How do you solve a problem like cobalt? The blue metallic element is used in significant quantities in EV batteries, but half the world’s supply of comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a war-torn land in which child labor is common. Several automakers are already taking steps to reduce their use of the costly… Read more »
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Nissan, Renault to buy EV batteries from CATL
Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) will be providing batteries for Nissan’s Sylphy electric sedan, which is scheduled to hit the Chinese market in the latter half of the year. This marks the company’s first deal with a Japanese automaker. The Sylphy, one of 20 electrified vehicles Nissan plans to release in China… Read more »
Electrify America releases map of planned charging network
Electrify America, the EVSE network founded by VW as part of its penance for the Dirty Diesel Debacle, has unveiled a map of its planned national network of charging stations. The new company has already named its charging station suppliers, and announced partnerships with Walmart and Target to deploy some of the stations. The new… Read more »
Tesla responds to Munro’s Model 3 teardown findings
The most interesting Tesla news in recent months (at least for those who are more interested in the company’s cars than the antics of its CEO or the gyrations of its stock) was Munro & Associates’ teardown of a Model 3. Automotive expert (a real one) Sandy Munro praised Model 3’s electronics and battery technology… Read more »
Tesla on the way to eliminating cobalt from its batteries
Battery makers are keen to reduce their use of costly and controversial cobalt. Half the world’s supply of the metallic element comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a war-torn land in which child labor is common. Worse yet, the stuff is getting expensive – cobalt prices have climbed to their highest level in a… Read more »
European emissions levels climb even as tougher standards are on the way
As emissions standards tighten around the world, and the threat from EVs grows, shouldn’t automakers be making their cars cleaner? Somehow, they don’t seem able to do so. According to a recent report from JATO Dynamics (via Automotive News Europe), European emissions actually increased by a small amount in 2017, reversing a decade of steady… Read more »
What’s the current state of wireless EV charging?
By Lisa Jerram, principal research analyst overseeing Navigant Research’s Transportation Efficiencies program Wireless charging is becoming more mainstream among consumer electronics – witness the proliferation of wireless chargers at CES 2018 – but it is not just for smartphones and fitness bands. Automakers are working in earnest to offer wireless charging options for their… Read more »
Automakers and state governments cooperate on ad campaign for EVs
A lack of advertising is often cited as a main reason for the slow pace of EV adoption, so it’s welcome news that a consortium of automakers and Northeast states intends to cooperate on an EV ad campaign. The Drive Change Drive Electric campaign, launched at the recent New York International Auto Show, will focus… Read more »
Model 3 is all it claims to be – extended drive review
Tesla’s Model 3 is breaking new ground in all kinds of ways. I’m pretty sure no new vehicle in history has ever been so difficult for members of the news media to get hold of. Unlike other automakers, Tesla provides very few review vehicles to the press – even the handful of favored media outlets… Read more »
EVs finally starting to catch on in Germany, with Tesla in the lead
As Norway and the Netherlands have become EV capitals, Germany has lagged behind – according to conventional wisdom, because of resistance from the all-powerful German auto industry, combined with consumers’ love of high-speed, long-range driving on the autobahn. However, this picture is changing quickly. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, this year German sales could… Read more »