Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. (BPCL) announced the launch of 19 fast-charging corridors at 110 fuel stations along 15 highways in the southern states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India, a company press release dated March 24 read. The company has launched three corridors with 19 fuel stations in Kerala, six corridors with 33 fuel stations in Karnataka and 10 corridors with 58 fuel stations in Tamil Nadu. “It takes just 30 minutes to charge an [elec...

Italian automotive supplier Marelli is set to lay off 400 employees in Italy following an agreement with workers’ unions, Reuters reported on March 21. The move comes in the backdrop of rising costs of raw materials and falling sales due to supply chain issues. Marelli will invest $78.7 million this year to strengthen production in 15 Italian sites. “On redundancies a framework agreement was reached that rules out forced layoffs," Italian unions said in a joint statement after striking a ...

Rivian’s new over-the-air (OTA) software update for its R1T pickup and R1S sport utility vehicle (SUV) will see several new features including the addition of new Tesla Supercharger locations, according to a report by Electrek on March 23. The Supercharger locations which feature a Magic Dock can be selected in the navigation app’s charger filters and are also shown in the Rivian mobile app (version 1.12 or later). A Magic Dock enables the charging of the Rivian electric vehicle (EV) at...

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Electreon partnered with Toyota and Denso to work toward advanced wireless vehicle technology. This partnership agreement follows a successful comprehensive technology evaluation with the demonstration of the RAV4-PHEV charging on the wireless road. All three companies are aiming to promote technical development and adoption of wireless charging technology. The alliance intends codevelopment of an aftermarket wireless kit for current electric vehicles (EVs) to utilize wireless ...

ABT e-Line and WiTricity announced plans to deliver aftermarket wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging in Europe, a press release dated March 23 said. With extensive experience working with the Volkswagen Group (VW), ABT e-Line will initially upgrade the VW ID.4 to support wireless charging from WiTricity, with availability targeted for early 2024. The company plans to expand to additional EV models thereafter. Significance: Broadly, EV users showed a strong desire for wireles...

GaN Systems announced a new GaN-based 11kW/800V onboard-charger (OBC) reference design at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023, which delivers 36% higher power density and up to 15% lower Bill of Materials (BOM) cost compared to Silicon Carbide (SiC) transistors, according to a press release on March 20. The OBC uses a three-level flying capacitor design for an impressive power density and a reduced BOM cost for a bridgeless totem-pole power factor correction&...

Hyundai Motor Group has developed an automatic-charging robot (ACR) for electric vehicles (EVs), it said in a press release dated March 21. The ACR for EVs is a one-arm robot capable of plugging a cable into an EV’s charging port and removing it again once charging is complete. Once the vehicle is stationary, the ACR communicates with the vehicle to open the charging port, calculating the exact location and angle through a camera mounted inside. The robot then picks up the charger and ...

BYD is partnering with Nvidia to extend its use of the NVIDIA DRIVE Orin, a centralized compute platform, in a broader range of its new-energy vehicles (NEVs), a company press release dated March 21 said. The enhanced partnership expands BYD’s use of DRIVE Orin across the multiple models in its next-generation Dynasty and Ocean series of vehicles, bringing safe and intelligent vehicles to market. Significance: Both companies consider future cars to be programmable, evolving fro...

German component-maker Bosch, through its charging services, is eyeing a big opportunity by the end of the decade. With a potential market size worth billions globally, Bosch is targeting annual growth of more than 50% for its charging solutions, it said in a press release dated March 21. Besides charging services for drivers of electric cars, Bosch also offers services for charge-point operators. Bosch’s software services enable charge-point operators to remotely control and manage th...

Charge Zone has raised US$54 million in equity and debt in a Series A1 funding round, Mint reported on March 20. The round was led by global impact investment manager BlueOrchard Finance, which made a debt funding of US$8 million. The startup did not disclose the names of the other investors. Additionally, the company plans to raise US$5 million-US$100 million in equity as part of Series A2 during 2023–24. The funds will help the company immediately roll out 286 charging stations,...

Saietta, a British electric drive (eDrive) specialist, signed a master supply agreement with AVTEC Limited, one of the largest independent manufacturers of powertrain and precision-engineered products in India, according to a company press release dated March 20. The eDrives have been designed for lightweight electric vehicles (EVs) for its first set of commercial agreements secured with one of the largest OEMs in the Indian light-duty mobility market, with production targeted for t...

