Korea-based battery materials supplier POSCO Future M and solid-state battery pioneer Factorial have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on the development of all-solid-state battery technology.

Under the MOU, the two companies plan to develop materials for all-solid-state batteries, which are expected to offer higher safety, superior energy density and better charging performance compared to current lithium-ion batteries.

POSCO Future M is currently conducting R&D on cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries and silicon anode materials, while the POSCO Group is also researching lithium metal anode materials and sulfide-based solid electrolytes.

POSCO Future M Head of Technology Research Laboratory Hong Young-Jun said, “We expect synergy in the next-generation all-solid-state battery business based on Factorial’s battery technology and market presence with global automakers, and POSCO Future M’s competitiveness in cathode and anode materials.”

“Solid-state batteries are entering a new era of commercial readiness,” said Siyu Huang, CEO of Factorial. “We expect work with POSCO Future M to not only accelerate innovation in critical cathode and anode materials, but also strengthen a resilient global supply chain and drive meaningful cost reductions at scale.”

Source: Factorial

Littelfuse has announced a new family of six automotive current sensors, designed to deliver precise, isolated current measurement in electric and hybrid vehicles. The sensors, available as both analog-voltage and digital output devices, provide system flexibility for battery management, motor control and pyro-fuse safety applications in next-generation EV platforms, according to Littelfuse.

Utilizing open-loop Hall-effect technology, the sensors support bus-bar mounting in a compact form factor. Littelfuse specifies nominal current ranges up to ±1500 A, with minimized total error and low thermal drift. Certain models feature Controller Area Network (CAN 2.0B) communication and include AUTOSAR E2E Profile 1A diagnostics, as well as automotive safety integrity level C (ASIL-C)–capable current measurement for integration into safety-critical systems.

The new product range includes:

• Battery management sensors (CH1B02xB, CH1B032B, CH1B040B) for high-accuracy current measurement up to ±1500 A in applications like battery management systems (BMS), DC links, and high-voltage (HV) junction boxes.
• Motor control sensors (CH1B02xM, CH1P01xM), providing low-noise, ratiometric-analog outputs for inverter applications, supporting current up to ±1500 A (±900 A for CH1P01xM).
• Pyro-fuse trigger module (CH1B050P) for direct, microsecond-scale activation of pyro-fuses, claimed to be over three times faster than conventional approaches.

Systems designers can integrate these sensors into key EV and HEV applications, including battery management systems, motor inverters, HV junction boxes, power relay assemblies, starter generators, and both DC/DC and AC/DC converters. The busbar- or PCB-mount design, along with standard automotive connectors and support for CAN or local interconnect network (LIN) communications, allows drop-in replacement or adaptation in both new and legacy architectures, Littelfuse reports.

The sensors complement Littelfuse’s existing range of high-voltage circuit protection and power control components such as fuses, contactors, thyristors, and transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diodes, enabling system-level design for modern electric and hybrid vehicles.

Source: Littelfuse

Infineon Technologies has announced that it will supply custom silicon carbide (SiC) power modules to Electreon for use in Electreon’s dynamic in-road wireless charging system for EVs. This electric road system enables buses, trucks and other EVs to charge wirelessly while in motion using inductive charging via copper coils embedded beneath roadway surfaces.

The system interfaces directly with the power grid and activates when vehicles are positioned above the coils, providing real-time energy transfer and continuous battery charging. Infineon reports that its EasyPACK 3B CoolSiC 2,000 V SiC modules, specially developed for Electreon’s requirements, form the core of the system’s power electronics.

These modules facilitate energy conversion from the power grid for wireless battery charging, with an average power transfer of 200 kW and peaks exceeding 300 kW. This performance was recently confirmed during operation on France’s A10 highway, which Electreon claims is the first highway able to wirelessly charge moving heavy- and medium-duty trucks, buses, vans, and passenger cars.

The in-road wireless charging system allows vehicles to operate with smaller batteries by recharging on the move, potentially lowering upfront costs and vehicle weights while increasing cargo capacity. Electreon has deployed Infineon’s SiC modules across test tracks in the US, Germany, France, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Italy, Israel, and Japan, and plans to integrate the technology into additional long-distance projects.

“Electreon’s wireless charging system is a real game changer on the road to reducing carbon emissions in transportation,” said Dominik Bilo, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer Industrial & Infrastructure at Infineon Technologies. “We’re proud to contribute to this groundbreaking innovation with our customized SiC power modules, which efficiently convert electrical energy to charge vehicles on the go, tailored to meet Electreon’s specific needs.”

Silicon carbide-based semiconductors are noted for handling high power at higher switching frequencies and lower losses than traditional silicon, allowing for compact and robust designs ideal for EV charging applications.

