(Reuters) – North Carolina regulators have approved a state mining permit for Tesla supplier Piedmont Lithium to develop one of the largest U.S. sources of the key electric vehicle battery metal, Piedmont said on Monday.

The approval from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, which is conditional on the company posting a $1 million reclamation bond, removes a major hurdle to Piedmont’s plans to tap a large lithium deposit just outside Charlotte. Continue reading “North Carolina approves mining permit for Tesla supplier Piedmont Lithium”

SINGAPORE, (Reuters) – Low rates of investment in the global mining sector have put the global energy transition at risk, widening the supply gap in critical minerals like copper, Rio Tinto chairman Dominic Barton said on Monday.

“The gap is humungous, and I am actually very worried about whether we will be able to close (it),” Barton said via video link at the Ecosperity conference in Singapore. Continue reading “Global mining investment too low to support energy transition, Rio Tinto chairman says”

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Monday it has opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate claims related to loss of brake assist for 3,322 GM Cadillac Lyriq electric vehicles.

The NHTSA said it received reports of a hard brake pedal, followed by a “Brake System Failure” message at start up or while driving. The evaluation covers 2023 model year vehicles. Continue reading “US opens probe into 3,322 GM Cadillac Lyriq EVs over loss of brake assist”

LONDON, (Reuters) – BP has cut over a tenth of the workforce in its electric vehicle charging business and pulled it out of several markets after a bet on rapid growth in commercial EV fleets didn’t pay off, company sources said.

The changes at BP Pulse are part of CEO Murray Auchincloss’s efforts to focus on the British company’s most profitable segments as it battles investor doubts over its plan to shift away from oil and gas to low-carbon energy. Continue reading “Exclusive: BP’s EV charging arm cuts jobs, reduces global ambitions”

• Some staff in U.S. already notified of layoffs – source
• Tesla looking to cut costs, boost productivity – memo
• Q1 deliveries fell for first time in nearly four years
• Battery development chief announces departure on X

Continue reading “Tesla to lay off more than 10% of staff globally as sales fall”

Source : PTI  | The Gurugram administration on Saturday conducted a mega verification drive to check fitness of school buses under the Surakshit School Vahan policy and issued challans to 184 buses, officials said. Over 2,700 buses of more than 500 private schools in the district have been summoned for verification over the two days, they said.

As many as 795 buses were checked on the first day of this two-day campaign in the district, they added. Continue reading “Gurugram admin begins fitness drive for buses of over 500 schools”

Source : PTI | On the streets of Kolkata and surrounding areas, e-rickshaws, popularly known as ‘toto’, are set to be powered by lithium-ion batteries with the rolling out of a battery leasing model, officials said on Sunday. Neuron Energy, a lithium-ion battery maker, has joined hands with Urja Mobility to spearhead the leasing model which has so far been heard only in the business-to-business EV sector, they said. Continue reading “Leasing of lithium-ion batteries for 3-wheelers to be rolled out soon in Kolkata”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: More than 1.26 lakh commuters have been booked for stop-line violations in the first three months of 2024, which is 20 per cent higher than the last year during the same period, the Delhi Traffic Police said on Sunday. “The stop-line violations, which involve motorists disregarding the designated stop lines at traffic signals, have been a persistent concern contributing to the road safety hazards and traffic congestion,” a senior officer of the Delhi Traffic Police said.

According to a statement issued by the traffic police, they initiated special drives against stop-line violations and booked 1,26,084 violators from January 1 to March 31 compared to 1,05,317 in 2023 in the same period. Continue reading “Over 1.26 lakh commuters booked for stop-line violations in 3 months: Delhi traffic police”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: The government has set the target of producing 170 million tonnes of coal from captive and commercial coal blocks in the country during the current financial year. In FY24, captive and commercial coal blocks produced 147.12 million tonnes (MT) of dry fuel, 26 per cent higher from 116 MT produced in FY23.

According to an official, additional secretary, coal, M Nagaraju this week reviewed the coal production targets for FY25. Representatives of 74 coal mines were present in the review meeting. Continue reading “Govt sets coal production target of 170 million tonnes for FY25”

Source : PTI | Global automotive major Stellantis plans to make India a hub for exports of electric vehicles initially targeting Southeast Asian markets, according to a senior company official. Stellantis India on Thursday commenced exports of its Made in India ‘E-C3’ electric car with the shipment of 500 units to Indonesia and is seeking to leverage on India’s cost competitiveness in manufacturing to increase its overseas shipments.

