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Tag: electric vehicles

  • GM Finally Begins Production of the Hummer SUV

    GM Finally Begins Production of the Hummer SUV

    General Motors has finally begun production of the Hummer SUV, over a year after production of the Hummer pickup began.

    Once the poster child for excess fuel consumption and…well…just excess, GM relaunched the Hummer as an electric vehicle. In many ways the platform was the ideal option for an EV, since the size of the vehicle provides plenty of room for batteries.

    While the pickup version of the new EV began production in late 2021, The Detroit News is reporting that the SUV variant has just begun production, with the first orders slated for delivery at the end of the first quarter.

    “This is just, I think, the most sought-after vehicle in the world right now,” said Duncan Aldred, global vice president of GMC and Buick. “It really is a super truck as we positioned it.”

  • EV Startup Arrival Appoints New CEO, Lays Off 50% of Staff

    EV Startup Arrival Appoints New CEO, Lays Off 50% of Staff

    Electric vehicle startup Arrival has undergone a major shakeup, appointing a new CEO and announcing layoffs of 50% of its staff.

    Arrival has a deal with UPS to provide 10,000 electric delivery vans through 2024. Despite the high-profile contract, the company has struggled financially and is now announcing its second round of layoffs in a year.

    Following a detailed review of its operations and its markets, Arrival is now announcing immediate actions to further reduce its operating costs and to optimize the deployment of its current cash resources. This includes the difficult decision to reduce its global workforce by approximately 50% to 800 employees. When combined with other cost reductions in real estate and third-party spending, the company expects to halve the ongoing cash cost of operating the business to approximately $30 million per quarter.

    Simultaneously, the company also announced a new CEO, Igor Torgov. Torgov has a long history in the tech industry, with stints at Microsoft, Bitfury, Columbus A/S, and Yota. Most recently, before serving as Arrival’s EVP of Digital, Torgov served as CEO of Atol.

    “Accepting this important role at a critical point in Arrival’s journey is a significant responsibility,” said Torgov. “Arrival has developed unique technologies in a market that has huge growth potential and can play a key role in addressing climate change. To unlock these opportunities, we need to make difficult decisions and to take swift action. Following a detailed evaluation of Arrival and the wider EV market during the past two months, the leadership team and the Board have taken decisive action to ensure the most effective use of our current resources and optimize the efficiency of the business. The actions support our journey to become a champion in innovative products and new, more efficient methods of vehicle production, particularly in the important US market for commercial electric vehicles. We are keenly aware that these decisions, while necessary, will have a profound impact on a significant number of our colleagues. We are 100% committed to supporting our employees during this difficult process.”

  • Canada to Require 20% Zero Emission Vehicle Quota by 2026

    Canada to Require 20% Zero Emission Vehicle Quota by 2026

    Canada is one step step closer to phasing out fossil fuel vehicles, requiring 20% of vehicles to be zero emission by 2026.

    Governments around the world are beginning to take steps to address climate change, with a transition to electric vehicles being one of the biggest measures. According to Engadget, Canada is moving aggressively to spur such a transformation, requiring 20% of all vehicles sold to be zero emission by 2026.

    “We’re moving forward with a regulated sales target that requires at least 20 percent of new vehicles sold by 2026 to be zero emission, increasing that to 60 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035,” said Julie Dabrusin, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

    The move is one of the more aggressive moves by any country, with many others targeting 2030 and beyond for such an ambitious goal.

  • Ford Is Now the Second-Largest EV Maker

    Ford Is Now the Second-Largest EV Maker

    Ford has moved into second place among electric vehicle (EV) makers, passing Hyundai to take its place behind Tesla.

    Ford has been transitioning to EVs like many automakers in the industry. The company has been aggressively restructuring, laying off thousands to better focus on EV development.

    According to CNBC, Ford’s efforts seem to be paying off with the company selling 53,752 all-electric vehicles in the US through November. This gives the company a 7.4% share of the market, up from 5.7% the previous year.

