Learn about the eMobility news from the previous two weeks.

SEO specialist with a writing background. Currently uncovering industry's nuances and sharing them via the eMobility News.

Małgorzata Komorowska

California first in the world to ban diesel for medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicles

The California Air Resources Board has unanimously approved a regulation to accelerate their Advanced Clean Trucks initiative. By 2036, CARB hopes all diesel trucks will be phased out and by as early as 2035 more than half of semi-trucks on Californian roads are estimated to run off zero-emission alternatives, with 70% expected for every journey come 2042. The ambitious plan ultimately aims for 100% conversion by 2025 – representing a dramatic shift towards sustainability in just five years’ time! 

Tesla starts construction on a new lithium refinery

Tesla has set their sights on a revolutionary lithium refinery in Corpus Christie, Texas. It’s the one that's expected to provide the crucial battery-grade resources necessary for producing up to 1 million electric vehicles every year. With groundbreaking already underway, this endeavor could be an exciting new cornerstone of innovation towards achieving cleaner transportation solutions worldwide. 

By 2026, Skoda intends to launch an ambitious new lineup of electric vehicles, ranging from small cars to their biggest 7-seat SUV yet. The Prague car manufacturer is investing €5.6 billion over the next five years in order to make this plan a reality. One particular model being priced at only €25,000 and measuring 4.1 meters long – making it perfect for city driving. 

Toyota fully electrifying their auto fleet

John Podesta, a senior advisor in the White House, is hailing Toyota Motor Corporation's monumental commitment to electric cars as a major victory for environmentalists. In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Mr. Podesta noted that he had met with key company representatives and secured a sudden boost of investment from $1.29 billion to $3.8 billion by the automotive behemoth into building battery factories across North Carolina – spurring applause from investors who have been unyielding in their criticism againstToyota’s late adoption of electrification relative to Tesla or other manufacturers. 

On Tuesday, GM and Samsung SDI made a groundbreaking announcement about their plan to establish an innovative joint venture for the production of electric vehicle batteries. The two giant companies announced that they will invest over $3 billion in this new facility which is going to create "high-performing nickel-rich prismatic and cylindrical batteries". Unlike other EV battery cells currently on market, these revolutionary form factors are expected bring notable changes both functionally and visually when compared with Ultium Cells LLC's pouch cell models. 

Learn about EV batteries and see their impact the eMobility environment.

Being an eMobility leader in various projects across multiple startups, Piotr was responsible for OCPI and OCPP integration as well as EMP and CPO platforms development. With extensive expertise in the open standards field and eMobility tech solutions, he is leading teams of experienced developers and contributing with invaluable knowledge and experience.

Piotr Majcher

Electric vehicle (EV) batteries are a major component of the transportation revolution, providing power to electric cars and other vehicles to run efficiently. Their development has evolved over time. They have quickly become an integral part of the automotive industry and their future looks brighter than ever. In this blog post we'll:

discover different types of battery technology,

discuss the environmental benefits that electric vehicles offer,

examine ways manufacturers are recycled by manufacturers.

After reading this post you will be more informed about EV batteries so that you can make educated decisions when it comes to investing in an electric vehicle.

Powering an electric vehicle requires more than meets the eye. 

Underneath its hood lies a carefully designed battery pack that stores energy in the form of electrochemical cells, each composed of two half-cells known as electrodes

. When these opposite ends connect and electrons move from negative to positive side, electricity flows through – effectively giving life to EV motors with clean energy for motion.

Recharging an EV battery is like restarting a race car that's stalled at the starting line. By plugging in your electric vehicle, you initiate engaging electron flow through its cells, as if turning on a switch „

What are the types of batteries used in electric vehicles?

The different battery types vary by ion types, electrode materials and the associated electrolytes:

They are ideal for powering electric cars since they have a very high energy density and maintain their charge for a longer period of time. The battery's weight to storage capacity ratio is referred to as its energy density. A lithium-ion battery provides 10 times the density of a lead-acid battery, in comparison. High voltage is produced by lithium-ion batteries, which are also simple to recharge and incredibly durable. Often lasting longer than the automobile itself.

Nickel metal hybride batteries (since 1980)

You can know nickel metal hybride batteries as those, which can get maximum performance out of minimal space. With the absence of any toxic metals, recyclability is made a breeze. The positive electrode in these batteries features nickel oxide-hydroxide as its active material and the negative side utilizes hydrogen-absorbing. High energy density and non-toxic metals allow those types of batteries to deliver an exceptionally long lifespan suitable for hybrid & plug-in vehicles.

