Author: Sibley Presley

Ionna, the North American fast-charging joint venture formed by BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota, has officially opened its first charging hub and headquarters in Apex, North Carolina. This marks the completion of the company’s initial phase, with plans to deploy over 1,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the region by the end of 2025. See also: Ionna Partners with Sheetz to Build 50 EV Charging Parks Across U.S. by 2026 The inaugural charging hub, named “Rechargery,” is equipped with four DC fast chargers, with an additional eight under construction. The chargers will provide up…

Porsche has inaugurated its fifth Charging Lounge in Hamburg-Rahlstedt, located next to its Porsche Approved Service Centre (PASZ), marking the first to feature a modular design. This latest location adds to the manufacturer’s expanding network, which includes lounges in Bingen am Rhein, Estenfeld, Koblach, and Ingolstadt. The Hamburg-Rahlstedt lounge is equipped with four fast-charging stations, each capable of delivering up to 400 kW. These stations are available exclusively for Porsche models, including the latest Taycan facelift, which can charge at a peak rate of 320 kW. As Porsche explains, “a current generation Taycan, for example, can be charged from ten…

A team of researchers from four German institutes has successfully concluded the ‘InForm’ project after more than three and a half years, resulting in an AI-powered process designed to optimize and assess battery cell properties earlier in the development cycle. The project, led by the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University, aims to simplify the development of customized battery cells. According to the university’s announcement, earlier optimization of battery properties will help streamline both development and production. See also: New Laser Process Reduces Drying Time for Battery Electrode Production, Claims RWTH Aachen University Using…

Australia implemented its first carbon dioxide (CO2) emission standards on January 1, 2025, and Polestar has become the first automaker to sell emission credits under the new regulations. Polestar, which exclusively manufactures electric vehicles (EVs), has surplus credits under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) Act, which mandates CO2 emission targets for new passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans from 2025 to 2029. The Swedish EV maker’s surplus positions it as a potential beneficiary of the trading mechanism introduced by the standards. See also: Polestar 2 to Receive Direct Successor by End of Decade, CEO Confirms Australia finalized the…

U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke a key electric vehicle (EV) target set by his predecessor, President Joe Biden, may temporarily slow demand for lithium and other critical minerals, but industry leaders and analysts remain optimistic that the global demand for EVs will continue to drive growth in the mining sector. Trump’s move on Tuesday to undo Biden’s 2021 executive order, which aimed for 50% of new U.S. vehicle sales to be electric by 2030, caused a brief dip in shares of automakers and lithium producers, particularly in Japan, South Korea, the U.S., and Australia. However, experts argue that…

BYD has unveiled its latest addition to its fleet—a car carrier designed to enhance its global expansion. The BYD Shenzhen, the world’s largest ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) ship, successfully undocked in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, on January 15. The vessel has a capacity to carry 9,200 vehicles, marking a significant milestone in the company’s international logistics operations. The smooth departure of the BYD Shenzhen from the dock underscores BYD’s growing ambition to expand its presence in overseas markets, enabling faster responses to shifting international demand. This move comes as the company strengthens its shipping capabilities for transporting NEVs across global markets. While the…

Renault announced a modest 1.3% increase in sales for 2024, with a strong fourth-quarter performance fueled by new product launches helping to counteract weaker demand earlier in the year. Despite the growth, the pace of sales expansion slowed significantly compared to the 9% rise in 2023. The global automotive sector faced multiple challenges in 2024, including inflation dampening consumer demand and a surplus of vehicles from China flooding international markets. The French automaker reported total sales of 2.26 million vehicles, with a notable rise in the share of hybrids and electric vehicles. These models contributed to a 6.1% increase in…

At the Brussels Motor Show, Renault showcased the interior of the Twingo E-Tech electric prototype, offering a preview of the design and features of the future production vehicle set to launch in 2026. The prototype retains the spirit of the original Twingo, with a functional and spacious layout, while incorporating modern elements and practical design solutions. This concept car highlights Renault’s goal of making electric mobility more accessible, particularly for urban environments. The Twingo E-Tech electric prototype features a dashboard design that blends modern aesthetics with practicality. The cylindrical, suspended dashboard is equipped with a 7-inch digital instrument panel and…

Kia’s compact EV5 electric SUV has significantly contributed to the brand’s impressive performance in China, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market. With a nearly 50% surge in sales last year, the EV5 helped Kia achieve its best sales results in four years, crossing the 200,000 mark for the first time since 2020. This remarkable growth placed Kia in the top position among joint venture brands in China. China’s electric vehicle market continues to expand at a rapid pace, with a record 1.38 million new energy vehicles (NEVs), including both EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), sold in December…

Yadea has introduced sodium-ion batteries in its electric scooters, marking a first for the company. Available in four models priced between 3,299 and 4,299 yuan ($450-$590), these scooters were showcased at CES 2024 in Las Vegas. The new sodium-ion batteries offer several benefits, including enhanced safety, environmental friendliness, and a longer lifespan compared to traditional lithium batteries. Yadea emphasizes the improved charging capabilities of the new battery, which can reach 80% charge in just 15 minutes through the HuaYu Sodium Superfast Charging Ecosystem. Yadea highlights that the new batteries undergo rigorous safety testing, having passed more than 20 tests to…

Hamburger Hochbahn AG has ordered 350 fully electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses from Daimler Buses, advancing its commitment to emission-free public transportation in the northern German city. The buses are scheduled for delivery over the coming years as part of Hamburg’s broader strategy to convert its entire fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2030. The new order follows the deployment of 95 eCitaro buses already in service through vhh.mobility in Hamburg. Daimler Buses’ CEO Till Oberwörder described the development as a significant milestone for CO2-neutral transportation. “Our battery-electric eCitaro city bus offers an excellent overall package: the modern, long-range electric drive ensures…

SAIC-GM-Wuling announced a significant milestone as it became the first Chinese automaker to produce power batteries in Indonesia. The inaugural unit of the “Magic Battery” rolled off the production line just four and a half months after the project was initiated, showcasing the company’s rapid execution capabilities. The Magic Battery, developed in-house by Wuling, incorporates cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) battery technologies. The company emphasized its strong safety track record, reporting zero instances of spontaneous combustion among the 2.4 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) equipped with its batteries in China. This achievement reinforces Wuling’s position as a trusted NEV manufacturer and…