Author: Robin Cannon

Convenience store giant, 7-Eleven, has just announced its new proprietary EV charging network and app, named 7Charge. This new platform aims to deliver a fast-charging experience at selected 7-Eleven stores throughout the United States and is set to expand to Canada in the near future. With 7Charge, 7-Eleven is looking to build one of the largest and most compatible electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging networks of any retailer in North America. This revolutionary new technology is already offering fast-charging services to customers in several locations across the states of Florida, Texas, Colorado, and California. The 7Charge network boasts 7-Eleven’s trademark convenience…

Electrify America, the largest open DC fast charging network in the United States, has opened its first electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Hawaii. The station, located in Pearl City on the island of Oahu, features four EV chargers capable of delivering up to 150kW. With the launch of this new station, Electrify America now has a network presence in 47 states plus the District of Columbia. Although it has not yet expanded to Vermont, the company is well on its way to achieving its goal of installing over 10,000 individual chargers at more than 1,800 total charging stations in…

Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has identified a potential issue with the side curtain airbags in its R1S SUV and has initiated a recall campaign. The problem is related to the fasteners that secure the airbags to the roof rails. The company first became aware of the issue on February 16, 2023, when a vehicle at its assembly plant in Normal, Illinois, had a loose airbag. Rivian launched an investigation into the manufacturing error to determine the root cause of the issue. While the company has not provided specifics on what caused the defect, it has identified that the problem…

Hyundai, the South Korean automaker, is reportedly planning to launch its first electric vehicle (EV) with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries later this year. The upcoming EV will be equipped with cell-to-pack technology, which has been licensed by CATL to Hyundai Mobis in 2021, according to The Elec. The use of LFP cells in the new EV is significant, as it would be the first car from the Hyundai Motor Group to incorporate this technology worldwide. Kia, another subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Group, has also announced that its second-generation Kia Ray EV minivan will use LFP batteries supplied by…

The upcoming 2024 GMC Hummer EV is set to bring a groundbreaking innovation to the table. The popular all-electric truck is set to receive a Level 2 onboard charger as standard on select trims, with the new feature allowing for bidirectional charging for the very first time. According to Automotive News, the 19.2-kilowatt Level 2 AC onboard charger will come as standard on the SUV’s Edition 1, 3X, and 2X trims, as well as on the pickup’s 3X and 2X variants. With this advanced onboard charger, the 2024 Hummer EV will be able to provide up to 6 kW of…

Subaru, the Japanese automaker famous for models like Impreza, Crosstrek, and Forester, has recently announced a significant reorganization of its top management. Atsushi Osaki will replace the current CEO, Tomomi Nakamura, as the new head of the company, while Jeff Walters will take over as the CEO of Subaru of America, replacing Tom Doll. As Subaru faces tough competition in the race towards zero emissions, the company recognizes the need for flexibility and expansion to survive the age of electrification. According to new CEO Osaki, Subaru aims to stay nimble and implement various systems while focusing on flexibility and expansion.…

Nissan is recalling more than 1,000 Ariya electric SUVs due to steering wheel detachment issues, following a similar investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into the Tesla Model Y. The NHTSA’s investigation of the Tesla Model Y was initiated after two reports of steering wheel detachment in the 2023 model year. The agency discovered that both vehicles had undergone an “end-of-line repair” that required steering wheel removal and re-installation. The NHTSA and Tesla are collaborating to determine whether any additional vehicles were affected and if a recall is necessary. See also: Nissan Ariya electric crossover gets 5…

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has announced that Rainer Müller-Finkeldei will assume the role of Product Development head in May 2023. Müller-Finkeldei will replace Uwe Baake, who played a pivotal role in the development of trucks such as the GenH2 and the eActros, and will retire as planned at the end of April. Müller-Finkeldei’s new role will involve overseeing the development divisions of Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Germany, Brazil, and Turkey. He joins at a time when Daimler Truck aims to offer only CO2-neutral new vehicles in Europe, Japan, and North America by 2039, with the long-term objective of achieving CO2-neutral transport on roads…

In a groundbreaking move, Audi has teamed up with 15 research, recycling, and supplier partners to launch “MaterialLoop,” a joint project that explores the concept of circular economy in the auto industry. The initiative aims to recycle materials such as steel, aluminum, plastic, and glass from old cars to produce new vehicles, thereby reducing waste and emissions. The project’s core objective is to “close the loop” on materials by reusing them for production, thereby lowering the environmental footprint of vehicles. Gas-powered cars, in particular, emit an average of 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, according to EPA data. However,…

Tesla sold 74,402 China-made EVs in February, marking a 12.64% increase from January’s sales of 66,051 units, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). The figures included Tesla’s exports from its Shanghai plant, as well as its deliveries within China. The breakdown figures of the sales are currently unavailable. The CPCA data also showed that Tesla’s February sales in China rose by 31.65% from 56,515 units in the same month last year. During the first two months of 2022, Tesla sold a total of 140,453 China-made EVs, up 20.71% from the same period last year, the…

Jet H2 Energy, a joint venture between H2 Energy Europe and Phillips 66, is set to build its first ten hydrogen refuelling stations in Germany and Denmark. These stations will supply gaseous green hydrogen at 350 and 700 bar for cars, light and heavy commercial vehicles, and buses. This announcement is part of the company’s plan to build a total of 250 public hydrogen refuelling stations in Germany, Austria, and Denmark. Initial orders for the components for the fueling stations have already been placed, and construction has begun. The stations should go into operation by spring 2024 at the latest.…

Kore Power, a US-based battery developer, has announced plans to partner with Siemens to establish a battery cell factory in Buckeye, Arizona, with an annual capacity of 12 GWh. The factory, called ‘KOREPlex’, will be one of the first gigafactories in the US built independently of an automaker, enabling it to supply batteries to a wide range of customers. The plant will initially have an annual production capacity of 6 GWh, with plans to expand production “to 12 GWh and beyond” later. The factory will produce battery cells for electric vehicles and stationary applications, and construction is set to be…