Headlines and links from all the news we didn’t cover in depth here on EVmeme.com this past week. Follow the links for more on each.
Pony, Toyota Unveil BEV Robotaxi Concept
Pony has unveiled the battery-electric robotaxi concept for use in its collaboration with Toyota. The self-driving taxi is based on the all-electric Toyota bZ4X. The taxi will use Pony’s 7th-gen autonomous driving software and will undergo testing in China.
Aurora Opens Commercial-Ready Route for Driverless Truck Launch
Aurora Innovation has opened the industry’s first lane for driverless trucks. The lane links terminals in Dallas and Houston.
NREL Says Rapid Adoption of ZEVs Will Drop GHG Emissions 80% in US
The rapid adoption of zero-emissions electric vehicles will move the U.S. close to an 80 percent or more drop in transportation greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (from 2019). So say researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
SK On To Supply Polestar 5 High-Nickel Batteries
Korea-based SK On, which supplies OEM batteries for electric vehicles and other applications, has announced an agreement to supply its high-nickel lithium-ion batteries to Swedish carmaker Polestar for its flagship Polestar 5.
Lithos Opens New Battery Manufacturing Facility In California
LIthos Energy has opened a manufacturing and pilot line facility in Hayward, California for its latest generation of battery systems.
USGS and Arizona Partner To Map Critical Mineral Potential
The U.S. Geological Survey and the State of Arizona’s Geological Survey have partnered to map critical mineral resources in the state. The USGS will invest over $3.1 million into the project. Focus will be on the copper porphyry belt in southeast Arizona.
Li-Metal Develops Key Ingot Production For Battery Recycling
One of the largest waste products of lithium metal batteries for electric vehicles and other uses is scrap lithium. Normally considered a hazardous waste product, up to 30 percent of lithium used in battery manufacturing is discarded. Li-Metal’s process takes that scrap and turns it into usable ingots for re-use.
Renault Korea Busan Plant To Produce Polestar 4
Renault Korea Motors has announced that its Busan plant will begin manufacturing the Polestar 4 EV in 2025. The vehicles produced will be for the South Korean and North American markets.
MAN BatteryPacks Being Offered for Industrial Applications
MAN Truck & Bus has begun offering battery packs for both mobile and stationary power storage applications. This would include agricultural, material handling, railway, and special vehicles.
Volvo Penta Offering Battery Storage Subsystems To Infrastructure Support
Volvo Penta is providing its battery energy storage subsystem to BESS manufacturers who are venturing into charging infrastructure support roles.
Ballard Receives Add-On Order for 2.4 MW of Fuel Cells from CPKC
Ballard Power Systems has received an order for a further 2.4 megawatts of fuel cell systems from Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). The order is for twelve more fuel cell engines to be delivered this year as hydrogen-powered locomotives for use in Alberta.
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.