VW Axes ID.7 Sedan in US for Now
Volkswagen is committed to making market-driven choices while listening to our customers. As market dynamics continue to change, Volkswagen is delaying the introduction of the ID.7 sedan in the U.S. and Canada.
In Europe, the ID.7 has been on sale since 2023 and has become an industry standard, winning various international awards and comparison tests. After the introduction of the ID.7 Tourer, customer demand for the models is higher than expected, especially in Germany.
In North America, the brand experienced strong sales in Q1, with 27.5% growth, driven by its SUV segment. We remain committed to electric mobility—this year we have enhanced the range and performance on our all-electric 2024 ID.4 SUV, and we are thrilled to welcome the iconic Microbus back into our lineup with the arrival of the 2025 ID. Buzz in Q4.
Amerit Fleet Maintenance for Shyft Group
The Shyft Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHYF), the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets, has signed an agreement with Amerit Fleet Solutions to provide 24/7 maintenance and support services for Blue Arc™ EV trucks across the U.S.
“We’re committed to keeping the customer at the center of all we do,” said John Dunn, President and CEO of The Shyft Group. “As we transition to EV technology, we’re focused on ensuring a seamless experience for our last-mile customers and drivers. Our comprehensive service model includes onsite dealer service, access to our Blue Arc EV Tech Support team, a proven parts ordering system, and now, Amerit’s 24/7 EV Fleet Maintenance program to minimize downtime and keep fleets on the road.”
Blue Arc EVs will soon be available through a select network of dealerships, each staffed by technicians trained and certified by Shyft’s Blue Arc engineering team, ensuring customers can conveniently service their vehicles at dealership garages. Complementing this dealer network, Shyft’s dedicated in-house tech support team—comprising over 30 certified technicians and engineers—specializes in vehicle development, validation, and testing to maintain high service standards at all touchpoints.
Moreover, Shyft’s integrated service and parts solution ensures that high-quality parts are readily available, simplifying maintenance and repairs. Together with Amerit Fleet Solutions’ network of mobile technicians, the Shyft Group’s comprehensive support network helps facilitate continuous fleet operation and maximum vehicle uptime.
“We’re confident in the design and performance of our Blue Arc EV truck,” said Eric Fisher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Shyft Innovations. “Our commitment to commercial-grade performance, built on Shyft’s 50-year history in last-mile delivery vehicles, enabled us to secure a roster of Tier 1 automotive suppliers for critical vehicle systems and subsystems that allow us to confidently meet customers’ expectations and deliver a one-of-a-kind solution.”
The Blue Arc platform features one of the industry’s first truly commercial-grade, purpose-built EV chassis, with every subsystem and aspect designed for demanding commercial vehicle duty cycles. Tier 1 suppliers including Akebono, Bosch, Dana, Hendrickson, and Modine, provide best-in-class solutions to the purpose-built chassis.
The Shyft Group recently secured an initial order of 150 Blue Arc EV Trucks from FedEx for its U.S. pickup and delivery fleet, reflecting a shared commitment to reducing carbon emissions. During testing on last-mile routes in Memphis, the Blue Arc truck operated 8-10 hour routes under challenging conditions, with temperatures ranging from 95 to 105°F. The vehicle’s reliability and ability to regenerate 20-30 kW of power through its regenerative braking system underscore its commercial readiness.
Group 14 Molicel Breakthrough
Group14 Technologies, Inc., the world’s largest global manufacturer and supplier of advanced silicon battery materials, was named as the silicon battery material manufacturer enabling “breakthrough performance” in Molicel’s ultra-high-power P50B lithium-ion battery cells.
“Thanks to Group14’s SCC55®, Molicel’s P50B™ can have a similar life cycle range to iron-phosphate batteries, but with double the power density and half the charge times of the best cylindrical lithium-ion batteries on the market today,” said Dr. Lester Yeh, head of Research & Development at Molicel. “Group14’s SCC55® silicon battery material has enabled our latest ultra-high performance P-Series battery cells.”
