The P-300N High-Stability Variant exhibited over 90% capacity retention for 300 cycles in the coin full cell format, exceeding the target set at 80% retention given the same cycle frequency.
The results establish P-300N as one of the most stable silicon battery materials utilizing metallurgical silicon (MG-Si), which is the lowest-cost silicon input available for battery-grade applications, the company said.
The results now allow NEO to proceed toward large-cell format testing. The company has initiated the battery cell design and architecture of single-layer pouch cells, which will involve long-term battery performance tests of 500+ cycles to optimize interactions between P-300N, graphite anodes and various cathode materials.
To prepare concurrently for near-commercial, multi-layer cell testing, NEO is in active discussions with battery prototypers and global manufacturers in South Korea, the US, and Germany.
Multi-layer cell manufacturing will be outsourced due to the need for specialized equipment. To fulfill requests from global downstream partners, NEO has secured all post-treatment equipment and installation is nearing completion at the R&D Scale-Up Centre. It has also decided to add a key manufacturing unit to expand its overall capacity. This high-specification machinery will enhance quality levels as it will enable higher precision control and efficient MG-Si processing.
The automotive industry is undergoing a significant evolution, driven by changing consumer demands and shifting expectations for personalization, connectivity, safety, electrification, and enhanced features and functionality. Underpinning this transformation is the design evolution of next-generation electrical/electronic (E/E) vehicle architectures which are unlocking a new era of smarter, safer and more convenient mobility along with more efficient manufacturing processes.
To address increasing expectations for functional sophistication and efficiency, next-gen E/E vehicle architectures leverage centralized control units and zonal designs. These innovations enable functional software-driven consolidation with over-the-air (OTA) updates, optimized data and power distribution, reduced wiring harness complexity and weight, as well as increased design flexibility and scalability for future innovation.
Below, we explore the pivotal trends and challenges – from autonomous driving and increased connectivity to electrification and the rise of shared mobility – that are shaping next-generation vehicle architectures, and the critical role connectivity plays in enabling this transformation.
Image 1: Today’s car buyers prioritize PACES – personalization, automated and autonomous, connectivity, electrification and sustainability features – demanding immersive, future-ready mobility experiences over traditional ownership models.
The Benefits of Zonal Architectures: Efficiency Meets Innovation
Traditional E/E architectures can no longer keep pace with the complex demands of modern vehicles. They rely on complex and vehicle-spanning wire harnesses, which often result in inefficiencies and increased weight. Next-gen architectures, characterized by zonal designs and centralized control, are setting a new standard.
Image 2: Vehicle Architecture Transformation
Zonal architectures feature centralized, more powerful control units that are organized into distinct zones, providing more modern computing structures that enable server-based software processes. This approach not only simplifies and reorganizes wire harnesses but also supports more efficient, higher-speed transmission and real-time processing of additional sensor and environmental data. The objective is fewer nodes/ECUs but significantly more connection opportunities (ports) per node — linked together by a high-speed data backbone. This approach not only streamlines the wiring harness, reducing its weight and complexity, but also paves the way for more scalable and flexible vehicle designs and functional deployment. Think of zonal architectures as cities with well-organized neighborhoods, each with its own utilities and services, all connected by a high-speed highway. The key benefits include the following:
Simplified wiring: Zonal architectures have significant implications for vehicle design and manufacturing. As zone-based installation approaches replace unwieldy, vehicle-spanning harnesses, it becomes possible to use lighter cabling systems. This enhances electrical efficiency, reduces weight and simplifies harness installation and, due to better partitioning, makes automated harness production an option.
Scalable design: Physical restructuring also makes it possible to pre-equip a car for future upgrades. Through over-the-air (OTA) updates, software-defined vehicles (SDVs) can continue to add — as paid subscription services — value and functionality long after leaving the production line, without needing to have any hardware installed or changed. Some examples of upgrades already being offered by select OEMs is the momentary activation of more performance, more battery range, or higher levels of autonomous driving.
Enhanced efficiency: Centralized control units and better partitioning allow for improved energy management and facilitate the automated production of harnesses.
What Do Next-Gen E/E Architectures Mean for the Future of Mobility?
