Ko Kut, also known as Koh Kood, one of a dozen islands in the Gulf of Thailand, is a tranquil, jungle-covered place known for its pristine beaches, clear turquoise waters and abundant coconut palms. It has an economy centered around fishing, agriculture and ecotourism.

The island, which is in the least populous district in Thailand, is only accessible by boat from Trat province on the mainland. But ecotourism visitors and local officials alike have been limited to the use of internal combustion engine-powered speedboats accompanied by all of their commensurate disadvantages, including noise, vibration and environmental pollution. These factors threaten marine life and are not in keeping with the quiet character of Ko Kut.

Seudamgo, a unit of Leopard Transportation, plans to solve that problem by deploying a fleet of ten P-12 electric hydrofoil ferries from Candela. The vessel’s digital flight control system minimizes slamming, ensuring a smooth ride free of seasickness, Candela said.

By turning to clean green power, Seudamgo is poised to transport ecotourism travelers to Ko Kut via high-speed, clean, efficient and electrified water transport. Seudamgo will be the first company to operate the Candela electric hydrofoil ferries in Thailand and southeast Asia.

“Candela’s P-12 foil electric technology is a game-changer,” said Surachai Suwanthanakul, Leopard’s CEO. “It represents a truly sustainable vessel—free from emissions, oil spills and underwater noise.”

At a speed of 25 knots (29 mph, 46 km/h), the P-12 will cover the 20 nautical miles (23 miles, 37 km) on the route in 40 minutes.

The P-12 seats up to 30 passengers, depending on operator configuration, with plenty of room for passenger bags. It is 39 feet, 4.1 inches (11.99 m) in length, has a 14-foot, 8.4-inch (4.5 m) beam and displaces 11.02 tons (10 metric tonnes).

Candela has now received multiple orders from major municipalities and operators for the electric ferry. The P-12 went into service in Stockholm in November 2024, picking up passengers in Ekerö, an island of almost 12,000 inhabitants outside Stockholm, and reaching Stockholm’s City Hall, a 9-mile (15 km) jaunt, in just 30 minutes. That was 15 minutes faster than its diesel-powered counterpart while using 80% less energy to power the trip.

A fleet of eight P-12 ferries is on order by Saudi Arabia to make trips to Neom, the massive, unsustainable development that Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the crown prince and authoritarian leader of Saudi Arabia, is creating there.

The P-12 is coming to Lake Tahoe to speed up north-south trips across the lake on the California-Nevada border, and to Mumbai to help the city get cars off its heavily trafficked roadways. It is also being deployed in Berlin to bring the travel time from the Eastside Gallery to Funkhaus down from as much as 26 minutes in traffic to 10 minutes by traveling along the Spree River.

In November 2024, Candela said it had raised an additional $14 million in its Series C funding round, putting the company’s total secured funding in 2024 at over $40 million. The investment will help Candela ramp up production to meet demand for its vessels. The new $14-million investment was led by SEB Private Equity, a global private equity investor, with additional participation by existing investors EQT Ventures and KanDela.

Source: Candela Technology

From the lab to gigafactory, twin-screw extrusion (TSE) is highly beneficial in battery research and development due to its ability to produce superior electrode quality. This method is recognized for its effective distributive and dispersive mixing capabilities, resulting in homogeneous electrode materials with excellent dispersion of all ingredients.

Twin-screw extrusion also supports continuous operation, an essential factor to improving process yields in battery manufacturing. And it’s not limited to just wet processing, this novel twin-screw extrusion can handle solvent-less and complete dry formulations – recognized as the way forward in the development of new battery materials.

Join us to explore how novel twin extrusion is transforming battery material processing.

In this webinar you’ll:

• Learn where in the process TSE can be used and what are the advantages
• How to tailor the process parameters, optimizing both your wet or dry formulations
• Explore novel ways to integrate an extruder in a glove-box to save lab and dry-room space
• Use the opportunity to interact during the Q&A session with our application expert.

Join us on Thursday, November 13th, at 11am EST.

Register now, it’s free!

When it comes to lithium-ion batteries in EVs, the stakes are high. A single malfunctioning cell can trigger thermal runaway—a rapid, uncontrollable rise in temperature and pressure that can result in fires or explosions. For engineers, preventing this isn’t just good design—it’s non-negotiable.

Charged recently chatted with Luka Sovulj from Epic Resins to learn how their epoxy and polyurethane formulations are designed to protect EV battery systems from moisture ingress, vibration, and thermal events. Their products can fully encapsulate battery cells—providing a barrier against environmental stressors while contributing to pack safety and lifespan. The company has over 50 years of experience in electronics and battery applications.

