Author: Miguel Garcia

Mercedes and Stellantis have paused work on their joint European electric vehicle (EV) battery factory projects and are reevaluating their direction, considering a potential shift to using cheaper lithium iron phosphate cells. The partnership, known as the Automotive Cells Company (ACC), was formed in 2021 with the aim of producing battery cells for electric vehicles. ACC had initially raised $4.7 billion earlier this year to construct four factories, with plans to raise a total of around 7.6 billion Euros for the project. The joint venture has already opened one factory in Douvrin, France, but work on the upcoming factory in…

In a bid to enhance the performance and affordability of electric vehicles (EVs), Dutch semiconductor manufacturer NXP and German supplier ZF have joined forces to develop silicon carbide (SiC)-based inverters. This collaboration aims to bolster the capabilities of 800-volt EVs, enabling them to travel further distances on a single charge. NXP recently announced the integration of its GD316x high-voltage electronic circuits into ZF’s upcoming SiC traction inverters for 800-volt applications. This partnership is expected to expedite the deployment of these advanced inverters, which promise safer, more efficient, and more potent power electronics for electric vehicles. Drivers can anticipate increased range,…

Stellantis, the parent company of Fiat and Jeep, is exploring options to reduce costs in its transition to electrification, including the possibility of bringing some suppliers in-house, according to CEO Carlos Tavares. Tavares emphasized the importance of suppliers keeping pace with Stellantis’ teams in the shift to electrification. “When suppliers are not racing at the same speed of our teams, our teams see a big benefit to in-source,” Tavares stated during a conference call from Melfi, Italy. “You come to the conclusion that what you have outsourced, you can do it in-house.” This move comes as automakers face pressure to…

In a fresh wave of scrutiny, Toyota Motor Company faces renewed criticism under the leadership of Chairman Akio Toyoda. Two of the Japanese automaker’s largest shareholders are now calling for his removal following reports of misconduct regarding inadequate vehicle verification testing, adding to a string of previous certification violations. Despite being a global market leader in automotive, Toyota has often been criticized for its inconsistent commitment to electrification under Toyoda’s tenure. In a recent ranking by InfluenceMap, Toyota was named the worst automaker in global climate lobbying, underscoring its poor performance in climate policy engagement. Toyota, along with Subaru and…

Gotion High-tech, a leading Chinese battery maker, is set to expand its presence in international markets with plans to build energy storage plants in Spain. The company recently announced a cooperation agreement with Spain’s Phi4Tech Technology Group and the UAE’s Unicorn RE to collaborate on energy storage and new materials development in Spain. According to Gotion, the partnership will focus on a range of projects in the European energy sector, from new materials to final energy solutions. This move is expected to open up new growth opportunities for Gotion in the European energy storage market and promote the development of…

Despite recent setbacks and changes in Tesla’s plans, the Mexican state of Nuevo León remains optimistic about the arrival of the Tesla Gigafactory, believing that the project is still on track. Tesla initially announced the Gigafactory Mexico in March 2023, aiming for rapid production commencement. However, in October, the company announced a temporary pause on the project due to global economic concerns. CEO Elon Musk affirmed that while the project was delayed, preparations were ongoing, including the procurement of “long lead items.” The final timeline for the factory’s construction and operation would depend on economic recovery, with Tesla prioritizing investments…

Iberdrola has installed 2,000 AC charging points at around 450 locations of the Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona as part of a partnership initiated last year. The agreement, which aims to deploy up to 3,500 charging points at 800 Mercadona locations in Spain and Portugal, represents a significant step in advancing sustainable mobility. The 2,000 charging points, each offering up to 22 kW output, have been installed at supermarkets and Mercadona workplaces. The exact distribution of these charging stations was not specified, but Iberdrola confirmed that the publicly accessible points would be distributed across locations throughout Spain. See also: Iberdrola and BP…

Electric vehicle (EV) startup Fisker is grappling with financial challenges, leading to significant layoffs as it seeks funding, a buyout, or prepares for potential bankruptcy. The layoffs, affecting hundreds of employees, were announced during an all-hands meeting held after the company directed everyone to work from home—an unusual move according to multiple current and former employees. Founder and CEO Henrik Fisker informed employees that a major investor, to whom the company owes money, along with a chief restructuring officer working on behalf of the investor, pushed for further layoffs. While Henrik Fisker did not disclose the investor’s identity, he mentioned…

Xpeng is encountering difficulties with its shift to a more dealer-dependent sales model, with its sales team undergoing new staffing adjustments, according to a recent report. Former Xpeng vice president Gu Yuanqin has assumed the role of head of sales, taking over from Wang Tong, the previous head of sales, as reported by local media outlet Jiemian, citing multiple sources. Gu, 63, previously contributed to the development of Xpeng’s lane-level navigation and positioning system at his prior company. Wang Tong, who previously oversaw key account sales operations, took on the role of head of sales when Xpeng merged its direct…

Tesla has informed vehicle owners that new models will no longer support Steam Gaming, a feature that was launched with the Model S and Model X in December 2022 as part of the annual Holiday Update. Steam, a popular gaming platform known for its extensive library of games, was integrated into Tesla vehicles nearly two years ago, a move that CEO Elon Musk highlighted as a significant development in the Summer of 2022. Despite its initial introduction, Tesla has now notified owners that their vehicles will lose Steam capability. In a communication prior to delivery, an owner of a new…

