Author: Tyne Rodriquez

Israeli automotive tech company Mobileye announced on Wednesday that it had secured orders to ship 46 million of its EyeQ6 Lite assisted-driving chips over the next few years. This surge in demand comes as automakers strive to enhance vehicle safety and ease of driving. Mobileye is set to sell the EyeQ6 Lite in all major markets worldwide, with cars featuring the technology expected to launch in the middle of this year, according to Nimrod Nehushtan, Mobileye’s Executive Vice President of Business Strategy and Development. “The 46 million represents the amount of EyeQ6 Lite (business) that we have won to date,”…

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL is reportedly in discussions with General Motors (GM) to collaborate on building a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in North America, similar to its partnership with Ford. According to a report from Chinese media outlet LatePost, the collaboration would involve an LRS (License Royalty Service) model tie-up. Under this partnership, CATL and GM are planning to jointly construct the plant, with an annual capacity expected to be on par with the facility CATL is developing with Ford. The exact location of the plant is likely to be in the US or Mexico, as per the…

German companies Reckelberg Environmental Technologies (RET) and Tozero have joined forces in a partnership focused on battery recycling, specifically targeting the processing of “black mass,” a key component in battery recycling. RET, based in Bremerhaven, specializes in mechanical processing and recycling of batteries, while Tozero, headquartered in Munich, focuses on the development of a hydrometallurgical process for processing black mass. The collaboration between the two companies involves joint tests where RET produced black mass in its pilot plants, which was then processed at Tozero. According to Tozero, the partnership aims to optimize systems and processes to enhance the efficiency and…

The UK government has announced an expansion of its Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant, now offering discounts for the installation of home chargers to EV drivers who use on-street parking. Under the new rules, drivers living in cities without access to a private garage can receive up to 75% off the cost to purchase and install a charging socket, with a maximum discount of £350. To qualify for the grant, applicants must prove ownership or rental of a residential property where they live and have their local council confirm adequate on-street parking. Additionally, permission from relevant third parties, such as landlords,…

The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released a new study on Tuesday, rating Tesla’s Autopilot and nine other assisted-driving systems from major automakers as “poor.” The study, which evaluated a total of 14 systems, also concluded that there is no evidence to suggest that Autopilot or other similar systems offer real-world safety benefits based on crash data. “We have analyzed insurance claims data and compared vehicles with and without these systems, and our findings indicate that there is no reduction in claims as a result of these more advanced systems,” stated David Harkey, President of IIHS, in…

FedEx has commenced the deployment of its first electric vans in Spain, marking a significant step towards sustainable logistics in the country. The initiative involves the addition of 16 Mercedes-Benz eSprinters to FedEx’s parcel collection and delivery routes in the center of Madrid, with plans to introduce another 17 electric vans in Barcelona shortly. To support the electric fleet, a total of 33 charging points will be installed at locations in Madrid and Barcelona. These charging stations will be powered by certified green electricity and will feature dynamic load management to ensure vehicles are adequately charged overnight, as per FedEx…

Carmaker Stellantis revealed on Wednesday that it plans to invest 30 billion reais ($6.07 billion) in Brazil between 2025 and 2030, aiming to launch over 40 new cars and introduce hybrid-flex vehicles in the country. The announcement followed a meeting between company executives and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as the government seeks to revitalize the country’s industry. Stellantis joins other automakers such as GM, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Toyota, which have already announced investments in Brazil. Among Stellantis’ plans for Latin America’s largest economy is the incorporation of electrification technology into its flex-fuel models, which run on both gasoline…

BYD has officially started the construction of its production base complex in Bahia, Brazil, according to a report today from local media outlet Jiemian. BYD has reportedly paid the Bahia state government 287.8 million reais ($58 million) for a total of 4.6 million square meters of plant space. See also: BYD Launches Seagull Electric Mini Vehicle in Brazil and Mexico The complex, located at the former Ford Brazil plant, will be built from scratch, with old facilities repurposed for suppliers to produce new car parts. In the first phase, BYD plans to construct 26 new facilities, including production warehouses and a…

Japanese auto giant Toyota revealed on Tuesday its intention to invest 11 billion reais ($2.22 billion) in Brazil, marking its largest investment plan in the country to date. The investment will be made in two parts, with the first phase expected to be completed by 2026 and the second by 2030. This announcement follows the unveiling of the investment by Brazil’s vice president and minister for industry, Geraldo Alckmin, on Sunday, though specific details were not disclosed at the time. See also: Hyundai Announces $1.1 Billion Investment in Brazil for Sustainable Mobility According to Evandro Maggio, CEO of Toyota in Brazil,…

Powerdot, the Portuguese charging infrastructure operator, has successfully completed a financing round of over 100 million euros, setting the stage for a significant expansion of its European network. The company intends to use the funds to double its network, with plans to increase its charging points from 5,000 to almost 10,000 at 1,400 locations in Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium, and Poland. See also: Galp and Powerdot Collaborate to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure Across Spain and Poland The financing round comes on the heels of what Powerdot describes as “exceptional growth” in 2023, boasting a 201% increase in operational charging points and…

Tesla has taken steps to address cable concerns for its NACS Supercharger sites, which are now open to Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E drivers. Tesla announced that Rivian, General Motors, Volvo, and Polestar owners will also gain access to Tesla’s NACS Supercharger next month. One of the key concerns among Tesla owners has been how other EV brands, such as Ford, would use Supercharger stalls, given the shorter cables on Tesla vehicles. Unlike Tesla vehicles, other EV brands have their charging ports at the front of the car, on the opposite side of a Supercharger’s cable. See also: Ford Rolls…

Thermo King, a brand of Trane Technologies, has introduced its latest innovation in transport temperature controls with the launch of the E-500e series. Designed specifically for electric light commercial vehicles, the E-500e offers electrically powered refrigeration while minimizing impact on the battery and EV range. The E-500e addresses a common challenge faced by early electric vans, where powering refrigeration units directly from the vehicle’s battery could significantly reduce the vehicle’s autonomy. Thermo King has tackled this issue by incorporating custom-designed inverter technology, a patented power control system, and real-time communication between the unit and the vehicle. According to Thermo King,…