    While Ford’s move into the second spot is impressive, it’s still a far cry from Tesla, which sold 908,000 EVs worldwide through the third quarter. Nonetheless, the news is promising for Ford and illustrates the challenges Tesla will have maintaining its lead going forward.

  • BMW Will Invest in $1.7 Billion US-Based EV Production

    BMW Will Invest in $1.7 Billion US-Based EV Production

    BMW announced a major commitment to US-based electric vehicle (EV) production, with plans for a $1.7 billion investment.

    The automotive industry is working to electrify its lineups amid increasing regulatory and consumer incentives. Despite not being a fan of EV-only strategies, BMW’s executives announced a $1.7 billion investment in US-based EV production.

    The investment will be split between $1 billion to produce EVs at its existing plant in Spartanburg, SC, and $700 million to build a new high-voltage battery plant in Woodruff, SC.

    “For decades, Plant Spartanburg has been a cornerstone of the global success of the BMW Group. It is the home of the BMW X models that are so popular all over the world. Going forward, it will also be a major driver for our electrification strategy, and we will produce at least six fully electric BMW X models here by 2030. That means: The ‘Home of the X’ is also becoming the ‘Home of the Battery Electric Vehicle’,” said Oliver Zipse, BMW Group Chairman of the Board of Management. “In addition, we can showcase BMW Group’s ‘local for local’ principle: Our newly developed sixth generation battery cells, which were specifically designed for the next generation electric vehicles, will be sourced here in South Carolina – where X goes electric.”

    South Carolina Governor McMaster praised the company’s investment:

    “BMW’s sustained and impactful presence in South Carolina demonstrates the power of partnership and shared commitment to our state’s automotive industry success. With today’s announcement of a $1 billion expansion to Plant Spartanburg for manufacturing electric vehicles as well as $700 million for a new plant in Woodruff to assemble battery units, the road to the future is here. And I applaud BMW on helping lead the way.”

    Zipse has previously expressed his doubts about the industry’s move toward an EV-only future:

    “When you look at the technology coming out, the EV push, we must be careful because at the same time, you increase dependency on very few countries,” Zipse said.

    “If someone cannot buy an EV for some reason but needs a car, would you rather propose he continues to drive his old car forever? If you are not selling combustion engines anymore, someone else will,” he added.

    Whatever misgivings Zipse has, it’s clearly not stopping BMW from moving full speed ahead.

  • New York to Require Zero Emission Passenger Vehicles by 2035

    New York to Require Zero Emission Passenger Vehicles by 2035

    New York has joined California in requiring that all new passenger vehicles sold in the state be zero emissions by 2035.

    In late August, California became the first US state to ban gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, effective 2035. New York has now followed suit, putting the same deadline on the transition.

    “New York is a national climate leader and an economic powerhouse, and we’re using our strength to help spur innovation and implementation of zero-emission vehicles on a grand scale,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “With sustained state and federal investments, our actions are incentivizing New Yorkers, local governments, and businesses to make the transition to electric vehicles. We’re driving New York’s transition to clean transportation forward, and today’s announcement will benefit our climate and the health of our communities for generations to come.”

    As part of the mandate, Governor Hochul directed the State Department of Environmental Conservation to begin the regulatory process. The move was met with praise across a range of climate, conservation, and energy groups.

    “Governor Hochul is demonstrating her sustained commitment to the successful implementation of the Climate Act and ensuring all New Yorkers benefit from the State’s actions to address climate change,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos. “DEC will continue to work under her direction to rapidly issue this regulation and reach another milestone in the transition from fossil fuels so that more people, businesses, and governments will have the ZEV options to meet their needs and help improve the health of their communities.”

  • Kia May Manufacture EVs in the US Thanks to Tax Credit

    Kia May Manufacture EVs in the US Thanks to Tax Credit

    Kia may be planning to manufacture electric vehicles (EVs) in the US as early as 2024, thanks to US tax credits.

    The US has a long history of providing tax credits to consumers that purchase EVs and hybrid vehicles. Kia evidently wants its vehicles to qualify and is willing to move EV production to the US to make that happen.

