This image, from July 2021, shows a Citroen e-C4 electric vehicle on display at a showroom in Paris, France. Citroen is a brand of Stellantis, one of the world’s biggest automakers.
Benjamin Girette | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Stellantis is turning to Australia as it looks to procure the materials needed for its electric vehicle strategy in the years ahead.
On Monday, the automaker said a non-binding memorandum of understanding related to the “future sale of quantities of battery grade nickel and cobalt sulphate products” had been signed with Sydney-listed GME Resources Limited.
According to Stellantis, the MoU is centered around materials sourced from the NiWest Nickel-Cobalt Project, which has been earmarked for development in Western Australia.
In a statement, the firm described NiWest as an operation that would produce around 90,000 tons of “battery grade nickel and cobalt sulphate” for the EV market each year.
Stellantis said that, so far, over 30 million Australian dollars (around $18.95 million) had been “invested into drilling, metallurgical test work and development studies.” A definitive feasibility study for the project is due to begin this month.
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In its statement Monday, Stellantis — whose brands include Fiat, Chrysler and Citroen — referenced its goal of all passenger sales in Europe being battery electric by the year 2030. In the U.S., it wants a “50% passenger car and light-duty truck BEV sales mix” within the same timeframe.
“Securing the raw material sources and battery supply will strengthen Stellantis’ value chain for electric vehicle battery production,” Maxime Picat, chief purchasing and supply chain officer at Stellantis, said.
Stellantis’ electric vehicle plans put it in competition with firms such as Elon Musk’s Tesla as well as companies like Volkswagen, Ford and GM.
According to the International Energy Agency, electric vehicle sales are on course to hit an all-time high this year. The sector’s expansion and other factors are creating pressure points when it comes to the supply of the batteries crucial for EVs.
“The rapid increase in EV sales during the pandemic has tested the resilience of battery supply chains, and Russia’s war in Ukraine has further exacerbated the challenge,” the IEA notes, adding that prices of materials like lithium, cobalt and nickel “have surged.”
“In May 2022, lithium prices were over seven times higher than at the start of 2021,” it adds. “Unprecedented battery demand and a lack of structural investment in new supply capacity are key factors.”
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In April, the CEO and president of Volvo Cars predicted that scarcity of battery supply would become a pressing issue for his sector, telling CNBC the firm had made investments that would help it gain a foothold in the market.
“Recently, we made a reasonably substantial investment with Northvolt, so that we are in control of our own battery supply as we go forward,” Jim Rowan told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe”.
“I think battery supply is going to be one of the things that comes into scarce supply in the years to come,” Rowan added.
“And that’s one of the reasons we made that substantial investment with Northvolt: So that we can be in control not just of the supply, but we can actually start to develop our own battery chemistry and production facilities.”
Renault’s charging plans
Monday also saw Mobilize, a brand of the Renault Group, announce plans to roll out an ultra-fast charging network for EVs in the European market. Mobilize Fast Charge, as it’s known, will consist of 200 sites in Europe by the middle of 2024 and “be open to all electric vehicles.”
The development of adequate charging options is seen as being crucial when it comes to challenging perceptions surrounding range anxiety, a term that refers to the idea that electric vehicles aren’t able to undertake long journeys without losing power and getting stranded.
According to Mobilize, the network in Europe will enable drivers to charge their vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “Most of the stations will be at Renault dealerships less than 5 minutes from a motorway or expressway exit,” it added.
With its tire-blistering acceleration and record-setting performance, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has been getting attention throughout the auto industry, impressing everyone who’s seen it. That “everyone” now seems to include the OG supercar brand, itself.
CarNewsChina posted pictures from a Weibo user that reportedly show a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra exiting the storied Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. According to a Chinese blogger going by 西米露在博洛尼亚 (which seems to translate to “Sago Dessert in Bologna”), the prancing horse brand is actively benchmarking the Chinese hypercar for its own upcoming EV.
The SU7 Ultra was definitely coming from inside Ferrari’s facility. After verification, we learned this specific vehicle was officially purchased by Ferrari for testing, and the development of their next-generation electric platform.
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra made its debut last year, promising 1,548 hp, sub 2.0-second 0-60 mph times, and a top speed well over 200 mph – all at a price lower than a Tesla Model S Plaid or Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. The car sold out almost immediately after it was unveiled, racking up some 50,000 orders almost overnight.
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The new electric benchmark
Xiaomi SU7 Ultra at Fiorano; via Weibo user Piniluoshan.
In the automotive world, “benchmarking” is a process in which car companies systematically tear down each others’ competitive products to compare everything from sound insulation, vehicle ride and handling, component materials, and even manufacturing methods against their own or against other industry leaders. The goal is to evaluate performance, cost, quality, and other key metrics, effectively figuring out “where they stand” in the market.
Featured image via Xiaomi; sources throughout the post.
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We’re finally getting our first teases of the upgraded 2027 Chevy Bolt, built on GM’s battery/motor platform formerly known as Ultium. So far, so good for the vehicle, which will be revealed later this Fall.
Chevy took to social media today to tease the 2027 Chevy Bolt, saying, “You asked, we listened. The #ChevyBolt is back and better than ever. More this fall. 👀”
Chevy ended the original Bolt program with the 2023 model, which was loved by a loyal group of customers (including myself). Some of the major gripes, including charging speed and rear brake lights, already look to be addressed. Also, a new more aggressive fascia is debuting.
Hopefully, the new Bolt will have improved charging speeds over and above the 54kW that previous Bolts adhered to. One possible downgrade is that the old Bolt’s amazing wireless CarPlay/Android Auto system will likely be replaced by GM’s move to Android’s built-in experience. For a few years, the Chevy Bolt was the most affordable long-range EV, and it won our 2022 Electrek car of the year for its versatility and price.
I would, of course, like to see the new Bolt as a hot hatchback, but GM CEO Mary Barra has hinted that it will likely take more of the EUV’s SUV form factor. Things like AWD options, SuperCruise, pricing, power and range are yet to be revealed, but stay tuned to Electrek for the latest on Bolt developments.
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On today’s test-acular episode of Quick Charge, it’s a new day and a new Chinese ADAS test for Tesla to conquer – but this one’s got a LOT more pedestrian carnage to parse through! We’ve also got some great e-bike deals from Retrospec and a bladder-busting Hyundai.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec – the makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure! To that end, we’ve got a pair of Retrospec e-bike reviews followed up by the updated Hyundai IONIQ 6 with nearly 350 miles of range from its updated long-range battery. With that, Hyundai now has the longest range Korean EV on the market, while Texas is adding megawatts of battery energy storage to beef up its troubled grid, and it’s doing so faster and cheaper than ever before.
Plus: Quick Charge listeners can get an extra 10% off the price of their next awesome e-bike by using code ELECTREK10 at retrospec.com!
New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (most weeks, anyway). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.
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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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