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The Norwegian fuel cell manufacturer Teco 2030 has to file for insolvency. There is no longer a realistic possibility of raising sufficient capital to continue operations.
Electric mobility service provider Electrify America is cooperating with the US-based retail company Costco Wholesale to deploy charging stations at five Costco facilities. The charging stations include hyper-fast chargers delivering up to 350 kW of power.
The charging infrastructure manufacturer Ekoenergetyka and BP Pulse will be working together in future to offer fleet operators solutions for charging electric trucks overnight. This is not just about charging at the depot. Public charging, particularly along the TEN-T network, is also the focus of the cooperation.
Toshiba Electronics Europe has introduced a high-voltage transistor output photorelay for 400 V automotive battery-related control systems.
The automotive-compliant TLX9150M is housed in a compact SO12L-T package. Its space-saving form factor of 7.76mm × 10mm × 2.45mm is 25% smaller than Toshiba’s existing package SO16L-T. This helps to miniaturize the battery unit and reduce costs.
The photorelay delivers a minimum breakdown voltage (VOFF) of 900 V with a maximum reaction (TON/TOFF) time of 1 ms. This is important for control-sensitive applications such as battery and fuel-cell control and battery management systems (BMS) for monitoring voltages, as well as detecting mechanical relay sticking and ground faults.
The TLX9150M consists of an infrared (IR) emitting diode optically coupled to a photo-MOSFET, providing electrical isolation between the primary (control) side and the secondary (switch) side, enabling safe switch control across varying ground potentials.
The trigger current (IFT) is more than 3 mA, minimizing system energy consumption. The device’s off-state current (IOFF) is 100 nA maximum at ambient temperature, drawing minimal power while inactive. The IR LED has a forward current (IF) rating of 30 mA, while its photodetection element has an on-state current (ION) rating of 50 mA at ambient temperatures.
The pin pitch and pin layout of the two package sizes are the same, enabling a common circuit board pattern design. This normally-open (1-Form-A) device exhibits a minimum of 8 mm creepage and clearance distances and minimum 0.4mm insulation thickness, for effective isolation in operating temperatures ranging from -40° C to +125° C, and is fully compliant with the AEC-Q101 and IEC 60664-1 standards.
Source: Toshiba Electronics Europe
Santa is switching from reindeer to electric power. He has swapped his old sleigh for a Tesla Model 3, which he was recently spotted driving in Oxford. At least this is the story behind a PR campaign by the British car trading platform Auto Trader.
VinFast founder Pham Nhat Vuong’s charging infrastructure company V-Green has signed a letter of intent with the Prime Group conglomerate to build 100,000 charging stations for VinFast EVs in Indonesia over the next three years. The roll-out is scheduled to begin in 2025.
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers like BYD, Chery, Geely, and SAIC are shaking up the automotive market in Mexico. With stylish, tech-packed cars and competitive pricing, they’re attracting attention in a country where air pollution and rising fuel costs make EVs a practical choice.
Mexico City’s infamous smog and strict driving restrictions on high-pollution days give EV owners a big advantage—they’re exempt from these bans. Take the BYD Dolphin Mini, for example. It’s more than just an electric car; it’s a ticket to unrestricted driving. On top of that, EVs offer lower operating costs. In Mexico, electricity is about 70% cheaper than gasoline, making EVs a budget-friendly choice in the long run.
“Electricity is cheaper than gas. You can make up the difference,” says Daniela Alvarez, a salesperson at a BYD dealership.
EV sales in Mexico are still small—about 2% of total car sales—but they’re growing fast, up 40% compared to 2023. Chinese brands have seized the moment, building dealerships and planning local factories to expand across Central and South America. Their ambition is clear: they aim to challenge long-standing leaders like Toyota in markets like Brazil.
While Chinese automakers currently focus on Mexico, their eyes are set on the United States. High tariffs have kept Chinese EVs out of the US market for now, but Mexico could become a backdoor for these affordable vehicles to enter North America.
US tariffs on cars built in Mexico are much lower—just 2.5% compared to the 100% levied on vehicles made in China. However, potential policy changes could complicate things, as both the US and Mexico weigh the economic and political impact of Chinese competition.
Chinese carmakers have transformed their image over the past two decades. Once criticized for poor quality, they now lead the way in battery technology, autonomous driving, and entertainment systems. Models like the BYD Song and Shark hybrid are giving established players like Toyota serious competition by offering similar features at significantly lower prices.
In Mexico, Chinese brands now hold a 9% market share, up from virtually zero just five years ago. Their success can be attributed to delivering what customers want: reliable, affordable vehicles with modern technology.
China’s auto industry has quickly overtaken Japan as the world’s largest exporter of cars. By establishing a strong presence in markets with fewer trade barriers, like Mexico, Thailand, and Brazil, Chinese automakers are setting the stage for global dominance.
Western automakers, meanwhile, are feeling the heat. General Motors has reported significant losses in China, and Volkswagen is under pressure to keep up with the rapid pace of innovation from Chinese competitors.
As Chinese automakers push into Latin America, the question remains: will they eventually enter the US market? Analysts suggest it’s only a matter of time. While tariffs and trade barriers may delay their arrival, the growing demand for affordable EVs could force the US to reconsider its stance.
For now, Mexico is at the forefront of this EV revolution, with Chinese automakers leading the charge. Whether you’re an EV enthusiast or a casual observer, it’s clear that these brands are here to stay—and they’re changing the game.
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