The world's first lithium-sulfur battery factory is located in the United States, and Tesla electric trucks will be launched globally. | Overseas Daily
"Top 3 News"
The World's First Lithium-Sulfur Battery Gigafactory to be Located in Nevada
Key Points:
In 2024, Nevada welcomed the world's first lithium-sulfur battery gigafactory, marking a significant technological innovation in the battery industry. Invested by the innovative materials company Lyten with over $1 billion, this factory will be located in the AirLogistics Industrial Park in Reno, covering an area of 125 acres and with a building area of 1.25 million square feet. The factory is expected to be fully operational in 2027, with an annual production capacity of 10 GWh of batteries to meet the demands of markets such as micro-mobility, aerospace, drones, and defense. Lyten has been operating its lithium-sulfur battery pilot factory in California since 2023 and has achieved positive results. Compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries are not only lighter, with a weight reduction of approximately 40%, but also mainly use abundant local resources in the United States, such as sulfur, which helps reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, especially for the import of scarce minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and graphite. However, the service life and stability of lithium-sulfur batteries still need to be further optimized for large-scale application.
The Location of the Lithium-Sulfur Battery Gigafactory in Nevada (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
Lyten's move to build the world's first lithium-sulfur battery factory in Nevada is undoubtedly a huge leap in the energy industry. This not only demonstrates the innovation ability of the United States in battery technology, but also highlights the global urgent need for more environmentally friendly and efficient energy storage technologies. However, while celebrating technological progress, we should also remain rational. Although significant breakthroughs have been made in the research and development of lithium-sulfur batteries, whether they can be widely applied and replace traditional batteries depends on whether they can solve the current problems of service life and stability. In the long run, the success of lithium-sulfur batteries will greatly promote the development of electric vehicles and other high-energy-consuming industries, but this process requires time.
Elon Musk Says Tesla Semi Electric Truck to be Available Globally
Key Points:
Elon Musk announced that the Tesla Semi electric truck will be available globally, but the prerequisite is to achieve mass production. Although the range and autonomous driving technology of the Tesla Semi have been questioned, recent third-party tests, such as the collaboration with DHL, have begun to verify the feasibility of its technology. The Tesla Semi, originally scheduled to go into production in 2019, has had its mass production plan postponed several times. Currently, Tesla has established a small-scale production line near the Gigafactory in Nevada and plans to build a new factory next to it to start mass production from next year, with the goal of gradually increasing the annual production to 50,000 vehicles by 2025. Although the Semi project mainly focuses on the North American market, Musk has stated that it will also be produced at the Berlin Gigafactory in the future. Recently, the Tesla Semi has been showcased in Europe and adjusted to comply with EU regulations. Musk confirmed that Tesla plans to sell the Semi to the global market.
Tesla Semi (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
Trucks in Europe are designed with the cab over the engine (Cab Over Engine, COE), with the driver sitting above the front wheels and the dashboard close behind the vertical windshield to maximize the length of the trailer, as the maximum length of the C8 truck in the Eurozone is significantly shorter than that in the United States. European trucks such as Volvo and Scania are designed in this way, which is why the cab length is 186 inches. Although the Tesla Semi is an electric vehicle, it adopts the traditional American design with the driver sitting behind the wheels, making its cab length 249 inches. In other words: Using this truck in Europe means losing more than 5 feet of trailer length and the corresponding cargo capacity, which is likely to make it impractical in the European market, especially when compared to models like the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, where the total length from the front bumper to the hitch is the same as the cab length of the Semi.
Mercedes' New Entry-Level Coupe CLA EV to Debut Soon
Key Points:
Mercedes-Benz is testing the CLA EV that will be unveiled in the future, revealing an upcoming more affordable version. This new entry-level electric vehicle features a stylish new design and has begun to attract industry attention as the production stage approaches. The electric CLA concept car released last year was called the "One-Liter Car" by Mercedes-Benz due to its efficient energy-saving design. Based on the MMA platform, the CLA EV has an energy consumption of approximately 5.2 miles (8.4 kilometers) per kWh, and its internal drive system is based on the efficient Vision EQXX. Mercedes-Benz expects that the new platform will provide a WLTP range of more than 466 miles (750 kilometers), and the 800V platform supports fast charging, which can charge up to 248 miles in 15 minutes. Before the official debut, the CLA EV has been spotted in the wild several times, including winter testing in the Arctic Circle. Recently, a production-spec model was showcased at an event in France, allowing people to get a closer look at this upcoming electric vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz Next-Generation CLA (Source: Thibaut Grevet for Mercedes-Benz)
Opinions:
Despite the camouflage, the streamlined silhouette of the four-door coupe, the shark-nose front fascia, and the new headlight design are still clearly visible. The new MMA platform supports pure electric, plug-in hybrid, and traditional hybrid models, but the closed front grille indicates that this may be the electric version. Last month, the high-performance AMG version was spotted being tested on the Nürburgring. Inside, the CLA EV will be equipped with Mercedes' new operating system (MB.OS), which the company calls the "brain" of its next-generation vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is expected to officially launch the 2026 CLA EV later this year and introduce it globally, including in the United States and Europe.