    According to The EV Officials, citing South Korean newspaper Maeil Business and TV channel SBS, the Korean automaker could move its EV production to the US as early as 2024.

    Kia is already a popular brand in the US, along with its luxury counterpart Hyundai. Moving EV manufacturing to the US could significantly boost the brand’s popularity even more.

  • California Votes to Ban New Gasoline Vehicle Sales by 2035

    California Votes to Ban New Gasoline Vehicle Sales by 2035

    California has become the first state in the US to ban the sale of new gasoline vehicles, effective 2035.

    According to CNBC, the policy will not prevent owners from utilizing their existing gasoline vehicles, nor will it prevent people from buying and selling used models. Nonetheless, the law is the first to ban the sale of new gasoline vehicles, marking the most aggressive shift toward hydrogen and electric vehicles (EVs) within the US.

    As interim goals, California has stipulated that 35% of new vehicles be battery or hydrogen-powered by 2026 and 68% by 2030. At the same time, the rule would allow up to 20% plug-hybrid sales by 2035, despite such vehicles still having a gasoline engine.

    While some are praising California for taking such a bold step, not everyone is convinced the state is taking the right path or that the infrastructure is ready to support a mass shift to EVs.

    “It’s a worthy goal, but may be unrealistic given the charging infrastructure and likely increasing demand for power,” Brian Moody, executive editor for Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader—Cox Automotive brands, said in a statement to WPN.

    ” While it sounds good on paper, unless there is a stipulation that the power for those electric cars be generated by clean sources, it doesn’t really have teeth. A more graduated approach might be better. It’s concerning that the conversation seems to be an inflexible ‘all or nothing’ approach without fully knowing the impact of battery recycling on a mass scale, as well as the recycling of solar panels. What would it look like if we had a 50% mix of electric and gasoline? As electric cars get more and more affordable, the market will get California to a certain adoption rate organically.”

  • GM Targets 1 Million EVs by 2025

    GM Targets 1 Million EVs by 2025

    GM is continuing its efforts to convert to an electric vehicle (EV) lineup, securing supply lines to help it hit 1 million EVs by 2025.

    Like many automakers, GM has been heavily investing in EV development. At the beginning of the year, the company announced plans to invest $7 billion in four Michigan plants in an effort to speed up EV production. Similarly, CEO Mary Barra said the company could eventually top Tesla in the EV market.

    GM has taken a significant step toward that goal, signing long-term agreements with both LG Chem Ltd and Livent Corp for the materials necessary to create EV batteries.

    Livent will supply GM with battery-grade lithium hydroxide over a six-year period, starting in 2025.

    “We are building a strong, sustainable, scalable and secure supply chain to help meet our fast-growing EV production needs,” said Jeff Morrison, GM vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “We will further localize the lithium supply chain in North America over the course of the agreement. In addition, it is aligned with our approach to responsible sourcing and supply chain management and demonstrates our commitment to strong supplier relationships.”

    “Importantly, GM now has contractual commitments secured with strategic partners for all battery raw material to support our goal of 1 million units of EV capacity by the end of 2025,” added Morrison

    LG Chem, on the other hand, will supply GM with more than 950,000 tons of Cathode Active Material (CAM), starting in the second half of 2022 and continuing through 2030.

    GM is working with both companies to help localize production in North America to the extent possible.

  • Ford May Lay Off 8,000 to Fund EV Development

    Ford May Lay Off 8,000 to Fund EV Development

    Ford may be preparing to lay off 8,000 employees as the automaker pivots to the electric vehicle (EV) market.

    Ford has been working to transition its lineup to hybrid and EVs, with the Mustang Mach-E even toppling Tesla’s Model 3 in Consumer Reports’ ranking. According to Bloomberg, the company is now planning on cutting 8,000 jobs in an effort to help fund its continued EV transition.

    The cuts will primarily be in the Ford Blue unit, the division responsible for internal combustion engine development. There will also be cuts to other salaried positions throughout the company.

