CATL has inaugurated a new battery service center in the Middle East, marking its largest such facility outside mainland China. Named Ning Service Experience Center, the newly opened center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aims to bolster CATL's aftersales presence in the region and support the Middle East's transition to cleaner energy systems amid its ambitious electrification and decarbonization goals under Vision 2030. Notably, Saudi Arabia aims to ensure 30% of all vehicles in Riyadh are el...

Hylic, officially known as Heyuan Lithium Innovation in mainland China, has begun operations at its first factory for the mass production of liquid-solid-state batteries in Jiangsu province in the fourth quarter of 2025. The company, founded in January 2023 and headquartered in Suzhou, mainland China, focuses on the research, development, production and sales of solid-state lithium-ion battery products for various applications, including energy storage, power and household appliance...

Syensqo and Axens have announced the creation of Argylium, a company focused on the commercial demonstration and scaling-up of advanced materials for solid-state batteries in Europe. This initiative marks a significant effort to bolster Europe's innovation in the development of future battery technologies. Solid-state batteries are seen as a potential solution for the next generation of electric vehicles and energy storage systems due to their safety, higher energy density and faster charging...

Israel has inaugurated its first licensed electric vehicle battery recycling plant in Arad, Israel, approved by the Environmental Protection Ministry. Re Car Technologies Ltd. (RE-CAR) has launched this facility dedicated to recycling lithium-ion batteries from EVs. The plant, situated in the northern industrial zone of Arad, occupies about 7,000 square meters and represents an initial investment exceeding 15 million shekels (about $4.73 million), with plans for additional investment in the...

General Motors (GM) announced a $6 billion charge to scale back some of its electric vehicle investments, becoming the latest automaker to do so amid policy changes by the US Trump administration and a decline in EV demand. This decision involves reducing planned EV production, affecting GM's supply chain, and leading to a $4.2 billion cash charge related to contract cancellations with suppliers. However, GM affirmed it would continue to offer its US lineup of EV models. The financial writedo...

EMT, in collaboration with Iberdrola España and Irizar e-mobility, is developing a project aimed at repurposing used electric vehicle batteries at its Fuencarral operations center in Madrid. On Dec. 16, 2025, Carlos Pascual López, head of Energy Management Solutions at Iberdrola España and Eduardo Montejo, Iberdrola España's institutional representative in Madrid, along with EMT executives, visited the facility. The site hosts a container for static electrical energy s...

Cabot Corp. has announced a multiyear supply agreement with PowerCo SE, the battery manufacturing subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. This agreement involves the supply of Cabot's conductive carbons and dispersions for lithium-ion battery applications. The deal marks a significant step in Cabot's expansion within the battery materials market. Under this new agreement, Cabot will provide advanced conductive materials designed to improve the performance of electric vehicle battery electrodes. T...

SK On announced the successful development of high-density single-crystal cathode electrodes composed of large particles through collaboration with Prof. Kang Ki-seok's research team at Seoul National University. The company aims to improve battery performance by advancing research in single-crystal cathode materials, which are essential for next-generation batteries. The research, published in Nature Energy, addressed technical limitations in single-crystal cathode material synthesis and sug...

Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd. (CATL) and Nio have intensified their partnership to develop electric vehicle batteries with longer lifespans. This collaboration highlights the urgency within the industry, as the replacement of expired batteries threatens to be costly for the 40 million EV owners worldwide. Under a five-year agreement, CATL and Nio aim to pursue new technologies to extend the life cycle of EV batteries, representing enhanced synergy between the two companies. William Li,...

Malaysia's Johor state government is in the final stages of discussions with Gotion High-Tech Co. Ltd., a global battery technology firm, to establish an advanced lithium battery manufacturing facility. This initiative follows a recent visit and strategic meeting with Gotion's top management in Shanghai. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi indicated that setting up this facility would position Johor as a regional hub for electric vehicle battery production and energy storage systems. He empha...

Donut Lab has introduced a significant advancement in electric vehicle technology with the launch of the world's first all-solid-state battery ready for production vehicles. Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, the new high-performance solid-state Donut Batteries are now available for original equipment manufacturer use and poised to power all 2026 model Verge Motorcycles by the first quarter of 2026. These batteries offer a substantial energy density of 400 watt-hours per ki...

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. and Princeton NuEnergy Inc. (PNE) have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to progress discussions on collaborating in next-generation lithium-ion battery recycling technologies. The agreement aims to enhance the circular battery materials supply chain and bolster US energy independence through innovative recycling and rejuvenation techniques. Since 2022, Honda and PNE have been jointly validating PNE's plasma-based Direct Recycling and Upcycling ...

Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) kicked off Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 with a preview of its electric vehicle future, world-premiering the AFEELA Prototype 2026 and confirming US deliveries for the AFEELA 1 EV later in 2026. The announcements spotlight SHM's push to redefine EVs as Creative Entertainment Spaces, blending advanced AI, entertainment and seamless driving for electric mobility. At a pre-CES press conference, SHM positioned the AFEELA 1 pre-production model as its first EV...

Chinese electric-car maker Xpeng has completed trial production of the updated P7+ electric sedan at the Graz plant in Austria. Trial production is underway as the carmaker prepares to launch the battery-electric vehicle (BEV) in Europe.  In September 2025, Xpeng announced the start of localized production in Europe, utilizing the production line of Magna Steyr, an Austrian-based subsidiary of Magna International, to manufacture the G6 and G9 sport utility vehicles. Xpeng is working w...

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Xpeng Inc., a mainland Chinese electric vehicle company, has launched its G9 and G6 sport utility vehicle models in Qatar as part of its efforts to expand its global presence. The company also showcased products from its flying car subsidiary, Aridge, and plans to introduce its P7+ model in Qatar soon. This move follows Xpeng's strategic distribution partnership with Mauritian Axess Ltd. and Qatar's Pioneer Motors, aimed at enhancing the vehicle experience for customers. Qatar ...

Leading Chinese vehicle manufacturer FAW Group's Hongqi brand has unveiled its first prototype electric car equipped with solid-state batteries, marking a significant milestone in the company's advanced development of incorporating solid-state batteries into a battery-electric vehicle (BEV). On Dec. 31, 2025, the all-solid-state battery pack developed by Hongqi's research and development team was installed in the Hongqi Tiangong 06 prototype vehicle, marking the brand's initiation into r...

Ayvens, a leasing company, is trialing an electric vehicle battery management system (BMS) to monitor the performance and health of traction batteries in various vehicles. This initiative focuses on cars, light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and heavy goods vehicles. The management system is crucial for the cost-effective operation of EVs, as it provides battery state-of-health certificates, which protect residual values when remarketing EVs. Engineering analysis suggests that rapid charging...

The Indian government has released draft guidelines for a Battery Pack Aadhaar system, which introduces a unique 21-character digital identity known as BPAN for electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries. This initiative is designed to track the life cycle of batteries from production to disposal, aiming to improve transparency, traceability and sustainability within India's growing EV sector. The guidelines focus primarily on EV batteries but may also cover industrial batteries...

Shanghai has announced the extension of its policy to provide free license plates for electric vehicles registered in the city until Dec. 31, 2026. Initially set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025, the measure has been renewed for another year, applicable to consumers purchasing EVs for non-commercial use. Shanghai, which hosts Tesla's China factory and serves as the global headquarters for Nio Inc., is also home to leading automotive manufacturer SAIC Motor. Eligibility for the free license plate...

Shanghai-based electric-car maker Nio Inc. plans to increase infrastructure development in 2026 after a slowdown in 2024 and 2025. The company announced that it will deploy fifth-generation battery-swap stations starting in 2026, with the aim of adding at least 1,000 stations throughout the year. This announcement was made by Nio Founder, Chairman and CEO William Li during a live video broadcast. Nio had unveiled its fourth-generation battery-swap station at Nio Day 202...

Shanghai-based electric-car maker Nio Inc. plans to enhance its main brand's battery-swap network in January 2026 by adding over 4,200 long-range battery packs. According to a recent announcement, the Nio brand will incorporate 1,200 units of 100-kWh battery packs for older models and over 3,000 units of 102-kWh battery packs for newer vehicles into its swap system. This move is a response to user demand, with the aim of maintaining adequate battery supply. In December 2025, Nio set a new ...

Exide Industries Ltd. announced changes in leadership and a significant equity investment in its wholly owned subsidiary, Exide Energy Solutions Ltd. (EESL). The Indian battery supplier appointed Pravin Ramchandra Saraf as the new CEO and managing director of EESL on Dec. 22, 2025, replacing Mandar V Deo. On Dec. 23, 2025, Exide Industries invested 1.8 billion rupees (nearly $20 million) in EESL through a rights issue subscription, allotting 45 million equity shares at 10 rupees each, with a ...

U Power Ltd. has announced a strategic partnership with Whale Logistics (Thailand) Co. Ltd., aimed at promoting the use of commercial battery-swapping electric trucks in Thailand. U Power, which specializes in AI-powered solutions for energy grids and intelligent transportation systems, will deploy its UOTTA electric vehicle battery-swapping technology through its subsidiary, U Swap Co. Ltd. Whale Logistics is part of Whale Logistics Group, a well-regarded logistics service provider in Thailand ...

