United States-based advanced battery technology solutions provider Solidion Technology has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Bluestar Materials Company of Taiwan. 

This move will enable Solidion to accelerate the development and commercialisation of its patent portfolio of its anode technology, which includes its recently claimed technology that allow lithium batteries to be charged in five minutes.

Furthermore, the strategic partnership will enable Solidon to explore and establish synergies in U.S. based manufacturing, commercialisation strategies, and market opportunities related to Silicon (Si) and Silicon Oxide (SiOx) advanced battery solutions. The company claims that there is an increasing acceptance for Silicon and Silicon Oxide as a more favoured solution for battery technology over solid-state technology.

Jaymes Winters, CEO, Solidon Technology, said, "This agreement positions Solidion to capture new market share in the U.S. while showcasing our Silicon-based solutions, which offer improved battery efficiency and energy density compared to conventional solid-state options on a worldwide basis."

Interestingly, Solidon Technology claims to have over 500 patents.

How does it work?

Solidon Tech uses a graphene-based heat spreader to quickly move heat from a battery to warm it up before or during fast charging. A cooling system kicks in when the battery is in use, like when powering a device or electric vehicle. The heat spreader moves the heat to the cooling system for efficient cooling. The system switches between heating when charging and cooling when discharging. The company claims that Graphene, with its super high thermal conductivity (5,300 W/m-K), is much more effective than copper, which has a lower conductivity (410 W/m-K) and is four times heavier.

Solidion aims to fully commercialise the technology in the next 2-3 years.

Pure EV, one of India's leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, has entered into a strategic partnership with Arva Electric Vehicles Manufacturing LLC, a subsidiary of Clarion Investment LLC, with an aim to expand its presence across the Middle East and African regions.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pure EV will provide Arva Electric with a first shipment of 50,000 of its flagship models, the eTryst X and ecoDryft, over the next couple of years. Pure EV's position in these developing markets is anticipated to be cemented when the supply rises to 60,000 units per year after this initial phase. Pure EV will be Arva Electric's key technology partner in addition to supplying motorcycles, offering knowledge and assistance all the way through the distribution process. Pure EV will uphold all intellectual property rights pertaining to the bikes in order to safeguard unique technology as they increase their market share.

Dr Nishanth Dongari, Founder and Managing Director, Pure EV, said, “Our commitment to innovation and user experience ensures that we provide market-ready offerings and meet the growing demand for electric mobility solutions. This partnership not only aims to enhance sales but also to foster sustainable mobility solutions in regions where electric motorcycles are rapidly gaining traction, marking a significant step towards expanding our footprint in Middle East and African markets. By leveraging our strengths and capabilities together with Arva Electric, we are poised to make a significant impact on the electric vehicle landscape globally.”

Aniyan Kutty, Managing Director, Arva Electric Vehicles Manufacturing LLC, said, “We are pleased to partner with Pure EV, as their expertise in R&D and cutting-edge technology helps in building efficient and reliable 2W products. Both the companies are committed to promoting eco-friendly mobility solutions with an aim to reduce carbon emissions and support environmental sustainability in these regions.”

Atul Greentech Private Limited (AGPL), a subsidiary of Atul Auto Limited, has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a premier Government of India enterprise, to expand the reach of electric mobility in India.

Under this agreement, AGPL will offer its cutting-edge electric three-wheelers, ENERGIE and ENERGIE2, through HPCL's huge HP GAS distribution network, taking a key step towards encouraging sustainable mobility in the country. AGPL's ENERGIE and ENERGIE2 electric three-wheelers are intended to fulfil the rising need for sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation options in cities and rural regions. HPCL's support gives AGPL a strong distribution infrastructure, enabling for easy integration into urban and rural markets where cost-effective, sustainable mobility is critical.

Dr Vijay Kedia, Director, Atul Auto, said, “This partnership marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards a sustainable future. At AGPL, we are deeply committed to driving innovation in electric mobility, and our collaboration with HPCL is a testament to that vision. This partnership not only strengthens our product reach but also aligns with India’s growing emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and fostering clean energy solutions. We are confident that this collaboration will not only deliver exceptional value to our customers but also contribute meaningfully to India’s transition to greener transportation.”

Chinese automotive major BYD, one of the world’s leading new energy vehicles (NEV) manufacturer, has attained a new production milestone.

The company recently rolled out its 10 millionth electric vehicle from its Xiaomo Production Base in the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone. The milestone was achieved during its 30^th anniversary celebration.

Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President, BYD recalled the journey of the company from being a start-up with 20 employees to now having around one million staff worldwide.  The company claims it is now the first automaker in the world to reach the EV sales milestone. What’s interesting to note is that the EV maker had crossed 5 million production milestone in 15 years, with the next 5 million production being attained in just 15 months.

Feng Ji, Founder & CEO of Game Science, the man behind Black Myth: Wukong, a global hit in the gaming industry took possession of Denza Z9, the 10-millionth vehicle produced by BYD.

Going forward, BYD has announced it will invest CNY 100 billion (USD 14 billion) towards developing intelligent technologies that integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) with automotive systems, driving comprehensive upgrades of its entire vehicle lineup.

In yet another bid to promote the adoption of electric vehicles, the state of Telangana has announced that it will exempt electric vehicles across – two-wheelers, three-wheelers (passenger and cargo), four-wheelers (private and cab/taxi) and tractors from road tax and registration fees.

Furthermore, electric buses registered by Telangana State Road Transportation Corporation will be exempted for their entire life. Additionally, electric buses owned by any company/industry for transportation of their own employees will also be able to avail the benefit, as long as they are not used for commercial purposes.

Interestingly, Telangana has said that there is no cap on the number of EVs benefited under the policy till 31 December, 2026.

The revision comes on the back of a careful evaluation by the Transport Commissioner, Telangana’s letter written to the state government.