Beta Technologies has announced it has installed flying taxi charging stations at Florence Regional Airport, in South Carolina, marking the first such installation in the state. These chargers can power various electric aerial vehicles (EAVs) and electric ground vehicles. The airport now features a fast charger for EAVs on the airside and a two-port charger in the parking lot for public use. The company highlighted the potential benefits of new aviation technologies, including low-cost operations, job creation, and economic stimulation. Beta recently partnered with 47G Utah Aerospace and Defence to launch advanced air mobility operations in Utah, focusing on building multimodal electric charging infrastructure. The company aims to support the future of aviation technology with these developments. Beta's efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance the infrastructure for electric aviation and promote sustainable transportation solutions.
XPeng has officially launched in the UK, increasing its international footprint and thus marking a significant milestone in its global expansion. The company introduced its advanced smart mobility lineup, including the world's first AI-defined vehicle and a flying car! The XPENG G6, an ultra-smart all-electric coupe SUV, is now available for pre-sale, with deliveries starting in March 2025 at a starting price of £39,990. Furthermore, Xpeng plans to open 20 dealerships across the UK in 2025 through a partnership with International Motors Ltd (IML). This expansion strengthens the company's presence in the global EV market, particularly in the UK, which became Europe's largest EV market in 2024. The company's smart mobility ecosystem includes AI-powered EVs and the eVTOL X2 flying car. Xpeng emphasised the brand's commitment to delivering high-tech, ultra-fast charging, and sustainable mobility solutions to UK consumers. The company has been expanding across Europe since 2021 and plans to enter over 60 markets by the end of 2025. The partnership with IML aims to ensure widespread support for UK customers and shape the future of electric mobility.
MPK Poznan has announced it has ordered 9 hydrogen buses from Solaris Bus & Coach. The order includes 5 new Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses, with an option for 4 more, bringing the total to 9. These buses are pencilled in to be delivered by the end of April 2026, expanding Poznan’s hydrogen fleet from 25 to 34 vehicles. This move aligns with the city's strategy to enhance zero-emission public transport. MPK Poznan’s fleet currently includes over 300 buses, with 58 electric and 25 hydrogen vehicles. The new hydrogen buses will help phase out less eco-friendly models as it looks to transition its whole fleet to net zero over time.
Lyten has announced it has signed agreements with California Sulphur Company and a Port of Stockton company to supply domestically sourced sulphur for its lithium-sulphur battery manufacturing facilities in San Jose, San Leandro, and Reno. This move supports Lyten's strategy to build a domestically sourced and manufactured battery supply chain, reducing dependency on global supply chains dominated by China. Lyten's lithium-sulphur batteries use sulphur, an abundantly available and low-cost material, replacing mined minerals like nickel, manganese, cobalt, and iron. These batteries are 40% lighter than lithium-ion NMC batteries and 70% lighter than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. The use of domestically sourced sulphur minimises the travel distance for battery materials, enhancing sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Lyten emphasised the importance of having an alternative to lithium-ion batteries for energy security and competitiveness. This initiative aligns with America’s overall strategy to secure supply chains and promote alternative energy sources. Lyten's efforts aim to meet the growing demand for lithium-sulphur batteries, which are critical for various applications, including energy grids, satellites, military support, and new transportation forms.
HIVED has announced it has expanded its network by ordering 11 Mercedes-Benz eActros trucks. This includes 9 eActros 600 and 2 eActros 400 models, enhancing HIVED's middle-mile operations across the country. The eActros 600, with over 600 kWh of battery capacity, offers a range of at least 500 km (310 miles) on a single charge. HIVED will install megawatt chargers at hubs in West London, the Midlands, and Manchester, thus allowing the eActros 600 to charge from 20% to 80% in 30 minutes. This investment strengthens HIVED's position as the only delivery service operating a fully electric fleet across both middle and final-mile logistics. HIVED emphasised that this purchase represents a milestone in logistics, redefining what a modern delivery company looks like with expanded electric middle-mile capacity. The eActros 600 was recently named International Truck of the Year 2025, highlighting its industry-leading performance.
Researchers have developed low-cost quantum sensors that can detect tiny changes in magnetic fields, that could potentially have significant positive ramifications for EV battery monitoring. These sensors, based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamonds, can identify early signs of battery deterioration, thus enhancing safety and performance. NV centres are created by replacing 2 carbon atoms in a diamond lattice with a nitrogen atom and an adjacent space making them highly sensitive to magnetic fields. When illuminated with green laser light, these centres emit red fluorescence, the intensity of which varies with the magnetic field's strength. This allows for precise measurement of magnetic fields, enabling early detection of battery issues. Despite their potential, scaling up production has been challenging due to high costs and manufacturing complexities. To address this, researchers have devised a specialised diamond growth process that significantly lowers production expenses. This development could lead to more efficient and cost-effective EV battery monitoring, improving overall vehicle safety and performance. Interestingly, this development of these sensors also holds promise for other fields, such as medical diagnostics and materials science.
Deals
Accure Battery Intelligence, a German-based AI-based battery safety and performance products startup, has raised $16m in a Series B funding round. The round was led by Incharge Capital Partners, with participation from (existing) investors including BlueBear Capital, HSBC Asset Management, Riverstone Holdings, Capnamic, and 42CAP. The raised funds will be used to accelerate its growth across Europe, the Americas, the Asia Pacific, and other regions. Accure's products help prevent thermal runaway events, reduce downtime by anticipating maintenance needs, accurately assess battery health and state of charge, and help operators maintain warranty coverage. Their AI-based predictive analytics software ensures battery safety, reliability, and maximum output for energy storage systems and EV fleets.
High Definition Vehicle Insurance (HDVI), a Chicago-based commercial auto insurance provider, has raised $40m in growth capital. The round was co-led by existing investors 8VC, Autotech Ventures, Munich Re Ventures, and Weatherford Capital. A portion of the funds will be used to enhance its telematics-driven products, expand coverage, and improve tools for insurance agents. HDVI uses real-time telematics data to assess risk, reward safe driving, and streamline claims processing. Their flagship product, HDVI Shift, helps customers save up to 20% on premiums based on safety performance. Another portion of the funds will support HDVI's nationwide expansion and continued development of AI-driven solutions.
Pieship, a Saudi Arabian logistics startup, has raised $2.1m in its Seed funding round. The round was led by Nama Ventures, with participation from other investors including Impact46 and Hala Ventures. Pieship aims to disrupt the logistics sector in Saudi Arabia by providing efficient and reliable delivery services. The funds will be used to enhance their technology platform, expand their team, and scale operations across the region. Pieship's approach includes leveraging AI and machine learning to optimise delivery routes and improve customer experience. The startup has already partnered with several major e-commerce platforms and aims to become a leading player in the Middle Eastern logistics market.