    The news is not particularly surprising, with CEO Jim Farley warning the company had too many people.

    “We have too many people,” Farley said in February, at a Wolfe Research auto conference. “This management team firmly believes that our ICE and BEV portfolios are under-earning.”

    Bloomberg reached out to Ford for comment. Although it declined to comment on layoffs, its spokesperson did say the company is continuing to realign to focus on EVs.

    “As part of this, we have laid out clear targets to lower our cost structure to ensure we are lean and fully competitive with the best in the industry,” Chief Communications Officer Mark Truby said in a statement.

  • USPS Poised to Significantly Increase EV Procurement

    USPS Poised to Significantly Increase EV Procurement

    The United States Postal Service (USPS) is poised to more than double the number of electric vehicles (EVs) it plans to procure.

    The USPS plans to purchase new delivery vehicles as part of its modernization efforts.

    The U.S. Postal Service today announced it anticipates adjusting the purchase interval and composition of its delivery fleet. The adjustments reflect refinements to the Postal Service’s overall network modernization, route optimizations, improved facility electric infrastructure, and availability of vehicles and technology. The proposed expanded fleet mix will include purpose built Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDVs) and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) vehicles, and the network adjustments and attendant economies will facilitate substantially increased deployment of battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

    The agency is now planning for BEVs to comprise 50% of new procurements, totaling 25,000 vehicles.

    Now, under the new adjusted scope for the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), the Postal Service proposes to limit its Decision to the 50,000 NGDV already purchased and to raise the minimum NGDV BEV percentage to at least 50 percent.

    The agency’s plans are not surprising given the emphasis the Biden administration has placed on tackling climate change. The procurement will also be a nice boost to the EV industry.

  • Toyota President Objects to Premature EV-Only Transition

    Toyota President Objects to Premature EV-Only Transition

    Automakers around the world are rushing to transition their lineups to electric vehicles (EVs), but Toyota’s President is not a fan of an EV-only approach.

    Toyota President Akio Toyoda believes EVs are overhyped and that a wholesale transition to EV-only lineups will cause more problems than it will solve, according to The Wall Street Journal.

    In particular, Toyoda called out the environmental impact of charging EVs. The executive believes Japan’s current energy grid would collapse under the weight of charging vehicles if the country’s entire fleet of cars was EV-only. He also took aim at the environmental impact of charging EVs since the energy source used to generate electricity still produces carbon.

    “When politicians are out there saying, ‘Let’s get rid of all cars using gasoline,’ do they understand this?” Mr. Toyoda said at a news conference while serving in his capacity as Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Chairman.

    Toyota also expressed concern that such a transition would result in the loss of millions of jobs, saying “the current business model of the car industry is going to collapse” if the government is premature in its efforts to ban gasoline vehicles.

    While Toyoda raises valid concerns, he is in the minority of auto execs, or at least in the minority of those that have publicly weighed in on the transition to EVs.

  • Volkswagen May Have Bitten Off More Than It Can Chew in Race With Tesla

    Volkswagen May Have Bitten Off More Than It Can Chew in Race With Tesla

    Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess is now admitting his goal of toppling Tesla as the world’s number one electric vehicle (EV) automaker by 2025 may be a bit ambitious.

    Diess had previously committed Volkswagen to becoming the world’s number one EV automaker by 2025, counting on the depth of Volkswagen’s lineup to help it achieve that goal. According to Reuters, Dies now admits that it’s going to be a tougher task than he originally anticipated, given the lead Tesla has.

    “It will be a tight race but we won’t give up on it,” Diess said at the FT Future of the Car 2022 conference. “I have to say we didn’t expect our main U.S. competitor to be so fast and well-prepared.”

    Volkswagen’s challenges are not likely to improve anytime soon, with Tesla opening its first Gigafactory in Germany in early 2022.

  • Michigan to Have the First US-Based Wireless EV Charging Road

    Michigan to Have the First US-Based Wireless EV Charging Road

    Driving an electric vehicle (EV) is on the way to becoming less stressful, with the first wireless EV charging road coming to Michigan.

