Author: Todd Gilbert

Autonomous technology startup Avride announced on Thursday a partnership with food delivery company Grubhub to expand the use of its delivery robots across college campuses in the United States. Avride’s initial fleet of 100 robots is already operational at Ohio State University, where the company plans to introduce its next-generation models. The university, which also employs robots from other companies like Cartken, has now fully transitioned to robot-based food deliveries. See also: Uber Partners with Avride for Autonomous Food Deliveries and Robotaxi Services “Campuses are almost ideal environments for introducing automation in delivery. They are relatively small areas, with a…

Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt has announced that co-founder Paolo Cerruti will step down from his role as Chief Executive Officer of its North American division. Karen Chang, who has been instrumental in the development of the company’s Quebec-based battery gigafactory, will serve as interim CEO during the transition. Cerruti will continue to serve as chairman of the board for Northvolt’s Canadian entity and remain involved in the ongoing development of Northvolt Six, the company’s Canadian plant. This leadership change follows the resignation of co-founder and CEO Peter Carlsson in November, which occurred shortly after the company filed for U.S. Chapter…

Octillion Power Systems has opened a new battery production facility in Reno, Nevada, expanding its manufacturing presence in North America. The 40,000-square-foot site, dubbed “Nevada One,” is designed to produce up to 1 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of battery systems annually by 2025. The facility will also serve as a co-located production model for clients seeking to scale their own battery manufacturing operations. The Reno facility will focus on lithium-ion battery systems for electric vehicles (EVs), off-highway equipment, marine applications, and energy storage. Octillion stated the site combines automation, robotics, and manual labor to assemble battery packs. The company expects the facility…

Tesla reported its first annual decline in vehicle deliveries in 2024 but outlined a growth strategy for 2025 focused on new vehicle launches, self-driving advancements, and energy storage expansion. Unlike previous years, the company did not provide specific sales targets in its Q4 and 2024 shareholder deck. Tesla plans to reignite sales growth with the launch of more affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in 2025. These vehicles, based on a combination of the existing Model 3/Y platform and the next-generation platform, are slated for production in the first half of 2025. See also: Tesla’s Revenue Growth Slows in 2024 Amid Automotive…

Swedish truckmaker Volvo reported a sharper-than-expected decline in fourth-quarter operating profit on Wednesday as lower sales and higher costs weighed on margins. However, the company saw a strong rebound in order intake, particularly in Europe and North America. Volvo’s operating profit fell to 14.04 billion crowns ($1.28 billion) from 16.98 billion a year earlier, missing analysts’ expectations of 14.51 billion, according to an LSEG poll. The decline was driven by weaker sales volumes and ongoing investments, with additional costs in North America related to supply chain challenges, the company said. See also: Volvo Trucks Delivers 70 Electric Trucks with Enhanced…

With former President Donald Trump signaling plans to roll back electric vehicle (EV) subsidies and loosen tailpipe emissions regulations, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe voiced concerns over the future trajectory of the U.S. EV market during a panel discussion last week. Scaringe emphasized the need for EV-only manufacturers like Rivian to prioritize long-term financial sustainability and attract customers without relying on subsidies. However, he cautioned that traditional automakers focusing on internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles for short-term profitability risk falling behind global competitors, particularly China, in the electric transition. See also: Rivian to Introduce Hands-Free and Eyes-Off Driving Systems…

Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt has asked shareholders for $1.29 billion in funding over the next two years to stabilize its operations after filing for Chapter 11 U.S. bankruptcy in November, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The funds are intended to sustain the company through 2027 while it works to secure long-term financing solutions. Northvolt, regarded as Europe’s strongest contender against Chinese battery giants BYD and CATL, filed for bankruptcy after failing to secure new investments amidst production and operational challenges. Former CEO and co-founder Peter Carlsson previously said the company would require between $1 billion and $1.2…

Falco Construction has partnered with UK Power Networks to trial two fully electric Takeuchi TB20e mini excavators in a two-year pilot program across London, the South East, and the East of England. The initiative aims to assess the viability of replacing Falco’s 120-strong diesel-powered fleet with electric models, a move that could significantly reduce the company’s carbon footprint. If the trial proves successful, Falco plans to invest over £6 million ($7.6 million) in transitioning its entire fleet to electric excavators, or “e-diggers,” as the company calls them. The Takeuchi TB20e models, weighing over 2 tonnes, are equipped with a 73-volt…

Helm.ai, a developer of artificial intelligence (AI) software for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles, has obtained Automotive SPICE (ASPICE) Capability Level 2 certification, a key industry benchmark for software quality and reliability in the automotive sector. The certification, assessed by UL Solutions, underscores the company’s readiness to deliver safety-critical software for mass-production automotive applications. Automotive SPICE, a globally recognized framework for software development processes in the auto industry, requires rigorous adherence to monitored and controlled engineering standards. The Level 2 certification validates Helm.ai’s systematic planning, monitoring, and execution of its development workflows, positioning it as a trusted partner…

