Ford to use its Universal EV Production System to produce the new Fathom electric pickup

When it comes to electrification, US automakers’ progress resembles the jerky dance seen in a comedic representation of a beginning driver: step on the accelerator, suddenly slam on the brakes—ouch!—then cautiously start creeping forward again.

Last December, Ford signaled a strategic retreat from the EV market, cancelling production of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup and ominously renaming its Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center the Tennessee Truck Plant (and writing off almost 20 billion bucks in the process).

More recently, the company announced that it would launch a new midsize electric pickup called the Fathom. Unlike many other auto pundits, we couldn’t care less about the name—we’re much more interested in Ford’s new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, which by all accounts incorporates several of the EV industry’s latest innovations, including LFP batteries, unicastings and zonal architecture.

Around the time we lambasted Ford for switching its Tennessee plant from EVs to trucks, the automaker was quietly planning to flip the switch the other way one state to the north, converting its Louisville Assembly Plant to “a fully electric vehicle plant” to assemble the new Fathom.

The enormous factory was gutted, and several billions’ worth of new purpose-built equipment was brought in to enable the new Universal EV Production System, which Ford will use to manufacture the Fathom at scale. The company says its teams are on track to begin prototype builds with production-qualified parts in the first quarter of 2027. Customer deliveries are to follow later in the year.

The UEV Production System transforms the traditional assembly line into an “assembly tree,” which enables operators to build key vehicle sections in parallel before they’re assembled together, Ford explains. One sub-assembly is for the front of the vehicle, another for the rear, and the third for the structural battery, seats, consoles and carpeting.

The three main sections of the body come together only when the bulk of components are already installed. This is enabled in part by the use of unicastings (“gigacastings” to a certain other automaker). These are massive aluminum castings that replace dozens of individually stamped and welded pieces to help form two of the main sections of the vehicle (front and rear).

The interior components are installed on top of the battery, which serves as the vehicle’s floor and provides some structural stability.

As LAP employees build the new assembly lines, Ford is garnering feedback from the people who will be building vehicles on the production line next year.

“We listened to all the things operators don’t like,” said Ford Chief Manufacturing Officer Bryce Currie. “Their work at Louisville Assembly Plant will be significantly more ergonomic. It’s designed to require less twisting, turning and bending. We’ve engineered an 84% reduction in reaching over the fender. The wiring harness is also more than 4,000 feet shorter and 22 pounds lighter than in our first-gen electric SUV, making it much easier to install.”

Ford says the UEV Production System will enable it to assemble the Fathom 40% faster than LAP’s current products, and the company reinvested some of that time in insourcing and automation to improve quality and cost, giving LAP the highest level of automation in final assembly of all Ford’s plants.

Source: Ford

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JTA and WATT partner to establish a new EV manufacturing plant in Qatar

JTA International Investment Holding (JTA) and WATT Electric Vehicle Company (WATT) have formed a strategic partnership to establish Qatar’s first EV manufacturing plant. The companies plan to jointly design, engineer and manufacture a new generation of EVs specifically developed for the Gulf region.

The partnership covers every stage of vehicle development, including proprietary platform technology, complete vehicle engineering, product development, production planning and the establishment of advanced manufacturing capabilities in Qatar.

JTA will contribute its investment capability, international partnerships and regional market expertise to support the establishment of Qatar’s EV manufacturing industry.

UK-based WATT designs and manufactures low-to-medium-volume EVs, operating both under its own brand and for third-party clients. The company’s platform technology and engineering capabilities span both commercial and passenger vehicle categories. The project will use WATT’s patented lightweight aluminum architecture and proprietary EV platform.

Beyond vehicle production, the program is intended to strengthen regional supply chains, encourage research and development, support the localization of advanced manufacturing technologies and help develop a skilled workforce in Qatar’.

“Together with WATT, we will develop electric vehicles specifically designed for the Gulf region—vehicles engineered around local operating conditions, the region’s demanding climate and the expectations of customers,” said Dr Amir Ali Salemi Zadeh, founder and CEO of JTA Investment Holding. “Our vision is to establish a globally competitive EV manufacturing platform that positions Qatar as a regional leader in advanced manufacturing, clean mobility and automotive innovation.”

“Our proprietary platform, developed and validated in the UK, enables the rapid and commercially efficient development of highly customized EVs while significantly reducing development time and manufacturing costs,” said Neil Yates, founder and CEO of WATT. “Our engineering teams are superbly positioned to design vehicles specifically for the Gulf’s demanding environmental conditions, from advanced thermal management and battery performance in extreme temperatures to the usage patterns and preferences of customers throughout the region.”