Group14’s SCC55® advanced silicon battery material has made Molicel’s performance breakthrough possible, Yeh confirmed this week in a presentation at the Advanced Automotive Battery Conference in Strasbourg, France. The Molicel INR-21700-P50B battery was first announced at CES 2024, and described as the “groundbreaking innovation of ultra-high power cells that push the boundaries of performance,” most notably for EV hypercars and eVTOL applications.
“The transformational performance improvement in the Molicel P50B battery, powered by Group14’s SCC55®, represents today’s state-of-the-art rechargeable battery,” said Dr. Rick Costantino, CTO and co-founder of Group14. “Molicel is a best-in-class partner for Group14, helping accelerate the transition to electrification with silicon batteries.”
Group14 is rapidly scaling its global manufacturing capabilities worldwide. The company’s advanced battery active materials (BAM) factory already manufactures and has delivered large-scale shipments of SCC55® to more than 100 customers representing 95% of worldwide lithium-ion battery production. A second factory in Moses Lake, Washington, is planned to start production later in 2024 and is expected to be the world’s largest for advanced silicon battery materials with an initial annual capacity of 4,000 tons of SCC55® or 20 GWh of silicon battery material. The first manufacturing module from Group14’s joint venture with SK, Inc. in South Korea is currently being commissioned and will have a nameplate manufacturing capacity of 2,000 tons of SCC55®, equivalent to 10 GWh of silicon battery capacity annually.
EV Connect & bp pulse
With 5.7 million electric vehicles (EVs) anticipated to be used in fleet applications by 2025, EV Connect, a leading EV charging business platform, and bp pulse, a global leader in charging infrastructure for fleets and public charging, announced a collaboration to bring key capabilities of Omega, bp pulse’s EV charge management software, to the EV Connect platform. Tailored to the diverse charging requirements and duty cycles of EV fleets, Omega delivers a comprehensive managed charging solution that integrates state-of-the-art charging management technology from EV Connect and bp pulse into a new, comprehensive fleet offering.
With bp pulse and EV Connect’s Omega integration, fleet operators can focus on their core business while Omega orchestrates charging schedules, prioritizes charging based on fleet needs, and enables real-time insights for informed decision-making, whether charging at depots, on the go, or at driver homes. The collaboration between bp pulse and EV Connect gives fleet operators greater control over charging infrastructure while reducing costs associated with energy consumption and providing detailed historical data for further optimization.
“At bp pulse, we remain steadfast in our mission to simplify electrification for diverse fleets, and collaborating with EV Connect on this endeavor marks an exciting milestone, expanding our scope to deliver turnkey solutions for fleet operators industry-wide,” said Sujay Sharma, CEO of bp pulse Americas. “Our shared goal is to provide fleet customers with a comprehensive solution that addresses all aspects of their charging needs—no matter the location. This collaboration allows us to combine our unique offerings into one cohesive platform.”
Omega orchestrates EV charging to optimize cost-effective charging for fleets, while the EV Connect platform focuses on managing financial transactions, particularly in commercial fleet settings. This includes fleet operations in which drivers bring vehicles home, requiring private chargers with simple reimbursement options. By combining the capabilities of Omega and the EV Connect platform, fleet operators, including those in government, municipal, logistics, services, and sales sectors, can expect improved efficiency and optimization of their charging stations while empowering fleet managers with precise control over when and how their vehicles are charged, optimizing for factors like energy cost, power constraints, vehicle readiness, and operational efficiency.
“This collaboration between EV Connect and bp pulse brings unparalleled expertise in the electric vehicle charging industry, opening doors to elevate our fleet management capabilities and deliver cutting-edge solutions that set new standards for both of our customers,” said Jon Leicester, Vice President and Head of Commercial at EV Connect. “By integrating our platforms, we can offer a comprehensive management solution that caters to fleet operators looking to optimize electric fleet efficiency like never before.”
EV Connect is the conduit to accelerating EV charging business growth with technology and tools that drive innovation to fuel new business models in e-mobility. To learn more about how EV Connect is helping businesses of all sizes unlock the power of EV charging business models, please visit www.evconnect.com.
