The ID. Buzz Wait Is Over! BMW Invests In Lithium Refining. Mercedes & Sila High-Silicon EV Batteries? — EV News Today

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Electric car prices, iconic electrified vehicles chauffeuring VIPs in Versailles, battery research, more sustainable battery components, and more — see the latest EV news below.

Electric Car & SUV News

The wait is finally over! — Start of ID. Buzz⁰¹ pre-sales

“Without taking into account the environmental bonus in Germany, the gross list price for the five-seater ID. Buzz Pro is 64,581.30 euros (in Germany). Gross prices for the ID. Buzz Cargo start from 54,430.60 euros (in Germany). The first vehicles will be delivered to customers in autumn this year.”

Fully electric Genesis GV60 arrives in US starting at $58,890

“The Genesis GV60 enters the US market as a bold first step in the brand’s move towards a lineup of fully electrified vehicles. It offers a number of available world-first automotive features, including Face Connect and a Crystal Sphere. These innovative features enable drivers to be even more connected with their vehicle, making GV60 the most personal and customizable Genesis model yet.

“Face Connect is a feature that allows the vehicle to lock or unlock its doors without a key by recognizing the driver’s face. Drivers only need to touch the door handle and show their face to the camera on the B-pillar. The feature can register up to two different drivers.

“The feature uses a Near Infra-Red (NIR) camera to provide accurate facial recognition under virtually any circumstances — including in the dark or when the weather is cloudy. It also leverages deep learning technology to improve accuracy.”

Everrati and Hilton & Moss partner to expertly restore and electrify iconic Mercedes-Benz models

“Everrati Automotive Limited (Everrati) and Hilton & Moss together announce a new strategic partnership, combining their respective expertise in EV conversion and classic car restoration to produce the Mercedes-Benz W113 SL ‘Pagoda’ model redefined by Everrati.

“The Mercedes-Benz W113 SL ‘Pagoda’ model becomes the latest model to benefit from technology from the best Tier 1 automotive suppliers and the company’s sector-leading IP. Focussing on immersive and engaging driver experiences, Everrati works meticulously to respectfully preserve the original character and ‘feel’ of its redefined icons. Everrati’s Mercedes-Benz W113 SL ‘Pagoda’ remains true to this ethos, offering levels of performance comparable to the original model.”

We’re delighted to announce Everrati will be the sole automotive partner for the ultra-exclusive Royal Versailles Ball on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s 203rd birthday. We believe we are the perfect fit for such an event; leading the charge on sustainable luxury 🎉 #Everrati pic.twitter.com/T6H7F5NJSy

— Everrati (@Everraticars) May 18, 2022

“Everrati Automotive Limited (Everrati), the leading EV technology and repowering brand is honoured to be chosen as the sole automotive partner of the highly prestigious Royal Versailles Ball 2022, with its electrified icons playing a key role in the ultra-exclusive charity event.

“The Royal Versailles Ball is a private, invitation-only, white tie event which will be held at The Palace of Versailles on 21st May 2022 on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s 203^rd birthday. It will be a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime experience, paying homage to Napoleon III’s original Ball of 1855, which Queen Victoria attended as the guest of honour.

“As one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cars, the electric Land Rover Series IIA, a quintessentially British car, aligned with its state-of-the-art Everrati EV powertrain, was deemed the most fitting vehicle to transport VIP guests in sustainable luxury.”

“Everrati is honoured to provide its electric icons for the once-in-a-lifetime Royal Versailles Ball, playing a key role chauffeuring VIPs at the ultra-exclusive charity event Redefined Land Rover Series IIA will transport British and French dignitaries to the Palace of Versailles in sustainable luxury Charity event attended by European Royalty and UHNWIs to support and raise funds for UNICEF UK, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Street Child UK.”

Classic luxury with subtle modern twists; our EV Land Rover Series IIA is fitted with heated rear benches and a brand-new sound system whilst retaining its glorious 1960s styling 😍 #Everrati #ElectrifyingIcons #LandRover #SeriesIIA #Luxury #Sustainability #Electric #EV pic.twitter.com/kr60fLMHK9

— Everrati (@Everraticars) May 16, 2022

Kia to establish its first electric PBV plant in Korea, as it accelerates electrified mobility

“Kia Corporation, which is in the midst of its transition into a sustainable mobility provider, has announced today that it will establish an all-new, high-tech smart manufacturing facility dedicated to producing electric Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs).

