Author: Todd Gilbert

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pledged on Thursday that, if elected, no state in the U.S. would be allowed to ban gasoline-powered cars or trucks. This commitment is part of his strategy to focus on the future of the auto industry as a key issue in the 2024 presidential campaign, particularly in Michigan, a crucial swing state and home to the Detroit Three automakers. Speaking at a rally in Saginaw, Michigan, Trump emphasized his intention to protect gas-powered vehicles, stating, “When I’m president, no state in America will be permitted to ban gas powered cars or trucks, and I guarantee…

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, has welcomed the arrival of its first two electric buses as part of a larger initiative to electrify the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) fleet. A total of 340 electric buses are set to be delivered by the end of 2026, marking a significant step toward sustainable public transit in the city. The new electric buses are part of a substantial investment totaling 700 million Canadian dollars, funded jointly by the city and the federal government. The Government of Canada is contributing $349 million through the Zero Emission Transit Fund, while the City of Toronto is contributing…

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has earmarked $300 million in grants to modernize ferry systems across the country, with a focus on replacing older vessels with electric ones. This funding will support 18 projects across 14 states, with eight of these projects specifically geared towards adopting environmentally friendly propulsion technologies such as electric ferries and charging infrastructure. One key project will be led by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), which will receive $11.5 million to build two new electric ferries that will operate between San Francisco, Treasure Island, and Mission Bay.…

Ford Motor Company has unveiled BlueCruise 1.4, the latest upgrade to its driver-assist system, promising improved performance, smoother handling, and extended hands-free driving capabilities over previous versions. This iteration aims to enhance the driving experience while ensuring greater driver engagement. Sammy Omari, Executive Director of Advanced Driver Assist System Technologies (ADAS) at Ford, highlighted significant enhancements in BlueCruise 1.4, including the ability to automatically adjust a vehicle’s speed in curves. This advancement allows drivers to remain engaged in hands-free mode for more extended periods, fostering a smoother and more continuous driving experience. “Imagine you are driving your Ford F-150 using…

China’s CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, stated that a recent fire at its factory in Fujian province has had a minimal effect on its production. The company, which supplies major clients such as Tesla, said the incident occurred in Ningde on Sunday but did not result in any casualties. An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway. CATL assured that only a “relatively small” number of products were impacted, and the fire’s effect on its overall production would be limited. The affected facility is part of CATL’s advanced “Z base” production complex, located near its headquarters.…

Bentley has revised its strategy towards an all-electric future, opting for a more gradual transition by focusing on hybrid technology in the interim. The luxury automaker, known for its powerful combustion engines, now plans to integrate plug-in hybrids while continuing to develop electric vehicles (EVs), a shift from its previous plan to fully commit to EVs by 2030. Initially, Bentley announced in 2020 that it would sell only plug-in hybrids or battery-electric vehicles by 2026, with the goal of going fully electric by the end of the decade. However, under the new leadership of Frank-Steffen Walliser, a Porsche veteran who…

Hubject is strengthening its commitment to streamline electric vehicle (EV) charging globally through two strategic partnerships, one in North America and another in Malaysia. In North America, Hubject has teamed up with ChargeLab, a hardware-independent software platform for EV charging. This collaboration will see ChargeLab implement Hubject’s Plug&Charge ecosystem, which aims to enhance the charging experience for ChargePoint Operators (CPOs), eMobility Service Providers (EMSPs), and EV manufacturers across the region. According to Hubject, this partnership will facilitate seamless and secure charging solutions for an increasing number of charging stations. “ChargeLab is emerging as a major player in the OCPP software…

MTU Aero Engines has achieved a significant milestone in the pursuit of emission-free flight by successfully completing several weeks of tests on a liquid hydrogen fuel system for its Flying Fuel Cell (FFC) technology. This development is part of a collaborative effort with MT Aerospace AG, focusing on creating liquid hydrogen systems for aircraft. Development and Testing The systems being developed include various components such as tanks, sensors, heat exchangers, valves, safety systems, and control mechanisms. MTU initially announced this project in June 2023, and the recent tests have yielded positive results. MT Aerospace is responsible for the design and…

South Korean battery maker SK On announced on Thursday that it plans to introduce voluntary redundancy programs as part of an effort to improve operational efficiency and adapt to challenging conditions in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The company, which supplies batteries to major automakers such as Ford Motor, Hyundai Motor, and Volkswagen, has been affected by slowing EV sales. SK On, a subsidiary of SK Innovation, stated that it will offer special leave and voluntary departure options to its employees under the new efficiency measures. “These are proactive measures to establish a lean, agile workforce, so that we can…

At the Automotive News Congress in Michigan, Marin Gjaja, COO of Ford’s Model e EV division, emphasized the importance of educating consumers about the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs). He noted that many drivers are unaware of the advantages of owning an EV, such as the convenience of home charging and the elimination of gas station visits. “That’s the conundrum for us as an industry,” Gjaja stated. He added, “We have customers who are fearing loss and misperceive the value” of EVs. To address these misconceptions, Ford is collaborating with its dealers to provide comprehensive training through Ford University, a…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a significant investment of £500 million ($669.6 million) to bolster the parallel production of electric vehicles at its Halewood facility, a move that forms a critical part of its electrification strategy. This announcement comes amid growing pressures on automakers to accelerate their electrification efforts, especially in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) market in China. The luxury carmaker plans to allocate a total of £18 billion towards electric vehicle development by 2028, with a commitment to unveil a new electric Jaguar by 2025. This investment aligns with JLR’s broader “Reimagine” strategy, which aims to…

Hyundai Group is reportedly planning to start producing its own battery cells for electric vehicles (EVs) by 2027, with an initial pilot production phase aimed at enhancing both performance and cost efficiency. According to a recent article by The Korea Economic Daily, the automaker is preparing to establish its first battery cell production lines, marking a significant step towards advancing its internal battery technology. Sources familiar with the situation revealed that Hyundai intends to set up production lines with an initial capacity of 1-2 GWh for prototype development at its research and development center located in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. The…