The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that will make automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029. NHTSA projects that this new standard, FMVSS No. 127, will... Read more →

Scientists at the Critical Materials Innovation (CMI) Hub, led by the US Department of Energy’s Ames National Laboratory, have developed a new process using mechanochemistry—mechanochemical extraction of lithium at low temperatures (MELLT)—that can extract lithium more efficiently than traditional methods. Lithium needed to make batteries comes from two sources: brines... Read more →

McKinsey estimates that Europe and North America will each account for 20% of global battery cell production by 2030. However, both regions combined are forecast to hold anywhere from 5 to 10% of global cell component capacity, lagging further behind incumbents in Asia—specifically in separator and electrolyte components. As a... Read more →

Polestar and fast-charging battery pioneer StoreDot have successfully demonstrated the implementation of StoreDot’s Extreme Fast Charging (XFC) technology in a car for the first time, charging a Polestar 5 prototype from 10-80% in just 10 minutes. The fully driveable verification prototype saw a consistent charge rate starting at 310 kW... Read more →

The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) released a Request for Information (RFI) on clean energy supply chain data and analysis methods. This RFI is an opportunity for industry and other stakeholders to highlight specific supply chain gaps, vulnerabilities, and/or challenges impacting various... Read more →

CSX unveiled its first hydrogen-powered locomotive, marking a significant milestone in sustainable freight transportation. This achievement is the result of a successful partnership between CSX and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). The hydrogen locomotive was converted from an existing diesel locomotive using a hydrogen conversion kit developed by CPKC. The... Read more →

Audi is givingits Q7 and Q8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models in Europe a facelift with updated battery technology and more efficient driving modes. The exterior design was also reworked as part of the model upgrade. For the first time, both plug-in hybrids are available with all-wheel steering for an increased... Read more →

Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a method that demonstrates how fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials used in the automotive, aerospace and renewable energy industries can be made stronger and tougher to better withstand mechanical or structural stresses over time. Composites are strong and lightweight... Read more →

Toyota will prepare for assembly of an all-new, three-row battery-electric SUV in the US as part of a new $1.4-billion investment in its Princeton, Indiana facility, affirming Toyota’s commitment to reinvesting profits in its U.S. operations and bringing total investment in Toyota Indiana to $8 billion. This investment will not... Read more →

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced $148 million in grants to 11 states and Puerto Rico under the first round of a new $400-million program to improve air quality and reduce pollution for truck drivers, port workers and families that live in communities surrounding ports. The Reduction... Read more →

Wright Electric, a developer of electric propulsion for large commercial aircraft, has launched its Wright Electric Aircraft Engine Test Cell (WEAETC). The WEAETC is designed to characterize the performance of megawatt-class electric aircraft propulsion systems. Founded in 2016, Wright’s goal is to decarbonize the aerospace industry. Wright works with leading... Read more →

ZeroAvia will be offering some of its key components designed for its hydrogen-electric engines to other clean aviation innovators. The move allows ZeroAvia to build upon the multi-billion dollar per annum market for its hydrogen-electric powertrain family, maximizing the company’s investment in R&D and its strategy of vertical integration. With... Read more →

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $20 million in funding to support the development of innovative approaches for hydrogen gas emissions detection and quantification. The focus of this new ARPA-E effort is on detecting emissions throughout the full hydrogen supply chain, from production to end use. Cost-effective,... Read more →

Two hydrogen-powered passenger ferries ordered by Norwegian transport company Torghatten Nord are set for Lloyd’s Register (LR) class following Approval in Principle (AiP) awarded in August 2022. Designed by The Norwegian Ship Design Company to operate in the challenging waters of the Vestfjordstrekninga fjord in the Arctic Circle, the two... Read more →

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced a notice of intent (DE-FOA-0003352) to fund projects that would provide innovative research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of concepts for delivering charging solutions for trucks. The opportunity also supports approaches for load management and delivery of grid services that alleviate grid capacity challenges... Read more →

This agreement marks two world firsts for SES AI: It is the first time a Lithium-Metal battery manufacturer has agreed to build a line within an automotive OEM’s facility, and it makes SES AI the only Li-Metal battery company to have two B-sample development JDAs underway. SES AI Corporation, a... Read more →

Honda Motor plans to build a comprehensive EV value chain in Canada with an approximate investment of CAD$15 billion (US$11 billion), including investment by joint venture partners, to strengthen its EV supply system and capability to prepare for a future increase in EV demand in North America. Honda has begun... Read more →

