Author: Robin Cannon

Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor has officially entered the Vietnamese market with the launch of its first model, the Haval H6 HEV. The launch event took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on August 2, marking the company’s entry into the Southeast Asian country. Great Wall opened its first store in Vietnam on the same day, signaling its commitment to expanding its presence in the ASEAN region. According to Clyde Cheng, President of Great Wall’s ASEAN region, the company has established a complete industrial system in the ASEAN region, covering research and development, sourcing and manufacturing, marketing, after-sales, and information technology. This…

California-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, Fisker Inc. (FSR), recently disclosed its second-quarter earnings, showcasing an improvement in profitability. However, the company had to revise its annual production guidance once again, citing ongoing supplier constraints. Fisker had begun ramping up production and delivered its first Ocean electric SUV in May. However, the company fell short of its initial production targets, manufacturing only 55 Ocean SUVs in the first three months of the year, well below the goal of 300. For the second quarter, Fisker aimed to build between 1,400 and 1,700 vehicles but could only produce an impressive 1,022 Ocean EVs…

Tesla has inked a renewed contract with China’s Yahua Industrial Group, extending the supply of lithium for its electric vehicle batteries until 2030. The extended agreement includes a substantial increase in the quantities supplied compared to the previous contract. Under the newly extended contract, Yahua will provide Tesla with 207,000 to 301,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide from 1 August 2023 to 31 December 2030. This marks a considerable boost from the original contract, which covered 63,000 to 88,000 tonnes over a five-year period until 2025. Notably, the supply volume of up to 301,000 tonnes represents the entire contract period,…

Toronto-based Li-Cycle has unveiled its first European battery recycling centre, known as a “Spoke,” located in Magdeburg, Germany. Covering an impressive 20,000 square meters, the facility’s first main processing line is now operational, with the ability to process full electric vehicle (EV) battery packs. Another main line is scheduled to commence operations later this year. Each main line at the Magdeburg Spoke has an annual processing capacity of up to 10,000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery material. The company is also planning to add an “additional 10,000 tonnes of ancillary capacity.” If realized, this expansion would bring the total capacity of…

In a recent update on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, CEO Elon Musk revealed that the company is now working on the “final piece” of the AI puzzle—vehicle control. Despite Musk’s previous reluctance to make predictions about self-driving capabilities, he recently expressed confidence in achieving full autonomy by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approval. For users of Tesla’s FSD Beta, the prospect of transitioning from the current state to level 4 or 5 autonomy—where Tesla assumes system responsibility and allows drivers to use it without monitoring—within a few months may seem challenging to envision. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1686513363495346178 On Twitter,…

In a recent press release, Subaru Corporation and Panasonic Energy have announced the commencement of talks to establish a medium- to long-term partnership, aimed at addressing the surging demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and automotive batteries. The primary focus of these discussions will revolve around Panasonic’s next-generation automotive cylindrical lithium-ion batteries, which are intended to power Subaru’s upcoming all-electric models planned for the second half of this decade. Specifically, these advanced batteries will be utilized in Subaru’s dedicated BEV plant, currently in the planning phase for construction in Gunma, Japan. While specific details regarding the characteristics of the “next-generation…

Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has affirmed its production target of 1.8 million vehicles for the year 2023, as announced during its Q2 earnings call. However, the company also mentioned that there will be factory upgrades in the third quarter, which could lead to a slight reduction in production. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, informed investors that they should anticipate lower production figures in Q3 compared to the record-breaking results achieved in Q2. During the second quarter, Tesla produced 479,700 electric cars and delivered 466,140 of them. The reason behind the anticipated decrease in production is the temporary shutdown…

n response to the US Inflation Reduction Act, which incentivizes manufacturers investing in electric vehicle (EV) and battery production in North America, Mazda is reconsidering its electrification strategy and contemplating localized EV manufacturing in North America, potentially starting in 2028. While Mazda leans toward Mexico rather than the United States for its future EV plant, the decision aligns with the company’s evolving plans to embrace electrification. CEO Masahiro Moro disclosed Mazda’s intentions during a recent media interaction, outlining the likelihood of commencing North American EV production between 2028 and 2030, a phase within the new mid-term business plan initiated in…

In a recent development, eleven Kia EV6 owners have raised concerns regarding a loss of motive power, leading to the initiation of a Preliminary Evaluation by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) in the United States. All of the affected vehicles involved in the complaints belong to the 2022 model year. According to multiple EV6 owners, they encountered a sudden “loud pop noise” while driving, followed by a warning appearing on their dashboard. Shortly after these events, they experienced either a reduction or a complete loss of motive power. Through interviews conducted by the ODI, it was confirmed that the…

In a recent interview with Reuters, Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard sounded the alarm over a potential crisis facing Europe’s burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) industry. Senard described a looming “Chinese storm,” highlighting China’s dominance in key raw materials required for battery production, essential for zero-emission cars. Senard drew attention to China’s recent decision to impose restrictions on the export of gallium and germanium, crucial metals used in semiconductors and EVs. This move serves as a wake-up call for European leaders, underscoring the continent’s heavy reliance on China and the necessity of establishing a self-sufficient and costly supply chain. The Renault Chairman…