The U.S. Department of Commerce intends to issue proposed rules this autumn regarding Chinese connected vehicles, citing national security risks to Americans’ data. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized the seriousness of these risks, noting that connected cars have onboard integrated network hardware that allows internet access, potentially sharing sensitive data with entities both inside and outside the vehicle. Raimondo stated, “The national security risks are quite significant… We decided to take action because this is really serious stuff.” She highlighted that Chinese-made cars, with software controlled from Beijing, could collect data on drivers’ whereabouts, driving patterns, and even conversations within…

Chinese automaker BYD made a significant move into the North American market with the unveiling of its new mid-size hybrid-electric pickup truck, the Shark, in Mexico on Tuesday. This launch marks the first time the world’s largest electric-vehicle (EV) maker has introduced a new product outside of China. Stella Li, Chief of Americas at BYD, highlighted Mexico’s rapid growth in pickup truck demand as a key factor in selecting the country for the Shark’s debut. She emphasized that the Shark addresses common drawbacks of traditional pickups, such as high fuel consumption, poor handling, and control. The Shark, exclusively available in…

In a recent study commissioned by Ideal Power, concerning insights have emerged regarding the experiences of electric vehicle (EV) owners, shedding light on lingering concerns despite the technological advancements in EV range capabilities. One striking finding reveals that 16% of EV owners have experienced completely depleting their battery charge, underscoring the persistence of range anxiety among users. Additionally, the study found that 44% of EV owners reported that range anxiety had a negative impact on their overall satisfaction with owning an electric vehicle. The availability of charging stations also emerged as a significant concern, with 75% of EV owners reporting…

Motional, a self-driving technology company, announced on Tuesday a temporary halt to its robotaxi deployments with ride-hailing firms Uber Technologies and Lyft. This decision is part of a broader restructuring process aimed at intensifying focus on technology development. Motional’s move coincides with the impending unveiling of Tesla’s robotaxi, the “Cybercab,” on August 8, and reflects a broader trend among legacy automakers to trim spending on expensive autonomous driving technology amidst regulatory and safety challenges. CEO Karl Iagnemma stressed the deliberate pace of driverless vehicle deployment, stating, “Large-scale driverless deployment will not happen overnight. Driverless vehicles will enter the market when…

Lithium producer Rock Tech Lithium’s hopes for federal funding to support its lithium converter project in Guben, Germany, have been dashed, according to a report from Handelsblatt. The company, a German-Canadian venture headquartered in Vancouver, is now turning to the state of Brandenburg for financial assistance. CEO Dirk Harbecke revealed that Rock Tech received an unexpected rejection notice from the Federal Ministry of Economics on Monday. The company had been banking on funding from the ‘Resilience and Sustainability of the Battery Cell Production Ecosystem’ initiative, part of the ‘Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework’ by the EU Commission. Rock Tech’s Guben…

Lucid Motors reported a net loss of $684.7 million in the first quarter, a slight improvement from the previous year’s $779.5 million loss, despite achieving a turnover of $172.7 million with 1,967 electric cars delivered. The company anticipates investing $1.5 billion in 2024, up from $910.6 million in 2023, largely due to the planned production start-up of its two-model Gravity. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF, a key investor in Lucid, injected an additional $1 billion into the company. This investment, along with Lucid’s sales momentum and focus on cost reduction, has bolstered the company’s cash reserves, which stood at…

Tesla has announced the launch of two new customization options for its Cybertruck, allowing customers to further personalize the interior and wheels of the highly anticipated electric vehicle. The Cybertruck, known for its distinctive design, has been limited in customization options during its early deliveries, with a focus on streamlining the manufacturing process. However, as production ramps up, Tesla is now offering customers more choices to tailor their vehicles. These new options are available for the Foundation Series, which is the initial trim level of the Cybertruck as Tesla continues its first year of deliveries. https://twitter.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1787655202591412657 One of the new…

Luxury carmaker Porsche is ramping up its commitment to sustainability by introducing seven new electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) at its Zuffenhausen, Weissach, and Leipzig sites. The move underscores Porsche’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and embracing alternative energy solutions. The new electric trucks, sourced from Scania, another member of the Volkswagen Group, as well as two other manufacturers, are part of Porsche’s broader strategy to decarbonize its operations. These vehicles will join the existing fleet of 22 biogas-fueled HGVs, furthering the company’s efforts to incorporate eco-friendly transport solutions. Albrecht Reimold, a member of Porsche’s Executive Board for Production…

The Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) in Long Beach, California, has secured a substantial $34.9 million grant from the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to advance its electrification efforts. This grant, part of a series totaling over $46 million from the FHWA, will facilitate the replacement of 155 on-site commercial trucks and buses with zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) at LBCT. Anthony Otto, CEO of LBCT, highlighted the grant’s significance, stating, “Our vehicle electrification project, coupled with previous investments, enables LBCT to achieve a unique status that is reframing the way the world views sustainable goods movement, enhancing community quality of life…

Lectron, a leading manufacturer of charging adapters, has initiated a recall affecting 1,624 Vortex Tesla Supercharger to Combined Charging System (CCS) adapters. This move comes in response to concerns raised by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding potential safety issues. According to the NHTSA, the affected adapters may not securely latch to the charger, posing a risk of the charger becoming disconnected without shutting off the power. This could increase the risk of injury from an electrical shock. The Safety Recall Report revealed that the adapters, manufactured between March 14 and April 8, have a latch pin that…