Hyundai Mobis developed an in-wheel system that allows the motor to control each wheel directly. The key technologies for the in-wheel system, including the drive motor and the controller, have been developed by Hyundai Mobis in-house, the company said in a press release dated March 20. This in-wheel system is the latest technology with no record of being mass-produced anywhere in the world, and Hyundai Mobis is currently verifying its reliability for mass production based on IONI...

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Mercedes-Benz plans to invest billions of dollars to modernize its plants in China, Germany and Hungary over the coming years, the magazine Automobilwoche reported, as the carmaker prepares to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) and cut emissions, according to Reuters on March 19. Mercedes-Benz said it will be ready to go electric by the end of this decade, where market conditions allow. "We are investing a three-digit million amount per plant for the run up," production manager ...

Blink Charging secured an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to sell up to 41,500 electric vehicle (EV) charging units to support EV charging infrastructure for the USPS as part of its vehicle-electrification strategy, it said in a press release dated 16 March. Blink will provide its Series 7 dual-port charger that features up to 80A of power at each port. These fast Level-2 AC chargers allow two vehicles to charge simultane...

Audi will issue over-the-air (OTA) software updates across its Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron lineup, it said in a press release dated 14 March. Audi is updating all vehicles from the start of series production, up to and including model year (MY) 2022 vehicles with software version 3.2. The new software comes now as standard in series production for MY 2023 vehicles. The software update offers added value while charging. The “preferred charging time” function helps customers char...

Blink Charging announced the availability of its redesigned Blink mobile charger in a press release dated 15 March. The freestanding charger is built to provide emergency charging for stranded electric vehicles (EVs). The mobile charger is rated at 32A, and charges an EV with up to 0.5–1 mile of range per minute. “We are excited to introduce our all-new, innovative portable EV charger that is available now. This product creates confidence for EV drivers and fleet operators ...

In a press release dated 13 March, Arrival announced that it has raised USD300 million from Westwood Capital. The company has established an equity financing line with Westwood Capital, providing the company with access to additional liquidity. “I have come into the business as CEO at a critical time. Arrival has developed innovative technologies and know-how which position us strongly to address the considerable EV market opportunity. We have now taken important steps to help us take advan...

The US government opened applications for a new multi-billion-dollar program to fund electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure in communities across the country, according to an official statement on 14 March. The new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program will provide USD2.5 billion over five years to a wide range of applicants, including cities, counties, local governments, and Tribes. “By helping bring EV charging to communiti...

Aptera Motors is set to receive a USD21 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to accelerate manufacturing of solar electric vehicles (EVs), it said in a press release dated 13 March. Aptera uses embedded solar panel power for up to 40 miles of driving, with the additional capacity for plug-in charging and a range of up to 1,000 miles. “Working with the CEC enables us to produce grid-free, carbon-neutral solar mobility while creating new jobs for all Californians (targeti...

Indra has received over GBP20 million (USD23.9 million) of fresh investment following its oversubscribed Series B funding round, it said in a press release dated 8 March. Gulf Oil International led the Series B round, increasing its equity stake in the company. The additional investment will help Indra develop its groundbreaking technology in the bidirectional electric vehicle (EV) charging space. “Indra is all about innovating our way to Net Zero; bidirectional charging technology is ...

The Indian government has urged the automotive components sector to invest more on research and development (R&D), in a press release dated 6 March. Union minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, has asked the automotive components industry to reflect on the level of investments, time, and effort that they have been putting in to develop new technology, new designs, and new products. “It would also help us provide solutions to other countries instead of being dependent on t...

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The solar tech company Sono Group N.V. announced the signing of a purchase order with a second passenger car manufacturer, one of the 10 largest in the world. The order comprised the delivery of solar body panels for one vehicle. Together with Sono Motors, the OEM would be able to explore solar integration into their cars, according to a company press release dated 8 March. The company announced the first order from a passenger car manufacturer in December 2022. Car manufacturers an...

itselectric has announced a fundraising worth USD2.2 million in the preseed round, according to a company press release on 7 March. The round was led by Brooklyn Bridge Ventures and included participation from The Helm, XFactor, Graham & Walker, Clean Energy Venture Group, and Pericles. The startup will use the funds to focus on the deployment of pilot programs for curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging in major cities across the US in 2023. “Cities are not ready for ...