    Range anxiety is one of the biggest impediments to widespread EV adoption. One of the most promising solutions is wireless charging tech embedded in roadways. Much like an HOV lane, users could simply switch to the charging lane, and receive a bill later, or pay a subscription fee.

    Michigan is poised to be the first state to test, tapping Electreon to design and implement the infrastructure for a one-mile section of Detroit road.

    “As we aim to lead the future of mobility and electrification by boosting electric vehicle production and lowering consumer costs, a wireless in-road charging system is the next piece to the puzzle for sustainability,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I am happy to see Michigan lead and keep building on these ground-breaking initiatives creating new business opportunities and high-tech jobs. Together, we will continue growing our economy and putting Michiganders first.”

    We are proud and thankful to be selected by the Michigan Department of Transportation to lead and implement the first wireless electric road system in the United States,” said Stefan Tongur, vice president of Electreon. “We’re excited to be transferring our success in wireless charging for a variety of electric fleets – from cars to buses and heavy-duty trucks – to this innovative project. There’s important work ahead with our partners in Detroit to develop scalable, ‘plug-free’ charging that will future-proof the city’s EV infrastructure.”

  • BMW CEO Not a Fan of EV-Only Strategies

    BMW CEO Not a Fan of EV-Only Strategies

    Automakers may be racing to transition to electric vehicles (EVs), but BMW CEO Oliver Zipse isn’t a fan of that approach.

    Many automakers, from Subaru to Bentley, have committed to EV-only lineups within the next decade or so, but Zipse believes an EV-only strategy may leave automakers vulnerable. In particular, he has concerns the various components required for EV production are under the control of just a few countries, most notably China.

    “When you look at the technology coming out, the EV push, we must be careful because at the same time, you increase dependency on very few countries,” Zipse said, according to Reuters.

    “If someone cannot buy an EV for some reason but needs a car, would you rather propose he continues to drive his old car forever? If you are not selling combustion engines anymore, someone else will,” said Zipse.

    Instead of EV-only, Zipse is a fan of highly efficient combustion engines, which he believes are both environmentally responsible and more viable financially.

  • Canada to Ban Combustion Engine Cars Sales by 2035

    Canada to Ban Combustion Engine Cars Sales by 2035

    Automakers will no longer be able to sell combustion engine passenger cars in Canada, effective 2035, adding to the growing impetus for a full transition to electric vehicles.

    Governments are working to combat climate change, with combustion engine vehicles being one of the biggest, and most visible, means of doing so. Many automakers have committed to phasing out combustion engines by the mid-2030s, and various jurisdictions are moving to require such a transition.

    Canada is the latest to do so, according to Engadget, setting 2035 as the cutoff date for combustion engine car sales. In the meantime, the government has set interim milestones for automakers to meet. Canada wants 20% of new vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2026, increasing to 60% by 2030.

    Ottawa’s larger goal is to reach net zero emissions as a country by 2050, hitting 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.

  • Maserati Commits to Full Electric Lineup by 2025

    Maserati Commits to Full Electric Lineup by 2025

    Maserati is the latest automaker to commit to a fully electric lineup, planning to make the transition by 2025.

    Virtually every automaker is working to transition to electric vehicles. Maserati is looking to carve out a niche for itself as the first Italian luxury brand to make the transition.

    Maserati is the first Italian luxury car brand to produce full-electric models: the Trident is announcing its plans for the market launch of the electric range, Maserati Folgore, and is providing comments on the 2021 sales figures.

    The automaker is coming off of a record year, one in which it saw a 41% year-on-year increase in sales. Maserati clearly wants to build on that success with the electrification of its lineup.

    All Maserati models will come in a 100% electric version by 2025: the MC20 super sports car, the new Quattroporte sport sedan and the all-new full-size Levante SUV will complete the Maserati Folgore offering, to attract the new luxury consumer in all market segments.

