Author: Moira Shortle

Amperfied GmbH, a subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, has secured a contract to manage the charging infrastructure for SAP’s electric vehicle (EV) fleet in Germany, marking a significant step in the software company’s sustainability strategy. The transition will commence in the second quarter of 2025 with the migration of 1,720 existing SAP charging stations to Amperfied’s cloud backend. The system will support charging hardware from various manufacturers, and an expansion to approximately 3,700 charging points is planned. It remains unclear whether Amperfied-branded charging stations will be prioritized in the expansion. See also: Fastned Expands Charging Network Across Europe, Plans 1,000…

Stellantis is investing €38 million in its plant in Biella, Italy, to manufacture key components for electric propulsion units (EPUs) used in vehicles based on the STLA Small platform. The funding will support the installation of 56 machine tools dedicated to producing steel shafts and gears essential for electric motors. Located in Verrone, the Biella plant has already installed six of the planned 56 machine tools. Once fully operational, the facility will contribute to Stellantis’ European electric vehicle (EV) supply chain by supplying EPU components to other Stellantis factories across the region. Production is expected to begin in late 2027,…

Mercedes-Benz is recalling more than 12,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in China due to fire risks stemming from battery reliability issues, the country’s market regulator announced. The recall, which begins on April 16, affects 12,308 locally produced EQA and EQB models manufactured between April 1, 2021, and October 31, 2023, according to a statement from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). The issue was identified after a defect investigation initiated by the regulator. See also: Mercedes-Benz Selects China’s Hesai for Lidar in Smart Driving Cars  Some of the affected vehicles were found to have reduced battery reliability due to fluctuations…

Daimler Truck has conducted winter testing of its next-generation GenH2 fuel cell trucks in Switzerland, evaluating their performance under extreme weather and high-altitude conditions, the German manufacturer announced. Unlike the pre-series models currently being tested by customers, the vehicles trialed in Switzerland are prototypes of an advanced development stage. The company dispatched two hydrogen-powered trucks to the Simplon Pass in the canton of Valais, where they faced temperatures below freezing, snow-covered roads, and steep mountain terrain. See also: Daimler Truck Receives €226 Million Funding for Development of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks “For the further development of our Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck,…

Foxconn will hold a seminar in Japan on April 9 to present its electric vehicle strategy, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, as the Taiwanese contract manufacturer looks to strengthen ties with Japanese automakers following a recent deal with Mitsubishi Motors. The event aims to enhance automakers’ and suppliers’ understanding of Foxconn’s EV ambitions, one source said. Chief EV strategy officer Jun Seki, a former Nissan (7201.T) executive hired in 2023, is expected to speak at the seminar, the source added. Both sources requested anonymity as the plans have not been made public. See also: Mitsubishi Motors…

Chinese automaker BYD has signed a car parts distribution agreement with Italian firm Intergea, aiming to strengthen its foothold in Europe amid slowing domestic demand, the company said on Friday. Under the partnership, original BYD car parts will be made available across Italy within 48 hours through Intergea’s subsidiary, CRF, starting in May. “The deal is a key step towards breaking the preconception about the difficulty of finding spare parts for Asian vehicles, an issue often perceived as an obstacle to purchase,” BYD said in a statement. See also: BYD Reports Record Quarterly Profit as NEV Sales Surge Chinese automakers,…

German energy provider EnBW has revised its charging infrastructure expansion plans, reducing its 2030 target from 30,000 to more than 20,000 fast-charging points, citing a slower-than-expected adoption of electric vehicles. The adjustment marks a shift from the company’s previous strategy. In September 2023, EnBW announced at the IAA Mobility event that it would double its annual investment in fast-charging infrastructure in Germany to around 200 million euros, aiming to reach 30,000 charging points by the end of the decade. See also: Smatrics EnBW Expands Ultra-Fast EV Charging Network in Austria Despite the revised target, EnBW maintains its position as Germany’s…

Daimler Truck is expanding its TruckCharge initiative to offer company-owned charging facilities for public use, a move aimed at closing gaps in Europe’s electric truck charging infrastructure. The company expects the initiative to create the continent’s largest semi-public charging network for heavy-duty electric vehicles. “With our TruckCharge concept for semi-public charging, we are aiming to close a large gap in the charging infrastructure for trucks,” said Martin Hink, Head of eMobility / H2 Business Solutions at Mercedes-Benz Trucks. He noted that Daimler Truck’s extensive network of “more than 1,000 dealers in Europe alone” positions the company well to implement the…

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a new 90 kWh battery option for its eVito panel van, significantly increasing its range to up to 480 kilometers (WLTP). The upgrade follows the model’s previous limitation of a 60 kWh battery, which provided a maximum range of 307 km. The new battery option aligns the eVito with its siblings, the EQV MPV and eVito Tourer estate, which already offer the same capacity. Alongside the battery upgrade, customers can now choose between the standard 85 kW electric motor and a more powerful 150 kW variant, borrowed from the eVito Tourer. See also: Mercedes-Benz EQV and eVito…

The European Commission has selected 47 strategic projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) to strengthen and diversify access to essential raw materials across the EU. The projects, spanning 13 member states, focus on various stages of the raw materials supply chain, including extraction, processing, recycling, and substitution, with a strong emphasis on battery production. According to the Commission, 25 of the selected projects involve raw material extraction, 24 focus on processing, ten on recycling, and two on material substitution. The initiative covers 14 of the 17 strategic raw materials listed in the CRMA, including lithium (22 projects), nickel…

Hyundai officially opened its new electric vehicle (EV) plant in Georgia on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in its $7.6 billion investment in the state. The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) will produce EVs, including the upcoming Ioniq 9, the company’s first three-row electric SUV. Hyundai began construction on the plant less than two years ago and considers the facility one of its most significant investments to date. The plant is expected to create 8,500 direct jobs by 2030, while Hyundai’s broader investment in Georgia—including a battery plant with SK On and 18 supplier facilities—has attracted more than $12.6…

The city council of Vilnius has launched a tender for 145 electric buses as part of its long-term plan to transition all public transport vehicles to electricity or alternative fuels by 2030. The new fleet will not only replace aging diesel buses but also support the expansion of public transport services and improve frequency across the Lithuanian capital. “Vilnius public transport is rapidly modernizing – new electric buses will provide more sustainable and efficient mobility for the city,” said Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas. “Less pollution, quieter commutes, and greater comfort – these are the changes expected by Vilnius residents. Investment…