Germany scraps renewable fee on green hydrogen to encourage new technology

The government also intends to monitor effects of the measure in 2022 and look into further activities to boost green electricity in power systems. BERLIN: Germany‘s government on Wednesday lifted a charge levied on power prices to support renewable energy for producers of so-called green hydrogen, part of a bid to encourage the nascent technology… Continue reading Germany scraps renewable fee on green hydrogen to encourage new technology

Uber in advanced talks to sell air taxi unit Uber Elevate to Joby Aviation

Uber Technologies is in advanced talks to sell its air taxi business, “Uber Elevate”, to aerospace firm Joby Aviation, news website Axios reported on Wednesday, citing sources. Uber did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Its shares rose over 6% following the news. Hyundai Motor Co, which in January announced a partnership… Continue reading Uber in advanced talks to sell air taxi unit Uber Elevate to Joby Aviation

Tesla and powerful German union prepare for a fight over Gigafactory Berlin workforce

Tesla’s effort to build a new Gigafactory near Berlin has had a few hiccups, but it seems to be going smoothly overall. However, it looks like the automaker might have to battle with IG Metall, a powerful union in Germany. Elon Musk came to Berlin earlier this week and got showered with compliments by German… Continue reading Tesla and powerful German union prepare for a fight over Gigafactory Berlin workforce

VDL Nedcar to cut 750 jobs as coronavirus hits new car sales

A production line at the Nedcar car plant in 2015
Car maker VDL Nedcar is to scrap 750 jobs, mostly involving people on staffing agency contracts, because of falling car sales.
‘Despite a small respite in the previous quarter, the car market will remain under pressure next year,’ director Paul van Vuuren told broadcaster 1Limburg.
After the cuts, there will be just 4,000 people working at Nedcar, down from 7,000 at the company’s 2018 peak.
VDL Nedcar is the only independent car manufacturer in the Netherlands and has been building models for BMW since mid 2014.
However, the company’s future has been thrown into doubt since October, when BMW said it would stop making cars at the plant in Born. Instead, BMW plans to concentrate production at its own factories, including that of the Mini, which is currently produced in the Netherlands.
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Bentley books planes to bring in parts in event of no-deal Brexit

Automotive industry CEO says carmaker is ‘ready to jump off a cliff with a parachute that hasn’t been tested’ Bentley cars coming off the production line in Crewe. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters Bentley has lined up five cargo planes to fly in car parts if there is disruption at the UK border in the event of… Continue reading Bentley books planes to bring in parts in event of no-deal Brexit

Aston Martin in row over ‘sock puppet PR firm’ pushing anti-electric vehicle study

Aston Martin is at the centre of a climate lobbying controversy after a study co-commissioned by the company that cast doubt on the green credentials of electric vehicles was found to have been attributed to a PR company registered to the wife of a director at the luxury carmaker. The study, which has since been… Continue reading Aston Martin in row over ‘sock puppet PR firm’ pushing anti-electric vehicle study

Self-driving trucks startup TuSimple raises $350M from U.S. rail, retail and freight giants

Self-driving trucks startup TuSimple has closed a $350 million funding round from a diverse consortium of strategic investors that include major U.S. corporations in rail, retail and freight, according to sources familiar with the deal.  The round, which was oversubscribed, was led by VectoIQ LLC, confirming a report by TechCrunch in September. VectoIQ is the consulting… Continue reading Self-driving trucks startup TuSimple raises $350M from U.S. rail, retail and freight giants