Japanese EV startup partners with major gas station chain

Japanese startup KG Motors (whose investors include Toyota Gosei) makes a tiny, affordable city EV called the MiBot. The single-seat MiBot is aimed at drivers who have short urban commutes—it has about 100 kilometers of range, a top speed of 60 km/h, and a rock-bottom price tag of ¥1 million (around $7,000).

KG delivered the first units in late December 2025. Now CleanTechnica reports that Idemitsu Kosan, one of Japan’s largest oil refiners and gas station operators, took an early interest in the electric runabout, and that company execs envision some interesting synergies with their business.

In January, the two companies signed an agreement to collaborate. Idemitsu will provide sales support, delivery handling, insurance services, and after-sales maintenance and parts support.

Idemitsu will provide e-mobility services on a pilot basis at some of its apollostation service stations in Tokyo and Hiroshima beginning in April—around the same time that KG Motors plans to bring the MiBot into mass production, beginning at a volume of 300 to 500 units per month.

Idemitsu plans to converts some of its apollostation locations to electrified energy hubs. Many of the stations already offer EV charging. Under the company’s new Smart Yorozuya (“many trades”) strategy, select locations will add shopping options, solar generation and renewable electricity supply.

Oil companies have been diversifying into EV charging for years. But as CleanTechnica’s Raymond Tribdino writes, this is a deeper collaboration that could become “a test case for how a legacy oil company can remain relevant in an electrified future.”

Source: CleanTechnica

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Helix supplies dual-motor propulsion system delivering 1,000 hp for McMurtry Spéirling hypercar

UK-based electric motor manufacturer Helix has developed a bespoke dual-motor propulsion system for the McMurtry Spéirling, the single-seater electric fan hypercar that holds records at Goodwood and Laguna Seca. Customer deliveries of the production car are set to begin in 2026.

The system pairs two Helix SPX242-94 motors at the rear of the vehicle, delivering a combined 1,000 hp and 1,000 N-m of torque. Each motor produces 500 N-m and weighs just 33 kg. The compact packaging was tailored to the Spéirling’s tight single-seater layout, where it works alongside McMurtry’s fan-based downforce system. The motors mate with McMurtry’s own gearbox.

Helix SPX242-94

The Spéirling can accelerate from 0–60 mph in 1.5 seconds and cover a quarter mile in eight seconds. It has posted the fastest-ever lap of the Top Gear test track.

“The McMurtry Spéirling demonstrates one of the most effective applications of advanced electric motor technology,” said Simon Mead, automotive chief engineer at Helix. “We are proud to have been involved in its journey from an early stage, with Helix drive motor propulsion systems featuring throughout the evolution of this groundbreaking hypercar, from prototype to production.”

Helix has previously supplied propulsion systems for Formula E as well as hypercars including the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Lotus Evija and Czinger 21C.

Sources: Helix

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Turntide’s new axial flux drive unit delivers up to 700 kW peak in a stackable package

Turntide Technologies has unveiled a modular axial flux electric drive unit (EDU) that integrates motor, inverter and gearing with shared cooling in a single package. The company says the axial flux design delivers 53% higher torque density than a comparable radial flux motor in 58% less volume and at 37% less weight.

The platform supports 400 V and higher, with single or stacked motor configurations scaling from 73 kW to 220 kW nominal and 300 kW to 700 kW peak. Target applications include off-highway equipment, construction, powersports, commercial vehicles and automotive. The low-speed, high-torque characteristics of the axial flux motor allow for simpler gear designs, which Turntide says reduces mechanical complexity, weight and maintenance costs.

The company is positioning the EDU as a pre-validated platform aimed at OEMs looking to electrify without the component-level integration work that typically adds months or years to development programs. “By handling the integration, validation, and testing upfront, our EDU decreases the risk, time and cost of bringing new products to market,” said CEO Steve Hornyak.

