Author: Ryan Fisher

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Leapmotor, in collaboration with Europe’s Stellantis NV, has initiated EV production at Stellantis’ Tychy plant in Poland, as reported by Reuters. Jefferies analysts stated that Leapmotor’s first T03 small EVs have rolled off the assembly line in Poland and are on track for mass production in September. The joint venture intends to commence production of its A12 SUV model at the same plant in the first quarter of 2025. See also: Leapmotor Restructures Operations, Disbands Overseas Team Following Stellantis Joint Venture Leapmotor is also preparing for localized production of components, according to analysts. Manufacturing costs at…

BYD’s battery manufacturing unit, FinDreams, has reportedly secured a deal to supply cells to Tesla’s energy storage business in China, according to a recent report. The agreement, struck in March, will see FinDreams supply Tesla’s energy storage product manufacturing plant in Shanghai, as reported by LatePost today. The supply of cells for energy storage is expected to commence in the first quarter of next year. Tesla’s energy storage facility, known as the Megafactory, broke ground on May 23 in the Lingang area of Pudong, Shanghai. This marks Tesla’s first energy storage project outside the United States and is located alongside…

Tesla is gearing up to release its latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) software version, v12.4.1, initially to employees with plans for a limited rollout to external customers. CEO Elon Musk expressed optimism about the software’s accuracy, suggesting that once known bugs are fixed, it could take over a year of driving to encounter even one intervention. The upcoming FSD release is part of Tesla’s ongoing efforts to refine its autonomous driving capabilities, leading up to the August 8th Robotaxi Unveiling Event. Musk highlighted the significant changes in the new version, indicating that it could arguably be considered as v13 due to…

Zoox has announced plans to begin testing its self-driving cars in Austin, Texas, and Miami, Florida. This expansion marks the first trial sites for Zoox outside the western United States, signaling the company’s commitment to advancing its autonomous driving technology. The testing will involve Zoox’s fleet of retrofitted Toyota Highlanders, equipped with human safety drivers, operating in small areas near the business and entertainment districts of both cities. These vehicles are part of Zoox’s initial testing phase and will not offer public rides at this stage. See also: U.S. Regulator Seeks Information on Amazon’s Zoox Self-Driving Vehicles Following Braking Issues In…

During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin criticized the Treasury Department over the local content rules for clean energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Manchin accused Treasury of damaging U.S. manufacturers by halving the content rules from the original law. “I’m encouraging every manufacturer to sue you, and I will do the amicus brief on (their) behalf …. and you’ll lose every suit,” Manchin stated, displaying posters comparing the legislation’s content requirements with Treasury’s final rules. Manchin, who recently left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent, has been a vocal critic of…

Fortum Battery Recycling, a Finnish company, has signed a preliminary agreement and a letter of intent with the Japanese trading group Marubeni to jointly establish a sustainable recycling chain for lithium-ion batteries, with a focus on graphite recycling. Under the agreement, Marubeni will assist Fortum by supplying in-process waste materials and process chemicals. The partnership aims to develop graphite and lithium recycling technologies to create a recycling value chain that aligns with market demand. Both companies also plan to explore additional business opportunities and promote sustainable growth in the clean energy sector. Tero Holländer, Head of the Battery Business Area…

European startups Twaice and Circu Li-ion have been selected for the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator, a funding program aimed at promoting sustainability initiatives. The program, now in its third iteration, provides startups with the opportunity to advance their solutions and collaborate with Amazon to test their technologies. Out of hundreds of applicants, 15 startups from across Europe have been chosen for the four-week program. Twaice, based in Munich, offers software that analyzes battery conditions, providing insights to extend battery life and enhance performance. Co-founder Stephan Rohr highlighted the value of their battery analytics software, stating, “By participating in this exciting accelerator,…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced this week that the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software will be receiving new driving modes. Musk responded to a user’s feedback about the FSD Supervised “chill mode” being too aggressive, stating that the software will soon include three updated modes: chill, standard, and hurry. Currently, Tesla offers chill, average, and assertive modes for FSD, and it remains unclear if the new modes will introduce significant changes to driving styles. Musk did not specify when the modes would be available or if the new chill mode would be more relaxed than the current one. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1796715946918228360 Some…

Kodiak Robotics, a player in the self-driving trucking sector, has announced a collaboration with Textron Systems to develop a new driverless military vehicle. The partnership will see Kodiak integrate its autonomous technology, the Kodiak Driver, into a purpose-built prototype developed by Textron Systems. Unlike a retrofit of an existing vehicle, this new prototype is being designed from the ground up, highlighting the innovative approach of both companies. Textron Systems, known for its expertise in developing air, land, and sea vehicles, is considered a leader in military ground vehicle manufacturing. See also: Kodiak Robotics Sustains Progress in Autonomous Trucks Amid Industry Shifts…

Citroën has unveiled the pricing and specifications for its electric compact SUV, the ë-C3, in the UK. Starting at £21,990, the ë-C3 will be available for order in July. The latest version of the small electric SUV retains the same specifications as its predecessor, featuring a 44 kWh battery that can be charged from 20% to 80% in approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes using a 7.4kW charger. A 100 kW fast charger can reduce this time to around 26 minutes. Powered by an electric motor delivering 83kW, the ë-C3 can accelerate from 0-62mph in about 11 seconds, with a…

The government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has announced funding for the installation of 39 new fast-chargers in Canberra. This initiative is part of the government’s plan to increase the number of public EV chargers in the city to 180 by 2025, up from the current 156. The funding, totaling 626,275 AUD (approximately 415,721 USD), will be distributed among four recipients: ActewAGL, BP, ENGIE, and Evie. The chargers will be DC fast-chargers strategically placed “in key locations across the city,” although specific technical details and locations have not been disclosed. See also: Xpeng Expands Global Presence with Entry into Australian…

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is taking significant steps towards sustainable transport logistics by electrifying its factory transport operations near Stuttgart. The company’s logistics partner, Große-Vehne Speditions GmbH, has deployed two battery-electric eActros 300 tractor units to transport car engines between the Bad Cannstatt engine plant and the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen. The two electric trucks, covering around 180 kilometres daily, mark a milestone in Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. These efforts align with Daimler Truck’s broader push towards eMobility, following its spin-off from the Daimler Group in December 2021. According to Andreas Scharff, Head of eMobility Sales and Dealer…