Author: Thomas Schmidt

LG Magna e-Powertrain, a joint venture between LG Electronics and Magna International, is planning workforce reductions to address a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand and a potential loss of EV subsidies in the United States under President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. According to industry sources, LG Magna will implement reductions in various business units, which include drive motors, chargers, and inverters. “While it may vary by unit, some units could see reductions of up to 20-30%,” explained an LG Magna representative. This follows a workforce reduction in June, with affected employees reassigned to other LG affiliates. Sales for LG…

Zypp Electric, an ‘EV-as-a-service’ provider, has made a significant investment in Indian electric scooter manufacturer Odysse Electric, ordering 40,000 electric two-wheelers to be used for last-mile delivery services. The investment, the exact amount of which has not been disclosed, is intended to support Odysse Electric’s nationwide expansion, helping to scale up its production capacities and dealer network. The first batch of scooters is expected to be delivered over the next three years. Nemin Vora, CEO of Odysse Electric, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “This strategic collaboration with Zypp Electric marks a significant milestone for us. Their expertise in fleet…

DHL has introduced hydrogen-powered Nikola semi trucks and a standalone hydrogen fueling station to support logistics for Diageo North America, the makers of Captain Morgan rum. The deployment aligns with DHL’s strategy to reduce emissions in its operations and explore alternative fuel options for long-haul trucking routes. Since 2015, DHL has incorporated battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) into its fleet, starting with an Orange EV terminal truck at Diageo’s Plainfield, Illinois, terminal. However, in this initiative, DHL opted for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) rather than BEVs, due to specific operational needs. Hydrogen-powered trucks are seen as a viable alternative for DHL’s…

Skoda plans to introduce its Enyaq electric vehicle (EV) to the Indian market in 2025, but with a notable difference from the model currently available in Europe. The Czech automaker will launch the facelifted version of the Enyaq rather than the existing model, as initially planned for this year. The company has deferred the launch, opting to unveil the updated version, which is set to feature significant design and technological upgrades. Petr Janeba, Skoda’s Brand Director for India, confirmed the delay and indicated that the facelift will offer such substantial changes that the existing Enyaq would appear outdated by comparison.…

Nikola Corporation delivered a record 88 fuel cell electric trucks (FCEVs) in the third quarter of 2024, marking a 22% increase from the previous quarter. Despite this achievement, the U.S. electric truck manufacturer posted a net loss of $199.78 million, an improvement compared to the $425.97 million loss reported in Q3 2023. For the first nine months of 2024, Nikola’s losses amounted to $481 million, a significant reduction from the $711 million loss in the same period last year. The company produced 83 vehicles and delivered 90 units in total during the quarter, with 88 of those being FCEVs. Nikola’s…

Chinese EV maker Xpeng reported a positive market response to its G6 SUV in Singapore, just months after its entry into the region. In September, the G6 ranked among the top three best-selling all-electric SUVs in Singapore, the company noted in a recent post on its WeChat account. Xpeng launched its Singapore presence on July 25 with a flash store at UOB Plaza, where prospective buyers could test drive the G6. Deliveries began in late August, and by September, the G6 was reportedly competing closely with Tesla’s delivery volumes, though Xpeng did not disclose specific figures. To enhance its market…

South Korean battery material manufacturer L&F is set to commence mass production of NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) cathode material with a nickel content of 95 percent in December, marking the highest nickel concentration achieved to date for this type of battery. The new cathode material is intended for supply to both Korean battery cell manufacturers and U.S. electric vehicle producers starting next month. L&F’s significant customers include Tesla and the three leading South Korean battery manufacturers: LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Samsung SDI. While the specific recipients of battery cells utilizing the new cathode material remain unspecified, it has been confirmed…

In a strategic pivot to enhance its smart driving capabilities, BYD has initiated a significant team restructuring, mirroring similar moves by fellow electric vehicle manufacturers Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto. According to a report from Jiemian, the company has established a forward-looking team dedicated to advancing end-to-end technology, a critical component for its future smart driving initiatives. This newly formed team is spearheaded by Xu Lingyun, the previous leader of Tianxuan, BYD’s former unit responsible for research and development in smart driving technology. Currently, the team consists of fewer than 50 members and is still in its infancy. Meanwhile, BYD’s…

Swedish maritime company Candela has launched the Candela P-12, the world’s first electric hydrofoil ferry, which aims to halve commute times and eliminate emissions in Stockholm’s public transport system. The P-12, dubbed “Nova,” embarked on its maiden voyage from Tappström to Stockholm’s City Hall, covering the 15-kilometer route in about 30 minutes, effectively cutting travel times compared to existing waterborne options. This pilot project, in collaboration with Trafikverket and Region Stockholm (SL), seeks to test the feasibility of a high-speed, emissions-free maritime transport system in urban areas. “This is a paradigm shift for urban transport and a revival of our…

Maryland-based nonprofit Climate United announced plans on Tuesday to invest up to $250 million to purchase as many as 500 electric semi trucks over the next three years. The organization aims to lease these vehicles at competitive rates to truckers servicing California’s seaports, where around 33,000 drayage trucks will need to comply with zero tailpipe emissions by 2035. With heavy-duty electric trucks currently making up less than 1% of the U.S. trucking fleet, the program could help accelerate the transition away from diesel, which is a significant source of greenhouse gases. Electric trucks can cost up to three times more…

Svolt Energy, the battery manufacturer spun off from Great Wall Motor (HKG: 2333), has halted its construction of two battery factories in Germany, with no set timeline for resuming operations, according to a report by local media outlet Caixin citing multiple sources familiar with the situation. The company had aimed to establish a battery module and pack plant in Saarland and a cell plant in Brandenburg. The pack facility was announced in November 2020, with plans for completion by mid-2024 and a design capacity of 24 GWh, supported by a total investment of €2 billion. The cell plant, which was…

A consortium led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM, in collaboration with the Technical University of Berlin and industry partners, is working to improve the efficiency of AC charging for electric vehicles. Charging losses are a common issue when using household electricity or wall box chargers due to the conversion of alternating current (AC) from the grid into the direct current (DC) needed by vehicle batteries. This conversion, typically handled by the onboard charger in the vehicle, results in energy loss. The BMBF-funded ‘EnerConnect’ project is focused on developing a new solution involving bidirectionally blocking gallium nitride…