The European Commission has selected a list of 47 Strategic Projects aimed at enhancing the domestic capabilities for strategic raw materials within the EU, marking a significant step in the implementation of the Critical Raw Material Act (CRMA). This initiative is designed to meet specific demand targets for the extraction, processing and recycling of strategic raw materials by 2030, which are essential for the EU's green and digital transitions as well as its defense and aerospace industries. ...

As reported in a press release on March 24, Microchip Technology's PolarFire system-on-chip (SoC) field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have successfully attained the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC)-Q100 qualification. This qualification ensures that the PolarFire SoC FPGA, capable of operating in extreme automotive Grade 1 temperatures ranging from -40°C to 125°C, has undergone and passed the stringent stress tests mandated by the AEC-Q100 standards, which evaluate the endurance of elec...

Tesla announced that it would launch its smart driving-assistance feature in China after obtaining regulatory approval, following a temporary pause in the free trial of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) service due to complaints, as reported by Reuters on March 24. The company communicated through a Weibo post on its customer support account, urging patience as all parties are advancing the process for release. This announcement was made under a feed of Tesla Vice President Grace Tao's Weibo account. ...

Wallbox, a global provider of electric vehicle charging and energy management solutions, has achieved a significant milestone in its North American expansion by securing the California Type Evaluation Program (CTEP) certification for its Supernova DC fast charger. The certification confirms that Wallbox's charging technology meets California, US' strict standards for measurement accuracy and billing transparency, crucial for participating in the sale of electricity through EV chargers. Wallbo...

The Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University has successfully completed the IDEEL project with numerous partners from science and industry after three years of research, the university said in a press note on March 19. IDEEL stands for implementation of laser drying processes for economical and ecological lithium-ion battery production. The IDEEL project involved PEM as well as the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB,...

A disastrous spill of waste containing concentrated acid, dissolved solids and heavy metals from the Chambishi copper mine in Zambia, owned by the mainland Chinese company Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, has caused significant environmental concerns. The spill, which involved approximately 50 million liters of toxic material, occurred Feb. 18 after the mine's tailings dam collapsed. The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Group, a state-owned enterprise, holds the majority ownership of the mine. ...

ZF Mobility Solutions, a subsidiary of ZF, has been authorized by the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) to conduct nationwide tests on public roads across Germany for its Level 4 autonomous driving system. This approval transcends the previous route or area-specific permissions, according to a report published by Mobility Portal on March 12. The approval propels the development and deployment of autonomous mobility solutions, enabling quicker, cost-effective and efficient implementation of sustainab...

In the London borough of Camden, a major initiative is underway to enhance the infrastructure for electric vehicles, a move aimed at encouraging cleaner transportation methods. Camden Council has entered into an agreement with Trojan Energy, a prominent EV charge-point operator (CPO), to install over 570 on-street, residential EV chargers. This initiative, however, hinges on the identification of suitable locations for these charging points. The unique design of Trojan Energy's charge points,...

Toronto has decided to exclude Tesla vehicles from receiving financial incentives for electric vehicles purchased as taxis or ride shares. This decision, announced by the city's Mayor Olivia Chow, comes amid escalating trade tensions between Canada and the US. To promote the adoption of EVs as vehicles for hire, Toronto offers reductions in licensing and renewal fees, a policy that will be in effect until the end of 2029. However, starting from March 1, Tesla vehicles will no longer benefit f...

As reported in a press release on March 17, Novosense Microelectronics has been awarded the ISO 26262 ASIL-D Defined-Practiced certification by TÜV Rheinland, representing a significant advancement in its functional safety capabilities and underscoring its reliability as a provider of automotive-grade chips. This certification is a testament to the maturity of Novosense's research and development and quality management systems, particularly highlighting its excellence in creating crucia...

The University of Michigan plans to construct a new electric vehicle (EV) battery laboratory, broadening research and hands-on education in next-generation battery technologies on the Ann Arbor campus, according to a note published by the university on March 14. The Board of Regents approved the $60 million project at its meeting on Feb. 20. The funding for this purpose will be provided from the state of Michigan contract that had established the Electric Vehicle Center in 2023. The new 25...

Pure Lithium Corp., a Boston-based company specialized in lithium metal battery technology, has announced receiving funding from the US Energy Department's (DOE) Vehicle Technology Office. This financial support aims to expand the production of lithium metal anodes using recycled lithium metal, in a collaborative effort with Argonne National Laboratory. The initiative targets the utilization of lithium metal waste, generated by specific industrial activities in the US, to create a self-suffic...

