Author: Michael Khan

The road to fully autonomous vehicles on our streets may still be years away, but startups focusing on self-driving technology in closed-campus environments are making headway in building the technology on a smaller scale. Venti Technologies, a startup that focuses on autonomous vehicles for industrial supply chain businesses, has raised $28.8 million in a Series A funding round. The startup plans to use the funds to continue building its software, partner with third parties for hardware, and secure more deals. Venti’s target customer is the range of supply chain businesses that operate across warehouses, ports, and other shipping and logistics…

Rock Tech Lithium has announced that it has broken ground on its lithium plant in Guben, Brandenburg. The German-Canadian raw materials company is constructing a converter plant that will produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide for use in electromobility. The Guben converter is expected to go into operation in mid-2025, with qualified battery-grade lithium hydroxide being produced from 2026. The converter in Guben is the first of five planned by Rock Tech Lithium in Europe and North America. The company recently received the first partial permit and will now proceed as planned with testing work for the concrete piles and ground preparation.…

South Korean multinational electronics company LG Energy Solution (LGES) has announced that its battery factory in Arizona will be significantly larger than previously communicated. The facility will have an annual capacity of 27 GWh for round cells, more than double what was initially planned. Additionally, LGES will construct a second production facility on the same site for LFP pouch cells for stationary energy storage systems, with an annual capacity of 16 GWh. This marks the “largest single investment ever for a stand-alone battery manufacturing facility in North America,” according to LGES, with the company investing approximately $5.5 billion in the…

Dodge enthusiasts, gearheads, and anyone who loves a good old-fashioned muscle car can now rejoice as the automaker has just unveiled the newest addition to its lineup – the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. CEO Tim Kuniskis himself introduced the car, calling it a “mouthful and a monster all in one.” But in addition to showcasing the latest in American muscle, Kuniskis also hinted at what’s to come for the future of Dodge. During the debut party for the Demon 170 in Las Vegas, Kuniskis spoke about the direction of the company, saying, “While everyone else is going to…

Vietnam-based carmaker VinFast has announced the delivery of its new electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to local customers this week. The company has expressed its plans to export the first batch of VF9 to overseas markets in the next few months. VinFast was founded in 2019, and since then, it has been preparing to expand in the United States with two electric SUV models that will compete with traditional automakers. “VinFast expects to export the first batch of VF9 to international markets in the coming months,” the company said in a statement, although no specific timeline was provided for deliveries…

Nicolai Bikes, a reputable German bicycle manufacturer with over 25 years of experience in developing high-performance bikes, has announced a new addition to its electric bicycle lineup for 2023: the GT1 Eboxx. The bike is a sleek and rugged electric mountain bike that has been upgraded with an innovative internal gear hub, providing an exceptional riding experience both on and off the road. What sets the GT1 Eboxx apart from its mainstream counterparts is its reliance on a streamlined yet efficient internal gear hub called the Nine 3×3, developed by German company H+B Hightech. This state-of-the-art geared hub offers a…

Albemarle Corp, one of the largest lithium producers globally, has announced plans to build a new lithium processing facility in Chester County, South Carolina. With an initial investment of $1.3 billion, the plant is expected to have an annual capacity of 50,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide, potentially expanding to 100,000 metric tons. The facility, dubbed “Mega-Flex”, will be capable of processing different types of lithium feedstock, including from recycled batteries, and is expected to create over 300 new jobs and 1,500 construction jobs. The new facility is part of Albemarle’s efforts to support the rapidly growing demand for…

Isuzu Motors has unveiled the seventh generation of its N-Series truck, also known as the Elf in Japan, which includes significant upgrades such as advanced safety features not seen before in a Japanese light-duty truck, and an electric version that marks a first for the automaker. Design-wise, the Elf has taken inspiration from its passenger truck cousin, the Isuzu D-Max, with a similar grille, and vertical headlights that mimic the brand’s twin-bar logo. The interior has also been updated, with a focus on driver comfort and fatigue mitigation. See also: Isuzu and Cummins ready to develop electric battery-based medium truck…

PoGo, the British charging network operator, has announced a new partnership with Kew Green Hotels to construct 40 charging hubs across hotel brands including Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Voco, and Courtyard by Marriott. The collaboration will see the installation of 200 charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) at 40 hotels operated by Kew Green Hotels, with a mix of 200kW HPC chargers and AC outlets for overnight charging per site. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2023 and conclude by the end of the year, with all charging power sourced exclusively from renewable sources. The partnership…

Jekta Switzerland SA, a Switzerland-based aircraft manufacturer, is currently in the process of developing an electric passenger hydro aircraft, also known as a seaplane. The company has revealed that this new aircraft, called the PHA-ZE 100, will be capable of flying almost 100 miles on a single charge, and will be able to accommodate up to 19 passengers and three crew members. The PHA-ZE 100 was first unveiled at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo last year and has been designed to generate zero emissions. With ten motors and an electric propulsion system, the aircraft is expected to supply 180 kW…

