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EV Battery Material Demand Set to Surge to 22.2 Million Tonnes by 2036
IDTechEx forecasts global electric‑vehicle battery material demand will reach 22.2 million tonnes by 2036, with more than 70% of that demand coming from cell components. Manufacturers are shifting toward low‑cost LFP chemistries while also pursuing higher‑nickel NMC to boost energy density, and anode formulations are moving to silicon‑rich blends. Pack enclosures are exploring aluminum, steel and other lightweight materials.
Kia unveiled the EV3, a compact electric crossover, at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, confirming a U.S. launch as a 2027 model year. The prototype, already on sale in the U.K., signals Kia’s push to replace the aging Niro with a fresh, globally‑aligned offering. The EV3 will be built on Kia’s E‑GMP platform with a 400‑volt architecture and offers two battery packs: a 58.3 kWh unit delivering roughly 220‑225 miles EPA range, and an 81.4 kWh pack promising up to 320 miles. Fast‑charging from 10 % to 80 % takes about 30 minutes, slower than the 800‑volt EV6 or GV60 but adequate for most road trips. Inside, the GT‑line trim features dual 12.3‑inch screens, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, heated‑ventilated seats, and a well‑placed NFC‑type charging port. Kia plans to produce the EV3 in South Korea and Slovakia before adding a plant in West Point, Georgia, positioning the vehicle at $35‑$45 k, directly against the Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Kona and Tesla Model Y. If priced as projected, the EV3 could broaden Kia’s EV portfolio and attract buyers seeking a midsize crossover with competitive range without the premium price of higher‑end models. Its U.S. production will also bolster domestic supply chains, potentially prompting aggressive lease incentives to capture market share in a crowded segment.
South 8 Technologies secured a $9.2 million grant from California’s PowerForward Battery Manufacturing program to expand its LiGas® liquefied‑gas electrolyte production in San Diego. The funding will enable the startup to reach an annual electrolyte capacity of 100 MWh and produce 2 MWh of battery cells,...
DoorDash Labs’ Vice President Ashu Rege outlined the company’s autonomous delivery roadmap, highlighting the in‑house DOT robot and the broader Autonomous Delivery Platform (ADP) that can support varied delivery formats. He contrasted DoorDash’s approach with robotaxi firms, emphasizing cost efficiencies...
Swedish EV charging operator Milepost has purchased Mer’s portfolio of roughly 250 AC charging stations, extending its network from Åre to Malmö. The acquired sites mainly deliver 22 kW power, with a handful capable of 50 kW, and will be integrated by...
Electra Battery Materials has restarted full‑scale construction of North America’s first cobalt sulfate refinery near Temiskaming Shores, Ontario, after a two‑year pause. The plant is designed to produce 6,500 tonnes of battery‑grade cobalt sulfate per year and is backed by...
The City of New York’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services announced that more than 1,000 plug‑in vehicles are now assigned to its law‑enforcement agencies, including nearly 500 units for the NYPD. Across all 15 agencies, the fleet comprises 781 battery‑electric...
Workhorse Group received a purchase order for 100 battery‑electric step vans from Canadian logistics provider Purolator, doubling the carrier’s electric step‑van fleet. The order follows Purolator’s earlier purchases from Motiv, now part of Workhorse after a 2025 merger. Workhorse, which...
Ertico released its third ITS Market Radar, mapping Europe’s intelligent transport systems across suppliers, vehicle manufacturers and connectivity firms. The report highlights how EU initiatives such as the Digital Decade, the AI Act and the European Mobility Data Space are...
Tesla has opened orders for the long‑wheelbase Model Y L in eight Asian markets—Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines—targeting families seeking three‑row electric SUVs. Local pricing translates to roughly $57,200 in Malaysia, $184,300 in...
Baidu's Apollo robotaxi fleet in Wuhan experienced a mass failure, with roughly 100 vehicles freezing in traffic and leaving passengers stranded. The incidents caused minor collisions as cars halted mid‑lane. Baidu has remained silent, offering no public explanation or remediation...
The latest episode of Transport Evolved News covered a whirlwind of developments across the electric‑vehicle landscape, from Subaru’s flagship Getaway SUV debut at the New York Auto Show to Toyota’s surprising surge in BZ sales, and from Polestar’s balance‑sheet overhaul...
Nissan will debut the Rogue Hybrid e‑Power in the United States in late 2026, featuring a pure series‑hybrid architecture that runs the gasoline engine solely as a generator. The system promises fuel‑economy north of 40 mpg, rivaling the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid...
The piece argues that autonomous vehicle (AV) operations involve far more human roles than the traditional driver versus non‑driver dichotomy. Remote Assistants, Drivers, Operators, and Deciders each carry distinct safety responsibilities, contradicting industry claims that only the AI bears liability....
Mercedes‑AMG has finished winter testing of near‑production prototypes of its all‑electric GT 4‑Door Coupé at a Swedish test centre, confirming performance in sub‑zero conditions. The model will be the first production vehicle built on the new high‑performance AMG.EA electric architecture...
Geely Australia is extending incentives for its EX5 Extended Range EV, adding a 1.88% comparison‑rate finance deal over 36 months and a free 7 kW home charger (installation excluded). The model’s price rises by about $660 USD, placing the Complete trim at roughly...
Kia announced price cuts for its entry‑level EV3 and the popular EV5 in Australia, lowering the EV3 Air SR to about $31,000 USD (≈ $46,990 AUD) and the EV5 Air SR to roughly $33,000 USD (≈ $49,990 AUD) to clear 2025 model‑year stock. The discount of...
XCharge North America and JOJO Superfast have begun deploying an EV fast‑charging network across Illinois, launching nine sites with two already operational. Each location will feature four 200 kW C6 Smart DC chargers, primarily installed at Menards home‑improvement stores to capture...
