Electrification

Three model years of the Chevy Bolt will get all new modules, whether they’ve experienced battery-related fires or not, as GM aims to solve the lingering issue.

A top LG North American executive talks chemistries, materials, recalls and cost in a wide-ranging interview.

Experts discuss whether limiting tailpipe emissions or mandating ZEV volumes is the most effective way to meet the Biden Admin.’s goal of selling 50% electric vehicles by 2030.

Tesla’s in-house 4680 cell could be seeing a slower-than-expected rollout, while CATL says it has developed a faster-charging cell and LG and Hyundai will begin Li-ion manufacturing in Indonesia.

Nidec, a global leader in the production of electric motors, is gearing up to produce nearly half of the traction motors automakers will demand for BEVs by 2030. The Japanese supplier predicts most OEMs will switch to supplier-built motors as the electric-vehicle industry matures.

The charging software and services provider owned by oil giant Shell sees more and faster charging in the future, as well as a healthy fleet business materializing.

The U.S.’s second-largest fast-charging network after Tesla continues to grow, with a recently announced plan to double its charger count. Meanwhile, EA is finding the process to install infrastructure is getting easier and hoping the Biden infrastructure plan rewards its work.

A consequence of a software defined environment, driven by data, is that process digitalization and model engineering are becoming essential assets at various levels in the automotive industry: from the vehicles to OEMs´ back-end and the mobility infrastructure.

The U.S.’s third-largest fast-charging network is seeking investment help, while the nation’s second-largest fast-charging network is now on the NASDAQ and China’s NIO brings charging and swapping stations to Europe’s top BEV market.

Sweden’s Volvo Cars shows off a concept that will usher in its third generation of BEVs, while vowing more vertical integration. Meanwhile, former BEV leader Nissan gets back in the game with major U.K. announcements.

Is the ICE age over? Not so fast. Despite the sudden urgency to develop and sell battery-electric vehicles, internal-combustion-engine-powered light vehicles aren’t going away any time soon. During this monumental shift in automotive propulsion, automakers and their suppliers are pulling out the stops to reduce emissions and squeeze ever more efficiency out of ICEs as the century-old technology evolves in the age of electrification.

President Biden’s massive $2 trillion infrastructure plan gets whittled down, with predictably less funding for vehicle electrification. But it’s not all bad news as charging still could get a big boost.