Hyundai Motor Hydrogen Vision
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor) shared its hydrogen vision and introduced its U.S. clean logistics business powered by the company’s Class 8 XCIENT Fuel Cell electric truck at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo 2024.
The company is exhibiting the XCIENT Fuel Cell truck and fuel cell system, along with digital exhibits, demonstrating the vehicle enhancement concept and its hydrogen value chain technologies, from May 20–23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Building a hydrogen society roadmap
At Hyundai Motor’s press conference, Ken Ramirez, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor, highlighted the company’s commitment to building a hydrogen society. He spoke about the true value of hydrogen and how Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) is leveraging its affiliates’ cross-industry capabilities spanning the entire hydrogen value chain — from hydrogen production and storage to logistics, transport and diverse applications — to realize the company’s vision for a hydrogen society.
Earlier this year, Hyundai Motor announced a vision for the HTWO brand’s expanding role in the hydrogen value chain, signaling that it will be the catalyst for a global energy transition. Hyundai Motor aims to realize its vision for a hydrogen society by leveraging the Group’s integrated capabilities across various industries.
“Our HTWO brand’s expanding role reflects Hyundai’s unique reach beyond mobility into an integrated hydrogen value chain to lead the global energy transition,” Ramirez said. “We are like no other energy company with roots deeply grounded in mobility – and we are like no other mobility company with branches so far reaching into energy. Our mission has always been clear: leverage our strengths in both mobility and energy sectors to realize our vision for a hydrogen society.”
Joining the presentation, Jim Park, Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business Development at Hyundai Motor North America, detailed the company’s rollout of its Class 8 XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks in key U.S. hydrogen logistics projects, including the NorCAL ZERO Project and Clean Logistics Project as further proof of the company’s commitment.
Last year through the NorCAL ZERO Project, Hyundai Motor deployed 30 XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks at the Port of Oakland and Port of Richmond to haul freight containers and vehicles, marking the single largest commercial deployment of Class 8 heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks in North America. In Georgia, the company is working on the Clean Logistics Project at its Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), to decarbonize the company’s production facility.
“This landmark port decarbonization initiative in California serves as a prime example of how hydrogen trucks are paving the way towards sustainable future logistics,” Park said. “By replicating the success of NorCAL ZERO and tailoring it to specific customer needs, we at Hyundai aim to create a worldwide network of clean, hydrogen-powered operations.”
Hyundai Motor is actively working to decarbonize its captive logistics through the Clean Logistics Project. This year, the company will take a significant step by deploying XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks to its facility in Georgia. This deployment will begin Hyundai Motor’s efforts to reduce emissions from its internal logistics operations.
More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at:
ChargePoint Partners with Airbnb
ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), and Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB) today announced a partnership to meet a growing demand in EV charging from Airbnb guests. The partnership aims to make it easier for Airbnb hosts in the United States to install EV chargers at their listings and expand access to EV chargers across the U.S.
“With Airbnb, we are enabling more EV charging for drivers where they need it and helping Airbnb hosts appeal to more travelers by delivering a frictionless charging experience for their guests,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO at ChargePoint. “Through this partnership, we have created an innovative model to deliver integrated charging solutions and services.”
Effective immediately, ChargePoint will enable Airbnb hosts in the U.S. to purchase and install EV charging in a hassle-free, affordable manner. The package, exclusively offered to Airbnb hosts, includes a dedicated website offering ChargePoint hardware, charger management software, installation, and support services. For Airbnb guests, the arrangement will allow them to seamlessly charge their vehicle using the ChargePoint app, while staying at an Airbnb listing with a ChargePoint charger or at any of the more than 917,000 places to charge accessible through the ChargePoint network and roaming partners.
As EV adoption continues to scale, charging has evolved from a perk to a coveted amenity for the Airbnb community. According to Airbnb data, listings that offer an EV charger are booked for more nights and generate more income on average, when compared to listings without an EV charger.1 Airbnb searches for listings with EV chargers grew more than 80 percent from 2022 to 2023. Similarly, ChargePoint data shows that its North American drivers spent more than 79 million hours charging in residential settings in 2023.
