Author: Miguel Garcia

Electric boat startup Arc is entering the commercial marine sector with the development of an all-electric tugboat slated to begin operations at the Port of Los Angeles later this year. The 26-foot vessel, currently undergoing retrofit, will incorporate Arc’s proprietary powertrain and software technologies, marking the company’s first step beyond recreational boating. Founded in early 2021 by a team of engineers with backgrounds at SpaceX, Tesla, Rivian, and Lyft, Arc initially focused on high-performance electric recreational boats. The company’s early models, including the limited-run Arc One and the more advanced Arc Sport launched in 2024, garnered attention for their power…

A new report from Autocraft EV Solutions, a company specializing in electric vehicle (EV) battery testing and remanufacturing, argues that repairing EV batteries instead of replacing them could significantly reduce carbon emissions and increase consumer confidence in EV ownership. The report, Closing the EV Confidence Gap: The Role of Battery Remanufacturing, is based on in-warranty repair data and insights from the RECOVAS research initiative. Autocraft’s analysis highlights that most EV battery issues stem from isolated cell failures rather than total system failure. On average, just over one module per battery pack required replacement to restore performance to over 90% of…

Aurora Innovation said on Thursday it plans to expand its commercial driverless freight operations in the second half of 2025 by enabling night driving and operations during adverse weather, such as rain and high winds. The autonomous vehicle technology company, which launched its commercial self-driving truck service last week, outlined the update in its first-quarter shareholder letter. Aurora intends to expand its driverless routes beyond the Dallas-to-Houston corridor to include El Paso and Phoenix, signaling a broader deployment strategy. See also: Aurora Innovation Releases US Driverless Safety Report  “We’d like to have a high return on asset for every truck that…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has withdrawn its plans to invest in a lithium cathode materials plant in Chile due to a sustained drop in global lithium prices, according to a report by Reuters citing Chilean authorities. BYD’s decision comes alongside that of Chinese metals firm Tsingshan, which also pulled the plug on a $233 million project aimed at producing 120,000 tons of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) per year. Both companies had been granted access to preferential lithium pricing through Chile’s economic development agency, Corfo, as part of an initiative to attract foreign investment. “The companies selected by Corfo have…

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast has unveiled its latest zero-emission commercial vehicle, the EB 6 electric minibus, targeting both urban and interstate transit markets in its domestic market. The EB 6 is powered by a 179.5 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, offering a range of over 250 km on a full charge and a top speed of 90 kph. With peak DC fast charging at 120 kW, the battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in around 70 minutes. A single rear-mounted electric motor delivers 140 kW of power and 420 Nm of torque. Measuring 6.2 meters in…

Zoox has issued a recall for its Automated Driving System (ADS) software in vehicles released before April 17, 2025, following the discovery of a flaw that could result in misjudging the movements of other vehicles, thereby increasing the risk of crashes. The flaw was identified when another vehicle approached perpendicularly and stopped. The Zoox system incorrectly predicted the vehicle’s path, potentially leading the autonomous vehicle into a hazardous driving situation. See also: Zoox Expands Robotaxi Testing to Los Angeles with Retrofitted Vehicles Credit: ZooxThe issue was most prominent at speeds above 40 mph, particularly when the vehicle emerged slowly from…

Volkswagen Group’s charging subsidiary Elli will unveil its new Flexpole Plus battery-integrated DC charging system at the Power2Drive trade fair this week, alongside announcing a major cooperation with German fuel retailer association Uniti. The move could significantly expand EV charging access across Germany, especially at locations previously considered unsuitable for fast charging. The upgraded Flexpole Plus system maintains a 150 kW charging capacity without requiring medium-voltage grid upgrades and introduces new features for improved deployment and energy management. While Elli has not yet confirmed the battery specifications for the latest version, the first-generation Flexpole offered a 193.5 kWh (160 kWh usable) buffer battery.…

Swiss battery recycler Librec has inaugurated its first industrial-scale recycling plant for electric vehicle (EV) batteries in Biberist, Solothurn, aiming to process up to 12,000 tons of battery material annually. The new plant, constructed on the grounds of a former paper mill, claims a record-setting recovery rate of more than 97% and is designed to handle both used EV batteries and rejects from battery production. Librec plans to run the facility in three shifts at full capacity, with a third of its energy requirements met by recovered electricity from discharged batteries and the remainder supplied by rooftop solar power. “We…

Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) is reportedly in talks to secure a loan of about $1 billion to support its investment plans in Indonesia, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The financing, with a proposed term of five to seven years, would be directed toward CATL’s joint venture in Indonesia, which aims to construct a battery cell manufacturing plant in Karawang, West Java. Discussions with lenders are ongoing and terms of the loan remain subject to change, according to the report. See also: China’s CATL Unveils Sodium-Ion Brand ‘Naxtra’ and Upgraded Fast-Charging…

Volkswagen of America is recalling 5,678 model year 2025 ID. Buzz electric vans due to a non-compliant third-row bench seat that may mislead passengers into seating three occupants despite having only two seat belts, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said. The recall stems from a violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, which governs occupant crash protection. See also: Volkswagen Unveils Three Concept EVs in China as Part of Model Offensive According to NHTSA, the third-row seat is physically wide enough to accommodate three passengers but is only designed and equipped to seat two, creating…