Turntide recently put the platform through a durability test at King of the Hammers, one of the most demanding off-road races in the US. Its Sierra Echo-R became the first purpose-built EV to qualify for and compete in the Desert Challenge course, completing more than 600 miles of terrain with no drivetrain issues, according to the company.

Source: Turntide Technologies

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UT Austin spinout Supra aims to recover gallium, scandium and other critical minerals from waste streams

Supra Elemental Recovery, a spinout from the University of Texas at Austin, has launched with a $2 million pre-seed round to develop technology for recovering critical minerals—including gallium and scandium—from domestic waste streams such as industrial byproducts, mine tailings and electronic waste.

The US is currently 100% import-dependent for both gallium and scandium, elements essential to semiconductors, aerospace and defense applications. Gallium in particular is a key feedstock for the GaN power devices increasingly used in EV onboard chargers and power conversion systems.

Supra’s approach uses proprietary reusable cartridges through which dissolved industrial waste is pumped. The cartridges selectively capture and release target minerals in sequence. The company claims up to 100x greater selectivity and speed compared to incumbent refining methods, enabling higher purity at lower cost without the toxic processes used in conventional refining.

“Every year, billions of dollars worth of critical minerals are trapped in domestic waste streams,” said CEO Katie Ullmann Durham. “By profitably recovering these elements, we can secure the inputs needed for America’s advanced manufacturing future.”

The technology is also being validated for cobalt, lithium and lanthanides used in batteries and magnets. Commercial pilots are expected later in 2026. The pre-seed round was led by Crucible Capital, with participation from the UT Seed Fund, Climate Capital, Portmanteau Ventures and Pew Protection Trust.

Source: Supra

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BorgWarner to supply 800 V integrated drive module and dual-inverter generator for EREV trucks

BorgWarner has secured a contract with an unnamed major North American OEM to supply an 800 V integrated drive module (iDM) and a generator module with a dual inverter. The components will be used in a series of the automaker’s extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) trucks and large-frame SUVs, with production set to begin in 2029.

The iDM is a two-in-one unit combining an induction e-machine with a gearbox. BorgWarner chose an induction motor rather than a permanent magnet design, which the company says eliminates rare-earth magnet dependency and supports a more resilient supply chain. The generator module pairs a permanent magnet electric machine with the dual inverter, mounted directly to the internal combustion engine to extend the vehicle’s electric range.

A key design challenge was fitting the drive components into packaging space shared with the ICE. BorgWarner says it achieved the required power and torque targets in a compact form factor using its torque-dense induction machine for the iDM and its next-generation Viper power module technology in the dual inverter, which the company describes as an “extremely power-dense” design that enabled a smaller, more cost-effective package.

“This business win showcases our breadth in the propulsion space in North America,” said VP Stefan Demmerle, “from platform-based, high-performing and efficient drive units to inverters, e-machines, control boards and more.”

Source: PRNewswire

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Xos drops price of electric Class 6 strip chassis to $99,000

Xos has unveiled its 2026 model year Class 6 strip chassis at a starting price of $99,000, which the company calls the most competitive price point in the commercial EV segment.

The 23,000 lb GVWR chassis is purpose-built for return-to-base fleet operations, offering approximately 120 miles of range on the standard configuration and up to 200 miles on the extended-range variant. It uses an LFP battery system rated for 4,000+ charge cycles. The platform features industry-standard axles, wheel ends and suspension, which Xos says enables nationwide service capability through existing supply chains rather than proprietary components.

The 2026 model adds enhanced over-the-air update capability for remote performance optimization, charging strategy updates and predictive maintenance without vehicle downtime.

“We’re not the newest entrant making promises, we’re a proven leader delivering results today,” said CEO Dakota Semler. “At a $99,000 starting price, we’re making commercial electrification accessible at scale.”

Xos says it has more than 1,000 vehicles and powertrains on the road, manufactured at its Tennessee factory, with fleet customers including UPS, FedEx, Cintas and Loomis. The chassis comes with a minimum three-year warranty.

Source: Xos

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