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Amprius forms partnership with a South Korea battery manufacturer

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Amprius forms partnership with a South Korea battery manufacturer
Amprius forms partnership with a South Korea battery manufacturer

Amprius Technologies, which is developing a silicon battery anode platform, has signed a new contract manufacturing agreement with an unnamed battery manufacturer in South Korea.

Amprius said that the strategic partnership expands its global production footprint and enhances its ability to deliver high-performance SiCore cells at scale to meet rising global demand.

The South Korean partner brings extensive experience in manufacturing advanced lithium-ion batteries across a range of form factors and cell chemistries. Initial production will include a balanced SiCore cell engineered to deliver high-energy and high-power performance for an advanced drone.

The facility will manufacture SiCore silicon anode cells to Amprius’s specifications, supporting current and next-generation battery platforms. These high-performance lithium-ion cells are optimized for high-demand applications in aerospace, defense and electric mobility.

The addition of this manufacturing partner builds upon Amprius’s existing 1.8 GWh of contracted production capacity, enabling the company to deliver at volume. The expansion also allows Amprius to streamline logistics and accelerate delivery timelines to customers.

“This partnership reflects the next step in Amprius’s capital-light production scaling strategy,” said Dr. Kang Sun, CEO of Amprius Technologies. “By expanding our manufacturing footprint into new regions, we are strengthening our supply chain and positioning ourselves to serve global customers with greater speed and efficiency.”

Source: Amprius Technologies

Seattle ICE protesters didn’t touch the Cybertruck for their own safety (video)

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A Tesla Cybertruck was stuck in a traffic jam as anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protesters blocked a road in Seattle on Saturday, June 14th.

Somehow, the Cybertruck was placed at the very front of the other cars as protesters swarmed the street. The front light bar of the Tesla pickup truck was lit, and the driver was observing the protesters as they neared the vehicle.

Surrounded by several protesters closing in on the Cybertruck to vandalize it, someone wiser in the crowd suddenly asked everyone to pull back and put a pause on their intentions.

The warning came as one of the protesters realized that this vehicle is not a common car. Realizing that the Cybertruck has multiple cameras around the vehicle that can record vandalism, the protester held their movement and refrained from harming the vehicle.

“Don’t touch, Don’t touch, Don’t touch it, it has cameras,” a protester screamed. Tesla’s Sentry Mode is an intelligent system that starts recording and saving video clips as someone comes too close to the vehicle (even when the vehicle is parked and Sentry Mode is turned ON).

“Don’t touch the car, for your safety, don’t touch the car,” the unidentified protester made it loud and clear once again.

According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the Cybertruck EV pickup truck is made for the apocalypse era and is the best in self-defense. Last year, vandals were not able to break the glass of the Cybertruck in California.

Tesla Cybertruck is built so tough that it survived a bomb blast in Las Vegas at the Trump Hotel earlier this year. The stainless steel body of the Cybertruck is also bulletproof to an extent.

In such situations, the Cybertruck is the safest vehicle to travel in. Let us know your opinion in the comments section below.

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Featured image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

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

Tesla invites Robotaxi Early Access riders, service begins on 22nd June

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Tesla (TSLA) has finally confirmed the Robotaxi service launch date, which is 22nd June. The automaker started sending event invite emails to selected Early Access riders.

These Early Access riders are almost from the same group of original Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta testers. Since these beta testers already have experience using FSD and are comfortable with the system, it’s better to have them try the new Unsupervised Robotaxi service before the public.

Although Elon Musk has been critical of geofenced autonomous cars and robotaxi services in the past, Tesla is beginning its Robotaxi service in a geofenced area in Austin, Texas. The reason is safety.

“We are being super paranoid about safety,” Elon Musk stated in his previous Robotaxi schedule update.


Here’s Tesla’s official Robotaxi service invite email in full text:

The Future is Now! You’re invited to Early Access of Tesla’s Robotaxi service in Austin, TX!

As an Early Access rider, you can be among the first to use our new Robotaxi App and experience an autonomous ride within our geofenced area in Austin. Through this exclusive preview, you’ll have the opportunity to provide valuable feedback on our Robotaxi service.

While the Early Access phase is invitation-only, you are permitted to bring up to one additional guest, so long as they are 18+ and you remain present with them for the duration of the ride. A Tesla Safety Monitor sitting in the front right passenger seat will accompany you on your trip.

Tesla laid down the following SOPs and terms of use of the Robotaxi service for the Early Access riders and their accompanying guests:

The Vehicle

  • Riders are prohibited from sitting in the front-left seat (i.e., a driver’s customary seating position) but may sit in another available seat.
  • The number of passengers may not exceed two.
  • Please do not tamper with, modify, damage, or physically manipulate any equipment or component installed in or on the Robotaxi, or otherwise do anything that could interfere with, disrupt, negatively affect, or inhibit the Robotaxi’s proper operation. This includes attempting to take control of the vehicle via the steering wheel and/or attempting to activate other driving controls.

