Ionic Mineral Technologies has discovered a major high-grade deposit of rare earth minerals and critical technology metals at its fully-permitted Silicon Ridge project in Utah.

The trove could prove to be a domestic source for elements used in the manufacture of EVs and many other high-tech products—elements that currently come mostly from China.

Independent assays by ALS Chemex confirm the deposit as a halloysite-hosted ion-adsorption clay (IAC)—the same geological formation that supplies approximately 35-40% of China’s rare earth production and over 70% of the world’s heavy rare earth elements.

Ionic MT describes the site as an IAC-Plus profile: it has rare earth concentrations comparable to China’s deposits, as well as hydrothermal, magmatically enriched grades of critical technology metals including gallium, germanium, rubidium, cesium, scandium, lithium, vanadium, tungsten, niobium, and a full suite of light and heavy rare earths.

Initial results from 106 boreholes and 35 trenches across a 650-acre area show a total rare earth and critical metal grade suite of approximately 2,700 ppm within the halloysite clay fraction. This grade compares favorably to Chinese ion-adsorption clay deposits, which typically range from 500 to 2,000 ppm.

The project is located on state-leased lands with active mining permits and is supported by Ionic MT’s existing 74,000-square-foot permitted processing facility in Provo, enabling a rapid timeline to commercial production.

“This confirmation is a watershed moment for American resource independence. For the first time, we have a domestic, shovel-ready source for a full spectrum of critical minerals, all extractable with a faster, cleaner process than traditional hard rock mining and extraction,” said Andre Zeitoun, founder and CEO of Ionic MT. “With our mining permits and processing facility in place, we can now move rapidly to production.”

Source: Ionic Mineral Technologies

Panasonic Energy has signed an agreement with Zoox, the Amazon-owned autonomous ride-hailing company, to supply cylindrical lithium-ion batteries to power Zoox’s robotaxi fleet.

Under the multi-year-agreement, Panasonic Energy will deliver its latest 2170 batteries beginning in early 2026. At first, Panasonic will supply Zoox’s cells from Japan, but plans to expand production to Panasonics Kansas factory “in the near future.”

Zoox has created a purpose-built robotaxi, and recently opened a serial production facility in Hayward, California. The company has also launched its robotaxi ride-hailing service in Las Vegas.

Panasonic Energy says its 2170 cells offer superior energy density, safety and reliability. The company is no newcomer to the EV industry. As of September 2025, Panasonic Energy says it had supplied some 20 billion lithium-ion EV batteries globally, enough to power 4 million EVs, without any vehicle recalls due to battery-related issues.

“This represents a pivotal step for Panasonic Energy with the opportunity to contribute towards the next generation of mobility innovation,” said Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy. “Zoox is reshaping urban transportation and Panasonic Energy is helping power these robotaxis.”  

“Panasonic Energy’s commitment to innovation and quality aligns well with our mission to create a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable way for people to get around cities,” says Bruce Baumgartner, Vice President, Supply Chain, Quality & Reliability at Zoox.

Source: Panasonic Energy

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ZF has announced that Chinese automaker Leapmotor will integrate its advanced eRE+ range extender technology into a version of the D19 premium SUV, starting in 2026. The eRE+ system enables generator operation and also supports switchable front-axle drive for all-wheel-drive capabilities.

The eRE+ technology is built around an electric motor featuring an integrated inverter, accompanying control software and a planetary gearbox. Unlike ZF’s earlier eRE—which functions solely as a generator—the eRE+ adds an intelligent clutch and differential, allowing the unit to act as a secondary drive as needed.

This system delivers a generator output of 90 kW and supports a peak drive output of 200 kW, providing additional boost for overtaking and dynamic driving situations. ZF says that this enables the Leapmotor D19 to achieve a total range greater than 1,000 kilometers. The specific combustion engine utilized in the range extender system is not supplied by ZF.

The eRE+’s ability to operate the engine within its optimal efficiency band is designed to keep fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions low. According to ZF, the platform delivers switchable all-wheel drive without the need for separate, dedicated components, potentially reducing both development time and supply chain complexity for automakers. Target markets identified by ZF include automotive manufacturers in China and North America focused on expanding their range-extended electric vehicle offerings.

“Range extenders are currently in increasing demand, especially in the Chinese and North American automotive markets,” said Sebastian Schmitt, head of ZF’s Electrified Drive Technologies division. “We responded to this demand in good time with a flexible range of range extender technology and local production capacities. This strategy has borne fruit and led to our new order for Leapmotor,” said Timo Meisel, Senior Vice President of Electrified Powertrain Technology Division, Asia Pacific.

Source: ZF

UK-headquartered solid-state battery developer Ilika has begun shipping its new 10 Ah Goliath battery prototypes to customers across multiple industries, including automotive companies. These new prototypes offer five times more capacity than the 2 Ah P1 prototypes delivered to customers in July 2024.

The 10 Ah cells feature a proprietary oxide coating which offers improved safety. Ilika says this will enable EV manufacturers to design lighter and less expensive battery packs. According to analysis by automotive experts Balance Batteries, this technology could reduce battery pack weight by 20% and cut manufacturing costs by as much as £2,500 per vehicle.

The prototypes were manufactured on Ilika’s new automated pilot line, completed in October 2025. The automation has already shown significant benefits—the first batch achieved a 93% manufacturing success rate, which the company considers well above the minimum required for moving to full production.

Ilika has also created initial samples of larger 50 Ah P2 cells for testing. These will be available for shipping after feedback has been received on the current 10 Ah cells, which is expected during 2026.

