Automation specialist Kuka has scored a new contract and is designing “CO2-neutral” assembly systems for Valmet Automotive in Finland. The supplier says the investment into sustainable battery production is “extensive” and expects the new Kuka system to set new standards. In addition to robots for process handling, Kuka is also installing friction stir welding systems […] More…

Fast-charging provider Atlante, a joint venture between Stellantis, NHOA Group and Free2move eSolutions, is partnering with France’s Groupe Duval to build 188 DC and HPC charging points at sites owned by the property company across France. The first of these fast chargers will come online before the end of 2023. The 188 chargers planned for […] More…

Swedish electric boat manufacturer Candela has unveiled a new version of its zero-emission hydrofoil C-8. This time it is taking aim at “America’s most popular boat segment”. These center console powerboats are commonly used for fishing and other recreational activities and usually use a lot of fuel. Candela says the C-8 Center Console (C-8 CC) […] More…

In Switzerland, electric cars could become more expensive from next year, as the Federal Council initiated an amendment to the Automobile Tax Ordinance. The aim is to abolish the exemption of EVs from the automobile tax as of 1 January 2024 and to subject electric cars to the normal tax rate of four per cent […] More…

VW ID.7 testing is on the home stretch. Shortly before the world premiere of Volkswagen’s future ID. flagship on 17 April, VW provides pictures of the last test drives from Alicante, Spain and delivers more details on the electric sedan’s drive, chassis and comfort features. The VW ID.7 will have a new, specially developed electric […] More…

Rhenus Automotive and TSR Automotive – both subsidiary companies of the Rethmann Group – have founded the joint company The Battery Lifecycle Company GmbH (BLC). The declared aim is the reuse and recycling of lithium-ion batteries from the mobility sector. With the plan to offer holistic battery recycling along the entire value chain, BLC wants […] More…

With the EU Commission having drafted the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), we talked to Vulcan Energy, Skeleton Technologies and volytica diagnostics, who all have new approaches to the supply and use of battery raw materials. We also gathered statements from EU Commissioners Thierry Breton and Valdis Dombrovskis and the German Chamber of Industry and […] More…

The South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution has signed a letter of intent with the Chinese Yahua Industrial Group to produce lithium hydroxide in Morocco. The location was a strategic choice. Details on the schedule and volume of the planned lithium hydroxide production by LGES and Yahua in Morocco are unknown. However, Korean media […] More…

Oxfordshire has a new mini electric car club with three rental companies cooperating with regional councils to offer pay-per-use EVs. 14 new electric vehicles will be made available for people to hire on an hourly or daily basis to start with. The initiative involves Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of […] More…

Opel is now offering the Mokka Electric as a workshop and service vehicle with a drawer and shelf system in the rear. The corresponding in-vehicle equipment comes from conversion specialist Bott. The Vario3 system from Bott is integrated into a safety frame that is firmly attached to the body, designed to store tools and smaller spare […] More…

ALD Automotive and ChargePoint want to establish an electric Mobility Service Provider (eMSP) dedicated to corporate fleet electrification. The aim is to offer charging solutions across Europe for company fleets from the ChargePoint portfolio, including billing options. The new joint eMSP will be headquartered in the Paris region and go live before the year ends. […] More…

The South Korean car manufacturer SsangYong is now called KG Mobility and has presented its second electric model. The background to the name change is the takeover of the Korean carmaker by the domestic conglomerate KG. Like the Korando e-Motion, the Torres EVX is a BEV offshoot of the corresponding combustion engine model. The electric […] More…

BMW has officially published key data on the new generation of the Mini Countryman, which will also come with a purely electric drive. For the first time, an electric car of the Mini brand will also have an all-wheel drive. The latter is not surprising, as the new Countryman shares the platform and drive technology […] More…

European logistics provider DPD is moving goods across the Alps without tailpipe emissions. Between Ticino and the northern side of the Alps, DPD Switzerland uses electric trucks and the railway. The Gotthard route is among the oldest transalpine routes, and trains on those tracks were electrified already 100 years ago. The train line has been […] More…

Stellantis and BMW consider opening battery plants together with Panasonic in North America. According to American media, talks are already underway. Stellantis has already started building battery factories in North America: one with LG Energy Solution in Canada and another with Samsung SDI in the US state of Indiana. A third one could now be […] More…

The US electric car manufacturer Rivian produced 9,395 vehicles and delivered 7,946 in the first quarter of this year. For the full year 2023, Rivian is sticking to its goal of producing 50,000 vehicles. Compared to the previous quarter, both the production and delivery figures represent virtually flat to slightly declining levels: in Q4 2022, […] More…

The city of Paris has asked its citizens to vote on the proposed ban on electric rental scooters in the city – with a clear result: 89 per cent of those who voted were in favour of banning rental scooters from the streets of the French capital. It is important to note that less than […] More…

BYD has announced a partnership with Evera, a New Delhi-based electric taxi service, to deliver a fleet of 100 e6 electric cars. The 100 BYD e6 units will be delivered to Evera over the next few months. “With BYD All-New e6, we are excited to continue our electric vehicle fleet operation with our shared value […] More…

In the KOSEL project, the Fraunhofer Institute IWU and partners have developed an open-source construction kit for electric vehicles that contains particularly durable and reusable modules. This should allow certain parts to be used over several vehicle life cycles. Specifically, the project initiators have developed the basic concept for a light electric utility vehicle with […] More…

Production at the Tesla Gigafactory in Grünheide, Germany, now runs in three shifts. Additional shifts are already being considered to increase output further. In addition to the Model Y, the carmaker could start building a second model there. Jochem Freyer from the employment agency in Frankfurt (Oder) spoke to the local radio- and TV station […] More…