initiative, formally known as “Hybrid metrology for sustainable and low-carbon footprint battery materials,” brings together 30 partners under the leadership of Germany’s Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). The project has secured around €3.5 million in EU funding. “We want to provide manufacturers with tools to precisely analyse and specifically improve battery materials,” said project manager Burkhard Beckhoff from PTB. He added that the focus is on new measurement…

Helm.ai, a provider of autonomous driving AI software, has signed a multi-year joint development agreement with Honda Motor Co., Ltd. to accelerate the development of Honda’s next-generation self-driving capabilities, including its Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) system. The collaboration will focus on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for production consumer vehicles. Helm.ai will provide its full-stack AI software, including perception, real-time path prediction, and generative simulation models powered by its Deep Teaching™ technology, pre-trained on large-scale datasets and adaptable to Honda’s safety and performance requirements. https://twitter.com/helm_ai/status/1958221793657069624 Honda’s NOA system is a partially automated platform designed to assist drivers on highways and…

A research team at Georgia Institute of Technology has discovered that fast charging can improve the performance of zinc-ion batteries, a finding that challenges conventional assumptions about battery degradation, the researchers said. Led by Hailong Chen, an associate professor in Georgia Tech’s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, the team found that higher charging rates suppressed the formation of dendrites—needle-like metal spikes that can short-circuit batteries—allowing zinc to stack into smooth, dense layers. “We found that using faster charging actually suppressed dendrite formation instead of accelerating it,” Chen said. Zinc-ion batteries are considered a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries…

Orbis Electric, a California-based electric motor specialist, has unveiled its new HaloDrive axial flux motor, designed for use in both commercial and passenger electric vehicles. The modular, four-part motor is engineered to deliver high torque and power density while improving thermal stability and overall efficiency. According to Orbis, the HaloDrive offers a torque density of 100 Nm/kg, surpassing many conventional radial and axial flux motors, and provides efficiency of 97 percent. The company also highlights cost advantages, stating the motor can reduce drivetrain costs by up to 35 percent compared with widely used radial flux designs. The compact design of…

Archer Aviation said on Monday that its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft completed its longest piloted flight to date, covering 55 miles over 31 minutes as the company advances toward commercial operations. The flight tested the aircraft’s conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) capabilities, though the Midnight eVTOL is capable of both vertical and conventional takeoffs. Archer previously began piloted test flights in June, when the aircraft reached a top speed of 125 mph and a maximum altitude of 1,500 feet above ground level. “I was proud to be on the tarmac with the team for this flight.…

DHL Supply Chain has introduced Africa’s first electric Superlink truck in South Africa, partnering with Unilever and Volvo Trucks to explore the viability of heavy-duty electric vehicles in the region. The fully electric Volvo FMX 6X4 tractor, paired with an 18-metre curtain-sided Superlink double trailer, began operations on August 1, 2025, on standard logistics routes. The trial uses charging infrastructure provided by Aeversa at Unilever facilities, with DHL aiming to transition to renewable energy for future deployments. Data from the electric truck will be benchmarked against DHL’s existing Euro 5 diesel fleet. Bremer Pauw, Managing Director of DHL Supply Chain…

Rivian’s one-of-one R1S Quad Pebble Beach Edition electric SUV sold for $175,000 at the Broad Arrow Monterey Jet Center auction during Monterey Car Week, exceeding its initial estimate by $45,000. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to WaterAid and #TeamWater charities. The specially created R1S Pebble Beach Edition features a bespoke Monterey Silver exterior intended to evoke early morning light on Pacific waves, complemented by Laguna Beach Blue brake calipers, painted cladding, custom-forged 22-inch wheels, and teal-outlined Rivian badging. https://twitter.com/Rivian/status/1956112169986044345 The interior continues the coastal theme with Pebble Stone-inspired Adventex upholstery, textured wood trim, and gradient-colored speaker grilles and…

Tesla is providing lifetime free Supercharging on all Model 3 inventory units in Canada, expanding its sales incentives as the company pushes to strengthen deliveries in the third quarter. The offer applies not only to Superchargers located within Canada but also extends to stations across the United States, allowing Canadian owners to charge at no cost when traveling south of the border. The incentive comes as Tesla faces a key sales period in both Canada and the United States. In the U.S., the company is approaching the end of the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit for certain models and…

HITRANS has received more than £3 million in funding to expand public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across north-west Scotland, including Argyll and Bute, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. The initiative targets rural and island communities with limited access to EV facilities. The latest award comes from the £30 million Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF), which seeks to combine public support with private sector investment, particularly in less commercially viable areas. The project is part of a wider plan to deliver 24,000 additional public charge points by 2030, with much of the rollout expected to be led by private…

Opel is expanding its electric vehicle lineup with the Grandland Electric AWD, a new all-wheel-drive SUV aimed at customers seeking higher performance and towing capability. The Grandland Electric AWD is powered by dual electric motors, one on each axle, producing a combined output of 239 kW (325 hp) and 509 Nm of torque. The SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. Drivers can select from four driving modes – Normal, Eco, Sport, and 4WD – allowing the vehicle to adapt for efficiency, performance, or traction on slippery surfaces. See also: Opel Previews New Electric Performance Concept…

The City of Lucerne will develop around 30 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging locations by 2035 as part of its “Renewable Drives in Mobility” strategy, aimed at filling infrastructure gaps for residents without access to private or workplace charging. The plan focuses on neighbourhood-based charging for an estimated quarter of EV users who will not be able to charge at home or work by 2035. Under the scheme, third-party operators will receive concessions to install and manage chargers on public land, while the city will provide grid connections and basic infrastructure at a cost of CHF 960,000. These costs will…

Apple has added a new feature to its Maps app that enables users to initiate electric vehicle charging sessions directly at participating stations, following a partnership with German data service provider Cirrantic. The integration of Cirrantic’s Charging Wallet is intended to simplify the process of locating, comparing, and paying for charging services without the need for additional apps or registrations. The Charging Wallet consolidates available payment options at each charging station, including ad hoc tariffs, roaming prices from registered providers, and subscription-based rates. Users can compare these prices in real time and choose the most cost-effective option. Payment methods such…