Author: Sibley Presley

Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania is enhancing its electric bus platform with a more efficient e-machine, new battery configurations, and an upgraded rear charging interface to improve power uptake and operational efficiency. Scania, a subsidiary of Volkswagen’s Traton Group, first introduced its electric bus platform at Busworld in October 2023. The platform initially offered battery options of 416 kWh and 520 kWh, with claimed ranges exceeding 400 km and 500 km under optimal conditions. With the latest updates, the company aims to provide increased performance, flexibility, and zero-emission transport solutions. See also: Scania Secures Additional Battery Supply Amid Northvolt Struggles,…

BMW is set to introduce a new era of vehicle architecture with the launch of its Neue Klasse electric vehicle (EV) lineup, beginning with an SUV expected to be named the iX3. Scheduled for production at the Debrecen plant in Hungary later this year, the Neue Klasse aims to redefine how electric vehicles are engineered, focusing on efficiency, performance, and digital integration. One of the most significant advancements in the Neue Klasse is its shift to a zonal wiring harness architecture. Traditional vehicles rely on approximately 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) of wiring to connect various systems. In contrast, the Neue…

Harbinger, a manufacturer of medium-duty electric vehicles, has launched a new pricing initiative aimed at protecting buyers from potential changes to federal EV tax incentives. The IRA Risk-Free Guarantee ensures customers receive a discount equivalent to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 45W Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit, even if the incentive is reduced or eliminated. See also: Harbinger Secures $100 Million in Series B Funding to Focus on Electric Commercial Trucks The IRA currently provides up to $40,000 per electric vehicle for commercial fleet upgrades. Under Harbinger’s program, buyers receive an immediate discount at the time of purchase, reducing upfront costs…

Volkswagen has introduced the ID. EVERY1, a compact four-door electric hatchback set to launch in 2027 as its most affordable EV, with a starting price of 20,000 euros ($21,500). The vehicle will be the first in the automaker’s lineup to integrate software and vehicle architecture developed by U.S. EV maker Rivian, according to a source familiar with the matter. The ID. EVERY1, alongside the ID.2all—a separate model priced around 25,000 euros and scheduled for release in 2026—will form part of Volkswagen’s new category of urban electric vehicles. Both models are being developed under the company’s “Brand Group Core,” which focuses…

Mujeeb Ijaz has returned as CEO of battery startup Our Next Energy (ONE), just over a year after stepping down from the role. The leadership change comes as the company announced the closure of a new funding round led by Crescent Ventures and Trousdale Ventures, though it did not disclose the amount raised. Ijaz, who founded ONE in 2020 after working at Apple and Ford, had transitioned to chief technology officer (CTO) in December 2023 as the company faced difficulties securing a Series C funding round. He was replaced by board member Paul Humphries, a former executive at contract manufacturer…

SK On is set to showcase its expanded battery portfolio at InterBattery 2025 in Seoul, introducing a range of battery technologies, including its cylindrical cell, a prismatic cell with a top tab, and a pouch cell featuring a medium-nickel-content NCM cathode. The event, scheduled from March 5-7, will highlight the company’s advancements across multiple battery form factors as it aims to address evolving industry demands. This marks a significant shift for SK On, which has traditionally focused on pouch cells with high-nickel chemistries. The company introduced its first prismatic cell at the previous year’s InterBattery event and subsequently commenced production.…

The head of one of the largest U.S. labor unions has called on major asset managers to reassess Tesla’s (TSLA.O) valuation, as the electric vehicle maker’s shares have fallen by 30% this year. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), wrote to major investment firms holding Tesla stock—including BlackRock, Vanguard, and T. Rowe Price—expressing concerns about the potential risks to union members’ pension portfolios. See also: Florida Appeals Court Limits Tesla’s Liability in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Tesla’s market capitalization slipped below $1 trillion this week for the first time since November, following reports of a decline in…

Chinese technology company Xiaomi has introduced the SU7 Ultra, an enhanced version of its SU7 electric sedan, targeting the luxury electric vehicle (EV) sector. The SU7 Ultra is priced at 529,900 yuan ($72,931.72), representing a 35% reduction from its initial pre-sale price of 814,900 yuan. Pre-orders for the SU7 Ultra commenced at 10 p.m. Beijing time, requiring a deposit of 20,000 yuan. Customers who place orders by March 31 are eligible for benefits valued up to 90,000 yuan. Within 10 minutes of opening, the model received over 6,900 orders, as reported by Xiaomi’s EV division on Weibo. Credit: Xiaomi CEO…