“We will be the first ‘multinational OEM’ in India to achieve this feat (to export EVs). We also have plans for a couple of other markets, Nepal and Bhutan. This is just the start…the plan is to take it from there,” Stellantis India CEO & MD Aditya Jairaj told PTI. Continue reading “Stellantis, the maker of Jeep and Citroen brands, plans to make India an EV export hub”

(Reuters) – The United Auto Workers (UAW) said on Friday it is “extremely disappointed” with truck maker Volvo Group’s decision to set up a new truck plant in Mexico, which the company said would help supplement its U.S. production.

The union, in a letter published on Thursday, said it is looking into the contractual obligations for truck build rates at the Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO) plant and the potential legal ramifications from Volvo’s Mexico decision. Continue reading “UAW ‘extremely disappointed’ with Volvo’s Mexico plant decision”

BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Billionaire Elon Musk and Argentina’s libertarian president promised to work together on Friday to promote free markets as well as potential lithium projects after the two likeminded men met in Texas, home to the tycoon’s Tesla electric car company.

The chief spokesman to President Javier Milei said the pair visited Tesla’s Austin headquarters and discussed a variety of topics, from the need to boost declining birthrates worldwide to pursuing technological development while defending “liberty.” Continue reading “Musk, Argentine president see eye-to-eye on boosting free markets and lithium”

Summary

• EU probe into EV imports from China could lead to tariffs
• CCCME says sample selection has tainted process
• CCCME complains of lack of transparency, double standards

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – The European Union’s investigation into electric vehicles is stacked against Chinese manufacturers, not transparent and in violation of global trading rules, even before its outcome is known, a Chinese industry body said on Friday. Continue reading “Chinese body says EU electric vehicle probe is stacked against China”

Summary

• VinFast sold 82% of its cars to affiliated companies last year
• Automaker’s target of tripling sales faces tougher market
• VinFast’s main backers grapple with growing financial risks

HANOI, (Reuters) – As Vietnam’s biggest conglomerate Vingroup doubles down on its electric vehicle business with ambitious global expansion plans, it faces growing financial risks stemming from loss-making unit VinFast Auto . Continue reading “Vietnam EV maker VinFast’s challenges escalate risk for parent Vingroup”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday it was opening an investigation into Ford Motor’s recall of more than 42,000 SUVs over concerns of a fuel leak that could lead to an engine fire.

The auto safety regulator said it is reviewing the adequacy and safety consequences of Ford’s proposed recall remedy for 2022-2023 model year Bronco Sport and 2022 Ford Escape SUVs with 1.5L engines. Continue reading “US probes Ford recall of 42,000 Bronco, Escape SUVs for fuel leaks”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. government has reimbursed auto dealers for more than $580 million in advance point-of-sale consumer electric vehicle (EV) tax credit payments since Jan. 1, the Treasury said on Friday.

Prior to 2024, U.S. auto buyers could only take advantage of the new EV credit of up to $7,500 or the $4,000 used EV credit when they filed tax returns the following year. Continue reading “US issues auto dealers over $580 million in advance EV tax rebates this year”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The chair of the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday urged President Joe Biden to block Chinese-made vehicles from the United States auto market, marking the strongest call yet for action against China’s automakers by a U.S. lawmaker.

“I implore you to take bold, aggressive action and to permanently ban EVs produced by Chinese companies or whatever subsidiaries they establish to conceal their origins,” Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, wrote on Thursday to Biden calling for “expeditious” action. “Chinese electric vehicles are an existential threat to the American auto industry.” Continue reading “Ohio senator wants Biden to permanently ban Chinese EVs from US”

DETROIT, (Reuters) – Ford said on Thursday it will begin shipping to North American dealers 144,000 of its redesigned F-150 and Ranger pickup trucks that it built but held back until now in an effort to head off quality problems.

Ford said it also will restart shipments this month of F-150 Lightning electric trucks which it had halted in February. Ford this week cut prices of some variants of the Lightning by as much as $5,500. Continue reading “Ford to send 144,000 trucks to North American dealers”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Volkswagen announced on Thursday plans to invest 2.5 billion euros ($2.68 billion) in China to expand its production and innovation hub in the city of Hefei in Anhui Province.

