Author: Michael Khan

German electric scooter manufacturer Emco (Electro Mobility Company) has officially acquired the assets, sales, and service of the insolvent German electric scooter manufacturer Unu. Despite the takeover, the Unu brand will continue to exist, maintaining its presence in the market. Unu filed for bankruptcy in November 2023, citing reasons such as increased material and transport costs, higher operational costs, and a sharp drop in demand due to inflation. However, the company continued its business operations as part of the insolvency proceedings. With the acquisition, the insolvency proceedings have been concluded, and Emco is now named in the legal notice on…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and its parent company, Tata Motors, are poised to ramp up electric vehicle (EV) production in India, with plans for a new EV plant in Ranipet, Tamil Nadu. Reports from the Indian portal Autocar Professional indicate that the new plant will have an initial production capacity of at least 200,000 electric cars. Two-thirds of this capacity will be dedicated to JLR vehicles, with the remaining one-third allocated to Tata cars. The majority of JLR’s production is expected to be earmarked for export markets. “While we don’t comment on speculation, we can confirm that Tata Motors is…

MoEVing, an Indian logistics provider, is set to bolster its electric fleet with 2,500 units of Switch Mobility’s IeV4 electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs), following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two companies. Switch Mobility, the UK subsidiary of Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland, recently launched the IeV4, offering two versions of the eLCV. One version features a 25.6 kWh battery and a 40 kW powertrain, while the other boasts a 32.2 kWh battery and a powertrain delivering 60 kW. Both versions offer a range of 120 kilometers, with top speeds limited to 70 and 80 kph,…

Ionity has announced a surprising change in its top leadership. Michael Hajesch, the current CEO, will be leaving Ionity in mid-May. He will be succeeded by Jeroen van Tilburg, who previously oversaw the Tesla charging business in Europe. Jörg Hofmeister, Head of Charging & Energy at Ford Model e, representing the Ionity shareholders, expressed confidence in van Tilburg, stating, “With his experience in leading strategic initiatives, van Tilburg is well-positioned to propel IONITY into its next phase of growth and success.” Hofmeister also commended Hajesch for his contributions to Ionity, acknowledging his role in establishing Ionity as one of Europe’s…

CustomCells, a developer of high-quality lithium-ion battery cells based in Itzehoe, is seeking certification as a design and manufacturing organization by the European Aviation Union Safety Agency (EASA). The company aims to underscore its commitment to advancing the electrification of aviation. CustomCells stated that its mission is to facilitate a breakthrough in electrified flight. While the electrification of road transport is progressing steadily, a comparable technological shift in aviation has yet to occur. Working with customers such as Lilium, CustomCells is leading the charge towards environmentally friendly, battery-electric drive systems, with the goal of enabling sustainable and climate-neutral aviation. Obtaining…

MAN Truck & Bus has expanded its electric truck lineup with new 4×2 and 6×2 chassis variants, offering customers a wider range of configurable options. This expansion increases the number of configurable eTruck variants from three to “over one million”, according to the Munich-based manufacturer. The MAN eTruck, available to order since October 2023, is offered in two basic variants: the eTGX for long-distance transport and the eTGS for distribution. Both models are based on the same modular system, with the eTGX featuring a wider cab similar to the TGX diesel model. The new chassis versions of the eTGX and…

Italian premium brand Alfa Romeo unveiled its first fully electric vehicle (EV), the Milano sport compact, on Wednesday, expanding its current range into a smaller-size segment. Named after the northern Italian city of Milan, where Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910, the Milano EV is equipped with a 54 KWh battery, providing its basic version with a range of 410 kilometers, according to the Stellantis-owned carmaker. The Milano EV is priced from 39,500 euros ($42,880), before government purchase incentives, and will also be available as a hybrid, starting at 29,900 euros. Orders are now open for the “Milano Speciale” launch…

Consumers in the U.S. market now have the opportunity to purchase the Toyota bZ4X and Volkswagen ID.4 all-electric crossovers at compelling discounts, potentially making these vehicles more enticing options in the EV segment. However, the impact of these discounts on sales remains to be seen. For the 2024 Toyota bZ4X, residents in New York can lease one for $299 per month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing and an allowance of 10,000 miles per year. Additionally, a lease cash deal offers a 1.99% APR for up to 72 months, along with $2,500 in TFS APR Cash, totaling a…

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have announced plans to jointly establish 5,000 new EV charging stations across India by December 2024. This partnership aims to leverage HPCL’s extensive network of petrol stations, which currently stands at over 21,500 locations, to facilitate the expansion of EV infrastructure in the country. HPCL already operates 3,050 EV charging and battery swapping stations across India, making it a key player in the country’s EV ecosystem. The cooperation between Tata Motors and HPCL seeks to encourage more people to adopt electric vehicles by providing convenient access to charging infrastructure.…

EV technology startup REE Automotive has achieved a significant milestone, obtaining two separate certifications from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its P7-C chassis cab. This achievement now makes REE’s “Powered by REE” EVs eligible for substantial incentives in California, with other CARB-friendly states expected to follow suit. The CARB certifications mark a crucial step for REE Automotive ($REE), affirming the progress of its innovative “x by wire” P7-C EV as it progresses towards widespread commercial deployment. Just two years ago at CES, REE Automotive unveiled its modular P7 platform, specifically designed for fleet applications, especially delivery operators in…

