Peugeot PSA has set up a joint venture (JV) with Nidec ( Japan-based) to develop and produce electric traction motors. Peugeot and Nidec Leroy-Somer Holding plan to establish the JV in France in 1Q18 with each expected to hold a 50% stake in the new company. The JV agreement includes investments of 220 million euros ($262 million) and both companies will cooperate on developing motors for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids.  (Source: Marketwatch)

 

Ford announced an expansion of its EV plans in China with 15 new models. The EVs under the Ford and Lincoln brands are separate from the EVs the company will launch through its JV with Anhui Zoyte Automobile that was formed earlier this year.  The EV push will start in 2019 with the company already announcing an all-electric SUV that will be available globally - including in China.  (Source: Ford Motor) 

 

China is planning to extend a tax rebate on the purchase of 'new energy' vehicles. The government will continue to exempt the 10% purchase tax on new-energy vehicles at least through 2020, as the current tax rebate policy is due to expire at end of this year. 

(Source: Bloomberg)

 

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority ( NYSERDA) and Verizon announced that Verizon has replaced 234 of its existing gas-powered vans with hybrid-electric vans from XL Hybrids for use in New York City. The Verizon vans are Chevy Express 2500 models.  (Source: NYSERDA)

 

Tata Motors has rolled out its first batch of Tigor EVs from its Sanand factory in Gujarat. The company won the tender of 10,000 EVs floated by Energy Efficiency Services (EESL). For phase 1, The automaker is required to deliver the 250 EVs, for which it has received a letter of acceptance (LOA). For an additional 100 cars, the LOA is expected to be issued shortly by EESL.  (Source: Economic Times)

 

UQM Technologies  announced it has signed a JV agreement with China National Heavy Duty Truck Group (CNHTC) and Sinotruk Global Village Investment, a Hong Kong based limited liability company owned by CNHTC. Under the JV, UQM will acquire a 25% ownership share of the JV with CNHTC and its affiliate collectively acquiring a 75% share. The JV, Sinotruk Qingdao Zhongqi New Energy Automobile, will be headquartered in the city of Qingdao, China and is anticipated to commence commercial operations in 2019.

(Source: UQM Technologies)

 

Proterra announced that Yosemite National Park will add two Proterra Catalyst® electric buses (ebuses) to its fleet. Yosemite represents the first U.S. National Park to permanently add zero-emission buses to its shuttle fleet.  (Source: Proterra)

Volt Resources has completed meetings with Tanzanian government officials and local communities that should enable the company to move forward with its Stage 1 development of the Banyu Graphite project.  This will enable the company to move forward on its cooperative agreement with Aoyu Graphite which can produce spheronised graphite.  (Source: Volt Resources)

 

Kibaran Resources announced plans to establish a pilot plant in Germany for the production of battery-grade graphite which will be expanded to commercial scale product. The strategy is to establish the pilot plant in early 2018 with construction of a full scale commercial operation in 2019 that will eventually ramp up to a production rate of 20,000 tons per annum.

(Source: Kibaran Resources)   

 

Anheuser-Busch has ordered 40 Tesla electric trucks (etrucks). The U.S. subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev will use the Tesla fleet for shipments within 200 miles of its brewery locations. The etrucks will be only a portion of the 750-truck fleets operated by Anheuser-Busch.  (Source: Belleville-News Democrat)

 

MOIA, the mobility startup from Volkswagen Group, has introduced a ride pooling concept. The MOIA concept provides mobility options that will reduce traffic in major cities. The self-designed MOIA car, that is fully electric and optimized for ride pooling services, will make its debut in Berlin, Germany.  (Source: MOIA)

 

GreenPower Motor has received a purchase order and initial deposit for its Synapse 72 all-electric school bus for the Los Angeles Unified School District.  L.A. Unified Transportation operates a fleet of approximately 1,300 school buses.  (Source: GreenPower Motor)