Battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution has signed an offtake agreement with Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy and Fertilizers (WesCEF) for lithium concentrate. Under the agreement, WesCEF will supply LG Energy Solution with up to 85,000 tons of lithium concentrate, which could be used to produce around 11,000 tons of lithium hydroxide, a cathode raw material. WesCEF’s lithium… Read more…

E-mobility tech provider ENNOVI has introduced a new approach to cell contacting system (CCS) lamination. ENNOVI says it has qualified polyethylene terephthalate (PET) insulation foils and adhesives from multiple suppliers by testing them for their bond strength, durability and environmental impact, and has compiled a database of recommendations for the most effective material combinations. Historically,… Read more…

Sponsored by Henkel. Learn how Henkel’s processing solutions enable sustainable, next-generation vehicle manufacturing across the value chain, from molten metal to final component Discover how Henkel’s sustainable processing fluids enable significant environmental benefits across key stages of the vehicle lifecycle, including the raw material stage and during customer manufacturing processes. Gain insights into metal-forming lubricants,… Read more…

UK-based defense and aerospace firm BAE Systems and US-based power management company Eaton are expanding their collaboration to include EV systems for heavy-duty trucks. The companies will offer OEMs and commercial vehicle modifiers a flexible EV system for a range of platforms. BAE Systems will combine its electric motor and suite of power electronics with… Read more…

“The market needs electric pickup trucks!” That was the EVangelist’s refrain a couple of years ago. Now the mantra of the day is, “The market needs low-priced EVs!” In fact, the market needs both, and another electric pickup (but by no means a low-priced one) is on the way. The GMC Sierra EV will make… Read more…

Amsterdam-based EV charging station provider EVBox has transitioned its Level 1 support to EVA Global, an EV charging managed services provider headquartered in Finland.  EVBox customers will now receive 24/7 support in English, Dutch, German and French on Level 1. EVBox anticipates significant cost savings from the move. EVA Global’s services include Level 1 and… Read more…

US-based solid-state battery manufacturer ION Storage Systems has commissioned a pilot production line adjacent to its headquarters in Maryland. The facility is expected to start manufacturing 1 MWh of battery cells this year, increasing to 10 MWh by early 2025. The company has a longer-term goal of reaching 500 MWh of capacity by 2028. ION’s… Read more…

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is in the process of expanding use of electric trucks to transport components to its manufacturing plants and parts distribution centers (PDCs) in North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Ohio, Michigan and Saltillo, Mexico. DTNA began integrating Freightliner eCascadia semi-trucks into its operations in the Pacific Northwest… Read more…

Semiconductor firm Infineon Technologies and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) have signed a non-binding agreement to jointly develop applications for the electrification of marine engines and machinery using energy-efficient power semiconductor technology. Infineon and HD KSOE will develop power solutions for propulsion drive technology, a key ship electrification component. Infineon will provide HD… Read more…

Two converging trends are set to blow the heavy-duty EV charging scene wide open: charging hubs for electric trucks are starting to open to the public, most of them clustered around Southern California’s busy ports; and the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) is nearing the completion of its standardization process, and is starting to appear in… Read more…

US-based electronic components manufacturer Power Integrations has agreed to acquire the assets of Odyssey Semiconductor Technologies, a developer of vertical gallium-nitride (GaN) transistor technology. The transaction is expected to close in July 2024, after which all key Odyssey employees are expected to join Power Integrations’ technology organization. The acquisition supports Power Integrations’ development of its… Read more…

EV maker Mullen Automotive has received approval under the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) from the California Air Resources Board for its Class 3 2024 Mullen THREE. The Mullen THREE model is a cab-forward truck featuring a 125-mile range and designed for urban last-mile delivery and such applications as construction,… Read more…

As EV use continues to grow and evolve, we at Knowles Precision Devices are increasingly being asked about managing the self-heating of capacitor components. In this webinar, we’ll cover why capacitors self-heat, offer tips for managing heat and discuss how factors like spacing, capacitor thickness, air flow and mounting all play a role in heat… Read more…

US EV manufacturer Rivian has received an $827-million incentive package from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity to expand the capacity of its plant in the state. The funding will enable Rivian to upgrade the facility over the coming months to manufacture the R2, its midsized SUV model. At the same time, the… Read more…

Charging company Go-Station will host an electric drayage truck pull at the Port Fuel Center (PFC), located at the twin container ports Garden City Terminal and Ocean Terminal, near Savannah, Georgia. Garden City Terminal is the fourth busiest container handling facility in the US. The truck pull, organized by Go-Station in partnership with PFC and… Read more…

Battery tech firms South 8 Technologies and NanoGraf are collaborating to develop higher-capacity, safer and lighter batteries for the US Army. Under a $6.4-million subcontract with NanoGraf, South 8 will develop a high-rate injection system for its LiGas electrolyte to bolster domestic production of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries. Today’s soldiers lug around massive amounts of Li-ion… Read more…

Manufacturing firm Alexander Battery Technologies has commissioned an IPG Photonics EV Flex advanced laser welding machine at its UK facility. The equipment enables the company to produce large custom battery packs for on-highway vehicles and similar high-voltage applications. It features data logging and weld inspection capabilities to meet industry standards. The laser welder uses machine… Read more…

Enabling the next phase of EV charging station manufacturing. We tech writers often refer to “ecosystems,” and biologists may shake their heads at our appropriation of the term, but the analogy is an apt one in many ways. A biological ecosystem has its charismatic megafauna (elephants, lions, whales), but it couldn’t function without its less-glamorous… Read more…

Spain-headquartered aeronautical component manufacturer Aciturri has committed to acquiring a stake in Australian electric aviation technology company Dovetail Electric Aviation.  Aciturri will invest in the second tranche of Dovetail’s seed investment round, which has a total target of $7 million. The first tranche, which closed last year, included airlines Rex in Australia and Volotea and… Read more…

Kumho Tire U.S.A., the US distribution arm of Korea-based tire manufacturer Kumho Tire, has introduced two new tires for EVs: the Majesty 9 Solus TA91 EV, designed for coupes, sedans, and CUVs; and the Crugen HP71 EV, with improved all-weather performance for CUVs and SUVs.  Both feature the company’s K-Silent technology that uses sound-absorbing foam… Read more…