V-Green and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd. (HPCL) have announced a strategic partnership to establish electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) at HPCL fuel stations nationwide. This collaboration will utilize HPCL's extensive network of over 24,400 retail outlets to develop the charging infrastructure, aimed at enhancing the EV user experience, accelerating transportation electrification in India, and supporting the long-term growth of the VinFast and HP e-Charge brands. HPCL, a major state-...

Mainland China has started a public feedback process for solid-state batteries used in electric vehicles, as the country prepares for the large-scale commercialization of this next-generation technology within the next two years. The initiative began with the release of "Solid-state Battery for Electric Vehicle — Part 1: Terms and Classification" by mainland China's National Technical Committee of Auto Standardization on Dec. 30, 2025. This marks the country's first national standard for so...

CATL has successfully achieved its goal of building 1,000 battery-swap stations in mainland China in 2025. Subsequently, the company has raised its target for 2026 as it plans to aggressively expand its battery-swap network nationwide.  Locally called the Choco swap station, CATL announced the completion of its 1,000th battery-swap station in Nanchang, Jiangxi, in mainland China. The company has installed a total of 1,020 swap stations across 45 cities within a year. CATL's revised ta...

South Korean battery material supplier L&F Co. Ltd. announced a dramatic 99% reduction in the value of its 2023 supply agreement with Tesla Inc., dropping from a projected $2.9 billion to just $7,386, signaling deepening challenges in the global electric vehicle supply chain. The Seoul-based firm disclosed the sharp cut on Dec. 29 without specifying reasons, although Tesla's struggles to scale production of its next-generation 4680 battery cells and broader softening in EV demand have bee...

Cui Dongshu, the secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), anticipates a notable decrease in mainland China's lithium battery demand in early 2026, coinciding with a downturn in new-energy vehicle (NEV) sales. This decline in demand is expected to be significant compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, as discussed by Cui in a recent article on his personal WeChat account. Battery manufacturers are likely to respond to these demand fluctuations by reducing production or ...

Nio Inc. has successfully established 200 battery-swap stations in Shanghai, where its global headquarters are situated. The 200th battery-swap station was inaugurated Dec. 28 at a Sinopec gas station, constructed through a collaboration with the Chinese oil giant. As of now, Nio operates 201 battery-swap stations in Shanghai, which contains the highest concentration of such facilities globally. To date, the company has conducted approximately 10.4 million battery-swap services in the ci...

CATL, the world's largest battery manufacturer, expects sodium-ion batteries to see widespread use across various sectors beginning in 2026, as lithium prices have increased sharply in recent months. At a supplier conference in Ningde, Fujian, CATL projected that sodium batteries would become widely adopted in applications such as battery swapping, passenger and commercial vehicles, and energy storage. The company suggested that sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries would create a new dual-sta...

Orbia's Fluor & Energy Materials division has completed a major expansion of its Custom Electrolyte facility in Madison, Wisconsin, boosting production capacity by approximately 300% to meet surging global demand for battery electrolytes. The project reached its final phase in early December 2025 with the addition of a second 75-liter mixer and a new 200-liter mixer, rendering the site fully operational. Launched in August 2024, the facility has already supplied tailored electrolytes for ...

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Mainland China has completed the development and revision of 294 national standards across 13 key sectors, including electric vehicle power battery safety requirements, which have been upgraded to mandatory status for the first time. This information was released by the State Administration for Market Regulation on Dec. 26 and reported by CCTV. These standards were issued under a joint action plan by seven government departments and have been approved and published for future implementation. ...

Leapmotor, a leading manufacturer of new-energy vehicles (NEVs), has secured a significant investment from China FAW Group, marking a notable instance of a mainland Chinese state-owned automaker investing in an NEV startup. According to a regulatory filing, Leapmotor has signed an agreement on Dec. 28 with FAW Equity Investment, a wholly owned subsidiary of China FAW, to issue 74,832,245 domestic shares at 50.03 yuan (about $7.13) per share, raising 3.74 billion yuan. The newly rais...

Shanghai-based electric-car maker Nio has adjusted its battery supply strategy, reversing its efforts to reduce dependence on Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL). Nio halted cooperation with BYD's FinDreams Battery due to insufficient orders for its Onvo subbrand's L60 midsize sport utility vehicle, as reported by local media outlet 36Kr. As a result of reduced supply from BYD, CATL has become the primary supplier for both Onvo's 85-kWh long-range battery and 100-kWh batteries, wh...

Xing Mobility, known for its immersion-cooled battery technology, is set to showcase its achievements at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in the US with a focus on three application areas: Electric Vehicle, Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and high-voltage DC Backup Battery Unit (BBU) for AI data centers. Among the highlights is the debut of the world's first immersion-cooled 800V BBU, presented alongside Project V, an all-electric concept car from Caterham, which utilizes Xing ...