Preparations are also being made for the production of the two Volkswagen brand models being developed together with Chinese partner XPENG to begin in 2026, it said. Continue reading “Volkswagen to invest $2.7 billion in Chinese production site”

(Reuters) – A new form of sticker shock has hit American car buyers like Darin Davis.

In January, when the 56-year-old Dallas real estate agent renewed the insurance on the pearly-white 2024 Cadillac XT4 that he bought just a few months earlier, the rate nearly doubled. Continue reading “Soaring insurance costs hit as US buyers get a break on car prices”

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(Reuters) The last day of U.S. Secretary Janet Yellen’s trip to China coincided with the strongest retort yet from Beijing officials over her claims that China is flooding global markets with cheap goods, particularly in the new green industries.

As Yellen laid out plans to formalise dialogue with China over excess industrial capacity in electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels and batteries, saying Washington would not accept U.S. industry being “decimated”, the Chinese finance ministry issued a statement saying it had already “fully responded” to her concerns. Continue reading “What overcapacity? China says its industries are simply more competitive”

(Reuters) – A new form of sticker shock has hit American car buyers like Darin Davis.

In January, when the 56-year-old Dallas real estate agent renewed the insurance on the pearly-white 2024 Cadillac XT4 that he bought just a few months earlier, the rate nearly doubled. Continue reading “Focus: Soaring insurance costs hit as US buyers finally get a break on car prices”

Source : PTI | Maruti Suzuki has applied for Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat-NCAP) safety ratings for some of its vehicles, a senior government official has said. Last year, Tata Motors’ SUVs Safari and Harrier became the first recipients of the safety rating for adult and child occupant protection as per Bharat-NCAP. The SUVs were given 5-star rating.

In August last year, the government launched Bharat-NCAP, India’s very own and independent safety performance evaluation protocol for automobiles. Continue reading “Maruti Suzuki applies for Bharat-NCAP safety ratings for some vehicles”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: American electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday confirmed his visit to India and his planned meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X, he wrote, “Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister @NarendraModi in India.”

Earlier in the day, sources said Musk is expected in India the week of April 22. He is likely to announce the company’s investment plans in the country during his visit, the sources said. Continue reading “Elon Musk confirms India visit, says looking forward to meet PM Modi”

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Tesla chief Elon Musk said he will visit India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and two sources told Reuters the billionaire entrepreneur is expected to make an announcement on investment and a factory in the country.

“Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India!”, he said in a post on X after Reuters first reported details of Musk’s planned India visit this month. Continue reading “Musk to meet Modi in India; sources say announcement on investment likely”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – German premium carmakers took a further hit to their Chinese sales in the first quarter, data from the companies showed on Wednesday, with Porsche and Mercedes-Benz also struggling with supply chain troubles.

Sales in China fell 3.8% at BMW, 12% at Mercedes-Benz and 24% at Porsche, the companies said, indicating that efforts by authorities and automakers to jumpstart demand in the world’s second-biggest economy are not yet seeing results. Continue reading “German premium carmakers struggle to revive demand in China”

(Reuters) – Uber Technologies said on Wednesday that it is boosting its safety features for passengers around the world, as it looks to minimize risk and ensure security for women at night.

The features allow passengers during a ride to select up to four safety preferences including encrypted audio recordings, PIN verification and live location sharing. Continue reading “Uber boosts safety features aimed at women passengers”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy will tell lawmakers she is committed to winning approval of safety recommendations and scrutinizing federal agencies.

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee is holding a hearing Wednesday on President Joe Biden’s nomination of Homendy to serve a new term heading the board that investigates air, rail, marine, pipeline and highway accidents. Continue reading “US NTSB chair vows to be ‘fierce advocate’ for safety in new term”

TURIN, Italy, (Reuters) – Chinese car manufacturing in Italy could force some tough decisions for Stellantis including plant closures, the head of the Franco-Italian group, Italy’s sole major automaker, said on Wednesday.

The Italian government has said it is talks with Tesla and Chinese automakers, including Chery Auto, to attract one of them to manufacture in Italy and increase national automotive output after years of decline. Continue reading “Chinese car manufacturing in Italy could force tough decisions, says Stellantis CEO”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Wednesday it was opening an investigation into a March 3 fatal crash between a Ford Mustang Mach-E and two stationary cars on the I-95 interstate highway in Philadelphia.

