BYD and Uber have announced they are partnering up and aiming to integrate (up to) 100,000 BYD EVs onto the Uber platform, initially focusing on Europe and Latin America, with future expansions planned for the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The collaboration aims to provide Uber drivers with competitive pricing, financing options, and potential discounts on charging and maintenance, thus hopefully accelerating EV adoption. Additionally, BYD and Uber will work on autonomous vehicle development.
Transport & Environment, a European NGO, has released data that illustrates the UK is one of the leading countries in Europe in EV fleet sales, with a significant increase in adoption over the past year. Fleet managers in the UK are significantly outpacing their European counterparts, which is being driven by government incentives and environmental regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The shift towards EVs in fleet management is also supported by advancements in EV technology, improved battery life, and cost-effectiveness. This trend reflects a broader commitment to sustainability and aligns with the UK’s ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Nissan and Honda have announced a partnership to co-develop EV platforms, batteries, and motors. This collaboration aims to create a next-generation architecture for software-defined vehicles (SDVs), focusing on technologies like autonomous driving and AI. The research phase will conclude in about a year, after which the production potential will be evaluated. Mitsubishi is also joining the alliance, contributing models for badge engineering to fill gaps in the line-ups, particularly in plug-in hybrids and Kei trucks.
Mullen Automotive has unveiled a new leasing program, the bizEV, for its Mullen ONE, a Class 1 EV cargo van. The lease option offers a 3-year term starting at $475 per month (plus applicable taxes and fees) and it includes scheduled vehicle maintenance. Mullen’s lease program is tailored to help small(er) companies transition to EVs with minimal upfront costs and manageable monthly payments. This initiative reflects Mullen's commitment to supporting businesses in reducing their carbon footprint while benefiting from the operational efficiency of electric vehicles.
In June 2024, Chinese EV brands captured a record 11% of the European market, registering more than 23,000 units. This surge was driven by OEMs, such as SAIC Motor with its MG4 hatchback, however, this occurred just before new European Union tariffs on Chinese-made EVs took effect. It will be interesting to see what the long-term impact of these tariffs, which range from 17.4% to 37.6%, will be as the European market adjusts to these changes.
BP has announced it has acquired a 49% stake in the Hyport Duqm green hydrogen project in Oman. The project's strategic location at the Port of Duqm will facilitate the export of green hydrogen to European and Asian markets. The project, a collaboration with Oman’s state-owned energy company OQ and DEME, a Belgian firm, will focus on producing green hydrogen and green ammonia using wind and solar energy. The first phase aims to generate 330,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually, with future expansions expected to double the capacity to over 650,000 tonnes.
RMI and FedEx have partnered to launch GridUp, a new initiative aimed at transforming EV charging infrastructure planning. GridUp aims to optimize the deployment of charging stations by integrating advanced data analytics and mapping tools, which will help stakeholders identify optimal locations and ensure that the infrastructure meets future demand. The collaboration leverages FedEx’s extensive logistics expertise/network and RMI’s thought leadership and experience in sustainable energy solutions, to create a scalable framework for EV charging infrastructure. We champion this partnership as it is a significant step forward towards building a more robust EV charging network.
Data released by the government highlights an uneven distribution of EV chargers in the UK. It shows that London and Scotland are leading the way, having 234 and 103 public chargers per 100,000 people, respectively, against a UK average of 96. Northern Ireland and Yorkshire lag behind with 32 and 56 chargers per 100,000. Recent trends show the West Midlands had the highest growth in chargers, while London added the most absolute chargers and the North East experienced a decline in charger numbers. This highlights that the government needs to help either by funding and/or helping stimulate private investment into EV infrastructure. The lack of a coherent, reliable and stable network of EV charging infrastructure across the country is playing a role in slowing down the adoption of EVs.
Deutsche Bahn's (DB) Speyer branch has ordered 25 Ebusco 2.2 electric buses marking the largest single order under the DB framework to date. These new buses, produced by Dutch manufacturer Ebusco feature advanced technology for greater efficiency and comfort, including a lighter weight and a longer range (550km) compared to previous models.
Deals
WeRide, a Chinese autonomous driving startup, has announced it is planning a $500m Nasdaq IPO. This move follows significant investments, backed by investors such as Bosch and Nissan, and marks a broader trend of Chinese tech firms aiming to IPO in America. WeRide would be looking to fund its R&D, commercialization, and deployment of its autonomous driving technology.