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    Tariff trouble: Will Mexico's auto investment engine splutter?
    In the aftermath of the US election, President-elect Donald Trump’s impending return to the Oval Office has sparked widespread speculation about the implications of his second term, particularly in the automotive sector. As the world watches, the intersection of politics and innovation becomes a focal point, with the administration's stance on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its impact on electric vehicle supply chains taking center stage. Meanwhile, the alliance between Elon Musk and th...
    Inching closer to commercialization: Curious case of autonomous trucks
    The advent of autonomous trucking represents a significant paradigm shift within the broader mobility industry, with far-reaching implications for logistics and supply chain management. However, the roadmap for autonomous truck deployment is continuously being dialed back as technology maturation, capital investment, business case rationalization, and regulatory hurdles prove more challenging than expected. Despite these challenges, the potential for autonomous trucks to revolutionize freight tr...
    Honda unveils pilot production line for all-solid-state batteries in Japan
    Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co. has unveiled the pilot production line for its in-house developed all-solid-state batteries at its research and development facility in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, Honda announced Nov. 21. Honda said that the company is planning to commence battery production on this demonstration line in January 2025 and will conduct verification of mass production technologies and costs for each process, while also developing battery cell specifications. Honda ...
    Banpu NEXT and Durapower inaugurate assembly plant to boost Thai EV market
    Banpu NEXT, a subsidiary of Banpu PCL and a leader in Net Zero Solutions in Asia-Pacific, in collaboration with Durapower, a global leader in lithium battery storage solutions, inaugurated the DP NEXT battery assembly plant in AMATA City Chonburi Industrial Estate to boost electrification and clean transport in the Thai mobility market. This facility aims to accelerate the adoption of electric buses and heavy-duty vehicles in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region, supporting Thailand's Net Zero e...
    Hyundai offers 620 km of driving range in its three-row, all-electric SUV Ioniq 9
    South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. has unveiled its all-electric, three-row sport utility vehicle Ioniq 9 in Los Angeles on Nov. 21. The electric SUV, which is part of Hyundai’s strategy to offer a complete lineup of 23 EV models by 2030, is expected to go on sale in the US and South Korea in the first half of 2025. The Ioniq 9 is built on Hyundai Motor's innovative E-GMP architecture, which enhances power electric (PE) system, with an optimized gear ratio for hill-climbing and the app...
    Swedish battery-maker Northvolt files for bankruptcy
    Struggling to contain large capital requirements and increasing debt, Volkswagen-backed Swedish battery cell-maker Northvolt AB has filed for bankruptcy in the US, the company announced Nov. 21. “Northvolt AB and certain of its subsidiaries voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in the United States,” the company said in a statement. It further said that the decision will enable the company to restructure its debt, appropriately scale the business to current customer needs a...
    Neo Battery Materials joins consortium on recycled silicon battery project
    Canada-based Neo Battery Materials Ltd., a low-cost silicon anode materials developer, has joined a consortium that includes major battery value chain companies and universities in a C$20 million recycled silicon battery project organized by the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), the company announced Nov. 20. In a project titled Recycled Silicon-Based High Energy Density Electrode Manufacturing Technology Development, MOTIE and the Korea Evaluation Institute of...
    Microporous to invest $1.35 billion on new battery separator plant in Virginia
    Microporous LLC, a notable manufacturer of battery separators, announced a significant investment of $1.35 billion to open a new manufacturing facility in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. The project is expected to generate 2,015 new jobs, following Virginia's successful bid over North Carolina. This development is to take place in two phases on Lot 1 of the Southern Virginia Megasite, with each phase occupying about 500,000 square feet, and potential future expansions considered for Lot 2. ...
    BMW Group’s Debrecen plant rolls out first fully-electric Neue Klasse test cars
    BMW Group’s electric-car factory in Debrecen, Hungary, has rolled out the first test vehicles from its upcoming Neue Klasse range of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), the company announced Nov. 20. The carmaker said that it is ramping up the production of test vehicles, and the first near-series fully-electric X models for the Neue Klasse are now leaving the production line. This marks the beginning of the final preparation phase for the start of series production of the Neue Klasse range, ...
    CATL in talks to set up a battery recycling plant in Europe
    Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the largest battery-maker from mainland China, is in talks to set up battery recycling operations in Europe, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on Nov. 20. The report cited Bloomberg as the original source of the story. In an interview with Bloomberg, Jason Chen, CATL's regional operations chief, said that the battery manufacturer is in discussions with European governments, including Hungary, about possible factory sites. He f...
    LG Chem, Exxon Mobil sign non-binding MOU for lithium offtake
    Exxon Mobil Corp. and LG Chem have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a multiyear offtake agreement of up to 100,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate, LG Chem announced Nov. 20. The lithium will be supplied from ExxonMobil’s planned project in the US to LG Chem’s cathode plant in Tennessee, US, which LG Chem expects to be the largest of its kind in the US, the South Korean material supplier said in a statement. LG Chem’s Tennessee-based cathode plant brok...
    Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corp. breaks ground on new plant in Canada
    Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corp. broke ground on its planned new lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery separator manufacturing facility in Port Colborne, Ontario, marking a significant step toward localization of the electric vehicle battery supply chain in North America, the company announced Nov. 18. The company said that its planned new battery separator plant is expected to begin commercial production in 2027, subject to obtaining permits and approvals from relevant authorities. The u...
    Ample secures $25 million in fresh investment from Mitsubishi Corp.
    Ample, a leading provider of electric vehicle battery-swapping technology in the US, has secured $25 million in fresh funding from Mitsubishi Corp., Ample announced Nov. 19. The company said that the strategic collaboration goes beyond a financial investment, where Mitsubishi Corp. plans to support Ample's ongoing efforts to expand its battery-swapping business. As part of its plan, Mitsubishi Corp. aims to collaborate closely with Ample, leveraging its expertise in mobility, renewable energy...