“The intelligent new production hub for PBVs will be located within Kia’s existing Hwaseong manufacturing site in Korea. The company plans to begin construction in the first half of 2023, with the aim to commence commercial production in the second half of 2025.

“The plant will initially be able to build 100,000 PBVs a year with the capacity to increase production to 150,000 units annually in line with the growth of PBV market.

Electric Buses, Electric Trucks

GreenPower’s all-electric Type D and Type A school buses are eligible for rebates of up to $375,000 and $285,000 respectively under the EPA’s Clean School Bus program

“GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ: GP) (TSXV: GPV) (“GreenPower”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of zero-emission, electric-powered, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, announced that its all-electric school buses are eligible for rebates under the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Clean School Bus program of $500 million for this year. Under the EPA program, qualified purchasers of GreenPower’s Type D BEAST all-electric school bus are eligible for a rebate of up $375,000 and up to $285,000 for GreenPower’s Type A Nano BEAST all-electric school bus. Online applications are expected to open later this month.”

Modine launches new EVantage line of thermal management systems for commercial electric vehicles

“New plug-and-play systems for EV battery and power electronics thermal management draws on the company’s 100-year legacy and integrates easily into a wide range of vehicles for land, marine, and aviation as well as stationary applications.”

Batteries

Mercedes-Benz and Sila achieve breakthrough with high-silicon automotive battery

“The innovative high-silicon anode material will increase the energy density of batteries without compromising safety or other performance parameters. Compared to today’s commercially available cells with a comparable format, Sila’s technology enables a 20-40% increase in energy density reaching more than 800 Wh/l at cell level. This major development enables Mercedes-Benz to store more energy within the same space, thus increasing range of its future vehicles by a significant amount.

“The advanced silicon anode materials will be manufactured using 100% renewable energy in Sila’s new Washington state facility, making Mercedes-Benz the factory’s first publicly announced automotive customer. Both companies are targeting mid-decade for a range-extended-version of the electric G-Class to be equipped with the new battery technology option.”

BMW i Ventures announces lead investment in green lithium refining technology, from Mangrove Lithium

“BMW i Ventures announced today a lead investment in the Series A-1 financing round of Mangrove Lithium, a feedstock-flexible modular platform producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate to improve the sustainability profile of lithium. BMW i Ventures is joined by existing investor Breakthrough Energy Ventures.”

New funding from major automaker positions Mangrove Lithium for central role in future of sustainable EV manufacturing

“Mangrove Lithium announced today it has closed a new investment round led by US-based BMW i Ventures (BiV) and joined by returning investor Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV). Mangrove will use these funds to accelerate the launch of a commercial-scale plant deploying its proprietary, patent-pending technology to refine lithium from a variety of sources. The plant will boost existing lithium refining operations in the Western Hemisphere, and lower lithium refining’s environmental impact. It will also enable new refining capacity by unlocking untapped resources and converting them to viable reserves.”

Expanded nanoscale imaging lends a clearer vision for the future of batteries

“Battery cells are complex and evolving systems, and every particle has a story to tell.

“At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), there is a common consensus that X-ray imaging techniques hold the key to unlocking critical information about the performance of energy storage systems. As such, NREL researchers are at the forefront of new research using X-ray diagnostics techniques to examine the composition and architecture of battery materials. And with the anticipated addition of a new X-ray nanoscale computed tomography (nano-CT) scanner, NREL researchers will have the technology that enables them to get a clearer picture of energy materials than ever before.”

Global lithium-ion battery market report 2022–2030 — declining costs of lithium-ion batteries and changing battery chemistry with innovation in manufacturing — ResearchAndMarkets.com

EV Charging

Scotland’s biggest ultra-rapid charging station opens in Hamilton

• Hamilton is Fastned’s latest station in Scotland and will be the first ultra-rapid charging station in South Lanarkshire.
• The new station — which is being officially opened by Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth MSP — is situated in the Palace Grounds Retail Park and has eight ultra-rapid chargers, supplied by 100% renewable energy, capable of adding up to 186 miles (300km) of range to all electric vehicles (EVs) in 15 minutes.
• The station responds to the Scottish Government’s call for a doubling of the number of public EV chargepoint to meet rising EV sales, as well as the need for greater investment from the private sector.

