Author: Michael Khan

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…

Godawari has unveiled the EBLU Feo electric scooter, featuring impressive specifications and a wallet-friendly price tag. Positioned as a competitor to Ola in the Indian e-scooter market, the EBLU Feo aims to disrupt the status quo. The EBLU Feo boasts a remarkable range of 260km and a top speed of 60km/h, powered by a 4.8kWh Lithium-ion battery. This range surpasses even Ola Electric’s premium models like the S1 Pro, which offers a peak range of 181km. With a 3,600Wh motor generating a maximum torque of 110Nm, the scooter is capable of handling hilly terrains and inclines with ease. See also: Quantum…

Servotech Power Systems, a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, has announced the acquisition of a substantial order for nearly 1,500 DC fast EV chargers from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). This marks the third significant order in just weeks from an Indian petrol retailer. Earlier, the company finalized a similar agreement with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in late January, committing to deliver 1,800 chargers. This was swiftly followed by another contract with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) in February. See also: Servotech Power Systems and Lloyd Institute of Engineering Collaborate on EV Charging Research and Training The…

Indian e-scooter provider Quantum Energy has teamed up with Battery Smart, the country’s leading battery-swapping network for Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs). While largely unknown outside India due to its focus on electric two- and three-wheelers, Quantum’s partnership with Battery Smart aims to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) landscape in the country. Battery Smart boasts an impressive track record, claiming over 30 million battery swaps at nearly a thousand stations, serving approximately 55,000 EV drivers. The network, which installed its first swapping hub in 2020, operates in 25 cities across India, though specific locations remain undisclosed. Battery Smart’s model revolves around…

German electric aerial taxi developer Volocopter has received an extension to its Production Organisation Approval from the German Federal Aviation Authority (LBA), paving the way for series production of the VoloCity. Volocopter becomes the first and only eVTOL company globally to hold both “Design Organisation Approval (DOA) and POA.” The Production Organisation Approval extension covers both Volocopter production sites and the hangar in Bruchsal, officially opened in April 2023. See also: Volocopter Completes Production Line for Electric Air Taxis in Germany https://cdn.volocopter.com/videos/vnrac6vfvrab/4KsRb55b4wGFEMsOnd1qjx/2598eb74fc1b805576688faa86cfcf74/24_08_volocopter_hangar_grade_2_final_motion__720p_.mp4 Since 2021, Volocopter has been certified as a manufacturing company under EASA guidelines by the German Federal Aviation Authority.…