A study commissioned by EDF and conducted by Gladstein, Neandross and Associates (GNA) has evaluated a year’s worth of heavy-duty truck trips conducted by two national trucking companies: NFI and Schneider. Both companies have made significant efforts to start their transition to electric trucks. GNA modeled the impact of electrification... Read more →

Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure has launched a new €300-million program for the construction of EV charging stations. We build the charging infrastructure where it is needed in everyday life and that is with the people “on site”—at supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, swimming pools or sports fields. We... Read more →

As part of his more than $2-trillion spending package (“The American Jobs Plan”), President Biden is proposing a $174-billion investment in the EV market in the US. Among the broad elements of the proposal are: Enabling automakers to spur domestic supply chains from raw materials to parts, retool factories to... Read more →

The e-Drive division of Integral Powertrain Limited (IP), manufacturer of electric motors and inverters, has entered a Technical Partnership with the NIO 333 Formula E Team. Having been involved with the motorsport sector, in particular, electrified motorsport for the past decade, IP is well-positioned to deliver and to support the... Read more →

Xiaomi Corporation—an internet company with smartphones and smart hardware connected by an Internet of Things (IoT) platform at its core—is launching its smart electric vehicle business with an official notice to Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). Lei Jun, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Xiaomi, stated during a March 2021 launch... Read more →

Mercedes-AMG laid out its new electrified drive strategy, which is based on two pillars: Performance hybrids with a completely independent drive concept under the technology label E PERFORMANCE. Battery-electric AMG derivatives based on the new Mercedes Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA) for luxury and premium-class vehicles. Extensive modifications to the drive,... Read more →

Kia unveiled its new EV6 electrified crossover (earlier post)—its first dedicated BEV launched under the new Kia design philosophy Opposites United. The EV6 offers a choice of multiple long-range, electric powertrain configurations. With 800V charging capability the EV6 can go from 10 to 80 percent battery charge in just 18... Read more →

bp will join BMW Group and Daimler Mobility AG in their drive to extend and improve electrification, making electric vehicle charging more convenient, simpler and seamless for drivers. Under their agreement, bp will become a 33.3% partner alongside BMW Group and Daimler Mobility AG in Digital Charging Solutions GmbH (DCS),... Read more →

To support its accelerated expansion of e-mobility in the coming years, the BMW Group will source lithium from a second leading supplier, US-based Livent. The value of the multi-year contract will total around €285 million. Livent will supply the lithium directly to the BMW Group’s battery cell manufacturers from 2022... Read more →

Airbus has launched the “Advanced Superconducting and Cryogenic Experimental powertraiN Demonstrator” (ASCEND) to explore the impact of superconducting materials and cryogenic temperatures on the performance of an aircraft’s electrical propulsion systems. The introduction of superconducting materials can lower electrical resistance; thus, electrical current can supply power without energy loss. When... Read more →

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will conduct a public hearing on 20 May to consider approving for adoption of the proposed Clean Miles Standard—the first proposed regulation to address environmental requirements for ride-hailing services specifically. (Earlier post.) California’s Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program of 2018 (SB 1014) directs... Read more →

Mercedes-Benz will build the next generation eSprinter electric van, which is based on the newly developed Electric Versatility Platform (earlier post), at three locations: North Charleston, South Carolina; and Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde in Germany. Based on a new platform announced at the end of 2020, the next generation of the... Read more →

Fluid Truck has ordered 40 additional electric delivery trucks from Lightning eMotors for its New York City fleet. These vehicles will be utilized by XPO Logistics and NAL Group in their support of IKEA Retail US last-mile delivery efforts. The electric trucks will service all five boroughs, IKEA said. Ten... Read more →

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps launched a £120-million scheme to enable local transport authorities to roll out zero-emission buses. The funding is being made available through the Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme. The funding will deliver up to 500 zero-emission buses, supporting the government’s wider commitment to introduce... Read more →

Teijin Limited, together with Applied Electric Vehicles (Applied EV), has developed a highly energy-efficient low-speed electric vehicle (LS-EV) prototype for autonomous driving systems and other mobility applications that are expected to help realize zero-emission mobility. (Earlier post.) The four-seat LS-EV embodies a Well-to-Wheel Zero-Emission approach that combines Teijin’s proprietary technologies... Read more →

Purolator is taking another step in greening its fleet with the arrival of fully electric curbside-delivery trucks in Vancouver—the first to be launched nationally by a Canadian courier company. The new 18-foot electric delivery trucks and electric–cargo bikes (e-bikes) expand Purolator’s fleet of eco-friendly vehicles already in use on the... Read more →

Schaeffler has secured a volume production order to supply electric motors to a key manufacturer in the commercial vehicle sector, starting in 2023. The 800 V motor, used in pairs in battery-powered vehicles, delivers a maximum continuous output of 180 kW and generates a maximum torque of 950 N·m. It... Read more →

Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure is awarding €10.9 million to the KelRide project, which will further develop autonomous driving in the Kelheim district in Bavaria. The aim of the KelRide project is to introduce an autonomous on-demand ride pooling service that is integrated directly into the public... Read more →

Virginia Ralph Governor Northam recently signed HB 1965, legislation establishing a low-emission vehicle (LEV) and zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) program in Virginia, making it the 15th state to become a Clean Cars state. HB 1965 directs the State Air Pollution Control Board to implement a LEV program for criteria pollutants and... Read more →

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) is rapidly electrifying its fleet to meet sustainability goals set under the Green New Deal for Los Angeles. To meet the unique demands of these new zero-emission buses, LADOT is partnering with GMV Syncromatics and ViriCiti to develop a fleet management and maintenance... Read more →

Con Edison and its partners Lion Electric and Posi-Plus are developing the country’s first all-electric bucket truck capable of performing the full range of work that electric utilities require of such vehicles. The truck will be unique on US roads when Con Edison takes possession early next year, running entirely... Read more →

The Swappable Battery Consortium for Electric Motorcycles has reached an agreement to standardize swappable batteries and replacement systems, allowing battery sharing and paving the way for increased adoption of electric motorcycles in Japan. The consortium was established by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Suzuki Motor Corporation and... Read more →

Jeep is partnering with Electrify America to create the Jeep 4xe Charging Network. Jeep-branded EV charging stations will be installed at or near the trailheads of Jeep Badge of Honor off-road trails over the next year, allowing owners to take full-advantage of their electrified Jeep SUV. Trailhead chargers coincide with... Read more →

Lion Electric (Lion), a manufacturer of all-electric medium- and heavy-duty urban vehicles, received a purchase order from Pride Group Enterprises (Pride) for the acquisition of 100 all-electric Lion6 and Lion8 trucks. The order represents Lion’s largest single order of zero-emission trucks to date. Pride will be integrating the all-electric trucks... Read more →

On 24 March 2021, China-based electric vehicle maker NIO completed its 2,000,000th NIO Power Swap in Suzhou Delivery Center, China. On 26 May 2020—slightly less than 10 months ago—NIO had completed 500,000 swaps. (Earlier post.) NIO Power Swap stations have so far powered more than 396 million kilometers of driving... Read more →

MAHLE Powertrain (MPT) is continuing its investment in battery engineering with phase 2 of its electrified powertrain strategy, ePowertrain. This latest investment follows 2019’s launch of MPT’s battery module test and analysis facility, where battery modules can be tested in an array of steady-state and dynamic climatic conditions. Phase 2... Read more →

Libertine FPE, the creator of Smart Engine control technology for free piston engine (FPE) generators, has secured £2.6 million (US$3.6 million) in Innovate UK funding to advance development of its range-extender concept for heavy-duty applications. Libertine says that free-piston range-extender engines can offer the efficiency of fuel cells, the durability... Read more →

fka GmbH and Roland Berger GmbH have published a new issue of their E-mobility Index. The index—now in its tenth year—facilitates a comparison of competitive positions of the relevant automotive nations (the US, Germany, China, France, Italy, Japan and South Korea) in the field of e-mobility, based on an objective... Read more →

Geely Auto Group (Geely Auto) officially announced the widely reported formation of Zeekr—a new electric mobility technology and solutions company based in China that will serve growing global demand for premium electric vehicles. Geely expects to deliver the first Zeekr vehicles in Q3, with production being undertaken by parent company... Read more →

Toyota, Toyota’s truck division Hino, and Isuzu are establishing a partnership in commercial vehicles to collaborate in CASE technologies: connected, autonomous, shared and electric driving technologies. The three companies intend to combine Toyota’s CASE technologies with the commercial vehicle foundations cultivated by Isuzu and Hino. Specifically, the three companies plan... Read more →

Since July 2019, the purely battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros has proven its worth in extensive field testing at the company Logistik Schmitt. The eActros has travelled a total of around 50,000 kilometers in the Northern Black Forest to date, carrying more than 100,000 load units on around 5,000 trips. In doing... Read more →

Porsche extensively updated its all-electric Taycan last September for the new model year. Now, Taycan customers whose electric sports car was delivered in the 2020 model year can benefit from key new features, too. Porsche is making the software update available free of charge on a worldwide basis. The update... Read more →

Following a successful initial pilot program using nine Lightning Electric Ford Transit 350HD electric vans in the US late last year, DHL Express plans to deploy the remaining 89 electric vehicles this year in New York and California. Produced by Lightning eMotors, a designer and manufacturer of elelctric medium- and... Read more →

Production of the Audi Q4 e-tron has finally started in Zwickau. The fully electric compact model is the first electric SUV to be produced by Audi in Germany. The Q4 e-tron features a Volkswagen-made modular electric drive matrix (MEB), a highly versatile and variable platform that is suitable for numerous... Read more →

