BMW, Nissan, Cross E-Plant, NIO, Renault and more

The United States has announced a significant increase in import tariffs on electric vehicles from China. Tariffs will rise from the current 25 percent to 100 percent this year. Tariffs on lithium-ion batteries for EVs and individual battery components will also increase from 7.5 to 25 percent this year. Starting in 2026, there will be a 25 percent tariff on natural graphite and permanent magnets.

A recent study by Transport & Environment (T&E) highlights the significance of European energy storage in reducing CO₂ emissions. Shifting the electric vehicle supply chain from China to locations within Europe, could reduce emissions from battery production by 37 percent. If renewable energy is used during production process, the savings potential increases to over 60 percent. Meeting the European demand for battery cells and components locally could prevent an estimated 133 million tons of CO₂ between 2024 and 2030, according to the study's authors.

In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), BMW CEO Oliver Zipse highlighted the significance of IAA MOBILITY. When asked about IAA MOBILITY, he told the newspaper, "Physical trade shows are far from dead. The IAA MOBILITY in Munich is becoming increasingly popular. Auto shows are turning more into tech fairs like CES in Las Vegas. And Munich, with its attractive exhibition spaces in the city, has also become a public fair."

Nissan has announced a partnership with the recycling company Ecobat to advance recycling of electric vehicle batteries. This initiative aims to give used EV batteries a second life in the UK. The project will explore how Nissan LEAF batteries can be tracked, safely recovered, repaired, recycled, or repurposed.

At the same time, the American company Ascend Elements has announced a strategic partnership with Call2Recycle to enhance the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. This collaboration involves setting up advanced recycling facilities and implementing cutting-edge technologies to improve the entire recycling process. Auto dealers, salvage yards, and repair shops will gain access to Call2Recycle’s cloud-based platform designed for shipping mid-life, end-of-life, and defective EV batteries. By 2030, the goal is to collect and recycle 300,000 EV battery packs.

The EU-funded Cross E-Plant project has announced the installation of 911 new High-Power-Charging (HPC) points across eight European countries. Of these, 838 high-power charging points with 150 and 350 kW output are intended for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. An additional 73 charging points with 350 kW output will provide new energy for heavy-duty vehicles and electric trucks. The charging points will be installed in Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer NIO has launched a new brand called Onvo, specifically targeting family cars. The brand aims to meet the needs of modern families by offering spacious, safe, and eco-friendly vehicles. It will incorporate advanced technologies such as automated driving, smart connectivity, and sustainable powertrains to provide high comfort. The first model announced under this brand is the Onvo L60, a crossover SUV set to be delivered initially in China in Q3 and globally by the end of 2024. The L60 will offer two battery options of 60 and 90 kWh, built on a 900-volt platform. Additionally, the model is expected to feature the world’s lowest drag coefficient for a production SUV at 0.229 and provide a range of over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).

Renault has announced plans to develop a new Level 4 autonomous electric vehicle for public transportation. The company intends to create an electric, robotized, and pre-equipped “miniBus” platform that includes various automation solutions from specialized partners. Renault has partnered with WeRide for this project. During the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, from May 26 to June 9, 2024, test runs of autonomous e-shuttles are planned. A highly automated transport service will shuttle guests from the P2 parking lot at Bois-de-Boulogne to the Roland-Garros Stadium and back after the matches.

A new research and development project named BALIS 2.0 is working on a basic fuel cell module for aviation. The goal is to develop and test a fuel cell module with a power output of 350 kW, which will serve as the foundation for developing megawatt propulsion systems. The vision is to enable future commercial regional aircraft with 40 to 80 seats to operate emission-free. Initial ground tests are planned for 2025.

Automaker Nissan is partnering with Acciona, a European provider of electric micromobility, to launch two new electric models from Silence in France and Italy: the S04 Nanocar and various e-scooters. The S04 Nanocar comes in two versions: the L6e model, which can reach a speed of 45 km/h (28 mph) and offers a range of 175 kilometers (109 miles), and the L7e model, which can reach up to 85 km/h (53 mph) with a range of 149 kilometers (93 miles).

British company CityShuttle has introduced supposedly the world’s largest cargo bike for last-mile delivery. The ePack4 is covered, rides on six wheels, and offers up to four cubic meters of cargo space and a payload capacity of up to 350 kilograms. Production is set to begin in early 2025, with initial availability in the UK, followed by a rollout across Europe.

Infineon and Xiaomi Partnership: Infineon will supply Xiaomi with silicon carbide power modules for its first electric car, the SU7, until 2027, particularly for the top version, SU7 Max. Infineon will provide two 1,200-volt power modules of the "HybridPACK Drive G2 CoolSiC" type per vehicle, along with bare chips, "EiceDRIVER" gate drivers, and over ten microcontrollers for various applications.

Kia EV6 Facelift: Kia has unveiled a facelift for the EV6, now featuring an 84-kWh battery, up from the current model's 77.4-kWh battery. The new battery offers higher energy density and an increased range of up to 494 km.

Mazda’s Second Electric Vehicle: Mazda has announced its second electric vehicle, the Mazda EZ-6, set to be released in China by the end of 2024. No technical details are available yet.

NIO’s Production Milestone: Chinese EV manufacturer NIO has produced its 500,000th vehicle at its NIO Factory Two (NIO F2) in Hefei, Anhui. The milestone vehicle is the 2024 model of the ES8.

BMW Brilliance Automotive Milestone: The joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) has completed its six-millionth vehicle at its plant in Shenyang, China. The milestone vehicle is a BMW i5 in Frozen Pure Grey.