Author: Miguel Garcia

Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer EHang has signed a framework agreement with JAC Motors and Guoxian to establish a joint venture in Hefei, China, for the development of a production facility. The agreement follows EHang’s recent milestone in Europe, where it successfully completed the first unmanned urban eVTOL flight test in Spain. The new joint venture aims to build an advanced eVTOL manufacturing hub in Hefei, integrating automation and standardized production processes. The companies plan to collaborate on research and development, manufacturing, and sales, with a focus on advancing the low-altitude economy. “This initiative aims to foster…

The University of Michigan has announced plans to construct a new electric vehicle battery research laboratory, aiming to advance next-generation battery technologies and expand hands-on education. The facility will be located on the university’s Ann Arbor campus. The lab will be housed in a 25,000-square-foot expansion of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute building on North Campus. It will feature three battery laboratories, a substation, a battery cell testing facility, and various auxiliary support areas, the university said. See also: University of Córdoba Develops Sodium-Sulphur Battery with Over 2,000 Charge Cycles In addition, the university’s EV Center will open…

Iveco and Stellantis have signed a ten-year agreement to introduce two new fully electric vans, expanding Iveco’s commercial EV lineup. The vans, built on Stellantis’ platform for medium and large transporters, will be produced at Stellantis facilities in Italy, Poland, and France and marketed under the Iveco brand across Europe, including the UK. The launch is scheduled for mid-2026. Expanding Iveco’s Electric Van Portfolio The new models will join Iveco’s existing electric range, which includes the eDaily and the Hyundai-backed eMoovy chassis. They will feature gross vehicle weights of 2.8 to 4.25 tonnes, aligning them with Stellantis’ existing Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro,…

Wayve, a UK-based autonomous vehicle startup, is pushing forward with a strategy that emphasizes affordability, adaptability, and broad application across the automotive and robotics sectors. CEO Alex Kendall outlined the company’s approach at Nvidia’s GTC conference, highlighting an end-to-end data-driven learning model that eliminates the need for high-definition maps or rule-based software. The company, which has raised over $1.3 billion in the past two years, aims to license its self-driving software to automakers and fleet operators, including Uber. While no formal automotive partnerships have been announced, a Wayve spokesperson said the company is in “strong discussions” with multiple original equipment…

Northvolt’s bankruptcy trustee said on Friday that “significant” progress had been made in efforts to keep the Swedish electric vehicle battery maker operational while negotiations with potential buyers continue. Northvolt filed for bankruptcy in Sweden on March 12, marking one of the country’s largest corporate failures. The company had been viewed as a crucial part of Europe’s ambitions to develop a competitive battery industry to rival China. Following the bankruptcy filing, Northvolt stated that its factory in northern Sweden would remain operational in the short term. However, the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee will decide whether production continues during negotiations over the…

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…