One of the key functions of these potting and coating materials is to manage thermal and mechanical stresses. When a battery is subject to repeated cycling, vibration, or thermal gradients, stress builds up in interfaces and components. By enveloping those components in a stable polymeric matrix, the compounds help dampen shock, reduce micro-cracking, and slow degradation. Luka notes that thermal runaway is a critical safety concern; their formulations are engineered to resist propagation through the pack by absorbing or dissipating heat and preventing expansion into adjacent cells.

Epic also offers custom formulation flexibility. They can tailor viscosity, gel time, filler type, and density to match a customer’s specific design or manufacturing constraints. For instance, a low-density filler could be used for lightweighting, while still maintaining thermal or mechanical performance. Or, faster cure times may align with high-throughput production lines. This alignment between material properties and manufacturing workflow is especially desirable in a field where pack design and assembly constraints vary among OEMs and suppliers.

Luka also contrasts non-cellular elastomers with foam materials. Unlike foams, which are largely composed of air and have limited structural and thermal performance, their elastomeric compounds offer higher tensile strength, better thermal conductivity, and more reliable flame retardancy. Because their materials do not expand or contract during curing, they avoid internal stresses and sensitivity to ambient conditions, such as temperature and humidity. That consistency is a major benefit when scaling from lab samples to large volume production.

Learn more at https://www.epicresins.com/E-Mobility.

Delta Air Lines has announced a partnership with Dutch electric plane maker Maeve to support the development of a new hybrid-electric regional aircraft.

Under the terms of the agreement, Delta will provide operational support to help Maeve’s M80 hybrid-electric aircraft reach commercial viability for regional flights. Maeve will become part of Delta’s Sustainable Skies Lab. Its presence in the program checks off a box for a key milestone in Delta’s 2023 Sustainability Roadmap to accelerate innovative solutions for a more sustainable future of travel.

In November 2023, Maeve introduced the M80, a hybrid 80-seater aircraft, saying that “there are currently no alternatives in development that are equally sustainable, cost-effective, and match the operational needs of airlines and airports.”

In short, Maeve says that the M80 offers the performance of a jet and the efficiency of a turboprop.

The M80 hybrid-electric aircraft has a range of 921 miles (1,482 km) and promises 40% higher efficiency through a hybrid engine architecture that provides power assistance at low altitude operations, the company said. The hybrid model can also support the efficient integration of more electric aircraft systems.  

To meet the needs of smaller airports and airlines, Maeve designed the M80 “to attain best-in-class specifications with regards to passenger capacity, range, lead time and energy needed for implementation,” the company said. 

“The aircraft is designed to support the future of the regional aviation market, delivering a decarbonized, low energy solution with regional jet performance and turbo-prop economics.”

Founded in 2020, Maeve Aerospace has announced plans to launch the Maeve 01 by 2031. The Maeve 01 will be “the world’s first all-electric, 44-seat regional aircraft,” according to the company. Maeve, which focuses on the short-range aviation market, is also developing rapid-charging systems for its battery-powered aircraft.

Source: Maeve

USA Rare Earth (USAR) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire UK-based rare earth metal and alloy producer Less Common Metals (LCM).

The acquisition secures USAR’s access to high-quality rare earth metal and strip cast alloy for its global customers and the development of its Oklahoma magnet facility.

Under the terms of the deal, USAR will acquire LCM for $100 million in cash and 6.74 million shares of USAR common stock. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025.

LCM produces light and heavy rare earth permanent magnet metals and alloys at scale at its 67,000 square foot production facility in Cheshire, UK. It also benefits from an established supply of raw materials outside of China. The company is one of the few producers capable of processing metal oxide feedstocks from mined and recycled sources.

LCM closes the loop for USAR’s in-house processing of recycled rare earths. USAR will be able to reuse end-of-life magnets and its own swarf generated during magnet production, providing access to alternative low-cost sources of feedstock.

LCM will be able to continue to expand and serve its global customer base with a broad portfolio of rare earth and critical metals and alloys, while also supplying neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) metal and strip cast alloy to USAR’s Stillwater, Oklahoma magnet facility when it starts production. LCM’s metals and alloys are used in the manufacturing of advanced magnets for customers across EV, automotive, industrial, defense and other sectors in the US, UK, France, Germany, Japan and Taiwan.

LCM has previously announced a planned expansion into France supported by the French government under the 2030 France investment plan.

