U Power’s electric trucks complete operational testing and battery-swapping system integration

U Power has completed comprehensive operational testing and full-stack integration of the battery-swapping system for heavy-duty truck prototype vehicles it has designed for sale in Thailand.

The completion of testing marks a step forward in U Power’s collaboration with Thailand-based Whale Logistics to deploy 1,000 battery-swapping heavy-duty trucks in the country. The strategic partnership, which was formalized in December 2025, paves the way for the production and delivery of the first batch of heavy truck tractors by May 2026.

The battery-swapping heavy-duty truck project was jointly developed by U Power, heavy truck supplier SAIC Hongyan Automotive and technology company UNEX EV.

The prototype vehicles underwent three months of full-condition road testing, during which the key systems were thoroughly evaluated. Following full-stack integration, all technical parameters met design specifications and aligned with Whale Logistics’ requirements for electrified highway logistics transportation, enabling the companies to move to mass production.

Supported by U Power’s UOTTA battery-swapping solution, which enables battery swaps within minutes, electric trucks can match the operational efficiency of legacy fuel-powered trucks, the company said.

At the same time, vehicle operators can avoid substantial investments in grid expansion and charging infrastructure while eliminating concerns about battery performance degradation.

“Completing full-condition road testing of our pilot vehicles confirms the reliability and efficiency of the UOTTA battery-swapping model,” said Johnny Lee, founder and CEO of U Power. “Via the partnership with Whale Logistics, we are set to deploy 1,000 vehicles in Thailand to meet high-frequency logistics demand and boost operational efficiency.”

Source: U Power

from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/qZy3o2E

NRCan awards Nano One $3 million to support LFP cathode material supply in Canada

Nano One Materials, a process technology company specializing in cathode active materials for lithium‑ion batteries, has been awarded $3 million from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) under its Energy Innovation Program.

The company will use the funds to support ongoing process optimization, supply chain diversification and enhanced commercial offerings for the production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode active materials (CAM) using its One-Pot process through March 2028.

The process development work will focus on iron feedstock, using the Nano One R&D facility in Burnaby, British Columbia and its pilot and demonstration facilities in Candiac, Québec. Sumitomo Metal Mining, which is a strategic shareholder in the company, will contribute technical expertise, testing and external validation for the program. 

The One-Pot process is designed to enable cost-competitive input of alternative iron feedstock that can be sourced in various jurisdictions around the world, eliminating the need to source iron phosphate precursor materials while enabling diversification of LFP supply chains.

Nano One is optimizing the technology for the commercial production of LFP across three core markets: EVs, defense, and energy storage systems.

“These funds support us as we bring cost-competitive and scalable LFP processing technology alternatives to markets, strategic partners and customers around the world, and they help us enhance our commercial offerings and supply chain solutions,” said Dan Blondal, Nano One’s CEO.

Source: Nano One

from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/8GZK37q

Group14 begins EV-scale production of silicon battery material in South Korea

Group14 Technologies has started EV-scale production of its silicon battery material, SCC55, at its newest factory in Sangju, South Korea.

The facility is designed to produce up to 2,000 metric tons annually, enabling 10 GWh of fast charging battery capacity as production ramps. SCC55 is used across electric mobility, grid-scale energy storage and advanced consumer applications.

Located close to battery manufacturers in Asia, the Sangju factory extends Group14’s manufacturing footprint, operating alongside the company’s commercial factory in Woodinville, Washington. A second US facility in Moses Lake, Washington, is nearing completion.

Group14 obtained full ownership of the plant, which was established as a joint venture with South Korean manufacturing conglomerate SK, in August 2025, and raised $463 million in Series D financing to scale its manufacturing capacity in the US and South Korea.

Group14’s factories are designed to rapidly scale and drop in to commercial battery cell production lines easily, the company said. The factories are delivering battery materials to more than 160 customers worldwide. 

SCC55 offers roughly five times the energy capacity of conventional graphite anode materials, according to Group14, enabling one ton of SCC55 to replace approximately five tons of graphite. By reducing the volume of graphite required in battery production, SCC55 can help manufacturers to diversify supply and improve supply chain resilience.

