Author: electrive.com
Lotus breaks delivery record thanks to electric cars
The Geely brand Lotus delivered a total of 6,970 vehicles in 2023. That represents an annual record in the brand’s 76-year history, with pure BEVs accounting for 63 per cent of vehicle deliveries. Read more…
BYD to prepare market launch of next-generation blade battery
BYD is planning to launch the second generation of its LFP-chemistry-based Blade battery in August 2024. Compared to the current version, it should not only offer a higher energy density, but also be smaller and lighter. Read more…
LEVC to offset reduction in UK subsidies
British taxi manufacturer LEVC is offering a deposit contribution of £1,500. This comes as the federal Plug-in-Taxi Grant (PiTG) was reduced by that same sum in April. Read more…
Elli launches management solution for charging company fleets
The Volkswagen Group subsidiary Elli is launching a management system for charging company fleets. It bundles AC and DC charging hardware and integrated software solutions – including a range of functions designed to make charging processes in the fleet car park more suitable for everyday use. Read more…
Tesla is working on a new manufacturing process called “unboxing”
Tesla wants to massively reduce costs and significantly speed up production with its new platform for smaller electric cars. According to media reports, it is looking at a new manufacturing process that could turn previous industry standards on their head. Read more…
Opel unveils design of the upcoming electric Frontera
Opel has shown first pictures of the new Frontera, which will be launched later this year. The SUV will also be available with battery-electric drive from the outset. It is regarded as the successor to the Opel Crossland and is intended to be the “perfect car for urban centres”. Read more…
Smart develops new electric two-seater called #2
The rumour mill had been turning for quite some time, but the plans for a successor to the Fortwo from Smart had yet to be confirmed – at least until now. Europe CEO Dirk Adelmann announced that the company is developing a new platform for such a small car. Read more…
Michelin Services starts integrating electric Vauxhall vans in the UK
Michelin Services and Solutions has received its first electric vans in the UK, as it begins to shift acquisitions toward having an all-electric fleet by 2026. Read more…
Canoo spent more on CEO’s private jet than it actually earned
Californian EV startup Canoo posted its full-year earnings for 2023. And the company apparently spent double its annual revenue on CEO Tony Aquila’s private jet. Read more…
Ride-hailing operator WeFlex orders 165 Toyota bZ4x
The London-based ride-hailing provider WeFlex has placed an initial order for 165 vehicles with Toyota for the electric bZ4X SUV. WeFlex currently has over 2,300 battery-electric vehicles in its fleet. Read more…
Hyundai purchases LFP cells from Exide in India
Hyundai and Kia want to equip their electric cars in India with LFP batteries from the local manufacturer Exide. The companies have signed a strategic partnership. It is still unclear which models these batteries will be used in. Read more…
UK-based initiative to set up funding platform for electric buses
The UK Infrastructure Bank, Rock Rail and Aviva have formed a partnership to provide a new funding platform for zero emission bus financier Rock Road. Read more…
GAC Aion and Didi build autonomous electric cars
GAC Aion, the electric car offshoot of the Chinese GAC Group, has founded a joint venture with ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing for the production of autonomous EVs. The first production model is apparently set to debut next year. Read more…
Voith launches subsidiary for hydrogen storage systems
On 1 April, the Voith Group founded Voith HySTech GmbH at its Garching location. With the new company, Voith is pooling its expertise in hydrogen storage systems – with a focus on heavy-duty vehicles. Read more…
No US subsidies for EU cars: the raw materials partnership stalemate continues
Europe’s car manufacturers continue to be excluded from large parts of EV subsidies in the US. The EU Commission and the US government failed to agree on a raw materials partnership at a meeting on Friday. Read more…
What will the vehicle battery of the future look like? An interview with Prof Markus Lienkamp, TU Munich
How sustainable is the LFP trend? What role does the sodium-ion battery play for electric mobility? What are the consequences of the extensive funding freeze for battery research in Germany? And will this leave Germany further behind? We asked an expert: Markus Lienkamp, Professor of Automotive Engineering at the Technical University of Munich. Read more…
EVs on track to overtake petrol cars in Norway in 2024
Electric cars are on their way to overtaking petrol cars in Norway – possibly even this year. According to the latest data, the lead of petrol-only cars is now only 76,000 vehicles and is shrinking further month by month. Read more…
LG Energy Solution is on track with Arizona battery factory
LG Energy Solution is on track to start series production of large cylindrical cells for electric cars at its new plant in the US state of Arizona in early 2026. To this end, a major recruitment offensive will be launched in the second half of 2025. Read more…
UK: Volvo Cars announces new EC40 and EX40 variant
Volvo has confirmed the pricing and specifications for its renamed EC40 and EX40 models in the UK. Pricing starts at £52,555 and £45,955, respectively. The carmaker also introduced a new Single Motor Extended Range powertrain for both models. Read more…