The oldest type of batteries, also known as the cell batteries. Lead-acid batteries are the workhorse of gasoline and electric vehicles, helping to crank over engines while also providing power for modern EVs like infotainment systems or driver assist technology.

Why has the EV world switched into lithium-ion batteries?

Lithium-ion technology has become ubiquitous across a range of products due to its impressive storage capacity - from smartphones and laptops, through to emissions-free electric cars. This remarkable charging power is just one reason why lithium-ion batteries have experienced such widespread success. There's a reason lithium is the element of choice for batteries - it offers exceptional storage potential with its high voltage capabilities and efficient density, allowing us to pack even more energy into each battery. Lithium-ion batteries offer a density of around 300 to 500 Wh/kg, 10x more than a lead-acid battery.

As Olivier Le Moal said in the article for Renault Group 

„lithium-ion technology today represents the best compromise between capacity, volume and mass in the electric mobility sector”

How are EV batteries recycled by manufacturers?

Recycling batteries is no simple task. The complexity of the process involved means that only a handful of companies worldwide are capable enough to do so. Companies like Redwood Materials, Li-Cycle, and Cirba Solutions have developed innovative methods to recapture 95% of the raw materials, such as cobalt, nickel and lithium after rendering them inert first in order to prevent any hazardous incidents or fires. These recovered elements are then refined before being sold back into the market for use again in new battery production cycles.

Ford has made a commitment to battery recycling with the Redwood Materials. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz is taking sustainability efforts one step further by building its own dedicated plant in Germany. In keeping with this trend Tesla stands out at the forefront by claiming it can recover almost all materials used to make batteries for reuse and repurposing, an impressive 92%!

Rising prices of lithium and its impact to the production of lithium-ion batteries

Affordable electric vehicles depend on access to an essential resource: lithium. This material is produced from two main sources: extraction from brine and rock mining. Leader countries in lithium production are Chile, Argentina and Australia. By 2040, the demand for lithium is expected to have increased more than 40 times, mostly due to the transition to electric cars. The world is not short of lithium, data from 2018 from Mineral Commodity Summaries U.S. shows that reserves are equivalent to 370 years of current production.


The debate is around its cost. Lithium has been rightly referred to as 

 due to its increasing importance within these rapidly growing industries over recent years. Data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI) shows that between January 2021 and January 2022, the cost of the lithium-rich raw material spodumene increased by 478.3%. But this year, due to business analyst, prices won’t be drastically rising. But Rystad Energy, meanwhile, told the Financial Times that 

„within the automotive industry, there is some consensus that the rapid growth observed in 2021 and 2022 may not be seen this year”

Electric vehicle batteries are a vital component of the transportation revolution, providing power for electric cars and other vehicles with much lower carbon emissions than gasoline or diesel-powered counterparts. As manufacturers continue to experiment with new technologies and ways to maximize battery performance, it's reasonable to assume that even more strides will be made in sustainability. All in all, with the current trends and advances in technology, EV batteries may prove to be just what we need to reduce our energy consumption and help steer us towards a greener future.

We hope this article helped point you in the right direction! If you'd like to further your knowledge on EVs, check the article about 

All about the EV batteries

Standardize your energy knowledge with our glossary!

Experienced content writer with over 6 years of experience in the energy sector and many industry-related publications released.

Gabriela Stawiarska

As we’re now adding energy topics to our usual publications’ agenda, it might be a good moment to take a quick step back and break down some of the most recurring terms. Much like with the already well-known eMobility, the energy industry holds quite a word stock to itself. While some of them can be considered general knowledge, others not only cause some confusion, but are purely unknown to many people.


As the intricate industry befits, the nomenclature can seem impenetrable at first, but once the general grasp is held, there should be no more confusion.

This is a type of current that reverses its direction periodically. Generally, AC power is the most commonly used form of electricity based on the available voltage from the electrical grid. Being the fundamental form of electricity, AC current is what’s used to get devices like kitchen appliances, TVs, fans and lamps running in homes and businesses.

DC is a type of current that flows in one single direction. As its name suggests, it does not change direction like AC. DC can flow freely through various mediums like wires, conductors and semiconductors. It is mainly used by various electrical devices such as computers and batteries, but also for some of the railways or electrochemical processes.

DNOs are companies that own and operate networks for electricity transmission and distribution. They work as the link between generation sources, such as power plants or renewable energy sources, and consumers.