SCC55 is compatible with multiple cell formats and chemistries, including lithium iron phosphate (LFP), lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) and high-nickel systems.

“Our customers are building silicon battery cells with SCC55 and report reaching 0-100% recharge in 90 seconds, 50 times faster than traditional lithium-ion batteries, and other designs achieving over a 43% boost in energy density,” said Rick Costantino, Group14’s CTO and co-founder.

Source: Group14 Technologies

from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/Pif5AZk

Harbinger unveils new electric/hybrid medium-duty work truck

Commercial EV manufacturer Harbinger has unveiled a new medium-duty, low cab forward (LCF) vehicle that is available in either an electric or plug-in hybrid configuration.

The new HC Series Cab is designed to deliver enhanced maneuverability, driver comfort, safety and operational cost savings. It doubles as a mobile power station to deliver sustained power for tools and equipment on the job site for prolonged periods.

The HC Series Cab has a 26,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). It can be upfitted with a variety of bodies, including cargo boxes, stake beds, flatbeds and more. The LCF architecture enables longer cargo boxes on shorter wheelbases, allowing fleets to increase usable cargo volume without increasing overall vehicle length.

Commercial EV startups have dropped like fruit flies over the last few years, but Harbinger CEO John Harris told Charged that his five-year-old company’s sales have been growing every quarter (read our January in-depth interview with Harris). He attributes the company’s success to specialization and vertical integration. Harbinger sells only stripped chassis in Classes 4, 5 and 6, a market in which today’s electrification technology is fit for purpose and cost-effective, and Harbinger faces little competition.   

Unlike EVs that are retrofitted from combustion engine platforms, all of Harbinger’s trucks are built from the ground up on the company’s vertically integrated electric architecture. Harbinger’s electric chassis includes all major vehicle systems, which the company designs and manufactures in-house, including the powertrain, battery system, steering, brakes and more. “This vertically integrated approach keeps costs low and provides a higher-performing, safer, and more durable solution than electric vehicles built upon legacy diesel and gasoline platforms,” the company explains.

Harbinger’s range-extended hybrid platform uses a gas engine to recharge the batteries, extending range up to 500 miles, depending on upfit configuration and drive cycle. The vehicle can also recharge its batteries while parked without external power. The platform supports full power take-off (PTO) functionality to operate hydraulic and body-mounted equipment. Harbinger is introducing an onboard AC inverter option that delivers up to 15 kW of exportable power on both EV and hybrid models, enabling crews to run external tools and job site equipment directly from the vehicle.

“The HC Series Cab represents a major expansion of our product line and a defining moment for the medium-duty industry,” said John Harris. “For too long, fleets have had to compromise between payload, maneuverability, range and onboard capability. We engineered this platform to outperform legacy diesel options while unlocking new advantages through electrification and our range-extended hybrid system to enable real work in the field.”

Source: Harbinger Motors

from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/YFzIOZc

Hyundai Mobis operates Hungarian plant to supply EV chassis modules to Mercedes-Benz

South Korean component supplier Hyundai Mobis has established a dedicated production base in Hungary to supply German premium automaker Mercedes-Benz for its electric and hybrid vehicles.

The new production base in Kecskemet, which is now fully operational, is located in central Hungary near the customer’s site. Covering 50,000 square meters, the plant operates under the just-in-sequence (JIS) system, enabling real-time processing of production plans for immediate manufacturing and delivery.

Hyundai Mobis has been supplying front and rear complete axle assemblies to Mercedes-Benz through its Alabama plant in the US.

The Hungarian plant features flexible production lines capable of mixed production of electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine components, enabling it to adjust rapidly to customer production plans.

Hungary is emerging as an automotive production hub in Eastern Europe to provide local supply to European automakers. The country produces more than 500,000 new vehicles annually. German manufacturers already operate production facilities in the country and Chinese automakers and battery companies are making large-scale investments. South Korean battery companies are also increasing their presence through additional investments.