Source: Infineon Technologies

Gilbarco Veeder-Root has launched the Konect 400 kW all-in-one EV charger platform, designed specifically for fuel and convenience retail operations. The platform is built to address the integrated payment, software, and operations needs of forecourts and convenience stores transitioning to support EV charging.

The Konect charger delivers up to 400 kW of charging power and is engineered as a unified hardware and software system. It supports a single, integrated payment and loyalty platform at the charging point, aiming to streamline operations for retail environments typically accustomed to traditional fueling.

The system incorporates Invenco’s FlexPay 6 payment technology to provide unified payment functionality for both EV charging and fuel transactions. Its custom application programming interfaces (APIs) and deployment tools are designed to simplify integration with existing retail operations, enabling rapid pilot and commercial rollouts.

The company says that the charger targets a 98 percent uptime, supported by its “Uptime Assurance” premium service, which is intended to maximize throughput and reduce failed charging events.

The platform is intended to minimize the complexity retailers face when adopting ultra-fast EV charging by delivering a consistent customer experience and reducing the need for multiple apps, hardware and vendor solutions.

The system is available now for pilot deployments and commercial orders, with retailers and energy partners invited to request demonstrations or technical briefings.

“EV charging becomes complicated when applications, payment systems and vendors differ from traditional fueling operations,” said Merrick Glass, President of Konect at Gilbarco Veeder-Root. “Our All-in-One 400 kW EV Charger is a game changer. It delivers an ultra-fast charge, while integrating consistent payment and software management systems that make electrification intuitive for both drivers and operators.”

Source: Gilbarco Veeder-Root

Topics: Gilbarco Veeder-Root, EV Charging

As expected, Ford has cancelled production of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. Also no surprise to those of us who follow the industry: the company has issued a pair of press releases designed to frame the failure as a positive development.

And it may be—if the company’s goals are to shore up its bottom line, keep shareholders happy, and appease the regime in Washington. But if the goal is to win what CEO Jim Farley has called “a global competition with China,” then this is at best a strategic retreat.

This tidbit from the PR seems to sum up the change of direction at Ford: “The Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center is renamed the Tennessee Truck Plant.”

Petroleum-powered pickups are high-margin products for US OEMs, and EVs (to put it mildly) are not. As Clayton Christensen explained in his prophetic 1997 book, companies caught in The Innovator’s Dilemma often narrow their focus to concentrate on their most profitable product lines. Thus, US automakers are evolving into truckmakers.

Another thing companies in fading industries sometimes do is to double down on older technologies, for example building super-duper vehicles (clipper ships, articulated steam locomotives) to squeeze out a few more years of profits from traditional powertrains before they become obsolete.

We see Ford following a couple of versions of this path.

For the next generation of the electrified F-150, Ford is going to take a technological step backwards, adding a gas engine. The new F-150 Lightning EREV will offer “the best of both worlds,” says Ford. It will be a series hybrid, which, unlike a parallel hybrid, is always propelled by the electric motor—the gas engine acts only as a generator to charge the battery. This means the new truck will still deliver the instant torque of an electric powertrain, without the range constraint of a pure EV.

The big deal-breaker for an electric truck is that towing a trailer reduces range—a lot, sometimes as much as 50%. (The same is true of gas trucks, but gas stations are plentiful, fueling is faster than charging, and you can add an auxiliary fuel tank if you need one.)

Owners of the new F-150 Lightning EREV “will be able to drive 9 out of 10 days on electricity alone.” So, customers didn’t want the electric F-150 because it didn’t have enough range while towing, but they really, really want to drive electric when they’re not towing? And Joe Average Pickup Buyer only tows one day out of ten? And we’re sure he’s going to plug the thing in? Well, we’ll see.

Another part of Ford’s new strategy: lots more hybrids. “The company plans to expand gas, hybrid and extended-range electric options across its portfolio….nearly every vehicle [will feature] a hybrid or multi-energy powertrain choice by the end of the decade.”

This also represents a step backwards in time, in more ways than one. We remember when Ford electrified the Fusion, which was available in gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, and the C-Max, which came in hybrid and plug-in versions. Sales were middling slow, and Ford cancelled the cars after a few years. The “choice of powertrains” strategy is widely discredited in the industry today—adapting an ICE vehicle design to an electric powertrain sacrifices many of the advantages that a pure EV has to offer. Most of the folks we talk to agree that a “clean sheet” approach is the way to go. (This is no new revelation—a certain California startup figured it out back in 2012.)

So, is Ford waving the white flag to China, as InsideEVs’ Andrei Nedelea put it? Pulling the plug on EVs in order to follow Washington’s mood swings, as an eloquent commentor on Electrek expressed it?

Nay, fear not! Ford’s still working on the Universal EV Platform, a next-generation architecture “engineered to underpin a high-volume family of smaller, highly efficient and affordable electric vehicles designed to be accessible to millions of customers.” The first EV based on this platform is to be a midsize pickup truck that will begin production in 2027.