LG Energy Solution (LGES), a South Korean battery manufacturer, has announced the cancellation of a 3.9 trillion won (about $2.7 billion) contract with Freudenberg Battery Power Systems. This move follows Freudenberg's decision to abandon its battery business plans. The cancellation will result in LGES losing 13.5 trillion won in anticipated revenue, including from Ford, which recently announced a significant $19.5 billion writedown and the discontinuation of several electric vehicle models d...

South Korea's LG Energy Solution announced plans to sell a factory building and associated assets in Ohio, US, to Honda Development and Manufacturing of America as part of a $2.86 billion deal. The agreement excludes land and equipment and is intended to enhance the operational efficiency of their joint venture. LG Energy Solution, however, will not dissolve the JV or reduce its stake, aiming instead to improve factory operations. Production at the site is anticipated to commence in 2026, wit...

Samsung SDI has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korean automaker KG Mobility (KGM) for the joint development of next-generation electric vehicle battery pack technologies. The collaboration will focus on using Samsung SDI's 46-series cylindrical battery cells. Executives from both companies, including Ick Kyu Choi, head of Mobile & Power Battery Business (executive vice president) from Samsung SDI, and Jeong Hyun Kwak, chief strategy officer (president) from KGM...

German battery recycling company Cylib has received a €63.4 million grant from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy to finance the second stage of its Dormagen facility. This funding, provided through the STARK program, will allow Cylib to establish Europe's first industrial-scale lithium iron phosphate (LFP) recycling line, increasing the facility's total capacity to 60,000 metric tons per year, equivalent to 140,000 electric vehicle batteries. Established in 2022 in...

Deepal, the electric vehicle unit of leading mainland Chinese vehicle manufacturer Changan Automobile, has successfully completed its Series-C funding round, raising 6.122 billion yuan (about $874 million). This funding is set to enhance Deepal's ability to compete in the intense EV market. The round introduced two new shareholders — Chongqing-based state-owned enterprise Yufu Holding Group and CMB Financial Asset Investment, a subsidiary of China Merchants Bank. Following the investment...

The lithium mine operated by CATL in Yichun, Jiangxi, is expected to resume operations in about two months after being shut down in August 2025 due to an expired mining permit in mainland China. The mine is anticipated to restart around the Lunar New Year in February 2026, with the holiday running from Feb. 15 to 23, 2026. CATL halted operations on Aug. 10, 2025, which led to a spike in lithium carbonate prices. During the halt, CATL was working on renewing the permit. Reports in November 202...

Lithium Royalty Corp. has announced a definitive agreement with Altius Minerals Corp., under which Altius will acquire all outstanding common shares and convertible common shares of Lithium Royalty Corp. This acquisition offers shareholders a choice of consideration per share, including 0.240 common shares of Altius, C$9.50 in cash, or if no choice is made, a combination of 0.16 common shares of Altius and C$3.17 in cash. The transaction does not require financing conditions and is projected ...

Qiji Energy, a subsidiary of CATL, has launched its longest battery-swap route for heavy-duty electric trucks in mainland China. The battery swap-enabled route is a 1,250-km stretch on the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway's Sichuan-Chongqing-Hubei section in mainland China. Qiji Energy specializes in heavy-duty truck battery-swap solutions, with its stations being compatible with over 95% of mainstream truck models, enabling battery swaps in about five minutes. Each battery module has a ca...

Lithium Royalty Corp. (LRC) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 1.5% Trailing Product Sales Fee (TPSF) royalty on the Goulamina lithium project in Mali from Leo Lithium Ltd. for A$40 million. The Goulamina project is operated by Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., a significant player in the lithium market, and is expected to produce up to 500,000 metric tons of spodumene concentrate per annum. The transaction is structured to be completed in two phases, with the initial payment of A$2...

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, Rohde & Schwarz is showcasing testing and validation solutions that help automakers and suppliers accelerate the market introduction of safer, smarter and more sustainable vehicles.  In electric drivetrain testing, Rohde & Schwarz is focusing on inverter and battery management system (BMS) characterization to enhance efficiency in electric mobility. The solution provides insights into switching behavior, electromagnetic interferen...

Zeekr Group has finalized its merger with leading mainland Chinese automaker Geely Automobile Holdings, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the latter and ceasing to be a publicly traded company. Following the merger, Zeekr has requested the NYSE to suspend trading of its American Depositary Shares (ADS) by Dec. 22, 2025, and to notify the SEC of its delisting and deregistration of securities. This merger is part of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group's broader restructuring strategy, which aims t...

