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This week’s webinar: Unlocking the benefits of EV fleets with strategies for operational efficiency and cost savings

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This week’s webinar: Unlocking the benefits of EV fleets with strategies for operational efficiency and cost savings
This week’s webinar: Unlocking the benefits of EV fleets with strategies for operational efficiency and cost savings

The transition to electric fleets is a complex journey that requires careful planning and strategic partnerships. In this webinar, we will explore the key economic and regulatory drivers behind the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in commercial fleets, as well as the strategic advantages of prioritizing sustainability. We will also delve into the challenges and considerations companies face when electrifying their fleets and discuss how a comprehensive approach and proactive management can unlock a range of operational and financial benefits, including the value of energy management, operational excellence, and fleet optimization.

In this webinar, you will learn:

  • Understand the significant long-term cost savings and attractive return on investment (ROI) associated with fleet electrification
  • Gain insights into the complexities of fleet electrification, including installing a charging infrastructure, managing energy demand, and continuously reducing energy spend over time
  • Learn how strategic partnerships and proactive management can help overcome challenges and ensure a successful transition
  • Discover the value of energy management, operational excellence, and fleet optimization in unlocking additional cost savings and operational efficiencies

This webinar will be hosted by CHARGED on Wednesday, May 21st, at 11am US EDT.

Register now, it’s free!

 

Chinese EV giant BYD selects Budapest for European headquarters and R&D center

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BYD announced today it will establish its European business headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, alongside a new research and development center. The expansion marks the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer’s fifth location […]

The post Chinese EV giant BYD selects Budapest for European headquarters and R&D center appeared first on Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International.

Camouflaged Tesla Model Y spotted in India way ahead of its launch in the country

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A camouflaged 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper has been spotted in India multiple times over the last week. This coincidentally lined up with the Elon Musk and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting in the United States.

The new Tesla Model Y, trying hard to hide behind a camouflage, was spotted in the affluent neighborhoods of Mumbai and the surrounding highways.

We can safely assume that Tesla sent only one Model Y Juniper to India, as in all sightings, the license plate number is “KA03TC016/5“. This looks like a manufacturer plate in red in India.

Tesla enthusiasts from India not only took pictures of the new Model Y electric vehicle, but also took short videos during its testing on Indian roads (watch below).

Why the Camouflage?

In one sighting, the new Model Y was spotted along with the older generation Model Y. Interestingly, the legacy Model Y was not camouflaged.

Since the internet is full of pictures and videos of the new Model Y, why did Tesla camouflage it in India?

As I am closely aware of the Indian demographics and culture, I am better positioned to answer this question.

While the auto enthusiast community in India and Pakistan is well-versed with Tesla’s electric vehicles, the majority of the general public has yet to get acquainted with the brand.

Tesla (TSLA) is on the premium and luxury side of the spectrum when it comes to cars in India, the general audience has yet to become aware of the new brand.

The camouflage is going to create curiosity in the public, and they will try to search the internet for this car. Tesla strategically sent this test unit to Mumbai, which is home to India’s elite, upper, and upper-middle classes. This is the segment that Tesla is going to target as their market.


 

Video: Tesla Model Y Juniper roaming on a Mumbai expressway in camouflage.

Elon Musk and PM Modi’s Meeting

Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Washington on Friday, 18th April 2025. After the meeting, both Musk and PM Modi posted their thoughts and outcomes of the meeting on X (Twitter).

“I am incredibly excited about the future of India,” Elon Musk said after the meeting. When asked about the meeting, Musk said, “He really cares about India [Modi], because he’s really pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do”.

“We’re just trying to figure out the right timing,” Musk explained the delay in launching Tesla in India.

In the end, Musk said that he’s looking forward to visiting India next year (tentative 2026).

Tesla was incorporated as a company in India in 2021. This event triggered massive speculations, but the launch got delayed even after Tesla executives met with Indian government officials at the time.

 

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Featured image credit: u/shameelck / Reddit..

