Volkswagen,
Verdek,
RippleOn Energy,
Lucid,
Workhorse,
Electrify America,
GreenPower,
Orbia,
Factorial & ChargePoint.
In this Article
Ford Discontinues F-150 Lightning
Ford has confirmed that production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning will end this year, marking the conclusion of the truck’s three-and-a-half-year run. While the Lightning was intended to bring Ford’s iconic F-150 line into the electric era, the company has decided to pivot toward a second-generation model that will be an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) using both battery and gasoline power. The new Lightning will still be manufactured at Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center.
The decision follows a series of production challenges, including supply disruptions caused by a fire at aluminum supplier Novelis, which affected resources critical to the Lightning. Ford has redeployed Rouge employees to support increased production of gas-powered F-150s and hybrids at the Dearborn Truck Plant, signaling a shift in priorities toward vehicles with broader market appeal while maintaining production efficiency.
Ford emphasizes that the next-generation Lightning EREV will retain key features of the original model, including fully electric power delivery and strong acceleration, while offering an estimated 700+ mile range and improved towing capability. The move reflects Ford’s strategy to deliver a versatile, capital-efficient vehicle that meets customer expectations for performance and practicality, potentially appealing to a wider audience than the fully battery-electric Lightning.
Volkswagen Halts 2026 ID Buzz Production for U.S.
Volkswagen announced it will not produce 2026 ID Buzz models for the U.S., citing current EV market conditions. Built in Hanover, Germany, the ID Buzz faces high costs in the U.S. due to tariffs and its premium pricing, which VW says limits market demand.
A company spokesperson emphasized that the ID Buzz remains an important halo product for Volkswagen. The decision allows VW to focus on existing inventory and support retail performance for the 2025 model year while preparing for the 2027 model year transition.
Future U.S. production of the ID Buzz is not ruled out, but would depend on increased demand that can absorb both the vehicle’s premium pricing and import-related costs. The move reflects VW’s strategic approach to managing resources and market presence amid fluctuating EV conditions.
Verdek Awarded Sourcewell Contract
Verdek, LLC has been awarded Sourcewell Contract #021825-VRK, enabling public-sector and nonprofit organizations across the U.S. and Canada to procure EV charging equipment and services through a competitively solicited cooperative purchasing agreement. The contract covers a wide range of EVSE offerings, including DC fast chargers and Level 2 AC chargers, along with end-to-end services such as site assessment, design and engineering, utility coordination, turnkey installation, and ongoing operations and service agreements.
The partnership was formally launched on December 10, 2025, at Sourcewell’s headquarters in Minnesota, aligning both organizations on contract adoption and customer enablement. Through this agreement, thousands of eligible entities—including municipalities, educational institutions, nonprofits, tribal organizations, and certain U.S. Department of Defense installations—gain a streamlined, compliant pathway to deploy EV charging infrastructure. Verdek’s selection followed a highly competitive RFP process, reinforcing its role as a trusted provider capable of delivering scalable, turnkey charging solutions nationwide.
RippleOn Energy Launches $429 Smart Home EV Charger
RippleOn Energy announced the launch of its Level 2 Smart EV Charger designed for residential garages, focusing on affordability, safety, and ease of use. Priced at $429, the charger delivers up to 50 miles of range per hour and is compatible with all EVs via a J1772 plug, with Tesla NACS support through an included adapter. It supports both NEMA 14-50 plug-in and hardwired installations and comes with mounting and cable management accessories.
The charger is managed through the RippleOn app, enabling users to schedule charging, adjust current from 6A to 48A, monitor energy usage in real time, and receive charging reports. Built-in metering and RFID or app-based access allow simple household use.
Designed for durability and safety, the charger features comprehensive electrical protections, self-recovery functions, and an IP65-rated, flame-retardant enclosure suitable for year-round operation. It is FCC and Energy Star certified, UL compliant, and rebate-eligible in the U.S.
The RippleOn Level 2 Smart EV Charger is available now in the United States with a three-year warranty and 24/7 customer support.
Lucid Launches “Lucid Recharged” Certified Pre-Owned Program
Lucid Group announced the launch of Lucid Recharged™, its first certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle program, giving buyers a new way to purchase Lucid electric vehicles with added confidence. The program begins with single-owner vehicles that have fewer than 62,000 miles and subjects each car to a comprehensive 160+ point inspection, followed by mechanical and cosmetic reconditioning using only Lucid-approved parts.
Lucid Recharged vehicles include the remaining balance of the original 4-year/50,000-mile factory warranty plus an additional 12-month/12,000-mile manufacturer limited warranty, along with roadside assistance, a clean title and service history, CARFAX report, and inspection documentation. Select vehicles may also be upgraded with additional features such as the DreamDrive® Pro advanced driver assistance system.
According to Lucid, the program is designed to make its technology, performance, and safety more accessible while maintaining factory-backed quality and peace of mind.
Workhorse Completes Merger with Motiv
Workhorse Group Inc. announced the completion of its merger with Motiv Electric Trucks, creating a combined company operating under the Workhorse name and positioning it as a leading North American manufacturer of medium-duty electric trucks and buses. The merger brings together scalable manufacturing, road-tested electric vehicle platforms, and established commercial fleet relationships, including customers among 10 of the largest commercial truck fleets in North America.
As part of the transaction, Motiv’s legacy controlling investor committed up to $50 million in new debt financing, including a $10 million revolving credit facility and up to $40 million to support supply-chain costs tied to new orders. The financing is expected to improve liquidity, shorten order-to-delivery timelines, and fund near-term growth.