In March, the NTSB said it was investigating the use of an advanced driver assistance system in a Ford Mustang Mach-E that was involved in a Feb. 24 fatal crash in San Antonio, Texas in which the Mach-E struck rear of a Honda CR-V that was stationary in a traffic lane on Interstate Highway 10. Continue reading “US NTSB probes fatal Ford Mach-E crash in Philadelphia”

STOCKHOLM/OSLO, (Reuters) – A strike by Tesla mechanics in Sweden, among the country’s longest labour disputes, continues to disrupt operations, a union said on Wednesday, and is drawing scrutiny from investors despite Elon Musk saying the storm is over.

For months Tesla has been under pressure in the Nordics, with sympathy actions since October backing Swedish IF Metall’s mechanics’ demand for a collective agreement. Continue reading “Tesla strike in Sweden continues, union says, contradicting Musk”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – BMW and Croatia’s Rimac have agreed to partner on high-voltage electric vehicle battery technology, they said on Tuesday, a European tie-up aimed at challenging Asian dominance in the field.

Rimac, an electric hypercar maker owned 45% by Porsche AG, is expanding its reach as a supplier of battery systems and powertrain components to other automakers, with the aim of reaching 100,000 batteries a year between 2024 and 2026. Continue reading “BMW, Croatia’s Rimac partner on high-voltage EV battery technology”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant California a waiver to set its own tailpipe emissions limits and electric-vehicle requirements.

The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rejected a legal challenge from 17 Republican-led states and entities that sell or produce liquid fuels. The EPA in March 2022 under President Joe Biden restored California’s ability to set its own zero-emission vehicle sales mandate and tailpipe emissions limits through 2025, reversing a 2019 decision by then-President Donald Trump. Continue reading “US court upholds EPA decision to approve California electric-vehicle rules”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Electric vehicle retail sales in India increased last fiscal with all the segments, including passenger vehicles and two-wheelers, witnessing enhanced registrations, according to automotive dealers’ body FADA. The overall sales of electric passenger vehicles rose to 90,996 units in 2023-24 as compared to 47,551 units in FY23, registering an increase of 91 per cent.

Tata Motors led the segment with registrations of 64,217 units, up 66 per cent over 38,728 units in the 2022-23 financial year.

Continue reading “Electric vehicle retail sales grow across segments in FY24: FADA”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: The New & Renewable Energy Ministry has extended the deadline until April 27 for the submission of research and development proposals under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, a release said on Tuesday. The ministry on March 16, 2024, invited R&D proposals under the mission from the industry. The last date for submission was April 12.

While the ‘Call for Proposals’ is receiving encouraging responses, some stakeholders have requested more time for submission of R&D proposals, the release said. Continue reading “MNRE extends deadline for R&D proposals under National Green Hydrogen Mission”

April 8 (Reuters) – Tesla has settled a lawsuit over a 2018 car crash that killed an Apple engineer after his Model X, operating on Autopilot, swerved off a highway near San Francisco, court documents showed on Monday.

The settlement was made on the eve of the trial over the high-profile accident involving Tesla’s driver-assistant technology. Tesla faces a series of lawsuits over crashes related to the alleged use of Autopilot, putting the automaker at risk of large monetary judgments and reputational damage. Continue reading “Tesla settles case over fatal Autopilot crash of Apple engineer”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Sales of electric passenger vehicles in China rose 10.5% in March from the same month a year earlier, industry data showed on Tuesday, as automakers led by popular BYD deepened discounts and offered financing tools to boost sales.

For January-March, sales totalled 1.03 million EVs, up 14.7% on year and the slowest quarterly growth since the second quarter of 2023, the data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) showed. Continue reading “China’s first-quarter EV sales growth slowest in a year”

(Reuters) – Lucid reported first-quarter deliveries above market expectations on Tuesday as price cuts helped boost demand for its luxury electric sedans, sending its shares up about 3%.

The electric-vehicle startup handed over 1,967 vehicles in the first quarter, compared with estimates of 1,745, according to eight analysts polled by Visible Alpha. Continue reading “EV maker Lucid beats first-quarter delivery estimates as price cuts boost demand”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant California a waiver to set its own tailpipe emissions limits and electric-vehicle requirements.

The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rejected a legal challenge from 17 Republican-led states and entities that sell or produce liquid fuels. The EPA in March 2022 under President Joe Biden restored California’s ability to set its own zero-emission vehicle sales mandate and tailpipe emissions limits through 2025, reversing a 2019 decision by then-President Donald Trump. Continue reading “US court upholds EPA decision to approve California electric-vehicle rules”