Together with TankE GmbH and the City of Cologne, Rheinmetall is launching a pilot project to test curb chargers in public traffic areas. The aim of the project is to integrate and pilot the curb chargers developed by Rheinmetall in the urban area. (Earlier post.) In the process, the acceptance... Read more →

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the methanol-fueled auxiliary engines for five new container vessels for COSCO Shipping Lines Co., Ltd and seven new container vessels for Orient Overseas Container Line. Each vessel will operate with three 8-cylinder and two 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 32M engines. This is the Chinese maritime sector’s largest... Read more →

US distillate consumption so far this year is lower than usual because of warm winter weather, reduced manufacturing activity, and continued substitution of biofuels in place of petroleum distillate on the US West Coast (PADD 5), according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). As reported in EIA’s Weekly Petroleum... Read more →

Archer Aviation Inc., a leader in the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, announced the signing of a framework agreement in Abu Dhabi at the DRIFTx mobility event, held at the Yas Marina Circuit showcasing the latest in advanced urban mobility, driving discussions, collaboration, and innovation across... Read more →

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has completed the first successful 1MW charge, in a pilot which brought together a prototype Megawatt Charging System (MCS) charging station from Siemens and a long-haul prototype eTruck from a well-established OEM. MCS charging can successfully contribute towards sustainable long-distance transport for heavy-duty vehicles. To drive further... Read more →

Nissan unveiled four new energy vehicle (NEV) concepts at Auto China and showcased a strong lineup of electrified models. Nissan also announced that it will launch one more NEV in the market than previously disclosed, bringing the total of the planned vehicle launches to five by fiscal year 2026. The... Read more →

Volkswagen is presenting the new design language and the new technology standard of future Volkswagen models in China with the ID. CODE design show car unveiled at Auto China 2024. The concept car’s aesthetics are completely new and give a preview of a large electric SUV. The ID. CODE is... Read more →

Lamborghini unveiled the Urus SE, the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Lamborghini Super SUV, at the Volkswagen Group Media Night ahead of the public premiere at Auto China Beijing 2024. The twin-turbo 4.0 V8 engine has been re-engineered to work in optimal synergy with the electric powertrain. It... Read more →

The BMW Group showcased current fields of application for the Catena-X data ecosystem (earlier post) at the Hannover Messe. Working together with partners and suppliers, the company has modeled a complete data chain for the first time using real-world CO2 data from the manufacture of the iconic kidney grille on... Read more →

GILLIG, a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States, will be expanding its transit bus portfolio with a hydrogen fuel cell powered bus, to be developed in collaboration with BAE Systems and Ballard Power Systems. The GILLIG hydrogen fuel cell bus, which is currently in development, will... Read more →

NGK Insulators has received an order from BASF Stationary Energy Storage GmbH (BSES), a subsidiary of German chemical manufacturer BASF SE,　for NAS Batteries for a large-scale green hydrogen production project, developed by HH2E, a German green hydrogen producer. NAS sodium-sulfur (Na, S) batteries are a megawatt class large-capacity storage battery,... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the nearly $1-billion Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program to fund the replacement of certain polluting heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission vehicles. Funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA will award competitive grants for projects that will reduce climate and air pollution from heavy-duty vehicles,... Read more →

The Toyota Tacoma is adding the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain (earlier post) to the model lineup. The i-FORCE MAX pairs a 2.4-liter engine with a 48-hp electric motor integrated exclusively into the 8-speed transmission for the most powerful powertrain ever offered on Tacoma. The total system output of up to... Read more →

Eaton has been chosen to supply an electromechanical actuation system (EMAS) that can deliver an early intake valve closing (EIVC) to the China-based automaker Great Wall for use in a line of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV). The Eaton EMAS is a discrete valvetrain-based technology that allows manufacturers to select the intake... Read more →

At the beginning of April, DHL Freight put its first fully electric tractor-trailers from Mercedes-Benz Trucks into service. Effective immediately, the eActros 300 vehicles are being deployed for delivery and distribution transport at the Koblenz and Hagen sites. The truck stationed in Hagen makes transport more sustainable on round trips... Read more →

Mercedes-Benz is introducing the battery electric G wagon—the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology. The electric Geländewagen features a robust ladder frame design, selectable LOW RANGE off-road gear reduction, independent front suspension and solid rear axle. A 116-kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery integrated into the ladder frame ensures a low center... Read more →

