Author: Todd Gilbert

Swiss mining company Glencore has finalized its acquisition of Canadian battery recycling firm Li-Cycle, incorporating Li-Cycle’s North American spoke facilities, its hub project in Rochester, and a recently opened spoke plant in Magdeburg, Germany. The purchase also includes Li-Cycle’s intellectual property, marking a significant expansion of Glencore’s position in the battery recycling market. Li-Cycle had initiated a search for a buyer in March amid financial challenges and filed for creditor protection in both Canada and the United States in May. Glencore, already a creditor and partner, was widely viewed as the most probable acquirer. The Swiss company’s statement on the…

Tech and delivery platform Wolt has launched a pilot program in Prague using 20 electric vehicles equipped with swappable batteries, aiming to reduce emissions and improve last-mile delivery efficiency. The initiative is backed by EIT Urban Mobility and developed in collaboration with Romanian EV manufacturer UNY. The pilot features the Smart Balance Pocket, a compact two-seater city car with a small cargo bed designed for urban deliveries. Each vehicle houses three lithium-ion batteries with the option to install two more for extended range. The base configuration delivers up to 130 kilometres of range and a top speed of 80 kph,…

The Volkswagen ID.3 retained 91% of its net battery capacity after 160,000 km of endurance testing, according to results published by Germany’s ADAC motoring association. Engineers at the ADAC Test and Technology Centre in Landsberg am Lech ran the ID.3 Pro S, equipped with a 77 kWh net battery, over the distance in conditions designed to stress the battery, including frequent rapid charging and leaving the car fully charged for extended periods. Volkswagen guarantees its ID. models will keep at least 70% of their original net capacity for eight years or 160,000 km. “The result shows the impressive quality of…

Winnipeg will put its first battery-electric bus into service next week, marking the Canadian city’s first step in a broader plan to electrify its public transit system. The new 60-foot articulated electric bus, manufactured by New Flyer, will operate on a limited weekday schedule during morning and early afternoon hours for its initial 30-day deployment phase before transitioning into full service. “The first 60-foot electric buses in Canada will roll out right here in Winnipeg, and they’re being built by New Flyer,” said Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham. “This is a big step towards a cleaner, more sustainable fleet, while continuing…

Volkswagen is set to retire two of its SUV models — the long-standing Touareg and the electric ID.5 — as it reshapes its portfolio in favor of smaller, more affordable electric vehicles. The move marks a strategic shift as the automaker looks to streamline offerings and increase competitiveness in the EV market. According to a report from Autocar, production of the Volkswagen Touareg will cease in 2026. Having been on sale for more than two decades, the Touareg was first introduced in 2002 as a luxury SUV built in collaboration with Porsche. It shared core components and design cues with…

Nissan has unveiled a £1.4 million electric truck charging hub at its manufacturing facility in Sunderland, marking what is described as the UK’s first onsite private shared charging station for heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs). The facility is part of broader efforts to decarbonise the automotive supply chain and reduce freight emissions. Developed in collaboration with haulage partners Fergusons, Yusen, and BCA, and led by Gridserve under the Electric Freightway project, the hub is equipped with seven charging towers capable of charging up to 10 eHGVs simultaneously. The system has a total capacity of up to 360kW and is designed to…

SolarEdge Technologies has entered into a strategic partnership with automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler to deploy approximately 2,300 electric vehicle (EV) charging points across Europe by 2030. The project combines SolarEdge’s Wevo technology and its ONE for C&I platform to provide efficient and user-friendly charging solutions at Schaeffler facilities. “Our Enterprise Service Group is proud to further support Schaeffler’s energy transition by delivering EV charging software, services, and hardware,” said Naama Ohana, chief commercial and industrial division lead at SolarEdge. The rollout begins at Schaeffler’s Technology Center in Herzogenaurach, Germany, where newly installed charging stations will serve both employees and…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor has started supplying its internally developed battery packs to external customers, signaling a new phase in its strategy to diversify beyond vehicle manufacturing. The company is leveraging its battery technology subsidiary, Lingxiao Energy, to manage the supply of battery packs to third-party clients. The packs incorporate battery cells sourced from major suppliers including Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), according to a report from Chinese technology publication 36kr. Leapmotor has reportedly secured orders from more than five commercial vehicle manufacturers and is in advanced talks with Seazon Motor, a maker of new energy commercial vehicles.…

MG Motor, owned by SAIC Motor, has begun pre-sales of its redesigned MG4 compact electric hatchback in China at a starting price of RMB 73,800 ($10,270), marking a 47% reduction from its predecessor’s launch price. The model is positioned to expand MG’s footprint in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market with an aggressive pricing strategy and upgraded battery options. The new MG4 is available in four pre-sale variants, three of which feature a 42.8-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack providing a CLTC range of 437 kilometers. The highest-priced variant, at RMB 105,800, comes with a 53.9-kWh pack offering a…

A four-year European research project has developed new conductive additives for battery electrodes that could lower the carbon footprint of lithium-ion batteries while improving their performance, according to its organisers. Launched in 2021, the HiQ-CARB project focused on replacing conventional fossil-based conductive carbon black with a combination of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and acetylene black derived from renewable raw materials. Researchers say the blend increases conductivity, enabling manufacturers to use less additive in electrodes, which could make batteries lighter, cheaper and more powerful. “The project work included developing the most effective composition for the new conductive additives, scaling up production processes,…

Faraday Future has launched trial production of its latest model, the FX Super One MPV, as the electric vehicle startup seeks to reposition itself in the market with a shift away from super-luxury vehicles. The development marks a notable step for a company that has faced years of financial and operational hurdles. Unveiled in July in Los Angeles, the FX Super One MPV is designed to compete with high-end SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade. The minivan is being built on the same underpinnings as the Wey Gaoshan minivan from China’s Great Wall Motors but will feature a significantly reworked design…

Magna International on Friday lifted its full-year sales outlook and posted better-than-expected second-quarter results, helped by cost-cutting initiatives aimed at easing the impact of U.S. tariffs. The Canadian auto parts supplier now expects 2025 sales between $40.4 billion and $42.0 billion, up from a prior range of $40.0 billion to $41.6 billion. The company announced in May it would restructure operations and scale back capital and engineering spending to preserve margins. Tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump have pressured automotive suppliers across the production chain, forcing companies to absorb higher costs or renegotiate with automakers. Peers Aptiv (APTV.BN) and…