Author: Thomas Schmidt

Battle Motors has introduced the Striker, a non-CDL Class 6 truck, marking a significant addition to the medium-duty truck market. The Striker is available in various configurations, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranging from 25,999 to 33,000 pounds. Powered by a Cummins 6.7L diesel engine and paired with two Allison transmissions, it offers fleet operators flexibility. Additionally, it can be configured as a Class 7 or 8 truck, equipped with a Cummins 9L diesel or CNG engine, or as a battery-electric model. Designed for durability and versatility, the Striker is engineered to handle multi-vocational tasks while ensuring reliability…

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) along with additional guidance on the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, which was expanded by the Inflation Reduction Act. This guidance aims to clarify investments in alternative fuel vehicle refueling infrastructure, particularly for battery-powered electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling. Under the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (Section 30C), individuals can claim a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost of installing qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property, which includes chargers and hydrogen refueling systems. The…

Charge point operator Fastned has partnered with Places for London, the property arm of Transport for London (TfL), to install ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging hubs across London. The joint venture will initially launch five sites by 2026, offering a total of 50 charging bays, with more sites planned as demand grows. Fastned has confirmed that each location will feature at least six publicly accessible charging bays, including dedicated spaces for those with accessibility needs. The first sites, announced in 2023, include Hanger Lane, Canning Town, Tottenham Hale, Hatton Cross Tube station, and Hillingdon Circus. In addition to these initial locations,…

Xpeng has expanded its multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) lineup with the introduction of the new X9 610 Max, aiming to broaden its customer base and enhance sales growth. Launched today, the X9 610 Max starts at a price of RMB 379,800 (approximately $54,090), marking a RMB 20,000 increase over the entry-level X9 610 Pro. The X9 610 Max distinguishes itself with the inclusion of two LiDAR sensors, enabling the use of Xpeng’s advanced XNGP (Navigation Guided Pilot) system, which provides full-scenario assisted driving capabilities. In contrast, the X9 610 Pro lacks LiDAR and is limited to smart driving functions primarily on…

Riese & Müller has introduced the 2025 Nevo4 GT touring CORE electric bike, now available in North American and European markets. Designed for versatility and comfort, the e-bike comes equipped with advanced features including a Bosch Performance Line CX motor and integrated smart technology, enhancing the cycling experience for riders in both regions. The Nevo4 GT touring CORE is powered by an 85 Nm torque Bosch motor, complemented by a Bosch PowerTube 625 battery. Though the company has not specified an exact range, the e-bike’s performance is supported by a Suntour XCR32 suspension fork and Schwalbe tires for smooth handling.…

A new study conducted by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) highlights growing concerns over driver distraction in vehicles equipped with partial automation systems. The research found that drivers using these technologies, such as Volvo’s Pilot Assist and Tesla’s Autopilot, were significantly more likely to engage in non-driving activities, including eating and checking their phones, even when the systems required their attention. In the first part of the study, researchers observed the behavior of 29 drivers in a 2017 Volvo S90, which features Pilot Assist technology. This system helps maintain speed and keep the vehicle within its lane, while…

Geely Auto Group has partnered with Vietnam’s Tasco in a joint venture aimed at launching vehicle production in the country by 2026. The collaboration, announced on September 23, marks a strategic move for Geely to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia. The project, which will involve the assembly of vehicles under the Lynk & Co and Geely Auto brands, will be based on a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) production model. Using imported parts, the vehicles will be assembled at a plant in Thai Binh Province with an initial annual capacity of 75,000 units. The venture, valued at $168 million, will…

EHang Holdings, a Chinese flying taxi company, has secured approval for flight tests of its EH216-S pilotless electric aerial vehicle (EAV) in Brazil. The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) of Brazil granted EHang the Experimental Flight Authorization Certificate (CAVE), allowing the company to test and demonstrate its intelligent flight technology and cluster management system. In partnership with local operator Gohobby, EHang plans to conduct flight test campaigns in collaboration with ANAC and Brazil’s Airspace Control Department (DECEA). These exercises aim to further develop concepts related to unmanned aircraft traffic management systems for efficient urban air mobility (UAM) in Brazil using…

Swedish battery maker Northvolt will lay off around 1,600 employees, nearly 20% of its global workforce, in response to weaker-than-expected growth in electric vehicle (EV) demand. The company, once seen as a frontrunner in Europe’s bid to develop its own battery manufacturing industry, is now scaling back several initiatives due to commercial and operational challenges. The layoffs coincide with Northvolt’s decision to suspend a significant expansion of its Northvolt Ett factory in Skellefteå, northern Sweden. Originally intended to increase production capacity by 30 gigawatt-hours (GWh), the expansion has been put on hold as the company shifts its focus to ramping…

US battery manufacturer Microvast has introduced a range of high-performance battery solutions for electric commercial vehicles at the IAA Transportation event in Germany. The new offerings include silicon-based HnSO cells, lithium titanate oxide (LTO) cells, and the third-generation MV-I Pack, all designed to enhance energy density, safety, and sustainability. The HnSO cells, with an energy density of 300 Wh/kg and a life cycle of over 4,000 cycles, are optimized for long-distance applications in battery and hybrid electric vehicles. LTO cells, known for their safety and longevity, offer up to 20,000 cycles and an energy density of 100 Wh/kg, making them…