Fast-charging network operator Allego has appointed Steven Salo as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately, replacing Mathieu Bonnet, the company announced. Allego has not disclosed specific reasons for the leadership change but stated that the decision aligns with its “continued focus on strengthening its operational and financial strategy.” Bonnet had led Allego since 2019, following his tenure in the energy sector, including as CEO of Compagnie Nationale du Rhône, a French hydropower firm. See also: Allego to Install 212 Fast-Charging Points at Retail Locations in Belgium Salo, who joined Allego as chief financial officer in July 2024, brings “extensive…

Bollinger Motors, Inc. has partnered with EO Charging, a global provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, to offer commercial fleet customers a streamlined path to electrification. The collaboration, announced on [DATE], will provide Bollinger’s dealer network with EO Charging’s infrastructure, technology, and support services. The partnership includes EO’s full charge assurance solution, which covers charger installation, advanced management software, and 24/7 customer support, ensuring a reported uptime of over 99%. EO has facilitated more than 50 million charging sessions through its EO Cloud platform and deployed over 100,000 charging units globally. See also: Bollinger Motors Announces 2025 B4 Chassis…

Jio-bp is set to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging network in India, targeting over 30,000 charging points by 2030, a fivefold increase from its current footprint. The company is banking on rising EV adoption, particularly in the two-wheeler segment, where penetration surpassed 6% in 2024, according to government data. The joint venture between Reliance Industries and bp has focused on deploying chargers in public and semi-public spaces, including malls, airports, hotels, corporate parks, and residential societies. Jio-bp inaugurated its 5,000th charging point in September 2023 and has since expanded to 5,600 chargers across 550 locations. The company claims that…

Malaysian automaker Proton has commenced construction of the country’s first electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant, with an initial investment of 82 million Malaysian ringgit ($18 million). The facility, located in Tanjung Malim, Perak, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Proton’s new factory will have an annual production capacity of 20,000 units in its first phase, with plans to expand to 45,000 units depending on market demand. Initially, the facility will not support full-scale manufacturing but will focus on assembling the e.MAS 7 from imported completely knocked-down (CKD) kits. See also: Proton Launches e.MAS 7, Its First…

Italian charging station manufacturer Alpitronic has introduced its first megawatt charging system, the HYC1000, which features a new modular design that separates power modules from the charging unit. The system, available with both CCS and MCS plugs, is scheduled for delivery starting in July. The HYC1000 follows Alpitronic’s previous upgrades to its fast chargers, replacing older models with the more powerful HYC200 and HYC400. The latest system offers a higher power density of 125 kW per power stack, a 25% increase from previous 100 kW modules. See also: Alpitronic Announces Leadership Changes to Enhance Operations and Customer Focus With up…

Lyten, a company specializing in lithium-sulfur battery technology, has secured U.S.-sourced sulfur to support its manufacturing operations. The company has entered into agreements with California Sulphur Company and a Port of Stockton-based supplier, which will provide industrial-grade sulfur to its production facilities in San Jose, San Leandro, and its gigafactory in Reno, Nevada. This move is part of Lyten’s broader strategy to develop a U.S.-based battery supply chain, reducing reliance on materials controlled by China and addressing potential vulnerabilities in global supply chains. Lyten’s sulfur-based batteries offer advantages over traditional lithium-ion options, including a significant reduction in weight. As the…

Volvo Cars achieved a second consecutive year of record sales in 2024, delivering 763,389 cars, an 8% increase over the previous year. Despite this success, the Swedish automaker is bracing for a “turbulent 2025” due to challenging market conditions. In response, Volvo is updating its lineup with refreshed models and new additions to remain competitive. CEO Jim Rowan outlined the company’s upcoming plans during a conference following the full-year report, highlighting several key product launches for the year ahead. See also: Volvo Rolls Out Plug & Charge and Infotainment Updates for Upcoming EV Models One of the major additions to…

Birmingham City Council has announced a significant expansion of the city’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, in collaboration with Ubitricity. The new project aims to install over 500 lamppost EV charging stations across residential areas with limited access to private off-street parking. A pilot program is underway to deploy 560 lamppost charge points across 82 streets in the city. The installation, made possible through the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS), is expected to cause minimal disruption, with each unit taking less than an hour to install. As of now, 300 charging points have been…

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…