Author: Sibley Presley

British electric intercity bus operator Ember has secured a £5.6 million loan from Triodos Bank UK to bolster its fleet of zero-emission coaches, aiming to enhance its service across Scotland. Established in 2020 with two electric coaches running between Dundee and Edinburgh, Ember has rapidly expanded its network to include routes connecting Glasgow, Stirling, and Kinross. The acquisition of 14 additional electric buses will increase Ember’s fleet to 38 vehicles, facilitating more passenger trips per week and further expanding its route coverage. “This funding from Triodos Bank UK underscores our commitment to supporting the transition to a low carbon economy,”…

General Motors’ subsidiary, GM Defense, has partnered with the University of Texas in Arlington (UTA) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) to conduct a study testing commercial electric vehicle (EV) batteries for military applications. Funded by the United States Department of Defense (DOD) through UTA’s Pulsed Power and Energy Laboratory, the study aims to evaluate how effectively EV batteries perform under various charging and discharging conditions. The DOD seeks to determine whether these batteries can meet the demands of high-power military operations, providing insights crucial for designing robust military-grade EV batteries. “Our collaboration with UTA and NSWCPD,…

In a bid to boost sustainable transportation options, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a $32 million investment for the Clean Mobility Program. This initiative aims to support various projects, including micromobility concepts, shuttles, and ridesharing services, to address local transportation needs and promote cleaner air quality. The Clean Mobility Program offers two funding tracks: the Planning Track and the Demonstration Track. The Planning Track provides up to $100,000 for projects focused on community engagement, site identification, and technical feasibility analysis. On the other hand, the Demonstration Track offers up to $3 million for implementing mobility services in…

BMW has introduced the latest edition of the X3, featuring a plug-in hybrid variant, the X3 30e xDrive, with a system output of 220 kW and a significantly enhanced purely electric range. However, the company has decided to discontinue the purely electric variant, which will be reintroduced as an independent model based on the New Class platform. The X3 30e xDrive plug-in hybrid combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged petrol engine produces 140 kW, while the electric motor, a separately excited synchronous motor, delivers a peak output of…

Prime Lithium, a subsidiary of Deutsche Rohstoff AG, is planning to produce high-quality lithium to power 500,000 electric vehicles (EVs) per year at the Stade Chemical Park near Hamburg, Germany. The company aims to establish a pilot plant on-site by the end of 2025 and position itself as a ‘key player in Europe’s battery value chain’ by 2030. Led by former Bayer manager and Lanxess CEO Axel Heitmann, Prime Lithium, founded in 2021, intends to operate its first production plant, named ‘Train 1,’ by 2030, with the possibility of additional factories to follow. Potential customers for lithium from Stade include…

Finnish charging hardware manufacturer Kempower has announced the opening of its new production facility in Durham County, North Carolina, marking its entry into the North American market. The plant, initially announced in February 2023, is set to produce charging infrastructure for customers in the USA and Canada. Having received the necessary certification in November last year, Kempower’s US plant is now operational and will manufacture NEVI-compliant (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) fast chargers for electric cars, trucks, buses, and other electric vehicles for the North American market. Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the…

Tesla has brought on board a seasoned executive from GEICO, aiming to reduce insurance costs for its electric vehicles (EVs). The automaker has long sought to address the relatively high insurance costs associated with owning its vehicles, despite successfully lowering the cost of the vehicles themselves over the past five years. Other expenses such as interest payments and insurance have remained significant, prompting Tesla to explore ways to lower these costs to boost demand. Initially, Tesla collaborated with established insurance companies to offer insurance products. In 2019, Tesla introduced its own insurance product in California but did not integrate real-time…

Porsche has reportedly decided to postpone its plans to build a large battery cell factory in Brandenburg, according to a report from a German media outlet. The decision is expected to be formally announced at the company’s Annual General Meeting on June 7th. Just two weeks ago, Porsche had approved the production of the all-electric Macan in Leipzig and was also considering the possibility of establishing its own battery production facility. Initial plans suggested that this facility could be built in Schwarzheide, located in the district of Oberspreewald-Lausitz in Brandenburg, which is approximately 100 kilometers from Leipzig and in close…

Stellantis, the automotive giant, unveiled the Citroen e-C3 last October, positioning it as “The first European affordable electric car.” Building on the success of the C3 model, which has sold over 5.6 million units since its launch in 2002, the all-electric e-C3 made its European debut last month, priced at around $24,500 (23,300 euros). The UK pricing for the new low-cost e-C3 EV was announced on Thursday, starting at approximately $28,000 (£21,990 OTR MRRP). See also: Citroen Unveils Next-Generation C3 Aircross, Featuring Electric and Hybrid Options The Citroen e-C3 is the inaugural model to ride on Stellantis’ new EV-focused “Smart Car”…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD has inaugurated its inaugural showroom in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step in its expansion into the Middle Eastern market. The showroom, located in Riyadh’s Al Ghader district, was opened on May 28, showcasing BYD’s latest models and offerings. The facility, which includes a showroom, discovery center, and service center, was established in collaboration with local distributor Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company. See also: BYD Unveils Fifth-Generation Plug-In Hybrid Technology with Record-Breaking Efficiency Customers visiting the showroom can test drive five models, including the Han EV, Atto 3 (Yuan Plus in China), Seal EV, Qin…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary investigation into dozens of incidents involving Waymo’s driverless vehicles, focusing on “single-party” crashes and potential traffic law violations. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation is examining 22 incidents where Waymo’s autonomous vehicles were “the sole vehicle operated during a collision” or displayed driving behavior that could have violated traffic safety laws. These incidents include collisions with stationary objects, parked vehicles, and instances where the autonomous driving system (ADS) appeared to disobey traffic control devices or drive on the wrong side of the road. The investigation follows the circulation of videos…

