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Shell Buys Volta
Volta Inc. (NYSE: VLTA) announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement under which Shell USA Inc., a subsidiary of Shell plc (NYSE: SHEL), will acquire Volta in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $169 million. The transaction brings Volta’s powerful dual
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Shell USA Inc. will acquire all outstanding shares of Class A common stock of Volta at $0.86 per share in cash upon completion of the merger, which represents an approximate 18 percent premium to the closing price of Volta stock on January 17, 2023, the last full trading day prior to the announcement of the transaction.
Big Order for Tritium
Global demand for Tritium products continues to grow, as evidenced by the latest order from bp (NYSE: BP), the Company’s largest order from a single customer in its history. This is bp’s second major order from the Company, following an initial order announced alongside the bp multi-year global framework contract in April 2022.
Tritium began its lease of a factory in Tennessee in March 2022, fit out the facility over five months with the first of six planned production lines operational in July, and held a grand opening in August. During the 2022 calendar year, the Company made meaningful upfront investments in raw materials, equipment, and the recruitment of more than 200 employees for the Tennessee facility. Tennessee will continue to scale over the course of 2023, producing the Company’s chargers at a rate of efficiency previously not achievable.
The production ramp-up in 2023 is expected to produce a total projected output of at least 11,000 units for the calendar year 2023. Calendar year 2024 is expected to benefit from the full year impact of 2023 initiatives: a production run rate at scale, the transition to the planned streamlined modular product suite, new products to be launched in 2023, continued improved pricing, and operational efficiencies across supply chains, logistics, and services.
“Tritium remains focused on maintaining and growing our enviable global fast charger market share through designing, selling, building, and servicing world-class chargers,” said Tritium CEO Jane Hunter. “2022 was a foundational year, putting many of the building blocks in place to deliver our long-term competitive strategy, while still achieving record revenue and sales. With the listing of the Company on the Nasdaq, opening the Tennessee factory, securing the world’s best customers, and rounding out our talented management team, Tritium is better positioned than ever to capitalize on the opportunities ahead.”
Wildcat & BMW Work on High Energy Cathode
Wildcat Discovery Technologies, a global leader in accelerating battery innovation, announced an agreement with BMW Group (BMW: DE) to jointly develop the next-generation Wildcat high energy cathode.
The Wildcat cathode, a key component of Wildcat’s recently announced battery “supercell”, will help car makers deliver greater driving range by achieving energy densities ~25% higher than the best cathodes in vehicles today. The novel Wildcat cathode contains no nickel or cobalt, which are viewed to be challenging in terms of sustainability as well as price volatility.
Beyond the joint development agreement with BMW, Wildcat’s consortium of strategic partners also includes Koch Disruptive Technologies and Eastman Kodak, who along with BMW are contributing both financially and technically to the new cathode development effort. Wildcat, working with its development partners, plans to commercialize the new EV battery cathode material in the coming several years.///
Freightliner e Cascadias Recieved by Schneider
Schneider (NYSE: SNDR), a premier multimodal provider of transportation, intermodal and logistics services, announced that the first of its new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has arrived in Southern California.
The delivery of the first of almost 100 Freightliner eCascadias Schneider will receive from Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) is a highly anticipated moment for the carrier. Schneider anticipates the BEVs will be fully operational by the end of 2023, positioning the company to become one of the largest battery electric truck fleets in North America.
The eCascadias will join Schneider’s Southern California Intermodal operations. To power the BEVs, Schneider is constructing 16 charging stations.
The company looks forward to offering its customers the option to use a cleaner mode of shipping – pairing electric trucks with intermodal services results in a method of freight transportation with extremely low carbon emissions.
The eCascadias have the potential to avoid over 81,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per day. Over the course of a year, that is equivalent to removing 2,400 gas-powered cars from the road.
Battery electric trucks are a crucial component in Schneider’s efforts to reach its sustainability goals of reducing CO2 per-mile emissions by 7.5% by 2025 and 60% by 2035. Schneider has already achieved more than half of its 2025 goal by reducing per-mile emissions by 5%. Battery electric trucks will help move the company even further toward these goals.
Schneider has long been committed to improving the sustainability of freight transportation. The company is regularly recognized by third parties and customers for those efforts. For example, Schneider has received the SmartWay Excellence Award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) every year since the award’s inception. It was also awarded the PepsiCo Asset Sustainability Carrier of the Year in 2021 due to more than 20 years of service and actionable sustainability commitments in support of the international food and beverage company.//
Counterspark Launched
-Counterspark, a consumer-empowering, solutions-oriented nonprofit organization, launched its new brand today to give individuals the tools they need to make an impact in accelerating the clean energy transition. The revamped 501(c)(4) organization will build momentum for policies and projects that significantly expand use of clean energy and electrified transportation, with the goal of advancing a vision of the future that has clean air, a safe climate, and a thriving economy.
