Sponsored by Hioki. A key challenge in developing Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) is extending the driving range through improved energy efficiency. Unlike fossil fuels, batteries have a lower energy density, necessitating large-capacity batteries to match the range of internal combustion engines, which inadvertently increases vehicle weight and decreases energy efficiency. Thus, there is a pressing… Read more…

Lately, EV boo-birds have been trumpeting some surveys that found that substantial numbers of EV owners would consider going back to burning gas. New research by Cox Automotive found that the opposite sentiment prevailed among fleet owners operating both EVs and legacy vehicles. The Future of Fleets: Path to EV Adoption found that, compared to… Read more…

Volkswagen’s battery company PowerCo SE and US solid-state lithium metal battery developer QuantumScape have agreed to industrialize QuantumScape’s technology. QuantumScape’s platform is based on its solid-state ceramic separator, which enables the use of a pure lithium metal anode. Once certain technical milestones and royalty payments have been reached, QuantumScape will grant PowerCo a non-exclusive license… Read more…

Able Electropolishing has acquired new in-house laboratory equipment that brings significantly enhanced analytic and testing capabilities. Electropolishing removes surface imperfections that can compromise mission-critical metal parts used in the automotive, semiconductor and many other industries. Able’s new equipment is designed to further improve the precision and effectiveness of electropolishing for improving the finish, fit and… Read more…

Finland-based Hycamite has launched graphite production using its emissions-free methane-splitting technology. Hycamite says its technology provides low-carbon hydrogen and sustainable carbon products for industrial applications by decomposing large volumes of methane into hydrogen and carbon while avoiding the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. The company’s catalysts are recyclable and can be produced… Read more…

The US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) has made a conditional commitment to provide a direct loan of up to $1.2 billion to ENTEK Lithium Separators to finance a new facility in Terre Haute, Indiana. The lithium-ion battery separators manufactured at the plant will be used primarily in EVs to strengthen the US supply… Read more…

Sponsored by LMI Technologies. As the world races towards a future powered by sustainable energy solutions, electric vehicles have emerged as a pivotal technology in reducing carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Central to the viability and safety of EVs are their battery systems, which demand meticulous inspection and quality control. LMI Technologies, a… Read more…

Sunrun, which offers a “clean energy as a subscription” service, is piloting a vehicle-to-home power plant using a small group of customer-owned bidirectional EVs, in partnership with Baltimore Gas and Electric. The project uses Ford F-150 Lightning electric trucks to deliver power to owners’ homes during peak demand times to support Maryland’s power grid. The… Read more…

Power and sensing technology specialist onsemi has signed a multi-year deal with the Volkswagen Group to be the primary supplier of a complete power box solution as part of a next-generation traction inverter for the automaker’s Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). The solution features silicon carbide-based technologies in an integrated module that can scale across all… Read more…

Rock Tech Lithium has received a binding letter of intent (LOI) signed by the Ministry for Economic Affairs in Brandenburg, Germany for up to €90 million in subsidies for its Guben Lithium Converter Project. The company also expects to receive another €10 million in federal funding from the German Railway Authority to support the construction… Read more…

Japanese electronic components company FCL Components has released a small, low-power, automotive-grade, PCB-mounted relay, the FBR53-LE. The relay is more than 2 mm shorter than others in its class, enabling more compact designs, according to the company. The FBR53-LE is a 1 Form U (Form A with twin contacts) relay that measures 15.7(L) x 12.3(W)… Read more…

Kinetic, an automotive infrastructure company that delivers digital repair services in the US for EVs, has secured $21 million in Series B funding in a round led by Menlo Ventures. Other participants in the round included returning investors Lux Capital, Construct Capital and Haystack Ventures along with new investors Allstate Strategic Ventures and Liberty Mutual… Read more…

US-based silicon battery materials supplier Group14 Technologies has signed offtake agreements totaling at least $300 million with three EV and two consumer electronic battery cell manufacturers across Europe, Asia and North America. Group14’s customers deliver batteries to various industries, including automotive, consumer electronics and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL). The company’s silicon-carbon anode material,… Read more…

UK-based industrial and automotive lubricants supplier Castrol, part of the bp group, will invest up to $50 million in Taiwanese battery swapping firm Gogoro. Gogoro is developing is an open and interoperable battery swapping platform for lightweight two-wheeler and three-wheeler urban vehicles. The company aims to accelerate the shift to sustainable two-wheeler transportation in the… Read more…

Riscure Security Solutions, the device security research lab of US-based test and measurement firm Keysight Technologies, has completed the first Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) Digital Key Applet (DKA) certification for NXP Semiconductors. DKA expands Keysight’s security evaluation offering for the automotive industry, in addition to the UN R155 and R156 regulations and others. The CCC… Read more…

Wildcat Discovery Technologies, a US cathode producer, and Austin Elements, a US critical minerals recycler and sustainable LFP precursors producer, have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on recycling solutions for LFP and LMFP batteries. Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to convert end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scraps into cathode materials…. Read more…

Revel, the urban EV infrastructure provider, has signed its first lease in Los Angeles. Revel is planning to develop 42 fast charging stalls on a 19,000-square-foot lot next to the Crypto.com Arena and LA Convention Center. Revel’s new Downtown LA Charging Station is slated to open in 2026. Revel operates a network of fast charging… Read more…

IoTecha, a provider of smart charging solutions for EVs, has secured a NASPO ValuePoint contract for Smart Level 2 Charging Stations, Equipment, Products and Services. This contract enables IoTecha to offer its EV charging solutions to state and local government and educational entities across the US more cost-effectively. The NASPO ValuePoint cooperative purchasing program is… Read more…

Monarch Tractor, creator of the MK-V electric tractor, has raised $133 million in a Series C funding round co-led by Astanor and HH-CTBC Partnership, with additional support from At One Ventures, PMV and The Welvaartsfonds. Monarch will use the new funds to further develop its AI product offering and expand its operational footprint domestically and… Read more…

The South Pasadena Police Department has completely replaced its gasoline-powered vehicles with EVs. The city’s fleet of 20 new Teslas will rely on a bank of 34 new EV chargers installed at South Pasadena City Hall. As part of the project, the City Hall, Police Station and Fire Station buildings will be backed up by… Read more…