EV batteries could last the life of electric vehicles: Effective recycling of key minerals and components could be the booming industry of the next decade as the EV market surges.
China tries to balance productivity amid COVID-19 lockdowns: The Chinese government struggles to contain infections in Shanghai while adopting a business-as-usual attitude toward closed-loop factories.
A giant leap for robot-run factories: Ford’s new technology lets robots operate 3D printers making auto parts, boosting production 24x7 while human workers stay home—perhaps permanently.
GM raises its stake in Cruise autonomous service for possible spin off: Buying out SoftBank’s equity ownership in AV startup Cruise gives GM more latitude to take the company or structure it as a separate ride-hailing company
Auto and parts and food and beverage will be the fastest-growing ecommerce categories; both will see double-digit growth but from a relatively small base.
Ukraine invasion puts global automotive supply chain in peril: Automakers will ship far fewer units in 2022 or cut corners due to missing components. Scarcity could drive up pricing.
Intel is planning for its future as a key EV chip supplier: A $19B investment in Germany brings it closer to a burgeoning automotive industry looking to pivot into EVs in the next decade.
War in Ukraine could extend the chip shortage: Energy and logistics costs are rising, while inflation threatens to balloon and inhibit economic growth for Western Europe and the world.
VW reimagines its iconic Microbus for the EV age—but is it moving too slowly? The ID Buzz EV isn’t coming to the US until 2024, leaving an opening for competitors like Ford to grab share in cargo and passenger segments.
ord, Volkswagen look to develop bidirectional charging to power homes in emergencies: An added advantage of EV tech is more efficient power sharing, which lets EVs give back to the grid.
Ford looks to become more competitive against Tesla: Ford creates a dedicated EV division while maintaining gas-powered cash cows, highlighting the need for massive changes in the automotive industry.
Ukraine conflict could bog down various supply chains: Russia and Ukraine are a significant source for materials and energy supplies, and continued conflict and Russian sanctions will lead to shortages.
California court lets Waymo keep AV tech secrets, setting pivotal industry precedent: A California court rules driverless car data filed with the DMV can stay private, but it isn’t a big win for business.
Volkswagen’s potential purchase of Huawei’s autonomous driving business could force competitors to accelerate AV development: A multibillion-euro investment could help standardize AV technology across VW’s range of models.
ES: Mounting tensions between Russia and Ukraine could leave necessary chip components in short supply: The region produces neon and palladium, which could further choke chip supplies if unavailable.
Tesla recalls are mounting: Issues range from the dangerous to the absurd but expose quality-control issues traditional carmakers have long solved. What can the industry learn from the deepening integration of tech?
$5B allotted to build half a million EV charging stations: The Biden administration sets up the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to build an alternative fuel corridor in 50 states to help power the transition to EVs but will this be enough for the expected onslaught of EVs?
Nissan is all in on EVs—except in US: Stringent emissions standards and industry-wide push for EVs could leave future gas and diesel engine development in the dust.
US Army commits to EV transition to lower emissions: Challenges include charging infrastructure in the field, effect of battery weight on military vehicles, and lithium-ion’s inherent volatility.
The European Chips Act can wrangle $49B to accelerate chip production: The EC wants the ability to prioritize specific products during shortages, which could complicate negotiations with foreign chip manufacturers.