Daily EV news · Global · 4 November 2026
Electric Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz develops Power Converter to control individual EV battery cells
Mercedes-Benz is developing a Power Converter, still at the development stage, that lets a programmable micro-converter monitor and control the charge and discharge of individual cells or cell groups inside a high-voltage battery. Most traction batteries today treat all cells equally, so a 100 kW motor demand or a 150 kW charge is spread uniformly across the pack. The approach could prolong battery life, allow different cell chemistries and voltages in the same pack, and remove bulky AC and DC conversion power electronics, according to the report.
Why it matters
If the technology reaches production, it could change how vehicles manage charging loads and how long packs stay usable, both of which affect charger utilisation and fleet planning. For now it is a development stage concept, so procurement teams should treat it as a signal to watch rather than a specification to plan around.
Mercedes-Benz chairman expects its 40-model rollout to lift EV demand in India
Ola Källenius, chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, told Autocar Professional that the company is in the middle of a "historic 40 models in three years" programme covering electric and combustion vehicles. He said the electric side is "going to start taking off in a bigger way now", with the CLA and GLC EV widening the electric offer across core luxury segments, and the C-Class EV also identified for expansion. He spoke ahead of the GLC EV launch in Pune, during a board visit marking 30 years of Mercedes-Benz research and development operations in India.
Why it matters
A wider premium EV line-up in India points to a larger base of luxury electric owners, which supports demand for home, workplace and destination charging at the higher end of the market. CPOs and installers should note that the sourced figures cover model counts and timing only, with no volume forecasts.
Opel Grandland Electric gains 22 kW onboard charger, halving AC charging times
Opel has introduced a 22 kW onboard charger for the Grandland Electric, making it the first Opel passenger car to offer it, across the standard, Long Range and AWD versions. Opel says AC charging on a compatible station falls from about five hours to just over 2.5 hours for the 78 kWh battery (73 kWh usable) versions, and from around 6.5 hours to about 3.25 hours for the 100 kWh Long Range (96.9 kWh usable).
Why it matters
Vehicles able to draw 22 kW on AC make higher power AC points at homes, workplaces and public sites more useful, which may strengthen the case for specifying them in new installations. CPOs and fleet buyers should note that the benefit only appears where the station can deliver the higher output.
Epsilon Advanced Materials launches Epsil silicon-graphite anode material, claiming up to 30% more EV range
Mumbai-based Epsilon Advanced Materials has launched Epsil, a silicon-graphite composite anode material it says could raise EV driving range by up to 30% without a larger pack. Epsil offers a reversible capacity of 600 to 650 mAh/g against 340 to 360 mAh/g for conventional graphite, supports charging rates of 1C to 5C, and is compatible with existing cell production lines. The company stresses that real-world gains depend on cell chemistry, silicon loading, electrode and pack design, and vehicle performance.
Why it matters
If the claims hold up in cell-level validation, faster charging tolerance of 1C to 5C could ease demands on high-power sites, and smaller packs could shift vehicle cost and range trade-offs. Procurement teams should treat the figures as supplier claims until independent test data is available.
Ferrari says Luce orders already cover planned 2027 sales
Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said on 3 November, as the company presented its third quarter results, that orders for the fully electric Luce already cover the volumes it plans to sell in 2027, according to Reuters. First customer deliveries are scheduled for the end of 2026, and Vigna said test drives planned for 2027 could generate further demand. Ferrari has not disclosed Luce sales targets and aims for fully electric models to make up 20 percent of its range by 2030.
Why it matters
It suggests demand for ultra premium EVs is holding, and Ferrari's plan for electric models to reach 20 percent of its range by 2030 points to more high specification vehicles arriving over time. With no volume figures disclosed, the near term effect on charging demand is hard to size, but owners of such vehicles are likely to expect premium home and destination charging.
Grid & Energy
Brunswick Exploration reports 1.73% Li2O over 302 metres at its Anatacau Main lithium project
Brunswick Exploration reported a drill intercept of 1.73% Li2O over 302 metres, including 142 metres at 1.97% Li2O, at the Anatacau Main project, according to a BRWXF Stock News listing. The company says the Anais dyke remains open in all directions and that it is preparing an exploration campaign to restart drilling. The excerpt gives no resource estimate, project timeline or offtake details.
Why it matters
Lithium supply is a long-run input to battery cost and availability, which feeds into charging hardware and vehicle demand, but this is an early-stage exploration result with no production commitment. Procurement and CPO teams should treat it as background market context rather than a near-term supply signal.
Policy & Market
China and emerging sunbelt economies lead record clean industry investment, ahead of developed world
Mission Possible Partnership's Global Project Tracker, supported by the Industrial Transition Accelerator, found a record 36 clean industrial projects reached final investment decision over the past 12 months. China accounted for 23 of them with $45 billion of financing, while emerging markets and developing economies raised $5.3 billion across six large-scale facilities, including fertiliser plants in Kenya and Paraguay. Developed economies secured $4.8 billion for six projects, with sustainable aviation fuel, methanol and ammonia leading the growth.
Why it matters
Capital for renewables-powered industry is concentrating where cheap clean power, supportive policy and domestic demand coincide, which may shape where large new electricity loads and grid connection demand emerge. CPOs and suppliers should note that this is clean industry rather than charging investment, so the read-across is about energy competition and market positioning, not direct charging demand.