Mercedes-Benz has started producing high-performance batteries for its all-electric luxury EQS at its Stuttgart-Hedelfingen plant, as part of the Untertürkheim location in Germany, ahead of the sedan’s world premiere on 15 April 2021. The EQS marks the start of a new generation of high-performance electric vehicles and will offer a... Read more →

With the conclusion of Phase 2 of the project, the Triumph TE-1 partners—Triumph Motorcycles, Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd, and WMG at the University of Warwic—have revealed the battery, powertrain, and design sketches for the electric motorcycle concept. The project is funded by the UK Government’s Office for Zero... Read more →

Loop Energy and Rheintal-Transporte announced an agreement for the development and supply of heavy-duty hydrogen-fuel-cell range-extension solutions for battery-electric trucks in Europe. As a part of the agreement, Rheintal is looking to use Loop’s eFlow fuel cell modules (earlier post) to expand driving range capabilities of battery-electric trucks to the... Read more →

Volvo Group’s subsidiary Renault Trucks is pursuing its investment in electric mobility. From 2023, an all-electric Renault Trucks offer will be available for each segment, namely distribution, construction and long distance. To support these developments and be able to offer a complete and competitive Renault Trucks range on the market,... Read more →

Deutsche Post DHL Group will invest a total of €7 billion (opex and capex) over the next ten years in measures to reduce its CO2 emissions. The funds will flow in particular into alternative aviation fuels, the expansion of the zero-emission e-vehicle fleet and climate-neutral buildings. For short distances and... Read more →

The BMW Group and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced an expanded partnership that further leverages renewable energy to sustainably power electric vehicles (EVs). ChargeForward is the first smart charging program to offer customers incentives for maximizing the integration of renewable energy while optimizing their EV charging. This advanced... Read more →

Comercial vehicle manufacturer the TRATON Group will invest a total of €1.6 billion in research and development for e-mobility by 2025. An e-mobility investment of €1 billion had been planned originally over this period. At the same time, TRATON is scaling back investments in conventional drives for these to make... Read more →

The UK Government is awarding more than £54 million ($US$75 million) to three projects to advance the next generation of electric trucks and hydrogen buses. The 3 projects are: £31.9 million (US$44.3 million) to develop electric propulsion systems for heavy goods vehicles in Cwmbran, Wales. The EPIC project led by... Read more →

New Flyer of America Inc. announced that the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) unveiled its first 60-foot, five-door electric Xcelsior CHARGE City Line bus, as part of a contract that New Flyer won in June 2020. The contract, not previously announced by New Flyer, was for ten 60-foot and two 40-foot... Read more →

EV Connect, a California-based software-as-a-service company, is collaborating with the Indiana-based Battery Innovation Center (BIC) and Energy Systems Network (ESN) to deploy Indiana’s first large-scale Vehicle-to-Grid capable charging system to support school bus fleet, HD truck, and other customer segment applications. EV Connect provides its electric vehicle charging management solution... Read more →

The US Department of Energy (DOE) will award up to $30 million to support scientific research that will ensure US businesses can reliably tap into a domestic supply of critical elements and minerals—specifically rare earth elements (REE) and platinum group elements (PGE)—needed to produce clean energy technologies. (DE-FOA-0002483) Currently, the... Read more →

The Volkswagen Group and bp intend to work together on extending and speeding up the deployment of ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities at bp retail sites across the UK, Germany and elsewhere in Europe. Extensive ultra-fast charging networks are seen by both companies as essential to accelerate the adoption... Read more →

Hyundai Motor Company signed a new five-year Global Business Cooperation Agreement with Royal Dutch Shell plc, but this time with a clean mobility twist. The agreement, which runs through 2026, marks the fourth extension of the partnership, but this time with a new focus on clean energy and carbon reduction... Read more →

Groupe Renault, Veolia and Solvay are partnering to enable the circular economy of EV battery metals in Europe through closed-loop recycling. The existing Veolia and Solvay consortium, created in September 2020 (earlier post), is thus reinforced with Groupe Renault’s position and experience in circular economy and in the life cycle... Read more →

Proterra, a leading innovator in commercial vehicle electrification technology, and Lightning eMotors announced a new collaboration to power the Generation 4 Lightning Electric Transit commercial van using Proterra’s battery technology. The Lightning Electric Transit commercial van is a purpose-built Class 3 commercial electric vehicle that is available in several popular... Read more →

Hyundai Motor America will provide 250 kilowatt-hours of complimentary charging on Electrify America’s ultra-fast charging network for owners of 2021 Kona Electric and Ioniq Electric models. Customers can access their complimentary charging by the Electrify America mobile app that will also help drivers find and navigate to Electrify America stations... Read more →