Shanghai plans to subsidize the installation of battery-swap stations in the city, becoming the latest local government in Greater China to provide support for the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on March 10. Notably, Nio, a leading electric-car maker, has its global headquarters in Shanghai. Citing a policy announcement, the report mentioned that the city authorities of Shanghai plan to subsidize the construction of c...

AI is now a necessity in the automotive industry. From autonomous driving systems that promise seamless travel to in-cabin technologies that personalize our journeys, AI has become  a catalyst for accelerating the integration of new revolutionary technologies into vehicles. Until recently, there had been a prevailing notion that developing leading-edge large language models (LLMs) require significant technical and financial resources. That notion, however, stands disrupted now by a Chine...

The Excise Department of Thailand is planning to introduce changes in the tax structure to encourage the production and promotion of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by removing the existing fuel tank size requirement and CO2 emissions criteria. This adjustment aims to reinforce Thailand's position as a manufacturing hub for PHEVs. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul announced these planned changes during his visit to the BMW and BYD car manufacturing plants at Amata City Rayong Indus...

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has announced a strategic collaboration with Frontier Lithium to bolster Canada's capacity in the critical minerals sector, particularly lithium, which is essential for electric vehicle batteries. This initiative aims to cement Canada's role in the international supply chain amid the anticipated doubling of global demand for critical minerals by 2040. Frontier Lithium's PAK Lithium Project in Thunder Bay, Ontario, represents the nation's fir...

The European automotive sector is undergoing significant challenges due to technological advancements and rising competition. In response, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen initiated a strategic dialogue on the future of the European automotive industry in January, which has led to the development of an action plan aimed at reinforcing the sector's robustness and sustainability. Announced by the European Commission, the action plan details strategies to maintain Europe's product...

The UK government has rolled out more than £40 million, distributing the amount between 13 Midlands councils to install thousands of EV charging points, according to a news report published by BBC on March 7. The report said that the government grant will be distributed between councils in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, among others, to expand the existing EV charging infrastructure in areas with limited off-street parking. Other councils to receive funding include Lin...

California Energy Commission (CEC) has rolled out another $33 million investment to encourage the adoption of zero emission vehicles and address concerns around air pollution in the region, the CEC announced on March 4. With the latest announcement of $33 million in awards, California’s Clean Mobility Options Voucher Program (CMO) has invested more than $66 million in under-resourced communities and tribes to address mobility gaps and reduce air pollution, CEC said. Notably, the CMO prog...

China is poised to issue new guidance aimed at promoting the nationwide use of open-source RISC-V chips, marking the country's first formal endorsement of the technology in an effort to reduce reliance on Western technology, according to a report published by Reuters on March 4. The forthcoming policy, which might be released as early as March though the date could still change, is being developed collaboratively by eight governmental bodies, including the Cyberspace Administration of China, ...

Mercedes-Benz has become the first automaker in Germany to get approval for testing special marker lights designed for automated driving vehicles. The approval, granted by the Stuttgart Regional Council, is valid for testing purposes and is initially limited until July 2028. Mercedes-Benz received similar approvals for testing special marker lights from regulators in Nevada and California, in the US, in 2021. These special marker lights, which are integrated into the vehicle's front, rea...

In his first address to Congress in his second term, President Trump urged lawmakers to eliminate the CHIPS Act, stating that semiconductor companies are already investing in US manufacturing without government incentives. Trump pointed to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.'s (TSMC) newly announced $100 billion expansion in Arizona, which includes three semiconductor fabrication plants, two packaging facilities, and a research and development center, as an example of private-sector inve...

A number of industry players have come together to establish BeyondBattRec project, which will focus on developing innovative battery recycling technologies to promote a circular economy in Europe. According to a press note released by Acid GmbH on March 3, the BeyondBattRec consortium is led by Aalborg University in Denmark, along with 12 leading partners from seven countries, including Varta Microbattery GmbH, Siemens, Accurec Recycling GmbH, Andaltec, UVR-FIA GmbH, Shift Materials, Univers...

