Group14 Tech & StoreDot.
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ENERGY STAR for ABB-E
ABB E-mobility, a leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, announces that it has received the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR certification for DC fast chargers that range from 20 kW up to 180 kW, including chargers that meet the National Electric Infrastructure Program (NEVI) requirements.
This listing assures EV infrastructure site owners and operators that their charging equipment will meet ENERGY STAR program requirements – from public to fleet charging needs – in a wide range of power options.
Additionally, ABB E-mobility’s ENERGY STAR certified chargers can comply with the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Buy America Act rules, making them a perfect fit for state and federal EV charging programs that value domestic manufacturing and energy efficiency.
ElectraMeccanica to Make Volcon Grunt EVO & Runt LT
Volcon Inc. (NASDAQ: VLCN) (“Volcon”), the first all-electric, off-road powersports company, and ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp. (NASDAQ: SOLO) (“ElectraMeccanica”), a designer and manufacturer of electric vehicles revolutionizing the urban driving experience, jointly announced that ElectraMeccanica has been selected for the final assembly of Volcon’s electric UTV, the Stag. This contract expands the previously announced assembly work ElectraMeccanica will do for the Grunt EVO and Runt LT electric motorcycles.
Canoo Leases Factory in OK
Canoo Inc. (NASDAQ: GOEV), a high-tech advanced mobility company has entered into a long-term lease agreement with an affiliate of AFV Partners, a related party, for its recently announced Vehicle Manufacturing Facility in Oklahoma City. Canoo will initially occupy close to 500,000 square feet, with the ability to expand. In phase 1, Canoo expects to employ more than 500 people, ramping teams over the coming months.
“One of the reasons we picked Oklahoma is because it has one of the most amazing work forces in America. They have proven themselves across many industries, including aviation and aero defense, which is why we are excited to announce our second manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City, following our Vehicle Module Manufacturing Facility event on April 5, in Pryor, OK,” said Tony Aquila, Chairman and CEO at Canoo. “I want to thank Mayor Holt and the people of Oklahoma City for welcoming us. I also want to thank Secretary of Commerce Mariska and his team for all their help, as well as Terex leadership for allowing us to get started with our teams prior to the close.”
An existing commercial site with room for expansion on more than 120 acres, Canoo’s Oklahoma City Manufacturing Facility will support a full general and final vehicle assembly line, state-of-the-art robotics, a body shop, paint shop and automated paint line including e-coat and sealing, quality control, complete vehicle testing, validation and more. With an existing training center, and test track, the facility is located within easy proximity to road, rail, and waterways, making it ideal for sophisticated supply chains and manufacturing. This facility will be powered by OG&E and has the flexibility to incorporate renewable energy. Canoo’s recently announced Pryor facility includes renewable energy sources powered by GRDA.
GM Invests in EnergyX
Energy Exploration Technologies Inc. (“EnergyX”) and General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today announced that GM Ventures is leading a $50 million Series B financing round in EnergyX, and has entered into a strategic agreement to develop EnergyX’s lithium extraction and refinery technology. The collaboration is focused on unlocking the North American supply of lithium, a critical material for EV batteries, by using EnergyX’s innovative process to maximize efficiency while improving sustainability for GM’s rapidly scaling EV production.
EnergyX’s direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology portfolio can make lithium metal directly from brine and potentially in anode-ready form for EV batteries, which enables more cost-effective and sustainable lithium recovery to unlock a vast lithium supply chain in North America that may otherwise be unviable.
GM is investing in every stage of the battery supply chain in North America, from raw materials, to processing, to cell components and full battery cell production.
The extensive collaboration between these two American companies includes three key components:
- A technology development program to support commercialization of EnergyX’s advanced DLE and refinery processes, which could complement or replace traditional methods of evaporation ponds
- An agreement enabling GM to access competitive lithium offtakes for GM’s exclusive use in EV production, including material sourced from North and South American mining companies contracted by EnergyX
- Additional strategic financing for lithium production projects in North and South America, using EnergyX’s technology to drive potential supply chain opportunities for GM
In 2022, EnergyX became the first firm to design, build and commission an in-field pilot plant in the Lithium Triangle, which encompasses over 65% of the known global lithium reserves. The company’s LiTAS™ technology increases lithium recovery rates to over 90% from the current industry standard of 30-40% using ponds and hit 94% during their field trials. After a successful five-month pilot program proving the efficacy of the LiTAS™ lithium refinery process, EnergyX will scale those systems to more robust market demonstration plants located at five regional test beds in North and South America, followed by full-scale commercialization.
