Author: Robin Cannon

Lidl has introduced its first electric mountain bike, the Crivit Peak 709, in France and the Czech Republic, marking an expansion of its e-bike lineup beyond urban models. The new eMTB features an SR Suntour XCM34 Boost suspension fork with 130 mm travel, a Mivice X700 mid-drive motor delivering 100Nm of torque, and a removable 709Wh battery, offering a range of up to 120 km (75 miles). See also: Decathlon Unveils Rockrider E-EXPL 900 Kids Electric Mountain Bike at Roc d’Azur 2024 The Crivit Peak 709 includes a Shimano Cues 10-speed derailleur, Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors,…

Sales of zero-emission trucks and buses in China soared to a record 230,000 units in 2024, driven by a robust macroeconomic stimulus package released by the government in September, according to a new analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The surge marked the highest level since the previous peak of 200,000 units in 2015–2016, which had been fueled by government incentives. “China’s zero-emission truck and bus market experienced significant growth in 2024, particularly in the fourth quarter following the government’s macroeconomic stimulus package,” said Felipe Rodríguez, ICCT Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program Director and co-author of the analysis. “The…

XCharge North America has announced a strategic partnership with Hypercharge to distribute its GridLink chargers across Canada, aiming to enhance the country’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network. Under the agreement, Hypercharge will distribute XCharge NA’s GridLink chargers to automotive dealerships and other clients in British Columbia and Ontario. See also: XCharge North America Introduces Virtual Point of Sale System for EV Charging Hypercharge will provide software and customer support, while XCharge NA will handle preventive hardware maintenance. The partnership also includes training and certification for Hypercharge’s team to manage corrective hardware maintenance. “GridLink’s bidirectional, battery-integrated system offers businesses a smarter…

Smart has officially introduced its #5 electric SUV to the European market, with prices starting at €45,900 and orders opening on April 26. The vehicle marks the brand’s expansion into the mid-size SUV segment, moving beyond its traditional compact car focus. The base model, Smart #5 Pro, is priced at €45,900 and features a 76 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a 400-volt system. From the Pro+ variant and higher, the #5 is equipped with a 100 kWh lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NCM) battery and built on an 800-volt platform, enabling rapid charging speeds. The Pro+ starts at €50,900,…

Hyundai Motor Company is ramping up its investment in the United States as it braces for potential tariffs under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed trade policies. The South Korean automaker is focusing on its new manufacturing facility in Georgia to mitigate risks associated with potential duties on imported vehicles. “We are looking forward to officially opening Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia next week. Our localization strategy in the important U.S. market will help mitigate the impact of any potential policy change,” Hyundai President and CEO Jose Muñoz said during the company’s shareholders’ meeting. See also: Hyundai…

UK-based commercial vehicle leasing company Hireco has partnered with Sunswap to incorporate its battery-powered Endurance refrigeration units into its fleet, aiming to offer a zero-emission alternative to traditional diesel-powered cooling systems. The solar and battery-powered Endurance units, designed for trailers used in heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), eliminate the need for diesel fuel. Powered by rooftop solar arrays and onboard battery packs, the units can maintain cooling for up to 22 hours on a single charge and fully recharge in 80 minutes via a Type 2 EV socket. They can also be operated remotely or through an integrated touchscreen panel. See…

U.S. battery cell developer 24M has expanded the application of its Eternalyte electrolyte, originally designed for lithium-metal batteries, to now include silicon- and graphite-based battery chemistries. The company says the electrolyte significantly improves charging speeds and cold-weather performance. First unveiled in February 2024, Eternalyte was initially developed to enhance lithium-metal batteries. According to 24M, the electrolyte enables a rapid charging rate, allowing electric vehicles to gain approximately 200 miles (320 km) of range in under four minutes when charging from 15% to 80% state of charge (SOC). It also delivers up to three times the ionic conductivity of standard electrolytes,…

BYD’s premium brand Denza has launched the N9 hybrid SUV, marking its latest push into China’s high-end automotive market. The large luxury SUV, unveiled at an event in Shenzhen, will be available in two variants priced at RMB 389,800 ($53,770) and RMB 449,800, significantly undercutting the pre-sale range of RMB 450,000 to RMB 550,000 announced in February. See also: BYD’s Denza Begins Pre-Sales for N9 SUV, Pricing Starts at $62,100 The Denza N9, a six-seat flagship SUV, measures 5,258 mm in length, 2,030 mm in width, and 1,830 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,125 mm. It is positioned…

Volvo has provided a first look at what appears to be its next electric vehicle, the EX60, during the reveal of its ES90 model. The brief teaser suggests the EX60 will be positioned between the EX30 and EX90 in the automaker’s EV lineup. During the YouTube-streamed event on Wednesday, a clay model labeled “EX60” was briefly visible, showcasing a split-taillight design similar to other recent Volvo EVs. Based on scale, the EX60 appears to be sized between the compact EX30 and the three-row EX90. See also: Volvo Unveils ES90 Electric Saloon with 800V Charging and Up to 700 km Range…

Tesla’s facelifted Model Y has reportedly secured strong initial demand in China, with local media outlet 36kr citing Tesla sales staff as saying the vehicle has amassed 200,000 orders nationwide since pre-sales began on January 10. “From the opening of pre-orders until today, each store in Beijing has been able to add nearly 100 new orders per day,” Tesla salespeople told 36kr. However, a significant portion of these are refundable orders, the report noted. Prior to the start of deliveries, Tesla’s pre-order page indicated a “refundable deposit,” a label that was removed after deliveries commenced on February 26. See also:…

Australian logistics provider Centurion has integrated 20 battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 300 trucks into its fleet, the company announced. The deployment follows 15.8 million AUD (€9.26 million) in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to support the purchase of electric trucks and charging infrastructure. See also: Australia Invests $21.8M in Electric Mobility Projects The eActros trucks, supplied by Daimler Truck, will operate on metro routes in Perth, Western Australia, as Centurion aims to cut emissions in its freight operations. The company has also installed off-grid solar power and battery storage at its Hazelmere depot to support the new fleet.…

A majority of automotive manufacturing leaders expect electric vehicle (EV) production to increase in 2025, but doubts remain over the feasibility of meeting full EV production deadlines set for 2030-2040, according to ABB Robotics’ third Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey. The survey, conducted with Automotive Manufacturing Solutions, found that 75% of respondents anticipate EV production growth next year. However, 31% believe achieving 100% EV production within the next decade or two is unrealistic, citing external challenges such as consumer demand and charging infrastructure limitations. See also: Chinese Automakers Command 76% of Global EV Market, Expanding Beyond U.S. “This year’s survey found…