The European Commission (EC) plans to introduce a series of measures aimed at increasing the demand for electric vehicles within the EU, alongside implementing local content requirements for car battery production. This initiative, part of an automotive action plan to be published on March 5, seeks to ensure EU car producers remain competitive against their Chinese and US counterparts by electrifying their fleets. The proposals will encourage the 27 EU member states to accelerate the adoption...

The US General Services Administration (GSA), responsible for managing federal government-owned buildings, has announced plans to shut down its electric vehicle charging stations across the US, labeling them as "not mission critical." This decision aligns with a directive to also begin offloading newly purchased EVs. The GSA oversees several hundred EV chargers with about 8,000 plugs, which serve both government-owned and federal employees' personal vehicles. An internal announcement is expec...

Bedford Borough Council in the UK has launched a tender for the installation and operation of new electric vehicle charge points across the borough, the council announced Feb. 20. The initiative is part of the council’s commitment to support residents in the transition to EVs and is a key part of the council’s EV Strategy 2024–27. It aims to expand the EV charging infrastructure under the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme. The council said it has secu...

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), responsible for three-quarters of the world's cobalt supply, is pausing cobalt exports for four months to address oversupply issues. This decision comes in response to the plummeting prices of cobalt, a critical component for electric vehicle batteries, influenced by mainland Chinese firms' overproduction. The Congolese government, citing a decree that allows regulatory authorities to enact temporary measures to ensure market stability, initiated th...

U-blox, a supplier of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) modules, and Rohde & Schwarz have successfully validated U-blox’s latest automotive GNSS module in accordance with the recently published Chinese GB/T test requirement for automotive on-board GNSS positioning systems using an automated R&S SMBV100B based GNSS simulator solution, as reported in a press release on Feb. 26.  GNSS plays an increasingly important role in the automotive industry to enable new infota...

The UK government is investing an additional £120 million to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles among drivers, cabbies and businesses, aiming to make it easier, faster and cheaper to switch to cleaner vans, wheelchair accessible vehicles, taxis and motorbikes. This funding extension, announced by Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood on Feb. 25, builds on the existing plug-in van grant, which will continue for another year to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)....

Tesla is preparing to release a software update for its customers in China, aiming to offer driving-assistance features comparable to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities available in the US, as reported by Bloomberg News on Feb. 24. This update, targeting customers who have purchased the FSD package for ¥64,000 (about $8,831.73), will enable driver-assist functionalities on city streets, initially on select models, with plans for a broader rollout. The introduction of this update comes ...

The European Commission has greenlit funding under the European Chips Act for Infineon Technologies AG's Smart Power Fab located in Dresden, Munich, with an official approval from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) anticipated in the coming months, according to a press release on Feb. 20. This initiative, which is also backed by the European Commission's Important Project of Common European Interest on Microelectronics and Communication Technologies (IPCEI ME ...

The European Commission has approved funding for ams OSRAM under the European Chips Act, with the Austrian Ministry of Economy and Labor expected to oversee the payment. This funding, which could be up to €227 million, is part of a larger investment by ams OSRAM, totaling €567 million by 2030, to develop a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Premstaetten, Austria. The project aims to enhance the production of innovative microchips for various applications including automotive, consumer g...

In a meeting with President Xi Jinping that centered on discussions with private sector entrepreneurs, Huawei's founder, Ren Zhengfei, conveyed that China's concerns over the absence of domestically produced chips and operating systems had been alleviated, according to a report by Reuters on Feb. 21, which cited Chinese state media People's Daily. The meeting, reported by the People's Daily, featured talks from prominent Chinese business founders including Ren Zhengfei of Huawei, Wang Chuanfu of...

The Indian government is in the final stages of notifying a new electric vehicle policy, designed to facilitate and encourage the entry of major EV manufacturers such as Tesla into the Indian market. This policy, initially announced in March 2024, mandates significant financial commitments from companies wishing to benefit from it. Specifically, companies are required to achieve a turnover of 25 billion rupees (about $287 million) by the second year of operations and to invest 41.5 billion ru...

As the automotive industry evolves, suppliers must prioritize regulatory compliance due to stricter environmental laws linked to climate change. Investing in new technologies is essential to avoid penalties and enhance competitiveness. We examine the regulatory challenges facing suppliers and share insights from industry executives in S&P Global Mobility’s 2025 Automotive Supplier Outlook. Regulatory pressures: A catalyst for change Automotive suppliers are facing numerous challenges...