“Midstream metal making is the linchpin of the global supply chain and LCM is the only proven ex-China producer of rare earth metal, alloys, and strip casting at scale,” said Michael Blitzer, Chairman of USA Rare Earth. “The combination of USAR-LCM will establish rare earth metal making in the United States for the first time in decades, as we move quickly to integrate these capabilities in Stillwater, Oklahoma to provide all of the feedstock for the buildout of our 5,000-ton magnet production facility. Our ambition is also to expand LCM’s capabilities in both the United Kingdom and Europe.”

Source: USA Rare Earth

Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have developed a method to coat sulfide-based solid electrolytes to improve chemical stability and reduce manufacturing costs.

The process uses atomic layer deposition (ALD) to apply a protective layer of aluminum oxide onto the electrolyte particles. This coating improves stability by acting as a shield and modifying the surface’s electronic structure.

In tests under conditions where there were levels of high humidity and oxygen, the coated electrolytes outperformed uncoated electrolytes, remaining stable with little degradation. This addresses a key challenge for solid-state batteries, as electrolytes can break down when exposed to humidity and oxygen. This is particularly the case for high-performance, sulfide-based solid electrolytes such as lithium phosphorus sulfur chloride (LPSCl), according to the researchers. Producing solid-state batteries using these materials requires maintaining a dry room below -40° C, which drives up production costs.

“Our research shows that even a very thin coating—just a few nanometers thick— can act as a strong barrier, keeping the electrolyte intact and boosting its performance,” said Argonne Materials Scientist Justin Connell. “This breakthrough can extend battery life and lower manufacturing costs by allowing production in less controlled environments.”

The research team is working to scale up this method and is collaborating with a commercial partner to produce larger quantities of the coated electrolyte for demonstration in larger-format batteries. Future research will focus on exploring other coating chemistries.

Source: Argonne National Laboratory

The Solomon Organization, a real estate investment company that owns and manages more than 22,000 residential apartment homes, has chosen 3V Infrastructure to fund, install and operate Level 2 EV charging infrastructure at 60 multifamily properties across 9 states.

3V Infrastructure is an EV charging investor, advisor and operator. 3V will manage design, installation, maintenance and upgrades for the Solomon projects. Multifamily EV charging specialist SWTCH will enable Solomon to deploy the new charging stations by tapping into the properties’ existing grid infrastructure.

“EV charging is quickly becoming a must-have amenity in multifamily communities,” said Aubrey Gunnels, CEO of 3V Infrastructure. “We built 3V to remove the financial and operational barriers for property owners by fully funding, installing and managing charging infrastructure long-term, allowing owners to meet resident demand for this amenity without taking on cost or complexity.”

“Successfully deploying EV charging across a large portfolio requires a focus on both the resident experience and the owner’s operational needs,” said Joseph Zulewski, VP of US Sales at SWTCH. “We provide the technology that helps 3V deliver on both fronts, offering powerful management tools for property owners and a simple, reliable charging experience for their residents.”

Source: 3V Infrastructure

To optimize energy consumption and efficiency in EVs, you first need trusted instruments to measure it. Founded in 1911, Yokogawa Test&Measurement is a global company that provides a range of products that measure electrical and optical signals and other critical engineering parameters. The company’s systems are used across industries like energy, manufacturing, and increasingly in EVs and renewable energy.

Charged recently chatted with Jose Luis Mezquita Benitez, Application Engineer at Yokogawa, to unpack how their test and measurement solutions are shaping the future of EV development.
Yokogawa’s offerings—including the WT5000 power analyzer, DL950 Modular Oscilloscope + Data Acquisition, and their newer SL2000 system—are optimized for validating powertrain efficiency, charging systems and motor control strategies.

Jose described how the WT5000 is specifically designed for benchmarking electric vehicle power systems. It captures multi-point measurements across the EV powertrain to quantify losses, harmonics and efficiency under real driving conditions. The WT5000’s modular architecture and multi-channel capability give engineers the flexibility to tailor the setup to their systems.

But raw power data isn’t enough. To map control signals, trends and transient behavior, Yokogawa brings in the DL950 modular oscilloscope + data acquisition platform. With the /MT1 option, it enables real-time DSP computation (e.g. Park/Clarke transforms), integrating motor d/q currents, encoder signals and inverter waveforms. This lets engineers carry out Maximum Torque per Ampere (MTPA) analysis and refine field-oriented control algorithms.