Daimler Buses and battery systems expert BMZ Poland, a key entity in the BMZ Holding group, have entered into a strategic partnership for the development and supply of the next generation of e-bus batteries. Together with Daimler Buses, BMZ will further develop the existing battery technology specifically for the requirements... Read more →

GreenPower, a manufacturer and distributor of purpose-built, all-electric, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, launched a new utility vehicle designed for commercial fleets. The new all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission EV Star Utility Truck joins GreenPower’s EV Star Cab... Read more →

Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) and the Dutch government have agreed to collaborate on facilitating the deployment of smart mobility and connectivity services and features for Hyundai and Kia vehicles. The collaborative project between the Group’s Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division, Kia Connect GmbH, and the Netherlands will enable the... Read more →

ArcelorMittal Calvert, wholly owned by ArcelorMittal, is planning for an advanced manufacturing facility in Calvert, Alabama that could deliver 150,000 metric tons (Mt) of domestic production capacity of non-grain-oriented electrical steel (NOES) annually. The US Department of Energy (DOE) defined electrical steel as a critical material for energy as part... Read more →

TMC the metals company Inc. announced that it has successfully produced the world’s first nickel sulfate derived exclusively from seafloor polymetallic nodules. The sulfate was generated during bench-scale testing of its hydrometallurgical flowsheet design in partnership with SGS Canada Inc., at its Lakefield, Ontario facility. Undertaken on samples of nickel-cobalt-copper... Read more →

Factorial, a developer of solid-state battery technology for electric vehicle (EV) applications, and LG Chem, a global leader in battery materials, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to accelerate the development of solid-state battery materials. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in the field of next-generation battery materials and secure... Read more →

Incat Tasmania announced a new partnership with Danish shipping and logistics company DFDS to complete a design study for the construction of a electric-hybrid ferry. The 72-meter ferry, which will have the option to convert to fully electric, is suited to a number of ferry routes across Europe. Since launching... Read more →

Despite efforts from the US. and EU to secure local domestic supply, all major EV battery manufacturers remain based in Asia. A new graphic from Visual Capitalist ranks the top 10 EV battery manufacturers by total battery deployment (measured in megawatt-hours) in 2023. The data is from EV Volumes. At... Read more →

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, with colleagues from other institutions, have developed a metal alloy comprising niobium, tantalum, titanium, and hafnium with impressive strength and toughness at both extremely hot and cold temperatures, a combination of properties that seemed so far to be nearly impossible to achieve. In this... Read more →

Verde Clean Fuels, a renewable energy company focused on the development of commercial production facilities to convert syngas derived from diverse feedstocks into gasoline, announced that a consortium led by TDA Research and including Verde, has been awarded funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to complete a conceptual... Read more →

Hesai Technology released its new ultra-wide field of view (FOV), long-range lida: the ATX. With a longer detection range, higher resolution, and wider FOV, ATX empowers intelligent vehicles with excellent 3D perception. This new lidar utilizes Hesai’s advanced 4th-generation technology platform, with comprehensive upgrades to its laser transceiver module and... Read more →

Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) are lighter and stronger than metal and are used in a variety of industries, including aviation, aerospace, automotive, marine, and sporting goods. In recent years, it has also been applied to new industries such as air mobility, which has led to an increase in its... Read more →

Australia-based Sicona Battery Technologies, a developer of silicon-carbon anode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries, announced its expansion into the fast-growing United States battery component market with the development of its first commercial production facilities in the south-eastern United States near the geographic heart of the growing US battery and electric... Read more →

Weichai Power unveiled a diesel engine with a base 53.09% brake thermal efficiency at the 2024 World Congress on Internal Combustion Engines in Tianjin. This achievement was officially recognized by TÜV SÜD, an international authoritative testing organization, and the China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC), a professional testing body... Read more →

Pyrolysis oil derived from discarded tires was processed into high-quality raw material for chemicals and plastics at Neste’s refinery in Porvoo, Finland. In its efforts to advance chemical recycling, Neste has successfully conducted its first processing trial run with a new challenging raw material, liquefied discarded tires. In the processing... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced 60 selectees that will receive $7 billion in grant awards through the Solar for All grant competition to deliver residential solar projects to more than 900,000 households nationwide. The grant competition is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, which created EPA’s $27-billion Greenhouse... Read more →

Dow announced its expanded investment in MobilityScience capabilities by opening the doors of its first European MobilityScience Studio in Correggio, Italy, marking its long-term commitment to the mobility industry as it continues to transform and grow. The new studio will allow Dow to collaborate with suppliers and OEMs on-site and... Read more →