“We are thrilled to join forces with ChargePoint to help Hosts meet growing demand for electric vehicle chargers from guests. By making it more affordable for Hosts to install EV chargers, we are empowering them to take ore sustainable actions and appeal to guests who are interested in this amenity,” said Ameet Konkar, Airbnb’s Director of Sustainability.
Vitesco Tech EMR3s for Honda
Vitesco Technologies, a leading international supplier of modern drive technologies and electrification solutions, will deliver its EMR3 (Electronics Motor Reducer, 3rd Generation) integrated axle drive to Honda for its all-new CR-V e:FCEV that will be marketed in the U.S. and in Japan later in the year. It is the first time that a Vitesco Technologies’ drive system is integrated into a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). Along with the axle drive, Honda will install Vitesco Technologies’ fuel cell stack bypass valve to control the air flow to and from the fuel cell. This bypass valve is based on decades of experience with combustion engine air flow management which now proves to be instrumental for state-of-the-art fuel cell systems.
While the production numbers of the CR-V e:FCEV will probably not match those of other CR-V models, the vehicle is highly innovative: It combines a long range and quick re-fueling of an electric vehicle with a fuel cell system with the option to drive up to 60 kilometers purely electric with power from the 17,7 kWh high-voltage battery. In addition, the driver has a 110 V electric outlet in the car to supply electric devices with up to 1,500 W consumption. Thus, the vehicle can become a clean power source during power outages as well as for outdoor recreational activities.
Vitesco Technologies’ EMR3 axle drive is a platform that integrates up to three drive system components in one unit: Electric motor, power electronics and reducer. For the Honda e:FCEV Vitesco Technologies will deliver an electric motor and power electronics version without reducer. Owed to very compact dimensions, low weight, high efficiency, and ease of vehicle integration, the EMR3 is one of the most successful Tier1 axle drive systems on the market. By the end of March 2024 more than 900,000 EMR3 Vitesco Technologies units were delivered to many brands and models worldwide.
The EMR3 version for the CR-V e:FCEV was jointly developed by experts in Europe, China and Japan. In the Honda SUV it pushes out 174 horsepower and offers 229 lb.-ft. peak torque. With a full hydrogen tank the vehicle is expected to have a range of over 600 kilometers plus an additional purely electric range of more than 60 kilometers. Manufacturing of the EMR3 has commenced at the Vitesco Technologies site in Tianjin, China.
ADS-TEC for Porsche
ADS-TEC Energy (NASDAQ: ADSE) has entered into a service partnership with Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. With the signing of the agreement, ADS-TEC Energy, the developer and manufacturer of ultra-fast charging systems, becomes the recommended service provider for the charging platforms.
ADS-TEC Energy will provide services using its infrastructure and personnel on-site in Europe and North America. Approximately 500 Porsche centers in Europe, the USA and Canada are already charging their portfolio of EVs using ADS-TEC Energy’s ChargeBox. Increasingly, Porsche dealerships are also offering their customers the convenience of fast charging using ChargeBox.
“The strengthening and deepening of our cooperation with Porsche, through this comprehensive international service partnership in Europe and North America, is a valuable vote of confidence in us,” says Thomas Speidel, CEO of ADS-TEC Energy. “This long-term cooperation offers significant advantages to both sides, taking advantage of the reliable, high-performance of our fast-charging systems. High charging power and availability are important for EV drivers as we advance the transition to electric mobility.”
Redwood Materials to Recyle Ultium Batteries for GM
Redwood Materials is now working with Ultium Cells LLC—the joint battery cell manufacturing venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution— to recycle production scrap from both their Warren, Ohio and Spring Hill, Tennessee facilities. Materials to be recycled include cathode and anode material as well as cell scrap.
Ultium Cells’ two facilities are each 2.8 million-square-feet operations that expect to produce more than 80 GWh combined of battery cells annually, with Redwood receiving the majority of the scrap from its manufacturing process. Ultium is already shipping material from Gigafactories in Ohio and Tennessee and the company has a third facility under construction in Michigan. With this latest collaboration, Redwood now has contracts with most of North America’s
battery cell manufacturers.