Australian electric aviation company Dovetail Electric Aviation has joined forces with Hyundai’s subsidiary HTWO to test a fuel cell system designed for aviation. In collaboration with Australian regional airline Rex Group, Dovetail aims to integrate the HTWO fuel cell system into its Iron Bird aircraft following initial tests conducted in Australia. Dovetail has already conducted successful trials on an electric motor boasting a power output exceeding 250 kW for its aircraft model, which included the necessary power electronics and control system. The company now seeks to combine this cutting-edge electric motor with HTWO’s fuel cell system. According to Rex airline’s…

The highly anticipated arrival of the BYD Dolphin electric vehicle in Europe has been confirmed, with deliveries scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of this year. Priced between 29,990 euros and 37,740 euros, the BYD Dolphin will offer European customers a range of options across four different versions. The entry-level model, known as the Active version, combines a 70 kW engine with a 44.9 kWh capacity LFP battery. For those seeking more power, the Boost version retains the same battery but boasts an impressive 130 kW engine. In addition to these options, customers can opt for the Comfort and…

Harley-Davidson, the renowned American motorcycle manufacturer, plans to introduce its electric motorcycles to the Japanese market in the coming year, as announced by the company’s CEO, Jochen Zeitz. This move demonstrates Harley-Davidson’s commitment to embracing electric drivetrains, making it one of the pioneers among legacy motorcycle manufacturers. Harley-Davidson embarked on its electric journey almost a decade ago with Project LiveWire, which eventually led to the creation of the Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle. While the bike received acclaim for its performance, its sales were modest due to its steep price tag of nearly US $30,000. Undeterred by the initial response, Harley-Davidson…

A groundbreaking initiative known as the Recirculate project has commenced this month, with a consortium of eleven companies joining forces to explore innovative business models for the repair, reuse, and recycling of second-life batteries. Supported by a generous €4.9 million grant from the European Union, this ambitious endeavor is set to transform the landscape of sustainable energy solutions. Among the prominent participants in the project are renowned entities such as Ford Otosan and DHL, along with manufacturers specializing in cutting-edge technologies encompassing artificial intelligence (AI), intelligent logistics solutions, and blockchain technology. Their collaborative efforts over the next three years aim…

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has made significant progress in the development of a groundbreaking electric drive system, which could serve as a pivotal step toward the electrification of larger aircraft. With an output of one megawatt, the newly designed motor showcases promising potential for the future of aviation. A dedicated team of researchers at MIT has successfully designed and tested the main components of the electric motor, bringing the project one step closer to fruition. Initial calculations indicate that the integrated components have the capability to function collectively, generating a remarkable one megawatt of power. Furthermore, the motor’s weight…

Ferrari is pushing forward with its plans to embrace electric mobility by completing a new production facility in Maranello by mid-2024. The state-of-the-art plant, known as the E-building, will serve as the manufacturing hub for electric supercars and next-generation powertrains. Benedetto Vigna, the CEO of Ferrari, revealed that the E-building will feature advanced assembly lines designed to accommodate the production of both electric and combustion engine vehicles. Construction on the site commenced two years ago, and it is on track to be ready by June 2024. In line with its electrification strategy, Ferrari is set to introduce its first all-electric…

In a recent development, a Tesla Cybertruck wrapped in camouflage was spotted in California, hinting that the automaker may have finalized the design of its highly anticipated electric pickup truck. Since its initial unveiling in 2019, the Cybertruck has undergone several design iterations, but recent sightings have showcased a level of fit and finish that aligns with a production-ready vehicle. These observations indicate that Tesla is approaching the finalization of the design, with production slated to commence later this summer. The sighting took place in Palo Alto, California, and was captured by Twitter user YYDS (@ya78756632), who shared two photos…

AESC Group, a Japanese EV battery technology company, has recently initiated the construction of a state-of-the-art battery plant in Florence County, South Carolina. Spanning an impressive 1.5 million square feet, the facility is expected to commence commercial operations by 2026, providing a significant boost to the local community with the creation of 1,170 new jobs. This new battery plant, with a capacity of 30 GWh, represents an expansion of AESC’s existing battery manufacturing network in the United States. AESC already operates a plant in Tennessee, while another facility is currently being built in Kentucky. Once all three plants are completed,…

In a departure from the usual approach of generating buzz prior to a new model launch, Fiat has taken a discreet route by unveiling the exterior and interior footage of the upcoming Fiat 600e in a release about a Vatican event, deliberately keeping it under wraps. The accidental reveal of the Fiat 600e occurred in early May when the vehicle was spotted undisguised during the shooting of press footage. Subsequently, an official video provided a more extensive look at the car, showcasing its exterior from different angles and offering glimpses of the interior. As expected, the small SUV embraces the…

Siemens has introduced the e-Line OnBoard series, a new and exceptionally quiet charging pantograph designed specifically for electric buses. The pantograph charger is capable of handling charging powers of up to 600 kW. It can be utilized for short-duration high-current occasional charging or for depot charging with lower currents. The primary application of this system is expected to be outside the depot, where residents may be particularly sensitive to charging noise. Siemens claims that the new pantograph offers minimal noise generation during contact with the charging bonnet and when lowering onto the bus roof. This achievement is attributed to a…