Hyundai Motor Group has announced executive appointments for 2026, aiming to accelerate its transformation into a software-driven mobility group and bolster its leadership in technology and research and development. The appointments focus on promoting experts in key business areas to address global uncertainties. Manfred Harrer will become president and head of the R&D Division, enhancing Hyundai's software-defined vehicle  (SDV) competitiveness through collaboration in software domains...

Eve Energy, a leading mainland Chinese battery manufacturer, has commenced construction of a sodium battery plant in mainland China with the aim of advancing new battery technologies. The upcoming facility is expected to also serve as a business headquarters for the company's planned sodium-ion battery business in the future. The project, which also includes an AI robotics center, began on Dec. 22 in Huizhou, Guangdong. With an investment of approximately 1 billion yuan (about $140 mi...

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Li-FT Power Ltd. has entered a binding agreement to fully acquire Winsome Resources Ltd. through Australian share and option schemes of arrangement, contingent on fulfilling various conditions. Additionally, Li-FT has a nonbinding letter of intent with Azimut Exploration Inc. and Soquem Inc. to acquire a 75% interest in the Galinée property. The Galinée property is adjacent to the Adina project, and both are collectively referred to as Adina-Galinée. The Adina project boasts significant li...

SAIC's MG brand has announced that its new electric MG4 Anxin Edition hatchback has started customer deliveries in mainland China. The MG4 Anxin hatchback is the first mass-produced passenger electric vehicle powered by a semisolid-state battery. This vehicle boasts a China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) range of 530 km per charge and supports 2C fast charging, where C stands for the rated capacity of the battery.  Introduced at the Chengdu Mot...

Automotive component suppliers demonstrated resilience during the first nine months of 2025 (January–September), navigating a period of moderating top-line growth while effectively enhancing profitability, compared to the strong performance in the corresponding period of 2024. While overall revenue growth decelerated from the double-digit pace observed earlier, the industry managed to expand its collective operating margins, reflecting a strong focus on operational efficiencies and cost manage...

PowerCo SE has launched the Salzgitter, Germany, gigafactory, beginning the production of the first Unified Cells entirely within Europe, bolstering Volkswagen Group's position in battery technology. The cells, once produced, will be delivered for final road tests to brands including Volkswagen, ŠKODA and SEAT/CUPRA, with a debut in the Electric Urban Car Family planned for 2026. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume emphasized the strategic importance of this development, marking Volkswagen as the fi...

CATL has entered into a 10-year agreement with Voyah, a new-energy vehicle (NEV) brand under Dongfeng Motor, to strengthen its position as a battery supplier. The agreement, signed Dec. 17 in Ningde, Fujian, aims to prioritize the supply of CATL's advanced technologies such as the Qilin Battery, Freevoy Battery and Shenxing Battery, for integration into Voyah vehicles. CATL will also establish production capacity near Voyah's facilities to ensure a stable supply chain as Voyah scales up ...

Factorial Inc. and Cartesian Growth Corp. III have announced a definitive business combination agreement aimed at accelerating the commercialization of Factorial's high-power, lightweight, solid-state battery technology. This agreement, which values Factorial at approximately $1.1 billion on a pre-money, pre-merger basis, includes $100 million in new capital from institutional investors in a private placement of common stock. Upon completion, the combined entity will be listed on the Nasdaq u...

Welion New Energy, a Chinese solid-state battery company, has announced a significant breakthrough in its solid-state battery technology, achieving an energy density of 824 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) in its laboratory tests. Notably, the company has set a future goal of exceeding an energy density of 1,000 Wh/kg. Chairman Yu Huigen shared these findings during a television program on Chinese state media, CCTV. Despite this advancement, Yu pointed out that high costs, especially due ...

Stellantis has secured a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a new electric vehicle battery thermal-runaway suppression system, filed on May 28, 2024, and granted on Dec. 4, 2025. This system is designed to enhance safety by integrating an emergency fire-suppression mechanism directly within the battery pack. It aims to prevent potential fires by addressing battery cell failures promptly through a specialized foam mixture, which is particularly relevant for future ...

The Thai Cabinet has approved changes to its electric vehicle promotion strategies, specifically targeting the EV3 and EV3.5 measures, to prevent potential market oversupply and price wars. The adjustments aim to offer manufacturers more flexibility while maintaining market stability as Thailand pursues its ambition to become a significant global hub for EV production. Key updates include an extension of the vehicle registration timelines, with EV3 vehicles needing to be sold by Dec. 31, 2025...

Ford Motor has terminated a $6.5 billion deal with South Korea's LG Energy Solution to supply electric vehicle batteries. The cancellation was announced by LG Energy Solution in a regulatory filing, citing Ford's decision to halt production of certain EV models due to changes in policy and a shift in EV demand outlook. LG Energy Solution had signed contracts in October 2025 to provide EV batteries to Ford in Europe, starting in 2026 and 2027. Recently, Ford also announced a $19.5 billion w...