It refers to a level of electrical potential that exceeds the usual safety threshold and necessitates extra precautionary measures when using related equipment or conductors. Put simply, high voltage is power strong enough to cause injuries or damages like fire hazard.

This is the flow of electrons through a conductor. It expresses the rate at which electric energy is transferred, and it's measured in amperes (A).

Energy conversion is the process of converting one form of energy into another. For example, electricity is a type of energy that can be converted from other forms, such as coal or wind. This conversion process usually involves an energy source being transmitted through a generator and then transformed into usable electricity.

This is the minimum amount of energy required to be generated by a power plant at any given time. Generally, it corresponds to the constant demand for electricity and is usually provided by large plants such as coal or nuclear power plants.

This refers to the energy obtained from sources that are not depleted when used. Examples of renewable energy include solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal power.

This is a process that involves adjusting energy consumption to reduce peak electrical load. It includes techniques such as using more efficient appliances, scheduling the use of large appliances during off-peak hours, and curtailing nonessential uses of electricity during peak periods.

Micro-generation is a term used for small-scale electricity generation, typically in residential settings. It involves generating electricity using renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaics, wind turbines or micro-hydro systems. This type of energy production can drastically reduce the demand on traditional power grids and help households become self-sufficient when it comes to their energy needs.

Peak demand refers to the time of day when electricity usage is at its highest. This usually occurs during weekday afternoons and evenings due to increased residential, commercial and industrial loads. Managing peak demand can be a challenge for grid operators as they need to balance supply and demand in order to keep the system stable. To cope with these periods of high demand, electricity companies often encourage people to shift their energy habits to lower peak times and use energy more efficiently.

An amp is a unit of electrical current that measures the amount of electricity flowing through an electric circuit. It’s abbreviated as ‘A’ and it can be used to measure the power supplied by a battery or generator

A watt is a unit of power that measures the rate at which electrical energy is used or generated. Watt is an equivalent to one joule per second.

An energy meter, also called a watt-hour meter or kilowatt-hour meter, is an instrument used to measure the amount of electrical energy consumed by a specific appliance or device. It measures the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) that have been consumed and can be used to calculate electricity bills.

It is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. Many people mistakenly believe that electric power is exchanged in the market - however, it's actually energy which exchanges hands. This makes sense when you consider electricity as a product of its two components: power and time. When we buy electricity from suppliers, this comes to us measured according to kilowatt-hours

Automatic meter read (AMR) is an advanced technology that automatically reads and transmits electric meter readings without any manual intervention. It eliminates the need for a technician to physically visit each customer’s premises in order to collect data.

Net metering is a billing system used by utilities that allows customers with micro-generation systems to be compensated for any excess electricity they generate. The system works by measuring the difference between the energy that a customer generates and the energy they consume. The amount of electricity generated is credited to the customer’s account, allowing them to offset their electricity costs and possibly even make a profit from their micro-generation system.

A circuit is an electrical system that enables electricity to flow from one place to another. It consists of a number of components such as wires, resistors and capacitors. The purpose of using a circuit is to control the current by creating pathways for it to follow.

A circuit breaker is a device that is used to automatically shut off the flow of electricity when there is an overload or short circuit. It helps prevent damage to electrical systems by quickly disconnecting the current when an unusually high amount of electricity passes through it.

A power inverter is an electronic device that converts direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC). This is done by changing the voltage and frequency of the DC signal so that it can be used in AC-powered devices such as lights, fans, and other equipment. Power inverters are often used to provide backup energy during power outages or to supply electricity in remote areas.

An electrical conductor is an object that allows electricity to flow through it. Conductors are usually made of metal and can be used to connect two points in a circuit so that the current can move from one point to the other. Common conductors include copper wires, aluminum foil, and certain types of plastics.

A fuse is a device that contains a piece of metal, called a fuse wire, which is designed to melt when too much current passes through it. This helps to protect the circuit from being overloaded and prevents damage due to high voltages. Fuses are commonly found in electrical appliances.

Crucial points on the distribution map that transform voltage from high to low (or vice versa) and enable the transfer of energy between transmission systems and the distribution networks which then can bring it into homes.

(the nomenclature may change depending on the region) overhead electrical line that delivers power from the pole to any building or residence. This is the final stretch before electricity ‘enters’ the building.

They bridge the gap between large energy networks and individual households. Acting as integral nodes in the electric power grid, these devices are vital for providing electricity to homes and businesses by taking high voltage input from distribution lines and transforming it into a lower output that is safe for everyday use.