These architectures empower automakers to create vehicles that are flexible, future-proof, and cost-effective. Next-gen E/E architectures enable the integration of a growing number of innovative functions for design, performance, and functionality — from autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to enhanced infotainment and battery management systems. High-speed data networks and modular connectivity solutions facilitate the seamless communication and control of these systems, ensuring efficient energy management and an improved driving experience. In addition, as power demands continue to rise, transitioning from traditional 12V systems to 48V architectures helps lower current levels, decrease heat loss in wiring, and enhance overall efficiency. The shift to 48V enables better thermal management and supports scalable, high-power computing platforms while aligning with the evolving needs of software-defined vehicle architectures.
Connectivity: The Backbone of Smarter Vehicles
As vehicles evolve into high-tech ecosystems, reliable and robust connectivity is essential to ensure seamless communication between zones and systems. Connectivity offerings will also need to provide space-saving solutions to serve the higher number of connections across fewer high-power control units while providing a greater level of modularity to support additional flexibility.
TE Connectivity (TE), a global industry technology leader, is at the forefront of this revolution, delivering cutting-edge automotive solutions designed with scalability, sustainability, and automation in mind. TE’s portfolio combines engineering excellence with practical innovation, ensuring automakers have the tools to build vehicles for generations to come.
TE’s connectivity innovations are specifically designed to enable next generation vehicle architecture transformation:
Space-saving designs: TE’s Modular Hybrid System (MHS)features flexible plug and heard configurations and is scalable for any vehicle platform. It delivers up to a 40% reduction in both space and weight and utilizes the latest sustainable materials, recycling processes and is automation-ready. The GenY 68P Sealed Hybrid Inline Connector combines signal, power and data connectivity into a single hybrid solution, supporting OEMs by streamlining connector consolidation, minimize supply chain complexity, and achieve savings in cost, weight, and space.
Automation-ready solutions: TE’s connectors are designed to simplify manufacturing and assembly, enhance reliability, accuracy and traceability.
Power advancements: TE’s 48V-ready connectors are engineered to deliver safe, reliable and efficient power distribution, supporting the transition from 12V systems to meet the growing energy demands more effectively. This shift improves overall performance, reduces weight and cost, and facilitates great system automation.
In-device connectivity: Inside device connectivity is essential for zonal controllers, facilitating communication between zones and connected subsystems as well as centralized processors. This enables a unified framework where a central processor can access data from all sensors and actuators.TE offers an expansive portfolio of automotive grade solutions including flex-to-board, board-to-board, wire-to-wire, and wire-to-board options.
EMI Shielding: Next-gen E/E architectures include a wide range of electronics, many of which have a high risk of propagating Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). It is critical to consider EMI/RFI shielding solutions that effectively reduce susceptibility to electronic malfunctions by either blocking external electromagnetic waves or preventing the emission of internal electromagnetic waves that could interfere with surrounding circuits or devices. Such malfunctions could range from the innocuous, such as an odd noise on a car radio to more serious incidents, such as accidents resulting from the failure of safety equipment. As vehicles integrate more advanced electronics, effective EMI shielding to addresses vulnerabilities at all levels of design from the PCB layout to the enclosure ensuring signal integrity, reduces cross-talk, and maintains reliable operation of safety-critical functions. TE offers a broad portfolio of EMI shielding materials including conductive elastomers, connector gaskets, fabric-over-foam and conductive foams that are designed to optimize performance and compliance in advanced driver assistance and other critical automotive systems
The Importance of an Experienced Partner
With decades of expertise and a comprehensive range of connectivity solutions, TE is able to simplify complexity, enhance efficiency, and empower designs — ensuring OEMs and suppliers can navigate this evolving landscape with vehicles to meet the demands of today and tomorrow. Connect with TE today to see how our solutions and expertise are empowering the automotive industry to create smarter, safer, and more connected vehicles.
TE Connectivity: Providing cutting-edge connectivity products and technologies for next generation automotive applications.
The US Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council has announced the federal permitting of two DOE-supported lithium processing projects.
The projects—Kings Mountain and Liberty Owl—are aimed at increasing lithium processing capacity in the US in order to develop more secure domestic supply chains.
The Kings Mountain, NC Project, owned by chemical manufacturer Albemarle, is receiving a $150-million federal award through DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC). The project supports the construction of a new commercial-scale processing facility that will have the capacity to produce 350,000 tons per year of lithium oxide concentrate.
