Author: Moira Shortle

Rivian has claimed the title of the best-selling electric van in the United States for 2024, surpassing Ford in this segment. The electric delivery van (EDV), which is being rolled out across the country through Rivian’s partnership with Amazon, saw significant growth, with over 51,500 electric vehicles delivered in 2024. This figure slightly exceeded the 50,122 units delivered in 2023, with a notable uptick in the second half of the year. Despite challenges, including a temporary shutdown of its Normal, Illinois manufacturing plant in April for upgrades, and a production pause due to a part shortage last summer, Rivian managed…

The Volkswagen Group has announced the creation of a new subsidiary, Elli Mobility GmbH, following the merger of Logpay Transport Services GmbH and the mobility service units of its subsidiary Elli. Set to operate from March 2025, the new company will be a fully owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group Charging GmbH (Elli). The move aims to streamline Volkswagen’s charging, refuelling, and mobility services for business and private customers transitioning to e-mobility. This strategic merger combines Logpay’s expertise in charge card services with Elli’s eMobility solutions, allowing customers to access a unified range of services. The new company will provide a…

Ride-hailing company Grab is extending its collaboration with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD to roll out up to 50,000 EVs in Southeast Asia. The initiative will span Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, featuring BYD models such as the Denza D9, Atto 3, Seal, and M6. Under the agreement, BYD aims to provide vehicles at competitive rates and includes extended warranties for EV batteries. Drivers will have the option to acquire vehicles through Grab’s car ownership programs or rent them via fleet partners. The partnership also includes the integration of Grab’s driver app into BYD vehicles, enabling…

Alpitronic, a South Tyrolean manufacturer of DC fast charging stations, has appointed René Krahn as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Lars Kuba as Vice President of Sales & Marketing. The leadership changes come as the company seeks to strengthen its operations and customer engagement in the evolving electric mobility market. The adjustments follow a period of reduced production in response to fluctuating demand and customer stock levels. According to the company, these appointments are part of a broader strategy to enhance operational capabilities and maintain its position as a provider of high-power charging solutions. René Krahn, formerly with Continental, brings…

German electric boat propulsion specialist Torqeedo announced the availability of its selected outboard models through Yamaha’s dealer network in eight European countries. Starting this month, Torqeedo’s electric propulsion systems will be offered in the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. The models include the lightweight Torqeedo Travel Ultralight series (equivalent to 1-3 horsepower), the Travel family (2-5 hp equivalent) for boats up to two tonnes, and the more powerful Cruise models (6-25 hp equivalent), designed for vessels weighing up to twelve tonnes. “We are delighted to broaden our presence through Yamaha’s extensive and reliable dealer network. This…

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has revealed plans to invest over £300 million to expand its Goodwood manufacturing facility, a move that positions the iconic luxury brand for a future transition to all-battery electric vehicles. This marks the largest single capital investment at the site since its opening in 2003. The expansion, while not detailing the exact allocation for electric vehicle production, aims to increase space for the growing demand for bespoke and coachbuilt projects, a core aspect of the brand’s luxury offerings. The investment comes at a time when Rolls-Royce has seen a significant rise in Bespoke vehicle orders, with the…

Japanese trading house Marubeni has invested $5 million in British electric vehicle battery recycler Altilium to help scale up its operations, the companies announced on Tuesday. This investment is part of Altilium’s Series B fundraising efforts, following a $9.4 million contribution from the corporate venture arm of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile’s (SQM) lithium business to Altilium’s $12 million Series A round last year. As the electric vehicle (EV) market grows, there is increasing competition to recycle valuable minerals from EV batteries, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which can be worth thousands of euros per vehicle. Altilium is…

A group representing self-driving car companies has called on the U.S. government to take more decisive action to accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles and eliminate barriers to their adoption. The group, which includes key players such as Ford, Volkswagen, Waymo, Zoox, and Uber, voiced frustration with the federal government’s inaction and its role in creating regulatory uncertainty around autonomous vehicle technology. Jeff Farrah, executive director of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, stated, “The federal government is the one that needs to lead when it comes to vehicle design, construction and performance, and we just have not seen enough action…

Redwood Materials is kicking off 2025 with significant momentum after a strong year of accomplishments. In 2024, the battery recycling company made headlines by beginning production of battery anode copper foil at its hydrometallurgical facility, marking a pivotal milestone. The facility, which is the first commercial-scale “mine” to open in the U.S. in years, also became the sole source of domestic lithium supply in the country in decades. 2024 was power-packed and we’re only getting started… cheers, 2025! pic.twitter.com/lR0WfsHhNa — Redwood Materials (@RedwoodMat) January 2, 2025 By November, Redwood’s CEO, JB Straubel, confirmed the company was on track to achieve…

Panasonic Energy plans to reduce its reliance on China for the supply of electric vehicle (EV) batteries made in the United States, a top executive told Reuters, citing the shift as a primary objective. Allan Swan, President of Panasonic Energy of North America, emphasized the company’s intention to adapt its supply chain in response to the evolving trade landscape, particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s plans to raise tariffs on Chinese goods. “The first thing the business has to do in regards to Trump tariffs is ‘not to have the supply chain dedicated from China,'” Swan said in an…

Flying Flea, an electric motorcycle brand under Indian manufacturer Royal Enfield, is set to introduce connected features in its upcoming line of motorcycles, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon products. The company revealed at CES 2025 that its future e-bikes, expected to hit the market in early 2026, will include advanced connected capabilities such as voice assistance, smartphone-enabled keys, and customizable ride modes. The integration of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon QWM2290 system-on-a-chip (SoC) will power the vehicles’ core vehicle control unit, enabling the management of the bike’s operating system through a display cluster. This will allow users to access real-time diagnostics, advanced navigation, and…

The Ford Mustang Mach-E has achieved a milestone in 2024, outselling its gas-powered predecessor for the first time. Ford’s sales report reveals that the electric crossover saw its best-ever year, with 51,745 units sold in the U.S.—a nearly 27% increase from 2023. In contrast, the traditional Ford Mustang recorded its worst sales year, moving only 44,003 units, a 10% decline from the previous year. The Mach-E’s rising popularity reflects changing consumer preferences in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs and crossovers. Launched in late 2019, the Mach-E initially faced criticism from purists who questioned whether an electric crossover could embody…