We’re only 2 months into 2025 and there’s already plenty of EV news to go around! With old classic cars being converted into electric - combining retro and the future - plus global EV stats jumping by 18% in January, as usual, there are heaps of positive and exciting advances ongoing in the EV landscape.
Make sure you keep scrolling and discover how battery assessment technology is changing the second-hand EV market for the better!
Let’s get plugged in…
Guess what? The iconic 1970s Renault 5 GTL just got a glow-up, and it’s electric—literally! This isn’t just a restoration; it’s a restomod, where retro style shakes hands with futuristic tech. Oh, and it’s got a digital dashboard that’s so vintage-cool, it’ll make your inner ‘70s kid swoon.
A dream team of experts made it happen. Incari worked their magic on the snazzy digital dash, the 2CV Méhari Club Cassis kept the vintage vibes alive, and L2Concept added some flair. Together, they’ve created a car that’s equal parts nostalgia and next-gen innovation.
The star of the show? The dashboard. Out goes the old-school analog speedometer, and in comes a customizable digital display. Tap the screen, and you can switch between a classic ‘70s look and a modern interface. It’s like having a time machine on your dashboard!
But this wasn’t just a quick fix. Swapping a petrol engine for an electric motor, upgrading the brakes, and giving the interior a sporty makeover took serious skill. The result? A head-turning EV that’s as fun to drive as it is to show off.
As Celso Albuquerque from Incari Labs said, “We’ve kept the Renault 5’s soul but added tech its original creators could only dream of. It’s the perfect blend of old and new.”
This restomod is proof that classic cars can have a bright (and green) future. So, if you’ve ever wanted to cruise in a retro ride with zero emissions, the Renault 5 restomod is here to make your eco-friendly dreams come true.
Hold onto your charging cables, folks—science just dropped a huge breakthrough! Researchers in South Korea have developed the world’s first car-compatible magnesium battery, and it could be a total game-changer for the automotive industry. Say hello to a future where electric vehicles (EVs) go farther, cost less, and might even spell the end for hydrogen fuel cells. Let’s dive into why this is such a big deal.
More Energy, Less Space: Magnesium stores nearly twice as much energy as lithium, meaning EVs can go farther without bigger batteries.
Abundant & Affordable: Magnesium is everywhere (it’s the eighth most common element!), making it cheaper and more sustainable than lithium or cobalt.
Safer & Longer-Lasting: A special protective film lets these batteries last over 990 charge cycles—perfect for long-term use.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, scientists have also created a magnesium-air battery that could power EVs for up to 800 kilometers per charge. That’s like driving from London to Edinburgh without stopping to recharge!
Here’s how it works: the battery uses magnesium and oxygen from the air to create energy. When magnesium reacts with oxygen, it releases a ton of power, making it a super-efficient alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
Hydrogen fuel cells have been touted as the future of clean energy, but they come with big challenges—expensive infrastructure, tricky storage, and safety concerns. Magnesium batteries, on the other hand, are simpler, cheaper, and safer to produce.
Experts think this breakthrough could make hydrogen fuel cells obsolete in the automotive world. After all, why deal with flammable hydrogen when you can use abundant, stable magnesium?
Sustainability: Magnesium is plentiful and doesn’t rely on rare materials like cobalt. Plus, the batteries use non-corrosive electrolytes, making them greener to produce and dispose of.
Cost-Effectiveness: Cheaper materials and simpler production could mean more affordable EVs for everyone. Imagine a world where electric cars are as common as smartphones!
Better Performance: Longer ranges, faster charging, and longer lifespans mean happier drivers and fewer charging headaches.
Global electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) sales saw a solid 18% boost in January compared to last year! The biggest growth was in Europe and the United States, which outpaced China for the first time since last February, according to research from Rho Motion.
Europe got off to a strong start, boosted by new CO2 emission rules in the European Union, while China experienced a dip in sales due to the Chinese New Year holidays, which led to a 43% month-on-month sales drop.
Governments around the world are pushing different policies to help EVs gain traction, but at the same time, trade tensions and slowing car markets are raising concerns about factory closures and job losses. In January, China extended its car trade-in subsidies through 2025 as part of a new consumer trade-in plan, hoping to prevent a slowdown in EV sales and boost its economy. Meanwhile, Europe kicked off consultations on new CO2 targets with the auto industry, unions, and interest groups.
Globally, fully electric and plug-in hybrid sales have climbed 17.7% year-on-year, reaching 1.3 million vehicles in January.
China saw sales grow by 11.8%, with 0.7 million vehicles sold.
Europe reported 0.25 million vehicles sold, a 21% jump from January 2024. However, France saw a 52% drop due to a new weight tax on PHEVs, while Germany had a 40%+ boost, partly because January 2024 had seen a sharp drop after EV subsidies ended.
In the US and Canada, EV sales rose 22.1%, hitting 0.13 million vehicles.
The rest of the world had a massive 50% increase in sales.
Overall, despite a slowdown in China due to seasonal factors, January showed strong growth for electric vehicles, especially in Europe and North America!
Ford is revolutionising electric vehicle (EV) charging with a cutting-edge multi-port system designed to slash charging times and enhance efficiency. Unlike traditional dual-port setups, Ford’s innovative approach enables simultaneous charging of different battery sections, maximising speed and convenience.