The Liberty Owl Project in the Texarkana region is owned by TerraVolta, a US-based critical minerals and resources company. This project is receiving a $225-million award through MESC for the construction of a commercial-scale lithium extraction and refining facility to produce battery-grade lithium from domestic brine resources from the Smackover region.
Mumbai, the most populous city in India, plans to begin a mammoth move to sea-based transit using Candela electric hydrofoil ferries.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region has a population of over 23 million, making it the seventh-most populous metropolitan region in the world. It also has the most billionaires of any city in Asia, along with some of the worst traffic and road congestion.
Mumbai is a city composed of islands—seven, to be exact. By turning to the sea, Mumbai is poised to move commuters via high-speed arteries dedicated to clean, efficient and electrified water transport.
Following an official visit to Stockholm by India’s Minister of Commerce, Piyush Goyal, to experience the Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil boat, Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog and Niraj Thakur, the CEO of Mumbai-based operator JalVimana, announced that the latter has ordered and will operate a fleet of 11 P-12 vessels. It plans to expand the fleet as the company’s experience with the electric hydrofoil boats grows.
“We believe Candela’s next-generation P-12 will be a giant leap for Mumbai and towards our national goals of a sustainable future for our vast Indian coastline and inland waterways,” said Thakur, adding that “JalVimana is honored to bring this Swedish gift to our ancient shores.”
The order for 11 P-12s is the largest order yet placed for vessels of this type, Candela said.
The first P-12 vessels to arrive in Mumbai will serve two of the city’s most heavily traveled routes, linking the Gateway of India with Alibaug and the Gateway of Elephanta Island. The first route can take from two to three hours by automobile, while JalVimana expects the travel time by water to take less than half that. Another planned route will link the city’s new airport with central Mumbai, reducing the travel time from 90 minutes to less than 30 minutes.
Candela has now received multiple orders from major municipalities and operators for its P-12 electric ferry. The P-12 went into service in Stockholm in November 2024, picking up passengers in Ekerö, an island of almost 12,000 inhabitants outside Stockholm, and reaching Stockholm’s City Hall, a 9-mile (15 km) jaunt, in just 30 minutes. That is 15 minutes faster than its diesel-powered counterpart, while using 80% less energy to power the trip.
A fleet of eight P-12 ferries is on order by Saudi Arabia to make trips to Neom, the massive (and controversial) development that Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the crown prince and authoritarian leader of Saudi Arabia, is creating there.
The vessel is also being deployed in Berlin to bring the travel time from the Eastside Gallery to Funkhaus down from as much as 26 minutes in traffic to 10 minutes by traveling along the Spree River.
In November 2024, Candela said it had raised an additional $14 million in its Series C investment round, putting the company’s total secured funding in 2024 at over $40 million. The investment will help Candela ramp up production to meet demand for its vessels. The new $14-million investment round was led by SEB Private Equity, a global private equity investor, and included participation by existing investors EQT Ventures and KanDela.
The June 2025 issue is now available online! Packed full of news, interviews and features, including: COVER STORY Taking the lead When it was announced that BYD’s sales had overtaken […]
Construction equipment manufacturer Develon, previously known as Doosan Construction Equipment, has launched a new range of electric excavators.
The first electric excavator—which carries the designation DX160WE-7—is a wheeled excavator.
The DX160WE-7 and two crawler excavators based on the DX225LC-7 platform will be available with various battery configurations, including an extended range pack that should allow the excavator to operate for a full working day on a single charge.
The new line is aimed at “supporting the transition to cleaner, quieter and more sustainable construction,” the company said.
To develop electric drivetrains for this new line, the company partnered with ETEC Zero Emissions. The Waddinxveen, Netherlands-based company was founded as Elm in the 1930s. It had been a Doosan dealer for several decades and is continuing an even closer partnership with Develon post-name-change. ETEC was responsible for the integration of an electric drivetrain into several current Develon models to ensure the same performance as an ICE engine, albeit with zero emissions.
While Develon was formerly known as Doosan Infracore, and Bobcat was part of the Doosan Group, the two companies are now separate entities under HD Hyundai.
Heavy-duty EV charging provider WattEV has broken ground on its sixth heavy-duty electric truck charging depot in California, located at the Port of Oakland.
The company currently operates five truck charging depots in California, and has another 15 sites under development. The addition of the new charging depot will establish a zero-emission freight corridor from the Bay Area to Sacramento, Nevada and beyond.