Tesla's co-founder and CEO Elon Musk believes that the desire for people to own a Tesla car is very high. The limiting factor is the (un)affordability of these cars. Remedying that seems to be the next goal for Musk as he wants to reduce the cost of producing the next-generation Tesla models by almost half, making them more affordable. On 1 March, Tesla hosted its Investor’s Day at its Texas gigafactory, where it presented its ‘Master Plan 3’, which succeeds the previous two Master...

Renesas Electronics has introduced 10 new combinations of products for both automotive and nonautomotive applications, including electric vehicle (EV) charging, and instrument cluster control, it said in a press release dated 2 March. “These Winning Combos are an excellent example of the synergies we can leverage from our new organization. By combining our technical, market and customer knowledge, we can serve large and rapidly growing opportunities in all geographies with the right so...

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Trophi has partnered with Allego to develop fast-charging facilities and install them across strategic locations in Sweden, it said in a press release dated 28 February. The companies will build charging infrastructure on seven hypermarket and city grocery store locations across the country with Allego furnishing them with fast charging stations. Significance: All charging stations will accommodate DC, and in some locations AC destination charging. The charging hubs will feature a combin...

South Korean battery parts manufacturer SK IE Technology (SKIET) is planning to set up a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery separator plant in the US to cater to the increasing demand from battery manufacturers in the region, according to a company press release on 28 February. SKIET, a unit of SK Innovation that also owns EV battery manufacturer SK On, currently has battery separator factories in South Korea, China, and Poland with a combined production capacity of 1.53 billion square me...

US component major BorgWarner Inc. announces the completion of its acquisition of Hubei Surpass Sun Electric’s (SSE’s) Electric Vehicle Charging Solution, Smart Grid, and Smart Energy businesses. The company made the announcement through a press release on 1 March 2023. The acquisition of SSE is a strategic fit, bolstering BorgWarner’s charging expertise and footprint, capitalizing on the profound industry shift toward electrification. Announcing the acquisition in September 2022, ...

According to a report by Just Auto dated 28 Ferbruary, engineers at Ford's European operations have discovered by conducting tests that heating surfaces in electric vehicles (EVs), like mats and door panels—rather than using HVAC—could help extend the range and reduce energy consumption. As compared with using HVAC, heat from which is more easily lost when windows or doors are opened. The heated surfaces were tested in an electric E-Transit van on delivery routes where drivers may open an...

ChargePoint has partnered with Fisker to enhance driver experience and offer seamless charging access, it said in a press release dated 23 February. The two companies will enable access to ChargePoint’s network of Level 2 and DC fast chargers, and roaming partner stations. Drivers can use ChargePoint mobile app to quickly and find, use, and pay for charging. “The minute they get their new Fisker Ocean, our owners need convenient and easy-to-locate public charge stations, a quick, easy exp...

Sono Group N.V. has decided to terminate its Sion passenger car program, it said in a press release on 24 February. The company is set to pivot its business model to exclusively retrofitting and integrating its solar technology onto third party vehicles. Infact, the company has announced its intention to sell its Sion program. The termination of the Sion program will result in the job loss of 300 employees and Thomas Hausch will step down from his role as COO. “This pivot marks a signifi...

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Chinese automaker Geely has launched a new sub-brand ‘Galaxy’ for premium electrified vehicles, the company announced in a press release on 23 February. At the launch of the Geely Galaxy brand, the company also unveiled the first car from the Geely Galaxy range, the Galaxy L7 long-range plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle (SUV), along with a fully electric concept model, the “Galaxy Light.” At the ceremony, Geely Auto also unveiled a multitude of new advanced electrified technologies...

SK Signet has secured a EUR 7.3 million project in the United Kingdom to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the UK, the company said in a press release of 21 February. The company, which is backed by SK Group, announced the establishment of its European operations, SK Signet Europe at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023. Headquartered in Germany, SK Signet Europe will focus on creating sales and business collaboration opportunities in Germany, England, Italy, France, an...