This new round of financing, funded by GM and other investors, helps solidify EnergyX as one of the world leaders in DLE technology and will also enable the company to broaden its research and development efforts for pure lithium metal anodes and its solid-state lithium metal battery program, SoLiS™. Amid building a 40,000-square-foot innovation and manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas, to house its growing operation, EnergyX currently counts over 50 employees and will increase that number to 100 in the coming months.
InductEV Moves to New Plant in PA
InductEV (the “Company”, formerly Momentum Dynamics) recently announced a move to a new headquarters facility as it prepares to substantially ramp production in response to accelerating customer demand. The new 50,600SF facility at 660 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, PA offers significantly expanded and higher quality office and engineering space, and will allow InductEV to build a true state-of-the-art lab and innovation center.
Group14 Tech IOS 9001 Certified
Group14 Technologies, a global manufacturer and supplier of advanced silicon battery technology, announced that it has earned ISO 9001 certification for its commercial Battery Active Materials factory (BAM-1) in Woodinville, WA. A critical component in Group14’s global manufacturing roadmap, this milestone underscores the company’s commitment to quality, validating its ability to effectively meet demand for high-performing battery materials from customers including automaker Porsche AG and lithium-ion battery innovator Amperex Technology Limited (ATL).
ISO 9001 outlines the quality management principles to which more than one million companies and organizations across the world can be certified to ensure consistent, high-quality production. As Group14 continues to build factories for advanced silicon battery technology in the U.S., Asia and beyond, ISO 9001 will continue to be a priority to meet the highest quality management standards required by its customers.
Most recently, Group14 began construction on its second commercial domestic factory, BAM-2, in Moses Lake, WA. Slated to come online in 2024, BAM-2’s campus will be home to the world’s largest factory of advanced silicon battery materials, offering 20 GW of silicon battery capacity annually to start. As Group14 continues to ramp up production, this certification enhances its reliability as a supplier for high-demand sectors today including EVs, as well as emerging sectors such as electric aviation.
Group14 is working with customers representing 90 percent of worldwide lithium battery production for electric vehicles. Its flagship technology, SCC55TM, is already in smartphones with batteries manufactured by ATL today, and is expected to be in Porsche electric vehicles in 2024.
StoreDot Making Silicon Batteries Soon
StoreDot, the pioneer of extreme fast charging (XFC) battery technology will soon be manufacturing silicon batteries that enable car makers to design and produce cheaper, lighter and more sustainable EVs.
With the optimal driver experience of extreme fast charging in mind, StoreDot’s technology has reached sufficient charging and discharging cycles that it will enable vehicle manufacturers to include a smaller battery pack. Smaller packs with XFC translate into improved EV specifications including better car efficiency, increased utilization of regenerative braking, reduced carbon footprint and lower costs. As a result, such affordable and lighter EVs will serve a broader audience and further enhance the adoption and transition to EVs.
StoreDot is now on track to deliver its 100in5 silicon-dominant extreme fast charging batteries to EV OEMs by next year. This transformative technology will deliver 100 miles, or 160 km of range in just five minutes of charge. As a result, EV drivers will no longer need to worry about the range between charges, or charging times, allowing car makers to re-evaluate the specifications of electric vehicles. With StoreDot’s XFC technology, OEMs will be able to optimize a vehicle’s weight and cost, rather than pushing for ever greater range and battery size.
Downsizing from an average premium vehicle requiring an 80kWh to a 50kWh battery pack could save approximately 200kg from the EV’s weight (the equivalent weight of 3-4 people) and importantly, could reduce the build cost of the car by $4,500, depending on metal cost fluctuations and energy density improvements*. The environmental impact of such a design change will be highly significant too as it will lower amount of raw materials used in each vehicle, reducing its EV carbon footprint throughout its lifecycle. XFC in smaller packs also means efficient regenerative braking as it can accommodate the corresponding recuperated high currents.
StoreDot’s groundbreaking XFC battery cells are now being tested by over 15 global automotive manufacturers, while the company continues to develop its manufacturing partnerships on a global scale.