SK Signet, the EV charging equipment maker within South Korea’s SK Group, has added details to its US expansion plans. The company has confirmed Texas as the location for its first factory in North America and released further targets.
The US company Ascend Elements has announced plans to invest up to one billion US dollars in a factory to produce sustainable battery materials for electric vehicles in southwestern Kentucky. Production shall start at the end of 2023.
SK quadruples battery production: The South Korean company SK Innovation announced that it will quadruple production capacities for EV batteries. It will open a new plant in Seosan, which is said to increase yearly output to 3 GWh by 2018. pulsenews.co.kr
Uber plans flying EVs: The company says it is working on Uber Elevate, setting up an on-demand service for electric aircrafts from 2021. These will feature helicopter-like EVs that do not need a runway for takeoff or landing. businessinsider.de, wired.com
Google monetarises autonomous cars: Google’s self-driving cars business CEO John Krafcik confirmed that his business unit will soon evolve into an independent entity outside of Google. The internet giant sees itself more as a technology and mobility provider, than a carmaker. forbes.com, nikkei.com
New e-racing series: The Red Bull Global Rallycross will add a new electric car class from 2018. The Red Bull GRC CEO described e-mobility as a “hot topic,” saying that manufactures are recognizing the technology’s potential. Reason enough to “embrace” it on the track. autoweek.com, autocar.co.uk