Author: Miguel Garcia

Corvus Energy will supply a nearly 25 MWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system for the first-ever fully electric offshore vessel, set to enter service in 2027. The electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) is being built by Spain’s Armon shipyard for UK-based shipowner Bibby Marine. While the vessel will also be equipped with methanol engines, these will be used exclusively for charging, according to the manufacturer. Corvus Energy stated that this marks the largest LFP battery system ever deployed in a maritime project. The battery-powered ship will rely on an optimized DC grid system to enhance efficiency and minimize…

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to lend up to $100 million to Ayala Corporation, the Philippines’ oldest conglomerate, to help establish an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the country. The funding aims to support the installation of EV charging stations and the purchase of electric vehicles for commercial distribution. Specific details about the number of chargers or vehicles to be procured, as well as the timeline for implementation, were not disclosed in the press release. The ADB’s “Initial Environmental and Social Examination,” published in October 2024, provides further insight into the project, revealing plans to support the nationwide…

Glades County School District (GCSD) has added 13 electric school buses to its fleet, replacing over half of its aging diesel vehicles, some of which had been in service for over 25 years, the district announced. The $5 million initiative, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Rebate Program, aims to cut emissions and operational costs while improving student comfort with air-conditioned transport. See also: Thomas Built Buses Unveils Second-Generation Jouley Electric School Bus The Blue Bird Vision electric buses, supplied through Florida Transportation Systems, Inc., produce zero emissions and can travel up to 120 miles…

BMW plans to base its next-generation X5, including the electric iX5 variant, on an enhanced version of its existing Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform, rather than the forthcoming Neue Klasse platform, according to a report by Autocar. This decision reflects BMW’s strategy to maintain flexibility in its vehicle architectures. The CLAR platform, currently underpinning models like the X5 and i5, will be updated to incorporate elements from the Neue Klasse architecture. Enhancements include the integration of sixth-generation electric drive systems and the adoption of an 800-volt electrical system, aiming to improve performance and efficiency. See also: BMW M4 Electric Coupe Expected…

The UK government has unveiled an £86 million initiative aimed at enhancing air quality in Greater Manchester, with a significant focus on cleaner public transportation. Of the total funding, £51.1 million is allocated to procure 117 new buses, including 40 zero-emission models and 77 compliant with Euro VI standards, alongside the necessary charging infrastructure for electric buses. The plan also dedicates £8 million to aid taxi operators in transitioning to cleaner vehicles, while £5 million will address local traffic management. An additional £21.9 million is reserved for administration, delivery, and monitoring costs, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the scheme. See…

Italy has launched a groundbreaking test of a self-driving vehicle designed for car sharing, marking the first such trial in Europe. The project, led by utility company A2A in collaboration with Stellantis, Politecnico di Milano, and Italy’s National Sustainable Mobility Centre, took place in the northern city of Brescia. During the trial, a fully autonomous electric FIAT 500 city car drove one kilometer at a maximum speed of 30 km/h, simulating a car-sharing experience by picking up a passenger and arriving at a designated parking area. This test is part of A2A’s initiative to enhance urban mobility while focusing on…

Polestar has confirmed that the popular Polestar 2 electric vehicle will receive a direct successor toward the end of the decade, as stated by CEO Michael Lohscheller in a recent interview with Autocar. This announcement clarifies that the recently introduced Polestar 7 small SUV will not replace the Polestar 2 in the lineup, as initially speculated. Instead, the company plans to maintain a six-model lineup, with the next-generation Polestar 2 positioned alongside the Polestar 3 and 4 SUVs, Polestar 5 fastback, Polestar 6 sports car, and Polestar 7. See also: Polestar Announces Long-Awaited Launch in France Following Trademark Dispute Resolution…

GWM UK has revealed the updated 2025 ORA 03 electric vehicle lineup, introducing a new flagship GT trim alongside revised pricing and upgraded features. The range begins at £24,995 for the entry-level PURE variant, with pre-orders now open ahead of first customer deliveries expected in March 2025. The ORA 03 PURE variant offers a 48 kWh battery, delivering a range of 192 miles. It comes equipped with a 10.25-inch infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, along with wireless phone charging and satellite navigation. Safety remains a priority across the lineup, with features such as Lane Keep Assist,…

A fleet of 50 electric double-decker buses is set to hit the streets of Plymouth this year, part of an ambitious plan to replace almost half of the city’s public transport fleet with zero-emission vehicles. Wrightbus will supply the electric buses, with the first 25 expected in the summer of 2024, followed by the remaining units by the end of 2025. These buses will primarily operate on routes 21/A, 42, and 50/51 in Plymouth, with six additional buses serving route 70 to the Rame Peninsula in Cornwall. See also: Plymouth Expands Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure with £2.4M in Funding The…

The electric vehicle (EV) market in Europe showed signs of slower growth in 2024, with sales of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) declining slightly. According to the latest statistics from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), a total of 1,447,934 new BEVs were registered in the EU in 2024, a 5.9% decrease from the previous year. Despite the decline, the number of new electric cars surpassed the number of new diesel cars, continuing a trend from 2023. In addition to BEVs, the ACEA recorded 758,944 new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the EU, marking a 6.8% drop compared to…

Shares of Japanese automakers and South Korean battery makers fell on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, while revoking an electric vehicle (EV) executive order from the previous administration. Honda Motor shares dropped 0.3% to 1,478 yen, reflecting apprehensions over potential tariffs impacting the 80% of its Mexican production exported to the U.S. Mazda Motor saw a sharper decline, with shares down 2%, as the automaker assesses the potential impact on its exports from Guanajuato, Mexico. Conversely, Nissan Motor shares rose 1.2% despite the automaker exporting 300,000 vehicles annually from its Mexican…

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $68 million in funding to accelerate the development of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The initiative, part of the DOE’s SuperTruck Charge program, will focus on innovative charging site designs near key ports, distribution hubs, and major transportation corridors across the country. Three projects have been selected to receive funding. Pearl Street Property Company will lead the first project, securing $20 million to establish a charging facility along the I-10 corridor in Arizona. This site will feature ten pull-through truck charging stalls equipped with MCS chargers, solar canopies,…