A backbone for electricity distribution, linking power from sub-stations to end user locations

A power line is an electrical cable or wire used to transmit electric energy from one place to another. It typically consists of multiple cables bundled together and covered in an insulating material. Power lines are used for a variety of applications, including powering homes, business and industrial sites.

is a measure that reflects the output of an electricity generator, such as a power plant. It is expressed in kilowatts (kW) or megawatts (MW). DNC is determined by the amount of energy available from generation sources at any given time, taking into consideration constraints imposed by technology and economics. Factors such as fuel costs, maintenance schedules

It’s the daily fixed fee paid to an energy supplier, usually by large-scale businesses, for maintaining their electricity supply. The standing charge is applied regardless of the amount of electricity used in any given period and can be an important factor when customers are deciding which electricity tariff is best for them.

It is a unique reference code given to each customer by their energy supplier. It is used by suppliers to identify customers and track usage and billing information. Supply numbers are typically five or six digits long, and can be found on all bills and statements sent out by the supplier.

The rate of payment for a given supply of electricity and/or gas. Tariffs can vary between different suppliers, as well as different types of customers (e.g., domestic, business). The most common tariffs are fixed-term contracts, variable tariffs, and discounted tariffs.

These are power plants designed to produce electrical energy mainly during peak periods when there’s an increased demand for electricity. They are used to supplement the base load that is provided by large power plants.

The Energy Glossary - terms you need to know

Standardize your e-mobility knowledge with our dedicated glossary!

Knowing the industry complexity, at Solidstudio, we thought it would be a good idea to launch a series of blog entries on e-mobility fundamentals. The articles are to shed light on some of the topics that may not necessarily be clear to everyone.

Those who spent some time operating within the electro-mobility field already know how multi-dimensional this industry is. It connects many branches from various specializations including both hardware and software. Such interdisciplinarity leads to a very sophisticated and rich vocabulary specific only to the e-mobility. As the trade press is filled with a whole plethora of terms and abbreviations, one must be well familiar with them in order to understand what it’s all about.

We’re going to break down some of the most frequently used phrases.

The related terms will be split into categories for easier navigation.

Internal combustion engine cars (ICE) are vehicles that run on gasoline, diesel or other fuels. This technology has been around for more than a century and is quite mature. These cars work by using the energy stored in the fuel to convert it into kinetic energy. This happens through explosions of various kinds - either precisely controlled or uncontrolled, which then turn the wheels and move the vehicle forward

BEV here stands for battery electric vehicle. They use electricity as their power source. An EV does not need to be plugged in and charged overnight as it can store enough electricity for a limited-length commute. These are relatively new for mass-usage but significantly grow in popularity.

A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses two or more power sources to move the car. The most common type of hybrid car is one that uses an electric motor and a gasoline-powered engine. Hybrid cars are more fuel efficient than regular cars and they produce fewer emissions. Some people choose to buy hybrid cars because they want to help the environment


A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a type of hybrid electric vehicle that uses rechargeable batteries, or a plugin, to store energy. PHEVs combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors, which can result in significant fuel economy improvements over traditional vehicles.

. An EVSE unit comprises two parts - a cord set with connector that plugs into your car on one end; either hardwired or pluggable on the other; and a charging station where you connect to an EV outlet. The charger communicates with the car to determine what current will be most efficient. Put simply, an EVSE here would be a charging station and its related protocols managing the charging sessions.


As much as this term is not strictly dedicated to e-mobility it occurs quite frequently in industry papers. OEM stands for:

. In the electromobility world, these are usually car parts manufacturers and those who construct charging hardware.


Fleet electrification is the process of using EV's within a fleet environment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Fleet owners are already utilizing EVs in their fleets, as they offer cost savings and other benefits that cannot be found with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE). There are four main steps to fleet electrification: EV selection, charging infrastructure, training and support.


Connected cars are capable of gathering all sorts of information. From principle information, such as the speed or location, through engine status and malfunctions all the way to details such as whether the door was locked. For the collection of data, the responsibility holds the vehicle’s electronic control module (ECM). ECM is an embedded system in automotive electronics that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a vehicle. It runs via multiple sensors and camera modules and consists of many subsystems which combined together make up what we know as a car's computer. You can learn more about connected cars 

Charging session is simply the time the car spent charging. All the way from the very first plug-in to the payment for finalized charging.

Charging point is nothing but a charging station. Put simply, it’s the hardware that allows EV to be charged. It can be deemed as a charging location.


