Headlines and links from all the news, including things we didn’t cover in depth here on EVmeme this past week.
Honda, Yamaha Agree on OEM Supply of Electric Motorcycles
Honda Motor and Yamaha Motor have reached an agreement wherein Honda will supply Yamaha with electric motorcycle models for the Japanese market. They will be based on the Honda EM1 e: and BENLY e: I models.
MFTBC Launches EV Truck Battery Swap Demonstrations on Public Roads in Japan
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation will begin EV truck battery swapping demonstrations on public roads in Kyoto, Japan. Using the light-duty eCanter electric truck and Ample swappable battery modules, the demos will take place throughout August.
TXU Energy, Ford Partner To Offer Free Home Electric Vehicle Charging Hours
Ford Motor Company and TXU Energy (a retail electric provider in Texas) have teamed up to create a first-of-its-kind retail energy offering for Ford electric SUV and truck owners in Texas. The TXU Free EV Miles program offers free at-home charging.
ZF Aftermarket Introduces Electric Axle Drive Repair Kits
ZF Aftermarket has added 25 electric axle drive repair kits for cars and sport utilities in the U.S. and Canada. The kits enable independent garages to perform repairs without removing the axle drives.
July EV Sales in Europe Drop Year-On-Year
Rho Motion has reported that year-to-date sales for electric cars have reached 8.4 million units globally. The European Union, EFTA, and UK market fell year-on-year by 8 percent while the Chinese market grew by 31 percent. Mostly driven by plug-in hybrids. Globally, hybrids and PHEVs mark the largest sales growth while EVs saw moderate change.
Kindred Motorworks Unveils Vintage Bronco EV in Monterey
Kindred Motorworks, located in the Bay Area of California, unveiled its new restomod Ford Bronco model at Monterey Car Week. The restored vintage Bronco includes an electric drivetrain and other modern improvements.
Polestar Produces First U.S. Production Model
Polestar has announced that its first luxury SUV, the Polestar 3, has rolled off the line at the Swedish electric vehicle maker’s South Carolina plant.
EVgo Enhancing Fast Charging Network in U.S.
EVgo has announced enhancements to its fast charging network in the United States. The new EVgo Renew program adds network advances and a performance monitoring tool designed to identify and analyze patterns for diagnostics support of EVgo chargers.
J.D. Power Says Public EV Charging Sees Consistent Progress
The public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles has seen continued improvement for two consecutive quarters, J.D. Power has announced. One of the key roadblocks to EV adoption, the charging network has seen new focus from manufacturers and government as EVs fail to continue fast adoption in the U.S.
Acura Debuts Performance EV Concept at Monterey
Acura has unveiled a new SUV called the Performance EV Concept at Monterey Car Week. The concept shows the direction Acura will be going with its electric vehicles and overall vehicle design in the near future.
GM Signs Landmark Solar Power Deal for 3 Assembly Plants
General Motors has announced that a new 15-year renewable energy purchase agreement with NorthStar Clean Energy will supply three GM assembly plants with solar power. This power purchase deal, the company’s largest, is part of GM’s sourcing plan to secure 100 percent of the energy required by its U.S. plants with renewables by 2025 and become carbon-neutral by 2040.
Ukrainian Forces Use Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Tank As Huge Bomb
Ukrainian forces were battling Russians who had taken an advantageous position making it difficult for the Ukranians to push them out of the town of Vovchansk. To counter that, the Ukrainian resistance scavenged the fuel tank from a wrecked Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car and improvised a non-nuclear hydrogen bomb.
Archer Aviation Delivers First Midnight Aircraft to U.S. Air Force
Archer Aviation announced that it has delivered its first Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to the Air Force. The Department of Defense has accepted airworthiness assessment of the Midnight thanks to Archer’s partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory in testing the craft for readiness. The USAF will further evaluate the aircraft as its approval moves forward.
Cadillac Fully Unveils Opulent Velocity Concept EV
A fully electric ultra-luxury EV, the Opulent Velocity is an “experienced-based design study” showing the future of Cadillac design.
Aaron is an automotive journalist living in Wyoming, USA. His background includes technology, mechanics, commercial vehicles, and new vehicle evaluations. Aaron is a member of several automotive media groups and writes for many well-known publications.