Hyundai Steel has teamed up with the Posco Group to jointly establish a steel manufacturing plant in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, US. The two South Korean steel companies will invest $5.8 billion in the greenfield plant, which is expected to commence commercial production in early 2029. Hyundai Motor Group — including Hyundai Steel, Hyundai Motor and Kia — will collectively hold an 80% equity stake in the venture, with Posco Group securing the remaining 20%. The total project cost will be s...

The European Commission has imposed fines totaling approximately €72 million on three automotive starter battery manufacturers, Exide, FET (including its predecessor Elettra) and Rombat, along with the trade association EUROBAT, for their involvement in a cartel that violated EU antitrust rules. This cartel also included Clarios (formerly JC Autobatterie) and restricted competition, potentially leading to higher prices for automotive manufacturers in Europe. Clarios, however, was not f...

The European Commission unveiled the automotive package on Dec. 16, focusing on providing flexibility for CO2 emissions of cars and vans to vehicle manufacturers, promoting affordable small electric cars, and establishing mandatory targets for corporate vehicles, as well as local development of the battery supply chain. Softening its stance on the earlier proposed ban on the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) powered passenger cars by 2035, the new proposal from the European Commission ...

Japanese automaker Nissan has commenced production of its third-generation LEAF electric vehicles at its Sunderland-based manufacturing plant in the UK, bringing its EV36Zero plan to life, the company announced Dec. 16. Nissan first launched its ambitious EV36Zero plan in July 2021. The plan committed an investment of £1 billion in Sunderland to establish the company’s flagship EV manufacturing hub based on sustainability guidelines. The EV36Zero plan included setting up a highly auto...

LG Innotek has announced its participation in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, which will be held from Jan. 6 to 9 in Las Vegas. The company will present a portfolio of future mobility solutions focused on autonomous driving and electric vehicles. LG Innotek will showcase 35 products at the Las Vegas Convention Center's West Hall under the theme of future mobility. The exhibition aims to highlight integrated solutions that combine hardware with AI-based software, positioning LG Inn...

The United States Advanced Battery Consortium LLC (USABC), under the United States Council for Automotive Research LLC (USCAR), has announced nine requests for proposal information (RFPIs) aimed at advancing battery cell development for electric vehicles. These RFPIs are part of a $90 million cooperative agreement with the US Energy Department (US DOE), with $60 million in federal funding. The objective is to identify developers who can meet or exceed USABC's targets for EV battery cells and ...

Ford Motor Co. has announced strategic measures to enhance its Ford+ plan, aiming to cater to customer demands while driving profitable growth. The company plans to offer a diverse range of options, including gas-powered vehicles, hybrids and electric vehicles. Ford's Universal EV Platform will support a variety of models, with an objective for hybrids, extended-range EVs and fully electric vehicles to constitute approximately 50% of its global volume by 2030, up from 17% in 2025. Ford will f...

Webasto Power Test Systems and Maccor Inc., both manufacturers based in the US, have formed a partnership focused on enhancing battery testing systems for high-voltage applications. They aim to provide a broad range of technologies that aid organizations in validating the performance of batteries and meeting industry demands. Their collaboration focuses on offering integrated testing solutions that encompass everything from cell and module cycling to high-voltage pack and drivetrain emulation. ...

RecycLiCo Battery Materials Inc., a company involved in refining critical minerals and upcycling lithium-ion batteries, has announced the approval of construction permits for its new research and process-development laboratory in Delta, British Columbia. The approval by the local government allows RecycLiCo to commence construction, which is scheduled for significant completion by early 2026. With the lab design finalized and permits secured, RecycLiCo has initiated early construction prepara...

French battery company Verkor has inaugurated its first lithium-ion low-carbon battery cell gigafactory in Bourbourg in Dunkirk, France, the company announced Dec. 11. The new gigafactory will operate with an initial capacity of 16 GWh per year and is expected to create 1,200 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs, with the commercialization of the first batteries planned for 2026 for the Alpine A390. Verkor plans to scale up battery production to reach 50 GWh by 2030, with an aim of becomi...

The BMW Group, in collaboration with Encory GmbH, has officially commissioned the new Cell Recycling Competence Center (CRCC) in Salching, Lower Bavaria, marking a significant advancement in innovative direct recycling of electric vehicle batteries. The center aims to facilitate the reuse of battery raw materials by directly feeding residual materials from battery cell production back into the cell production cycle, eliminating the need for energy-intensive chemical or thermal processing. Onc...

