Author: Todd Gilbert

Sysco, a global food service distributor, has unveiled its plans for the “Riverside Electric Vehicle Hub,” which will transform its distribution centre into the “focal point of its electrified fleet.” The Riverside project is a “foundational step” towards Sysco’s goal of incorporating 2,800 electric trucks into its US fleet by 2030, accounting for about 35% of vehicles becoming zero-emission. To accommodate the energy demands of this growing fleet, the Riverside site will feature 40 dual-port DC fast-charging stations in support of 40 electric Class-8 vehicles and 40 electric refrigerated trailers. The site will also have 4 MWh of battery storage…

Nikola Motor, a company specializing in hydrogen-electric trucks, has received an order for over 50 fuel cell vehicles from AJR Trucking, a carrier for the United States Postal Service. The order includes Tre FCEV heavy-duty trucks, scheduled for delivery between Q4 2023 and Q1 2024. In addition, Nikola plans to build up to 50 hydrogen refuelling stations in North America over the next five years under its new Hyla brand in cooperation with infrastructure partner Voltera. AJR and Nikola will also explore deploying Nikola’s 10,000 psi (700 bar) mobile fueling stations at AJR properties in Compton and Santa Clarita in…

Plug Power, a leading provider of hydrogen fuel cell solutions, has announced the launch of a stationary fuel cell system for charging commercial electric vehicle (EV) fleets. The system uses 18,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen, combined with a new megawatt-scale fuel cell solution, to provide 60 MWh on-site. According to the company, this is enough to charge over 600 EVs. The new system targets commercial operators who face challenges such as grid restrictions, clean power requirements, or long waits for grid infrastructure upgrades, which can hinder EV adoption. “Customers are approaching Plug for hydrogen power generation options, and we expect…

Daimler Truck North America has announced the launch of its medium-duty electric truck, the Freightliner eM2, which is now available to order in two variants for US Classes 6 and 7. Following the eCascadia heavy-duty truck, the eM2 is the second battery-electric model from Daimler’s truck brand and is expected to enter series production in the autumn of 2023 at the Portland plant. The eM2 shares the same chassis as the combustion model, but the electric motor(s) called the Detroit ePowertrains are integrated directly into the axle. This should allow for savings on mechanical components, leading to simpler and lighter…

Arabia Taxi, one of the largest taxi operators in the United Arab Emirates, has taken a significant step towards electrification with the introduction of 269 Tesla Model 3 taxis in Dubai. According to reports, Dubai will only permit electrified taxis in the emirate from 2027. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce emissions and promote sustainable transportation in the region. The Tesla cabs are among the first fully electric taxis to operate in the UAE, and they represent a major milestone for Arabia Taxi as it works towards converting its fleet to fully electric. The company currently…

Rivian put its Dual-Motor powertrain to the test on the icy roads of Alaska, and the results were exhilarating. RJ Scaringe, the CEO of Rivian, shared a brief video showcasing an R1T equipped with the Dual-Motor Powertrain maneuvering skillfully through snow and ice in Alaska. Scaringe tweeted, “The team in Alaska is currently conducting validation tests on our Dual-Motor powertrain. Coming soon :)”. In late December 2022, the electric vehicle company initially mentioned the upcoming deliveries of the R1T and R1S Dual-Motor models. Reservation holders were notified about the availability of the Dual-Motor AWD units through letters sent by Rivian.…

Hong Kong is stepping up its commitment to green transport, as the government pledges to install 7,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in government buildings by 2025. The move is part of a wider strategy to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, as Hong Kong strives to halve its carbon emissions by 2035 and reach net zero by 2050. In addition to the new EV charging stations, the government will provide additional parking spaces with supporting chargers to encourage the uptake of low-carbon transport. New government buildings will have EV chargers installed as standard, while a range of other…

Nissan Motor, a Japanese automaker, has recently unveiled a new electric sport-utility vehicle (SUV) at the Shanghai auto show, as the company aims to express its continued commitment to the Chinese auto market. Nissan believes that the Chinese market is likely to continue pioneering the rise of electric vehicles, and has been a key market for Nissan for several years. However, Nissan, along with other global automakers, is facing increased pressure and the threat of declining market share from the rise of home-grown auto companies. To cater to the Chinese market, Nissan plans to launch an electric vehicle designed specifically…

Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM) has taken a significant step towards promoting sustainable transportation in Vietnam with the launch of its first pure electric taxi service, Green SM Taxi. The service, which is currently available in Hanoi, will soon expand to at least five other provinces and cities this year, aligning with the company’s strategic plan. Customers can book Green SM Taxi services via a nationwide hotline, Green SM Taxi application, available on App Store and Google Play, or hail a ride at Vincom shopping malls, public spaces, or on the roads. Additionally, from May 2023, customers…

Volta Trucks, a London-based commercial electric vehicle (EV) startup, has achieved a significant milestone in its “Trucks as a Service” journey. The company has announced that series production of its 16-ton Volta Zero truck has begun in Steyr, Austria. Volta Trucks will initiate a test drive program for its customers, ensuring quality before the first deliveries later this year. Volta Trucks began in 2019 and has progressed steadily towards the delivery of its first commercial EV, the Volta Zero. In just twelve months, the Zero moved from the drawing board to the assembly line, and the company is now on…