    Stellantis unveils STLA Frame for versatile electric and hybrid trucks and SUVs
    Stellantis has introduced the STLA Frame platform, its all-new, multi-energy framework engineered specifically for full-size, body-on-frame pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. This innovative platform is designed to accommodate a wide range of technologies, including internal combustion, hybrid, hydrogen, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) systems. The new BEV-native STLA Frame platform, known for its versatility, is targeted to offer exceptional...
    Piedmont Lithium and Sayona Mining to merge, creating lithium powerhouse
    Piedmont Lithium Inc., a significant North American supplier of lithium products for the US electric vehicle supply chain, has entered into a definitive agreement with Sayona Mining Ltd. to merge the two companies, creating a leading lithium business with Sayona becoming the parent entity, termed MergeCo. The equity holdings post-transaction will be evenly split between Piedmont and Sayona shareholders on a fully diluted basis. To support this merger, Piedmont plans to raise approximately $27...
    CATL unveils second-generation sodium-ion battery for extreme cold
    CATL, China's largest battery-maker, has developed a second-generation sodium-ion battery capable of normal discharge even at extreme temperatures as low as -40 degrees C. This breakthrough could significantly improve the performance and reliability of electric vehicles in cold conditions. CATL reportedly plans to launch its second-generation sodium-ion cells in 2025, with mass production slated for 2027. Typically, EV batteries function optimally within a temperature range of 60 degrees...
    Aptiv announces key changes in senior leadership
    Aptiv announced key changes in its senior leadership team, effective Nov. 8. The US-based supplier has appointed Varun Laroyia as executive vice president and CFO. Laroyia will replace Joseph Massaro who has been working as Aptiv’s CFO since 2016. Aptiv has named Massaro vice chairman of the Engineering Components Group (ECG), which comprises the company’s portfolio of interconnect and cable management solutions. “Joe has been an important partner to me in driving transformation and exe...
    Suzuki and Tata Elxsi launch offshore development center in Pune, India
    Tata Elxsi has launched an offshore development center in Pune, Maharashtra, India, in collaboration with Suzuki Motor. The center, Suzuki-Tata Elxsi Offshore Development Center, will drive the Japanese automaker’s advancements in engineering, emphasizing sustainability and future readiness in the automotive sector. Tata Elxsi will play a crucial role in supporting Suzuki's vision for eco-friendly mobility, focusing on lightweight design, safety, styling, engineering, the use of environment...
    BMW commences operations at Wackersdorf battery-testing center
    BMW has commenced initial operations at its all-new battery-testing center at Wackersdorf, Germany, the company announced Nov. 19. The facility, which was first announced by the carmaker in 2023, is still under construction and is scheduled for completion in late 2025. The site spans over 8,000 square meters and is developed to rigorously test individual battery cells, complete high-voltage batteries and other electric powertrain components for future BMW Group models early in developmen...
    Asahi Kasei and Honda begin construction of new EV battery separator plant in Canada
    In a significant move toward enhancing the North American electric vehicle market, Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corp., in collaboration with Honda, initiated the construction of a new lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery separator manufacturing facility in Port Colborne, Ontario. The new plant is slated to start commercial production in 2027, pending necessary permits and approvals. The facility is set to generate over 300 full-time jobs in its initial phase and aims to produce about 700 million squ...
    Chinese battery-maker Gotion High-Tech invests in Ebusco
    Ebusco, a Dutch manufacturer of electric buses, announced a proposed strategic investment agreement with Chinese battery-maker Gotion High-Tech Power Energy Co. on Nov. 8. In a press note released Nov. 18, Ebusco said that the two companies have formalized the partnership agreement. On the sidelines of this arrangement, Gotion plans to strengthen the partnership through equity participation in the electric bus manufacturer. The agreement was signed between Ebusco; Gotion; Gotion GmbH, a Germa...
    Altilium achieves breakthrough in test results from its recycled cathode active materials
    UK-based battery recycling company Altilium has announced a major breakthrough in the development of the UK’s only domestic supply of sustainable low-carbon battery materials. In a press note on Nov. 18, the company said that for the first time, test results have confirmed that its recycled cathode active materials (CAM) are comparable to commercially available battery materials in the market. According to the company, these results mark a significant milestone in the development of a susta...
    Webasto deploys second-life batteries at its Schierling plant in Germany
    Webasto, a leading global system supplier for the automotive industry, has deployed second-life batteries at its Schierling plant in Germany, as part of the factory’s larger sustainability strategy, the company announced Nov. 7. The battery storage system deployed by Webasto has a capacity of 1 MWh. The storage system uses 30 second-life constant voltage (CV) standard batteries, which mainly come from preseries production and are now used for energy storage, the company said in its press no...
    Interview — Citroën will follow dual approach of electrifying existing models and developing dedicated EV platform: Shishir Mishra
    Citroën, one of the youngest car brands in India, has already taken a step that some of the earliest brands have yet to undertake — launching an electric vehicle. The Stellantis Group brand launched the electric version of its hatchback C3 within six months of introducing the internal combustion engine (ICE) C3 in 2022. Citroën said the move reflected its confidence in the Indian EV segment, despite its infancy and challenges. Srikant Jayanthan and Viroop Narla of S&P Global Mobility spo...
    Alabama Power deploys ADS-TEC Energy ultrafast EV charging systems at its technology center
    ADS-TEC Energy, a leading player in battery-buffered, ultrafast-charging technology, announced Nov. 14 that Alabama Power has deployed its battery-buffered, ultrafast electric vehicle charging solution ChargeBox at its Technology Application Center (TAC). According to the company, the ChargeBox is enabling Alabama Power to power up its EV fleet in just minutes, while also providing local businesses and fleet operators with the opportunity to try the innovative platform and experience the...