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Volkswagen (VW)-owned car brands SEAT and CUPRA have opened an all-new battery system assembly plant at the Martorell factory in Spain, SEAT announced Dec. 12. The move is seen as part of the VW Group's larger battery strategy to balance in-house and third-party cell supply to achieve maximum flexibility. In-house battery-cell assembly operations offer flexibility and control over the supply chain, while providing scope to innovate in technology and processes. The high-profile opening cere...

Grab Vietnam has entered into a partnership with Charge+, a leading provider of electric vehicle charging solutions in Southeast Asia, to develop a charging and battery-swapping network in Vietnam. This collaboration aims to provide flexible charging solutions for electric cars, motorcycles and e-scooters, benefiting Grab driver-partners and EV users. The agreement aligns with the long-term commitment of both companies to promote green mobility and support Vietnam's Net Zero road map. M...

Anaphite, an emerging battery technology startup, has raised £1.4 million in its latest funding under the Innovate UK Investor Partnership Program, the company announced on its LinkedIn handle on Dec. 9. The newly raised amount is a combination of £700,000 in grant funding from Innovate UK Investor Partnerships: Clean Energy and Climate Technologies competition, alongside £700,000 of aligned investment from climate-focused venture capital funds Elbow Beach and World Fund, the company said....

Geely Auto Group has unveiled the Geely Safety Centre, now recognized as the world's largest and most advanced automotive safety testing facility, in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, mainland China. Spanning 45,000 square meters, the center was established with an initial investment exceeding 2 billion yuan (nearly $284 million), demonstrating Geely's commitment to advancing safety technologies and elevating global safety standards. The new center encompasses comprehensive global safety testing, inclu...

Blue Current Inc. has announced the closing of an over $80 million Series-D extension funding round. The round is anchored by Amazon, with participation from Koch Disruptive Technologies, Piedmont Capital, Rusheen Capital Partners, and Allen & Co. The funds will be used to accelerate the commercialization of Blue Current's silicon composite battery platform, designed to deliver high safety and performance levels for both the mobility and stationary storage sectors. Additionally, James Ham...

Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, has attracted more than $1 billion in financing interest for its Arkansas, US, lithium project. Three export credit agencies, including the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) and Export Finance Norway, have shown interest in providing debt financing, though the third agency's name has not been disclosed. Standard Lithium's US-listed shares saw a 3% rise following this announcement. The JV is seeking up to $1.1 billion in senio...

South Korean battery-maker SK On has decided to end its joint venture with Ford Motor for their joint battery factories in the US, as part of a business overhaul to focus on growth areas such as energy storage systems. This decision marks a shift in SK On's strategy as slowing electric vehicle demand and the loss of US subsidies have pushed South Korean battery-makers to reshape their US strategies and accelerate their expansion into the energy storage systems business. SK On, a subsidia...

Kia India has formally confirmed that it is evaluating a hybrid version of its new Seltos sport utility vehicle, according to a news report published by Autocar Professional on Dec. 10. The move is part of Kia India’s future powertrain road map. The report said that Kia plans to launch the hybrid version of the Seltos SUV in India once the company achieves meaningful localization of hybrid components. The strategy is aimed at ensuring that the technology is priced competitively for Ind...

Naxion Energy has announced the commercial launch of its sodium-ion-based energy storage systems, produced at its Coimbatore facility in India. This development marks the company as India's first dedicated sodium-ion battery manufacturer. The systems integrate batteries, inverters and solar  Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) components, available in 3.5-kW, 5-kW and 10-kW configurations with expandable capacity, catering to residential, commercial, industrial and defense sectors as alt...

Rimac Technology, a division of the Croatian carmaker Rimac Group, is developing a solid-state battery for Bugatti, Autocar magazine reported Dec. 9, citing an interview with Nurdin Pitarevic, COO of the company. Pitarevic said that Rimac Technology is already well advanced in developing a new range of solid-state batteries. The company is collaborating with cell-maker ProLogium and Mitsubishi, aiming for market release late in the decade. Pitarevic anticipates the first application of these bat...

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is investing A$21 million to expedite the transition to electric vehicles in Australia. Through ARENA's Driving the Nation Program, three new projects have been initiated to improve access to EV charging infrastructure, making it more affordable and readily available across the country. These initiatives aim to advance the infrastructure and insights necessary for Australia's shift toward zero-emission transportation. The projects include funding...

Unigrid Inc., a company specializing in ultrasafe sodium-ion batteries, has launched the Na⁺ Fleet platform, a 12V starter battery using NaCrO₂ sodium-ion cells. This new technology allows original equipment manufacturers to integrate these cells into their own 12V Na⁺ packs for distribution, providing an alternative to traditional lead-acid batteries. The sodium-ion design offers several advantages over lead-acid batteries, such as being smaller, lighter and more efficient, with a...

