Author: Todd Gilbert

Translink has introduced three new single-deck Electroliners from Wrightbus to operate on the 600 route to and from Belfast’s City Airport, marking a significant milestone as all services on this route are now fully electric. Chris Conway, CEO of Translink, highlighted the benefits of the new eco-friendly buses, stating, “With a refreshed new external livery, the new eco buses will also meet the latest standards in comfort, safety, and accessibility, with contactless payment facilities, WiFi, USB charging plus dedicated space for luggage, wheelchairs and prams.” Earlier this year, Translink began receiving its initial batch of a total of one hundred…

Odys Aviation, a company developing hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicles, has signed an expression of interest (EOI) with Fiji Airways to provide flying vehicles for transporting medical supplies and cargo to Fiji’s islands. The partnership aims to improve connectivity across the nation’s 330 islands, many of which face logistical challenges due to inadequate infrastructure. The collaboration will focus on deploying the Odys Aviation Laila VTOL, a runway-independent aircraft capable of carrying cargo up to 400 miles. This capability offers the potential to establish emergency medical routes in the South Pacific that were previously inaccessible. Additionally, Fiji Airways may…

Chinese smart electric vehicle maker Xpeng is set to participate in the Paris Motor Show 2024, scheduled from October 14th to October 20th. Operating under the theme “Enchanté, Paris!”, the company will present a variety of new technologies and solutions, emphasizing its commitment to intelligent and sustainable mobility tailored for the European market. At the event, Xpeng will unveil its latest advancements, including the next-generation smart in-car operating system, Tianji XOS 5.4, specifically designed for European consumers. This innovation aims to deliver adaptive, AI-powered driving experiences. Additionally, Xpeng will showcase its next-generation smart cockpit, which features advanced customization options for…

By January 2025, Rome will add 60 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric buses to its public transport network, primarily serving the car-dependent outer suburbs. The first ten buses are set to begin operation this month, with an additional ten expected in October 2024, and the remaining 40 by early 2025. The electric buses, operated by Autoservizi Troiani, will serve areas previously lacking sufficient public transport options. At the inauguration, Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri emphasized the significance of these buses for the city’s outer suburbs, noting they are “the first electric buses to service the outer suburbs of Rome” and provide an alternative…

Heart Aerospace, a hybrid-electric aircraft manufacturer, has unveiled its first full-scale demonstrator, the Heart Experimental 1 (Heart X1), marking a significant step in the development of its ES-30 hybrid-electric regional aircraft. Constructed predominantly at Heart’s facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden, the Heart X1 boasts a wingspan of 32 meters and will serve as a testing platform for the ES-30’s development. Initially, the Heart X1 will focus on ground-based testing, including operations such as charging, taxiing, and turnaround procedures. A fully electric first flight is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025. This project has received funding from Vinnova, the Swedish government’s…

Electric vehicle startup Canoo is relocating its headquarters to Texas, while shifting much of its engineering workforce to Oklahoma. The move is aimed at enhancing collaboration and efficiency as the company prepares to ramp up production of its electric cargo vehicles. The decision to relocate key engineering operations to Oklahoma is tied to the company’s nearly 500,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City. According to Canoo, co-locating engineering and manufacturing in the state will “foster greater collaboration” and streamline production efforts. Most of the 137 positions affected by the relocation will move to Oklahoma, while Canoo plans to hire an additional…

UK ferry operator Red Funnel has announced plans to launch a new high-performance electric ferry, the Artemis EF-24 Passenger, by the end of 2025. The vessel will operate between Southampton and West Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The Artemis EF-24 Passenger is a fully electric ‘e-foiling’ ferry, designed in collaboration with maritime technology company Artemis Technologies. The ferry features a catamaran-like design and utilizes a hydrofoil to lift the vessel above the water at higher speeds, reducing drag and enhancing efficiency. https://evmagz.com/candela-p-12-electric-hydrofoil-ferry-to-launch-in-new-zealand/ The ferry, which accommodates up to 150 passengers, has a top speed of 36 knots (41 mph)…

Waymo, the self-driving taxi unit of Alphabet Inc., has secured a $5 billion investment from its parent company, as announced by Alphabet CFO Ruth Porat during the firm’s second-quarter earnings call for 2024. This new multi-year investment reflects Alphabet’s continued confidence in Waymo’s progress and its role in advancing autonomous driving technology. “This new round of funding, which is consistent with recent annual investment levels, will enable Waymo to continue to build the world’s leading autonomous driving technology company,” Porat said. Waymo CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the company’s achievements, noting that Waymo has delivered over 2 million trips and accumulated…

General Motors Mexico has announced a strategic partnership with Tesla aimed at bolstering the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Mexico. The collaboration, unveiled during the General Motors Mexico Annual Distributor Convention marking its 89th year of operations in the country, aims to accelerate the adoption of EVs among Mexican consumers. Under this initiative, General Motors Mexico, led by President and CEO Francisco Garza, plans to deploy 1,000 charging points across Mexico in collaboration with Tesla. This ambitious project is seen as a pivotal step towards establishing leadership in the electric vehicle market in Mexico. It is also expected to facilitate…

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has agreed with the Turkish government to construct a $1 billion production facility in Turkey, capable of producing 150,000 vehicles annually, Turkey’s industry and technology minister announced on Monday. “We envisage that BYD will establish an electric and rechargeable hybrid car production facility with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles and an R&D center for mobility technologies in our country, with an investment of approximately $1 billion,” said Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir. https://twitter.com/mfatihkacir/status/1810346388733022323 The facility is expected to commence production by the end of 2026 and will create direct employment opportunities for up to 5,000 people.…

German battery cell manufacturer CustomCells and US-based silicon battery material producer Group14 have entered into a multi-year supply agreement, securing CustomCells access to Group14’s SCC55 silicon battery material beyond 2030. The deal, valued at over $300 million, underscores CustomCells’ strategic move to bolster its supply chain for advanced battery technologies, with implications extending to its planned expansion into the US market. CustomCells recently established a subsidiary in Detroit to facilitate its entry into the American market, aiming to build a factory capable of producing up to two gigawatt-hours of batteries. The agreement follows previous collaborations between CustomCells and Group14 since…

General Motors has initiated a safety recall for its 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, highlighting a potential safety hazard affecting a limited number of vehicles. Following initial delays and pricing adjustments, the Equinox EV now faces scrutiny over a compromised lower front right control arm. GM warns that the metal contamination in these components could lead to fractures, prompting a recall of 83 vehicles identified by a specific batch number stamped on the parts. The issue originated from a supplier error, where a shipment of faulty control arms was mistakenly incorporated into the affected vehicles. Dealerships have been instructed to inspect…