South Korean vehicle manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group is working on new strategies to deal with tariffs on its export volumes, after US President Donald Trump announced his plan to impose duties of about 25% on cars imported into the US, according to a news report published by The Korea Times on Feb. 19. The report cited unnamed industry experts aware of Hyundai’s action plan. Earlier in February, Trump had revealed his intention to impose tariffs on the import of automobiles as early as...

Amid escalating trade tensions, US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on key industries with a series of executive orders, ordering a review of US trade agreements and signaling further tariffs on automotive, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. With a potential 25% tariff on all imported vehicles and new steel and aluminum tariffs set to take effect on March 12, 2025, the automotive sector faces mounting uncertainty. With the rise of software-defined cars, semiconductor content p...

Battery Council International (BCI) has released a briefing aimed at lawmakers that outlines policy recommendations designed to foster job creation, support US-based battery manufacturers and protect the domestic economy against unfair competition from abroad. The briefing emphasized the vital role batteries play in the operations of nearly all US businesses, citing a 2024 BCI report that indicated the domestic battery industry contributed approximately $8.1 trillion to the economic output, a...

EAS Batteries, along with its research partners including Manugy, Matthews International, the Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme IKTS and the Fraunhofer-Einrichtung Forschungsfertigung Batteriezelle FFB, have launched a project called SkaleD to further develop a process that directly coats electrodes in battery cell production, EAS announced Feb. 11. The SkaleD project aims to reduce the costs and resources used in the mass production of lithium iron phosphate (...

Ford Motor Co. has been granted an additional year by Michigan to meet its investment and job creation targets for a downscaled electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, located about 100 miles west of Detroit. This adjustment comes amid uncertainties in the EV market and is reportedly outlined in a 56-page contract signed Jan. 16 with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC). Initially, Ford had committed to a $3.5 billion investment and the creation of 2,500 jobs at the li...

On Feb. 10, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imported into the US without any exceptions or exemptions. The new tariffs will become effective from March 4, 2025. Steel and aluminum are the two most widely used raw materials in the production of a diverse range of products, from consumer appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines to cars and trucks. In vehicles, automakers use 900 to 1,400 kg of steel in the product...

The US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a directive ordering states to halt all electric vehicle infrastructure deployment plans under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. This significant move affects the $5 billion NEVI program, a major initiative funded by the Biden administration's Infrastructure Act aimed at expanding EV charging infrastructure across the US. The program, which was progressing steadily, requires states to submit annual plan...

On Feb. 6, ZF Group announced the successful third-party audit and certification of its Zeekr parking project, targeting Zeekr's vehicle models, for the ASPICE Capabilities Level 2. This initiative was led by ZF's Electronics and Advanced Driver Assistance System division within its Asia-Pacific region, marking the company's first global software quality certification. The certification highlights the division's technical and management proficiency in automotive software development as acknowled...

Since his inauguration as US President last month, Donald Trump has been throwing caution to the rulebooks. Automotive industry stakeholders, both local and global, wait and watch for the many implications to unfold as President Trump brings key national issues to the fore—perceived security threats from mainland Chinese automakers and technology companies; environmental policy, particularly as it relates to vehicle emissions, infrastructure spending and safety regulations; and trade policy, a...

Kongsberg Automotive (KA), responding to recent tariffs imposed by the US on imports from mainland China and potential tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods, anticipates limited negative effects on its operations. The company, seeking to recover any additional costs resulting from these tariffs, plans to pass these costs onto its customers, a strategy that is expected to be adopted industrywide. Despite efforts to fully compensate for these additional costs, there is concern within KA that in...

The Bosch Group's business development has been negatively impacted by slower-than-expected growth in key markets, including electromobility, leading to underutilized capacity and high upfront expenditure for future technologies. Despite these challenges, Bosch aims to be a leading supplier in its business areas by 2030, targeting an average annual growth of 6-8% and a profit margin of at least 7%. The company is looking toward policy reforms in Germany and the EU to enhance competitiveness and ...

Beijing has announced a comprehensive set of economic measures against the US in retaliation for President Donald Trump's imposition of 10% tariffs on Chinese imports. The countermeasures, effective Feb. 10, include a 15% tax on selected coal and liquefied natural gas products, a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and certain vehicles, along with new export controls on over two dozen metal products and related technologies. These export controls specifically target tungsten and tel...