Together with G&V Energy Group we will install 100 fast charging hubs at fuel stations in Belgium

“We will enter a long-term High Power Charging partnership, to install Ultra-Fast Electric Vehicle charging stations at 100 fuel stations throughout Belgium. 12 locations are due to be realized this calendar year, starting with the Noorderlaan in Antwerp. All 12 locations are co-financed by the European Union. Where possible the charging stations will be installed under the existing canopy of the fuel station itself, but as sites expand the installation of Allego canopies is also foreseen. The Electric Vehicle chargers themselves will be kitted in Allego branding for easy recognition for EV drivers. For the longer term with utilization increasing, there is the potential to expand to additional 150 locations. In Belgium, we currently operates a network of 5,000 public AC charging points covering more than 305 Flemish municipalities, in addition to 63 DC fast chargers located throughout all of Belgium. We are now rolling out an additional 56 ultra-fast charging locations next to main highways in the coming year 2022-2023, upon completion this will make it the largest DC network in Belgium. In addition to these planned locations, the G&V Allego High power partnership announced today will add another 100 strategic locations in Belgium.”

Alfen chooses Diebold Nixdorf as its preferred Field Services Provider for its European EV charging infrastructure

“Alfen announces a multi-year framework agreement with its new partner Diebold Nixdorf, a world leader in enabling connected commerce. As a preferred partner, Diebold Nixdorf will provide field services for Alfen’s charging equipment across its expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout Europe. Diebold Nixdorf is the ideal international partner to help Alfen meet the fast-growing demand for its smart, robust and high-tech charging stations and improve availability for electric vehicle drivers.”

EV Investment

Infinitum Electric raises $80M in Series D funding led by Riverstone Holdings to scale production of sustainable motors

“Infinitum Electric, creator of the sustainable, breakthrough air-core motor, today announced $80 million in Series D funding to scale motor production to meet increasing demand. Infinitum Electric will use the investment to vertically integrate and automate production of its motors for the commercial and industrial market segments, and complete development and commercialization of a traction motor for the rapidly growing electric vehicle market, where its exceptional breakthrough power density can significantly extend the range of electric vehicles.”

REE Automotive Announces First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

“This quarter we made significant progress towards establishing our production capabilities, commercializing our products, and maturing our pipeline. The recently-announced commencement of on-road testing in the U.S. of our new class 5 walk-in van highlights the progress of our partnership with EAVX. We are excited for customers to experience first-hand the unique benefits of the first X-by-Wire vehicle built with a best-in-class Morgan Olson body and Powered by REE when we deliver full vehicle prototypes this summer. As our business plan continues on track, we are encouraged by customer feedback from those who have experienced our P7 platform during on-track demonstrations in Israel and in the UK. We feel very confident in our timelines. Accordingly, we are building out our highly-automated production capabilities at our Coventry, UK integration center, which we expect to provide initial capacity of 10,000 corner sets by the end of this year,” said Daniel Barel, REE’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

Clean Air

Breathe cleaner air inside Volvo cars with cutting-edge air-purification technology

“Allergies, asthma and air pollution affect hundreds of millions of people around the world in a negative way, according to data from the World Health Organisation and the World Allergy Organisation.

“That is why Volvo Cars is taking steps to offer its customers ever-improving air quality inside its latest cars through cutting-edge air purification, helping people breathe cleaner air.”

Nutrien announces intention to build world’s largest clean ammonia production facility

“Nutrien Ltd. (TSX and NYSE: NTR) announced today that it is evaluating Geismar, LA as the site to build the world’s largest clean ammonia facility. Building on the company’s expertise in low-carbon ammonia production, clean ammonia will be manufactured using innovative technology to achieve at least a 90 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions. The project will proceed to the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase, with a final investment decision expected to follow in 2023. If approved, construction of the approximately US$2 billion facility would begin in 2024 with full production expected by 2027.”

Traffic Safety

Newly released estimates show traffic fatalities reached a 16-year high in 2021

“The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released its early estimate of traffic fatalities for 2021. NHTSA projects that an estimated 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020. The projection is the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the largest annual percentage increase in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s history. Behind each of these numbers is a life tragically lost, and a family left behind.”