Ford teases its new mid-size electric SUV, based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform, in a newly posted video. The EV is set for release a week from Tuesday, on March 21, 2023.
Ford’s new MEB-based EV teased in new video
After a big year in 2022, selling 61,575 EVs and growing to become the second largest EV maker in the US behind only Tesla, Ford is looking to carry its momentum overseas.
To spearhead the initiative, Ford partnered with Volkswagen in 2020 to use its modular electric drive matrix (MEB) EV platform to build an electric crossover at a lower price point than the Mach-E.
Looking to take a more global approach from its current F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E lineup, Ford will use the platform to deliver at least one Ford-branded EV. Although President of Ford Europe Stuart Rowley has previously said “probably two” EVs will be built on VW’s platform, the company has since announced its “deep in developing” its own next-generation platform.
Martin Sander, GM of Ford Model e in Europe, gave us a sneak peek, posting a picture of him slightly revealing the vehicle’s front end, but we have yet to see what it will look like in full.
Ahead of its reveal next week, Ford News Europe posted a video on its Twitter, showing the mid-size electric SUV covering all different terrains, from a distance, of course.
Ford teases VW-based EV video (source: Ford News Europe Twitter)
Ford has been teasing the new EV alongside the phrase “exploring reinvented,” potentially hinting at an electric Explorer.
The automaker says its mid-size electric crossover is “made for adventures and epic road trips,” claiming a reinvented Ford is coming. To make room for its upcoming EV lineup, Ford announced in October it would discontinue Fiesta production as it looked to trim its lineup in the region.
With the new EV launching, Ford expects to reach at least 600k annual electric vehicle sales in Europe by 2026.
Check back next week for the official reveal of Ford’s Volkswagen-based mid-size EV.
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SolarEdge and Solar Landscape are going to turn hundreds of empty commercial rooftops into solar energy generators in the US.
The two companies announced today that they’ve struck a deal to use SolarEdge’s US-made solar technology in more than 500 commercial rooftop projects across multiple states. Construction will take place in 2025 and 2026.
The installations will be built on large-scale commercial and industrial buildings – think warehouses and distribution centers – with a ton of untapped solar potential.
“Generating electricity on commercial rooftops and distributing it into the grid is America’s most shovel-ready energy option,” said Shaun Keegan, CEO of commercial rooftop solar developer Solar Landscape. “Our partnership with SolarEdge allows us to rapidly and efficiently deploy solar across a diverse array of commercial and industrial rooftops. Their US-manufactured technology gives us the reliability and performance we need while meeting domestic content requirements for our projects.”
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Using US-made tech helps projects qualify for federal incentives while reducing delays by keeping supply chains local. SolarEdge says its domestic manufacturing operations have already created about 2,000 American jobs.
Naama Ohana, who heads up SolarEdge’s commercial & industrial division, said, “This collaboration demonstrates how American innovation and manufacturing are helping to address the nation’s growing energy needs while strengthening local economies.”
In 2024 alone, Solar Landscape leased 40 million square feet of rooftop space in the US, and it aims to deploy enough solar to power around 80,000 homes. The company now has more than 80 partners who own over 2 billion square feet of commercial property nationwide.
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Hyundai is preparing to launch what’s expected to be its most advanced EV yet. With its official launch just around the corner, Hyundai’s new Elexio SUV is already beating expectations in global testing.
Hyundai’s Elexio electric SUV impresses in global tests
We got our first look at the Elexio in May after Hyundai’s joint venture with BAIC, Beijing Hyundai unveiled the new electric SUV in Shanghai.
After warning that China is a “must-fight place” for global automakers, including itself, Hyundai is stepping up to the plate.
The Elexio is “a new starting point,” the company claims. Dubbed the IONIQ 5 of China, Hyundai’s new electric SUV is packed with smart technology, fast charging capabilities, and advanced features, boasting a CLTC driving range of 435 miles (700 km).
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Ahead of its official launch in China in the next few weeks, the Elexio is already making a statement during global tests.
Hyundai’s new electric SUV has now undergone three crash tests, among other global evaluations, consistently outperforming safety, quality, and performance expectations each time.
Hyundai Elexio electric SUV during global testing (Source: Beijing Hyundai)
After impressing during front, side, and ditch rollover safety tests, Hyundai credited the five layers of ultra-high-strength steel plating, dubbed “God’s Hand,” around the frame. In fact, it has a 360-degree reinforced body design with eight horizontal and seven vertical floor beams.
In a -30℃ (-22F) chamber, the Elexio still started up and charged while the battery preconditioned. It also lost less driving range than the average. The Elexio lost 39% of its range compared to an average of around 40% at -7℃ (19.4°F).
(Source: Beijing Hyundai)
The final global ride and handling road test proved Hyundai’s electric SUV is ready to hit the streets. Hyundai simulated 17 types of “bad urban road” conditions to see if the Elexio could handle them.
Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the company claims the Elexio offers “the highest suspension configuration in its class.” Added high-end shock absorber valves and hydraulic bushings to minimize vibration, while providing drivers with more control over the vehicle. Hyundai fine-tuned the suspension over 300 times for the perfect ride.
Hyundai Elexio SUV (Source: Beijing Hyundai)
After China’s MIIT released sales info last month, we learned that Hyundai’s new electric SUV is 4,615 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,673 mm in height, which is slightly smaller than the Tesla Model Y.
It will be available in single and dual-motor powertrain options, providing 160 kW (214 hp) and 233 kW (312 hp) of output, respectively. The LFP batteries will be supplied by BYD’s battery unit, FinDream.
Hyundai is set to launch the Elexio in China in the third quarter of 2025. Prices will be announced closer to launch, but according to CarNewsChina, it’s expected to start at around 140,000 yuan ($19,500).
A rending of LG Energy Solution’s Stand-Alone Battery Manufacturing Complex Project in Arizona / Source: LG Energy Solution
Tesla is rumored to be behind a large $4 billion lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery cell order with Korea’s LG Energy Solution.
Yesterday, LG reported having secured a $4.3 billion order for LFP battery cells from its new factory in the US from August 2027 to July 2030.
The Korean company didn’t confirm the identity of the customer, but it did mention that the cells will be used in stationary energy storage products, which prompted many people to speculate that Tesla is behind the order.
Tesla currently produces Megapacks and Powerwalls in the US with LFP battery cells from China.
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We previously reported that this is a problem amid the trade war between the US and China.
As of last year, a 25% tariff already applied to battery cells from China, but this increased to more than 80% under Trump before he paused some tariffs on China. It remains unclear where they will end up by the time negotiations are complete and the trade war is resolved, but many expect it to be higher.
The automaker had secured older manufacturing equipment from one of its battery cell suppliers, CATL, and planned to deploy it in the US for small-scale production.
Tesla recently unveiled some images of the factory, which it claims is almost complete, but it is expected to be limited to less than 10 GWh of LFP battery cell production per year at full capacity, while Tesla produces more than 40 GWh of energy storage products per year in the US.
LG’s LFP battery cells made in the US would enable Tesla to close the gap between its own battery cell production and its Megapack and Powerwall production.
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