Source: WATT Electric Vehicle Company

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Arnold Clark Charge partners with Octopus to launch discounted EV charging subscription

Arnold Clark Charge, the EV charging arm of the eponymous UK chain of car dealerships, operates over 400 chargers at 60 locations throughout the UK.

Now the company has partnered with Octopus Electroverse to offer EV drivers discounts on DC fast charging. For a monthly fee, the new Arnold Clark Charge subscription gives subscribers a discounted charging rate—currently a 29% discount compared to the standard charging price.

Curbside chargers and other public chargers are rapidly being rolled out across the UK, making it more practical for car owners without garages or driveways to go electric. However, some drivers complain that public charging costs substantially more than charging at home (the UK’s VAT levy on public charging doesn’t help).

This monthly subscription plan could offer attractive savings for EV drivers who regularly rely on public charging, and who find it convenient to use Arnold Clark’s charging sites.

“Making EV charging more affordable and accessible is a key part of supporting the UK’s transition to electric vehicles,” said Pablo Levi, Group Sustainability Manager at Arnold Clark. “Through our partnership with Octopus Electroverse, we’re giving drivers an easy way to reduce the cost of public charging without compromising on speed or convenience.”

Source: Arnold Clark Charge

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Asahi Kasei signs its first China license for Acetolyte battery electrolyte

Asahi Kasei has signed its first license agreement in China for Acetolyte, an acetonitrile-containing electrolyte, granting HighChem Shanghai a non-exclusive license to produce and sell the material to Chinese battery manufacturers.

HighChem Shanghai, an affiliate of the HighChem group focused on trading in China, will manufacture and sell the electrolyte for the local market. Asahi Kasei says the partnership draws on HighChem’s customer base and presence in China’s battery industry to speed adoption as the country’s electric vehicle and energy storage markets expand.

“Having focused on the lithium-ion battery business for nearly 20 years, HighChem has knowledge and extensive business experience in the Chinese market,” said Yueyuan Long, General Manager of HighChem Shanghai. “Acetolyte offers excellent low-temperature performance, and we believe that our collaboration with Asahi Kasei will enable us to maximize the value of this technology and open up new possibilities for the battery industry.”

Asahi Kasei says Acetolyte’s high ionic conductivity increases battery power output at low temperatures and improves durability at high temperatures, both persistent problems for current lithium-ion cells. By enabling smaller battery packs with greater energy density, the electrolyte reduces manufacturing costs, according to the company.

Asahi Kasei has already licensed the electrolyte in Europe, where Charged covered EAS Batteries’ commercialization of an LFP cell built on it.

Under a medium-term plan announced in April 2025, the company is pursuing what it calls Technology-value Business Creation, monetizing patents, know-how, data and algorithms through licensing rather than manufacturing. It aims to conclude at least 10 new license agreements across fiscal 2025 to 2027 and a cumulative profit contribution of ¥10 billion or more by around 2030.

“We have steadily expanded the Acetolyte business through licensing partnerships in Europe. This first license agreement in China represents a significant advance in the global extension of our technology,” said Osamu Matsuzaki, Senior Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei and Head of Corporate R&D.

Source: Asahi Kasei

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Kia’s first electric van makes a big splash in its European debut

Delivery vans represent an excellent use case for EVs, and they’re an increasingly common sight on European streets.

Kia and sister company Hyundai are two of the most forward-looking of the legacy automakers, but they haven’t been much of a factor in the commercial van market—until now.

As Joris Van Roy reports in New Mobility News, Kia’s first electric van has become an instant hit in Europe, outselling models from manufacturers with decades of history in the segment.

According to Kia, since going on sale in Europe, the new PV5 Cargo has become the best-selling battery-electric small (C-segment) van in 12 countries. In the UK, Kia registered 3,239 PV5 Cargo vans and 1,141 Passenger models during the first seven months of 2026, making it the country’s best-selling electric van.

Competitors Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Ford, Peugeot, Citroën, Opel and Volkswagen already have large dealer networks, fleet contracts, and generations of experience with commercial customers. What’s Kia’s secret sauce?

Well, it might just be the fact that its small van is a purpose-built EV, rather than a conversion of a legacy vehicle. Built on Kia’s dedicated E-GMP.S platform, the PV5 Cargo features an under-floor battery pack, which gives it 4.4 cubic meters of space, room for two Euro pallets, and a loading sill only 419 millimeters high.

The long-range version sports a 71.2 kWh battery pack that delivers 416 kilometers of WLTP range—superior to that of the Mercedes eCitan (283 km), the Renault Kangoo Van E-Tech (308 km) the Ford E-Transit Courier (334 km) and the Opel Combo Electric (which is related to the Peugeot E-Partner and Citroën ë-Berlingo, and offers up to 343 km).

