Briefly | 08 Aug 2023

Jim Farley, Ford's CEO, embarks on a trailblazing journey across the American West in an F-150 Lightning. With a desire to connect with EV drivers, researchers, and communities, he's taking to the road where millions have switched from fueling stations to charging stations. Farley's trip celebrates a new way of experiencing America and heralds a shift in how we engage with transportation technology.

In a significant leadership transition, Tesla's CFO, Zachary Kirkhorn, has announced his resignation after a 13-year association with the company. Replacing him will be Vaibhav Taneja, a key figure within Tesla since 2017. While the stock reacted to the news with a 1.3% drop, the transition appears smooth, with Kirkhorn assisting through the end of the year.

Shanghai's commitment to new energy vehicles (NEVs) takes a giant leap forward, with the city planning to make over half of new vehicle purchases BEVs by 2025. In a city renowned for its embrace of electric vehicles, these ambitious targets include transitioning public sector vehicles and promoting electric and hydrogen fuel cell freight vehicles.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has penalized EV startup Canoo for allegedly misleading investors during its IPO with inflated revenue forecasts. Former executives, including CEO Ulrich Kranz, are facing fines and bans, reflecting the serious nature of the charges.

Charging infrastructure provider Electrify America is introducing a fresh pricing model, transitioning from uniform pricing to station-specific rates. Coupled with the reintroduction of idle fees, these changes signal a new phase in Electrify America's approach, with potential benefits and challenges for EV drivers.

Samsung SDI is making waves in the EV battery industry with early successes in its development of 46xx-type cylindrical battery cells. Achieving performance targets ahead of schedule, Samsung is now preparing samples for customers, paving the way for potential widespread adoption of this new battery technology.

The 2024 Mini Cooper EV takes a retro-futuristic leap, merging timeless aesthetics with modern technology. From eight diverse drive modes that include woodland sounds to the recreation of classic Mini exhaust notes, this new model is an ode to Mini Cooper's heritage, wrapped in innovation.

Audi Sport is reviving the RS6 saloon as an electric RS6 E-tron to compete with BMW's and Mercedes' new models. Expected to launch in the UK in 2025, it will build on Audi’s upcoming A6 E-tron models and feature a specially developed electric drivetrain, partly engineered with Porsche. The dual-motor system, 800V architecture, and fully variable electric Quattro system could make them the fastest-accelerating saloon and estate combinations. Other models will also use Audi's Premium Platform Electric (PPE) structure.

BYD UK and Alexander Dennis have delivered their 1,500th electric bus to Go-Ahead London. This partnership has been supplying electric buses since 2016, with Go-Ahead London being the largest single customer. Beyond the UK, these electric buses have also reached markets like Ireland and New Zealand.

The UK is building Europe's first lithium refinery to support EV battery production. Green Lithium will construct the facility, which will produce 50,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium annually starting in 2027. The company is also committed to reducing carbon footprints by 80% using renewable technologies. This initiative supports the global shift towards more sustainable energy and transportation systems.

6 Chinese car component makers are expanding to Mexico to support Tesla's Gigafactory 6. Several Chinese companies, such as Ningbo Xusheng Group, Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls, and Tuopu Group, are investing in manufacturing facilities to assist Tesla's upcoming Mexican factory, which is expected to produce 1 million units annually from 2024.

Lower Saxony in Germany is moving from hydrogen to battery electric trains after finding them to be more cost-effective. The state will begin operating 102 battery electric trains in 2029, charging them using overhead lines or specialized charging islands. Diesel-fueled trains are planned to be phased out by 2037.

The Rimac Nevera, an all-wheel-drive electric hypercar, outran an F1 car and the McMurtry Speirling in a quarter-mile drag race. Although the F1 car was designed for track racing and not drag racing, the race provided an entertaining comparison between different types of racing cars. The Rimac Nevera's victory demonstrates the power and capabilities of electric vehicles.