Could a glut of lithium supply spur an EV price war?

Lithium SaltsMarket experts are carefully watching a drop in lithium prices—and what impact that could have on EV costs—according to a new Bloomberg report. Lithium's benchmark price in China—the world's largest new-car market and a center for battery production—is down about 80% from its November 2022 record high, the report noted...

Volvo and Polestar parent signs up for EV battery swapping with Nio

Nio PowerChinese automaker Geely—parent company of Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus—has signed an agreement with Nio to use the latter's battery-swapping tech in the Chinese market. Under the agreement, the two companies "co-develop two battery swapping standards for private cars and commercial vehicles," promote adoption of the technology, and scale...

Hyundai and Kia move EV motors closer to the wheels but not in them

Hyundai and Kia Uni Wheel drive system for EVsHyundai and Kia on Wednesday unveiled a new EV motor design that splits the difference between conventional motors and in-wheel motors. Dubbed the Universal Wheel Drive System—or Uni Wheel for short—this design moves motors closer to the wheels but not into them. That's made possible by a planetary gear set with a central sun gear...

Reliability survey: Vehicles that plug in are more trouble-prone

2021 Audi Q5 plug-in hybridThe reliability of electric cars and plug-in hybrids is improving, but they still remain more trouble-prone than cars without plugs, according to a new Consumer Reports survey. On average, EVs had 70% more problems than internal-combustion vehicles, the survey found. Electric cars, electric SUVs, and electric pickups are all among the...

EV battery prices are dropping again

Audi battery assembly at Brussels, Belgium, factoryFollowing substantial increases in 2022, EV battery prices are falling again, according to new analysis from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). Lithium-ion battery pack prices have fallen 14% this year to a record low of $139 per kwh, BNEF reported this week. This was driven by decreases in raw-material and component prices, as well as...

Lotus fast-charging hardware delivers more than most EVs can handle

Lotus Flash Charge DC fast-charging hardwareLotus has long produced fast cars. Now it's also producing fast chargers. The automaker on Tuesday unveiled fast-charging hardware it claims to have developed in-house, including a liquid-cooled DC charger capable of up to 450 kw. It's designed to be used with a Lotus-developed power cabinet and 600-amp charging unit in a setup Lotus claims can...

Nissan confirms electric Juke, Leaf replacement among EVs for Europe

Nissan Chill-Out conceptNissan will build a Leaf replacement, as well as electric versions of two popular crossovers, in the U.K. for European sales. The Leaf replacement, along with electric Juke and Qashqai crossovers, will be built at Nissan's Sunderland factory—long the automaker's hub for European production—and will be inspired by three recent concept...

Report: VW’s Scout turns to Magna to develop electric pickup and SUV

Teaser for Scout Motors electric SUV and pickup truckThe Volkswagen Group's Scout EV brand may outsource development of its upcoming electric pickup truck and SUV to Magna, according to a new report. VW has given Magna Steyr, the division of the automotive supplier that builds the rugged G-Class for Mercedes-Benz in Graz, Austria, an order worth $492 million to develop the models, Automotive News...

Wireless charging aligns for automated use in EVs, plug-in hybrids

WiTricity and Siemens wireless charging stationSAE International finalized methodology this past week for an important hardware component of EV wireless charging systems. The organization announced a single wireless charging standard—officially J2954—in 2020. As part of the finalization process of that standard, the organization has settled on a methodology for hardware that aligns...

Tesla Superchargers might cost extra $1 a minute above 90%

Tesla SuperchargerTesla has updated its billing policy with a "congestion fee" aimed at increasing throughput at its Supercharger DC fast-charging stations. According to the Supercharger fees page on Tesla's website, updated earlier this week, users will now be charged $1 per minute to charge above 90% capacity. Tesla notes that this applies to "busy" stations...