A new battery company from the US called Sparkz announced opening a pilot facility in Livermore, California, for its patented solid-state battery technology. Last year, Sparkz won a grant for $2.6 million from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The money was to extend Sparkz’ development into solid-state batteries. The company is banking on a zero-cobalt […] More…
Nio marks 800+ battery swapping stations in China
The Chinese electric car manufacturer Nio is expanding its network of battery exchange stations at great speed. The company already operates 828 stations in China, plus Nio recently opened the first battery swap outlet in Europe. Staying in China, for now, Nio had announced in September last year its intention to massively expand its battery […] More…
Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week: $499 super-basic electric snowmobile

When it comes to snowmobiles, there’s kind of a set way to do things. They’re effectively trikes with a pair of skis up front and a single wide track in back. But this new take on old-school snowsports seems to have reinvented the idea of just what a snowmobile can be. And it’s just wild enough to earn itself a coveted spot in this week’s edition of the Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week series.. More…
How battery reuse & recycling must expand to scale in China
China is faced with an enormous wave of batteries ready for reuse and recycling stemming from the world’s largest EV uptake starting around six years ago. In the last six months, the Chinese government has issued a series of new directives to ensure the battery reuse and recycling industries can effectively expand to scale. * […] More…
Lightyear One’s recent performance testing shows it will arrive as one of the most efficient vehicles in the world, even in suboptimal conditions

Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV) startup Lightyear has updated the public on the progress of its flagship vehicle, the Lightyear One by sharing recent test footage. The tests took place at Bridgestone’s European Proving Ground (EUPG) in Aprilia, Italy, where the Lightyear One was tested in aerodynamics, tire performance, and efficiency at high speeds. The results were quite encouraging.. More…
My powertrain and AMP-1 tours revealed a refreshing team culture at Lucid Motors behind the Air [Update]

I recently had an exclusive opportunity to visit Lucid Motors’ powertrain manufacturing and AMP-1 facilities and test drive a Lucid Air Dream Edition (Performance). Inside and out of my detailed tours full of manic note scribbling, I had tons of time to mingle with members of the Lucid team, from manufacturing employees at AMP-1, to Lucid’s CEO himself. What I discovered was a company-wide focus on teamwork, efficiency, and the utmost quality – an ethos that is apparent when you view the Lucid Air sedan up close. More…
Europe: Plug-Ins Surged To Record 29% Share In December 2021

Tesla Model 3 was the best-selling model overall in December. More…
Union Pacific orders ten Wabtec FLXDrive battery-electric locomotives, the largest investment by a North American railroad

North American railroad Union Pacific announced it has purchased ten FLXDrive battery-electric locomotives from manufacturer Wabtec. The purchase marks the largest number of FLXDrives placed in a single order for Wabtec, as well as the largest investment in battery-electric locomotives by a North American railroad (Union Pacific).. More…
Podcast: Tesla impresses with earnings/disappoints with product roadmap, new Cybertruck prototype, and more

This week on the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy, including Tesla’s Q4 earnings and product roadmap update, new Cybertruck prototype, and more. More…
The future is now: After nine years, it’s time to say goodbye to the BMW i3

After a production run of nine years and more than 250,000 units sold, the BMW i3, BMW’s first “i” brand EV, will cease production later this summer. Even so, the quirky little compact can go out with its head held high, because the electric future it predicted is finally here. More…
Report: Chevrolet Bolt EV/EUV Future Uncertain?

The recalled duo might be around for only one or two more years. More…
Here’s why EV charging infrastructure is an opportunity for utilities – and how sticking with fossil fuels could make them obsolete

Electrek‘s Michelle Lewis spoke with head of Enel North America Enrico Viale about why clean energy is better and cheaper than fossil fuels, and why modernizing the grid and battery storage are vital for EV charging and renewables implementation. More…
GM’s Mary Barra: First Ride In Driverless Car Beyond Incredible

GM President Mark Reuss also took advantage of the experience, saying it was “mind-blowing.” More…
Biden’s Failure To Acknowledge Tesla Is Wearing On Elon Musk

President Biden once again showered GM’s Mary Barra with praise while pretending Tesla doesn’t exist. More…
Come and get it – order books open for new flagship 48-mile Range Rover PHEV, full EV coming in 2024

Land Rover confirmed prices and opened orders for its new Extended-Range Plug-in Hybrid model and exclusive Range Rover SV, which should be good for up to 48 miles of all-electric, über-fashionable roving down Rodeo Drive. More…
BYD introduces a unique looking electric school bus for the US with vehicle-to-grid capabilities

Chinese mobility manufacturer BYD has introduced its new “Type A” electric school bus to transport up to thirty US students at a time. Furthermore, the new zero-emission bus is ADA capable up to 800 lbs and can travel 140 miles on a single charge. What may be most appealing to school districts, however, is the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities BYD’s Type A school bus will provide. More…
Tesla Q4 and Earnings Call Surprises, Kia EV6 US Prices Revealed

Episode 95. More…
Tesla doesn’t expect constraints in 4680 battery cell supply this year, current production capacity unknown

Tesla gave an update on the status of its in-house production of the 4680 battery cell. The company didn’t want to confirm a production capacity, but it did say that it doesn’t expect to have supply constraints from it this year. More…
ABB invests in InCharge Energy
Swiss technology group ABB has acquired a majority stake in US company InCharge Energy. ABB had held a ten per cent stake in InCharge Energy since 2020 and is now increasing its share to 60 per cent. The acquisition is intended to strengthen ABB’s e-mobility division in the North American market. The transaction is part […] More…
Porsche Taycan Takes US Coast-To-Coast Charging Record

Which EV has what it takes to take this record from Porsche? More…