Jose also touched on Yokogawa’s newer SL2000 system. Built with rackability and system testing in mind, it introduces features such as stacking, GPS timing and high-speed sampling. These capabilities make it easier to integrate into automated test benches and distributed test setups. The SL2000 is meant to elevate EV testing capabilities across lab and field environments.

Engineers can explore Yokogawa’s library of application notes, resources and videos, which cover use cases like MTPA, inverter efficiency and charging system compliance. With open access to these materials, teams can more rapidly validate emergent EV designs.

Explore Yokogawa’s technical content or reach out via their website: https://tmi.yokogawa.com/

Vietnamese auto OEM VinFast unveiled its EB 8 and EB 12 electric bus models at the recent Busworld Europe 2025 trade show, signaling the company’s expansion from the passenger vehicle market into the public transportation sector. (The company is already selling its VF 6 and VF 8 passenger EVs in Europe.)

The full-size 12-meter EB 12 city bus already adheres to UNECE and CE regulations, and is now available to order in Europe. The 8-meter EB 8 will go on sale at “a later date.” Both models integrate an array of safety and driver assistance features, and both will be protected by comprehensive unlimited-mileage warranties.

The VinFast EB 8 features an electric motor delivering a maximum output of 200 kW and a 359 kWh battery pack that enables a range of over 290 km. It supports 120 kW fast charging. Top speed is capped at 80 km/h.

The EB 8 is configured to accommodate up to 60 passengers, including 24 seated and 35 standing, with one dedicated wheelchair space. An electric wheelchair ramp is a standard feature.

An air suspension system is designed to offer a high level of ride smoothness and stability. Safety features include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist and Hill-start Assist.

The VinFast EB 12 is a 12-meter city bus with a low-floor, 3-door configuration and a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 19,200 kg. It can accommodate 90 passengers (35 seated, 54 standing, and one wheelchair space), and can be tailored to meet individual customer requirements.

The EB 12 is equipped with twin 125 kW wheel-hub electric motors that deliver a combined maximum power output of 250 kW. Its 422 kWh battery pack delivers a range of over 400 km. The vehicle supports 140 kW fast charging via a CCS2 port.

Passenger amenities include a dual-zone climate control system with a high-efficiency heat pump, 26 USB charging ports, and an air suspension system for both front and rear axles.

In addition to the safety systems included on the EB 8, the EB 12 is equipped with standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems including Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning, Driver Monitoring, Blind Spot Detection, Forward and Rear Collision Warning, and Intelligent Speed Assistance. It’s also equipped with an Automatic Fire Suppression System and a CCTV surveillance setup.

Both the EB 8 and EB 12 will be covered by a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty for the entire vehicle. The battery and the anti-corrosion body protection are covered for up to 8 years.

The EB 12 is now available to order, and will be manufactured in VinFast’s production facility in Vietnam, which has a capacity of 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles per year. Both buses are scheduled for delivery and commercial operation from 2026.

VinFast aims to establish a distribution network for its electric buses in key markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and the Baltic region.

“VinFast was founded with the aspiration of democratizing electric mobility,” said VinFast Chairwoman Madam Le Thi Thu Thuy. “We are confident that VinFast’s modern, high-performance, amenity-rich electric buses will be the ideal choice for both operators and their passengers.”

Source: VinFast

Andorra-headquartered marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy has won a contract to power electric fast ferries between Europe and Africa.

Spanish ferry operator Baleària will operate the two electric catamaran ferries on the 18-mile route between Tarifa in the south of Spain and Tangier, Morocco, at speeds of up to 26 knots.

Each of the twin fast ferries, which are being built by the Armon shipyard in Gijón, will have a capacity of 225 vehicles and 804 passengers.

Each ferry will have 13.8 MWh of electric power produced by four electric propulsion units. An innovative system of autonomous robotic arms installed in Tangier and Tarifa will connect to onshore power supplies and enable the batteries to be recharged in just 40 minutes.

“AYK is one of few manufacturers to produce batteries with lithium iron phosphate (LFP), using a process that delivers capability, safety and a reliable long lifespan compared to the more volatile nickel manganese cobalt batteries,” said AYK Energy founder Chris Kruger. “Our safe and cost-effective solutions will enable Baleària’s ferries to operate with zero emissions and help meet one of the priorities of the Spanish government, namely the decarbonization of transport.”

“AYK’s advanced battery solutions will enable us for the first time to run an entire route using only electric energy,” said Pablo Garcia, Baleària’s New Projects Director. “Each journey will be completely decarbonized, which will not only avoid emissions but also eliminate noise and vibrations.”

Source: AYK Energy