In an effort to bolster domestic manufacturing of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and advance electric vehicle technology, the Indian government, under Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's announcement during the Budget 2025 speech, will extend basic customs duty (BCD) exemptions to 35 additional capital goods essential for producing EV batteries. These include crucial raw materials such as cobalt powder, waste cobalt, scrap from Li-ion batteries, lead, zinc and 12 other critical minerals. ...

The European Commission has granted approval for a €48 million state aid measure by France to support Envision AESC France in establishing a new factory in Douai, Hauts-de-France, for the production of lithium-ion batteries aimed at electric vehicles. This facility, which marks the first phase of development, will have the capacity to produce 9 GWh of batteries annually. This initiative is aligned with the EU's strategic goals for job creation, regional development and the promotion of...

Toyota Motor Europe has signed an agreement with Hydrogen Refueling Solutions (HRS) and global energy company ENGIE to roll out the next generation hydrogen refueling systems, the Japanese carmaker’s European unit announced Jan. 28. The newly developed hydrogen refueling solution will be piloted in an EU-funded RHeaDHy project that focuses on accelerating infrastructure deployment, the company said. The EU-funded RHeaDHy project stands for refueling heavy duty with very high flow hydroge...

The Newport City Council in the UK has partnered with Zest, the UK’s fastest growing investor-operator of public access EV charging infrastructure, to deliver on-street charging facilities across the city, the council announced Jan. 24. Under a 15-year concession agreement, Zest is slated to provide 144 EV charging spaces across 77 locations, providing Newport drivers with the essential charging infrastructure needed to transition to electric mobility. The project is equally funded by Ze...

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers BYD, Geely, and SAIC have filed challenges against the European Union's (EU) import tariffs at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), according to information available on the court's website. The complaints were lodged at the CJEU's General Court, the lower of its two chambers, with the deadline for filing challenges being just a day before their submission. The General Court's proceedings are expected to last an average of 18 months ...

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration's Department of Transportation (DOT) in the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, challenging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) finalized rule on automatic emergency braking (AEB) which is set to become effective on April 29, 2024. The NHTSA’s rule mandates fitment of AEB system that avoid collisions at speed up to 62 miles per hour (mph) and detect pedestrians and cyclist...

Forge Battery, the commercial lithium-ion battery production subsidiary of Forge Nano Inc., has finalized award negotiations for $100 million in non-dilutive funding by the US Energy Department (US DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC), the company announced Jan. 21. Forge Battery and the US DOE had finalized the funding contract on Jan. 14. The company said that it plans to use the $100 million to expand its North Carolina, US, lithium-ion battery gigafactory p...

Polestar, an electric vehicle manufacturer supported by Geely, announced its intentions to seek alternative suppliers to circumvent a US government restriction on Chinese software in high-tech vehicles. This move comes as a response to the US Commerce Department's recent finalization of rules that prohibit the use of Chinese software and hardware in EVs, effectively barring cars manufactured in China from the US market. The ban poses a significant challenge to Polestar's operations in the US, es...

The US Energy Department (DOE) has launched a new funding program for advanced vehicle research and development with an intent of promoting innovative transportation solutions for on- and off-road vehicles, the US DOE office announced Jan. 17. The new program has an outlay of up to $88 million and will cover fiscal year 2025 via DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO). The DOE's notice of funding opportunity states 10 focus areas that are expected to not only advance affordable and relia...

US President Donald Trump, on a Jan. 21, targeted electric vehicle policies established by his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, by revoking a 2021 executive order. This order had aimed for half of all new vehicles sold in the US by 2030 to be electric, a goal supported by both US and foreign automakers but was not legally binding. In response, Trump issued a new executive order that not only halts the distribution of unspent government funds, totaling $5 billion designated for ve...

The US Defense Department (DoD) recently announced the addition of mainland Chinese battery-maker CATL and technology company Tencent to its "Chinese Military Company" list, alleging connections with mainland China's military. This development led to CATL's market value dropping by approximately $4.4 billion following the news. CATL has contested its inclusion, stating it does not engage in military-related activities. The list, formally known as the Section 1260H list, includes 134 companies...

Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer, has successfully concluded a loan agreement with the US Energy Department's Loan Programs Office (LPO) for financial support totaling up to $6.6 billion. This funding, comprising $6 billion in principal and about $600 million in capitalized interest, is earmarked for the development of Rivian's new manufacturing facility in Stanton Springs North, near Social Circle, Georgia. The investment aims to reaffirm the US' leadership in the EV sector, gen...

