Author: Robin Cannon

Swiss bus manufacturer Hess has secured an order for 51 electric buses from Transports publics de la région lausannoise, the public transport company of Lausanne. The order includes 37 lighTram 19 DC battery trolleybuses and 14 lighTram 25 DC trolleybuses, with deliveries slated to commence in 2026. In a brief press release, Hess confirmed the order without disclosing specific configuration details or the financial volume. The manufacturer highlighted the significance of this order, underscoring the transport company’s confidence in Hess’s products. Lausanne currently operates 100 Hess trolleybuses, including twelve lighTram 25 DC models serving routes between Lutry and Prilly. The…

Tesla’s efforts to integrate dry-coating technology from its acquisition of Maxwell Technologies in 2019 for producing its 4680 battery cells in Austin, Texas, have encountered significant hurdles, sources familiar with the matter revealed. Dry coating, heralded for its potential to reduce energy consumption, equipment costs, and production space, contrasts sharply with conventional wet-coating methods that involve solvent-heavy processes requiring extensive drying ovens. Volkswagen’s PowerCo has described dry coating as a “game changer,” offering potential energy savings of 30% and space reductions of 50%. See also: LG Energy Solution Shifts Focus to 46-Series Battery Production Amid Global Demand Surge Tesla initially touted…

Ineos Automotive has decided to postpone the debut of its electric off-road vehicle, the Fusilier, citing consumer hesitancy towards electric vehicles (EVs) and regulatory uncertainties, the company informed British Autocar on Tuesday. Originally slated as Ineos’ first electric vehicle following two combustion models, the Fusilier was unveiled in late February with plans to offer both fully electric and petrol range-extender options. However, the carmaker has now halted its launch plans indefinitely, pointing to evolving challenges in the EV market landscape. See also: Ineos Considers U.S. Production for Grenadier Pickup, Expands SUV Lineup “While EV charging infrastructure is expanding and consumer confidence…

Volkswagen’s charging brand Elli has unveiled a new charging rate, ‘Elli Drive Plus,’ designed to enhance EV travel convenience throughout Europe, particularly during the holiday season. The plan offers discounts at Ionity stations, emphasizing sustainable and convenient long-distance journeys. The introduction of ‘Elli Drive Plus’ marks a shift from the previous ‘Elli Drive City’ plan, which has now been discontinued. According to an Elli spokesperson, the new tariff is not intended as a direct replacement but aims to enhance the transition from the ‘Drive Free’ to the ‘Drive Highway’ plans. Under the updated conditions, effective from July 1st, the ‘Elli…

Xiaomi EV, the electric vehicle division of Xiaomi (HKG: 1810, OTCMKTS: XIACY), announced today via Weibo that it has surpassed its monthly delivery target by delivering more than 10,000 units of its SU7 model in June 2024. The company did not disclose the exact figure but confirmed that deliveries in July are also expected to exceed 10,000 units. The Hong Kong-listed tech giant is slated to release detailed delivery figures for the SU7 model in an upcoming exchange announcement. Xiaomi EV launched its first electric vehicle, the SU7, on March 28, offering three variants: standard, Pro, and Max, with prices…

Li Auto has reached a significant milestone by opening its 500th supercharging station, showing notable progress from the recent launch of its 400th station just 43 days earlier. However, the company is confronted with the substantial task of meeting its ambitious goal of installing over 2000 supercharging stations by the end of 2024. Achieving this target would necessitate installing an average of 250 supercharging stations monthly during the latter half of the year, a rate far surpassing current levels. A recent partnership with CNPC, China’s largest petroleum company, to deploy charging facilities at its service stations nationwide could potentially aid…