Simultaneous Charging: A partitioning system divides the battery into distinct sections, allowing each to charge separately but in sync.
Faster Charging Times: With twin charging ports, EV charging durations could be reduced significantly, meaning vehicles will be at charging locations for less time.
Unique Design: Unlike General Motors’ layered battery approach, Ford’s system actively splits power between battery halves for optimal performance.
Infrastructure Requirements: Widespread adoption will require more advanced charging stations.
Compatibility Issues: Initially, this system may only work efficiently in Ford vehicles, so an adapter would be required
Higher Costs for Initial Production: Cutting-edge technology often comes at a premium before becoming mainstream. Although Ford hasn’t released information about the cost of dual-charging, there will likely be an increase.
Shorter Charging Times: Analysts predict that innovations like this could reduce EV charging times by up to 40% over the next decade.
Acceleration of EV Adoption: Faster charging may encourage more consumers to transition to electric vehicles.
If Ford successfully implements this technology, it could redefine EV charging, pushing the industry towards a faster, more efficient future.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are cleaner to drive, but their production still leaves a big question mark in terms of their carbon footprint. One major culprit? Solvents used in manufacturing. The good news? Recycling these solvents can cut emissions by over three times—and one company in Thailand is leading the charge.
Solvents are essential for cleaning car parts, blending coatings, and even making lithium-ion batteries. But here’s the catch: if solvents are incinerated after use, they emit three times more carbon than if they’re recycled.
Enter Sun-up Recycling, a Thai company with a game-changing solution. Using advanced distillation technology, they purify used solvents to 99% purity, recovering 80-95% of the material. This process slashes carbon emissions by a whopping 77% compared to incineration.
Recycling solvents isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for business.
Cost Savings: Recycled solvents perform just as well as new ones but cost 30-40% less.
Policy Support: Thailand’s BCG (Bio, Circular, Green) economy policy encourages sustainable practices like solvent recycling.
Carbon Credits: Sun-up Recycling is working to certify its carbon reductions and trade carbon credits, helping other companies offset their emissions.
With industries like automotive and electronics under pressure to reduce emissions, solvent recycling is becoming a hot topic. Sun-up Recycling forecasts 10% revenue growth this year and plans to expand into Southeast Asian markets like Vietnam and the Philippines.
This isn’t just about cleaning up EV production—it’s about creating a circular economy where waste becomes a resource. And that’s a win for everyone.
One of the largest misconceptions surrounding EVs is their overall safety - the main concern often being EV battery fires. Well, look no further, EVs are about to become safer than ever before!
The manufacturer, Renault, have recently shared new EV fire prevention technology! The company has created a ‘Fireman Access’ system, developed alongside fire services, which can detect and prevent battery fires within minutes. It involves an adhesive disc placed over the opening of the EV’s battery casing, sealing it for everyday use. But, if a fire spreads to the battery, the disc is dislodged by a jet of water from a fire hose, drenching the battery cells and stopping the fire before it spreads further.
Renault has offered this patented technology to all EV manufacturers around the globe with the intention of universalising this life-saving, safety technology! The Fireman Access system is now installed in all Renault Group's electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (under its Dacia, Alpine and Mobilise brands).
This is not Renault’s first foray into road safety: their ‘Human First’ program was created with the aim of improving multiple safety-associated features, such as advanced driver-assistance systems, signifying their commitment to ensuring the safety of all drivers, passengers and those on the road.
Luca de Meo, CEO at Renault Group, demonstrated Renault’s dedication when it comes to the safety of EVs:
“Innovating to improve road safety is part of who we are at Renault. We're particularly proud of the partnership developed with the fire services in recent years. Fireman Access is a practical demonstration of what can be achieved by combining our expertise as a manufacturer with the skills of the men and women who keep us safe every day. Today, I'm delighted to be making this innovation freely available, because when it comes to a subject like safety, we need to break down all the barriers.”
A UK based company, named Generational, has been developing technology which can provide insights into your EV battery health - analysing your battery’s condition in comparison to when it was new.
This battery assessment tool is an exciting development; currently, under 40% of UK car dealerships list second-hand EVs, but with this tool, they will be able to seek out EVs with healthier batteries!
It’s not only very informative but it’s also an incredibly intuitive tool! The dealer simply has to plug a small diagnostic device into the EV’s OBD port and it will generate a report on range and degradation for the EV’s battery. On top of all this, the product only currently costs £30, so dealers have easy access to battery analysis!
The report provides:
A grading of the EV battery’s health, relative to the vehicle’s battery condition when new.
An estimate of the battery’s future degradation (based on past performance).
Predictions regarding the range of the EV battery in certain real-life scenarios.
The impact the current wheels are having on the range of the EV.
This technology will eliminate the concerns of used-EV buyers, resulting in customer trust and boosting second-hand EV sales - the dealers that are already using the Generational rating, have seen an amazing 300% increase in EV listing views.
Oliver Phillpott, CEO of Generational, stated:
“Dealers and buyers need simple, transparent battery information to make informed decisions, and that’s what we provide.”
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