BMW of North America has teamed up with Redwood Materials to recycle lithium-ion batteries from its range of electric, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid vehicles, including BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad models in the U.S. This collaboration underscores the companies’ commitment to sustainability and represents a significant move towards a circular battery supply chain in the U.S. Redwood Materials will work with BMW’s extensive network of nearly 700 locations across the country, including dealerships and distribution centers, to collect end-of-life batteries. Key materials like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and copper will be recycled, with 95% to 98% of these minerals…

Stromer has officially launched the ST5 Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition e-bike, a limited edition model with only 600 units available. This e-bike offers customizable options to meet individual preferences and is powered by an 850W motor for enhanced range and performance. Inspired by the Alinghi Red Bull Racing BoatOne, the ST5 features a striking marine blue and red color scheme. The e-bike is equipped with an SYNO Sport rear hub motor that provides assistance at speeds up to 45 kph (approximately 28 mph), paired with a Pinion Smart.Shift 9-speed gearbox and a Gates carbon belt drive for smooth operation.…

BYD is refreshing its Seal lineup in China, introducing advanced technologies and new models to enhance its electric vehicle offerings. The updated Seal sedan now features an 800-volt platform, a LiDAR sensor for improved driver assistance systems, and new battery options. Additionally, BYD is launching the Seal 07 DM-i, a plug-in hybrid variant, marking the Seal as the first vehicle to utilize the new e-Platform 3.0 Evo architecture. The 2025 Seal model year introduces both the all-electric version and the Seal 07 DM-i hybrid in China. The updated Seal, available at prices starting from 175,800 yuan (approximately 22,500 euros), offers…

The Portuguese energy supplier Galp, in collaboration with BMW and BeePlanet, has launched a stationary energy storage system in Madrid utilizing disused electric car batteries. This system supplies high-power charging (HPC) points with buffered energy from the grid. The core of the ‘Second Life Batteries’ project is a container-based storage unit with a capacity of 368 kWh. According to Galp, the unit comprises used EV batteries, likely provided by BMW. The storage system gradually draws energy from the power grid and supplies it to two 180 kW chargers for rapid vehicle charging. As per the project participants, the system can…

Volkswagen has launched its new ID.3 GTX range, positioning it as the sportiest electric vehicle (EV) series in its lineup. The top-end Performance variant boasts a 240 kilowatt (kW) output and accelerates from 0 to approximately 60 miles per hour (mph) in under six seconds. It supports DC fast charging up to 185 kW and is now available for pre-order in Europe alongside the standard GTX model. Volkswagen compares the new GTX Performance to the Golf GTI Clubsport, but in an electric form, featuring the most powerful iteration of the ID.3’s powertrain to date. The Performance model closely resembles the…

Honda will close one of its combustion engine plants in China and pause production at another factory as part of a strategic shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). The Japanese automaker plans to open two new EV factories in China by the end of the year with its partners, GAC and Dongfeng. The closure of the combustion engine plant, operated jointly with GAC, is scheduled for October, while production at another Honda factory, in partnership with Dongfeng, will be paused starting November. These moves will reduce Honda’s annual vehicle production capacity in China from 1.49 million to 1.2 million units. Despite…

Fastned has announced plans to expand its network in Spain by constructing two new fast-charging hubs in collaboration with motorway operator Autopistas. The agreement includes the installation of 16 charging stations, each with a capacity of up to 400 kW, at the Garraf Nord and Garraf Süd service stations in Barcelona province. The new charging stations will be located along the C-32 motorway, an important route along Catalonia’s coast, specifically in the municipalities of Vilanova i la Geltrú and Cubelles, southwest of Barcelona. These locations are already marked as ‘Under construction’ on Fastned’s map. Fastned first announced its expansion into…

The Port of Los Angeles is making significant strides towards achieving zero emission operations with the deployment of five new electric top handlers capable of handling heavy shipping containers. Similar in appearance to forklifts but designed to grasp containers from the top rather than the bottom, these electric top handlers are pivotal in loading containers onto trucks and train cars, as well as stacking them up to six levels high within terminals. “After years of rigorous testing and development, we are proud to deploy these all-electric cargo top handlers at our port,” stated Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port…

Hyundai Motor America continues to dominate the US electric vehicle (EV) market with record-breaking sales figures for its Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 models in the second quarter of 2024. The company’s commitment to offering long-range EVs at competitive prices has resonated strongly with American consumers, driving unprecedented growth. In a standout performance, Hyundai sold 3,755 units of the Ioniq 5 in June alone, marking a 20% increase compared to the previous year and setting a new June sales record. Despite a slight dip from May’s figures, the Ioniq 5 contributed significantly to Hyundai’s overall success in the second quarter,…

Uber Freight and Aurora Innovation have announced an extension of their partnership with a new long-term deal aimed at deploying autonomous trucks on shipping routes between Dallas and Houston, Reuters reported based on company statements. The collaboration, which follows a successful pilot phase, marks a significant step in the autonomous trucking industry. Initially utilizing autonomous trucks with safety drivers in Texas, Aurora’s acquisition of Uber’s autonomous vehicle unit in 2020 laid the foundation for this expanded initiative. See also: Uber Freight partners with WattEV for its first zero-emission electric truck pilot Aurora Innovation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, plans to introduce driverless deliveries…