UL & CATL
UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science, and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), a global leader of new energy innovative technologies, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic cooperation to help create the safer deployment and use of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Pursuant to the MoU, UL Solutions is offering insight into the qualification of CATL’s battery laboratory to become a UL Solutions Witnessed Test Data Program (WTDP) facility to test to UL 9540A, the Standard for Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems. UL Solutions product evaluations typically involve testing product samples. Through this agreement, WTDP tests may be conducted at CATL test facilities under the supervision of UL Solutions personnel, helping to improve efficiency and shorten the time to market for battery product certification and testing.
As the first laboratory in China to launch the UL Solutions WTDP initiative for UL 9540A, CATL’s energy storage system laboratory offers testing capabilities by UL Solutions through the WTDP designation. It has already been qualified by UL Solutions to test to UL 1973, the Standard for Batteries for Use in Stationary and Motive Auxiliary Power Applications, UL 9540, the Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment and UL 2580, the Standard for Batteries for Use in Electric Vehicles.
EnerOne, CATL’s flagship outdoor liquid cooling battery system, and EnerC, CATL’s containerized liquid-cooling battery system, also received the latest version of UL 9540A test reports, making CATL the first company in China to complete critical cell, module, unit and installation level tests from UL Solutions.
Rivian & Clearloop
Rivian, an American builder of all-electric trucks, SUVs and commercial vehicles, and Clearloop, the carbon solutions platform helping to expand access to clean energy in the American communities that can benefit the most, held a “first charge” event today to unveil Rivian’s new Waypoints electric vehicle (EV) charging site in Paris, Tennessee. This event follows Clearloop and Rivian’s previously announced partnership to support the development of one megawatt (MW) of the Paris Solar Farm project developed, owned, and operated by Silicon Ranch, Clearloop’s parent company, in Puryear, TN. Rivian’s Waypoints chargers across Tennessee will be powered by 100 percent carbon-free renewable energy.
By sharing a common approach based on emissionality to determine where new solar generation can displace the most carbon, Rivian and Clearloop are working together to expand access to clean energy in the communities that can benefit the most. Solar power currently makes up less than 1 percent of Tennessee’s total electricity mix, while 16 percent of electricity in California comes from solar, for example. As a result, a megawatt-hour of electricity in Tennessee emits around 32 percent more carbon than a megawatt-hour in Northern California, according to WattTime, a non-profit that tracks the carbon emissions that renewables avoid.
New Super Cooling of VW ID.7
Air conditioning systems are an integral part of modern cars and ensure pleasant temperatures in all seasons. Volkswagen goes one step further in the new ID.7 and for the first time uses an air conditioning system that performs faster cooling or heating of the vehicle interior before the start of a journey. Among other things, this is made possible by electronically controlled air vents that distribute the air throughout the vehicle interior as soon as the driver approaches with the key. The new, smart automated air conditioning system also reacts to voice commands and takes into account the position of the sun as well as individual user preferences. The result is an increase in comfort with which the new electric saloon will set standards in its class.
With a camouflaged concept vehicle, Volkswagen provided a first glimpse of the new ID.7 at the world’s largest consumer electronics show, the CES in Las Vegas. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Brand Board of Management responsible for Development: “With the ID.7, we are underlining our goal to offer intelligent technologies and customer-oriented innovations in the high-volume premium mid-size segment.”
“Smart air vents” react quickly and function like fans
The ID.7 can activate the air conditioning before passengers get into the vehicleThe vehicle interior is cooled on hot days and heated when it is cold. If the door is opened in conditions with high outside temperatures, smart air vents in the cockpit distribute the air quickly over a large area by means of dynamic horizontal movements. When the passengers are seated in the car, the air flow can beredirected straight at the body or used for indirect ventilation of the interior space, according to the preference. The ID.7 is the first Volkswagen model with such an intelligent control system.
Strong focus on user-friendly operation
The climate control function is located on the uppermost operating level of the new 38-centimetre (15-inch) infotainment display of the ID.7. This means that it is always visible and can be activated by simple tapof a finger. Using the clear air conditioning context menu, all smart air vents can be digitally controlled at the outlets. The strength and direction of air movements can be adjusted intuitively and saved individually. The temperature can be controlled by means of backlit touch sliders.
Digitally controlled air conditioning system reacts to voice commands
The digitally controlled air conditioning system can be activated by voice control. Special wishes are stored as “Smart Climates”. For example, a program is selected that activates the steering wheel heating if the command “Hello Volkswagen, my hands are cold” is spoken. This will initiate warm air directed at the hands on the steering wheel for around five minutes.
Air conditioning according to personal preferences
The individual user preferences are saved as “Personalisations” in the ID.7. This includes the settings made for the automatic air conditioning system. This is especially practical if the vehicle will be used by multiple drivers..