This email also reveals that Tesla will be launching a totally new app for its Robotaxi service. This app will be separate from the Tesla mobile app that owners use for connecting to their cars and performing various actions like pre-heating and cooling remotely.

As the Tesla Robotaxi service spreads to other parts of Austin and later on launches in California, the Robotaxi app would become the Uber of the future. However, the difference will be huge as Tesla’s ride-hailing service will be autonomous.

According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, by 2030, the Tesla Robotaxi service can add a 10X value to the company.

Elon Musk’s vision of an autonomous future and the growth of Tesla’s Robotaxi service depend significantly on the success of the Robotaxi service launch event on June 22nd. So, stay tuned as we provide you with exciting and interesting updates on the Tesla Robotaxi service launch.

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Featured image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

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

Tesla’s Robotaxi Delay: Why It Might Actually Be a Good Thing

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Tesla fans have been waiting a long time for Robotaxis to hit the road. Elon Musk has talked about it for years, promising a self-driving Tesla that could pick up passengers with no one behind the wheel. It sounds like the future, right?

If you were expecting Robotaxis to launch in Austin, Texas, this summer, there’s been a change of plans.

Texas lawmakers recently asked Tesla to pause the launch until September. This might sound like a setback, but it could actually be a smart move for both Tesla and everyday drivers.

What Happened?

Tesla had planned to roll out its Robotaxi program in Austin on June 22. It wasn’t going to be a full “no driver” experience, but it was still a big step forward for the company.

Then a group of lawmakers from Austin sent a letter to Tesla. They asked the company to delay the launch until a new law goes into effect on September 1. The law will bring in some basic rules for autonomous vehicles, like following federal safety guidelines and using a clear system to define self-driving features.

The lawmakers didn’t ban the launch. They simply made a strong request to hold off until the new rules are active.

Why the Delay Might Be a Good Thing

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software still has a few issues. Drivers have shared stories about the car making strange or even dangerous moves. One person said the car tried to turn the wrong way out of a driveway.

Waiting until September could help Tesla:

  • Fix any bugs or performance problems
  • Show regulators that safety is a top priority
  • Build more trust with the public before the big rollout

It also gives Tesla a reason to delay without saying they aren’t ready. Elon Musk has made a lot of big promises about self-driving technology, and not all of them have been delivered on time.

What About Other Companies?

Waymo, a company owned by Google’s parent company, already has real Robotaxis on the road in places like Phoenix and San Francisco. They’ve been testing for years with no safety driver on board.

Tesla is trying to catch up quickly, but some people feel the company may be rushing before the tech is fully ready.

What This Means for You

If you already drive a Tesla or are thinking about getting one, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Tesla’s Robotaxis will take more time to become a reality
  • Rules and safety checks are on the way, especially in places like Texas
  • If you use Full Self-Driving, always stay alert and be ready to take control

Most importantly, be careful about believing the hype. The idea of self-driving cars is exciting, but the technology still needs time to grow and improve.

Robotaxis are coming, just not as soon as some people hoped. This delay in Austin is not a failure. It is a chance to make sure everything is working safely before passengers get in.

And when it comes to safety, waiting a few extra months is worth it.

Source: Electrek

Electric Era installs 200-kW battery-backed EV chargers in just 54 days

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Electric Era installs 200-kW battery-backed EV chargers in just 54 days
Electric Era installs 200-kW battery-backed EV chargers in just 54 days

Seattle-based Electric Era, a provider of battery-integrated electric vehicle charging solutions, has completed a rapid 54-day installation of six premium charging stalls at a Costco Wholesale warehouse in Northport, Florida. Each stall offers 200 kW capacity, capable of achieving an 80% state of charge within 20 to 60 minutes on average. The installation began with a contract agreement on April 7, 2025, permit submission by April 18, equipment arriving at the site in mid-May, and final completion—including construction, testing and inspection—by May 30, 2025.

Electric Era reports its expedited deployment timeline was possible due to its patented battery-backed architecture, which reduces peak grid input power requirements and installation complexity. According to the company, this technology reduces grid power consumption by up to 70%. Additionally, Electric Era manages engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and deployment processes internally, further contributing to shorter installation timelines.

The installed solution in Northport features three charger units, each equipped with one CCS and one NACS cable. Electric Era’s system includes a proprietary operating system designed to integrate directly into retailers’ existing IT infrastructures, including point-of-sale, loyalty, and CRM systems. Chargers are fitted with customizable 32-inch touchscreen displays allowing retailers to extend branding, promotions, loyalty programs, and personalized customer experiences directly to EV drivers outside the store.

“Our retail customers don’t want their lots torn up for years, they want fast, reliable EV charging systems to help them grow their business and boost their bottom line,” said Quincy Lee, CEO at Electric Era. “Because we manage the process from start to finish in-house, we’re able deliver a significantly more efficient process across the board and complete deployments at a fraction of the time it takes other EV charger manufacturers.”

Electric Era also stated that the speed of its installations helps retailers leverage federal and state EV infrastructure grants by eliminating the need for utility upgrades and simplifying project design, execution, and approval processes.

