INFLEXION is a new consortium comprising Volkwagen, OVO Energy, and its platform provider Kaluza. Together with Indra, the partners aim to launch vehicle-to-everything solutions based on CCS in the UK. Once launched, the new V2X options may save drivers over £420 a year. Kaluza calls INFLEXION “the world’s first and largest deployment of domestic vehicle-to-grid […] More…
GP Joule to acquire 100 FC Nikola Tre trucks
GP Joule plans to procure 100 Nikola Tre trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This is provided for in a letter of intent signed by both companies. The first vehicles could go to GP Joule in 2024 – provided the German government approves the corresponding funding. The Nikola Tre FCEVs in the European 6×2 variant […] More…
Ganfeng to reach 100 GWh annual capacity with two new factories
The Chinese lithium and battery producer Ganfeng Lithium is investing 15 billion yuan in two new battery factories to increase its production capacities by 34 GWh to around 100 GWh per year. Converted, the investment amounts to 2.2 billion euros. This is according to several Chinese media reports. Ganfeng is – measured by market capitalisation […] More…
Wolfspeed & ZF to build SiC semiconductor plant in Germany
The US company Wolfspeed wants to build the world’s largest plant for semiconductors made of silicon carbide (SiC) in Saarland for use in electric vehicles, among other things. Auto supplier ZF will also take a minority stake in the factory. This was reported by the German publication Handelsblatt with reference to “circles familiar with the […] More…
Tesla heat pump detailed, gives a boost to winter EV range
Tesla last week outlined some of the details that distinguish its heat pump system that’s now included throughout its vehicle lineup. The electric vehicle maker claims that its design performs well in very cold weather, where other heat pumps fall short. Depending on the exact situation, Tesla claims, its cars might be using as little as a… More…
Hitachi completes major fleet charging trial Optimise Prime
In the UK, the fleet charging project Optimise Prime has come to an end. The trials began in July 2021, led by Hitachi Europe and electricity distributor UK Power Networks with over 8,000 electric vehicles from Centrica, Uber and Royal Mail. The findings will help all parties to understand better what large-scale rollouts require.> While […] More…
Volkswagen publishes findings from smart charging pilot
Volkswagen’s energy business Elli and German grid operator Mitnetz Strom started a pilot in the summer of 2022 to optimise charging processes in line with the grid. They aimed to achieve efficient and environmentally-friendly interaction between distributors and VW electric vehicles. Here’s the result. The main finding is that intelligent charging works both ways – […] More…
BMW starts testing solid-state battery production in Parsdorf
BMW is to set up a prototype line for solid-state battery cells at its Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre in Parsdorf near Munich, based on designs from partner Solid Power. This is made possible by the US company’s research and development licence, which is now also confirmed by BMW. As the next step on the road […] More…
Aral forms electric truck charging route
Aral pulse has opened a charging corridor for electric trucks along 600 kilometres of the Rhine-Alpine Corridor. The busy logistics route currently connects two major metropolitan regions with six charge hubs. However, the corridor is not yet complete. At the opening, the charging corridor includes 300 kW stations adapted to the dimensions of trucks at […] More…
GM & LG drop plans for fourth US battery factory
General Motors and LG Energy Solution are apparently not pursuing their plan for a fourth joint battery cell plant in the USA. GM could instead build the planned plant in Indiana with a new partner at its side. This is reported by the news agency Reuters, citing two sources. As recently as August 2022, things […] More…
CATL to build chassis plant in Yichun
CATL plans to build the first production facility for its CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis (CIIC) in Yichun in the Chinese province of Jiangxi and has signed an agreement with the city to this effect. There are no details yet on the schedule and scope of production. The CIIC was first mentioned in early November 2022 […] More…
Nissan Ariya review: Well meant but not always well done
The Nissan Leaf was once a pioneer of electric mobility but increasingly fell behind. The long-announced Ariya is now supposed to give Nissan a new drive and make its EVs attractive again for the growing majority of electric car drivers. The new platform and concept do not deliver throughout, as our driving test shows. *** […] More…
Luxury EV leases are already tapping into $7,500 EV tax credit
New federal EV tax credit rules have set price caps that are narrowing the field of qualifying EVs, but a leasing loophole is already opening up a much wider field eligible for federal subsidies. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) re-upped the federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 for qualifying vehicles. It added price caps of $55,000 for cars and… More…
Aptera presents the ‘launch edition’ of its solar trike
The US start-up Aptera Motors has presented the ‘Launch Edition’ of its three-wheeled solar electric car, which the company plans to start producing by the end of 2023. However, the start of production is not yet assured: Aptera needs further capital. According to Aptera, the production launch version of the two-seater solar-powered electric car planned […] More…
E-Bike Battery Theft A Growing Concern In The Netherlands
2022 saw a 300-percent spike in e-bike battery theft, raising concerns surrounding safety and security. More…
BYD Seagull Small EV Leaked In China, Said To Start Under $9,000
The smallest model in BYD’s Ocean Series, the Seagull will go on sale in China in April with an LFP battery pack and 74-hp motor. More…
VW to replace head of design unit
The Volkswagen brand is on the brink of announcing a new head of design. According to German media, head designer Jozef Kaban will be replaced by Andreas Mindt on the 01 February, back from his post at Bentley. This was indicated by the new board of directors. As the German publication Automobilwoche has learned from […] More…
Eco-friendly advance for lithium-ion cell production
Energy storage solutions provider Leclanché says it has achieved a breakthrough in the environmentally friendly production of G/NMCA cells, by reducing the cobalt content in NMCA cathode material from 20% to 5% and manufacturing the electrodes using a water-based process. In doing so, Leclanché says it completely dispenses with the use of the highly toxic […] More…
Hertz Launches Massive EV Rental Program In The US
It’s called “Hertz Electrifies” and it’s kicking off with over 5,000 EVs in the city of Denver, Colorado. More…
Tesla To Implement Automated Quality Control System At Fremont Factory
In a bid to improve the build quality of its interiors, Tesla will install new robots that will inspect the fit and finish. More…