"Big Events"
Tesla Faces "Fraud" Doubts, Can HW3 Deliver on Autonomous Driving Promises
Recently, Tesla's HW3 system has once again become the focus. Although the company promised when it released HW3 in 2019 that this system would have the ability of Full Self-Driving (FSD), to this day, many consumers and technical experts believe that the hardware capabilities of HW3 are difficult to support true full autonomous driving. The discussion of this issue has raised public doubts about Tesla's transparency, and some even believe that if the company does not clarify this issue as soon as possible, it may lead to "fraud" accusations.
Tesla FSD Demonstration Effect (Source: Tesla)
According to Tesla's recent technical roadmap, HW4 has become the standard configuration for new models, improving camera performance and computing power. Tesla even admits that HW4 is more suitable for the realization of full autonomous driving FSD in hardware than HW3. However, millions of HW3 vehicle owners still face questions about whether they can achieve the autonomous driving functions promised when they originally purchased the FSD system. What makes consumers even more confused is that Tesla is still selling the FSD software package to HW3 vehicle owners, even though these vehicles may never be able to achieve the full functionality of the system.
Audi Launches 2024 A3 Sportback Plug-in Hybrid Model
Audi 2024 A3 Sportback TFSI e (Source: Audi)
Audi's newly launched 2024 A3 Sportback TFSI e is a plug-in hybrid model, showcasing Audi's latest achievements in the field of electrification. This model combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor, providing more efficient fuel economy and strong power performance. Equipped with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine combined with an electric motor, the A3 Sportback TFSI e can provide a total output power of up to 204 horsepower, meeting the high requirements of drivers for power and performance. In electric mode, this vehicle has a pure electric range of up to 50 kilometers, making it suitable for short urban commutes. Owners can charge the battery through a household socket or a public charging pile, further improving the convenience of daily use. The interior of the vehicle is exquisitely designed and luxurious, equipped with the latest Audi virtual cockpit and advanced in-car entertainment system, providing an extremely comfortable driving experience.
Leapmotor B10 Makes Its Debut at the Paris Motor Show
Leapmotor International made its global debut with the Leapmotor B10 at the Paris Motor Show, which is the first model of its B series. This launch marks an important milestone in Leapmotor's global expansion, as the company is accelerating its efforts to provide high-tech electric vehicles with excellent cost performance to Europe and other regions. The B10 is a stylish C-class SUV built on Leapmotor's advanced LEAP 3.5 architecture, a highly integrated platform that offers cutting-edge features such as ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), customizable digital cockpits, and intelligent driving functions. The B10 is designed to meet the needs of tech enthusiasts and environmentally conscious consumers who are seeking an electric vehicle that combines style, performance, and advanced technology.
Leapmotor B10 (Source: Leapmotor)
The B10 is the first of many models in Leapmotor's B series to be designed for the global market. This new C-class SUV is targeted at young consumers who are seeking an electric vehicle that not only has advanced technology and connectivity, but also has strong environmental credentials and a competitive price.
BYD Further Expands Its European Market at the Paris Motor Show
BYD Seal 7 (Source: BYD)
BYD celebrated its unprecedented growth and investment in Europe over the past two years at the Paris Motor Show. BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li emphasized the remarkable progress BYD has made since its official debut at the event two years ago at the Paris Motor Show press conference. The Paris Motor Show is one of Europe's leading automotive exhibitions, a biennial autumn showcase where automakers introduce new models and explain the latest technological developments. BYD's focus in Paris this year is the European debut of the Seal 7 and the progress BYD has made since its first appearance at a major European motor show two years ago, providing the French public with an experience of the full range of models.
"Cool Products"
Renault R4 E-Tech Electric SUV
Renault R4 Electric SUV (Source: Renault)
At this week's Paris Motor Show, Renault showcased its latest all-electric model, the Renault R4 E-Tech electric SUV, which is a tribute to the brand's best-selling model from the 1960s, the Renault 4L. This compact SUV is expected to go on sale next year and shares more than two-thirds of its components with the lower R5, including the AmpR small platform to reduce costs. The expected price will be below €30,000, while the starting price of the Renault 5 is approximately €25,000. The entry-level Renault 4 E-Tech is powered by a 90kW/225Nm electric motor and a 40kWh battery, with a range of 300 kilometers. The high-end version is upgraded to a 110kW/245Nm front-mounted electric motor and a 52kWh battery, with a WLTP range of 400 kilometers, a top speed of 150 km/h, and a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 8.5 seconds.
Renault R4 Electric SUV (Source: Renault)