Author: Moira Shortle

Envirostream, a subsidiary of Lithium Australia, has secured an exclusive deal with Volvo Group Australia’s Buses business to recycle end-of-life lithium-ion batteries from its electric and hybrid bus fleet in Australia. The agreement, set for an initial 3-year term, solidifies Envirostream’s position in sustainable battery disposal. Under the agreement, Volvo will supply used batteries from its buses to Envirostream for recycling. Volvo, a prominent supplier of electric and hybrid buses in Australia, serves various transport operators nationwide, including public transport authorities in Western Australia and Queensland. While details about the potential second-life use of Volvo bus batteries for stationary storage…

Tesla has announced plans to transition to battery-powered trains for its shuttle service to and from its factory premises in Grünheide, Germany. The move comes after the contract between Tesla and Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn (NEB), the operator of the shuttle service, is set to end this month, with the NEB needing the diesel railcars for other purposes. According to the Berliner Zeitung newspaper, the switch to battery-electric railcars from Siemens is expected to take place in July, following a brief interruption in the shuttle service. The new electric trains will replace the diesel-powered ones currently in use, aligning with Tesla’s commitment…

Mate Rimac, the founder of Rimac Automobili, has recently taken delivery of his personalized Nevera hypercar, showcasing a stunning array of bespoke features that set his vehicle apart from the rest. The exterior of Rimac’s Nevera is a sight to behold, featuring dark red carbon fiber meticulously placed to maintain a seamless weave across multiple panels. Contrasting the red carbon fiber are various components finished in black carbon fiber, including parts of the hood, elements near the front wheels, and trim along the sides. The vehicle’s customization extends to its wheels, which are finished in black, complemented by bright red…

Volvo Cars reported a strong performance in May, with sales reaching 68,034 cars, up 13% from the previous year. The increase was supported by a 27% rise in Europe and a notable contribution from its fully electric XC40 Recharge (EX30), the company announced on Wednesday. Sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid models saw a significant increase of 37%, accounting for 48% of the group’s total sales globally. Volvo Cars, based in Sweden and majority-owned by China’s Geely Holding, highlighted the growing demand for electrified vehicles as a key driver of its sales growth. “This month’s sales figures are another…

Xpeng Aeroht, the flying car subsidiary of Xpeng, has recently announced a strategic partnership with Autoliv (NYSE: ALV), a Swedish automotive parts giant, aimed at advancing safety measures in flying car technology. The partnership, formalized through a strategic cooperation agreement signed on June 3 in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, seeks to leverage Autoliv’s extensive experience as a leading producer of airbags and seatbelts to enhance safety standards in future mobility solutions. A spokesperson for Autoliv stated, “Our collaboration with Xpeng Aeroht is based on a mutual commitment to the safety of future mobility. Together, we will focus on developing flying car…

Chevrolet is rolling out new electric vehicles (EVs) and enticing buyers with a no payments for 120 days offer on the new Equinox and Blazer EVs. However, there’s more to the deal than meets the eye. After discontinuing the current-generation Bolt EV last December, Chevy is ushering in a new era with EVs based on GM’s Ultium platform. The new Equinox and Blazer EVs are now available, with the Equinox EV touted as the “most affordable” in its segment, offering over 300 miles of range. See also: GM Claims Next-Gen Chevrolet Bolt to Be the Most Affordable EV on the Market…

Rivian is preparing to launch a revamped version of its popular R1 line for the 2025 model year. The upcoming updates aim to enhance both the performance and aesthetics of the vehicles, setting a new standard in the electric vehicle market. One of the key updates for the 2025 R1 line is the introduction of a more affordable LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery option for the base model. This move is expected to make Rivian’s electric vehicles more accessible to a wider range of consumers while also helping the company achieve positive margins. See also: Rivian to Introduce YouTube App and…

Ford Motor Company is implementing aggressive discounting strategies to boost sales of its 2023 model year F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks. Following a similar approach used successfully with the Mustang Mach-E, Ford is offering substantial discounts on remaining inventory to incentivize customers. Customers interested in leasing the all-electric pickup can now benefit from discounts of up to $15,250 off the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the top trim in at least 10 different regions. This move comes as Ford acknowledges missteps in its EV certification program for dealers and aims to accelerate its electrification plans. The discounts are primarily…

Xpeng launched its G6 SUV and X9 MPV in Hong Kong on May 17, a month after signing a dealer agreement to penetrate the market. Both models will feature a next-generation voice-control system capable of recognizing Cantonese, according to a statement from the electric vehicle (EV) maker. The G6 SUV starts at HK$299,900 (US$38,440) for the standard-range version and HK$349,900 for the long-range version. The intended pre-tax price of the X9 MPV is less than HK$500,000, with the final price pending approval from the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. The first deliveries of the right-hand drive version of the…

Volvo’s ambitious goal to transition to all-electric vehicles by 2030 has hit a roadblock in the United States, with its electric vehicle (EV) sales plunging by 69 percent through April 2024, compared to the same period last year. The automaker aims for EVs to constitute half of its global sales by 2025. In the first four months of 2024, Volvo sold only 1,298 EVs in the U.S., a significant drop from the 4,138 units sold during the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, sales of Volvo’s plug-in hybrid models saw a 55 percent increase, totaling 10,124 units, contributing to an overall…

Nvidia’s venture capital arm, NVentures, has made an investment in Carbon Robotics, a startup based in Seattle that specializes in developing autonomous laser-weeding technologies. While the exact amount of the investment was not disclosed, Carbon Robotics plans to utilize the funds to further advance the development and deployment of its autonomous weeding solutions, which leverage AI and robotics for precise weeding capabilities. Mohamed Siddeek, head of NVentures, highlighted the potential of AI and advanced robotics in addressing challenges in agriculture, stating, “Carbon Robotics’ innovative solution improves farming practices to increase sustainability and improve the quality of produce available to consumers.”…

South Korea has welcomed the United States’ decision to extend automakers’ eligibility for electric vehicle (EV) tax credits for cars containing Chinese graphite through 2026, a move aimed at reducing reliance on China in the EV battery supply chain. The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, closely monitored by automakers, seeks to diversify the EV battery chain away from China. South Korea’s industry ministry expressed support for this effort, stating it will continue to seek key battery materials to ensure domestic battery manufacturers and carmakers maintain competitiveness in the U.S. market. “In the case of graphite, it was difficult to diversify the…