Panasonic Energy has signed a binding purchase deal with battery materials company Novonix for the supply of synthetic graphite for the anodes of electric vehicle batteries in the USA. This agreement provides for the supply of at least 10,000 tonnes over a four-year period starting in 2025. Read more…

Volkswagen’s charging infrastructure subsidiary Electrify America has opened its first indoor fast-charging park in San Francisco. During the charging time at one of the 20 high-power chargers, two lounge areas, Wi-Fi and restrooms are available. Read more…

Geely’s electric car brand Zeekr has lowered the price of the Zeekr X in the European launch markets. However, not as much as some of its Chinese competitors. The manufacturer also wants to attract new European customers with a special promotion until the end of April. Read more…

Fisker has announced the rollout of an over-the-air software update for its all-electric Ocean SUV next week. The Ocean OS 2.0 OTA update includes improvements to performance, the powertrain, enhancements for SolarSky, and the energy management system. Read more…

The British Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned adverts by BMW and MG, claiming that electric cars are “zero-emission cars.” The ASA considers the claims to be misleading. Read more…

Fuel cell specialist Hyzon Motors and New Way Trucks want to develop fuel cell refuse collection vehicles for the North American market. Pilot tests with North American customers will begin in the first half of 2024. The companies hope to deliver the first fuel cell trucks to American customers in 2025. Read more…

Paris public transport operator Île-de-France Mobilités has announced plans to order 3,500 “clean” buses. The procurement is to kick off in 2025 and will last until 2028. The order is valued at €1.8 billion. Read more…

EV sales fell significantly in January to 729,000 units due to seasonal factors. Battery electric vehicles even did worse than plug-in hybrids. Due to the Chinese New Year in February, the current month will likely be weak, too. Read more…

Magna has received an order to supply a primary eDrive rear-wheel drive system for a high-end vehicle platform of a North American OEM. The 800-volt system can deliver up to 726 kW. Read more…

In the Netherlands, the Heineken brewery already has one or two electric trucks in operation, but primarily for local deliveries within cities. With the help of Swedish company Einride, five heavy-duty electric trucks are now being added to transport beer between the brewery in Den Bosch and the central warehouse in Duisburg. Read more…

The Benteler Group could soon be getting some new cash. An external investor is looking to buy a significant amount of shares to help the company’s business with its autonomous vehicle grow. Read more…

Volvo Cars is building a new center for mobility innovations in Torslanda near Gothenburg. With this facility, Volvo wants to take new technologies out of the laboratory environment and test them in a realistic way. Read more…

Estonia’s capital Tallinn is apparently planning to procure 40 battery-powered trolleybuses, 22 of which are 18 meters long and 18 of which are 12 meters long. The first of these new buses are due to be launched in Tallinn at the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025. Read more…

According to a Spanish media report, Stellantis plans to start producing electric cars based on the STLA Small platform at its plants in Spain in 2026. There is now also an alleged model schedule – as well as initial forecasts for unit numbers. Read more…

Protecting electric car batteries against fire is crucial to the success of these vehicles. There is particular concern about thermal runaway. A new Quantix® ULTRA material class from Freudenberg Sealing Technologies significantly improves fire protection in electric vehicle drives: The thermoplastics made from this material can withstand temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees Celsius. The ability to process the material in injection molding makes it both versatile and economical. Given that today’s vehicles call for lightweight construction, its lower density compared to metallic materials is an additional advantage. Read more…

First, the new Audi CEO Gernot Döllner adjusted the initially ambitious model timetable for 2024. Now he seems to implement his “Audi Agenda” – which entails some changes to the structures and top personnel. Read more…

The electric version of the Ford Puma will be called Gen-E and revealed later this year. Like the combustion engine versions, the electric Ford Puma will roll off the production line at the Ford Otosan plant in Craiova, Romania. Read more…

The Czech city of České Budějovice (in English Budejovice) has ordered 35 new battery-powered trolleybuses from the Skoda Group. Specifically, Skoda will deliver 35 of its of the 18-metre-long Skoda 33Tr articulated trolleybus. Read more…

The US American hotel conglomerate Choice Hotels, which owns the Radisson, Cambria, Comfort, Country Inn & Suites, Quality Inn and other brands, has partnered with Tesla to install Tesla’s Universal Wall Connector at its hotels. By the end of 2024, all hotels are planned to have at least one charger installed. Read more…

Nikola’s first HYLA hydrogen refuelling station is up and running in the city of Ontario in the US state of California. The station can refuel up to eight Nikola H2 trucks per day. Read more…