EDTA Smart Brief July 18, 2025

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GM's EV sales accelerate, positioning it as top Tesla rival General Motors CEO Mary Barra remains committed to an all-electric future, despite recent policy changes under President Donald Trump that have created challenges for the electric vehicle market. GM has scaled back its EV plans in response to shifting tariff policies and the elimination of pro-EV incentives, but it has seen significant growth in EV sales. GM recently became the No. 2 seller of EVs globally, passing Ford and closing the gap with Tesla. Full Story: The Verge (7/13)

Technology How EVs keep batteries cool: A look at modern techniques Electric vehicle battery cooling has evolved significantly over the past 30 years, with most EVs using cooling plates made of aluminum, stainless steel or copper. Tesla, however, uses a unique method of routing coolant pipes throughout battery cells. The GMC Hummer EV and Ford F-150 Lightning use cold plates, with the Hummer placing them on top of battery packs in steel enclosures and the Lightning using aluminum enclosures that are lighter and more efficient at dissipating heat. Full Story: Jalopnik (7/14)      Sensors aim to stop EV battery fires before they start Researchers at the UK's University of Surrey have developed embedded smart sensors that detect and respond to early warning signs of lithium-ion battery fires, potentially preventing thermal runaway. Designed to improve safety, performance, and longevity, the technology supports global clean energy goals by addressing one of the most pressing challenges in battery-powered systems. Full Story: Interesting Engineering (7/16)

Policy N.Y. commits to EV grid integration, charging innovation New York has allocated $3 million to three projects to advance the integration of electric vehicles into the state's electric grid. The funded initiatives include developing lamppost-based EV charging stations, optimizing electric school bus charging and managing charging times within utility service areas. In addition, an extra $4 million has been made available for technologies that address data and operational challenges related to EV charging. Full Story: Daily Energy Insider (7/11)

Infrastructure Bojangles to install EV charging stations Bojangles is installing electric vehicle charging stations as part of a partnership with Smart Big Box, Alyath EV and Energy and Environmental Design Services. The partnership "allows us to introduce a new convenience that aligns with evolving customer needs," according to Richard Del Valle of Bojangles. "These top-of-the-line EV chargers will not only improve accessibility for our guests but also help drive an eco-friendlier future." Full Story: Nation's Restaurant News (free registration) (7/14)

Supply Chain GM, LG plans lower-cost EV battery shift at Tenn. plant General Motors plans to begin commercial production of lower-cost lithium-iron-phosphate battery cells at its Ultium joint venture plant with LG Energy Solution in Tennessee by late 2027. The automaker says it will convert existing nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum cell lines later this year. The change comes as the industry pivots toward battery technologies that promise cheaper EVs and broader adoption. Full Story: Reuters (7/14)      Panasonic opens largest US EV battery factory in Kan. (SOPA Images/Getty Images) Panasonic is opening its $4 billion electric vehicle battery factory in De Soto, Kan., the largest EV battery-making facility in the US. The facility has 1,000 workers so far, but is expected to create as many as 4,000 jobs by 2027. Spanning 300 acres, the plant marks a significant milestone in domestic EV battery production and features advanced infrastructure with eight battery lines. It is capable of producing around 66 lithium-ion batteries per second. Full Story: KCTV-TV (Kansas City, Mo.) (7/14),  KWCH-TV (Wichita, Kan.) (7/14)      China tightens export controls on EV battery tech China has imposed export restrictions on technologies critical for electric-vehicle battery production to strengthen its global market dominance. The restrictions require a government license for overseas transfers of technologies used in battery manufacturing and lithium processing. The move has created uncertainty for Chinese EV makers' expansion plans, especially in light of tariffs from the EU. Full Story: CNN (7/17)

Energy and the Environment GM, Redwood Materials to create energy storage systems General Motors and Redwood Materials have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop energy storage units using new batteries and recycled electric vehicle packs. This initiative aims to address the growing electricity demand driven by AI and data centers. "Electricity demand is climbing, and it's only going to accelerate. To meet that challenge, the US needs energy storage solutions that can be deployed quickly, economically and made right here at home. GM batteries can play an integral role," said GM's Kurt Kelty. Full Story: The Verge (7/16),  Detroit Free Press (7/16)

Hot Topics Tesla opens off-grid Supercharger station in Calif. InsideEVs  Wash. uses GIS to map EV charging infrastructure Route Fifty  Ford gives home charging a jumpstart while credits remain InsideEVs  Study: Lithium-sulfur batteries could improve EVs Military & Aerospace Electronics Online  Study: BEVs' life-cycle emissions far lower than ICE cars TheDriven (Australia)

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