As autonomous vehicles (AVs) become more prevalent, innovative projects are proposing significant changes to traditional traffic light systems, aiming to enhance traffic flow and efficiency through AV data utilization. Researchers at North Carolina State University have proposed a groundbreaking white light system that would allow AVs to control traffic flow and direct human drivers. In this system, connected cars would communicate with each other and with traffic lights. The white lights would signal when AVs are coordinating to improve traffic flow, prompting human drivers to follow the lead of the AVs. Ali Hajbabaie, a study author, highlighted the system’s reliance…

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) has announced plans to increase production of Tesla’s next-generation Dojo training tile, signaling a significant step forward in the development of advanced semiconductor technology. The company also revealed its intentions to offer more powerful tiles in the future. During the TSMC North American Technology Symposium, the company outlined its roadmaps for semiconductor and chip packaging technologies. According to a report from IEEE Spectrum, TSMC confirmed that Tesla’s next-generation Dojo training tile is already in production. This follows Tesla’s order in 2023 for D1 chips of its own design from TSMC. TSMC is aiming to…

Los Angeles is set to launch a groundbreaking initiative aimed at tackling illegal parking on bus routes. The city’s Metro system will deploy 100 AI Metro buses equipped with HaydenAI camera enforcement systems, which will automatically issue parking tickets to vehicles obstructing bus routes. This innovative approach is designed to enhance traffic flow and improve safety for public transportation users. The AI buses, equipped with cameras, will be able to identify illegally parked vehicles along bus routes. Once a violation is detected, the system will upload video footage for human verification before issuing a ticket. This process is intended to…

Denza, the premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand by BYD, has officially introduced its latest model, the Denza Z9GT, at the Beijing auto show. Positioned as the luxury flagship sedan, the Z9GT features a distinctive rear end design, setting it apart from traditional sedans. The Z9GT is the inaugural model in Denza’s Z-series, which will primarily consist of sedans, with “GT” standing for Grand Tourer. Denza’s rebranding initiative includes the D9 MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) as the first model, along with the N7 and N8 SUVs (sport utility vehicle) as part of the N-series. Sporting the Solar Diadem design language at…

Li Auto’s latest electric vehicle (EV) model, the Li L6, has garnered over 10,000 orders within its first 72 hours of availability, according to the company’s recent announcement on social media. However, despite this strong start, initial acceptance for the Li L6 is lower compared to its flagship SUV, the Li L9, which achieved over 30,000 orders within the same timeframe when it was launched about two years ago. The Li L6, which is the company’s least expensive model to date, was launched on April 18 with two trims, Pro and Max, priced at RMB 249,800 and RMB 279,800, respectively.…

Kia has positioned itself as a frontrunner in the electric vehicle (EV) market, particularly in the realm of affordable EVs, with its forthcoming EV3 subcompact crossover and EV4 sedan. The company’s success with models like the EV6 GT and the three-row EV9 has bolstered its confidence in capturing a larger share of the EV market. In a recent interview with Automotive News, Kia America COO Steve Center expressed Kia’s commitment to staying ahead of rivals in the EV space. Center stated, “We’re ahead of most, and we’re trying to rush out ahead because our technology will be more evolved. You…

Gravity, an EV infrastructure startup backed by Google Ventures, has introduced a groundbreaking curbside DC fast charger that promises to revolutionize urban EV charging. The new charger, no larger than a Level 2 charger, boasts a remarkable charging speed that is 30 times faster, delivering 200 miles of range in just 13 minutes. Measuring at 18 x 9 x 27 inches, Gravity’s 200kW curbside DC fast charger can be easily mounted to street utility poles, making it a compact and efficient solution for city charging infrastructure. Unlike traditional chargers, Gravity’s innovative technology eliminates the need for utility upgrades or street…

The European HELENA project consortium has achieved a significant milestone in the development of solid-state batteries by assembling a complete solid-state battery cell with halide electrolyte. The project, which focuses on advancing powerful and stable solid-state batteries for electric vehicles and aircraft, has made substantial progress in enhancing the electrochemical properties of the electrolyte. The HELENA project, which stands for “Halide Solid State Batteries for Electric Vehicles and Aircrafts,” comprises 15 project participants and is coordinated by the CIC energiGUNE research center. The successful assembly of the solid-state battery cell with halide electrolyte marks a significant step forward in the…

Ikea is ramping up its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Germany, with plans to install fast-charging stations at all 54 stores and other locations in the country. The move is part of Ikea’s commitment to sustainability and will see technology partner Mer install a mix of Alpitronic devices with 50 to 400 kW DC power, resulting in over 1,000 fast-charging points within three years. The new fast-charging stations will cater to customers, employees, and EVs used in freight forwarding services, all powered by certified green electricity. While Ikea has not disclosed the size of the charging parks at its…