    With brands like Maserati making the jump to electric vehicles, the pressure will continue to increase for run-of-the-mill brands that don’t have the performance requirements as an Italian luxury brand.

  • China Exported 500,000 Electric Vehicles in 2021, Leading the World

    China Exported 500,000 Electric Vehicles in 2021, Leading the World

    China is the leading electric vehicle (EV) exporter, exporting some 500,000 units in 2021 alone.

    Western countries have been eying China as the country has taken the lead in manufacturing, 5G, and other industries, and as its GDP continues to grow. There’s now another area where China is leading, namely in the EV export market.

    According to Nikkei Asia, China’s exports were bolstered by affordable models that made their way into Europe and Southeast Asia.

    Automakers around the world are racing to transition to EVs. It remains to be seen, however, if other countries will catch up and overtake China’s lead.

  • Honda and Sony Partnering on Electric Vehicle Efforts

    Honda and Sony Partnering on Electric Vehicle Efforts

    Honda and Sony are working together, forming a new company to sell electric vehicles (EVs) as the entire industry pivots away from gasoline engines.

    Sony showed off its Vision-S SUV at CES 2022, a sleek-looking EV born as a result of the response Sony received from unveiling the Vision-S sedan a year earlier.

    “The excitement we received after we showed off the Vision-S really encouraged us to further consider how we can bring creativity and technology to change the experience of moving from one place to another,” CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said at the time. “This is our new Vision-S SUV. Vision-S has been developed on a foundation of safety, adaptability and entertainment. Safety has been our No. 1 priority in creating a comfortable mobility experience. That has not changed when building this SUV. A total of 40 sensors are installed inside and outside of the vehicle to monitor safety.”

    Sony has found a partner in Honda, a company that has the engineering and manufacturing capabilities to help bring Sony’s vision to life. According to Reuters, the two companies will form a joint venture, with plans to bring EVs to market in 2025.

  • Ford CEO Says the Company Will Not Spin Off EV Division

    Ford CEO Says the Company Will Not Spin Off EV Division

    Ford CEO Jim Farley has told a group of investors the company has no plans to spin off its EV division.

    Ford is going all-in on EVs, determined to compete with Tesla and other dedicated EV makers. The company’s Mustang Mach-E recently dethroned Tesla’s Model 3 as Consumer Reports’ top EV recommendation.

    While some investors were hoping the company would spin off its EV division, Farley has thrown cold water on that idea, according to TheStreet.

    “We have too many people, we have too much investment, we have too much complexity and we don’t have expertise in transitioning our assets,” Farley said. “(But) we have no plans to spin off our electric business or our ICE business.”

    The company’s stock was down on the revelation, but keeping its EV business in-house may pay dividends in the long run.

  • Ford and Volvo Partner With Redwood Materials to Recycle EV Batteries

    Ford and Volvo Partner With Redwood Materials to Recycle EV Batteries

    Startup Redwood Materials is partnering with Ford and Volvo in an effort to recycle electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

    As the move to EVs picks up the pace, one of the biggest challenges is manufacturing new EV batteries, as well as recycling and disposal of old ones. Given the amount of rare-Earth metals in EV batteries, efficient recycling can significantly reduce production costs. Multiple companies are working the problem, including other car manufacturers, such as Nissan.

    Redwood Materials is a US-based startup that is the latest to tackle the issue, in partnership with Ford and Volvo. Beginning in California, the companies are establishing “the most comprehensive electric vehicle battery recycling program.” The program will accept all lithium-ion (Li-ion) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries in California.

    “We will work directly with dealers and dismantlers in California to identify and recover end-of-life packs,” the company says in a statement. “Redwood will then safely package, transport, and recycle these batteries at our facilities in neighboring Northern Nevada, and then return high quality, recycled materials back into domestic cell production. Overtime, as EOL packs scale, we expect these batteries to become valuable assets that will help make EVs more sustainable and affordable.”

    Redwood makes it clear the company welcomes other automakers to join its program and partner with it.