Mainland-Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup NIO is planning to set up 1,000 more battery swapping stations in mainland China in 2023, CnEVPost reported on 21 February. Nearly 600 of these battery swapping stations will be located within the urban areas, and the remaining 400 stations will be located in highway service areas or near highway entrances and exits. "We have set a new goal of adding 1,000 battery swap stations in 2023, for a cumulative total of more than 2,300 stations by the en...

Mainland China has witnessed a rapid growth in the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging network in 2022, China Daily reported last week. According to the National Energy Administration (NEA), EV charging infrastructure recorded nearly 100% year-over-year (y/y) growth in 2022 bringing the total number to 5.2 million units. About 650,000 new public EV charging stations were installed in mainland China in 2022, bringing the cumulative total to 1.8 million. During the year, there were 1.9 ...

Germany-based Webasto has opened a new EV charger plant in Guanajuato, Mexico for manufacturing EV chargers, the company announced in a press release on 20 February. The Guanajuato plant currently runs three lines that produce charging solutions, with plans to expand to eight lines by the end of the year with an output of over 20,000 units per week. "As we continue to accelerate our e-mobility product offerings worldwide, North America presents Webasto big potential. The opening of a Charging...

Delta has showcased a smart microgrid-based Green electric vehicle (EV) charging station at ELECRAMA 2023, according to a press release on 20 February. The station is a total solution integrating Delta's EV chargers, energy storage systems, solar PV inverters and EV Charging Infrastructure Management System to enable microgrids capable of providing clean and stable electricity to EVs. “For two decades now, Delta India has built a unique track record in developing tailor-made solutions to su...

British luxury carmaker Bentley Motors has commenced construction of an Engineering Technical Centre and Launch Quality Centre at its headquarters in Crewe, marking another milestone in the brand’s preparations for battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs). The new Launch Quality Centre will occupy two floors, each covering 4,000 square meters, the automaker said in a press release on 16 February. The company’s in-house Metrology team will be responsible for measuring every part of a Bentl...

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Ola Electric is set to invest INR76.14 billion (USD920 million) in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu to manufacture electric cars and batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), Reuters reported on 18 February, citing a statement from the state government. The Softbank-backed company will invest via its subsidiaries Ola Electric Technologies and Ola Cell Technologies. According to the article, Ola intends to use the funds to ramp up production to annually make 140,000 cars and hire 3,111 wor...

bp has announced plans to invest USD1 billion by 2030 into electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the United States, according to a company press release dated 15 February. Hertz and bp are also set to bring fast charging infrastructure to Hertz locations in cities including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Miami, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. “We are excited to be working with bp to build out charging at Hertz locations across the...

Chinese consumer electronics maker Xiaomi has said that it is close to obtaining approval for producing electric vehicles (EVs), according to a report published by Jiemian News on 15 February 2023. Local media outlet reported on 14 February that two car industry insider sources confirmed this, adding that nothing is set in stone before an official announcement. Since 2017, the application procedure and criteria for issuing permits to manufacture EVs have become more stringent. Automakers...

The US government announced the next steps to bolster its electric vehicle (EV) charging industry and infrastructure, a government statement on 15 February read. The next steps include publishing minimum standards for federally funded EV infrastructure, finalizing the Build America, Buy America initiatives for EV charging equipment, and announcing that cities, towns, Tribes, and states will soon be able to apply for the first round of USD2.5 billion in competitive grants to build EV charging sta...

Magenta Mobility has raised USD40 million in its Series B funding, Deal Street Asia reported on 10 February. The fund raising involved a mix of equity and debt. The India-based electric vehicle (EV) startup closed USD20 million in equity funding led by two global marquee investors and the remaining USD20 million in debt. Magenta’s Series A, worth around USD16 million, was backed by HPCL and investors such as JITO Angel Network, LetsVenture, and Indian-American philanthropist, Kiran Patel. ...

In a press release on 14 February 2023, BorgWarner has announced that Brady Ericson will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chris Gropp will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the separate, publicly traded company that will result from the completion of the previously announced proposed spin-off of BorgWarner’s Fuel Systems and Aftermarket segments.  BorgWarner also announced today that the intended company name is PHINIA. “Brady and Chr...

