AUGUST 9, 2021

EVs Must Be Affordable, Stellantis CEO Tavares Says

“We don’t want to disconnect with the middle classes,” Carlos Tavares says. “If we want to stay affordable while building a new electric technology that’s 40% more expensive, then we have to work harder on the cost reduction.”

Tesla 4680 Cell Problem Child?; CATL Sodium-Ion Cell; LG’s Indonesian JV With Hyundai

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
Tesla’s in-house 4680 cell could be seeing a slower-than-expected rollout, while CATL says it has developed a faster-charging cell and LG and Hyundai will begin Li-ion manufacturing in Indonesia.

Hyundai Sees Promise in U.S.-Based Fuel-Cell Catalyst Firm

Pajarito Powder says its proprietary hydrogen fuel-cell catalyst technology reduces reliance on costly platinum, slashing the price of a fuel cell up to 20%.

Global Motor Manufacturer Forecasts Shift Back to Suppliers

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
Nidec, a global leader in the production of electric motors, is gearing up to produce nearly half of the traction motors automakers will demand for BEVs by 2030. The Japanese supplier predicts most OEMs will switch to supplier-built motors as the electric-vehicle industry matures.

Greenlots Sets Sights on Fleet Expansion, International Growth

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
The charging software and services provider owned by oil giant Shell sees more and faster charging in the future, as well as a healthy fleet business materializing.

Platforms and Skateboards: Development Tools Accelerate AV Production

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
Makers of autonomous vehicles are using development tools from leading providers such as Argo AI, Baidu, NVIDIA and Waymo as well as skateboard platforms from Canoo and Coast Autonomous to speed up production.

Fuel Economy Index: Fuel Economy Up in June

For Wards Intelligence Subscribers
Gasoline prices are on the rise, and demand for electrified powertrain continued to grow in U.S. market.

BMW i4 Sedan: Electrified Ride Doesn’t Stint on Comfort

Test Drive
The all-wheel-drive i4 M50 takes performance honors. It gets two electric motors, one on the front axle with 255 hp and another at the rear with 308-hp. Together they develop a combined system output of 536 hp and 586 lb.-ft. of torque.