Note: This article was published earlier on Tesla Oracle. Author: Iqtidar Ali.

John Deere and Kreisel Electric prepare for “a new era in power” as off-highway vehicle electrification accelerates

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John Deere and Kreisel Electric prepare for “a new era in power” as off-highway vehicle electrification accelerates
John Deere and Kreisel Electric prepare for “a new era in power” as off-highway vehicle electrification accelerates

John Deere Power Systems used its presence at the 2025 bauma trade show in Munich to usher in what it termed “a new era in power.” The new adage means “developing technologies that not only meet today’s needs but also anticipate the challenges our industry will face in the years to come,” said Nick Block, the company’s Director of Global Marketing and Sales. “We believe the future of power is not defined by a single solution but by a range of options that allow our customers to choose the best fit for their operations.”

To this end, John Deere Power Systems is partnering with the Austrian firm Kreisel Electric on batteries and charging solutions designed to bring battery-powered equipment to key off-highway markets such as the construction, mining and material handling sectors. During the 2025 bauma trade show in Munich, the two unveiled some of the early fruits of their partnership, including the KBE.59.750M battery pack that is slated to enter production in 2026.

Kreisel Electric’s KBE.59.750M battery pack

The KBE.59.750M features Dynamic Performance Management, which utilizes patented cell immersion cooling technology and advanced software systems, JDPS said, adding that “this technology is engineered to optimize daily performance, life performance and performance at extreme temperatures, all while meeting or exceeding industry safety standards.”

The partnership with Kreisel will enable John Deere to offer charging solutions for off-road electric construction vehicles where typical grid infrastructure won’t suffice.

John Deere also showcased its Next Generation Engines—the JD4, JD14, and JD9 engines provide more power than the existing John Deere PSS 9.0L engine and offer streamlined integration for a wide range of construction applications. The optimized JD9 builds on the performance of the existing 9.0L engine to offer lower complexity and installation costs, the company said.

To support the transition to electric-powered off-highway machinery effectively, John Deere said that it will provide “charging solutions that are as versatile and adaptable as the job sites they serve,” explaining that it will develop both stationary and mobile charging options with varying power outputs and charge times that can be scaled.   

Source: John Deere Power Systems

Tesla Adds Chipotle Executive to Its Board

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Tesla just made an interesting move, adding Jack Hartung, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill, to its Board of Directors. The announcement comes at a critical time for the EV maker, as it navigates slowing sales and increased pressure on CEO Elon Musk’s leadership.

So why does a burrito chain exec belong on Tesla’s board? Let’s break it down.

Who Is Jack Hartung?

Hartung is no newcomer to big business. He spent over two decades at Chipotle, helping scale the fast-casual brand to more than 3,700 locations worldwide. Before that, he worked nearly 20 years at McDonald’s. He knows what it takes to grow a brand, manage supply chains, and keep financials tight, skills Tesla could use more of right now.

What Will He Do at Tesla?

Hartung officially joins the Tesla board on June 1, 2025, and will also sit on the Audit Committee. That’s the group that oversees financial reporting and internal controls, making his CFO background especially valuable.

He’s also opted to waive all compensation, no cash, no stock options, for his role, staying consistent with what many Tesla board members do.

Why Now?

Tesla is under the microscope. Sales have dipped globally, and there’s growing talk about Elon Musk’s influence on the company. The board is even reviewing his massive pay package. Hartung’s appointment looks like a move to bring fresh eyes and corporate discipline to the table.

And here’s something interesting: Tesla is planning a retro diner and charging station concept in L.A. which some see as a nod to Hartung’s food-industry roots. Could this be part of a bigger strategy to improve the Tesla customer experience?

Any Controversy?

Tesla did disclose that Hartung’s son-in-law works for the company as a service technician. But they say his role is non-executive, and his pay is in line with others doing similar work.

Final Thoughts

Tesla’s board just got a little spicier, literally and figuratively. Whether Hartung’s experience in scaling one of America’s most recognizable restaurant brands will translate to electric vehicles remains to be seen. But if nothing else, it’s clear Tesla is trying to bring more operational muscle into the room.

