Sion Power Expands Lithium-Metal Battery Production for EVs
Sion Power, a leader in lithium-metal battery technology, has advanced its Licerion® battery commercialization with a new large-format cell production line in partnership with Mühlbauer Group. This fully automated facility will produce 75MWh of 56Ah lithium-metal cells annually, enhancing scalability for EV applications. Licerion® technology doubles energy density compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, reducing EV battery costs by 35% and enabling rapid charging. The company also strengthened its leadership team, appointing Liz Rojewski as COO and Mitch Hourtienne as CCO, to accelerate commercialization and market adoption.
Greenlane and Volvo Partner to Expand Heavy-Duty EV Charging Network
Greenlane Infrastructure, LLC, a leading commercial EV charging network developer, has partnered with Volvo Trucks North America to integrate Greenlane’s charging network into the Volvo Open Charge service. As Volvo’s first official Charge Point Operator (CPO) in North America, Greenlane will provide Volvo customers with seamless real-time access to public charging, centralized billing, and exclusive benefits.
This collaboration aims to ease the transition to electric fleets by reducing the need for costly private charging infrastructure, extending vehicle range, and streamlining fleet electrification. Greenlane will launch its flagship charging site in Colton, CA, in April, offering over 40 chargers for heavy-, medium-, and light-duty zero-emission vehicles. Additional sites are planned along the I-15 corridor, including Long Beach, Barstow, and Baker, CA.
Patrick Macdonald-King, CEO of Greenlane, emphasized the significance of this first-of-its-kind partnership in accelerating the adoption of heavy-duty electric trucks. Volvo and Greenlane will continue expanding their collaboration by adding new membership features, such as booking reservations, further simplifying EV fleet operations.
EnergyHub and GM Energy Partner to Integrate EVs and Home Storage into Grid Programs
EnergyHub, a leader in grid-edge flexibility solutions, has partnered with GM Energy to integrate General Motors’ electric vehicles (EVs) and PowerBank home energy storage systems into EnergyHub’s network of utility programs across the U.S. This collaboration will enable Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac EV owners, as well as PowerBank users, to participate in EnergyHub-managed programs, earning financial incentives while enhancing grid reliability and lowering community energy costs.
Starting later in 2024, eligible EV owners will be able to enroll in select EnergyHub programs through their local utilities, leveraging managed charging to optimize energy use without compromising mobility. GM Energy’s PowerBank, launched in 2024, will not only provide backup power for homes but also support the grid during peak demand periods.
EnergyHub’s Edge Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) will facilitate smart charging and dynamic load management, helping utilities prevent grid overloads as EV adoption grows. Jeff Huron, Senior Manager of EV Strategy at EnergyHub, emphasized the importance of direct automaker integrations in improving the customer experience and ensuring grid preparedness.
As an approved GM Energy integration partner, EnergyHub will begin offering access to eligible GM EVs and home energy systems later this year.
Boyd Opens State-of-the-Art Battery Material Safety Lab
Boyd, a leader in battery thermal propagation prevention, has launched its advanced Battery Material Safety Lab in San Jose, California. The facility is equipped with modern test equipment, material samples, and expert personnel to provide fast, reliable battery material testing. Designed to meet the stringent safety requirements of leading EV manufacturers, the lab consolidates essential battery material tests, including thermal conductivity, moisture resistance, and dielectric performance, to simulate real-world conditions.
Beyond testing, Boyd offers advanced simulation capabilities using proprietary finite element analysis modeling to predict material performance. This enables EV brands to make faster, more informed decisions while reducing R&D and validation costs. With in-house prototyping and manufacturing, Boyd ensures a seamless transition from testing to production. According to Michael Sutsko, President of Boyd’s Engineered Materials Division, the lab aims to accelerate EV battery design and time-to-market while enhancing safety through integrated thermal runaway prevention solutions.