Charging infrastructure: public vs private

Public EV charging networks are those available to any EV user that happens to be in need of charging a car. It can be:

Rest areas and parking lots along highways, state routes, interstates

Workplaces that allow employees to charge their EV while they work (provided by employers)

Community spaces such as parks or libraries. They usually have a few chargers on site, but they are not intended for EV owners to use

Whereas, private charging infrastructure is made available only to a specific group of individuals. Such scenarios include:

Charging stations for drivers of a specific company/organization/residential complex. They can also be privately owned and only available for residents of particular neighborhoods (e.g., condominiums)

Worth mentioning is also the differentiation between open and closed charging networks. You can learn about it 

EV charging levels are like gas stations for electric cars. There are three EV charging levels: slow, medium, and fast. Slow EV charging can take up to 20 hours, while medium EV charging can take up to 12 hours. Fast EV charging can take as little as 30 minutes. The different EV charging levels allow drivers to choose the best EV charging method for their needs. EV charging levels are important to know because they can help drivers plan out their trips. For example, if a driver knows that they will be driving in a slow EV charging area, they can plan to charge their car at the end of their trip. This will help them avoid running out of battery power while driving. EV charging levels can also help drivers know how much EV charging time they will need for a trip. EV drivers should always check the type of EV charger in their car and where it is located to ensure that they are able to charge at all EV chargers when driving across different locations.


Lithium-ion batteries are the most commonly used battery in electric vehicles, and for good reason. They offer a high energy density that can power a car with increasing speeds up to about 200 mph. Lithium ion batteries use a process known as intercalation where lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive one through an electrolyte. When you discharge them, these same charges come back around and vice versa for charging.

Range anxiety is the fear of running out of charge while driving an electric vehicle (EV), and it's one of the main reasons people are hesitant to switch to EVs. While range anxiety is a valid concern, it's becoming less and less of an issue as EV technology improves.

Bidirectional charging is a process that allows EVs to send power back to the grid. This can happen either through a bi-directional charger or by using vehicle-to-grid technology. Bidirectional charging is beneficial because it helps stabilize the grid and manage energy consumption more efficiently. Additionally, it can help EV drivers earn money from energy not used for driving.


An energy supplier is a company that supplies electric power to customers. The company may be an electricity generator, or it may purchase electric power from generators and sell it to consumers. Some energy suppliers also own and operate electric transmission and distribution systems. Energy suppliers are important players in the electric grid because they help ensure that there is enough electric power available.

The electric grid is a network of electric power lines and associated equipment that transmits electric power from suppliers to consumers. The grid includes generators, transmission lines, distribution systems, and loads. The electric grid helps ensure that there is enough electric power available to meet the needs of consumers.

EV Charging Management Software and Services


In short eMSP is a unit that provides charging services directly to EV drivers and manages the payments for charging sessions. It should be free to say that eMSPs are responsible for the end-user care. They deliver the possibility to locate a charging point, get it to run and finalize the transaction. It’s also up to them to establish the charging network monetization ( payment methods, adequate tariffs and real-time billing) and customer satisfaction, ensuring the best client experience. One can say that eMSP’s are responsible for ensuring that products of CPO’s are ready to be used by EV drivers.

To see more about EMSP’s and learn the difference between them and CPO’s, we highly recommend you to take a look at our other article, where we go into more detail. 

Charge Point Operators are responsible for the construction of the charging stations. They are focused on developing and maintaining the charging infrastructure, which includes hardware installation, ensuring proper connectivity of charging points and their service. CPO’s main point of interest is keeping the technicalities up and running and, if needed, reacting to possible malfunctions in real-time. This is specifically important as a vast majority of charging stations should stay available 24/7.

CPO’s also care about the energy management and seamless connectivity to the grid, this includes i.e. energy storing or utilization of renewable sources of energy.

To see more about CPO’s and learn the difference between them and EMSP’s, we highly recommend you to take a look at our other articles, where we go into more detail. 

Common set of policies to guide interoperability among e-mobility service providers / charge point operators. These are APIs created to facilitate charging services. They also operate as a hub, connecting CPOs and eMSPs. Once a company is compatible with open standards, it becomes open for integration with any other comrade being already assigned.

Open Standards are a big topic within the industry as they play a crucial role in charging network unification and availability. We have published a much more in-depth look into what they are and how they work. You can learn about OCPI & OCHP 

eMobility News by Solidstudio

09 MAY 2023 • 4 MIN READ

California first in the world to ban diesel for medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicles

Tesla starts construction on a new lithium refinery

Skoda’s new low-price EV

Toyota fully electrifying their auto fleet

GM&Samsung battery announcement