    Nio battery-swap stations in Shanghai delivers 100 services per day, Nio CFO
    Chinese electric-car maker Nio’s battery-swap stations based in Shanghai, where it is headquartered, are averaging more than 100 services a day, according to a news report published by CnEVpost on Nov. 14. The report cited Nio’s CFO Stanly Qu, who was speaking at a forum organized by the China Society of Automotive Engineers in Chongqing, southwest China. Notably, Nio has a network of more than 150 battery-swap stations in Shanghai alone. According to Qu, while a battery-swap station c...
    Cadillac unveils 2026 Vistiq electric luxury SUV
    General Motors (GM) has unveiled the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq, an all-electric luxury sport utility vehicle, marking a significant addition to the brand's electric vehicle lineup. The all-new electric SUV is designed to offer exceptional space for passengers across all three rows and features advanced technology to enhance the luxury experience, including a 23-speaker AKG Studio 1 Audio system with Dolby Atmos and the Super Cruise driver assistance system, among many others. The Vistiq features a...
    Nouveau Monde Graphite advances toward major natural graphite production
    Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (NMG), a company engaged in establishing North America's largest natural graphite production for the electric vehicle and lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery market, has reported significant progress toward its phase two Matawinie Mine and Bécancour Battery Material Plant. With a focus on an integrated feasibility study and collaborations with Panasonic Energy Co. Ltd. and General Motors Holdings LLC (GM) as anchor customers, NMG is actively preparing for the Fina...
    AutoTechInsight Weekly - 18 November 2024
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    Midas Vantage Projects Lithium and Evove partner for sustainable lithium extraction
    Midas Vantage Projects (MVP) Lithium Ltd., recognized globally for its leadership in green lithium extraction technologies, has announced receiving a letter of intent (LOI) from Evove Ltd., a prominent UK company specializing in clean energy solutions. This LOI signifies Evove's commitment to commissioning MVP Lithium's advanced direct lithium extraction (DLE) plant in 2025, contingent upon successful industrial-scale brine processing using Evove's equipment at its UK testing facility and an on-...
    MathWorks and NXP launch new toolbox for battery management system development
    MathWorks, known for its mathematical computing software, and NXP Semiconductors, recognized for its automotive processing solutions, have jointly announced the release of the model-based design toolbox (MBDT) for battery management systems (BMS). This toolbox is designed to aid engineers in modeling, developing and validating BMS applications using MATLAB and Simulink, including automating C-code generation for NXP battery cell controllers and integrating support for NXP's BMS SDK com...
    Exide Industries set to launch 6-GWh lithium-ion cell plant by 2026
    Exide Industries is advancing toward completing its lithium-ion (Li-ion) cell manufacturing facility and expects to launch the plant with a 6-GWh capacity in the first phase by the end of 2026, according to a news report published by Autocar Professional on Nov. 14. The construction of the main cell, administration and warehouse buildings is nearing completion, and equipment installation is in progress with team relocations underway to facilitate project activities, the report said, citi...
    Gotion High-Tech secures $280 million in new funding for its battery project in Morocco
    Mainland Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-tech has secured $280 million in new funding for its planned battery project in Morocco, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on Nov. 14. On Nov. 13, Gotion signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Moroccan investment agency CDG Group, which plans to invest $280 million in the first phase of Gotion's Morocco-based battery project, the report said, citing a press note issued by the company on Wednesday (Nov. 13). According...
    Sakuu and Eleqtrion partner to advance aluminum-ion battery technology
    Sakuu, a prominent provider of commercial-scale equipment and technologies for battery manufacturing, has formed a joint development agreement with Eleqtrion, a company based in Quebec and renowned for its work in aluminum-ion battery technology, to advance the development of aluminum-ion batteries, Sakuu announced Oct. 22. This collaboration is set to utilize Sakuu's Kavian platform alongside Eleqtrion's specialized battery electrode to enhance the development of aluminum-ion batteries ...
    Mercedes-AMG develops its first electric car on all-electric AMG.EA platform
    Mercedes-AMG has developed a high-performance electric sport utility vehicle on the company’s new proprietary AMG.EA electric high-performance platform, the German luxury-car maker said Nov. 7. The development marks a first for the teams at Mercedes and AMG to jointly work and develop an electric SUV in-house, the carmaker said, adding that prototype vehicles are set to undergo initial test drives this winter. “For the first time in its 57-year history, Mercedes-AMG is developing an SU...
    NXP unveils industry-first ultra-wideband wireless battery management system for EVs
    NXP Semiconductors, a key player in providing innovative solutions for the automotive market, has introduced an industry-first ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless battery management system (BMS) solution, revolutionizing the assembly and functionality of electric vehicles. Unveiled at Electronica in Munich on Nov. 12, this solution aims to streamline the manufacturing process of EVs, promoting faster adoption through simplification and efficiency. The UWB wireless BMS is designed to facilitate a mo...
    Lyten acquires Cuberg's lithium-metal battery facility to boost production
    Lyten, a leading company in supermaterial applications and lithium-sulfur batteries, announced its acquisition of Cuberg's lithium-metal battery manufacturing facility in San Leandro, California, including its cell-making equipment. This strategic move is aimed at converting the newly acquired facility to produce lithium-sulfur batteries and expand its capacity to support up to 200 MWh of production in the Bay Area. As part of the deal, Lyten will take over Cuberg's 119,000-square-foot facili...
