EV/PHEV/HEV/FCV

On October 17, ChargePoint the availability of a low-cost charging solution to enable more fleets to go electric. Priced at USD 699, the Level 2 charger lowers the barrier to entry for fleet electrification, while still enabling access to one of the world’s most advanced fleet and telematics software platforms. 

Flexible and affordable, ChargePoint’s CPF50, enables those who are considering electric vehicles for their fleet to affordably procure and install charging while maximizing the benefits of going electric. 

Multiple CPF50s can be managed from the platform, enabling power sharing via the cloud to reduce charging costs and optimize battery health, and can be configured with either J1772 or NACS connectors to meet any fleet’s needs, regardless of vehicle or connector type.

New commercial electric vehicles across the spectrum of light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks and vans are ramping up production in North America and Europe. From the USD 699 CPF50 up to a Megawatt Charging Solution, ChargePoint enables fleets of all sizes to seamlessly go electric with a leading portfolio of software and hardware solutions.

(ChargePoint release on October 17, 2024)

On October 21, Mercedes Benz announced that it has opened Europe’s first battery recycling plant with an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process in Kuppenheim, Germany. It has become the first car manufacturer to close the battery recycling loop with its own facility. The plant creates a circular economy by recovering over 96% of valuable materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt for reuse in new batteries.

Mercedes-Benz has invested tens of millions of euros in this project, supported by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and three German universities. The company partnered with Primobius for the project (a joint venture of SMS group and Neometals), handles the entire recycling process, from shredding battery modules to extracting valuable metals in a low-energy, carbon-neutral manner.

The hydrometallurgical process is more energy-efficient than traditional methods, using temperatures up to 80°C and green electricity from a photovoltaic system.

With an annual capacity of 2,500 tonnes, the plant can supply materials for over 50,000 new battery modules. The initiative sets the foundation for scaling up battery recycling in the future. Mercedes Benz embraces a holistic approach to battery systems, focusing on three key areas: circular design, value retention, and closing the material loop.

Based on Mercedes Benz press release

On October 21, BMW announced that its Dingolfing and Regensburg plant will soon generate renewable electricity from rooftop solar panels. Dingolfing plant will have 11.1 MWp solar system, the most powerful in Germany. BMW is renting roof space to Sunrock Holding Deutschland GmbH, which will generate and supply the electricity.

Dingolfing plant’s solar panels will cover over 100,000 square meters, with Regensburg adding 25,000 square meters. Together, the systems will generate 14 MWp i.e. producing 11.3 GWh annually at Dingolfing plant and 2.9 GWh at Regensburg plant.

The solar systems are expected to start operating in Regensburg plant by spring 2025 and in Dingolfing plant by autumn 2025. Installation will begin soon on logistics hall rooftops at both sites.

Based on BMW press release