Ioneer Ltd., a company listed on the ASX and Nasdaq, has officially closed a significant financial deal with the US Energy Department's (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO). The deal comprises a $996 million loan designed to back the construction of an on-site processing plant at the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Construction is targeted to commence in 2025, with an estimated duration of 36 months, and first production is anticipated in 2028. This lo...

The city of Utrecht in the Netherlands plans to convert its petrol refueling stations into electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling sites to encourage adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), according to a press note issued by the municipality of Utrecht on Jan. 15. “The plan gives petrol stations in the city a new role, in which fossil fuels make way for sustainable alternatives such as electricity and hydrogen,” the note said, adding that the growth in the demand for electric...

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a proposed action against General Motors (GM) and its subsidiary, OnStar, for improperly handling drivers' geolocation data and driving behavior information. The companies are accused of selling this sensitive data to third parties, including consumer reporting agencies, without clear consent from consumers. This data could potentially impact insurance rates for millions of vehicle owners. As a settlement for these allegations, GM and OnStar would...

The Canadian government has halted its subsidy scheme for electric vehicles — Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Program — Transport Canada announced in a press release on Jan. 10. The decision comes after the funds allocated to support the iZEV Program were fully committed ahead of schedule. However, the incentives program for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) will continue until the end of the tenure. The Canadian government, through ...

President Biden on Tuesday (Jan. 14) announced strong and decisive actions to safeguard the US connected vehicle supply chains against any potential security risks by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation (Russia). The White House, in a fact sheet titled "Safeguarding America from National Security Risks of Connected Vehicle Technology from China and Russia", said, “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that our automotive supply chains are res...

The US Transportation Department's (US DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved $635 million in grants to continue building electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s signature zero-emission refueling infrastructure programs, the DOT announced Jan. 10. The new grants fund 49 projects that are slated to deploy more than 11,500 EV charging ports and hydrogen and natural gas fueling infrastruct...

The State University of New York (SUNY) will receive $15 million in federal funding to install up to 350 electric vehicle chargers across its campuses, according to a news report published by an online automotive portal Electrive on Jan. 10. The news report mentioned that SUNY plans to install fast chargers and Level 2 charging points across its campus to contribute to the adoption of EVs. It further said that some EV charging sites will also feature solar canopies with battery storage for re...

According to a press release on Jan. 10, Tier IV has obtained a permit for Level 4 autonomous driving operations in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Since 2020, the company, along with its partners, has been engaged in proof-of-concept tests to develop and enable mobility services powered by autonomous driving technology. In a significant development in October 2024, Tier IV was awarded Level 4 certification under the Road Transport Vehicle Act. The latest permit, granted under the Ro...

Blue Whale Materials (BWM), a company specializing in advanced lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery recycling, has been awarded over $55 million by the US Energy Department's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing Program. This funding is part of BWM's broader $110 million expansion effort aimed at enhancing its facility in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The expansion is set to generate 150 perman...

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Valencia’s Empresa Municipal de Transportes (EMT) have signed a €69 million loan to finance the expansion of EMT Valencia’s zero-emissions bus fleet, boosting support for sustainable urban public transport, EIB announced Dec. 23, 2024. The project includes the purchase of 145 electric buses to replace the vehicles that have been in service in Valencia, Spain, for the longest and are nearing the end of their useful life. The EIB support will also...

The US Senator for California Alex Padilla announced Jan. 6 that the US Transportation Department (DOT) will award $122.9 million for six California projects to build zero-emission vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure, including over $55 million for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles. According to the press note issued, the funding comes through the Federal Highway Administration’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program, which was created by the Bipartisan Infra...

Mainland China has announced plans to impose stricter controls on the export of technologies crucial to lithium refining and battery chemicals production, reflecting its intent to protect its dominant position in the global battery and electric vehicle production supply chain amid escalating global trade tensions. The Ministry of Commerce revealed this initiative, seeking public opinion to potentially add such technologies to its list of items under export controls. This strategy is aimed at ...

The South Korean government, as reported by the Ministry of Environment, has announced that starting 2025, the maximum subsidy for purchasing electric passenger vehicles will be lowered to 5.8 million won (about $3,950), marking a reduction of over 10% from the previous year. The subsidy adjustments include a decrease for midsize and large electric vehicles from 6.5 million won to 5.8 million won and a reduction for small EVs by 200,000 won to 5.3 million won. Additionally, the price cap fo...