    Kreisel Electric partners with BASF for sustainable battery recycling in Europe
    Kreisel Electric has announced a partnership with BASF to develop a closed-loop battery recycling system in Europe, aimed at supporting the development of next-generation batteries while adhering to sustainability practices. This collaboration is in line with Kreisel's commitment to sustainability and aims to advance battery recycling processes amid increasing demands for recycling efficiency driven by EU regulations and global sustainability goals. Kreisel prides itself on exceeding the...
    Li-Cycle signs agreement for a loan facility of up to $475 million with US DOE
    Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., a leading global lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery resource recovery company, has entered into an agreement for a loan facility of up to $475 million (including up to $445 million of principal and up to $30 million in capitalized interest) through the US Energy Department (US DOE) Loan Programs Office’s (LPO) Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) program, the company announced Nov. 7. This is the first DOE loan facility to be finalized for a Li-ion battery ma...
    Rivian and VW Group JV commence operations
    Rivian and VW Group Technology, the joint venture established by Rivian Automotive and the Volkswagen Group (VW) in June, formally commenced operations on Nov. 13. The JV aims to develop next-generation electrical architecture and software technology for the future electric vehicles of both companies. It will leverage Rivian's software and electrical hardware technology with VW Group's global scale and vehicle platform competencies. The JV will be coled by Wassym Bensaid from Rivian and Carst...
    BYD plans to enter the South Korean passenger car market in early 2025
    BYD, a leading electric-car maker from mainland China, plans to foray into the South Korean passenger car segment in early 2025, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on Nov. 13, 2024. The story cites a report from Yonhap news agency, which cited the company press release. BYD Korea, BYD’s South Korean sales subsidiary, said that it has completed the evaluation of the local market and has decided to introduce its passenger cars in the domestic market by early 2025. The mainlan...
    EcoPro announces expansion to boost EV battery material production
    EcoPro, under the leadership of CEO Song Ho-jun, announced an ambitious plan to expand its production capacity of precursors, a crucial material for electric vehicle batteries. This announcement came during the EcoFriendly Day IR event held at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on Nov. 8. The company revealed its mid-to-long term vision to build a system with a cathode material capacity of 710,000 metric tons and a precursor capacity of 255,000 metric tons by 2030, aiming ...
    ElringKlinger reports net loss of €56.2 million in Q3 2024
    ElringKlinger AG reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2024, demonstrating a solid performance despite challenging conditions. The group's revenue for the third quarter was €440.8 million, a slight decrease from the previous year's €451.6 million. However, when adjusted for currency effects, the revenue slightly increased in organic terms by 0.1% year over year. ElringKlinger reported a net loss of €56.2 million, compared to a net income of €7.8 million in the third qua...
    Audi, SAIC jointly launch all-new AUDI brand; AUDI E concept car with innovative design
    Audi has launched a new brand AUDI in mainland China in partnership with SAIC. The German carmaker also unveiled the first concept car that will be offered under the new brand without sporting the iconic four rings logo — the AUDI E. The concept car was developed by Audi’s experts from both Germany and mainland China. The AUDI E concept car, a fully electric sportback, features an innovative exterior and interior designs. The concept features a minimalist but still striking exterior ...
    Audi-SAIC unveil AUDI E concept developed on 800-V architecture, features a 100-kWh battery
    Volkswagen-owned premium car brand Audi, along with its Chinese partner SAIC, has unveiled the AUDI E concept in Shanghai on Nov. 7. The AUDI E concept, which is jointly developed by the design and engineering teams based in Germany as well as China, offers a preview of three future production models that are slated to be introduced from mid-2025 in the world’s largest electric vehicle market. On the sidelines of the new concept unveil, the German luxury-car maker also relaunched its b...
    Vulcan Energy opens downstream lithium hydroxide optimization plant in Germany
    Australia-headquartered Vulcan Energy Resources has officially opened its downstream Central Lithium Electrolysis Optimization Plant (CLEOP) in a ceremony held on site at Industrial Park Höchst Frankfurt, Germany, the company announced Nov. 8. The event marks the commencement of lithium hydroxide production from the processing of high-purity lithium chloride concentrate extracted from brine at Vulcan’s upstream optimization plant in the nearby Landau-based site. The event was atten...
    India’s CESL launches EV-as-a-service program for government ministries, public sector units
    India-based Convergence Energy Services Ltd. (CESL), a subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. (EESL), has launched an electric-vehicle-as-a-service program, according to a news report published by Economic Times on Nov. 11. The EV-as-a-service program aims to deploy 5,000 electric cars in government ministries and public sector undertakings over the next two years, the report mentioned. The program was launched by the Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal at an...
    Novonix to supply synthetic graphite to Stellantis under a six-year agreement
    Novonix Ltd., an Australia-based battery materials and technology company, has entered into a binding offtake agreement with Stellantis to supply a minimum of 86,250 metric tons and up to 115,000 metric tons of high-performance synthetic graphite material. This agreement spans over six years, starting from 2026, and involves supplying material to Stellantis' cell manufacturing partners in North America from Novonix's Riverside, Tennessee, facility and a future expansion site. Chris ...
    AutoTechInsight Weekly - 11 November 2024
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    Ionic MT leases Silicon Ridge for nano-silicon anode production
    Ionic Mineral Technologies (Ionic MT), a company focused on the production of nano-silicon anode battery materials, has recently secured a significant advancement by leasing and obtaining full permissions for a 4,000-acre property known as Silicon Ridge halloysite from the state of Utah, US. This strategic move is poised to substantially increase the company's reserves of halloysite, which serves as an essential raw material for the production of its proprietary Ionisil nano-silicon anode m...
