Svolt introduces 3.5-generation charging technology
Svolt Energy said its 3.5-generation ion oscillation pulse charging method reduces full charging time by 25% without increasing system costs; mass-market deployment is scheduled for Q3 2026.
Ashok Leyland opens EV manufacturing plant in Uttar Pradesh
Ashok Leyland opened an EV plant in Lucknow on 9 January 2026 with initial capacity up to 5,000 vehicles and expected to create 1,000 direct and 2,000 indirect jobs.
PFAS AI platform addresses PFAS visibility in manufacturing
A specialised AI platform creates continuous, auditable PFAS inventories to help manufacturers meet tightening regulatory, customer and investor requirements across complex supply chains.
Hylic opens liquid-solid state battery plant in Jiangsu
Hylic began operations of a 10 GWh liquid-solid state battery plant in Jiangsu in Q4 2025, a 5 billion yuan investment built in three phases with varied product specifications.
Donut Lab to supply SSBs for Verge Motorcycles
Donut Lab says its all‑solid‑state batteries will be used by Verge Motorcycles and other partners, claiming high energy density, wide temperature tolerance and lower cost; independent verification remains pending.
EcoPro begins commercial production at Hungarian plant
South Korea’s EcoPro has begun commercial cathode production at a Debrecen plant with 54,000‑tonne capacity, lithium hydroxide and industrial gas facilities; the company targets European markets and plans expansion.
Tailan raises US$57m to scale solid-state production
Tailan New Energy raised US$57m in a B+ round to fund its first mass-production line, expand automotive solid-state battery R&D, and recruit technical staff; Changan is a strategic investor.
Aclara and VAC to integrate mine-to-magnets supply chain
Aclara and VAC are developing an integrated mine-to-magnets rare earth supply chain; Aclara produced 150kg of mixed rare earth carbonate and plans a Louisiana separation plant by Q4 2027.
NEO receives first order for silicon-enhanced battery cells
Canada-based NEO received its first commercial purchase orders for silicon-enhanced lithium-ion cells from an unnamed Asian automotive OEM, with production underway at its Gimje, South Korea, facility.
Automakers highlight vehicle intelligence at CES 2026
Major automakers and suppliers showcased AI-driven vehicle systems, software-defined architectures and production-ready autonomous technologies at CES 2026, signalling expanded deployment across models and global markets in 2026.
Hyundai unveils AI robotics strategy at CES 2026
Hyundai Motor Group announced an AI robotics strategy at CES 2026 to deploy human-centred robots, build an end-to-end value chain and scale manufacturing pilots via strategic partnerships.
Kodiak AI and Bosch to scale autonomous truck platform
Kodiak AI has partnered with Bosch to scale manufacturing and integration of a safety-redundant autonomous truck platform, targeting commercial upfitter and factory installations and driverless highway operations by H2 2026.
Markus Siegner appointed CEO of Kögel Trailer
Markus Siegner will become CEO of Kögel Trailer GmbH on 1 January 2026, overseeing operations, supply chain, development and logistics, focusing on digitalisation, productivity and sustainable growth.
Hongqi Tiangong 06 begins all-solid-state battery testing
Hongqi has fitted its first independently developed all-solid-state battery pack into a Tiangong 06 prototype, initiating vehicle-level testing ahead of planned limited deployment in 2027; technical metrics remain undisclosed.
Nexeon commissions silicon-carbon plant in South Korea
Nexeon has commissioned a silicon-carbon plant in Gunsan, South Korea, supplying battery materials with pipeline monosilane access, proximity to Asian cell manufacturers, scalable reactor capacity and entering automotive production qualification.
Autonomous Trucking, EV Charging and Logistics News
Multiple developments across autonomous trucking, EV charging, logistics and fleet operations, including financing, partnerships, regulatory updates and infrastructure deployments affecting commercial transport and supply‑chain efficiency.
China reaches parity with South Korea in technology
South Korea's president said China has advanced to parity or beyond in technology and capital, prompting emphasis on more balanced industrial and automotive cooperation amid intensifying competition.
IonicRE and USSM to develop rare-earth recycling plant
IonicRE and US Strategic Metals will develop a Missouri recycling facility using Ionic Technologies' magnet-recycling process to produce separated rare-earth oxides, aligning with the US–Australia supply framework.
China urges more recycled materials in auto manufacturing
Plan seeks expanded recycled-material supply, standards and adoption across vehicle production, batteries and recycling chains to improve material recovery and reduce reliance on primary raw inputs.
Trucking technology industry developments and partnerships
Compilation of recent trucking-technology developments: partnerships, funding, product launches, autonomous and electric vehicle deployments, infrastructure projects, regulatory issues and commercial milestones affecting fleet operators and suppliers.
Honda to Acquire Full Ownership of Ohio EV Battery Plant
Honda will acquire factory buildings and assets from LG Energy Solution for about $2.9bn; the joint venture will lease and operate the facility, with closing expected by February 2026.
Changan exports Deepal S05 SUVs from Thailand to Europe
Changan exported 500 Deepal S05 SUVs from its Rayong EV plant, which opened with 100,000 annual capacity (1.9bn yuan investment); European pricing set at €38,990–€44,990.
China publishes 2025 hydrogen fuel cell vehicle report
Report assesses China’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle industry, citing about 30,000 vehicles, over 70% component localisation, production declines and persistent cost, technology and infrastructure constraints.
