Robert Aguirre

Global EV Momentum Surges with Tech Breakthroughs and Expansions Amid US Pivot. Advancing Clean Mobility: Key EV Developments Worldwide At a glance: Toyota's vehicle-to-grid program with Oncor Energy in Texas successfully demonstrated the benefits of bidirectional battery electric vehicle charging, enabling EVs to supply power back to the grid during peak demand periods and reducing energy costs for participants by up to 20 percent in real-world tests conducted this week. This initiative highlights how bidirectional charging technology from Toyota's bZ4X model integrates seamlessly with utility infrastructure, stabilizing the Texas grid operated by Oncor while showcasing practical applications for EV owners in residential settings across Dallas and surrounding areas. Technology advance: Nio Inc. Read full brief: https://lnkd.in/gjg2jtdR

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StoreDot's XFC EV batteries, a potential solution for long EV charging times, are now one step closer to mass adoption. StoreDot. and Andretti Acquisition Corp. II have entered into a definitive business combination agreement that will form a new publicly traded holding company called XFC Battery. The combined entity plans to bring StoreDot’s Extreme Fast Charging technology to market, aiming to deliver 100 miles of range in 5 minutes and eventually in about 3 minutes. The companies say the merger will help solve one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption: long charging times. See EVinfo.net's article: https://lnkd.in/ehZ6uczk StoreDot says its patented XFC technology is ready for large-scale deployment and is already in B-sample development and validation with several major automakers. Its licensing model allows the batteries to be produced on existing lithium-ion manufacturing lines, avoiding the need for new infrastructure. StoreDot CEO Dr. Doron Myersdorf said partnering with Andretti provides the platform to scale production and eliminate range and charging anxiety for drivers. He added that ongoing validation work with global OEMs shows the industry is prepared for minutes-long charging. Michael Andretti, director and Special Advisor to Andretti Acquisition Corp. II, called the agreement a pivotal moment for electric mobility and said StoreDot’s technology aligns with the Andretti legacy of innovation. He highlighted the company’s growing list of strategic partners and investors across the automotive and tech sectors. The deal values StoreDot at an $800 million pre-money equity valuation, with all equity holders rolling over into the new company at about 80 million shares priced at $10 each. If no public shareholders redeem, the pro forma enterprise value will be roughly $882 million. Andretti currently holds about $242 million in cash in trust. The boards of both companies approved the agreement, which still requires shareholder approval, regulatory review, and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026. StoreDot, based in Herzliya, Israel, is backed by investors including Daimler, Volvo Cars, Polestar, Ola Electric, VinFast, BP Ventures, Samsung, and TDK. Andretti Acquisition Corp. II is supported by a team that includes racing legends Mario and Michael Andretti. EVinfo.net is an EV-influencer led publication, offering sponsored articles, interviews and more to the EV industry. See samples below: https://lnkd.in/gH5Gdqb7 New clients get 20% off admission to the vitally important EV Charging Summit & Expo, March 17-19 2026, Las Vegas. #evcharging #electricvehicles #evbatteries

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SK On and Ford to Split Ownership of US Battery Venture SK On and Ford Motor Company have agreed to dissolve their US battery joint venture, restructuring the ownership of their multibillion-dollar EV battery projects in Kentucky and Tennessee. Under the new structure: 🚘 Ford will take full ownership of the two Kentucky plants, securing over 80 GWh of annual capacity for upcoming EV models like the F-150 Lightning, E-Transit and next-gen electric trucks. ⚡ SK On will become the sole owner of the Tennessee facility, strengthening its position as a global battery supplier and opening doors for new US partnerships. The shift comes amid cooling EV demand and rising production costs in the US, prompting automakers to reassess timelines and prioritise supply-chain resilience. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gdsbdtfw For ecosystem players — from battery material vendors to clean-energy tech providers — the restructuring presents fresh opportunities, especially as SK On moves toward the Tennessee plant’s targeted 2027 completion. A major realignment with big implications for the North American EV battery landscape. #SKOn #Ford #EVBatteries #ElectricVehicles #BatteryManufacturing #USManufacturing #EnergyStorage #CleanEnergy #AutomotiveIndustry #EVSupplyChain