Ford has announced that it is investing USD3.5 billion to build the country’s first automaker-backed LFP battery plant, offering customers a second battery technology within Ford’s EV lineup, according to a press release on 13 February 2023. This facility, named BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, will initially employ 2,500 individuals when LFP battery production begins in 2026. Ford will have the option to expand battery production at its factory in Marshall, Michigan, which will be a wholl...

Geotab has announced a new electric vehicle (EV) range analysis to examine impact of speed and temperature, according to a company press release on 7 February. The analysis is available on the Fleet Electrification Knowledge Center. The analysis uses de-identified, aggregated data from 3 million EV trips and 550,000 hours of driving time to better understand the relative range impact of temperature and speed. “Electrification is an important component in reducing carbon emissions in flee...

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Google has launched new updates for Maps with features for immersive view and Live View, along with new features for electric vehicle (EV) drivers, it said in a press release on 8 February. Google intends to improve the experience of finding the right EV charging station and to plan trips when charging might be needed. New features include adding charging stops to shorter trips. For trips that need a charging stop, Maps will suggest the best stop based on factors like current traffic, charge ...

Gotion High-Tech, the manufacturer of batteries and energy storage solutions in China has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with InoBat, the European supplier of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), to explore joint venture opportunities to codevelopment of a gigafactory with cell and pack production capacity of 40 GWh, according to a press release on 7 February 2023. Gotion and InoBat will look at ways to work together on several key common topics of interest, such as: Codev...

The Volvo EX90 is built at Volvo's Charleston, South Carolina plant. The full-sized SUV is expected to peak at more than 46585 in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

VOOL has raised EUR1.7 million (USD1.85 million) in a seed funding round, EU Startups reported on 2 February. The round was led by Specialist VC with participation from former President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, as an angel investor. Additional backers include Elar Nellis, Taavi Kotka, Justin Jenk, Toomas Kõuhkna, as well as Opus 11 VC and Startup Wise Guys. The total amount raised by the startup is EUR4.7 million, including an EUR3 million EU grant. “Our solution uses the existing gri...

Bosch has reported a 12.3% year-on-year (y/y) increase in fiscal 2022 revenue at EUR88.4 billion (USD96.95 billion), according to a company press release dated 3 February. EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) from operations came in at EUR3.7 billion compared to EUR3.2 billion a year earlier. “The difficult 2022 business year once again demonstrated that Bosch is crisis-proof while possessing tremendous innovative strength. In an environment that remains challenging, we are securing ou...

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Porsche Automobil Holding SE has invested a double-digit million-euro amount in ABB E-mobility Holding in a private placement, it said in a press release on 1 February. ABB stated that it divested 12% of its shares to a total of four minority investors for CHF325 million (USD357 million) in funds. The total volume of the private placement completed amounts to about CHF525 million. The proceeds will be used to accelerate the organic growth of the company as well as for acquisitions. “With...

The Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman has announced during her presentation of the Union Budget 2023 that the subsidies on electric vehicle (EV) batteries will be extended for an additional year, making EVs cheaper in India, according to a report published by The Times of India on 1 February 2023. EV battery subsidies extension for another year is anticipated to accelerate the adoption of EVs in the country. The government introduced the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program f...

P97 Networks has announced a partnership with Visa to deploy its token technology which can be used for in-car payments, according to a company press release on 31 January. The partnership will enable electric vehicle (EV) charging payments across public networks. The first step in this cooperation is the launch of P97 Network's enhanced network token services to securely connect millions of digital wallets and connected cars. “This collaboration underscores the powerful security that token...

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corporation said on 30 January 2023 that it plans to invest in Ampere, the electric vehicle (EV) and software division of the French carmaker and its ally Renault Group, with an aim of becoming a strategic shareholder. The plan is part of three-stage that Nissan and Renault are taking to strengthen the ties of the Alliance and maximize value creation for all stakeholders, both the company said in a joint statement Monday. The two companies plan to work joint...

Japanese automaker Toyota’s European arm said on 30 January 2023 that the company plans to produce the second-generation Toyota C-HR at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT) in Sakarya, Turkey. In addition, TMMT will be Toyota’s first European plant to start producing plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), and the first to be equipped with a battery production line. TMMT is slated to produce the Toyota C-HR in hybrid as well as PHEV versions, which will make the model first PHEV passeng...

