Author: Robin Cannon

UK-based battery recycling specialist Altilium has signed a letter of intent with Australian battery materials company Talga Group to supply up to 16,000 metric tons of recycled graphite over a three-year period starting in 2026. The partnership supports Talga’s development of anode products using recycled graphite for its planned refinery in Sweden. Altilium will initially provide 2,000 metric tons of recycled graphite in 2025 to support pre-commercial customer sample production for Talga’s Talnode-C Recycled Series. The material will be sourced from end-of-life batteries, a key initiative as graphite constitutes 25-30% of lithium-ion batteries and is classified as a critical raw…

Audi will cease production at its Brussels plant on Feb. 28, closing a facility that has operated for 76 years and built more than eight million vehicles. The last Q8 e-tron will roll off the assembly line, symbolizing broader changes in the European automotive sector ahead of the EU Commission’s upcoming action plan. The closure, first announced last year, will result in the loss of 3,000 jobs. A social plan was negotiated, but tensions between the company and trade unions over severance terms led to temporary production halts. Audi briefly restarted operations, but only for final production runs before shutting…

AstraZeneca has completed the transition to an all-electric vehicle fleet in Switzerland, with approximately 100 electric cars now in operation. The British pharmaceutical company, known for its COVID-19 vaccine, stated that the Swiss market is among the first within the group to achieve full electrification ahead of schedule. Globally, AstraZeneca has deployed over 10,000 electric vehicles. The transition included supporting employees with home charging infrastructure. “Knowing that the switch to electric cars poses challenges, we have supported our employees in installing wallboxes in their homes,” said Ioana Crisan, Chief Financial Officer of AstraZeneca Switzerland. The company also revised local guidelines…

Silicon Valley-based autonomous technology firm Pronto has signed a global agreement with Heidelberg Materials to deploy more than 100 autonomous haul trucks across multiple sites worldwide over the next three years. The partnership follows successful pilot programs in North America, where Pronto’s Autonomous Haulage System (Pronto AHS) was integrated into mixed OEM fleets. Under the deal, Pronto will also become Heidelberg Materials’ exclusive provider of autonomous technologies in North America. See also: Heidelberg Materials and Volvo Group Collaborate to Test Electric Vehicles, Aiming to Reduce CO2 Emissions “Implementing industry-leading technologies across our global footprint is an important driver of operational…

Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) has opened its first Afeela Studio in Los Angeles, offering the public an early look at its upcoming electric vehicle ahead of its scheduled California release in 2026. The studio, located at the Westfield Century City mall, will be open for six months, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore the Afeela EV’s design, technology, and digital features. See also: Sony Honda Mobility Partners with Tesla to Adopt North American Charging Standard for Afeela EVs The grand opening ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting led by Shugo Yamaguchi, President and CEO of Sony Honda Mobility of America Inc.…

Rivian has introduced the Upfit Program, a new initiative aimed at making it easier for fleet managers to customize and deploy its electric vehicles for commercial use. The program, launched in partnership with industry leaders such as Ranger Design, Sortimo of North America, Bush Specialty Vehicles, Holman, LEGEND, and EV Sportline, provides a streamlined process for businesses transitioning to electric fleets. See also: Rivian to Launch Hands-Off Driver Assistance System, Eyes-Off Version by 2026 “Upfitting is the process of customizing a vehicle in order to meet fleet, business, or individual consumer needs to tackle the job at hand,” Rivian stated.…

British battery technology firm Integrals Power has disclosed new performance data on its lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode material, highlighting superior energy density over lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells while remaining more cost-effective than nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry. Integrals Power’s latest breakthrough involves increasing manganese content to 80%, enabling a 20% boost in energy density compared to LFP. See also: Integrals Power Begins Distribution of LFP and LMFP Cathode Materials for Automotive and Energy Storage Sectors The company reports that its proprietary material technology and patented manufacturing process mitigate the typical decline in specific capacity associated with higher…

Brake dust emissions from electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles pose a significant health risk, with new research suggesting they may be more harmful than diesel exhaust. A study conducted by the University of Southampton found that particulate emissions from certain brake pads can trigger lung inflammation and may contribute to respiratory illnesses. See also: New Study Finds Electric Vehicles Now Match, and Often Outlast, Gas-Powered Cars in Reliability While electric vehicles (EVs) rely on regenerative braking to reduce wear on friction brakes, their heavier weight results in higher dust emissions when traditional braking is used. Researchers examined four…

Circle K has inaugurated its largest fast-charging site globally in Järna, Sweden, featuring 20 high-power charging (HPC) points for electric cars and six for electric trucks. The company also plans to open its first all-electric charging station in Sweden this spring. The 30,000-square-meter site, located southwest of Stockholm, is described as a flagship station due to its strategic positioning. The EV charging area is covered with solar panels and equipped with ten Alpitronic Hyperchargers, each offering up to 400 kW of power. See also: Circle K Expands Heavy-Duty Vehicle Charging Network in Sweden with 16 New Points Each charger supports…

A group of nine Democratic senators on the Environment and Public Works Committee accused the Trump administration on Tuesday of unlawfully withholding $3 billion in previously awarded funds for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced on Thursday that it was suspending the federal EV charging program and rescinding state-approved charging plans pending a new review. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who led the group of lawmakers, called the move a “blatant disregard of the law” and requested internal emails to determine whether President Donald Trump’s advisor and Tesla CEO Elon Musk played a role in the…

BMW is pushing forward with its first electric M model, emphasizing not only the vehicle’s performance but also the sound experience that has long been a hallmark of the brand. As electric vehicles (EVs) become more common, the sound of the car has often been a point of contention. BMW is seeking to replicate the visceral engine sound of its traditional M cars in its upcoming electric M3, moving away from the futuristic acceleration noises developed by composer Hans Zimmer. See also: BMW to Utilize Modified Platform for Upcoming X5 Electric Model In a recent video documenting the development of…

KORE Power has scrapped its ambitious plan to build a $1 billion lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Buckeye, Arizona, and announced a leadership transition, with CEO and founder Lindsay Gorrill stepping down. The Idaho-based energy storage company confirmed that it will no longer proceed with the development of its 2-million-square-foot KOREPlex factory, originally intended to be the first U.S.-owned lithium-ion battery plant. KORE Power has now put the Arizona site up for sale. See also: Toyota’s North Carolina Battery Plant Set to Begin Production in April “The company has recently undertaken a restructuring to provide more benefit to our customers…