Panasonic Energy is harnessing insights gained from its collaboration with Tesla at Giga Nevada to bolster its upcoming battery manufacturing facility in De Soto, Kansas, slated to become the largest of its kind globally. “We’re very excited by the backup that we have in terms of experience, in terms of the technological advancement that Panasonic brings,” remarked Innocent Chikunya, Vice President of Operations. See also: Panasonic Energy Unit Misses Profit Target, Cites Lower EV Battery Production Since 2017, Tesla and Panasonic have jointly produced battery cells for electric vehicles at Giga Nevada, also known as Gigafactory 1. Panasonic intends to leverage…

Rivian’s 2024 Investor Day showcased significant updates and pre-announcements, highlighting the electric vehicle manufacturer’s robust performance and ambitious goals. According to Rivian’s presentation, the company anticipates delivering between 13,000 and 13,300 vehicles in Q2 2024, surpassing earlier expectations. Wall Street analyst Gary Black, renowned for his insights into EV stocks like TSLA, had projected Q2 deliveries around 10,200 units, indicating Rivian’s outperformance. See also: Rivian Unveils Future Plans with New Vehicle Models Amid VW Partnership In terms of production, Rivian disclosed a slightly lower-than-expected output of 9,100 to 9,300 vehicles for the same quarter, compared to forecasts of approximately 10,300 units.…

Swiss company Libattion, specializing in stationary energy storage systems using recycled electric vehicle batteries, announced it has secured 14 million euros in funding from a consortium of investors. The investment will bolster Libattion’s global footprint and enhance operations across Europe and beyond. The funding round saw participation from prominent investors including the A&G Energy Transition Tech Fund, Spanish automotive supplier Teknia, Portuguese fund HCapital New Ideas II, and Swiss energy provider EBL. Libattion, known for its “e-Racks” storage systems, aims to deliver sustainable and cost-effective battery technology to reduce reliance on critical resources and support industry decarbonization efforts. The company…

Renault Trucks has achieved a significant milestone by delivering its first battery-powered electric trucks outside of Europe. Three units of the Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide, each weighing 26 tons, have been handed over to Trailer Logistics, a Chilean transport company. These trucks will operate on behalf of CCU, a brewery company under the Heineken and Quiñenco Group, marking Renault Trucks’ entry into the Latin American market. The Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide electric trucks are tailored for beverage logistics, covering approximately 100 kilometers daily across various delivery points in Santiago and its environs. Powered by a 264 kWh battery,…

Northern Irish bus manufacturer Wrightbus has inked a deal with French supplier Forsee Power to electrify 1,000 diesel buses over the next three years using Forsee’s ‘Zen Plus’ battery system. Wrightbus, known for its innovative approach to sustainable transport, recently launched a new division dedicated to retrofitting diesel buses. The chosen battery systems, available in capacities ranging from 74 to 84 kWh, boast an energy density of 180 Wh/kg and a service life of 5,000 cycles, promising a compelling Total Cost of Ownership for fleet operators. See also: Forsee Power, Blue Solutions, and Bluebus Collaborate to Develop Solid-State Battery Made in…

Lucid Motors has appointed automotive industry veteran Nick Twork to oversee its global communications strategy, including product, corporate, financial, and internal communications, along with media relations and social media efforts. With over two decades of experience spanning communications, marketing, and commercial strategy in automotive and technology sectors, Twork joins Lucid from a distinguished career that includes roles at Ford, GM, Porsche, Infiniti, and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi. Prior to his new position, he started as a spy photographer for Jimm Dunne, highlighting his diverse background in the automotive industry. Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson expressed confidence in Twork’s ability to enhance the company’s brand…

EcoFlow unveiled its latest innovation today with the introduction of the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3. Positioned as a powerhouse capable of handling 99% of home appliances, the DELTA Pro 3 promises to be a game-changer in the portable power station market. The new model boasts a substantial 4 kWh internal capacity, expandable up to an impressive 48 kWh with additional batteries from EcoFlow. This scalability enables extended runtime for critical appliances, making it ideal for scenarios ranging from powering refrigerators during outages to supporting off-grid adventures with sustained electricity. “The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 is designed to provide seamless power…

