Author: Todd Gilbert

The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) has launched the “Powder-Up!” pilot plant in Ulm, marking a significant milestone in Germany’s battery manufacturing capabilities. The facility enables the independent production of battery materials and their precursors, a first of its kind in the country. The inauguration of the plant represents a breakthrough in Germany’s ability to produce battery materials outside of industry, with a capacity of up to 100 kilograms. The ZSW aims to offer this manufacturer-independent development platform to partners from industry and science, utilizing industry-proven machines to ensure near-series production conditions. The focus will be…

Cadillac has officially introduced the Optiq in China, positioning it as the brand’s entry-level electric crossover beneath the Lyriq. The Optiq, first previewed last year, features a distinctive design highlighted by a black crystal grille with integrated lights that synchronize with the turn signals and headlights, mimicking its larger sibling’s choreographed lighting sequence. Measuring 189.8 inches (4,822 mm) long, 75.3 inches (1,912 mm) wide, and 64.7 inches (1,644 mm) tall, with a wheelbase of 116.3 inches (2,954 mm), the Optiq is slightly smaller than the Lyriq, offering a more compact footprint. However, it still boasts a range of premium features,…

As customers eagerly get their hands on the Lucid Air Sapphire, DragTimes, a popular YouTube channel, has conducted independent quarter-mile runs with impressive results, validating the car’s performance showcased in official videos. In a recent video, DragTimes takes a consumer-owned Air Sapphire to a prepped drag strip for testing. The results are remarkable, with the car completing the quarter-mile in just over 8.9 seconds at an exit speed of 154 mph (248 km/h). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s14bpYZqusY The acceleration is equally impressive, with the car reaching highway speeds in 1.92 seconds, subjecting the driver, Brooks Weisblat, to 1.5 G of acceleration. Weisblat noted…

Luxeed, the electric vehicle (EV) brand jointly developed by Huawei and Chery, has relaunched its first model, the S7 sedan, with significant improvements after facing production challenges since its initial launch in November last year. Richard Yu, head of Huawei’s automotive business, reintroduced the Luxeed S7 at the HarmonyOS Eco Spring Communication event, highlighting key enhancements and pricing adjustments aimed at boosting its competitiveness in the market. The entry-level version of the Luxeed S7 retains its starting price of RMB 249,800 ($34,520), but all other variants now come at a reduced price, lowered by RMB 20,000. Notably, the entry-level version…

Rivian, the electric vehicle startup, made waves with the recent unveiling of its upcoming electric vehicle, the R2. While the R2 won’t hit the roads until 2026, Rivian has already captured attention with its bold promises regarding range, price, and design. During the reveal event, the R2 showcased several major highlights, such as a powered rear window, dual glove compartments, and fully foldable seats. However, there are several lesser-known features of the R2 that deserve recognition. Portable USB-C Charger The R2 will come equipped with a portable USB-C charger housed in the passenger-side door. This charger not only charges your…

The Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) has declared the Kia EV9 as the World’s Best Car for 2024, a prestigious accolade coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. The EV9 succeeds last year’s winner, the Kia Niro, in clinching the coveted title. Marta Garcia, executive president of WWCOTY, commented on this year’s tough competition, stating, “This year’s election was particularly difficult due to the excellent level of all the candidates. Each of the finalists had sufficient merit to win the trophy. The Kia EV9 has won out over its rivals because it is a vehicle capable…

Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin will resume operations next week, according to Michaela Schmitz, the head of its works council. The factory has been closed since March 5 following a fire at a nearby power pylon, which police are investigating as an arson attack. “We will restart the factory next week,” Schmitz announced to a gathering of workers at the site, known as Gigafactory Berlin. Some workers held a banner proclaiming, “We won’t be shut down!” Schmitz condemned the attack, calling it “a dark chapter in our history,” but expressed determination to overcome the setback. The factory’s closure has left its…

European aerospace company Airbus has revealed its latest entry into the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) market with the CityAirbus NextGen. This prototype, utilizing a “lift and cruise” concept, is designed for urban and suburban air travel, competing with Hyundai and other startups entering the eVTOL space. The CityAirbus NextGen boasts a wingspan of 39 feet (12 meters) and features fixed wings and a V-shaped tail, all designed to ensure quiet flight. Airbus aims for a cruising speed of 75 mph (120 km/h), making it suitable for urban environments. See also: Airbus Joins Forces with Nordic Partners for Extensive Hydrogen…

Hyundai announced on Thursday the launch of a trade-in program in South Korea aimed at boosting sales of electric vehicles (EVs) amidst weaker demand for clean automobiles. The trade-in scheme, which began on March 1, allows customers to purchase new EVs at discounted prices by trading in their used cars. The program is available to customers who sell their existing cars to Hyundai’s certified used car service and purchase new EVs such as the all-electric IONIQ 5 crossover, the IONIQ 6 sedan, and the Kona Electric. Customers who trade in their Hyundai or Genesis EVs are eligible to receive proceeds…

Chinese electric cars are outselling their US counterparts due to their superior performance and affordability, according to a report by the Financial Times, citing Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore, a global battery material producer based in Belgium. Miedreich stated that Chinese vehicles are “simply good cars and people buy them,” highlighting their quality and appeal to consumers. He also noted that American producers “seem to struggle to bring good electric vehicles” to the market, indicating a disparity in product offerings. See also: U.S. Energy Secretary Raises Concerns Over China’s Influence in Electric Vehicle Market The report highlights the surging sales of…

LG Energy Solution, in collaboration with its subsidiary Kooroo, is introducing a battery swapping network for electric scooters in South Korea. The initiative, initially a pilot project, has garnered particular success among delivery drivers. The service, aimed at delivery services, allows drivers to exchange their batteries for fully charged ones in approximately 20 seconds. Users can initiate the process through Kooroo’s mobile app, which also provides information on congestion levels at battery-swapping stations and facilitates reservations, integrating with navigation systems for safe driving to the stations. See also: LG Energy Solution and Honda Complete Final Structural Beam at Ohio EV Battery…

StoreDot, a leading developer of ultrafast charging battery cells, has announced a major breakthrough in battery performance, revealing that its cells can charge up to 80% of their full capacity in sub-freezing temperatures as low as 14F (-10C) when charged at standard speed. This development could significantly enhance the usability and range of electric vehicles (EVs) in cold climates. Recent laboratory tests conducted by StoreDot have shown that its extreme fast charging (XFC) battery cells exhibit a consistent discharge rate and offer an adequate driving range even in sub-freezing conditions. At 14F (-10C), the cells delivered over 85% of their…