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Q2 was the SECOND-BIGGEST quarterly expansion on record for public EV charging. The U.S. added 703 new high-speed public charging stations, bringing the national total to around 11,400, according to a Los Angeles Times report. See EVinfo.net's article: https://lnkd.in/gy5xHnQ9 Stations are now reaching rural America, from Mississippi to Montana. This expansion continues despite the federal government freezing $5 billion for charging and rolling back EV purchase incentives. The federal funding freeze of charging stations has had little effect on new construction, according to BloombergNEF’s Ash Wang. Much of the current growth stems from plans that predate recent policy changes. Retailers and charging networks are pushing forward. Tesla, which now lets non-Tesla vehicles use its Superchargers, accounted for 15% of new station openings this spring. Electrify America plans to expand its network by 30% this year while adapting to evolving EV driver needs. “We’re continuing to expand as fast as we can,” said Electrify America Chief Executive Robert Barrosa. Even in states where adoption is low, infrastructure is scaling. Mississippi now has nearly 60 fast-charging stations, reducing its longest charging gap to under 200 miles. IONNA, a newer EV charging player, is a part of this amazing Q2 growth. It just partnered with convenience chain Wawa. Their first site, with 400 kW chargers, launches next week in Daytona Beach. It brings Ionna’s total to 212 bays, with 400 under construction and over 3,000 under contract. The company aims for 30,000 chargers across North America by 2030. With EV adoption growing, public charging is increasingly vital—especially for those without home chargers. An upcoming July 30 Paren webinar, State of the Fast-Charging Industry: Q2 2025, led by Paren CTO Bill Ferro and Chief Analyst Loren McDonald, will offer key insights into fast-charging trends and much more. EVinfo.net’s Take: Private investment is stepping in as federal support wanes. We’ve seen this exciting change firsthand through our partners like Ampcontrol, First Student, Autel Energy - North America, and XLR8 America. Lynkwell is leading the charge on making EV charging easier to install. Lynkwell’s Katherine (Kate) Kruk, Partner and Engagement Director, and Will DeRuve, VP of NA Sales, will host an important webinar: "Install More, Earn More, Grow More: The No Hassle EV Charging Solution Built for Installers," on July 22. Charging infrastructure is evolving quickly—and EVs remain the most cost-effective, sustainable choice. The shift from gas to electric is inEVitable. EVinfo.net is an EV-influencer led publication, offering sponsored articles, interviews and more to the EV industry: https://lnkd.in/gH5Gdqb7 Sign up for the EVinfo.net e-news: https://lnkd.in/gHq6iA2p #evcharging #electricvehicles

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General Motors hires new head of strategy from Lucid Motors:  GM said on Monday that Claudia Gast will be the automaker's deputy chief financial officer and vice president of strategy, corporate development and technology partnerships. In the role, Gast will help shape GM’s long-term strategic direction while identifying and developing partnerships across technology, mobility and innovation-focused sectors. #electricmotors #electricandhybridvehicles https://lnkd.in/gGaF3KA4

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ICE vehicle sales will peak and start declining while EVs will continue their steady growth. This may sound like an odd statement, especially in light of the recent elimination of federal incentives in the USA. Actually this is old news, the peak already happened in 2017 as we can see on this article from last year. https://lnkd.in/dJc4XUu8

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EVs are going to come down in price in the next few years as national policy takes a step back. It’s still a net positive for consumers. This announcement by Ford Motor Company highlights the direction of the market. “Some critics point to the environmental impact of mining for lithium and other minerals used in batteries. Research shows the clean energy transition requires about 30 million tons of minerals each year, but the world currently extracts about 16.5 billion tons of dirty energy annually, which is burned and cannot be reused, unlike battery materials — so electric is still better for the planet. Studies also show EVs quickly pay off their environmental footprint — a Tesla Model 3 offsets its manufacturing costs after just 13,500 miles compared with a Toyota Corolla, according to Reuters. The benefits grow when EVs are paired with home solar panels, which lower charging costs even further. Fueling with solar energy is cheaper than using public stations or the grid…” https://lnkd.in/gQyg7i_U

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Companies are also pivoting to ESS from EV batteries.LG Energy Solutions announced that its Holland, Michigan plant has been repurposed to produce 3x as many ESS batteries as EV batteries, with growing uncertainty around EV incentives, while battery storage credits have remained. Samsung SDI is planning to convert its Indiana plant (shared with Stellantis) to ESS batteries, while SK On is also considering converting its US plants and has signed ESS contracts with Flatiron Energy Developments.