WattEV’s public charging depot will be capable of charging 25 medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks concurrently at up to 240 kW each or six trucks at 1.2 MW. The depot is designed for megawatt charging, which can reduce charging dwell times to 30 minutes or less, comparable to diesel refueling times.
“We’ve been working towards opening a Northern California charging depot for several years,” said Salim Youssefzadeh, CEO and co-founder of WattEV. “Until now, most truck charging infrastructure has been concentrated in Southern California. This project marks a significant milestone for WattEV, [enabling] zero-emission freight transport from key ports like Oakland and Stockton into Sacramento and Nevada.”
Danisense has launched the DSSIU-1-V, a compact single-channel power supply and interface unit designed for use with its high-precision flux gate direct current current transducers (DCCTs). Targeted at EV test benches, power analysis systems and current calibration setups, the unit simplifies signal readout and system integration for high-accuracy current measurements.
The DSSIU-1-V features an integrated voltage output module that converts transducer signals into 1 V or 10 V outputs via a BNC connector. It uses an industry-standard D-sub-9 interface and provides a ±15 V DC, 1.2 A supply, powered from a universal 110–220 V AC input. With dimensions of 130 × 116 × 56 mm, it is designed for applications requiring a compact, standalone solution for powering and interfacing a single transducer.
According to the company, the unit supports both flux gate and Hall effect transducers and is optimized for low-noise operation. “By offering such a voltage conversion, Danisense is simplifying the measuring chain by enabling its customers to have a direct connection of the transducer to instruments like an oscilloscope,” said Loic Moreau, Sales & Marketing Director at Danisense.
The DSSIU-1-V is aimed at precision current sensing in demanding environments, particularly in EV development where accurate, stable measurements are required across a wide current range.
Legacy automakers know that EVs are the future—but as public companies, the only future they can plan for is next quarter’s earnings report. As the current US administration slashes support for new technologies, automakers have been mostly silent, and some have quietly scaled back previously-announced electrification plans.
The $3-billion plant, in Marshall, Michigan, uses technology that Ford licensed from Chinese battery maker CATL. Tax credits for US battery plants provided under the Inflation Reduction Act could offset about a quarter of the cost of the plant, Ford execs said.
However, a bill making its way through Congress would ban federal support for battery plants that use technology from China. Ford says losing the credits would have a “very material” effect on the plant’s financial performance.
“We don’t want to back off on this facility,” Lisa Drake, VP of Ford’s Technology Platform Programs and EV Systems, told reporters. “It would really be a shame to build these facilities and then all of a sudden have to scale back on the most important part, which is people.”
Ford’s plant is scheduled to start production in 2026 and is expected to create 1,700 jobs.
Several other US battery plants under construction use technology from suppliers based in South Korea or Japan, which are not targeted by the bill.
Ms. Drake said Ford probably would have built the plant outside the US if not for the tax credits provided by the Biden administration’s IRA. She also noted that manufacturing machinery for the plant, now in transit from China, will be subject to higher tariffs than previously expected.
A White House spokesman told the New York Times: “Our autoworker community strongly supports the president’s agenda and stands with him every step of the way.”
Well, maybe not all of the autoworker community. David Green, Director of the United Auto Workers region covering Ohio and Indiana, recently wrote in The Ohio Capital Journal: “Repealing clean vehicle tax credits alone could reduce EV sales as much as 40 percent by 2030, and could result in the idling of existing assembly plants and the cancellation of many planned EV battery manufacturing facilities. The irony is stark and painful: thousands of battery workers have just voted to unionize, ensuring their jobs are high-quality and family-supporting. Now congressional Republicans are voting to kill those very same jobs.”
US-based Lumina, a company specializing in electric construction equipment, is aiming to raise between $20 million and $40 million in its Series A financing round, according to Axios.
Lumina was founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Ahmed Shubber and aims to release a 32-ton autonomous and electric bulldozer prototype, the Moonlander.
The prototype is similar to the size of a Caterpillar D6 while delivering the load capacity of the larger D9 model. Shubber has ambitious plans for Lumina, including a target of $100 million in revenue within two years of starting operations.
Lumina’s business strategy is based on not only selling its bulldozers but operating them directly at construction sites, allowing it to maintain full control over the deployment of its equipment.
The company also plans to develop a 100-ton electric excavator, Blade Runner, which will also feature advanced autonomous operating technology.