    Joseph Fadool to become BorgWarner's new CEO in 2025
    BorgWarner Inc. announced a significant leadership change set to take place on Feb. 6, 2025, as Joseph Fadool, currently the executive vice president and COO, will assume the role of president and CEO. This transition comes as Frédéric Lissalde, the current president and CEO, prepares for retirement and will step down from the board of directors. To facilitate a smooth transition, Lissalde will serve in an advisory capacity until Aug. 30, 2025. Alexis P. Michas, non-executive chairman of th...
    LG Energy Solution to supply 4695 cylindrical batteries to Rivian
    South Korean battery-maker LG Energy Solution (LGES) announced Nov. 8 that its fully owned subsidiary LG Energy Solution Arizona has signed a supply agreement with Rivian to provide the US-based electric-vehicle maker with its advanced 4695 cylindrical batteries for over five years, totaling 67 GWh. The new supply agreement with Rivian is expected to further strengthen LGES’ presence in the US market and its plans to actively respond to the statutory requirements under the Inflation Re...
    Aptiv’s Q3 net sales declines 5.1% year over year to $4.9 billion
    Aptiv has reported 5.1% year-over-year decline in net sales to $4.9 billion in the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2024. Adjusted for currency exchange and commodity movements, the company’s revenue declined 6%. Despite the drop in net sales, Aptiv recorded a 12.8% year-over-year growth in operating income to $503 million and a 5.9% year-over-year increase in adjusted operating income to $593 million. The company reported net income of $363 million, down 77.7% year over year. Aptiv recorded...
    Jefferson Parish approves $500 million EV battery component plant
    The Jefferson Parish Council recently approved construction of a $500 million chemical production facility for electric vehicle batteries at Cornerstone's campus in Waggaman, Louisiana. This decision, which passed unanimously, amends Cornerstone's special permit, allowing UBE C1 Chemicals America Inc., a Japanese chemical company, to produce solvents for lithium-ion EV batteries on the site. The project is viewed as a strategic move to make Cornerstone's operations more environmentally friendly ...
    Amara Raja to start lead battery recycling in Tamil Nadu
    Amara Raja Energy and Mobility Ltd. is set to begin commercial operations at its new lead acid battery recycling plant in Tamil Nadu, India, by the end of November. This move is part of the company's strategy to increase the use of recycled lead sources in its manufacturing processes. The plant, which is a project of subsidiary Amara Raja Circular Solutions located in Cheyyar, Tamil Nadu, aims to eventually meet 25-30% of Amara Raja's overall raw material needs. The facility, with an initial ...
    Umicore pauses Ontario battery plant construction, announces job cuts
    Umicore, a company focused on battery materials, has shared updates on both its cost-saving measures and the status of its battery materials plant in Loyalist, Ontario. The construction of this plant remains paused as part of a strategic review of the Battery Materials business. This decision aims to focus on maximizing the capacity utilization of existing plants before expanding. Despite the pause, a core team will continue to work at Umicore's local office in Loyalist. The pause in construc...
    Xpeng AI Day 2024: Xpeng unveils Kunpeng Super Electric System for fast charging, extended driving range
    Xpeng Motors, the Guangzhou-headquartered smart electric-car maker, has unveiled its Kunpeng Super Electric System on the sidelines of the Xpeng AI Day 2024, which was organized at the South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, mainland China, on Nov. 6. At the event, Xpeng Motors Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng presented the company’s latest innovations AI vehicles, robotics and flying cars, including the much-anticipated Xpeng Kunpeng Super Electric System and the Turing AI Intellige...
    Biden-Harris administration invests $44.8 million in EV battery recycling
    The US government, as part of its Investing in America agenda, has announced a new funding initiative facilitated by the US Energy Department (DOE), providing $44.8 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to support eight projects focused on reducing the costs associated with recycling electric vehicle batteries and their components. This financial boost aims to bolster the growing demand for EVs and support a more sustainable, domestic battery supply chain by researching, develo...
    Rio Tinto and China’s State Power Investment Corp. partner to trial battery-swap technology
    Rio Tinto plans to partner China’s State Power Investment Corp. (SPIC) to demonstrate battery-swap electric-haul-truck technology at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, the company announced Nov. 5. Battery-swapping technology allows a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) to swap a discharged battery pack with a fully charged one at a battery-swap station within minutes, instead of charging the entire battery while the vehicle is stationary. According to the company, the battery-swap techn...
    Argonne National Laboratory develops new dual-gradient cathode design
    The US Energy Department's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has developed a new design that helps in dramatically improving performance while reducing the costs of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. In a press note issued by the Argonne National Laboratory on Oct. 29, it said it has developed a breakthrough ​dual-gradient design for the battery’s cathode, which is expected to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles and grid energy storage, facilitating global decarbonization efforts. ...
    CATL advances with trial production stage of its 20-ampere-hour solid-state battery cell samples
    Advancing on the development of its solid-state battery cells, CATL, the world’s largest battery-maker, has entered into the trial production stage of its 20 ampere-hour (Ah) cell samples, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on Nov. 6. The report, which cited a local media outlet LatePost, said that the development signifies that CATL has developed its solid-state battery cell and is now exploring ways to scale up the production. It mentioned that CATL has increased its researc...
    Samsung SDI reports decline in revenue in Q3 2024 financial results
    Samsung SDI reported its financial outcomes for the third quarter of 2024, which concluded on Sept. 30, 2024, highlighting a notable decrease in revenue and operating profit compared to the same period in the previous year. The company generated 3.94 trillion won (about $2.8 billion) in revenue, marking a 30% year-over-year decline, and an operating profit of 129.9 billion won, a 72% decrease. Compared to the previous quarter, revenue and operating profit fell by 4% and 46%, respectively. A k...