US battery maker Microvast Holdings, Inc. and REE Automotive, Ltd. have signed a supply and purchase agreement wherein the former will supply MV-C Gen 4 HpCO high-energy lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery packs to the latter, Microvast said on 26 January 2023. Microvast’s battery packs will power REE Automotive’s commercial electric vehicle (EV) platform, the company said, adding that the customers will benefit from this partnership by combining REE’s zero-emission commercial vehicles with Mi...

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US automaker General Motors is evaluating the use of cylindrical batteries over the pouch batteries in its electric vehicles (EVs), according to a news report published by the Korean publication THE ELEC on 25 January 2023. The report cited anonymous sources aware of the new developments at GM. It added that GM’s new battery plans has brought about talks with LG Energy Solution (LGES) over the planned construction of the fourth battery plant by Ultium Cells, a JV between GM and LGES, to be ...

Europe’s largest automaker Volkswagen plans to set up a network of about 25,000 high-power electric vehicle (EV) charging (HPC) points worldwide by the end of 2023, the company said on 27 January 2023. The target includes VW’s plan of setting up about 10,000 HPC points in Europe alone by the end of 2023. The company added that it has recently completed an interim assessment of its global network of fast-charging points around the world and it found that it has already installed about 15,0...

Revealing its global electric vehicle (EV) strategy for fiscal year (FY) 2030 on 26 January 2023, Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation said it plans to achieve carbon neutrality in Japan and Europe by 2050 and in India by 2070, based on the target set by the respective governments. To achieve the same, the company said that it plans to focus on creating solutions that are unique to Suzuki, which are to develop products and services focused on the customer and grow along with the operat...

BMW i Ventures, German luxury carmaker BMW Group’s venture capital arm, has taken the position of lead investor in Ampeco, an electric vehicle (EV) charging management platform that enables large-scale public, business, fleet, and residential providers to manage EV chargers at scale, BMW announced on 25 January 2023. The company said that the funding in Ampeco will be used to drive further expansion into North America and Europe, while also growing the startup’s engineering and product in...

Australia-based electric vehicle (EV) fast charging equipment manufacturer Tritium DCFC Limited has signed an agreement with UK-based charging network provider evyve to supply the latter with fast EV chargers, Tritium announced on 23 January 2023. According to the company, the agreement includes an initial total order for 350 Tritium fast chargers and evyve has already received the first deliveries of these chargers, 60 of which are now installed and operational. Commenting on the new agre...

OVO Energy has announced that it is partnering with Kaluza, Volkswagen, and Indra, for a world-first vehicle-to-everything (V2X) trial, which will enable customers power their entire homes with their electric vehicles (EVs), according to a company press release dated 20 January. The companies aim to enable drivers leverage this V2X related charging regardless of the EVs they own as well as make EVs an affordable and attractive option for customers. “V2X will have a transformative effect ...

Blink Charging has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EdgeEnergy, it said in a press release on 24 January. The MoU is for the distribution, sale, and deployment of EdgeEnergy’s proprietary power source, the EdgeEV. “EdgeEnergy’s technology is a game changer in how we approach grid connection for Blink’s DC Fast Charging stations. We are excited to work with EdgeEnergy to implement this technology and be able to eliminate the concern about 3-phase power availability. With...

Colorado-based solid-state battery technology company Solid Power announced on 12 January 2023 that the company has received notification of an award from the US Department of Energy (DoE) ARPA-E group to continue its development of nickel- and cobalt-free solid-state battery cells. The battery maker, which is known for developing all-solid-state rechargeable battery cells by replacing the flammable liquid electrolyte used in a conventional lithium-ion battery with a proprietary sulfide-...

German luxury carmaker BMW Group and US-based battery technology company Solid Power have deepened their partnership with a new joint development agreement to further advance the all-solid-state battery cell design and manufacturing know-how, BMW said on 20 January 2023. “Under an expanded joint development agreement, BMW Group and Solid Power have added a research and development license as a basis for their common next steps. This license enables BMW to establish an ASSB prototype line in...

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle (EV) battery technology startup Log9 Materials has raised USD40 million in its Series B funding round, according to a news report published by online portal Entrackr on 23 January 2023. Log9 Materials’ Series B funding round saw fundraise in a mix of equity and debt led by Amara Raja Batteries and Petronas Ventures. That said, Incred Financial Services, Unity Small Finance Bank, Oxyzo Financial Services, and Western Capital Advisors also participated in the ...

