Current Direct is demonstrating a swappable battery solution for powering inland waterway vessels, with one or more lithium-ion batteries installed in a swappable container, or e-house. Project estimates indicate that the use of swappable batteries connected to an energy-as-a-service platform could reduce European water transport emissions by 482 000 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalents each year.

Legacy DC fast charging stations are time- and capital-intensive to install. Battery-integrated fast charging units require no civil work and can operate without a grid connection (in some cases) or only require connection to the medium voltage grid (much like level 2 chargers). This also introduces a new business model — infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) — which caters to grid constraint urban areas where demand for fast charging exists. Portable, mobile charging units are also offering roadside assistance to stranded EVs. This article explores the commercial activity happening in these two segments and outlines some prominent companies and their products.

The general public in Beijing, China, will be able to experience driverless robotaxis for the first time. Two robotaxi operators have been awarded a permit by Beijing city authorities to offer driverless services in southeastern Beijing. To ensure safety during this pilot program, a safety supervisor will sit in the front passenger seat.

LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company) announces another significant milestone with 5,000 TX taxis sold in London. As the world's most advanced electric taxi, the TX delivers the best possible experience for drivers and passengers, substantial savings for operators and reduced urban emissions for the capital.

AFC Energy is pleased to announce that one of its hydrogen fuel cells is being showcased at Air One - the world's first fully operational Urban-Air Port, situated in Coventry, which opened last week. The hydrogen fuel cell being supplied by the Company is being used to charge Air One's fleet of EV service vehicles.

Torqeedo today announced a collaboration with Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH to integrate hydrogen fuel cell charging into Torqeedo's industry-leading propulsion systems for electric boats. The two companies will work together on an innovative marine hydrogen hybrid building kit integrating Torqeedo's existing Deep Blue battery-electric drive systems and Proton Motor's advanced fuel cell technology.

MOL Group has teamed up with Plug Power Inc to build one of Europe's largest-capacity green hydrogen production facilities at MOL's Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, Hungary. Green hydrogen will reduce the carbon footprint of the Danube Refinery operation and enable emission-free mobility in the longer term.

After selling more than 100 units in the US and Europe, Candela is now entering the French market thanks to an exclusive partnership with the leading recreational boat reseller Sud Plaisance. Candela C-8 will make its French debut with the aim to change boating for the better on the Côte d'Azur.

This IDTechEx premium article discusses how electric vehicle markets fared in 2021 compared with the past few years, drawing from the latest IDTechEx research. A snapshot of the following markets are given: electric cars, electric buses, electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs), electric trucks, electric two-wheelers, electric boats and ships, and electric air taxis.

Urban-Air Port, the UK-based developer of ground infrastructure for air taxis and autonomous delivery drones, opens a world-first demonstration of a fully-operational hub for electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles - such as air taxis - and autonomous cargo drones, heralding a new age of zero-emission, low-congestion urban transport.

The light transporter from Quantron offers a battery-electric cargo solution, ideal for sustainable deliveries over the last mile, in plant traffic and for municipalities.

The service robotics industry has grown quickly in recent years, spurred on by advances in robotics technology and artificial intelligence (AI), and maybe set to help alleviate some of the labor issues across multiple industries.

The UK's first full-sized autonomous bus will take to the roads of Scotland for the first time this week as live testing begins for project CAVForth. Stagecoach, in partnership with Fusion Processing, Alexander Dennis and Transport Scotland, will be carrying out on-road testing of the autonomous bus over the next two weeks in preparation for the launch of the CAVForth pilot service in late summer.

This IDTechEx premium article discusses the rising interest in aluminium-core high voltage cabling for electric vehicles, detailing cable manufacturer offerings, a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages, new advancements and market adoption, and a market outlook versus copper through 2040. The article also discusses how the trend for 800V platforms may impact uptake.

Eve UAM LLC and Thales have teamed up to support the development of Eve's electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft in Brazil. The strategic partnership involves a series of joint studies over a twelve-month period on the technical, economical, and adaptable feasibility of a 100% electrically powered aircraft.

Advancing the company's commitment to vehicle electrification, Toyota will invest $383 million in four of its U.S. manufacturing plants that build the heart of new Toyota and Lexus vehicles. The new investment supports the production of four-cylinder engines, including options for hybrid electric vehicles, at its Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee plants.

This premium article explores ChargedEVs, an online series of presentations relating to the electric vehicle market. This article will cover presentations relating to materials and components for the EV battery pack and electric motors, with a focus on thermal management and system protection.

Charge point manufacturer, SCAME, and EV charging software platform, Monta, have partnered up to increase the amount of public charge points in the UK as well as simplify the installation, management, and use of chargers.

Statevolt will construct a 54GWh Gigafactory in Imperial Valley, southern California with an expected CapEx of $4 billion. To launch the new facility, Statevolt has also signed a Letter of Intent with Controlled Thermal Resources.

The VISION EQXX from Mercedes-Benz has now taken to the roads of Europe and has demonstrated its range and efficiency. Travelling from Sindelfingen across the Swiss Alps and Northern Italy, to its destination of Cassis on the Côte d'Azur, it covered more than 1,000 km in everyday traffic, on a single battery charge.