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PLANO, Texas — Twenty-five years after introducing many Americans to hybrid vehicles with the Prius, Toyota Motor is targeting significant growth in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs. Such vehicles can function as an all-electric vehicle for a certain number of miles before they need a traditional gas-powered engine. Unlike traditional hybrids like the Prius that use a small amount of battery technologies, PHEVs also need to be charged with a plug, like an EV, to use the electric range. PHEVs aren't new. Toyota first introduced the Prius as a PHEV in the U.S. in 2016, but such plug-ins are experiencing a renaissance as automakers try to meet federal fuel economy standards and emissions regulations. They've also acted as potential steppingstones to all-electric vehicles for consumers who might be hesitant to go fully electric.

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Colin McKerracher and his BloombergNEF team nailed the 2024 forecast (17M EVs). Preliminary data show they will get the 2025 forecast right. A sneak peek at BNEF's 2025 EV Outlook. #ElectricVehicle https://lnkd.in/grdQbvCJ

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General Motors' reported decision to halt electric motor production and invest heavily in V8 gasoline engines is a strategic pivot that could boost short-term profits from trucks and SUVs but risks hindering its long-term competitive position. https://lnkd.in/ejduNr2v In the short term, this strategic pivot could certainly benefit GM. By focusing on V8 engines, GM can capitalize on strong current demand for its gasoline-powered trucks and SUVs, which command higher transaction prices and profit margins. This could provide a much-needed boost to immediate revenues and profitability, pleasing shareholders who prioritize current returns. It also allows GM to defer some of the massive capital expenditures associated with a full-scale EV transition, giving it more breathing room.

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Toyota Aims to Bolster U.S. Hydrogen Infrastructure with Investment in FirstElement Fuel PLANO, Texas -- Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) today announced a strategic investment in FirstElement Fuel, Inc., (FEF) the largest retail hydrogen fueling infrastructure provider in California, with 92 retail fueling positions across 38 locations. TMNA and FEF aim to strengthen infrastructure for today’s fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) drivers and bolster the hydrogen fueling network for current and future generations of FCEVs. About Toyota Hydrogen Headquarters (H2HQ) Toyota Hydrogen Headquarters (H2HQ) is the lead office in North America for the development, engineering, commercialization and business operations of Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Based in Gardena, California, H2HQ works collaboratively with Toyota’s R&D offices in Michigan and Texas, as well as business units in Japan and internationally, to create zero-emissions fuel cell technologies that enable energy independence, innovation and the movement of people, goods, energy and information. For more information: Toyota Hydrogen Solutions | Toyota.com

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An interesting look at General Motors' emerging Americas battery raw material supply chain. Interesting that, although paying lip service to LFP, they have still not locked in a source of phosphate, however... https://lnkd.in/ew2vq7Ck

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"Big U.S. EV battery makers are stepping back from the market that got them started and betting on a new set of customers in an entirely different business. Instead of carmakers, these companies have started making batteries for utilities, wind- and solar-power developers, and massive data centers that train artificial intelligence. Selling large, stationary batteries for “energy storage systems,” or ESS, used to be a niche market that wasn’t worth much attention, said Jaehong Park, an executive at the battery arm of South Korean conglomerate LG 066570 0.52%increase; green up pointing triangle . “ESS was the ugly duckling for a long time within our organization,” Park said. Five years ago, automakers and battery companies raced to buildmultibillion-dollar electric-vehicle battery plants across the U.S. South and Midwest, based on EV forecasts that proved too optimistic. Now, many of these plants are underused, delayed or stuck in limbo. Energy storage has emerged as an alternative, helping to compensate for the slowdown in electric vehicles. https://lnkd.in/gBjMnNcQ

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Ford's first-gen EVs — think the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning pickup — gave the automaker valuable insights into what customers want, as well as the difficulties in manufacturing EVs from scratch. The big problem for Ford and other non-Tesla automakers was that customer demand was nowhere near the excitement levels projected by the industry, and the costs associated with the program were massive, to the tune of $19.5 billion in write-offs for Ford. As a result, Ford pivoted its EV plans, but it's not giving up. The company's focus is on a new universal electric vehicle (UEV) platform built from the ground up with a "skunkworks" team in California. The first product will be a midsize EV pickup costing around $30,000, targeting profitability from the start. More on the how Ford's second gen EVs use fewer parts, are cheaper to make, and have smaller batteries - https://lnkd.in/e8bUf_hV

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