VW and XPeng agree China EV charging network

Spanish Market: Battery materials
08/01/25

German carmaker Volkswagen has signed an initial agreement with major Chinese electric vehicle (EV) producer XPeng to jointly build the largest super-fast EV charging network in China, Xpeng announced on 5 January.

The network will include over 20,000 charging piles operated by both parties across 420 cities in China, and will be accessible to both XPeng and Volkswagen customers. The collaboration will likely extend to develop co-branded super-fast charging stations across China in the future, XPeng said.

The initial agreement continues the growing partnership between Volkswagen and XPeng. Volkswagen invested $700mn in XPeng in July 2023, taking a 4.99pc stake in the firm. And the two companies plan to develop battery EVs under the Volkswagen brand, for sale in China.

By Ellanee Kruck

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23/04/25

Indonesia stands committed to Ni controls: Ni Indonesia

London, 23 April (Argus) — Indonesia remains committed to controlling nickel exports as well as increasing downstream value, the country's environment minister told delegates at the first Argus Nickel Indonesia conference today. Cecep Mochammad Yasin, director of mineral business development at the energy and mineral resources ministry, said the rapid growth of Indonesian nickel output made it necessary to adjust royalty rates and maintain output controls to preserve "invaluable nickel reserves" and stabilise prices on the international market. The Indonesian government in March adopted Regulation 19 of 2025, increasing royalty rates for nickel ore to 14-19pc, up from a previous flat rate of 10pc, while Ferronickel and NPI royalty rates were introduced at 5-7pc and nickel matte at 3.5-5.5pc. The new rates will take effect from the end of April. "This is a critical step towards ensuring that our natural resources give optimum benefits to all Indonesians by gradually increasing royalty rates," Cecep said. Preserving Indonesia's mineral wealth Cecep emphasised his country's commitment to preserving nickel reserves, saying Indonesia needed to maintain production controls to increase the longevity of critical minerals. "We have a responsibility to manage this resource to ensure availability for future generations," he said. "Massive exploitation of natural resources without regard for conservation will result in resource depletion. We must learn from other countries' experiences to make sure our nickel reserves are not depleted too quickly." Indonesia earlier this year set a production quota for nickel ore in 2025 at around 200mn t, a reduction from 2024's estimated production of 215mn t. The government had previously approved 240mn t of production out to 2026, but a reduction was made in January owing to a nickel supply glut in the international market. Since then, nickel prices have continued to fall, reaching their lowest since early 2020 at $14,000-14,030/t on the London Metal Exchange (LME) on 9 April after US tariffs were announced. Prices have since bounced back to about $15,000/t on continued trade negotiations between the US and other economic partners. The minister also hinted at working with other nickel producing countries "to create a shared understanding of global production management", which he said would be a "key step" towards international price stability. Government officials warned delegates that over the coming years, the quality of nickel grades will decline, as some of the low-hanging fruit has already been picked. "Resource quality will gradually decline," Indonesia's National Economic Council executive director Tubugas Nugraha said. "Over the next 2-3 years this trend will be balanced by increased production, but in the longer term the nickel content, especially in our NPI products will face structural challenges." Increasing downstream ambitions Indonesia has ambitions to add further value downstream in the supply chain, including in stainless steel and battery production, delegates heard. "By promoting the growth of domestic nickel processing and refining industries, we can increase added value and reduce reliance on exports," Tabagus told delegates. "Downstreaming can also absorb part of the supply and produce consistent demand." Tubagus added that downstreaming is part of Indonesia's 2045 plan for economic development, moving from extracting raw ore to producing value-added materials. He added that the country's ambition was to become a "global hub" for stainless steel, battery raw materials and electric vehicle (EV) components. Under the Indonesia Emas 2045 plan, the country plans to invest over $600bn into commodity linked industries in the coming decades, in order to escape what Indonesian national development planning ministry energy resources director Nizhar Marizi called its own "middle-income trap". Tax revenues will be key to this plan, as a report by the World Bank in December 2024 highlighted, saying Indonesia would need "structural reforms" to increase tax receipts and fund its ambitions. By Thomas Kavanagh Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

