Author: Michael Khan

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…