Author: Robin Cannon

Standard Lithium announced on Thursday that its joint venture with energy firm Equinor, SWA Lithium, has successfully closed a $225 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE). The funding, provided by the DoE’s Office of Manufacturing & Energy Supply Chains, will support the construction of phase 1 of the South West Arkansas (SWA) lithium project. SWA Lithium, which is owned 55% by Standard Lithium and 45% by Equinor, plans to build one of the world’s first commercial-scale Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) facilities. The DLE process, which is touted as faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly compared to traditional…

Belfast Harbor is set to debut the Harlander, Northern Ireland’s first self-driving passenger vehicle, in March 2025. The autonomous nine-seater shuttle will provide free last-mile connectivity in the Titanic Quarter, linking Titanic Halt Railway Station with nearby businesses, tourist attractions, and educational institutions. The pilot program represents a significant milestone in advancing autonomous transport in the UK. The pilot service, running from March to September 2025, will include a safety operator on board to monitor operations. The Harlander’s route will enhance public transport accessibility, connecting transit hubs to various facilities in the Titanic Quarter. “We’re incredibly excited to have visited…

Amprius Technologies, a Californian battery developer, has introduced its new SiCore cell chemistry, which boasts an energy density of 370 Wh/kg and discharge rates of up to 10C without cooling and 15C with active cooling. The company’s Silicon Anode Platform is designed to “revolutionize high-performance electric mobility” by offering “unparalleled power-to-energy capabilities for high-demand applications.” With this breakthrough, Amprius aims to set new standards in high-performance battery technology, particularly for industries with demanding power needs. Amprius has delivered six pre-production 10 Ah sample units to customers for testing in the fourth quarter of 2024, although it has not disclosed the…

Arcfox, the electric vehicle (EV) brand under Beijing Automotive Group, has joined Nio’s (NYSE: NIO) charging network, becoming the 16th brand to do so. The collaboration allows Arcfox users to access Nio Power’s charging infrastructure, which includes superchargers and destination chargers, aiming to enhance the convenience of charging for EV owners. Through this partnership, Arcfox customers can use the Nio app to locate and utilize Nio’s charging piles, which are known for their wide coverage and ease of use. In total, Arcfox will integrate access to 9,000 Nio superchargers and 5,400 destination chargers. This agreement continues Nio’s strategy of expanding…

BYD has officially launched its passenger car offerings in South Korea, introducing the Atto 3 electric SUV to challenge Hyundai on its home turf. The Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) giant began accepting pre-orders for the Atto 3 today, with local deliveries set to commence by mid-February. Two versions of the Atto 3, the base model and the premium Atto 3 Plus, are available in South Korea. Prices start at 31.5 million won ($21,600) and 33.3 million won, respectively, but with government subsidies, costs are reduced to approximately 20 million won. Both models feature BYD’s proprietary 60.48 kWh lithium iron…

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius, in his role as president of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), urged the European Commission on Thursday to recognize that weak electric vehicle (EV) sales in the European Union are primarily due to sluggish demand rather than supply challenges. Kaellenius called on EU policymakers to reassess potential fines tied to CO2 emission targets, warning they could cost automakers up to €15 billion ($15.4 billion) by 2025. “We have made a few suggestions, but we didn’t want to come in with a prescriptive ‘just do this,’” Kaellenius told reporters. “Let’s recognize there is an issue. Any…

Rivian and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have finalized a $6.6 billion loan under the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) program, enabling the electric vehicle maker to move forward with its planned factory in Georgia. Construction of the facility, located east of Atlanta, is set to begin in 2026, with the first R2 SUVs expected to roll off the production line in 2028. The loan, announced in November 2023, is part of the DOE’s Loan Programs Office, which previously supported Tesla with a $465 million loan in 2009. Rivian’s funding will be allocated in two tranches: up to $3.35…

Chrysler has halted development of its long-awaited electric crossover, codenamed C6X, as the company reassesses its market strategy. According to a supplier communication obtained by Mopar Insiders, Chrysler instructed partners to suspend all expenditures associated with the program, stating the project is “on hold until further notice.” The electric crossover was intended to mark Chrysler’s foray into the competitive EV market and was originally inspired by the Airflow concept unveiled at CES in 2021. That concept was later abandoned, with Chrysler pivoting to the C6X model, which would incorporate a new design language previewed in the Halcyon concept in early…

MAN Truck & Bus has launched the “MAN TruckScenes” dataset, the first of its kind from a truck manufacturer, aimed at supporting research and development in autonomous vehicle technology. The dataset, which contains 747 unique driving scenes, is available for free to developers, universities, and research institutions. This move is intended to promote collaboration, accelerate the development of autonomous systems, and contribute to the standardization of data formats in the autonomous driving industry. The dataset includes data from various sensors, such as four cameras, six lidars, six radars, two inertial measurement units (IMUs), and a high-precision GNSS system. Noteworthy is…

TIER IV has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining a permit for Level 4 autonomous driving operations in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture. The permit, granted in collaboration with local government and service operators, allows for fully autonomous driving under predefined conditions and marks a major step in advancing autonomous mobility solutions. The company received Level 4 certification under the Road Transport Vehicle Act in October 2024, and the new permit issued under the Road Traffic Act allows the Minibus to operate on public roads. This includes shared spaces with pedestrians and general traffic, running between Shiojiri Station and Shiojiri City Hall.…

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced $635 million in funding for 49 zero-emission infrastructure projects aimed at expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging networks and alternative fueling infrastructure across the country. The initiative will add over 11,500 EV charging points, with projects focusing on both community-based infrastructure and designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Of the total funding, $368 million is allocated to 42 community projects, emphasizing local EV infrastructure expansion. The remaining $268 million will support seven projects along Alternative Fuel Corridors, bolstering the nation’s alternative-fueling network. California is among the largest recipients, with six projects receiving funding,…

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland have developed a novel process designed to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The breakthrough focuses on creating a protective layer for cathodes using trifluoromethane (CHF3), a gas that is typically produced as a by-product during the manufacture of plastics like PTFE, PVDF, and foam. In their laboratory experiments, the PSI team, led by project leader Mario El Kazzi from the Centre for Energy and Environmental Sciences, initiated a reaction between trifluoromethane and a thin lithium carbonate layer covering the cathode surface. This reaction, which occurs at 300 degrees Celsius, converts…