Toyota West Virginia has announced an $88m investment to establish a new hybrid transaxle assembly line, with production pencilled in to begin H2 26. This investment aims to produce the next generation of hybrid transaxles, which transfer power between the engine, electric motor, and wheels, which will support the Toyota and Lexus models. The investment is part of Toyota's broader strategy to reinforce its American operations, bringing the total investment in the West Virginia plant to over $2.8bn. This move ensures long-term job security for more than 2,000 team members at the facility. The plant's production supports Toyota's operations in Kentucky, Indiana, Alabama, and Canada. To celebrate this commitment, Toyota West Virginia is donating $100,000 to the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Centre at Marshall University. This donation aims to support workforce development programs, broadening recruiting efforts and introducing more people to careers in advanced manufacturing. This initiative aligns with Toyota's philosophy of building where they sell.
Carlsberg Sweden and Einride have announced they are launching a limited-edition, alcohol-free beer called Electric Beer, showcasing a blend of traditional brewing and advanced freight technology. This initiative highlights the expansion of their partnership, leveraging Einride’s AI-powered, electric transport solutions in logistics. By the end of the year, Einride’s technology will power 35-40% of Carlsberg Sweden’s freight operations in southern and western Sweden. Electric Beer is crafted using 100% renewable energy and transported with autonomous electric systems for packing and delivery. Einride’s AI optimises routes, ensuring zero tailpipe emissions, 50% less noise pollution, and 100% NOx emission reduction compared to diesel. Since 2022, the collaboration has saved 418 tonnes of CO2e and covered 340,000 electric kilometres, with plans to save 2,460 tonnes annually. The beer cans feature a QR code that provides data on the beer’s production and transport routes, engaging consumers with interesting sustainability insights. This unconventional but entertaining approach promotes eco-friendly brewing and redefines freight mobility, offering a transparent look at smart logistics. Carlsberg Sweden continues its legacy of quality and sustainability, while Einride pioneers EV technology.
Rightech has announced it has completed its 1st delivery of 3 RB6 electric buses to Go-Coach. These 6-meter buses will operate in the demand-responsive public transport network serving the Ebbsfleet Garden City development in Kent. This delivery marks a first-of-its-kind agreement, allowing the buses to utilise public EV charging bays provided by the Roam EV network, reducing downtime and enabling longer operational hours. The buses will support zero-emission services in the Ebbsfleet, Dartford, and Gravesend areas, complementing an additional 28 zero-emission buses on the Fastrack Bus Rapid Transit network. The initiative is part of a broader strategy funded by National Highways to promote sustainable growth in North Kent. Go-Coach highlighted the versatility of the Rightech buses, which can be used on-demand or on fixed routes as needed.
The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) in Columbia, South Carolina, has announced it has introduced 4 new zero-emission buses into service. Funded by a $2.9m Federal Transit Administration grant awarded in 2021, the fleet includes 2 battery-electric buses and 2 hydrogen fuel cell buses. These buses are part of a broader initiative to modernise public transportation and reduce emissions in the region. The battery-electric buses, New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE NG, can travel up to 254 miles per charge, while the hydrogen fuel cell buses, New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE FC, offer a range of up to 370 miles per refill. Both types of buses feature fast refuelling and charging capabilities, thus enhancing operational efficiency. The new fleet is expected to eliminate up to 540 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually compared to traditional diesel buses. This deployment aligns with federal, state, and local climate goals, promoting sustainable transit solutions. The COMET's investment also includes the necessary infrastructure for charging and refuelling these vehicles. The new buses will be fully integrated into daily routes starting in May 2025, marking a significant step towards cleaner air for the region.
Hyundai Motor Group has announced it has launched the Hyundai Centre of Excellence for future mobility technology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. This initiative focuses on advancing electrification and battery systems, reflecting Hyundai's commitment to innovation tailored to Indian needs. The centre will undertake 9 joint research projects in collaboration with IIT, covering areas such as battery cells, systems, testing, management systems, energy density enhancement, safety, durability, and diagnostic technologies. The initiative aims to explore new materials and system components to drive progression in battery design and performance. Hyundai plans to expand its collaboration to 10 Indian universities by the end of 2025, involving around 100 professors. This expansion will include technology exchange forums, global conferences on battery and EV technologies, and policy dialogue sessions with key stakeholders from the Indian government, academia, and industry. Hyundai emphasised the importance of collaborating with India's brightest minds to develop technologies that contribute to the country's economy and society. This strategic move underscores Hyundai's dedication to building a sustainable future through academic and industrial partnerships.
