Author: Todd Gilbert

Decathlon has introduced the Rockrider E-EXPL 900 26″ electric mountain bike, aimed at younger riders, at the Roc d’Azur 2024 event. Designed specifically for children, this new model is expected to launch in 2025 and follows the success of the E-ST 500, which debuted last year. The E-EXPL 900 comes equipped with a Mahle X30 rear hub motor, delivering 45 Nm of torque, and a 237Wh battery concealed in the frame, offering between 60 to 100 km (~37 to 62 miles) of electric assistance range, depending on conditions. Weighing approximately 16 kg (~35 lbs), the 9-speed e-bike also features a…

Volkswagen of America has announced a new charging initiative for the all-electric 2025 ID. Buzz in partnership with Electrify America, aiming to provide owners with a streamlined and cost-effective charging experience. The plan includes three years of Electrify America’s Pass+ membership, offering preferential rates and 500 kWh of complimentary charging. The 2025 ID. Buzz will feature Plug&Charge functionality, allowing drivers to begin a charging session automatically by simply plugging in their vehicle, removing the need for payments via phone or card. By activating Plug&Charge through the Electrify America app, drivers can benefit from a hassle-free charging process. “We’re partnering with…

Nissan has launched the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network, aimed at improving the electric vehicle (EV) charging experience for Ariya drivers. This service, integrated into the MyNISSAN app, will provide access to over 90,000 public fast chargers across the United States, enabling users to locate chargers, check availability, and process payments through a single platform, with availability expected by November 2024. The NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network centralizes charging management within the MyNISSAN app, allowing drivers to efficiently manage their charging sessions. This integration enables users to save payment information and initiate charging at compatible stations with ease. Partnerships with charging networks…

The Tesla Model Y 7-seater configuration is now available in additional markets, including the United Kingdom and various European Union member states. In the UK, the Model Y 7-seater can be added for an extra £2,500 ($3,269) to the base price. This configuration is exclusively offered with the Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD) version of the Model Y, which starts at £51,990 ($68,004). Consequently, the total cost for the 7-seater Model Y in the UK amounts to £54,490 ($71,274). https://twitter.com/tesla_uk/status/1846083390635717051 Similarly, the pricing structure remains consistent across EU countries. In Germany, the 7-seater Model Y also costs an additional €2,500…

Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. are on track to sell over 100,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States this year, marking a significant milestone despite the challenges in the global EV market. From January to September, the two South Korean automakers reported combined sales of 91,348 EVs in the U.S., a 30.3% increase from 71,111 units during the same period in 2023. Hyundai sold 48,297 units, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 4.5%, while Kia’s sales surged by 80.3% to 43,051 units. The automakers averaged over 10,000 units in monthly sales for the first nine months, suggesting they could…

About:Energy has launched its new battery testing facility in Southwark, London, aimed at supporting the company’s UK and European clients. The facility covers approximately 3,000 square feet and focuses on various advanced battery technologies, including solid-state, sodium-ion, and Lithium Iron Manganese Phosphate (LFMP) batteries. The goal is to provide critical data that can help companies reduce costs and accelerate development timelines. The facility is strategically located to serve as a central hub for battery testing and development. It features testing capabilities for battery teardown parameterization and cell testing up to 1,000 amps, which may benefit industries such as automotive, aerospace,…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Leapmotor is making significant strides in Europe, launching its C10 and T03 models through a joint venture with Stellantis. The order books for both models are now open, with the compact T03 priced competitively at under 20,000 euros. However, this promising expansion is facing challenges in France, where the previous importer, SN Diffusion, is taking Stellantis to court over contract disputes. According to the French automotive portal Automobil Propre, Didier Sirgue, head of SN Diffusion and EVE (Espace Véhicules Électrique), has filed a lawsuit against Stellantis. SN Diffusion previously distributed Leapmotor’s T03 electric vehicle in…

Japanese EV charging solutions provider Terra Charge has inaugurated its first public EV charging hub in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Strategically located on the Delhi-Meerut Highway, this new facility marks a significant milestone in supporting electric mobility within the National Capital Region (NCR), which encompasses Delhi and nearby districts. The EV hub, featuring 71 chargers, can serve up to 72 electric vehicles simultaneously. While the primary focus is on electric two- and three-wheelers, with 70 alternating current (AC) chargers offering a low output of 3.3 kW, the site also includes a 60 kW direct current (DC) charger for electric cars equipped…

Toyota Motor’s Chairman, Akio Toyoda, raised concerns on Thursday about the potential job losses that could result from an electric vehicle (EV)-only future, especially among workers involved in engine-related technologies. “There are 5.5 million people involved in the automotive industry in Japan. Among them are those who have been doing engine-related (work) for a long time,” Toyoda said in a statement to reporters. He warned that if EVs become the only option, many of these jobs could disappear, while also expressing his personal preference for gasoline vehicles. Toyota, the world’s largest automaker by sales, has taken a more cautious approach…

During the prestigious Monterey Car Week in August, Automobili Pininfarina unveiled its first one-off vehicle, the Battista Targamerica, which has now been revealed to have been purchased by basketball legend and business mogul Michael Jordan. The keys to this bespoke electric hypercar were handed over to Jordan earlier this month in the U.S. With an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion, the former NBA star fits the profile of a collector willing to invest in a custom vehicle of this caliber. The Battista Targamerica is notable for its unique design, featuring a roofless configuration that enhances its aesthetic appeal while…

Mining giant Rio Tinto has made a strategic move to acquire lithium producer Arcadium, aiming to significantly expand its footprint in the lithium market and strengthen its position in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain. This acquisition could potentially position Rio Tinto as one of the largest lithium producers globally, reshaping the landscape of the electric car battery industry. Both companies announced on Monday that Rio Tinto had submitted a purchase offer, although financial details of the proposal remain undisclosed. Major shareholder Blackwattle Investment Partners described the bid as “opportunistic,” suggesting that the estimated offer, likely between $4 billion…

Maxell, Ltd. has outlined its strategy to accelerate the development of all-solid-state batteries as part of its new medium-term management plan, “MEX26” (Maximum Excellence 2026). The plan positions the advanced battery technology as a core component of the company’s future business, with mass production of medium-sized all-solid-state batteries targeted by the end of fiscal 2027. Maxell, which began mass production of the world’s first small-sized sulfide-based all-solid-state battery in June 2023, intends to capitalize on its expertise in battery manufacturing and Analog Core Technologies, including fine coating and high-precision molding. These technological innovations are driving the company’s push to create…