At Porsche’s recent annual shareholder meeting, concerns were raised over the company’s aggressive push towards battery-electric vehicles (EVs) amidst a global market slowdown. Despite a plan for plug-in vehicles to comprise over 50% of total sales by next year, some shareholders expressed skepticism, citing a current downturn in demand in various markets. Moritz Kronenberger from Union Investment suggested Porsche should focus on boosting margins and cash flow by selling more combustion-powered models until EV demand rebounds. This comes as Porsche’s shares have dropped by more than a third in the past year, with mounting pressure in China due to declining…

Rental car giant Hertz is aggressively selling off its electric vehicles (EVs) at industry-low prices, marking a significant shift from its previous electrification strategy. Following an announcement earlier this year that it would reduce its EV fleet by about 20,000 vehicles, Hertz is now offering many of its EVs, including Tesla models, at an average price of around $25,000. “Our EVs can be found nationwide in most major metros and averaging around $25,000,” stated a Hertz spokesperson in an email to CNBC. https://twitter.com/Hertz/status/1798427601469366387 Each of the sale vehicles undergoes a thorough 115-point inspection and comes with a one-year or 12,000-mile…

Porsche is enticing buyers with a special offer on its all-electric Taycan, providing up to $4,500 off for those financing or leasing a competitive vehicle, including Tesla models. This move comes as Porsche aims to boost demand for its electric sports car amidst the launch of its new 2025MY Taycan, which promises enhanced range, performance, and faster charging capabilities. Since its debut in 2019, the Taycan has undergone significant improvements. The 2025 model boasts a “fast travel” strategy, enabling shorter charging stops and longer range. The updated Taycan can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes and offers…

Li Auto has reportedly revised its sales target for 2024 downward after experiencing a weaker-than-expected performance so far this year. The company now aims to sell approximately 480,000 units, reflecting a 27.6 percent year-on-year increase, according to local media outlet LatePost. Initially, in February, Li Auto’s founder, chairman, and CEO, Li Xiang, announced a full-year sales target of 800,000 units. However, this target was later adjusted due to weaker-than-expected orders for its Li Mega and 2024 L-series models. Following the revision, Li Auto set a new sales target of 560,000 to 640,000 units, representing a 50-70 percent increase over 2023…

Porsche has unveiled the latest iteration of its iconic 911, featuring a facelift and a significant mid-cycle refresh that includes the adoption of hybrid technology. The new electrified powertrain, known as ‘T-Hybrid,’ combines a new 3.6-liter boxer engine with a permanent magnet synchronous motor integrated into an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. “The new 911 GTS hybrid represents a significant step in our electrification strategy,” said a spokesperson from Porsche. “With the T-Hybrid system, we are able to enhance both performance and efficiency without compromising the driving experience that defines the 911.” See also: Porsche Commences Macan EV Production in Saxony, Germany The…

Xiaomi EV, the car-making division of Chinese tech giant Xiaomi, reported a modest rise in deliveries for May compared to April, amidst ongoing challenges related to production capacity. During an auto industry conference, Lei Jun, founder, chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi, announced that the Xiaomi SU7, the company’s first electric vehicle (EV) model, delivered 8,646 units in May. This marks a 22.27 percent increase from April. See also: Xiaomi EV to Ramp Up Production with Double Shifts to Meet Demand  To meet growing demand, Xiaomi EV plans to initiate double-shift production at its factory in June, aiming to deliver over 10,000…

The year 2026 is poised to be a groundbreaking year for electric vehicles (EVs), with several carmakers gearing up to launch new EVs built on dedicated platforms. Among these developments, 2026 will also witness the revival of Scout Motors, an iconic American truck brand resurrected by parent company Volkswagen Group last year. Scout Motors had previously announced plans to introduce an electric pickup truck and an SUV. The brand recently revealed on its website that the official unveiling is scheduled for late summer 2024. These two EVs are being developed from the ground up on dedicated platforms, setting them apart…