The breakneck speed of EV innovation is one of the reasons large OEMs are struggling to make money on EVs—more than one observer opined that the Lightning had already fallen behind the state of the art. Will the new platform enable Ford to catch up to the boys in Beijing? “Ford has bet its entire EV future on the new Universal EV Platform. It had damn well better be good,” says John Voelcker, who sat in on the media call and has several relevant observations on Ford’s news.

We’re still cheering for our home team, and we hope Ford hits it out of the park with the new platform, but what we’re hearing now sounds like the same song we hear from an OEM every time they cancel or scale back an EV program. They’re all committed to an electric future—but not yet, O Lord, not yet.

Sources: Ford (new F-150), Ford (EV-related losses), John Voelcker, InsideEVs, Electrek

Southwire Company has announced a strategic investment in Orange Charger aimed at expanding scalable EV charging infrastructure purpose-built for multifamily properties.

The agreement will see the two companies develop streamlined installation packages and material bundles designed to reduce installation complexity and lower total deployment costs for property owners.

Southwire, a major North American wire and cable manufacturer, plans to use its expertise in power distribution and installation solutions to support Orange Charger’s platform, which is specifically engineered for the needs of renters and property managers in apartment and multifamily buildings. According to Southwire, this collaboration is intended to accelerate nationwide deployment by enabling more affordable, reliable charging installations without the need for extensive infrastructure upgrades.

Orange Charger’s system features a hardware and software platform that, according to the company, can cut installation costs by up to 70 percent. The solution operates via OrangeNet, a proprietary mesh network and edge-compute platform that enables over 98 percent successful charge sessions, including locations with limited connectivity such as underground garages.

Orange reports that its system does not require managed Wi-Fi, LTE extenders, ongoing software, or networking fees, making it simpler for property owners to manage. The platform also lays the groundwork for future products that may allow properties to participate in energy management and derive new revenue streams.

“This partnership brings more than capital, it brings a true strategic ally,” said Neil Joseph, CEO of Orange Charger. “Southwire’s scale and expertise will help us streamline installations, reduce deployment costs through integrated material packages and accelerate joint product development that will continue to simplify charging for multifamily owners and EV drivers. With Southwire also joining as a board observer, we’re gaining a partner aligned and committed to our long-term strategy. We’re excited to continue expanding access to reliable and affordable EV charging across communities nationwide.”

Source: Southwire

US-based South 8 Technologies, which is developing its LiGas cell technology, has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Galvion, a designer and manufacturer of intelligent power and data management solutions.

The LOI establishes the framework for cooperative innovation, knowledge exchange, and field-focused testing to accelerate customers’ operational readiness in sub-zero temperatures.

Both companies are focused on providing battery technology to defense customers in the US and Northern Europe for military operations extending into increasingly harsh and unpredictable environments such as the Arctic.

By leveraging South 8’s LiGas cell technology, which has wide temperature discharging and recharging capabilities, and aligning R&D, the collaboration aims to demonstrate next-generation battery systems capable of operating reliably in Arctic conditions, where sustained temperatures can fall as low as -60° C (-76° F).

“Arctic readiness is a new reality and partnering with South 8 allows us to explore battery technology that is specifically engineered to cope better with the challenges of extreme cold environments,” said Todd Stirtzinger, CEO of Galvion. “We see a lot of opportunity in combining South 8’s LiGas cell technology with our field-proven SoloPack battery family so we can provide defense customers with energy solutions that further enhance resilience, reliability, and mission readiness in extreme environments.”

Source: Galvion

Canada-based Focus Graphite Advanced Materials, which is developing high-grade flake graphite deposits and lithium-ion battery technology, has been selected by Natural Resources Canada (NRC) under the Global Partnerships Initiative for conditional approval of a $14.06-million plant.

The funding will support Focus Graphite’s project, “Transformation of Canadian Flake Graphite into Ultra-High Purity Battery & Advanced Materials Using Electrothermal Fluidized Bed Technology.” The project brings together Canadian, Ukrainian and US partners to produce ultra-high purity graphite for the global battery, aerospace, defense and advanced material markets.

The grant was announced by Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, at the G7 Energy and Environment Minister’s Meeting in Toronto to support the establishment of Canada’s first commercial, scalable electrothermal fluidized bed purification demonstration facility.

The technology produces ultra-high purity graphite with zero liquid waste and lower emissions. The initiative will be carried out in collaboration with Ukraine’s Thermal & Material Engineering Center (TMEC), which will lead the project management for the demonstration unit, overseeing engineering design, construction, fabrication, system integration and training.