Nissan has decided to abandon its plans to produce two electric saloon models in the U.S. and will instead focus on building a different electric vehicle (EV) at its Canton, Mississippi plant. Additionally, the company is revising its timeline for electric crossover projects. According to a supplier memo dated April 21, Nissan is adjusting the production schedule for two electric crossovers. The model codenamed PZ1K, initially expected to begin production in late 2027, is now scheduled to enter production in January 2028, roughly a year later than originally planned. Its sibling, the Infiniti-branded PZ1J, will be produced starting in May…

Daimler Truck North America has handed over its latest autonomous-ready truck platform, built on the Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia, to Torc Robotics as part of its ongoing effort to bring SAE Level 4 autonomous driving to U.S. highways by 2027. The trucks, designed for scalable series production, are now being tested across key freight corridors including a newly added route between Laredo and Dallas, Texas. The updated Cascadia platform features redundant safety systems such as dual braking and steering, supporting its capability for driverless operation. It incorporates more than 1,500 engineering requirements tailored for autonomous use, with the latest hardware…

Ford Motor said on Friday it has suspended shipments of its U.S.-built vehicles to China due to rising tariff pressures, becoming the latest automaker to adjust its export strategy amid growing trade tensions. “We have adjusted exports from the U.S. to China in light of the current tariffs,” the company said in a statement. The move affects Ford’s SUVs, pickup trucks, and sports cars, which now face tariffs of up to 150% when entering the Chinese market. See also: Ford’s New EV Patent Brings Manual Gear Shift Feel to Electric Vehicles The Wall Street Journal first reported the development, citing…

A Maryland-based Acura dealership has filed a lawsuit against American Honda Motor Co., alleging that the automaker failed to provide adequate support after a new 2024 Acura ZDX electric SUV became inoperable just 400 miles into ownership. The case underscores potential risks for dealers as electric vehicles grow more complex and support frameworks evolve. According to the lawsuit filed by Criswell Acura of Annapolis, the dealership purchased the ZDX at wholesale for $69,207 in May 2024 and sold it to a retail customer shortly after. But less than 500 miles later, the vehicle could no longer fully charge. As per…

Kia unveiled its all-new EV4 sedan at the New York International Auto Show, expanding its U.S. electric vehicle portfolio with a compact, four-door model positioned as a more affordable alternative to the Hyundai Ioniq 6. Set to reach U.S. dealerships in early 2025, the EV4 aims to attract budget-conscious EV buyers with a combination of competitive range, modern connectivity, and compatibility with Tesla’s charging network. The EV4 will be offered with two lithium-ion battery options, both operating on a 400-volt electrical architecture. The entry-level Light trim is fitted with a 58.3-kilowatt-hour battery that delivers an estimated 235 miles of driving…

Mini has shelved its plan to bring two electric vehicle models from China to the U.S. market due to the latest round of tariffs imposed on Chinese imports, the BMW-owned brand confirmed. Among the affected models is the all-electric Mini Aceman, which will no longer be introduced in the United States for the foreseeable future. Michael Peyton, Mini’s Vice President for the Americas, told Automotive News that the company had been considering alternatives to mitigate trade restrictions, but recent developments made the import strategy unworkable. “Now, it’s become a lot more clear for a variety of reasons that [it] doesn’t…

Hesai Technology, a provider of lidar technology, has entered into a partnership with autonomous driving company WeRide to equip its vehicles with advanced lidar systems. These vehicles will operate on Uber’s platform in Dubai as part of the city’s plan to have 25% of all trips be autonomous by 2030. The collaboration is aligned with Dubai’s broader strategy to advance smart mobility. The lidar systems, installed in WeRide’s autonomous vehicles, are designed to enhance safety and operational efficiency. Each vehicle will feature four long-range lidar units, providing precise 3D mapping to assist with navigation and obstacle detection. See also: Hesai…

General Motors (GM) will temporarily halt production of its BrightDrop electric commercial vans at its CAMI Assembly plant in Ontario due to weak market demand, the automaker and labor union Unifor said. As part of the pause, GM will lay off approximately 1,200 workers beginning in April. The plant is expected to resume limited operations in May, with full production not scheduled until October 2025. The company emphasized that the decision was unrelated to newly imposed tariffs on automotive imports. See also: Walmart Set to Roll Out First BrightDrop Electric Vans in Major U.S. Cities by Year-End GM said it…

NJ Transit has received board approval to purchase 20 battery-electric buses as part of a broader procurement of new vehicles aimed at modernizing its fleet and reducing emissions. The move supports the agency’s long-term objective of transitioning to a zero-emission fleet by 2040, though the number of electric units represents a small fraction of the total order. The public transport operator plans to acquire 208 60-foot articulated diesel buses and 20 battery-electric buses at a total cost not exceeding $393.4 million, with an additional 10 per cent contingency subject to funding availability. The articulated buses will replace older 40-foot models,…

Representatives from Bosch and Mercedes-Benz have reportedly visited Northvolt’s battery factory in Skellefteå, Sweden, according to local media, though none of the parties have confirmed any discussions or deals. A private jet linked to Bosch subsidiary Scintilla was observed at a nearby airport on Friday, adding to speculation surrounding a potential acquisition or partnership. Swedish outlet Norran cited an anonymous Northvolt employee who claimed that management referred to a visit from a “very interesting player” at the factory last week, but declined to identify the visitor. Flight tracking data indicated a jet from Stuttgart — the home base of both…