Indigo tech Funded by Foxconn
Indigo Technologies, a robotics focused Smart EV OEM with breakthrough road sensing SmartWheels™ invented by team out of MIT, today announced it has received a strategic investment from Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn). The investment, which recently gained regulatory approval after being first announced late last year, accelerates Indigo, the US automotive tech innovator in its development of smart, smooth and efficient light utility EVs designed for sustainable ride hail, delivery and autonomous transportation services.
Indigo EVs will help transportation network companies (TNC) and delivery network companies (DNC), fleet management companies (FMC) and the millions of businesses, taxi drivers and gig economy work force to become more profitable while driving to a more sustainable future./
FMVSs, EPA & CARB Cert. for REE
REE an automotive technology company and provider of full by-wire electric trucks and platforms, which recently announced FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) certification, today announced it has received two certifications from California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) on the Class 4 P7-C chassis cab. The two certifications include (1) Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) covering the complete vehicle and (2) the new Zero Emission Powertrain (“ZEP”) certification. In addition to California, several other states are expected to adopt the Phase 2 GHG and ZEP requirements in the coming years.
CARB certification is a requirement for eligibility for several state incentives, which combined with federal can total over $100,000 per vehicle depending on customer location. California and several other states have indicated plans to adopt the Advanced Clean Truck Regulation, a manufacturers sales requirement to sell growing percentages of electric trucks, and requires ZEP certification.
“Being CARB certified unlocks many doors for us and for our customers as we can now sell in California, and I am excited for our California dealers as they start to receive their Powered by REE trucks,” said Daniel Barel, CEO and co-founder of REE Automotive. “This is an important milestone since now Powered by REE vehicles can receive more than $100,000 incentive funding which makes it even easier for fleets to electrify. We believe that this cost savings, combined with our REEcorner and x-by-wire technology’s ability to lower total cost of ownership, will boost even further the strong demand we see for our P7 lineup.”
EV Owners Aren’t Satisfied with Tire Life
The satisfaction gap with original equipment tires between electric vehicles (EVs) and gas-powered vehicles is widening, as EV owners say their tires are wearing faster, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study℠, released today. The study shows that EV owners have similar expectations of tire wear as do owners of gas-powered vehicles, despite EV tires naturally wearing faster due to greater vehicle weight and higher torque.
“The widening satisfaction gap between EVs and gas-powered vehicles highlights an opportunity for tire manufacturers and automakers to educate EV owners on the differences in performance,” said Ashley Edgar, senior director of benchmarking and alternative mobility at J.D. Power. “Additionally, because of the inherit conflict of maximizing vehicle range and optimizing tire wear for EVs, tire manufacturers and automakers need to work together to overcome the challenge without completely sacrificing tire performance in other areas, especially as the EV market continues to increase.”
Study Rankings
Michelin ranks highest in the luxury segment for a 21st consecutive year, with a score of 834. Goodyear (812) ranks second and Continental (811) ranks third.
Michelin ranks highest in the passenger car segment with a score of 823. Goodyear (811) ranks second, followed by Kumho (799), ranking third.
Michelin ranks highest in the performance sport segment with a score of 833.
Falken ranks highest in the truck/utility segment with a score of 818. BFGoodrich (812) ranks second and Hankook (804) ranks third.
See the rank charts for each segment at http://www.jdpower.com/pr-id/2024023.
The U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study measures tire owner satisfaction in four areas (in order of importance): tire ride; tire wear; tire traction/handling; and tire appearance. The study includes four vehicle segments: luxury; passenger car; performance sport; and truck/utility. The study is based on responses from 31,414 owners of 2022 and 2023 model-year vehicles and was fielded from August through December 2023.
Nuvve Dedicated to V2G
Nuvve Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: NVVE) (the “Company”), a global technology leader accelerating the electrification of transportation through its proprietary vehicle-to-grid (V2G) platform, launched a dedicated website, www.NuvveV2GHubs.com, as a centralized landing page for information, resources and updates on its V2G Hub projects. Nuvve also released an infographic outlining the ways Nuvve is turning EVs into flexible storage through this proprietary, first-of-its-kind offering.
Nuvve’s V2G technology bridges the gap between energy and transportation, while simultaneously regulating energy on the grid. The Company’s V2G Hubs feature leading V2G EV charging technology that precisely manages the charging and discharging of parked EV batteries while also prioritizing vehicle and driver considerations including battery health and charge needs for driving duties. Nuvve partners with local governments, fleet managers and utilities to implement projects that reduce electric fleet costs, improve grid resiliency, better integrate renewable energy sources, and ultimately speed up America’s transition to a decarbonized transportation sector.
“We see our V2G Hub offering as a key tenet of our future growth prospects, as these large-scale projects allow us to bring the best of our capabilities and services into one centralized offering that opens the door to significant, steady recurring revenues for years or even decades to come,” said Gregory Poilasne, Chief Executive Officer of Nuvve. “In the first quarter of 2024, Nuvve has already achieved two key V2G Hub new business wins that represent significant future upside potential for our business. As this offering continues to gain momentum, we are pleased to launch a landing page of resources for customers and other stakeholders interested in learning more about how Nuvve partners with communities looking to electrify in an intelligent way. We look forward to sharing more on our upcoming fourth quarter and full year earnings call.”
Panasonic to Supply Batteries to Mazda
Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., a Panasonic Group Company, and Mazda Motor Corporation announced they have signed an agreement towards the supply of cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries.
In June 2023, the two companies commenced discussions aimed at building a medium- to long-term partnership for the supply of cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries, discussions which have now resulted in the signing of this agreement.
Through this agreement, both companies reaffirm their commitment to addressing various societal challenges, such as mitigating global warming, promoting sustainable growth within the automotive and battery sectors, supporting local employment, and fostering talent development.
Peterbilt Deliver 520EV for SWS in Anchorage
Peterbilt announced the delivery of two zero emission Model 520EVs to the Municipality of Anchorage Department of Solid Waste Services (SWS) in Anchorage, Alaska during a ribbon cutting celebration of its latest warm storage facility for critical equipment.
The Model 520EV is designed for commercial and residential applications and provides the Municipality of Anchorage and SWS with a quiet and environmentally friendly vehicle that supports the Municipality’s goal to eliminate 80% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
SWS is at the forefront of sustainably and integrated electric vehicles. In 2021, Peterbilt delivered the first production Model 220EV into the SWS fleet. “We are pleased for the arrival of our first Model 520EV. Solid Waste Services has long anticipated this day for the 520EV application to be added to our refuse collections fleet. With like- for-like chassis, we will evaluate and analyze its performance with Internal Combustion Engines and investigate the EV’s performance in the northern climate region. We look forward to providing the Department of Energy comprehensive feedback on the heavy-duty EV fleets to share our knowledge with the rest of the United States for their benefit,” said Kelli Toth, acting director, Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services.