Despite tremendously efficient production rates, cell manufacturing still experiences a 5-10% scrap rate on average. This equates to daily truckloads full of material, and ~10,000 tons of material annually, for Redwood to recycle and remanufacture into critical battery components for cell manufacturing.
Redwood is redefining sustainability in battery material production at its Northern Nevada campus. Compared to traditional methods of processing mined ore into battery-grade materials, Redwood’s approach is significantly more sustainable. Redwood uses 80% less energy, generates 70% less CO2 emissions, and requires 80% less water, setting new standards in resource efficiency.
The hydrometallurgy facility, the first commercial-scale nickel “mine” to open in the United States in a decade, not only recycles battery manufacturing scrap into raw nickel and cobalt but also stands as the only commercial-scale source of lithium supply to come online in the U.S. in decades. Unlike traditional mining projects that often take over a decade to become operational, we built and activated our facility in less than a quarter of the time.
According to Stanford, Redwood’s process achieves at least 40% fewer emissions than other recyclers. What’s more—it’s scalable. We can process over 40,000 metric tons (about 15-20 GWh) annually and are expanding by the day.
As part of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, Ultium Cells and Redwood were both selected by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) to jumpstart critical battery materials and cell production domestically.
Mitsubishi Electric Corp, Mobility & Aisin Joint Venture
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Mobility Corporation and Aisin Corporation announced today the three companies have reached a basic agreement to establish a joint venture company to handle products for next-generation electric vehicles (EVs)
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Mobility Corporation (Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Electric Mobility are collectively referred to as “Mitsubishi Electric Group.”) and Aisin Corporation (TOKYO and NAGOYA) announced today the three companies have reached a basic agreement to establish a joint venture (the “JV”) company to handle products for next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) (the “Transaction”).
The JV will succeed to part of Mitsubishi Electric Mobility’s business, and will develop, produce and sell traction motors, power converters (inverters, etc.) and their control software, which will be optimized for vehicles and relevant systems and used in next-generation EVs, including battery EVs (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). The relevant parties will leverage its respective strengths and respond to the diversifying needs for vehicle electrification, ultimately to contribute to global carbon neutrality.
The Mitsubishi Electric Group has strengths in power electronics technologies such as power devices and inverters, motor technologies and control optimization technologies. Mitsubishi Electric Mobility, which is engaged in the automotive equipment business, possesses expertise in vehicle electrification for hybrid vehicles (PHEVs, HEVs) and is addressing needs in the vehicle electrification market growing rapidly due to acceleration of carbon neutrality initiatives, creating synergies with new partners and expanding its product lineup for diversifying EV systems.
AISIN offers a full lineup of electric units that drive all types of EVs, including BEVs, PHEVs, and HEVs, and provides them to customers around the world through BluE Nexus*, thereby contributing to improved power consumption and driving performance of the entire vehicle. As vehicle electrification continues to accelerate in the context of regional energy situation and policies, there is an increasing diversity of needs for products and technologies, including systems, performance and cost. AISIN will carefully respond to diversifying needs and expand the variety and quantity of electric units through BluE Nexus, utilizing the development capability of the JV based on the full line-up of technology development concepts AISIN has promoted.
The JV will offer new and attractive products to a wide range of customers, maximizing the synergy of Mitsubishi Electric Mobility’s traction motors, power converters and control optimization technologies, and AISIN’s integration technology (vehicle adaptation technology and system integration technology).
The JV will initially be spun off from Mitsubishi Electric Mobility as a new company responsible for its electrification business by way of a company split, and eventually have the Mitsubishi Electric Group as the majority shareholder (66%) and AISIN as the minority shareholder (34%). The completion of the Transaction will be subject to regulatory clearances and consents of competition and other relevant authorities.
An overview of the new JV is in the Appendix. Further details will be announced as they become available.
*BluE Nexus is a joint venture established between AISIN and DENSO in 2019. It specializes in the development, adaptation, and sales of electrification systems and electric drive modules.