The Newport City Council has signed a 15-year agreement with charge point operator Zest to install 144 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across 77 locations in the city, as part of efforts to support the transition to zero-emission transport and meet its climate goals. The project, funded equally by Zest, the Welsh government, and the UK government’s On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, aims to address the growing demand for EV infrastructure, particularly for residents without access to off-street parking. The total investment sum was not disclosed in the council’s press release, nor was a specific timeline provided for the installation of the…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced plans to invest £65 million ($80.71 million) to expand its luxury paint services in the UK and Slovakia, aiming to cater to the rising demand for personalized vehicles among its high-end clientele. As part of the investment, JLR will significantly increase the capacity of its SV Bespoke Paint service, allowing Range Rover SV customers to customize their vehicles with unique colors, including shades designed to match private jets or yachts. See also: Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion Ventures Invests $2 Million in Rare Earth Magnet Recycling Firm Cyclic Materials The company plans to establish new paint…

V-Green has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with eTreego, a Taiwanese green energy company, to develop 100,000 VinFast charging portals across Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen VinFast’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, contributing to a broader sustainable mobility ecosystem. Under the agreement, V-Green and eTreego plan to install 100,000 charging portals by 2030, starting with a pilot project of 200 charging stations in Vietnam by the second quarter of 2025. As part of the initiative, eTreego will supply the charging station products and lease locations for V-Green’s charging station network. See also: V-Green…

Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup is under increasing pressure due to its financial support for loss-making electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast, as foreign investors reduce holdings and borrowing costs rise. Vingroup’s market capitalization has nearly halved to approximately $6 billion since VinFast’s Nasdaq listing in August 2023. Over the past year, its shares fell 6.6%, underperforming the Vietnam market index (.VNI), which gained 7.5% during the same period, according to LSEG data. Shares reached their lowest level since 2017 in December before recovering slightly. See also: VinFast Reports Narrowed Q3 Loss, Targets 80,000 Deliveries for 2024 This month, Moody’s and Fitch assigned speculative-grade…

Sonocharge Energy has raised $23.5 million in a financing round led by Cycle Capital, with additional participation from Honda, Khosla Ventures, and Temasek. The funding will support the company’s efforts to commercialize its acoustic wave battery technology, which is designed to improve battery life, charging speed, and safety. The company intends to use the funds to expand its team, enhance research and development, and scale its operations to meet the increasing demand for advanced battery solutions. See also: Circunomics Secures €8 Million in Series A Funding to Advance Battery Lifecycle Solutions The technology developed by Sonocharge aims to enhance the…

Omoda and Jaecoo have introduced their Super Hybrid System (SHS) in the UK, debuting with the Jaecoo 7 model. The Jaecoo 7 offers a driving range of 745 miles and a WLTP fuel efficiency of 403 mpg. The vehicle will be available starting at £35,065, with customer deliveries scheduled for January 31, 2025. The SHS, developed using Chery Group’s third-generation hybrid platform, is designed to provide high efficiency, extended mileage, and reduced emissions. The powertrain includes a fifth-generation 1.5-liter TDGI engine, hybrid transmission, and an 18.3 kW high-density lithium iron phosphate battery. The total power output of the Jaecoo 7…

Citroen is reportedly considering reviving its classic 2CV model as an electric vehicle, with early design work allegedly in progress. According to a report by Autocar citing an unnamed senior source, the project is still in its initial stages, but it aims to capture the essence and aesthetics of the iconic French car. The 2CV, which ceased production more than 30 years ago, remains a cultural symbol in Europe, and a modern electric reinterpretation could appeal to a nostalgic market. While Citroen has previously dismissed the possibility of reintroducing the 2CV, the brand’s head of design, Pierre Leclercq, recently left…

Nova Bus, a Canadian bus manufacturer within the Volvo Group, has secured an order for 80 electric buses from the Regional Municipality of York, located near Toronto in Ontario. The order includes the LFSe+ model, a 12.19-meter low-floor electric bus built on the established LFS platform. These buses will be equipped with both pantograph and plug-in charging options, designed to provide flexibility with existing infrastructure, and a modular battery system allowing up to 564 kWh of energy storage. The buses are expected to be delivered starting in 2026 from Nova Bus’ manufacturing facility in Saint-Eustache, Quebec. The order supports York…

FedEx has announced the addition of ten new electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet in New Zealand, aimed at enhancing the company’s pickup and delivery operations in Auckland’s high-traffic areas. The newly introduced vehicles will be the LDV eDeliver 9 model, marking another step in FedEx’s global effort to electrify its delivery fleets. See also: FedEx Introduces Electric Vehicles in Korea as Part of Sustainability Efforts This expansion in New Zealand is part of FedEx’s broader strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and transition to fully electric delivery solutions. In the Asia Pacific region, the company operates over 7,600 vehicles,…

Polestar, the Swedish-Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is set to enter the French market in the summer of 2025, ending years of absence due to a trademark dispute with PSA (now Stellantis). The company plans to establish itself using an agency sales model, leveraging partnerships within Volvo’s network, with vehicles available online and in physical showrooms across multiple French cities. See also: Polestar CEO Sees Opportunity in Tesla Backlash Over Elon Musk’s Politics Stéphane Le Guevel, formerly Polestar’s Country Manager for Portugal and Spain, has been appointed Managing Director of Polestar France. Commenting on the development, Le Guevel said, “I…

Renault announced on Tuesday that its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Thierry Pieton, will step down at the end of February to pursue new opportunities. Pieton, who has held the role for two years, leaves the company in better financial health than when he took over, the automaker stated. He will be replaced by Duncan Minto, currently CFO at Renault’s sports car subsidiary Alpine. Minto, who has been with the company since 1997, will assume the role of CFO at Renault on March 1. See also: Renault Plans to Launch Two Electric Vehicles in India by 2027 Renault’s stock initially dropped…