US President Joe Biden has blocked the $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel, Japan's fourth-largest steelmaker, citing national security reasons. The decision comes after a yearlong review process and considerable political opposition in the US, including from Biden and President-elect Donald Trump during the presidential election campaign. U.S. Steel, once a dominant force in the American steel industry and now the third-largest steelmaker in the US, and Nippon Steel criti...

The governments of key cities in China's Guangdong province have made a significant advancement in the realm of autonomous vehicle development by entering into a mutual recognition agreement for self-driving vehicle testing permits. Announced on Dec. 27, this agreement encompasses the areas of Qianhai and Bao'an in Shenzhen, the Nansha district in Guangzhou, and Hengqin Island in Zhuhai. This initiative facilitates companies in deploying their autonomous vehicles for public road testing across t...

SK Nexilis Co., a South Korean company renowned as the world's largest maker of copper foil, announced that it has received a substantial subsidy amounting to $133 million from the Polish government. This financial support is provided under the EU's Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) program, which was introduced in March 2023 to facilitate subsidies for companies that contribute to achieving net-zero CO2 emissions, targeting sectors such as electric vehicles and batteries. ...

The Quebec government has announced that the "Go Green" (Roulez vert) subsidy program, which provides financial incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles, will be suspended starting February 2025, following a temporary pause due to high demand. The Environment Minister mentioned that interested buyers have until January 2025 to benefit from the current subsidies before the suspension. The ministry plans to resume the program on April 1, 2025, after reassessment in the next provincial budg...

On Dec. 19, the US Energy Department (DOE) announced an investment of $25 million across 11 projects to advance materials, processes, machines and equipment for domestic manufacturing of next-generation batteries. These projects are expected to advance platform technologies upon which battery manufacturing capabilities can be built, enabling flexible, scalable and highly controllable battery manufacturing processes, the DOE said in a press note. Managed by the DOE’s Advanced Materia...

As reported in a press release on Dec. 20, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed the establishment of a national autonomous vehicle deployment program, a move welcomed by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. This program, named the ADS-equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program (AV STEP), aims to significantly increase the number of commercial autonomous vehicles operating in the US. Currently, federal law restricts companies to opera...

On Dec. 18, the Governor of New York Kathy Hochul announced an additional $28.5 million for the installation of electric vehicle fast chargers along major travel corridors across New York state. Funded by the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula funding program, the state’s new competitive Downstate Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) program aims to further improve consumer access to reliable EV charging. According to the press note issued by the government websit...

Novonix Ltd., a leading battery materials and technology company, announced Dec. 17 that one of its wholly owned US-based subsidiaries has received a conditional loan offer of up to $754.8 million ($692 million in principal and $62.8 million in capitalized interest) from the US Energy Department (DOE) through the Loan Programs Office (LPO). The company said that if finalized, the loan would be applied toward partially financing the construction of the new facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, t...

American Battery Technology Co. (ABTC), an integrated critical battery materials company that is commercializing its technologies for both primary battery minerals manufacturing and secondary minerals lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery recycling, announced Dec. 18 that it has received a $144 million contract award of federal investment from the US Energy Department (DOE) to set up a new battery recycling facility. These funds are awarded to ABTC and its subcontractor Argonne National Laboratory to ...

Tesla is engaging in preliminary negotiations with officials in Austin, Texas, regarding its self-driving vehicle technology, as reported by Bloomberg News on Dec. 19. Since at least May, a Tesla representative has been communicating with Austin's autonomous vehicle task force to establish safety standards for these vehicles. This dialogue follows Tesla's unveiling of the Cybercab prototype, a driverless vehicle without pedals, at a robo-taxi event in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Elon Musk, Tesla's C...

In a press release on Dec. 20, the US Transportation Department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a proposal for a voluntary national framework titled the ADS-equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program (AV STEP). This initiative aims to create a voluntary review and reporting system for vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS) and is open to all companies that operate or intend to operate compliant ADS-equipped vehicles on pub...

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has called on the EU Environment Council to adopt a stepwise methodology regarding the implementation of plastic recycled content targets. The vehicle manufacturers’ association has proposed an initial recycled content target of 15% to be achieved within 72 months, followed by a more ambitious target of 20% five years thereafter. In July 2023, the European Commission proposed a new regulation on circularity requirements for vehicle d...