“Our new automated pilot line is now producing high-quality, consistent battery prototypes for our partners to evaluate,” said Graeme Purdy, CEO of Ilika. “This achievement is a significant milestone toward bringing our technology to market, further opening the window for licensing discussions with manufacturers.”

“There is significant interest in developing technical solutions that are differentiated from the offerings available from established cell manufacturers,” said an unnamed head of battery development at a major UK automotive supplier. “We look forward to evaluating these 10 Ah prototypes from Ilika, which demonstrate the company’s sustained capability to improve and mature their product for commercial rollout.”

Source: Ilika

Back in 2022, Exro Technologies introduced a new product that integrated an EV’s motor, drive, gearing and AC charging system into one compact system. (Read an in-depth interview with company executive Josh Sobil in our Oct-Dec 2022 print issue.)

Combining EV components into more compact units is an ongoing trend, both in the powertrain (e-axles) and the battery compartment (cell-to-pack). However, things don’t appear to have worked out for Exro—the company continues to operate, but it has terminated 60 of its employees, postponed its shareholder meeting, and gone into receivership.

Now Exro has announced that some of its assets, or units of the company, may be up for sale: “Exro’s strategic review process is ongoing, with current discussions focused on the potential sale of the company’s intellectual property and technology, and the potential sale of certain limited components of the company’s business.”

The receiver, FTI Consulting Canada, “is authorized to market any or all of the Exro Technologies Inc., DPM Technologies Inc. and Cellex Energy Inc.’s property, including advertising and soliciting offers in respect of the property.”

More information about the asset sales can be found on FTI Consulting’s web site.

Source: Exro Technologies

Global Battery (GB) Materials has launched as a vertically integrated critical minerals and technology company, created through the strategic combination of South Korea’s SongWoo EM and the Canadian assets of G6 Energy.

Backed by strategic and institutional investors, the new company is focused on building and scaling a supply chain outside China for graphite-based battery anode materials. GB Materials expects to start production of active anode material in 2028.

The company combines Canadian natural resource strength and South Korean process technology. In Canada, GB Materials owns the Kearney Mine in Ontario, which it plans to restart. As a previously producing natural graphite asset, the site features a high-quality mineral resource, existing infrastructure and government support.

The company operates an advanced pilot plant and research center in Siheung, South Korea, providing the technological foundation for its downstream operations. The facility uses processes that achieve high yields and consistent quality to meet the standards required for EVs as well as grid-scale storage and defense applications, according to the company.

“We are bringing together proven assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions and experienced leadership to accelerate the development of a sustainable supply chain for graphite anode materials,” said Chairman Renaud Adams.

Source: Global Battery Materials

Beam Global makes a variety of innovative EV charging products, including solar-powered portable EV charging stations. One variant of this product is the BeamPatrol off-grid eMotorcycle charging bundle, one of which has just been deployed at Dolphin Mall in Miami, a major hub for holiday shopping.

The BeamPatrol system will charge the Sweetwater Police Department’s fleet of Ryvid eMotorcycles, enabling officers to patrol the mall on fast, quiet and stylish rides.

BeamPatrol is a turnkey, transportable, self-contained off-grid charging solution that generates and stores its own energy and is equipped with four chargers specifically configured for law enforcement needs. The system can be deployed quickly, with no need for construction, electrical work or a utility connection.

“BeamPatrol provides law enforcement the charging infrastructure and energy they need quickly and effortlessly, without having to undertake construction or electrical projects,” said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Beam Global. “BeamPatrol keeps vital vehicles fueled during blackouts and other disasters, which is essential to first responders.”

Source: Beam Global

Turntide Technologies has announced a collaboration with Electrified Motors to provide fully validated, plug-and-play motor and inverter solutions for OEMs worldwide. The new partnership will offer pre-integrated electric drive packages to simplify electrification for manufacturers in a range of vehicle and equipment categories.

Electrified Motors will pair its low-voltage electric motors with Turntide’s Generation 6 inverter to create a modular drive solution for applications requiring 3-44 kW. Turntide says this integrated system is particularly suited for electric construction equipment, aerial lifts, light-mobility platforms and other industrial EVs.

As part of the Turntide Turnkey Solutions program, OEMs receive a pre-validated, fully integrated system including motors, inverters, and related components. The companies report that this approach helps streamline the path to electrification, addressing challenges such as system integration, development costs, scalability, and regulatory compliance.

“OEMs face steep hurdles with electrification,” and continued, “Our collaboration with Electrified Motors is another example of how we are helping OEMs bring electrified equipment to market faster at a systems level without the headache of having to validate every component of the powertrain,” said Ryan Grodzki, VP, Strategic Partnerships at Turntide.

Source: Turntide Technologies

The Jining 6006 pure electric cargo ship developed by CATL Electric Ship Technology, a subsidiary of the Chinese battery manufacturer, has been selected by the China Communications and Transportation Association as an “Outstanding Typical Case of National Transportation and Energy Integration and Innovation Development in 2025.”

As the first cargo ship battery-swapping demonstration project in the country to be delivered and operated independently with a complete ship station, the vessel provides a replicable and scalable demonstration model for the electrification of inland waterway shipping across China.

The ship is 67.6 meters long, 12.66 meters wide, and has a deadweight tonnage of nearly 2,000 tons. It is equipped with two box-type power supplies that have a total capacity of 3,919 kWh. The ship operates between Liangshan Port and Longgong Port on the Jining section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. It can sail 230 km on a full charge and complete a battery swap within 15 minutes.

The ship is built, owned and operated by Ronghui Times, a joint venture between CATL and Jining Energy. It fully integrates CATL’s full-scenario technology solutions for ship, shore and cloud, as well as Jining Energy’s advantages in port, shipbuilding, cargo and logistics resources, according to the companies.

Source: CATL