Look how easy it is to wash the new Tesla Model Y frunk after use (video)

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Tesla’s new 2026 Model Y midsized electric SUV is packed with new features and improvements over the previous generation. In a recent official video, Tesla (TSLA) revealed a hidden feature of the front trunk, aka the frunk.

The US-based electric vehicle manufacturer showcased how easy it is to wash the frunk of the new Tesla Model Y Juniper. Actually, the new Model Y has a drain plug installed in its frunk right out of the factory.

This drain plug allows water and other liquids to be easily flushed out of the front trunk storage area. Interestingly, the video shows a person using a pressure washer to clean the new Model Y’s frunk, and the water doesn’t stay in the space and is easily drained out.

Above: Tesla shows how the new Model Y’s frunk can be easily cleaned using water and it drains easily.

The absence of an engine in electric vehicles made way for space in the front. However, Tesla (TSLA) was the first EV-maker to efficiently utilize this space and coin the term ‘frunk’.

Still, to this day, the frunks in Tesla vehicles are the best and most spacious. Not only that, they keep getting better with time. Tesla added a drain plug to the frunk of the new Model Y Juniper.

However, the plug and drainability opens other creative uses of the Tesla Model Y frunk. Tesla owners are thinking of using this space as a cold storage area on long trips and camping.

If some beverages and food items are stored along with ice, it would be easy to drain the leftover water inside the frunk. In the following video, a Tesla owner can be seen going as far as storing water and live fish in the Model Y frunk.

Let us know how you would utilize this space in your new Model Y’s frunk in the comments section below.

Above: Tesla Model Y owner stores fish in vehicle’s frunk.

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Featured image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

Note: This article was published earlier on Tesla Oracle. Author: Iqtidar Ali.

Danfoss eHydraulic Power Module enables electrification of 200-tonne SANY crawler crane

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Danfoss eHydraulic Power Module enables electrification of 200-tonne SANY crawler crane
Danfoss eHydraulic Power Module enables electrification of 200-tonne SANY crawler crane

Danfoss Power Solutions’ Editron division has delivered its first eHydraulic Power Module to global crane manufacturer SANY. SANY will use the module to electrify a 200-tonne lattice-boom crawler crane.

SANY launched the electric crane earlier this year. The company is working to develop fully electric versions of its higher-capacity crawler cranes, having previously electrified its lower-capacity models.

Danfoss supplies Editron motors and D1P pumps for SANY’s 80- to 150-tonne cranes. For its 200-tonne platform, SANY opted for an integrated Danfoss eHydraulic Power Module to power the traction and work function systems.

The eHydraulic system integrates a Danfoss Editron PMI375-T1100 synchronous reluctance assisted permanent magnet motor with a Danfoss D1P 260-cc variable-displacement axial piston pump. The system is optimized to deliver peak performance and maximize hydraulic system efficiency, extending machine runtime on a single charge. The full hydraulics system also includes a Danfoss Series 90 pump and PVG 128 valve.

Supplying the electric motor and hydraulic pump as an integrated package eliminates the risk of noise, vibration, and component damage that can arise when using a flexible coupling to join the components, according to Danfoss. It also simplifies installation, as there’s no need for the OEM to connect the components.

“Building a solution for SANY’s high-capacity platform with the Danfoss integrated eHydraulic Power Module marks a milestone,” said Roy Chen, President of Danfoss Power Solutions’ Editron division. “eHydraulics represents the future. Together with our Controls division, we have designed a system combining our D1P pump and Editron motor while tuning controls algorithms to maximize efficiency.”

“Conventional hydraulics still plays a role in the electrification of heavy machinery, particularly machines of this size,” said Henrik Jørgensen, President, Controls division, Danfoss Power Solutions. “By integrating Danfoss’s advanced hydraulic solutions and electrification technology, we are empowering a smooth transition to more sustainable operations.”

Source: Danfoss Editron