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Dec. 20 a proposal aimed at simplifying the review process for automakers seeking exemptions to deploy autonomous vehicles without traditional human controls, such as steering wheels or brake pedals, according to a report published by Reuters on Dec. 21. This comes against a backdrop of the NHTSA holding the authority to allow up to 2,500 vehicles per manufacturer to operate on US roads to be exempt from certain requir...

According to a press release on Dec. 13, Switzerland is set to implement new regulations governing automated driving, with an ordinance passed by the Federal Council scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2025. This development follows the Swiss Parliament's approval of a partial revision to the Road Traffic Act in the spring of 2023, aimed at accommodating both current and forthcoming advancements in automated driving technologies. Under this ordinance, automated driving will be sanctioned in thr...

Invest WindsorEssex, Windsor-Essex's lead economic development agency, has announced the launch of the Battery Boost: Technical Training for Battery Manufacturing Careers program with more than C$3.8 million in funding. This program, supported by Upskill Canada and funded by Palette Skills with contributions from the Canadian government, aims to provide high-demand advanced simulation skills training for workers in Windsor-Essex, Ontario. The initiative is designed to prepare individuals...

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has significantly expanded its electric vehicle charging network, now boasting over 740 EV charging points across Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This expansion is aligned with the UAE's ambitious goal of ensuring 50% of the cars on its roads are electric by 2050. With more than 34,970 EVs registered in the city, DEWA's growing EV charging infrastructure is vital to support the increase in EVs. EV drivers can conveniently locate EV charging statio...

The city of Milwaukee in the US has been awarded with a federal grant of nearly $15 million to establish a network of 53 electric vehicle charging stations within the city limits and in Milwaukee County. This funding comes from the US Transportation Department's Charging and Fueling Infrastructure program and is intended to support the construction of charging stations at county parks or cultural sites as well. The initiative aligns with Milwaukee's Climate and Equity Plan, adopted by th...

Bosch is set to convert a facility in Northern California, US, into a site dedicated to producing and testing silicon carbide semiconductors, thanks to funding from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, according to a report published by Automotive News on Dec. 16. The company disclosed on Dec. 13 that it has secured a preliminary agreement with the US Commerce Department, which includes $225 million in direct funding for its Roseville, California, plant. Acquired by Bosch in August 2023, the facil...

In 2023, the European Commission released a draft revision to the End-of-life Vehicles (ELV) Directives, proposing a target of 25% recycled content for vehicles by 2030, of which 25% should be recycled from ELVs. Last week, Forvia joined other signatories comprising automotive suppliers, recycling and waste management companies, and nongovernmental organizations in requesting EU policymakers to uphold these targets. The signatories also suggested several key actions to enhance the recycl...

Blink Charging UK, a subsidiary of Blink Holdings BV and part of Blink Charging Co., is moving forward with its collaboration with Norfolk County Council in the UK to enhance the region's adoption of electric vehicles by expanding its charging infrastructure. The company has announced plans to install an additional 22 EV charging stations across 12 locations in Norwich, UK, by February 2025, raising the total number of EV charging stations to 46 in the area. This expansion follows Blink Charg...

AGP E-Glass has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Michigan bankruptcy court on Nov. 14. The company is a subsidiary of AGP Group, a Belgium-based supplier of advanced glazing solutions for several markets, including automotive. The bankruptcy petition showed AGP E-Glass’ liabilities of $4.6 million, according to a report by glassBYTES.com. These include items such as tools and equipment from Tesla, Volvo Group Trucks, and AGP E-Glass’ parent company. Despite the...

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last month, in a bipartisan and unanimous action, announced the adoption of final rules for the implementation of cellular-vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology. These regulations aim to enhance transportation safety and efficiency by enabling direct communication among vehicles, roadside infrastructure, and other road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. This will facilitate non-line-of-sight awareness and adaption to changing driving conditi...

The California Energy Commission (CEC) announced Dec. 11 that it has approved a $1.4 billion investment plan to accelerate progress on the state’s electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling goals. It expects that these investments will help deploy infrastructure for light, medium and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) across California, US, expanding the most extensive charging and hydrogen refueling network in the US. CEC’s plan details how its "Clean Transportation P...