Author: Miguel Garcia

Porsche has pushed back the launch of its all-electric 718 Boxster and Cayman by two years, citing issues with battery cell supply following the insolvency of Swedish battery maker Northvolt. “With the electric model series in the 718 segment, we too cannot avoid the issue of the availability of high-performance cells,” Porsche and Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume told Automobilwoche. The electric 718, initially planned for a 2025 debut, will now follow the all-electric Cayenne, which is scheduled for 2026. See also: Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Sets Fourth Lap Record, Conquers Interlagos Circuit Porsche had relied on Northvolt for high-energy-density…

Toyota and EVgo have inaugurated their first co-branded fast-charging station in California, marking a step toward improving access to high-speed EV charging. The new DC fast-charging station, equipped with 350kW chargers, was launched on Monday in Baldwin Park and Sacramento as part of Toyota’s broader “Empact” initiative, which aims to expand charging infrastructure in underserved communities. See also: Toyota’s Cheapest EV Yet? bZ3X SUV Launches in China from $15,150 “Together with EVgo, we are supporting broader access to charging infrastructure for all battery EV drivers, including those driving Toyota and Lexus BEVs,” said James George, General Manager of EV Charging…

Ford has issued a recall for 234 Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs from the 2021-2022 model years in the United States after discovering that some vehicles did not receive a necessary software update, despite being marked as repaired. The update was originally intended to address a potential risk of power loss due to an overheating battery contactor, the company said. The recall relates to Ford’s 2022 Safety Recall 22S41 (NHTSA recall number 24V-412), which sought to fix a defect in the high-voltage battery main contactors. Under heavy acceleration or DC fast charging, these components could overheat, potentially causing them to weld…

HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management is contributing to the European research initiative SAFELOOP, which seeks to develop a new generation of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) that are safer, more sustainable, and higher performing for electric vehicles, the institution said on Saturday. The project aims to improve LIB safety, sustainability, lifespan, and performance at a European gigafactory scale. Specific targets include a 15% increase in cycle stability by 2030 and a doubling of operating life compared to 2019. It also emphasizes the use of recycled materials from closed supply chains to enhance sustainability. SAFELOOP brings together 15 academic and industrial partners…

Siemens and Mennekes have entered into a partnership aimed at streamlining the planning of electric vehicle charging infrastructure by integrating charging station data into Siemens’ Simaris ecosystem. Mennekes will become the first external partner in the Simaris platform, the companies said in a statement on Wednesday. Siemens’ Simaris planning tools help electrical planners design power distribution networks and determine necessary components such as distribution boards. The collaboration will incorporate Mennekes’ charging stations into these tools, making it easier for engineers and developers to plan charging infrastructure ahead of installation. See also: Siemens eMobility Secures Major EV Charging Projects in Italy…

A new European Union-backed initiative, BeyondBattRec, has brought together twelve partners under the leadership of Denmark’s Aalborg University to advance battery recycling technologies. The project seeks to recover 95% of critical metals such as cobalt, nickel, and copper while also improving industrial scalability. Launched at the end of 2024, BeyondBattRec will run for four years until 2028, aiming to reuse over 70% of battery weight, cut CO2 emissions by 50%, and recover 95% of non-metallic components. While electric vehicle (EV) batteries have high theoretical recycling potential, current recycling rates remain low, with only 12% of battery materials recovered globally. See…

Automaker Stellantis expressed support for the European Commission’s decision to extend the compliance period for new carbon dioxide (CO2) emission targets, calling it a “meaningful step in the right direction” to balance industry competitiveness with climate commitments. The Commission announced on Monday that automakers would have three years—2025 to 2027—rather than a single year to meet the EU’s revised CO2 emissions targets. The move follows pressure from European automakers concerned about the pace of regulatory changes. See also: Stellantis Nominates Two New Board Members, Proposes Re-Election of Five Others “Stellantis welcomes the announcements made yesterday by Commission President von der…

Kia is recalling 342 units of its 2025 EV9 electric SUV in the United States due to a welding defect in the rear gear drive unit motor shaft, which could lead to reduced acceleration and motive power. According to a safety recall report, the issue affects dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants of the EV9, built at Kia’s Georgia plant between October and December 2023. See also: Everything You Should Know About Kia EV9 The problem stems from a supplier welding error, which may cause the motor shaft inside the rear gear drive unit to sustain damage. Affected vehicles may display warning signs…

Bedford Borough Council has opened a tender for the installation and operation of at least 256 new electric vehicle (EV) charge points, backed by over £1 million in government funding. The contract is expected to be awarded by summer 2025. The council is inviting charge point operators to bid for a share of £1,010,000 secured from the UK government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) initiative. The selected operators will be required to match the grant funding with private investment and install charging facilities in key locations across the borough through 2040. See also: Ionity Opens Largest UK Charging Hub at…

IM Motors, the electric vehicle subsidiary of SAIC Motor Corp, has shipped its first batch of LS6 electric SUVs to Thailand, marking its latest step in global expansion efforts, the company announced on Weibo on Monday. The LS6, which will be rebranded as the IM6 in Thailand, is set to make its official market debut at the Thailand Auto Show on March 24. A report from Chinese automotive news outlet Yiche suggests that the LS6 will be sold under SAIC’s MG brand as the MG IM6, though IM Motors has not confirmed the branding change in its official statements. See…

Scout Motors is progressing with the construction of its electric vehicle production facility in Blythewood, South Carolina, as part of a $2 billion investment aimed at expanding manufacturing capabilities.  The 1,100-acre site is expected to generate over 4,000 jobs and produce up to 200,000 vehicles annually, according to the company. A recent milestone was marked with the groundbreaking of the Scout Motors Drive Interchange Project, a new connection to Interstate 77 intended to facilitate truck traffic and regional development. See also: Scout Motors Faces Legal Battle Over Direct-to-Consumer EV Sales Model “We are excited to begin the construction phase of…

Leapmotor, the Chinese electric vehicle brand partnered with Stellantis through the Leapmotor International joint venture, has rapidly expanded its footprint in Europe, reaching 450 sales outlets across 14 countries since its market entry in September 2024. The company is now raising its annual target to 600 outlets, up from the initial 500. With the majority of its sales points integrated into Stellantis’ dealer network—alongside brands such as Fiat, Opel, and Peugeot—Leapmotor has delivered over 1,500 vehicles to European customers. In Germany, the company recorded nearly 180 new registrations in the final quarter of 2024 and another 155 in January 2025.…