Mainland China's lithium-ion battery supply chain is facing cost pressures due to proposed price increases from major battery separator manufacturers. This is expected to impact the electric vehicle battery costs in the near term. Several leading separator firms have announced price increases of up to 30% for wet-process separator products, as reported by NBD (Daily Economic News, China), with base film and coated film expected to experience similar increases. While some adjustments have begu...

Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology, a semisolid-state battery supplier for Shanghai-based electric-car maker Nio Inc., is preparing for a domestic stock market listing by initiating pre-IPO tutoring work. The company plans to list on China's ChiNext stock market, a board for growth enterprises, with assistance from the domestic investment bank China Securities. As documented on the China Securities Regulatory Commission website, WeLion signed the pre-IPO tutoring agreement on Dec. 8. This p...

Ace Green Recycling Inc. has announced significant progress in its global expansion strategy, with zero-emissions battery recycling equipment deployments in Taiwan, Thailand and Armenia. The company is shipping equipment for projects in Taiwan and Thailand, and has commenced shipments to Armenia for lead and lithium recycling. In Taiwan, Ace is collaborating with ACME Metal Enterprise, with equipment set to arrive early in 2026, marking phase two of its deployment to expand zero-emissions cap...

Samsung SDI has secured a contract worth over 2 trillion won (approximately $1.4 billion) to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) in North America. The agreement will commence in 2027 and span three years. These batteries will be produced at Samsung SDI's Indiana, US, facility, showcasing a concerted shift in production focus from electric vehicles to ESS batteries in response to local demand. The company's prismatic LFP cells will be delivered in a 2...

QuantumScape Corp., a company specializing in solid-state lithium-metal battery technology, announced the completion of the installation of essential equipment for its QSE-5 cell production in San Jose, California. This achievement marks an important annual goal for 2025. The Eagle Line, QuantumScape's automated battery cell pilot production line, is designed to lay the groundwork for gigawatt-hour-scale production through QuantumScape's technology licensing partners. To celebrate this m...

Asahi Kasei, a global manufacturer with operations across the healthcare, homes and material sectors, has announced the strategic sale of its Daramic lead battery separator business to Kingswood Capital Management LP. The transfer of Daramic was completed on Dec. 1, with minimal impact on Asahi Kasei's consolidated financial results for fiscal 2025. Hideyuki Yamagishi, the primary executive officer and president of the Material Sector at Asahi Kasei Corp., emphasized that the divestiture...

Wolfspeed announced that its automotive metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) will be used in the onboard charger systems for Toyota's battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The integration of silicon carbide in these systems is part of a broader industry move toward clean energy vehicles, as it is becoming the standard semiconductor for high-voltage onboard power systems. Silicon carbide is known for enabling fast, efficient and high-power density electric vehicle powe...

General Motors (GM) has started production of the all-new Chevy Spark electric utility vehicle (EUV) at Comexport's Planta Automotiva do Ceará (PACE) in Horizonte, Ceará, Brazil. The plant, which is contracted by GM Brazil, will assemble Chevrolet's zero-emissions crossover. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. GM South America President Santiago Chamorro emphasized that this move aligns with Brazil's competitiveness, technology a...

Announcing its strategy for the European market, Ford Motor Co. has signed a strategic partnership with French carmaker Renault Group to jointly develop electric passenger cars and electric commercial vehicles.  Ford said that its strategy for Europe is structured around three main pillars: Bolstering the successful Ford Pro Commercial Vehicle division, expanding the Ford passenger car lineup with new vehicles, and optimizing the industrial system for scale and efficiency. ...

ZF has secured its first customer order for its advanced eRE+ range extender technology, with mainland Chinese automaker Leapmotor set to incorporate it into its premium sport utility vehicle, the D19, starting in 2026. The eRE+ range extender enables generator operation and a switchable front-axle drive, thereby enhancing the vehicle's functionality. In generator mode, it utilizes a combustion engine to drive the electric motor, charge the high-voltage battery and extend the range. Th...

Marelli, a global mobility technology supplier to the automotive sector, has launched its new Intelligent Energy Management solution for hybrid and electric vehicles at the CTI Europe 2025 symposium in Berlin. This modular system is based on proprietary software that integrates seamlessly with vehicle control units and thermal components. It aims to coordinate the vehicle's energy domains: Thermal, propulsion and electronics, to maximize efficiency throughout the vehicle systems. The sol...

LG Energy Solution (LGES), a South Korean battery cell manufacturer, has announced a significant battery supply agreement with Mercedes-Benz AG valued at 2.06 trillion won (approximately $1.39 billion). According to a regulatory filing, the supply contract is scheduled to commence in March 2028 and will continue until June 2035. The deal represents 8% of LG Energy Solution's projected annual sales of 25.6 trillion won in 2024. The batteries from this agreement will be provided to markets i...