Independent electric transport news covering aviation, maritime, buses, trucks, rail and working machinery.
Volkswagen, PowerCo and Gotion plan lithium iron phosphate battery production sites in Spain, Slovakia and Morocco. The move is intended to strengthen Europe’s EV battery supply chain.
LG Energy Solution and indiGOtech have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to explore battery supply and technical collaboration. The potential agreement could support indiGOtech's upcoming commercial EVs if the companies reach a final deal.
The European Commission has chosen 46 new strategic raw material projects across 16 member states. The projects include materials important for batteries, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite.
A study from Chalmers University of Technology looks at reconfigurable battery packs that can bypass weaker cells. The research says this could extend battery life by more than 20 per cent in certain high-voltage vehicles under optimal conditions.
A Chalmers study found that bypassing weak cells in reconfigurable battery packs extends EV life and opens a new lever for automakers.
ETH Zurich spin-off Winduction has developed an inductive charging system for electric buses that supplies power through their wheels at bus stops. The source says this could allow for smaller batteries, reducing energy demand and operating costs, and that a pilot project is planned for 2028.
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has opened the Center for Energy Storage and Systems (ZESS) in Braunschweig. The research hub, backed by nearly €50 million from the federal government and the state, is intended to support work on battery and hydrogen technologies.
Verlume said its 500 kWh modular subsea energy storage system has completed testing before deployment. The system is intended for offshore wind applications, where subsea storage and power management could support operations.
Princeton NuEnergy says it will receive battery manufacturing scrap from SK Battery America under a planned expansion of their closed-loop recycling collaboration. The arrangement matters because it links battery production waste back into recycling for EV battery supply chains.
Toyota has opened a 30,000-square-foot battery development center in Michigan. The site is intended to support EV, hybrid and plug-in hybrid battery technology development in North America.
LG Energy Solution has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with US startup Indigotech. The companies will explore supply of 46-series cylindrical batteries for commercial electric vans in the United States.
Autocraft Solutions Group won the Green Award at the Automechanika Frankfurt Innovation Awards 2026 for its REVIVE workshops. The award highlights EV battery repair and remanufacturing as a route to handling failed battery packs.
The article says Europe’s battery value chain has faced setbacks but does not start from scratch. It argues that the Industrial Accelerator Act should provide incentives to help materialise and scale projects.
Automotive World says Beijing’s EV purchase tax rollback, alongside a 2% battery tax, marks an exit from propping up demand and tilts support to sodium-ion.
The source says Beijing wants large-scale production of solid-state batteries by 2030, and that CATL says making the technology affordable is another matter.
Amprius Technologies has received a grant of up to $75 million from the U.S. Department of War to convert production for drone batteries. The funding is relevant because it supports manufacturing capacity for aviation-related battery supply.
Transport & Environment (T&E) said its analysis of the EU's planned local content requirements for batteries concluded that a sufficient number of 'Made in EU' battery cells will be available by 2030. The source says this contradicts current claims by the automotive industry.
Renewance found a packaging option from Obexion AG for shipping damaged, defective or recalled batteries. The change is meant to reduce the cost and handling burden of moving these dangerous goods.
Volkswagen will make LFP batteries for mass-market electric vehicles through joint ventures with China’s Gotion. The move points to a push for lower-cost battery supply in Europe.
GM and LG Energy Solution plan to make LMR prismatic batteries in Tennessee. The batteries are described as offering 33% more energy density than LFP at a comparable cost, which could affect future EV battery performance and pricing.
GM said it will be the first company to mass-produce prismatic LMR battery cells. The company says the cells can deliver 33% higher energy density than LFP at a comparable cost, which could affect EV battery pricing and range.
BYD said it is testing a flagship sedan with coach doors and what it called “unprecedented disruptive technology.” The car is reportedly expected to use BYD’s solid-state batteries, which would make it the first EV to do so.
General Motors said it will mass-produce lithium-manganese-rich cells at a factory in Spring Hill. The confirmation points to the manufacturing site for its next-generation EV battery plans.
CBAK Energy has signed an investment agreement for a project in Nanjing that would add 12 GWh of annual cell production capacity. The project covers the research, development and manufacture of large cylindrical sodium-ion cells and integrated battery systems.
ACEA has presented a study examining whether the European battery supply chain could meet the requirements of the draft Industrial Accelerator Act. The EU is debating the draft package, which aims to boost production and competitiveness within the Union.
China has presented a new five-year plan for the battery industry that targets larger-scale use of solid-state batteries by 2030. The plan also mentions sodium-ion batteries, fast charging, recycling and industry consolidation.
GM said it completed a closed-loop EV battery recycling pilot using recycled nickel, cobalt and manganese in new battery cells. The result points to a recycling path for battery materials used in electric vehicles.
Hyundai's head of R&D says small-volume cars with solid-state batteries are expected to reach the market within five years. The statement points to the company’s continued focus on the technology.
Mercedes-Benz has secured first rights to ProLogium’s latest Gen4 solid-state EV battery cells. The agreement matters because it gives Mercedes-Benz priority access to the new battery technology.
Renault says it will invest €600 million by 2030 to modernize its Valladolid and Palencia plants in Spain. The plan includes production of five new models, among them two EVs, and a battery assembly line in Valladolid.