    Li-Cycle and Glencore sign revised agreement for battery resource recovery
    Li-Cycle, a renowned lithium-ion battery resource recovery company, has recently announced a significant agreement with Glencore Ltd. concerning the offtake agreement of mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) from its Rochester Hub. This agreement, which amends and restates prior commercial agreements with both Glencore and Traxys North America LLC, sets a commercial framework for the MHP scope at the Rochester Hub, while maintaining existing offtake rights for lithium carbonate production....
    Volvo Cars to acquire full ownership of NOVO Energy JV
    Volvo Cars has announced its plans to take full control of NOVO Energy, a joint venture with Northvolt, by acquiring the stake of the struggling battery supplier. The carmaker’s decision comes after a breach of the joint venture agreement by Northvolt related to fulfilling its financial obligation. In response to this breach, Volvo is now looking into the potential impacts on NOVO Energy and is exploring various future scenarios for the venture, considering the possibility of achieving full...
    BorgWarner expands EV market presence in Asia with major supply orders
    BorgWarner has secured three supply contracts for its high-voltage coolant heater (HVCH) technology in key Asian markets of mainland China, South Korea and Japan, the company said in a press release. In mainland China, BorgWarner’s HVCH has been chosen by a leading domestic automaker for integration into a fully electric sport utility vehicle, with production scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2025. This move represents a significant advancement in BorgWarner's efforts to penetrate th...
    Amprius Technologies ships A-sample of its EV battery cells to US Advanced Battery Consortium
    California-based lithium-ion battery technology company Amprius Technologies Inc. has shipped its patented SiMaxx A-sample electric vehicle cells to the United States Advanced Battery Consortium LLC (USABC), the company announced Nov. 4. It said that these cells are designed to address some of the most challenging issues experienced by EV users, such as range anxiety and the need for shorter charging times. Amprius claimed that its own internal testing of the A-sample EV cell has show...
    US Geological Survey-led study finds vast lithium reserves beneath southwestern Arkansas, US
    A US Geological Survey (USGS)-led study has identified vast lithium reserves located beneath southwestern Arkansas, US, according to a press note issued by the USGS on Oct. 21. USGS, which deployed a combination of water-testing and machine learning models in identifying the valuable lithium reserves, estimates between 5 million and 19 million metric tons of lithium reserves located beneath southwestern Arkansas. “If commercially recoverable, the amount of lithium present would meet pr...
    RBW launches Spirit EV to pioneer in global automotive electrification
    RBW EV Cars, known for manufacturing handcrafted British classic electric sports cars in the US and UK, has launched Spirit EV, a new business-to-business company focusing on automotive electrification services. This initiative includes the global introduction of its proprietary powertrain, which is already used in RBW's Roadster and GT models. Spirit EV, operating from RBW's headquarters in Lichfield, England, and a soon-to-be-opened technical center in Danville, Virginia, aims to support bo...
    South Korea's L&F to mass-produce ultrahigh-nickel NCM battery cathodes
    South Korea's premier battery materials manufacturer, L&F Co., has announced plans to begin mass production of nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) battery cathodes with a groundbreaking 95% nickel content in December. These cathodes, notable for their ultrahigh-nickel content, will be supplied to South Korean battery cell manufacturers and US electric-vehicle makers starting December. This move positions L&F as the industry's pioneer in achieving such high-density nickel content in cathodes...
    Ionic MT appoints Sunho Kang as new CTO
    Ionic Mineral Technologies (Ionic MT), known for its pioneering work in nano-silicon battery anode materials, has recently announced the appointment of Sunho Kang as its chief technology officer (CTO). In his role as CTO, Kang is set to lead the commercial development of Ionic MT's Ionisil nano-silicon anode products. With an impressive career spanning over 25 years in battery technology innovation, Kang has held prominent leadership positions at renowned institutions and compa...
    Suzuki unveils first battery-electric vehicle model, the e VITARA
    Suzuki Motor has unveiled its first mass-production battery-electric vehicle (BEV), the e VITARA, in Milan. The Japanese automaker plans to commence production of its first BEV model at its Gujarat plant in India by spring 2025, with sales projected to begin in various countries, including Europe, India and Japan around summer 2025. The e VITARA is based on the "eVX" concept, which Suzuki presented at the Auto Expo in New Delhi in January 2023 and at Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo in Octob...
    LG Chem plans to expand Automotive Adhesive business into multimillion-dollar unit by 2030
    LG Chem has announced plans to expand its Automotive Adhesives business into a multimillion-dollar unit by 2030. The South Korea-based company intends to start supplying thermally conductive adhesives to North American automakers. Thermally conductive adhesives are crucial for bonding battery cells to modules or packs, offering significant benefits in thermal management and performance upkeep through their high thermal conductivity and electrical insulation properties. In addition to the...
    AutoTechInsight Weekly - 4 November 2024
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    Ford to shut down Michigan factory as EV demand fades
    Ford Motor Co. plans to shut down its Michigan factory that produces the F-150 Lightning plug-in pickup truck through the end of the year as demand for electric vehicles continues to fade, according to a news report published by Bloomberg on Oct. 31. The news report mentioned that the carmaker will begin a seven-week shutdown in mid-November of the Dearborn, Michigan, plant, which was once visited by the US President Joe Biden in 2021 who drove Ford’s flagship EV — the electric pickup F-1...
    Nio’s battery-swap network completes initial coverage of nine major horizontal highways in Greater China
    Shanghai-based electric-car maker Nio has expanded its electric vehicle battery-swapping station network to complete the initial coverage of nine major horizontal highways in Greater China, achieving part of a goal that was first announced two years ago, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on Oct. 30. The report cited the company, which said that it has completed the network's coverage of the G80 Guangzhou-Kunming highway, as well as the Zhejiang and Hunan sections of the Hangzho...