Valeo has showcased its latest technologies for greener, safer, and smarter mobility at the Auto Expo 2023 in New Delhi, according to a company press release dated 12 January. The company demonstrated solutions with a focus on the four pillars of its Move Up Strategy, which are, Electrification Acceleration, ADAS Acceleration, Interior Experience Reinvention, and Lighting Everywhere. Significance: Expanding on the Move Up Strategy, which was a key part of its demonstrations in India...

Vishay Intertechnology has introduced the first two devices in its new Gen 7 platform of 1200 V FRED Pt Hyperfast rectifiers for automotive use cases, it said in a press release on 17 January. The rectifiers are offered in the SMA (DO-214AC) package. The 1 A rectifiers offer an optimal trade-off between reverse recovery charge and forward voltage drop for devices in their class. The AEC-Q101 qualified VS-E7MH0112HM3 is designed to increase the efficiency of auxiliary functions and low power s...

Sono Motors has secured EUR1.46 million (USD1.58 billion) in funding from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) for the development of its proprietary solar technology, it said in a press release dated 23 January. Sono Motors has also announced that it has been granted or filed for 50 patents, 42 of which are for the proprietary solar technology. The patents partly relate to the same invention being filed in different jurisdictions. Significance: The...

German automotive supplier Webasto has launched its innovative electrical battery thermal management (eBTM) module for traction batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) and machines, the company said on 18 January 2023. Webasto claims that the all-new eBTM is a compact and scalable thermal management solution that increases the performance and service life of traction batteries in EVs and machines. The company said that eBTM complements its product portfolio with a compact and scalable system tha...

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In a press release dated 19 January, Wallbox announced measures to reduce costs that will impact about 15% of its workforce. The company said the measures are required to better align with its 2023 full-year guidance. The company expects the changes to result in annualized cost savings for 2023 of approximately EUR50 million. “We do not make these decisions lightly. We will work hard to minimize the impact to all those affected and we sincerely thank them for their contributions. We investe...

Deepening their strategic partnership, China’s largest battery manufacturing company Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited (CATL) and Shanghai-headquartered electric vehicle (EV) maker NIO Inc. have signed a five-year comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on 17 January 2023. The agreement was signed by Wei Zhu, executive president of the passenger vehicle business unit of CATL, and Alan Zeng, senior vice president of NIO in the city of Ningde, Southeast China's Fujian...

Shell USA, Inc., a subsidiary of Shell plc, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% stake in EV charging network company Volta Inc. in an all-cash deal valued at approximately USD169 million, Shell announced on 18 January 2023. The acquisition of Volta will give Shell access to its assets such as an existing public EV charging network of over 3,000 charge points at destination sites (shopping centers, grocery stores, pharmacies) across 31 US states and territories, a development pip...

Electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging equipment manufacturer Tritium DCFC Limited announced on 17 January 2023 that the company has secured a new order to supply electric vehicle (EV) chargers from British energy major BP. It claims that the new order from BP is the largest ever order from a single customer in Tritium’s history. The order is part of BP’s global expansion plans, which entail installation of EV fast chargers for fleets and the public in the US, the UK, Europe, and Australia. ...

South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor plans to start assembling its Ioniq 5 electric vehicle (EV) at its plant in Singapore in the first half of CY 2023, according to a news report published by The Straits Times on 11 January 2023. To mark the milestone, Hyundai plans to auction for the number plates of its first 100 cars assembled in Singapore. These EVs will have special number plates with the EVS prefix, which stands for EV made in Singapore. The report stated that the carmaker plans to init...

Volvo has announced that it has improved both the range (WLTP) and charging for the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge compared to the previous versions, according to a company press release dated 16 January. The range has been increased by as much as 60 kilometers on some variants. The C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge variants will receive three new powertrains, including include two rear-wheel-drive variants as well as a revised all-wheel-drive performance model. “These updates are another big ...

India’s leading electric vehicle (EV) charging network provider Tata Power has kicked off an ambitious plan of setting up about 25,000 EV charging points across the country over the coming five years, the company announced on 13 January 2023 on the sidelines of the Auto Expo 2023 in Greater Noida, Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). The EV charging network expansion is aimed at accelerating faster adoption of EVs in the subcontinent. Showcasing a wide range of its hi-tech EV charging solut...