Hyundai Mobis currently operates production bases in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Turkey to supply modules and core components to group companies Hyundai Motor and Kia. The plant in Hungary will serve as a dedicated production base for global customers.

The company is also preparing to begin full-scale operations at its plant in Spain this year to supply battery systems to an unnamed international automaker, bringing its total number of European production bases in Europe to five.

Source: Hyundai Mobis

from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/UBPzIRW

Blink Charging to deploy 200 EV chargers at 90 Korian retirement homes in Belgium

Korian Belgium, a provider of elderly care services, is working with Blink Charging on a nationwide EV charging project. Blink plans to deploy over 200 Blink-owned chargers across 90 Korian locations in Belgium. A similar roll-out for Korian Netherlands is planned.

Blink’s fully financed investment model will enable Korian to quickly add EV charging to its sites without upfront costs. Blink will be responsible for the complete lifecycle of the chargers—installation, operation, maintenance and customer support—while the sites generate a recurring income stream for Korian.

The new infrastructure will provide EV charging to Korian employees, residents, visitors, and the public at large. Several chargers are already in place at nursing homes and Korian office locations.

“With our smart charging technology, smooth user authentication and 24/7 customer support, we aim to provide drivers a high-quality charging experience at every location,” said Chris Carr, Senior VP, Sales and Business Development for Blink. “We look forward to having the majority of the planned countrywide network for Belgium installed by the end of 2026.”

“By teaming with Blink and moving forward with our EV infrastructure goals, we reaffirm our shared mission to bring a heightened level of convenience to the families and employees at Korian locations, and surrounding residents,” said Dominiek Beelen, Korian’s CEO.

Source: Blink Charging

from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/GCLkt9K

EGI Battery plans to start battery manufacturing in Michigan in Q3

US-based advanced lithium-ion battery manufacturer EGI Battery has established its first US battery manufacturing campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Ann Arbor facility positions EGI to deliver high-performance, lithium-ion pouch cell batteries in line with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that will power drones, electric aviation, aerospace, and emerging technologies such as humanoid robotics.

The first footprint of the Zeeb Campus includes approximately 15,000 square feet dedicated to initial manufacturing and laboratory operations, as well as 5,000 square feet of office space, and access to 130,000 square feet of total building capacity to support long-term expansion.

The facility has been designed in a phased scale-up model that allows EGI to expand production in measured, performance-driven stages, according to the company. EGI is targeting Site Acceptance Testing by the end of the first quarter and expects to start production during the third quarter of 2026.

Phase 1 deployment focuses on electrolyte filling, aging, sealing, folding, formation and grading operations. The initial production line is designed for 1 part per minute (ppm) filling and formation throughput, supporting up to 300,000 cells annually at full three-shift operation, which is equivalent to approximately 40 MWh of annual capacity. The 40 MWh capacity target is calculated using EGI’s commercial nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion pouch cell built for Class 1 and Class 2 drones delivering 35 Ah capacity.

The Phase 2 expansion, which is scheduled to begin in 2027, will vertically integrate additional core processes to include all stages from electrode making to cell assembly and final formation. Upon completion, throughput is expected to reach 2 ppm and support up to 600,000 cells annually for approximately 80 MWh of annual capacity.

EGI designs and manufactures battery cells using a technology portfolio that includes silicon-enhanced and graphite anodes as well as application-specific, client-bespoke battery formats designed to OEM system requirements.

The company is building the campus and its workflows to comply with ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality certifications while ensuring at least 95% NDAA-compliant materials by cost in 2028.

“The Zeeb Campus represents the operational foundation of EGI’s long-term manufacturing strategy,” said Thomas McGuckin, CEO and Founder of EGI Battery. “We are building scalable, high-yield production capabilities in Michigan to serve mission-critical industries that require a secure supply chain for domestically manufactured batteries. Our phased expansion model allows us to expand production capacity responsibly while maintaining performance, safety, and product quality leadership.”

Source: EGI Battery

from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/73s0rPZ