Hexagon Purus, a manufacturer of zero-emission mobility and infrastructure solutions, has signed a distribution agreement with Hino Motors Sales U.S.A to produce complete battery-electric heavy-duty trucks for the US market, exclusively sold through select dealers in Hino’s network. The vehicles will be based on Hino’s XL 4×2 truck chassis and upfitted with Hexagon Purus’ proprietary zero-emission technology, including battery systems, auxiliary modules, power modules, and vehicle-level software. The deal allows for up to 10,000 deliveries of these electric trucks by 2030. The vehicles will be compliant with the Advanced Clean Truck regulation in California, which requires all truck manufacturers and…

Chinese power battery giant, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), has achieved mass production of its Qilin Battery. The Qilin Battery boasts a 13% higher capacity than 4680 batteries in the same volume, according to local media outlet, The Paper. CATL officially unveiled its highly anticipated CTP (cell to pack) 3.0 Qilin Battery on June 23, 2022, which it claims brings battery system integration to a new level. With the same chemistry system and the same pack size, the Qilin Battery delivers 13% more power compared to 4680 batteries, achieving an overall improvement in range, fast charging, safety, life, efficiency,…

Lucid, the luxury electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced the official opening of its latest Studio location in Corte Madera, California. This new opening marks a significant milestone for the company, as it brings the total number of Lucid Studio and service center locations in North America to 35, and globally to 40. Zak Edson, Vice President of Sales and Service at Lucid Group, said, “We have been eager to open a location in the North Bay, an area known for its expansive natural beauty and commitment to acting on climate change. We look forward to welcoming the residents of the…

Blink Charging, a leading provider of electric vehicle charging stations, has announced the release of its new and improved mobile charger. The freestanding charger is specifically designed to provide emergency charging for stranded electric vehicles, addressing the needs of EV fleet operators, roadside assistance providers, insurance companies, auto manufacturers, and public roadway assistance programs. The Blink mobile charger boasts a rating of 32 amps and can charge an electric vehicle at a rate of 0.5 to 1 mile of range per minute. This feature enables a stranded vehicle to receive adequate charge to drive to the nearest EV charging station…

Himiway, the popular e-bike manufacturer, has recently unveiled their latest models for 2023: the Himiway Pony, Himiway Rambler and Himiway Rhino. The company claims that these new models offer enhanced battery life and longer range as compared to their previous models. The Himiway Pony is a lightweight and portable mini e-bike, weighing just around 33 lbs (~15 kg) and can carry payloads of up to 240 lbs (~109 kg). With a 300 W motor, the bike can assist you at speeds of up to 16 mph (~26 kph) for a range of 20 miles (~32 km). It is ideal for…

Bryan Salesky and Pete Rander, the founders of Argo AI, a failed self-driving tech company, are embarking on a new venture. The duo, who have extensive experience in the autonomous vehicle (AV) industry, are looking to make a comeback with a start-up that will focus on ride-hailing and trucking. Despite the challenges that have plagued the AV industry, Salesky and Rander have already secured investment for their new venture. While the backer has not been identified, reports suggest that it is not an automaker. With nearly 50 employees already on board, the start-up will be based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which…

Kia, the South Korean automaker, has reported impressive growth in its global vehicle sales in February 2023, with a year-over-year increase of almost 15 percent to 254,027 units. The company’s total vehicle sales this year have also seen significant growth, with over 485,000 vehicles sold, representing a nearly 12 percent increase over the same period last year. In addition to strong overall sales, Kia has also seen an expansion in sales of its E-GMP-based all-electric cars. The all-electric Kia EV6, in particular, has seen a significant increase in wholesale sales, with 8,824 units sold last month. This represents a 30…

The Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) has embarked on a groundbreaking new project, EMPOWER, to develop two zero-emission 40-ton trucks in collaboration with 13 partners across Europe. The €18 million project, which stands for Eco-operated, Modular, and Flexible Multi-POWERtrain for Long-Haul Heavy-Duty Vehicles, was launched at AIT’s headquarters in Vienna, with representatives from all partners in attendance. EMPOWER’s goal is to create two heavy-duty electric vehicles with a range of 750 km powered by hydrogen and a range of 400 km powered solely by a battery. These vehicles will be tested in five long-haul and regional distribution use cases, including…

South Korean automaker SsangYong Motor has released the first official images of its highly-anticipated electric SUV, the Torres EVX. The vehicle is set to debut at the upcoming 2023 Seoul Mobility Show, alongside a plethora of other concept and production vehicles. Previously known as the U100 project, the Torres EVX’s name is a combination of “EV” (electric vehicle) and “X” (extreme), emphasizing the model’s adventurous character. The EVX boasts a redesigned front end, featuring a slim LED daytime running light bar in place of the traditional grille found on its combustion engine-powered counterpart. See also: SsangYong solves the financial problem,…

Luxury automaker Genesis has announced that its entire electric vehicle lineup will be sold at all Genesis dealerships. The company aims to achieve this goal well before it goes completely battery-electric by 2030. The statement was made during the launch of the brand’s first all-electric vehicle, the Genesis Electrified GV70. Jarred Pellat, Senior Manager for PR and Communications of Genesis North America, stated that the expansion of Genesis’ EV sales is carefully planned to ensure product availability. The company is making sure that dealers are fully onboard and going through the EV certification process. Pellat confirmed that Genesis EVs will…