Mercedes-Benz has taken luxury to the next level with its latest all-electric SUV, the Maybach EQS680. This opulent SUV is a variant of the standard EQS and the latest in the line of Maybach models that offer high-end luxury and unparalleled comfort. The Maybach EQS680 SUV takes inspiration from the GLS600, the last high-riding Maybach. The two-tone paint is available with a hand-drawn pinstripe, and the Mercedes three-pointed star graces the hood. The grille is a waterfall design, and tiny Maybach logos adorn the non-functional lower intakes, as well as the animated puddle lamps. The 21-inch wheels are standard, and…

CATL, the Chinese power battery giant, made headlines in July 2021 when it unveiled its first-generation sodium-ion battery. And now, after months of anticipation, CATL has announced that Chery’s models will be the first to use the sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are expected to break through resource bottlenecks and provide a cost-effective choice for electric vehicles. While the company has not revealed further details, it has emphasized the batteries’ advantages in low-temperature performance and fast charging, particularly in high-power application scenarios in alpine regions. See also: BYD to start mass-produce sodium-ion batteries in Q2 2023 : report CATL has also…

BYD Europe and Shell EV Charging Solutions have joined forces to provide at least 100,000 BYD customers in Europe with discounted access to DC and HPC charging on the Shell Recharge network. Platinum membership to the Shell Recharge network will be given to customers who purchase a BYD all-electric car or plug-in hybrid from a BYD dealer, providing them with reduced rates at Shell’s fast and ultra-fast charging stations. The offer is activated via the Shell Recharge app after the dealer transmits the Platinum membership and charging card. This cooperation between BYD Europe and Shell is part of a larger…

Dubai is on track to launch a fleet of self-driving taxis later this year, following extensive testing of five Cruise-owned Chevrolet Bolts in the Jumeirah 1 area of the city. The vehicles have been busy collecting data on Dubai’s roads, familiarising themselves with signage, traffic signals and drivers’ behaviour, in preparation for the launch of the ride-hail service. A small fleet of robotaxis will be available to hire in the Jumeirah area by the end of the year. The vehicles will initially cover almost five miles of roads, with plans to expand the service further. Cruise, a subsidiary of General…

Aerofugia, a subsidiary of Geely, a Chinese automaker, has commenced type certification for its AE200 air taxi. According to a report by global media outlet globalsky.media, the first board meeting was held in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province in Southwest China. The meeting included over 20 experts, and the company signed a Project Specific Certification Plan (PSCP) with the China Civil Aviation Southwest Area Management Bureau to advance the development and certification process of the AE200. The AE200 is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and the largest of its kind to complete a maiden flight in…

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a proposed rule that would require significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the country. According to the proposal, car emissions are to be reduced by 56% by 2032, a target that could likely only be met through the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The proposal represents the most aggressive vehicle emissions reduction plan ever proposed in the US, requiring an average annual pollution cut of 13%, according to reports. The EPA estimates that it would cost about $1,200 more per vehicle to meet the proposed…

The city government of Rzeszow has recently placed an order for six 9-meter, low-entry electric buses from Solaris Bus & Coach. The vehicles will be accompanied by a complete package of turnkey e-mobility solutions, including the design and construction of charging infrastructure. The Urbino 9 LE electric buses are expected to be delivered by the end of 2023 and will be added to the city’s existing fleet of 12-meter electric buses, which have been operating since 2019. The new buses are part of Rzeszow’s climate-neutral policy, which aims to reduce emissions and improve air quality. The city’s mayor, Konrad Fijołek,…

The BMW Group, one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, announced significant growth in sales of fully-electric vehicles for the first quarter of 2023. The company delivered 64,647 BMW and MINI electric cars to customers globally, an increase of 83.2% compared to the same period last year. The BMW brand, in particular, more than doubled its sales of fully-electric vehicles to 55,979 units, a surge of 112.3% from Q1 2022. The strong demand for electric vehicles drove the BMW Group’s electromobility ramp-up and is expected to be a primary growth driver in 2023, along with models from the high-end premium…

Cycling enthusiasts have something new to look forward to as the ASYNC A1 electric bicycle begins its crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo in the US. Boasting a powerful 1200 W motor, this e-bike can reach a top speed of 35 mph (~56 kph), making it an excellent option for anyone looking for a thrilling ride. The ASYNC A1 also features a carbon belt drive that reduces the need for frequent maintenance, saving riders both time and money. Additionally, its removable 1920 Wh battery can provide up to 150 miles (~241 km) of range between charges for the Pro model, while the…

Con Edison and Orange & Rockland have teamed up with global electric vehicle (EV) charging software company, ev.energy, to launch the largest EV charging program in the U.S. SmartCharge New York, powered by ev.energy, will offer cash incentives to EV drivers who charge their vehicles in Con Edison and Orange & Rockland’s service areas. The program is expected to play a significant role in helping New York State achieve its clean transportation goals following its 2035 ban on combustion-engine vehicle sales. The transportation sector is responsible for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in New York. Con Edison and…