Focus has entered into a formal agreement with TMEC to engineer, project manage and deliver the installation of a demonstration-scale electrothermal fluidized bed (EFB) furnace capable of continuous purification of natural graphite at industrial temperatures exceeding 2,500° C. The system will be designed for 100 kg/hour capacity, providing the foundation for a scalable commercial demonstration facility in Baie-Comeau or Sept-Îles, Quebec.

American Energy Technologies will continue providing processing and thermal purification services to support near-term customer sampling and product qualification. Back in the summer, Focus shipped two battery-grade samples to prospective offtake partners in the US for evaluation.

Focus has been working with American Energy Technologies (AETC) to validate the process on feedstock from the Lac Knife graphite mine. Focus has achieved over 99.999% grade without chemical reagents. Impurities in the natural flake graphite occur predominantly along the flake boundaries rather than within the crystalline lattice, which makes the material particularly responsive to high-temperature electrothermal purification, the company said.

As construction of the demonstration facility proceeds, Focus expects to continue working closely with AETC to purify additional material through its commercial-scale furnace, making it available for customer sampling, product qualification and engagement with potential offtake partners.

The initiative will also strengthen several ongoing partnerships, Focus said, including its upcoming work with the University of Texas at Dallas’s BEACONS Battery Prototyping Facility, which will independently evaluate and qualify the company’s purified graphite and siliconized anode materials for defense and dual-use battery applications.

In the first phase, BEACONS will fabricate and test 18650-format lithium-ion battery cells using the purified natural flake graphite in the anode. BEACONS then intends to collaborate further with Focus Graphite to develop a siliconized graphite anode, using a non-silane silicon feedstock sourced from North America. This program will prototype pouch cells for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

Once it is validated, the purified graphite will be made available through BEACONS’ network of users, which includes cell manufacturers, equipment developers and academic researchers, for further testing with complementary cathode and electrolyte systems, Focus said.

“This project represents Canada’s first commercial, scalable, continuous electrothermal fluidized bed purification system, powered entirely by renewable hydroelectricity and operating without the use of chemicals,” said Dean Hanisch, CEO of Focus Graphite. “NRCan’s financial support is instrumental in advancing this initiative, helping to accelerate domestic processing capacity and strengthen Canada’s position in the global critical minerals sector.”

Source: Focus Graphite Advanced Materials

Kalmar has introduced its new generation of lithium-ion battery packs, now available globally, for its electric straddle carrier product line. The newly released Gen 2 battery features an upgrade in nominal capacity to 533 kWh—an increase of 25 percent over Kalmar’s previous battery generation. Usable capacity for the new battery is rated at 453 kWh.

Kalmar says that the Gen 2 battery solution is designed to support demand for improved energy capacity, safety and operational efficiency in cargo handling equipment. The updated cell chemistry extends battery lifespan, which Kalmar claims will reduce replacement frequency and lower total cost of ownership. Enhanced thermal stability is also noted as part of the safety improvements.

According to Kalmar, the Gen 2 battery enables net operating times of up to 10 hours for electric straddle carriers, depending on energy consumption levels. This operating profile supports various charging strategies, including a combination of depot charging during breaks and hands-free opportunity charging during active shifts. The system allows for hot-seat operation, where equipment remains in continuous use by alternating operators.

Kalmar has also deployed a megawatt charging system at its test facility in Tampere, Finland to support development and validation of the Gen 2 battery integration.

“Gen 2 represents a major step forward in terms of battery energy capacity, safety and operational lifespan,” said Marko Hopeaharju, Head of Horizontal Transportation Solutions at Kalmar. “With longer operating times and improved reliability, our customers can transition to fully electric fleets without compromising performance.”

Source: Kalmar

In 2025, EVgo has deployed more than 40 percent of its new public fast charging stations using domestically manufactured prefabricated modular skids. These skids, produced in partnership with Miller Electric Company, are assembled at Miller Electric’s Jacksonville, Florida facility from US-sourced steel and aluminum before shipment and installation.

According to EVgo, this prefabricated approach has enabled it to exceed its annual station deployment goal, accelerate installation timelines and reduce average station installation costs by 15 percent. Each modular skid integrates all required charging equipment onto a single base frame, supporting consistent quality and streamlined on-site commissioning processes. Prefabricated stations are capable of charging up to 14 vehicles simultaneously, depending on the location, and exclusively utilize 350 kW high-power fast chargers.

EVgo says that this model simplifies the integration of additional site features such as Wi-Fi infrastructure, lighting, security cameras and canopies. The prefabricated fast charging stations have been installed across California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nebraska, New York, and Texas, with further deployments underway in North Carolina, Utah and additional states.

“The prefabrication model is a win-win for EVgo because we can fast-track infrastructure deployment to meet charging demand and support workforce development in this growing industry,” said Dennis Kish, President of EVgo.

Source: EVgo