The company says its EV charging solutions currently achieve 98.5% per-port uptime and greater than 90% session reliability. Electric Era further provides automatic fault detection with remote over-the-air updates, significantly reducing operational disruptions, and maintains a 96% positive driver rating on PlugShare, meeting qualification criteria for the Tesla Third Party Charging program.

Source: Electric Era

HAINZL teams with Briggs & Stratton to provide electric drives for mobile machinery

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HAINZL teams with Briggs & Stratton to provide electric drives for mobile machinery
HAINZL teams with Briggs & Stratton to provide electric drives for mobile machinery

Austria-based HAINZL Motion & Drives has partnered with Vanguard, the commercial applications brand of engine maker Briggs & Stratton, to provide tailor-made electric drive solutions for mobile machinery.

The partnership brings together Vanguard’s industrial-grade battery systems and the electric and electrohydraulic concepts of HAINZL Motion & Drives.

At customer M.A.H-Holzinger, the companies replaced an outdated diesel-hydraulic system with a fully electric solution featuring permanently installed Vanguard 48 V, 5 kWh batteries as part of an initial joint project. This has resulted in lower noise and higher efficiency.

TECHNOTRADE, HAINZL’s subsidiary in the Czech Republic, brings additional synergies to the partnership. TECHNOTRADE is already a technology partner of Vanguard and brings experience in the implementation of electrified systems.

Source: HAINZL Motion & Drives

Turntide expands range of Gen 6 inverters, adds new partner

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Turntide expands range of Gen 6 inverters, adds new partner
Turntide expands range of Gen 6 inverters, adds new partner

Electric motor supplier Turntide Technologies has expanded its Gen 6 Inverter range, which offers high performance and flexibility in a compact form factor. The company has also added EVR Motors as a Turntide Turnkey Solutions partner in order to offer integrated, end-to-end systems for OEMs.

Turntide Gen 6 inverters deliver high power density and high-voltage performance ranging from 48 V, 450 A up to 80 V, 700 A. The power and form factor allow a motor to operate efficiently across a wide range of voltages and currents, minimizing energy loss, optimizing vehicle and machine performance and extending battery range. Applications include two- and three-wheel vehicles, material handling equipment and any low-voltage electrification needs.

EVR’s TS-RFPM motor technology enables compact and light motors that can be tailored to user requirements. EVR’s lineup of motors, from 6 kW to 150 kW, complements Turntide’s next-generation inverters.

Multiple customers are using or evaluating the combined solutions from Turntide and EVR Motors, including OEMs in Japan and North America.

For instance, RISE Robotics has developed its Beltdraulic System for industrial and off-highway applications. The system combines EVR’s compact, high-efficiency 160 mm radial flux motor with Turntide’s Gen 6, Size 4 48 V inverter—offering a scalable electric alternative to traditional hydraulics. By leveraging the compact motor’s high torque density, RISE has eliminated the need for a gearbox, reducing weight and system cost.

US-based electric dirt bike manufacturer DUST Moto has integrated Turntide’s Gen 6 80 V inverter with EVR’s 185 mm air-cooled motor to enable its DUST Moto bikes to reach up to 30 kW of peak power, delivering high speed and torque in demanding off-road environments.

“In today’s competitive market, OEMs can’t afford delays. The faster they can launch, the faster they can lead,” said Ryan Grodzki, VP, Strategic Partnerships, Turntide. “We are enabling OEMs to seamlessly complete electrification systems to bring efficient products to market more quickly.”

Source: Turntide Technologies

California awards $500 million in funding for 1,000 electric school buses

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California awards 0 million in funding for 1,000 electric school buses
California awards 0 million in funding for 1,000 electric school buses

The State of California has awarded $500 million for educational agencies to buy electric school buses and chargers.

The Zero-Emissions School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) project has selected 133 educational agencies to receive 1,000 school buses and related charging infrastructure. The grants are expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

The incentive program is a collaboration between the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Energy Commission (CEC). It is administered by nonprofit transportation organization CALSTART.

In California, all school bus purchases made by school districts will need to use zero-emission technology by 2035. Frontier local educational agencies in rural communities have an extension until 2045.

California has provided more than $1.3 billion in incentives to school districts to date, funding more than 2,300 school buses, of which 1,100 are already in use. More than 300 California school districts and local education agencies have purchased at least one zero-emission school bus, and a few have made the switch to a 100% clean fleet.

Awardees receive up to $375,000 to replace internal combustion engine (ICE) school buses, in addition to awards up to $95,000 per school bus to purchase and install associated charging infrastructure. Awardees are required to scrap an old internal combustion engine school bus for every new school bus purchased.

Priority for the funding was given to small or rural school districts, as well as local educational agencies that have a large proportion of students who receive free or reduced-price meals, are in foster care, or are English-language learners. Local educational agencies located in low-income or disadvantaged communities received secondary priority.

“California has set important benchmarks for removing internal combustion vehicles from our roads and replacing them with clean transportation,” said CEC Chair David Hochschild. “CEC is helping school districts move in that direction by funding ZESBI.”

Source: California Air Resources Board