    JSW Group, Posco sign MOU with focus on steel, battery materials and renewable energy
    India’s JSW Group and South Korea’s Posco Group have signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop an integrated steel plant in India with an initial capacity of 5 million metric tons per annum, JSW announced Oct. 29. The company said that under the newly signed MOU, the two companies will also explore collaboration on battery materials and renewable energy in India. “Energy transition is propelling the growth of renewable energy and battery material sectors in India...
    Asahi Kasei, Honda collaborate for production of battery separators in Canada
    Asahi Kasei Corp. and Honda Motor Co. have signed a shareholders’ agreement to convert an existing Asahi Kasei subsidiary in Canada into a joint venture company to focus on the production of battery separators, the two companies said in a joint announcement on Nov. 1. The companies said that the agreement was reached as a result of continued discussions on collaboration for the production of lithium-ion battery separators in Canada, based on the basic agreement the two companies had announc...
    Post IPO, Hyundai Motor India plans to localize EV supply chain for battery systems, cells and drive systems
    After a successful public listing on India’s National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Oct. 22, subcontinent’s second-largest carmaker, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), said that the company plans to work on localizing the electric vehicle supply network for battery systems, battery cells and drive systems. Hyundai Motor India, which is a subsidiary of South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co., also plans to invest in building EV charging infrastructure to encourage customers for wider adoption of EVs across...
    US DOE selects Anthro Energy for $24.9 million grant to build large-scale electrolyte production plant
    The US Energy Department's (DOE's) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) has selected Anthro Energy for a $24.9 million grant to build an advanced electrolyte production facility, the company announced Oct. 23. The grant is part of the DOE's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which provides historic investments to modernize US infrastructure and foster clean energy innovation, including strengthening the domestic supply chain for advanced battery technologies. Anthro sa...
    Schaeffler AG opens state-of-the-art €90 million technology center in Herzogenaurach, Germany
    Automotive component supplier Schaeffler AG has opened a state-of-the-art technology center at its headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the company announced on October 30. Schaeffler said the company has invested around €90 million in constructing the technology center, which was completed on schedule in two years and five months. The all-new technology center is spread across an area of more than 18,000 square meters and aims to bring together core areas of expertise in materials scie...
    Karlsruhe Institute unveils world's first agile battery cell production system
    The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has unveiled the world's first agile battery cell production system, a significant step toward making the future production of battery cells for uses such as electromobility or power tools more adaptable. This system, which has benefited from €19 million in federal and state funding, uses robotic automation to achieve a level of flexibility that was previously only possible with manual cell production. This innovation is expected to allow companie...
    Soteria consortium develops new technology to improve lithium-ion battery safety
    The Soteria Battery Innovation Group (BIG) Consortium, headquartered in Greenville, SC, has developed a plastic film-based technology for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries that significantly enhances their safety. This innovation, which uses metallized films instead of traditional metallic current collectors, can reduce the risk of battery fires by over 90%. Amy Brinson, vice president of Soteria Global Consortium, is set to present a case study on these advancements at FabBatt, part of the...
    LG Energy Solution to relocate battery production for Ford Mustang Mach-E from Poland to US
    LG Energy Solution will relocate production of batteries used in the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric sports car from Poland to Michigan, US, in 2025 to help the automaker qualify for federal tax credit on electric vehicles, Green Car Reports said Oct. 28. The electric sports car fell off the shortlist of EVs that qualify for the $7,500 tax credit in 2024, when the tougher rules for the origin of battery components and critical minerals became effective. To qualify for half of the credit amo...
    QuantumScape begins shipping its first B-sample cells for automotive customer testing
    Volkswagen-backed solid-state battery technology company QuantumScape has started producing and shipping the first set of its B-sample cells for automotive customer testing. In a letter to shareholders released Oct. 23, the company said that it has begun producing low volumes of its first B-sample cells, accomplishing its most important goal for 2024. These B-sample cells are of QuantumScape’s first commercial product, QSE-5, and carry an energy density of over 800 watt-hours per liter (Wh/...
    Chinese battery-maker Svolt Energy confirms termination of its European operations
    Chinese battery manufacturer Svolt Energy has confirmed that it will terminate its operations in Europe with effect from Jan. 31, 2025, according to a news report published in CnEVPost on Oct. 27, 2024. It said that the company has confirmed the news with local media outlet Yicai on Oct. 26. It was reported recently that the battery company may suspend the two upcoming battery plants in Germany as it struggles with declining demand for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) not only in Eu...
    Australian miner Ioneer gets US federal government permit to develop lithium boron project in Nevada
    Australia-based mining company Ioneer Ltd. has received its federal permit for developing the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada, US, from the Bureau of Land Management, the company announced Oct. 25. With the federal permit, the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada becomes the first US lithium project approved by the Biden administration, the company said, adding that the move will help in beginning the construction work in 2025, with first production expected in 2028. ...
    Eramet reacquires full ownership of Argentinian lithium project
    Eramet has successfully reacquired full ownership of its Argentinian subsidiary, Eramine Sudamerica, resulting in the complete ownership of the Centenario lithium project in Argentina, from Tsingshan Group, which previously held a 49.9% interest. This purchase, costing Eramet a net cash impact of $699 million, will see the group utilizing its available liquidity and will increase the group's net debt by the same amount. This move is aimed at giving Eramet unrestricted control and benefit from...
    Italy proposes to cut automotive industry support by €4.6 billion for 2025–2030
    The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has proposed a reduction of nearly €4.6 billion in funding initially allocated to support the country’s automotive industry between 2025 and 2030. The move, announced at a time when the European automotive industry is facing sluggish vehicle demand, will significantly impact the turnaround plans of vehicle manufacturers, especially Stellantis, in Italy. The proposed cut has been criticized by the Italian automotive lobby group ...