Switzerland is making strides in sustainable winter sports with the testing of its first fully electric snow groomer in the Flumserberg ski resort in the canton of St. Gallen. The electric snow groomer, manufactured by Italian company Prinoth, has been undergoing rigorous testing since December 2023, showcasing its potential to revolutionize snow grooming operations. The project is a collaboration between Bergbahnen Flumserberg, Prinoth, and Swiss eMobility specialist Designwerk, which provides a mobile charging station capable of charging the electric snow groomer in just under two hours. “The experience with the Prinoth Husky E-Motion and the fast charging station has so…

Solaris, an European bus manufacturer, has secured significant orders for its hydrogen-powered buses, signaling a growing interest in zero-emission public transport solutions across Europe. In Germany, the public transport operator Regionalverkehr Köln (RVK) has placed an order for 20 new fuel cell buses from Solaris, scheduled for delivery by the end of April 2025. This order includes a mix of nine Urbino 12 Hydrogen solo buses and eleven Urbino 18 Hydrogen articulated buses, marking a significant step towards sustainable mobility in Cologne. See also: Solaris Wins Contract for Twelve Electric Buses in Warsaw The procurement is part of a larger initiative…

India has announced a policy shift to reduce import taxes on certain electric vehicles for companies committing to invest at least $500 million and establishing a local manufacturing facility within three years. This move could potentially facilitate Tesla’s entry into the South Asian market. Under the new policy, companies must invest a minimum of $500 million in the country and set up local manufacturing for electric vehicles (EVs) with at least 25% of components sourced domestically. Firms meeting these requirements will be allowed to import 8,000 EVs a year at a reduced import duty of 15% on cars costing $35,000…

Daimler Truck North America has marked a significant milestone with the delivery of its inaugural batch of battery-electric Freightliner eM2 trucks to a reputable trucking company based in New York. The series production of these medium-duty electric trucks commenced at the close of 2023 and is poised to make waves in the industry. PITT OHIO, headquartered in Latham, New York, has emerged as the trailblazer, being the first company to integrate Daimler’s eM2 into its fleet. The company has acquired two Class 7 electric trucks that will be stationed at PITT OHIO’s Cleveland, Ohio, terminal, reinforcing its Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight…

Mitsubishi Fuso Bus and Truck Corporation, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, has unveiled its latest electric box truck, the next-generation eCanter, in Hong Kong. This launch marks the first release of the new Fuso model in the Asian market outside of Japan, signaling the company’s commitment to expanding its electric vehicle offerings globally. While Mitsubishi Fuso withdrew from the US market in 2020, it has maintained a strong presence in Europe, Indonesia, Taiwan, and New Zealand. The company’s reputation for quality and innovation is exemplified in the new eCanter model, which is poised to continue its success in these regions.…

As anticipation mounted for Rivian’s public unveiling of the R2, its new smaller electric SUV, the event took an unexpected turn with the debut of another upcoming model: the R3. Described by Rivian as its “take on what a crossover can be,” the R3 is set to be smaller and offered at a lower MSRP than the R2. The introduction of the R3 comes as a surprise, as much of the recent focus had been on the R2, Rivian’s follow-up to its flagship R1S SUV. The R2 was officially unveiled in Southern California, confirming some details that had been speculated…

Researchers at Fraunhofer IPA and the Black Forest Campus have collaborated with industrial partners in the “H2FastCell” project to develop a robot duo capable of stacking fuel cells in seconds, aiming to revolutionize fuel cell manufacturing processes. The automation of fuel cell stack manufacturing is seen as crucial for reducing the cost of fuel cell systems, with Erwin Groß from Fraunhofer IPA emphasizing, “If fuel cells are to replace combustion engines in heavy-duty transport, they must be mass-produced on an industrial scale, largely automated and correspondingly cost-effective.” The project’s automation solution, presented by the research team, involves a robot duo…

Tata Motors revealed plans to divide into two separate listed entities, with one dedicated to commercial vehicles and the other to passenger cars, including its electric vehicle (EV) business and subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). This strategic move aims to enhance growth prospects and operational agility for each business segment. “This demerger is a logical progression of our strategy. We have already separated the operations of our commercial and passenger vehicle businesses in 2021, each with its own CEO,” Tata Motors stated. See also: Tata’s Agratas Chooses Gravity Smart Campus for UK’s First Battery Cell Factory The company emphasized the significant…

Nissan announced a significant price reduction for its 2024 Ariya electric SUV. The move, effective immediately, sees the starting price for the Ariya drop to $39,995, making it more accessible to a wider range of consumers. The decision comes as Nissan aims to capitalize on the growing demand for EVs in the United States. Sales of the Ariya have been strong, with 3,765 units sold in the fourth quarter of 2023 alone, bringing the total number of Ariya SUVs handed over to customers last year to 13,464. This marks a substantial increase compared to the company’s decade-old LEAF electric hatchback,…

Xos, a California-based manufacturer of electric utility vehicles, has announced that Mission Linen Supply has placed an order for twelve SV Stepvans for delivering clean linen and uniforms. The company considers these vehicles well-suited for parcel delivery and linen services, expanding the use case options for the Xos SV platform. According to Xos, Mission Linen Supply’s order will include some of the first 22′ body step vans from the company, further diversifying the applications of the Xos SV platform. This order follows a trend, as Alsco Uniforms reportedly ordered 30 electric vans for its laundry processing facilities in 2022 and…