As Mr. Van Roy notes, the Kia tends to be a bit more expensive than competing models, notably offerings from Renault and the Stellantis brands. In Belgium, the PV5 Cargo starts at roughly €32,425 (plus VAT). Buyers seem to be willing to pay a bit more for the PV5’s combination of range, usable space, charging speed and equipment.

Kia’s PV5 is currently available in Cargo, Passenger and Chassis Cab versions, and the company plans to release more than 40 PBV body types, including the larger PV7 (due in 2027) and the PV9 (2029).

Source: New Mobility News

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BTC Power’s survey of EV charging infrastructure customers reveals some surprises

We all know that the commercial EV charging industry is maturing, and that EV charging is increasingly considered critical infrastructure. But what are the reasons companies are deploying charging infrastructure, and how do execs view the future of government incentives?

Commercial EV charging system manufacturer BTC Power has released findings from its State of EV Charging survey, a proprietary study of more than 200 commercial decision-makers in the US who are deploying EV charging infrastructure across retail, fleet, hospitality, corporate campuses, fueling/convenience stores, and multi-family housing.

According to the company, the data from the survey “signals a market that has crossed a critical threshold.” Some 94% of respondents report that EV charging has become essential to how they operate and compete, and 97% plan to increase EV charging investment.

However, there are still significant roadblocks along the road to electrification, and as BTC points out, the way organizations deal with these challenges may separate leading operators from those left behind.

“Performance and reliability now outrank cost as the primary reasons charging network operators change vendors,” said SJ Oh, Chief Revenue Officer, BTC Power. “That tells us the EV charging market has matured beyond a lowest-price mindset. Decision-makers have experienced installations that failed to meet expectations, and they now recognize that the true cost of unreliable hardware—downtime, maintenance, lost revenue and poor driver experiences—far exceeds any upfront savings.”

A couple of findings from the survey may be surprising to some.

Despite the US government’s well-publicized hostility to EVs, 90% of BTC’s respondents expressed confidence that government and industry policies will sustain EV charging growth. Federal tax credits, NEVI funding and utility incentives influence 61% of deployment plans, and state incentives affect 58%.

In today’s cynical world, many might assume that corporate decision-makers think only of the short-term bottom line. But BTC’s survey found that environmental sustainability was tied with customer demand as the top driver of EV charging adoption, at 46% of respondents, outpacing revenue generation (36%) and fleet transition (32%).

Less surprising: some 60% of decision-makers prefer a full-service partner that handles all phases of infrastructure deployment, from planning through ongoing support, while only 17% said they prefer a hardware-only provider.

“A few years ago, sustainability was the reason companies started looking at EV charging. Now it is one of several reasons they cannot stop,” Oh said. “Among corporate campuses specifically, 55% cited ESG progress as their top realized benefit from EV charging programs, the highest single-category score across all facility types in the survey.”

Source: BTC Power

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Electrified Automation’s 193-120 IPM motor delivers 210 Nm for off-highway machines

Electrified Automation has added the 193-120 to its 193 Series of electric motors, a low-voltage interior permanent magnet (IPM) unit built for off-highway machinery. It produces up to 210 Nm of peak torque from a 25 kg package.

The 193-120 comes in 48 V and 80 V configurations. Both reach 210 Nm of peak torque and a maximum speed of 7,000 RPM, and both weigh 25 kg. Peak power is 26 kW for the 48 V version and 49 kW for the 80 V version, and rated power is 14 kW and 16.5 kW respectively.

The 193-120 uses an interior permanent magnet layout that places the magnets inside the rotor, and it offers through-shaft capability. Interior permanent magnet designs are common in traction applications because burying the magnets lets the rotor add reluctance torque and hold output at higher speeds. Electrified Automation describes the 193-120 as combining high torque density with compact packaging.

Electrified Automation positions the 193-120 for off-highway machinery, listing last-mile delivery vehicles, construction equipment, material handling and utility vehicles among its target applications.

The 193-120 sits within the EA 193 Series, a permanent magnet line Electrified Automation launched after expanding from automated manufacturing equipment into supplying its own motors. The company designed the range for high-volume automated production.

“We also know that a major priority for OEMs is a reliable and responsive supply chain that can deliver the volumes they want when they want them,” said Jim Winchester, Managing Director at Electrified Automation. “That’s why we have designed the motor architecture to maximise the automation potential, so it is fully optimised for high volume production.”

Source: Electrified Automation

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