Norway-based electric vehicle (EV) charging network provider Wattif EV AS has raised an investment of EUR50 million (over USD54 million) from Marguerite, one of Europe’s leading investment fund managers in sustainable infrastructure projects, the startup said on 5 January 2023. The startup said that the investment provides an immediate catalyst for further growth in CY 2023 as it is aiming to set up over 120,000 new EV destination charge points stimulated by an expanded sales force in key E...

HERE Technologies has unveiled a new service that predicts the availability of electric vehicle (EV) public charge points, it said in a press release on 4 January. The announcement was made at CES 2023. HERE EV Charge Points’ prediction is powered by an applied machine learning (ML) algorithm that uses GPS probes, vehicle sensor data and correlated historical time/day, weather and traffic pattern data. HERE has a granular view of EV charge point user patterns and surrounding traffic conditi...

STMicroelectronics has unveiled five new power-semiconductor bridges in popular configurations, in advanced ACEPACK SMIT package, it said in a press release on 9 January. The devices are suitable for electric vehicle (EV) on-board chargers (OBC) and DC/DC converters, as well as industrial power conversion. STMicroelectronics’ ACEPACK SMIT surface mounted package delivers the easy handling of an insulated package with the thermal efficiency of an exposed drain. Significance: The devices offe...

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD has confirmed that the company will launch its electric sedan Seal by the fourth quarter of 2023, with deliveries also scheduled to commence around the same time, according to a news report published by Autocar India on 11 January 2023. The BYD Seal is based on the company’s e-Platform 3.0 and comes with two battery packs—a 61.4kWh unit and an 82.5 kWh unit. While the former has a claimed driving range of 550 km, the latter battery variant can provi...

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Electric vehicle (EV) charging solution provider Statiq plans to install about 20,000 EV chargers across India in FY 2023 to accelerate the adoption of EVs in the subcontinent, according to a news report published by The Economic Times on 14 January 2023. Gurgaon-based Statiq EV charging showcased a wide range of high-tech EV charging solutions at the Auto Expo 2023 in Greater Noida, Delhi NCR. The company claims to have already installed over 7,000 public, semi-public and captive EV chargers...

India’s leading automaker Tata Motors plans to expand its electric vehicle (EV) portfolio with new models and higher price points, according to a news report published by Reuters on 11 January 2023. The report cited the company managing director Shailesh Chandra, who said that Tata Motors aims to cement its position as the top selling electric car company in India. Chandra also told the publication that the carmaker plans to develop and offer EVs to address the needs of a range of buye...

India’s second largest carmaker Hyundai Motor has launched its popular Ioniq 5 crossover in the subcontinent on the sidelines of the ongoing Auto Expo 2023, according to a news report published by Autocar India on 11 January 2023. The EV is launched at an introductory price of INR4.49 million (under USD55,100) for the first 500 customers. The company has commenced bookings for the Ioniq 5 crossover for INR0.1 million (USD1,225). The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is powered by a 72.6 kWh battery, which...

Tata Motors Ltd has unveiled the Harrier electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) concept on 11 January 2023 at the ongoing Auto Expo in New Delhi. The Harrier electric vehicle (EV) has been unveiled in a close-to-production guise and is slated to go on sale in India in 2024, according to a news report published by Autocar India on 11 January 2023. The report stated that the Tata Harrier EV concept carries over the Land Rover-derived Omega architecture used by the internal combustion engine (ICE)...

India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki has unveiled eVX electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) concept on 11 January 2023 at the ongoing New Delhi Auto Expo. The concept eVX is a mid-size electric SUV concept designed and developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan offering futuristic SUV design elements with an upright posture and commanding high seating, the company said in an official note on 11 January 2023. The concept electric SUV eVX will be powered by a 60-kWh battery pack offering u...

German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to manufacture electric vans based on its all-new VAN.EA electric platform across three continents from 2025, according to a news report published by the online news portal Electrive.com on 10 January 2023. The news report cited a German publication Automobilwoche. Citing Mercedes Vans boss Mathias Geisen, the report said that the company plans to build VAN.EA models at its manufacturing facilities in the US and China, among the chosen glob...