Author: Miguel Garcia

U.S. startup Electroflow is developing a process to produce lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery material at lower costs, aiming to reduce dependence on Chinese suppliers, the company said. The company’s co-founder and CEO, Eric McShane, told TechCrunch that while LFP batteries are “literally 99% made in China,” Electroflow’s approach could reduce production costs by as much as 20% while establishing a domestic supply chain. “If we want to have a chance of competing, we’ve got to flip that script,” he said. See also: Siemens Mobility Breaks Ground on Rail Battery System Plant in Bavaria Electroflow’s technology transforms lithium from brine into LFP…

Audi has expanded its e-mobility portfolio with the release of its second-generation electric mountain bike, the eMTB 2.0, featuring performance improvements, a lower price point, and a design inspired by the brand’s Dakar-winning RS Q e-tron racecar. Developed in partnership with Italian e-bike manufacturer Fantic, the eMTB 2.0 incorporates an upgraded SRAM GX Eagle Transmission AXS electronic rear derailleur and larger EPTA STAGE brake rotors measuring 220mm at the front and 203mm at the rear. The bike is based on Fantic’s XEF 1.9 Factory enduro model and features a lightweight aluminum frame with a relaxed riding position. See also: BH…

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will take 5% equity stakes in Canadian lithium producer Lithium Americas and its Nevada joint venture with General Motors, according to a DOE announcement on Tuesday. The move is part of a renegotiation of a $2.26 billion federal loan awarded under the Biden administration. The stakes will be acquired through no-cost warrants, which give the government the right to purchase shares at a predetermined price. The DOE said the equity positions will serve as additional collateral on the loan, helping to reduce repayment risk for taxpayers. Shares of Lithium Americas surged 34% in after-hours…

Electrify America said on Thursday it has received the Electric Innovation Scalable Catalyst Award from the Electric Innovation Initiative, in recognition of its deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across its U.S. charging network. The company has installed more than 170 BESS units with a combined storage capacity exceeding 65,000 kilowatt-hours. The technology enables Hyper-Fast charging in areas with limited utility capacity, including rural and underserved communities, by storing power during low-demand periods and discharging it during peak times. This approach reduces the need for costly grid upgrades and supports broader EV adoption. “Battery energy storage is unlocking a…

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday that he held “constructive” trade discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, focusing on electric vehicles, canola, steel, and other trade issues, as both countries work to navigate a path out of a tariff conflict. Ties between Ottawa and Beijing deteriorated last year after Canada imposed tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel, and aluminium. China responded with taxes on Canadian canola imports but kept the door open for dialogue. https://twitter.com/MarkJCarney/status/1970690700397138234 “There is some alignment of tariffs with the United States, and I will highlight particularly in the steel sector, where we’ve been very…

Tesla has started building its first full V4 Supercharger station in Campbell, California, marking a milestone in the rollout of its latest charging technology. The site, located at Kirkwood Plaza on West Campbell Avenue, will feature 16 V4 charging posts powered by newly developed V4 cabinets. This represents the first deployment of the cabinets, which Tesla introduced in late 2024. Until now, V4 posts were connected to older V3 cabinets, limiting output to 250 kW and later 325 kW for compatible vehicles. https://twitter.com/MarcoRPi1/status/1970127326664085988 By contrast, the V4 cabinets are designed to provide up to 500 kW for passenger cars and…

Rivian Automotive has introduced a new powered tonneau cover for its R1T pickup truck, marking the third attempt at fixing a feature that has caused repeated problems since its launch in 2022. The latest version is available through Rivian’s online Gear Shop at a price of $3,300, including installation at company service centers. The company said the redesigned cover is water-resistant, opens in seconds and is “virtually noise-free,” addressing issues that plagued the first two iterations, which were prone to jamming, loud operation and premature failure. Earlier versions used eight large retractable slats, while the latest design employs 36 smaller…

Rivian said it has officially broken ground on its planned electric vehicle factory outside Atlanta, Georgia, a project expected to cost around $5 billion and eventually produce up to 400,000 vehicles a year. CEO RJ Scaringe joined Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and other officials at a ceremonial event marking early site preparation, including road access, electrical hookups and water systems. Full construction is slated to start in early 2026, with production of next-generation EVs beginning in 2028. https://twitter.com/RJScaringe/status/1968043220765688099 Rivian said the plant will create 7,500 permanent jobs and 2,000 construction jobs, with an outside analysis projecting nearly 8,000 indirect roles…

Tesla has opened orders for its Cybertruck in the United Arab Emirates, marking the electric pickup’s debut in the Middle East. Reservation holders in the country can now convert deposits into confirmed purchases, the company said. A public configurator for customers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and potentially Jordan and Israel will go live in the coming weeks, according to Tesla’s Europe & Middle East account on X. The company did not comment on Cybertruck availability in Europe. https://twitter.com/teslaeurope/status/1967861513089384615 The expansion follows the truck’s international debut in South Korea last month, as Tesla seeks to attract high-income buyers in…

Tellus Power Globe Holding Limited has introduced two new 600kW DC fast charging systems aimed at reducing ownership costs and boosting utilization for fleet operators and public charging networks. The launch includes both a distributed system and an all-in-one configuration, each designed to provide flexible, high-power charging at scale. The distributed system enables operators to connect up to eight dispensers to a single 600kW power cabinet, with dynamic power allocation depending on the number of vehicles charging and their power needs. This approach is intended to maximize efficiency and reduce idle time across sites. The all-in-one model, by contrast, is…

Honda unveiled its first electric kei car for passengers, the N-ONE e, on Thursday, priced from just over $18,000, as the Japanese automaker seeks to capture a share of the growing mini-EV segment. The compact EV, based on the current gas-powered N-ONE, will go on sale in Japan on Sept. 12 starting at 2.7 million yen ($18,300). It follows the launch of Honda’s N-VAN e last year but is aimed at passenger use rather than commercial buyers. Powered by a 29.6 kWh battery, the N-ONE e delivers what Honda described as a “class-leading range” of up to 295 km (183…

Tesla has obtained regulatory approval from Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to begin testing its autonomous vehicle technology on public roads, marking the company’s next step in expanding its robotaxi program beyond Texas. The testing permit, which provides Tesla with a Certificate of Compliance and specialized license plates for its fleet, was first noted by Tesla influencer Sawyer Merritt. The approval comes two months after CEO Elon Musk signaled plans to broaden the company’s autonomous ride-hailing footprint. https://twitter.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1966195056559239530 “We are expecting to greatly increase the service area to well in excess of what competitors are doing,” Musk said during…