Sunwoda and Zhongwei to develop 60 Ah solid-state EV cells
Sunwoda and Zhongwei signed a framework agreement to co-develop cathode materials and 60 Ah solid-state EV cells, aiming to integrate resources and accelerate commercialisation; financial terms were not disclosed.
Nissan starts production of third-generation LEAF in UK
Nissan has begun production of the third-generation LEAF at its Sunderland plant; the model features a 75 kWh battery, qualifies for a £3,750 grant and follows a £450m manufacturing investment.
DLA grants $1.9m to 6K Energy for NMC721 development
Defence Logistics Agency awarded 6K Energy $1.9m to scale single‑crystal NMC721 cathode production using UniMelt; 12‑month programme includes synthesis, optimisation and cell performance validation with a US manufacturer.
Automakers recalibrate EV strategies amid market shift
US automakers are reducing EV investment, reallocating capacity to trucks, hybrids and SUVs after incentive changes and weaker EV demand; significant write-downs and strategy adjustments are underway.
ROHM and Tata Electronics partner on Indian semiconductors
ROHM and Tata Electronics will establish power semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging in India, aiming for automotive-grade MOSFET mass production by 2026 and exploring export opportunities.
Dongfeng delays solid-state battery mass production to 2027
Dongfeng has postponed mass production of its 350 Wh/kg solid-state batteries to 2027, citing further development of technical routes, cost control and industrialisation planning.
NewGenium announces brine-to-LFP manufacturing process
NewGenium announced SuperSynth, a direct brine-to-LFP process using ion-exchange DLE, claiming lower levelised costs (~$3/kg) and domestic cathode production validated at a 2025 facility.
Honda to halt GAC Honda China production late December
Honda will suspend GAC Honda joint-venture vehicle production in China from 29 December to 2 January due to semiconductor shortages, disrupting output and contributing to a 1.5% fall in shares.
HCLTech and Aurobay expand digital transformation deal
HCLTech will support Aurobay’s SAP and Siemens Teamcenter platforms to standardise manufacturing and engineering operations across Sweden and China via AI-enabled integration and managed services.
Kaynes Semicon partners with AOI and Mitsui for India
Kaynes Semicon has formed technology and supply chain partnerships with AOI Electronics and Mitsui to support advanced packaging, materials sourcing and scaling of semiconductor manufacturing in India.
BYD reports 15 million cumulative NEV production
BYD has produced 15 million new energy vehicles (BEVs and PHEVs), exceeding reported cumulative EV outputs of some international automakers and reflecting its strategic focus on electrified powertrains.
CATL reports large-scale humanoid robot use on battery lines
CATL reports large-scale deployment of humanoid robot Moz at Zhongzhou for battery EOL and DCR testing, citing over 99 per cent connection success, increased throughput, and in-house development by Spirit AI.
FAW to deploy solid‑state batteries in Hongqi by 2027
FAW plans small‑batch deployment of 66 Ah solid‑state cells in Hongqi models by 2027, leveraging 27 industry partners to address technical and manufacturing challenges ahead of commercialisation.
Elecbits raises US$5.5m to expand hardware platform
Elecbits raised US$5.5m in Series A to scale its AI-driven XOR platform and in-house manufacturing, aiming to streamline electronics design-to-production and support domestic and export manufacturing growth.
Lead Intelligent achieves 5–8 GWh solid-state battery lines
Lead Intelligent reports production equipment enabling 5–8 GWh per-line solid-state battery manufacturing, covering the full process, supporting multiple electrolyte chemistries, with energy and cost reductions and year-on-year revenue growth.
CalAmp awarded Caterpillar Supplier Excellence Certification 2025
CalAmp received Caterpillar's 2025 Supplier Excellence Certification, its second consecutive award, recognising quality, on-time delivery and manufacturing discipline with a measured 0.005% defect rate.
Nissan begins production of next-generation LEAF in UK
Nissan has started production of the next-generation LEAF in Sunderland after a £450m plant investment, supporting regional jobs and aligning with UK government EV programmes and supply‑chain initiatives.
Keto Motors to invest ₹300 crore in Telangana bus plant
Keto Motors will invest ₹300 crore to establish a 9‑metre electric bus plant in Jadcherla, Telangana, creating over 2,000 jobs and leveraging government facilitation for approvals.
QuantumDiamonds announces €152m Munich production hub
QuantumDiamonds will invest €152m in a Munich production hub to scale quantum-based semiconductor inspection systems, supporting European supply-chain capacity and anticipated public backing under the European Chips Act.
Ford records $19.5bn charge and refocuses from EVs
Ford will record a $19.5bn writedown as it reallocates capital from some EV programmes to ICE, hybrid and commercial vehicle growth, dissolving its SK On battery joint venture.
MediaTek opens on-premises AI factory with NVIDIA SuperPOD
MediaTek has deployed an on-premises AI facility using NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD to accelerate LLM development, increase inference throughput and secure sensitive data, supporting faster R&D and deployment.
Comau invests in Intecells for electrode production
Comau acquired a stake in Intecells to commercialise cold‑plasma electrode production, aiming to halve energy use and investment costs while integrating solvent‑free processes into existing cell manufacturing lines.
Xpeng to open right-hand drive assembly in Malaysia
Xpeng and EPMB will establish Malaysia assembly for G6 and X9 from 2026 to serve right-hand-drive ASEAN markets, leveraging local incentives and distributor Bermaz’s existing stake.