National Express West Midlands has introduced 170 new zero-emission electric buses, the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-deckers, as part of a £95m investment to electrify its fleet. This significant addition brings the total number of electric buses in operation to 329, thus making nearly a quarter of the fleet zero-emission. Each bus is expected to save an average of 61 tonnes of carbon annually and collectively reduce carbon emissions by almost 20,000 tonnes per year. The new buses will serve routes across Birmingham, the Black Country, and Solihull, contributing to cleaner air and quieter streets. This initiative aligns with the company's goal of achieving a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2030. The investment also includes significant infrastructure upgrades, such as the modernisation of the Yardley Wood depot with advanced charging facilities. The new buses are expected to provide smoother, quieter, and more comfortable journeys for passengers, enhancing the overall public transport experience. This rollout is a major step towards tackling climate change and improving air quality in the Midlands.
Stellantis and Factorial Energy have declared they have achieved a significant milestone in the development of solid-state batteries, validating automotive-sized cells with a 375 Wh/kg energy density. This breakthrough, using Factorial's FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology), enables fast charging from 15% to 90% in just 18 minutes. The batteries can operate in temperatures ranging from -30°C to 45°C, demonstrating high power capabilities with discharge rates up to 4C. The collaboration aims to integrate these advanced batteries into a fleet of Dodge Charger Daytona’s by 2026, with potential applications across Stellantis' portfolio, including SUVs and performance models. This development positions Stellantis at the forefront of the solid-state battery rollout, promising lighter, more efficient batteries that reduce costs and enhance vehicle performance. The validated 77Ah FEST cells mark a significant step toward commercial use, offering higher energy density and faster charging compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. This achievement underscores the potential for solid-state batteries to transform the EV market, providing better durability, energy density, and charging speeds in smaller, lighter packs.
Deals
Nyobolt, a UK-based fast-charging battery technology company, has raised $30m to expand its operations, led by IQ Capital and Latitude, with Scania Invest (the VC branch of Volkswagen's truck division). Nyobolt specialises in high-power ultrafast charging technologies, focusing on energy storage systems for autonomous warehouse robots and heavy-duty vehicles. The company has successfully demonstrated its technology by charging an EV battery to 80% in under 5 minutes. Interestingly, Nyobolt mentioned that the company is in discussions with major OEMs to integrate its fast-charging technology into mainstream EV platforms within the next 3-5 years. This new funding will support Nyobolt's expansion into new markets and enhance its business in autonomous warehouse robots. Nyobolt plans to license its technology to major battery manufacturers rather than producing batteries at scale itself. This strategic move aims to meet the growing demand for high-power energy solutions, driven by the rise of AI and the need for efficient, sustainable power sources.
Lyft has announced it has agreed to acquire FreeNow, a European multi-mobility app with a strong taxi service focus, from BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility, for c.€175m (c.$197m) in cash. This acquisition marks Lyft's significant expansion into the European market, operating in 9 countries and over 150 cities, including major markets like the UK, Germany, and Spain. The deal is expected to close in H2 25, subject to customary conditions, however, FreeNow will continue to operate independently, retaining its leadership team and employees. The acquisition will nearly double Lyft's total addressable market to over 300 billion personal vehicle trips annually and increase its annualised gross bookings by approximately €1bn. This move aligns with Lyft's strategy to build a global, customer-centric mobility platform. FreeNow 's expertise in the European taxi market, combined with Lyft's marketplace capabilities, aims to enhance service levels and fleet management. The acquisition also supports Lyft's multi-year growth targets and diversifies its revenue streams.
Electra.aero, a Virginia-based advanced aerospace company, has raised $115m in Series B funding, led by Prysm Capital. Investors such as Lockheed Martin Ventures, Honeywell, Safran, Statkraft Ventures, and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation also participated. The capital raised will be used to advance the pre-production and certification phase of Electra’s EL9, a hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft, capable of taking off and landing in 150 feet. The EL9, designed for both commercial and defence markets, can carry up to 3,000 pounds of payload and has a range of up to 1,100 nautical miles. It integrates blown lift technology with hybrid-electric propulsion, thus being able to offer the versatility of a helicopter, the quiet operation of an EV, and the cost advantages of a fixed-wing aircraft. Electra has secured over 2,200 pre-orders valued at more than $10bn and has contracts with NASA, the US Air Force, the US Army, and the US Navy. The company aims to disrupt aviation by connecting communities lacking traditional infrastructure and providing novel logistics capabilities for military operations.