Author: Tyne Rodriquez

Eaton’s Mobility Group said it has secured a supply agreement with a major global automaker to provide its High-Power Lock Box (HPLB) SQ8 connector system for an upcoming plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) platform, marking the first deployment of the SQ8 configuration in a PHEV application. The SQ8 connector system builds on Eaton’s experience in high-current connectivity for demanding automotive environments. The centerpiece of the system is its patented inverted terminal contact design, which uses a stainless-steel spring for sustained contact force and a copper carrier for high conductivity, offering enhanced durability in high-temperature and vibration-intensive applications. “The HPLB SQ8…

Hankook Tire & Technology said on Wednesday it will supply original equipment (OE) tires for Tesla’s updated Model Y, known internally as Juniper, reinforcing its position as a key supplier in the growing electric vehicle (EV) market. The company will provide two specialized tire models for the facelifted electric SUV: the iON evo AS SUV and the Ventus S1 evo ev. Both tire lines are engineered specifically for electric vehicles and aim to enhance performance, efficiency, and safety under various driving conditions. The iON evo AS SUV is an all-season tire designed to reduce road noise through a low-noise tread…

Genesis has officially removed the Electrified G80 from its U.S. lineup, marking the end of the luxury electric sedan’s brief run in the market. The move was first confirmed by Genesis to Car and Driver, which reported on Wednesday that the automaker would no longer offer the model in North America. “The customer is at the core of every decision we make, and we remain flexible as we adapt to ever-changing consumer needs and market conditions,” a Genesis spokesperson told Car and Driver. The Electrified G80 has already been pulled from the company’s U.S. website, leaving the GV60 and Electrified…

Portugal’s Council of Ministers has approved a new legal framework for electric mobility, removing the requirement for drivers to hold contracts with energy suppliers, in a move designed to simplify charging and promote market liberalisation. The Regime Jurídico da Mobilidade Elétrica (RJME), part of the State Reform programme, will allow ad hoc charging sessions and direct payment using bank cards or QR codes. “Implementing a more efficient model, with fewer intermediaries and therefore fewer fees, is one of the key aspects of this regime. The government wants to bring more transparency to the sector, ensuring users have a clear and…

The Maryland Energy Administration said it will provide $12 million in grants through its 2025 Electric School Bus Grant Program to introduce electric school buses and related infrastructure in seven school districts. The funding will support the purchase or lease of 53 electric school buses, installation of 40 chargers, and three EV fleet transition and management plans. Grants will also cover long-term planning, site readiness, and projects in low-income communities. Initiatives include adding the first EVs to Kent County’s fleet and electrifying buses used for school trips statewide. Baltimore County Public Schools will receive $3 million to expand its electric…

Technology startup NorcSi has raised €10.7 million in a new financing round to advance its development of pure silicon battery anodes, a move the company claims will mark a breakthrough for the European battery supply chain. The funds will be used primarily to establish a roll-to-roll production line for silicon anodes, moving NorcSi from pre-series lab production to automated industrial manufacturing. The investment round includes existing backers Millennium Venture Capital AG and IBG-Risikokapitalfonds IV, managed by bmp Ventures AG, along with new investor European Battery Research Institute GmbH. “We are the first company globally to transition from pre-series production of…

Belgian postal operator Bpost has ordered 500 additional electric delivery vans, aiming to expand its electric fleet to 3,146 vehicles by the autumn of 2025, as part of its ongoing effort to achieve fully emission-free parcel deliveries by 2030. The company did not disclose the manufacturer for the latest order. However, press images released by Bpost show electric vans from Stellantis Group brands, including the Peugeot E-Partner and Opel Combo Electric. Renault was the supplier of the company’s initial electric van fleet, but it remains unconfirmed whether either automaker is involved in the current procurement. The new vehicles are expected…

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced a new initiative to accelerate the recovery of critical minerals from mine waste and abandoned mining sites, citing recent research that highlights untapped domestic sources of materials essential to national security and the energy transition. Under a directive issued this week, the Department will streamline federal regulations to support the extraction of critical minerals from coal refuse, tailings, and disused uranium mines. It will also update federal guidance to make such projects eligible for government funding and prioritize reviews for plans involving the recovery of uranium and other minerals from abandoned sites.…

Electric vehicle maker Rivian has begun rolling out a new in-vehicle navigation system that integrates a customized version of Google Maps, replacing its previous Mapbox-based platform. The software update follows 18 months of collaboration between Rivian and Google engineers, aiming to deliver a more responsive and EV-tailored navigation experience. Unlike Google’s typical automotive integrations—such as Android Auto or Google Built-In—this partnership involved a deeper level of cooperation between the two companies. Rivian’s Chief of Software, Wassym Bensaid, said the companies worked together on API-level integration to merge Google Maps’ navigation tools with Rivian’s proprietary software layer. “We obviously closely watch…

Rimac Automobili has once again placed itself at the forefront of electric vehicle performance, with its flagship Nevera R hypercar breaking 24 performance records, including reclaiming the coveted 0–400–0 km/h sprint title from Sweden’s Koenigsegg. The Nevera R, an upgraded version of the original Nevera, achieved the 0–400–0 km/h (0–249–0 mph) run in 25.79 seconds, cutting 2.04 seconds off the previous record held by the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut and outperforming the standard Nevera by 4.14 seconds. The latest figure marks a new milestone in EV and hypercar performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOcp3-Ik3G4 “When we first introduced Nevera it almost seemed like the pinnacle…

Honda has halted development of a large electric SUV that was scheduled to launch in 2027, as weakening demand and political uncertainty in the United States raise concerns about the viability of the model, Japanese newspaper Nikkei reported. The decision reflects shifting market conditions in the U.S., Honda’s key EV growth market, where consumer demand for electric vehicles has softened and the future of EV subsidies remains unclear. The U.S. was expected to be the primary market for the large SUV, which was part of Honda’s upcoming “0 Series” EV lineup. According to the report, Honda cited concerns over potential…

Hyster has launched its first heavy-duty electric empty container handler, the J6-7XD-EC3/4, marking a significant step in the company’s drive to decarbonise port and container terminal operations. Designed with an integrated lithium-ion battery system, the fully electric models deliver a lifting capacity of 6,000 to 7,000 kilograms and can stack containers up to four high—matching internal combustion engine (ICE) performance without tailpipe emissions. Built on a 350V system architecture, the electric container handler is engineered for optimal energy efficiency and uptime, offering a lower-voltage alternative to conventional high-voltage electric systems. The truck features a Combined Charging System (CCS) connector for…