Scott Griffith assumed the role of CEO upon completion of the merger, emphasizing Workhorse’s focus on software-first electric trucks designed to match or outperform internal combustion vehicles while offering significantly lower lifetime operating costs and zero tailpipe emissions.
The combined company enters 2026 with a strong sales pipeline and backlog across trucks, step vans, school buses, and shuttles. Workhorse plans to leverage its Indiana manufacturing facility, with capacity exceeding 5,000 vehicles annually, to reach profitability without major new capital investments. Additional advantages include real-world operational insights from the company’s Stables delivery fleet, an experienced management team, and strengthened access to growth capital to support continued expansion.
Electrify America Earns ISO 9001:2015 Cert
Electrify America has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification from Intertek, confirming that its quality management system meets internationally recognized standards across the full lifecycle of its EV charging network. The certification covers development, deployment, and operational management, including maintenance, customer service, network systems, engineering, and the design, validation, and monitoring of hardware and software solutions. This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to consistent quality, process improvement, and customer-focused operations.
ISO 9001:2015 recognizes organizations that adhere to core quality management principles such as customer confidence, continuous improvement, and routine auditing. With more than 1,000 charging stations and over 5,000 chargers across 47 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., Electrify America’s Hyper-Fast charging network supports millions of EV drivers nationwide. The certification reinforces Electrify America’s role as a leading provider of reliable, large-scale charging infrastructure and its ongoing investment in expanding zero-emission vehicle adoption.
GreenPower EV Star Vehicles Qualify HVIP Incentives
GreenPower Motor Company announced that its EV Star lineup of Class 4 all-electric, zero-emission commercial vehicles is eligible for incentives of up to $130,000 per vehicle under California’s Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP), which has reopened with more than $140 million in available funding. Eligible models include the EV Star Passenger Van, Mobility Plus, ReeferX, Cab & Chassis, Stakebed Truck, and Utility Truck, supporting a wide range of fleet applications across cargo, delivery, shuttle, and transit markets.
Standard HVIP funding offers base vouchers of $60,000 per Class 4 vehicle for fleets with 20 or more medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, while small business fleets may qualify for enhanced incentives up to $130,000 through the Innovative Small E-Fleet (ISEF) program. ISEF funding supports flexible adoption models such as leases, rentals, and bundled charging solutions. With HVIP funding awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and historically depleting quickly, GreenPower is urging fleets to prepare documentation and act promptly to secure incentives as the program resumes.
Orbia Triples Battery Electrolyte Capacity
Orbia Advance Corporation’s Fluor & Energy Materials business has completed a major expansion of its Custom Electrolyte facility in Madison, Wisconsin, increasing production capacity by approximately 300%. The second and final phase of the expansion was finalized in early December 2025, making the site fully operational with the addition of new 75-liter and 200-liter mixers.
Opened in August 2024, the facility supports domestic production of small- and medium-batch battery electrolytes tailored for lithium-ion and emerging chemistries such as lithium-sulfur and sodium-ion. Since launch, it has supplied electrolytes to hundreds of customers worldwide across industries including electric vehicles, energy storage, aerospace, medical, defense and research applications.
The U.S.-based facility offers lead times of four weeks or less for most formulations, improving supply chain resilience by reducing dependence on overseas suppliers, cutting shipping delays and lowering carbon emissions. With global demand for battery electrolytes expected to more than double by 2030, the expansion positions Orbia to meet growing market needs while accelerating innovation in next-generation battery technologies.
Factorial to Go Public via SPAC Merger
Factorial Inc. announced a definitive business combination agreement with Cartesian Growth Corporation III that would take the solid-state battery company public on Nasdaq under the ticker FAC. The transaction values Factorial at approximately $1.1 billion on a pre-money basis and includes a $100 million PIPE investment from institutional investors. With Cartesian III’s roughly $276 million in trust, the deal implies a pro forma equity value of about $1.5 billion, assuming no redemptions.
Factorial’s solid-state battery technology has been validated through collaborations with major automakers, including real-world testing in a Mercedes-Benz EQS achieving over 1,200 kilometers of range and lab testing with Stellantis confirming high energy density, fast charging, and strong performance across temperature extremes. Beyond passenger vehicles, Factorial is expanding into defense, aerospace, and robotics markets. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2026, pending customary approvals.
Loyola Marymount University Expands EV Charging
ChargePoint announced that Loyola Marymount University is expanding its electric vehicle charging infrastructure by adding new ChargePoint chargers, upgrading to the next-generation ChargePoint software Platform, and adopting ChargePoint’s Safeguard Care service. The expanded deployment is designed to meet rising demand for EV charging on campus while improving reliability, operational efficiency, and the overall charging experience for students, faculty, and staff.
Central to the expansion is LMU’s transition to the new ChargePoint Platform, which offers flexible, data-driven tools such as advanced reporting and monitoring to optimize station uptime and reduce manual management. The university is also adding Safeguard Care, a service that combines regular on-site inspections with remote monitoring to ensure chargers remain fully operational.
Together, the upgraded hardware, software, and service offerings enable LMU to scale its EV charging network, support its sustainability goals, and provide a dependable, well-managed charging experience as EV adoption continues to grow on campus.
States Sue Administration Over Withheld EV Charging Funds
Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of unlawfully withholding more than $2 billion in funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure programs created under the bipartisan infrastructure law, arguing that the Department of Transportation’s suspension of grant approvals undermines efforts to expand EV charging access and clean transportation initiatives. The legal action targets the halt of funding for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant program and the EV Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program and contends the freeze violates Congress’s authority and statutory requirements, potentially stalling EV charger buildouts nationwide. The lawsuit comes amid broader disputes over EV policies and follows previous litigation that successfully compelled the release of other EV charger funds.