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…