First VW model with detection of the sun’s position
When the automatic function is activated, the smart system reacts to its climatic surroundings. For example, a sensor in the area of the windscreen detects the incident angle of the sunlight in conditions with high outside temperatures and high solar intensity. If the sun is shining strongly onto one side of the vehicle, the ID.7 adapts the air conditioning to an even greater extent for the warmer zones: first towards the respective area of the vehicle interior, and then in a second step specifically towards the vehicle occupants.
BMW & Solid Power
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 its Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf near Munich.
The broadened relationship provides significant benefits to both companies, including conducting complementary cell development and manufacturing activities at both Solid Power and the BMW Group to further advance all-solid-state cell design and manufacturing know-how.
Prior to the installation of the BMW Group’s prototype line, the BMW Group’s personnel will work hand-in-hand with Solid Power to optimize cell manufacturing processes.
“Expanding our relationship with BMW is further evidence that both companies believe in Solid Power’s technology development and the value of solid-state batteries. We look forward to working side-by-side with BMW’s world-class battery team,” said David Jansen, Interim CEO, President and Chair of Solid Power.
As next step in the long term industrialisation time line, Solid Power plans to deliver full scale automotive cells to BMW Group for testing purposes in 2023.
A first BMW demonstrator vehicle featuring ASSB technology is planned before 2025.
GPA Proof of Concept for Battery Passport
The Global Battery Alliance (“GBA”), the world’s largest multi-stakeholder organisation to establish a sustainable battery value chain by 2030, today launched the proof of concept for its Battery Passport at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos.
The Battery Passport is key to facilitating the rapid scaling of sustainable, circular and responsible battery value chains to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement through electrification of the transport and power sectors. It has been developed over three years by the GBA’s members, who span the global battery value chain from the mine to recycling, including Audi, BASF, CATL, Eurasian Resources Group, Glencore, LG Energy Solution, Umicore, Tesla, Volkswagen AG, and IT solution providers as well as leading non-governmental and international organisations including IndustriALL Global Union, Pact, Transport & Environment, UNEP, UNICEF and many others, with the support of Government institutions like the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and Natural Resources Canada.
Batteries are the key to unlocking the energy transition. At the same time, batteries are material- and resource-intensive with inevitable social and environmental impacts throughout the value chain. This includes greenhouse gas emissions during material sourcing, processing and manufacturing of batteries and issues of child labour and human rights violations. Bringing transparency to battery value chains through the introduction of the battery passport is a critical step towards establishing sustainable battery value chains in a rapidly growing industry.
The Battery Passport is the GBA’s flagship initiative, establishing a digital twin of a physical battery that conveys information about all applicable sustainability and lifecycle requirements based on a comprehensive definition of a sustainable battery. It will bring new levels of transparency to the global battery value chain by collecting, exchanging, collating and reporting trusted data among all lifecycle stakeholders on the material provenance, the battery’s chemical make-up and manufacturing history and its sustainability performance.
The GBA’s Battery Passport is unique as it is a key instrument to implement a global vision of sustainable, responsible and circular battery value chains, based on data that is standardized, comparable and auditable. Its ultimate goal is to provide end-users with a quality seal based on the battery’s sustainability performance, according to reporting rules agreed by stakeholders from industry, academia, non-governmental organisations and government.
For the first time, the GBA has unveiled the illustrative results of its Battery Passport proof of concept at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos. Publicly available on the Global Battery Alliance’s website, the prototype battery passports include example data from Audi and Tesla and their value chains partners relating to the battery’s technical specifications, material provenance, and reporting against key sustainability performance indicators (please note the disclaimer). This includes partial reporting of the battery’s carbon footprint, and child labour and human rights performance, according to rulebooks developed by members of the Global Battery Alliance for select materials, as well as information on the data collection across different steps of the value chains. By establishing this proof of concept, the Global Battery Alliance and its members are demonstrating how, by putting this data in the hands of end-users, the Passport will enable customers to make more informed purchasing decisions and drive sustainable sourcing, processing and manufacturing practices in the industry in the future.
Building on the ground-breaking efforts of the Global Battery Alliance, the concept of a Battery Passport has already been endorsed at the 2021 G7 Leaders’ Meeting, in the EU Battery Regulation and by the Canadian and U.S. administrations. A Battery Passport will become a mandatory requirement in the EU by 2026 with other regions likely to follow, which makes the launch of the GBA’s Battery Passport more important than ever to provide a globally harmonized framework for sustainability performance in the future.
Following the successful launch of the proof of concept, the GBA will continue evolving the battery passport architecture, including the development of a comprehensive and streamlined indicator framework. The members of the GBA will work jointly on developing rules and mechanisms for performance scoring, data governance, assurance and verification, including of IT instruments. Once completed, this will allow for batteries to be benchmarked against the GBA’s verifiable definition of a sustainable and responsible battery in the future, identifying those that are best and worst in class and tracking progress in the industry through the issuance of a GBA quality seal for batteries.