    Freyr Battery receives €122 million grant from EU Innovation Fund
    Freyr Battery Inc., a company specializing in sustainable battery and clean energy solutions, has been selected by the European Union Innovation Fund (EUIF) for a grant award of €122 million. This grant is aimed at supporting the development of a potential joint venture for a cathode active material (CAM) manufacturing project in Vaasa, Finland. The EUIF's decision to provide this grant underscores its commitment to backing Freyr's efforts in the industrialization of sustainable battery val...
    AutoTechInsight Weekly - 28 October 2024
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    Eramet suspends battery recycling project in France
    Mining company Eramet has decided to suspend its battery recycling project in France, the company said on the sidelines of its third-quarter 2024 results on Oct. 24. “Due to the lack of ramp-up in Europe of battery factories and their components (precursors and materials for cathodes), there are currently major uncertainties about the supply of raw materials to the plant, and about recycling opportunities for the metallic salts. The required conditions for pursuing a hydrometallurgical...
    BYD launches Shark plug-in hybrid pickup in Brazil, to launch it in Australia too
    BYD has launched its Shark plug-in hybrid (PHEV) electric pickup truck in the Brazilian market on Oct. 19, with prices starting from $66,700, according to a news report published by CarNewsChina on Oct. 23. Citing Henrique Antunes, who is the commercial director of BYD Brazil, the report said that the senior company executive estimates the model will achieve sales ranging from 10,000-15,000 units a year in Brazil, making it one of the country’s five best-selling midsize pickup trucks. BY...
    Svolt Energy suspends two battery factory projects in Germany – report
    Chinese battery manufacturer Svolt Energy has suspended its two battery factory projects in Germany, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on Oct. 25. The report cited local media outlet Caixin as the original source of the story. The report, which cited several unnamed people aware of the development, said that Svolt Energy has not set any timeline for resuming operations at its battery factories. It is known that Svolt Energy had planned to build two factories in Germany, includi...
    CATL launches Freevoy Super Hybrid battery capable of 4C charging
    Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer, has launched a specialized battery for hybrid vehicles, which are witnessing a sharp surge in global demand as consumers are staying away from battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) owing to concerns around range anxiety, slow charging and lack of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. At a high-profile event organized in Beijing on Oct. 24, CATL launched its Freevoy Super Hybrid battery, which it c...
    Volkswagen’s Scout Motors to offer internal combustion engine pickups in addition to electric SUVs
    Volkswagen’s (VW's) US-bound pickup truck brand Scout Motors plans to offer extended-range (EREV) versions of its pickup models featuring a small gasoline engine, in addition to electric sport utility vehicles, according to a news report published by Reuters on Oct. 24. The company unveiled a concept electric SUV and a pickup truck on Thursday (Oct. 24). The announcement comes amid increasing focus on hybrid vehicles, which continue to see a sharp surge in demand as consumers stay away f...
    Hydro reduces stake in Vianode to 19.9% following deal with Altor
    Hydro, a company involved in the production of synthetic graphite through its stake in Norway-based Vianode, has decided to decrease its ownership from 30% to 19.9%. This decision comes after Altor, a private equity fund, exercised a put option on Sept. 6, demanding Hydro to purchase an additional 20% stake in Vianode. However, this transaction was not completed. Instead, Hydro and Altor reached an agreement to cancel this put option, with Hydro selling 10.1% of its Vianode shares back to Alt...
    Visteon’s net income drops 40.9% year over year to $39 million
    Visteon has reported a 40.9% year-over-year decline in net income to $39 million in the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2024, as net sales fell 3.3% year over year to $980 million. During the third quarter, Visteon claimed to have outperformed customer vehicle production by 6%, driven by strong demand for digital cockpit and electrification products. The company reported a gross margin of $131 million compared with $143 million during the same period in 2023 and income before income taxes of $5...
    Stellantis to incorporate Factorial’s solid-state batteries into demo fleet of Dodge EVs
    Stellantis plans to launch a demonstration fleet of the all-new Dodge Charger Daytona vehicles powered by Factorial’s solid-state batteries in 2026, the carmaker announced Oct. 23. The move, which will mark a key step in the commercialization of the promising all-solid-state battery technology, will enable the carmaker to validate Factorial’s technology and assess the performance of its solid-state batteries in real-world driving conditions via its demo fleet. The development is in line w...
    Fraunhofer ISE opens new research center for batteries in Freiburg, Germany
    The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has inaugurated the Center for Electrical Energy Storage, which provides access to state-of-the-art laboratories that can enable cutting-edge international research, Fraunhofer ISE announced Oct. 22. The newly opened competence center has a laboratory area of over 3,700 square meters and is located in the Haid industrial area in Freiburg, Germany. Within the newly opened facilities, Fraunhofer ISE, which aims to focus its research on ...
    Adden Energy secures $15M for solid-state battery technology
    In a press release dated Oct. 23, Adden Energy announced that it has successfully raised $15 million in a Series A funding round led by At One Ventures. This injection of funds is earmarked for scaling up production capabilities of its solid-state battery technology through the construction of a roll-to-roll pilot line production facility at the company's headquarters in Waltham, Mass. The Series A funding round saw participation from several investors, including Primavera Capital Group,...
    Moment Energy awarded $20.3M by US DOE for EV battery repurposing
    Moment Energy, a prominent North American company specializing in the repurposing of electric vehicle batteries, has been awarded a substantial $20.3 million by the US Energy Department (DOE). This funding is part of a broader $428 million initiative by the Biden-Harris administration aimed at bolstering domestic clean energy manufacturing, particularly in former coal communities across the US. The initiative seeks to mitigate energy supply chain vulnerabilities, generate employment and ...
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