South Korea's LGES exits Indonesia's $8.4bn EV project

22/04/25

South Korea's LGES exits Indonesia's $8.4bn EV project

Singapore, 22 April (Argus) — Top South Korean battery firm LG Energy Solution (LGES) has pulled out of Indonesia's Grand Package project, which is supposed to be an integrated electric vehicle (EV) battery project worth 142 trillion Indonesia rupiah ($8.4bn). "Taking into account various factors, including market conditions and investment environment, we have agreed to formally withdraw from the Indonesia [Grand Package] GP project," LGES told Argus on 22 April. The mega project was in the making since 2019. It involves an LG consortium that consists of multiple South Korean firms including LGES, LG Chem, LX International and Posco Future M, major Chinese cobalt refiner and nickel-cobalt-manganese precursor producer Huayou, Indonesian state-controlled mining firm Aneka Tambang (Antam) as well as consortium Indonesia Battery. Original plans included building a $1.1bn battery cell plant and were supposed to be followed by a smelter, precursor and cathode plant as well as "mining cooperation" with Antam. "However, we will continue to explore various avenues of collaboration with the Indonesian government, centering on the Indonesia battery joint venture, HLI Green Power," the firm added. The HLI Green Power is LGES' 10 GWh/yr Indonesian battery production joint venture with South Korean conglomerate Hyundai Motor, which started mass production last April. LGES earlier this year also invested in Chinese battery cathode maker Lopal Tech's lithium iron phosphate plant in Indonesia . LGES last year said it plans to reduce its dependence on the EV battery business and has signed multiple energy storage system battery supply deals so far this year, including with Taiwanese electronics manufacturing firm Delta Electronics and Polish state-controlled utility PGE . By Joseph Ho Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

HEVs drive Brazil's 1Q EV sales up as BEVs fall

16/04/25

HEVs drive Brazil's 1Q EV sales up as BEVs fall

Sao Paulo, 16 April (Argus) — Total Brazilian electric vehicle (EVs) sales were up in the first quarter, driven by increasing demand for hybrid vehicles (HEVs) as sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) tumbled. Overall EV sales in Brazil grew by almost 40pc in the first three months of the year to 50,074 units, led by HEVs — including plug-ins (PHEVs), non-plug-ins, and mild hybrids (MHEVs) — which saw a 70.5pc surge compared to the same period in 2024, according to Fenabrave, a private body that represents car dealerships in Brazil. EVs made up 12.5pc of the total Brazilian car market, a three percentage point increase year-on-year. PHEVs were the most popular choice for consumers seeking an EV, with 19,530 units sold on the first quarter, up 83.6pc from last year, according to data from the Brazilian electric vehicles' association (ABVE). BEVs accounted for 12,993 units sold, while MHEVs — vehicles with regular engines aided by small batteries that increase fuel efficiency but do not power the wheels — accounted for 10,724 units sold. A total of 7,402 non-plug-in HEVs were sold in the quarter. Although HEV sales rose, BEVs tumbled 8.3pc due to general consumer skepticism about the Brazilian charging infrastructure and increasing popularity of PHEVs because of its above-average fuel efficiency and the possibility of driving on regular fuels, such as gasoline and ethanol. BYD increases market dominance BYD, a Chinese carmaker, further increased its EV market share in Brazil in the first quarter on aggressive discounts for its HEVs. The Chinese brand, which only sells plug-ins and BEVs, offered discounts of over R20,000 ($3,400) per car plus other benefits in excess of R10,000 ($1,700) for their PHEVs. BYD sold around 11,710 PHEV units, more than double from the same period in 2024, and accounted for 31.4pc of the total HEV market in the first quarter, according to Fenabrave. Fiat, which debuted in the EV segment in November and only markets MHEVs, sold 7,400 units, taking second place with a 19.8pc market share in January-March. Great Wall Motors (GWM), another Chinese automaker, closed out the top three with 5,880 units in the period, holding 15.8pc market share. PHEVs are becoming increasingly popular in Brazil even in regions with a solid charging infrastructure, according to ABVE. Major cities such as Sao Paulo and Brasilia — the country's capital — were among the top plug-in buyers due to the possibility of daily driving in electric mode and travelling long ranges on hybrid. BYD's plug-ins can drive for 745 miles on a single tank of gas, on a fully charged battery and loaded tank. All types of EVs in Brazil are eligible for a yearly tax exemption of up to 4pc of the car's value in most states. Although BEV sales were down, BYD still managed to increase its dominant place in the market. The Chinese automaker sold 9,680 EVs in the first three months of the year, more than 75pc of the nearly 12,880 units sold in the period. According to the company, 7 out of 10 BEVs sold in Brazil are from BYD. Volvo followed with almost 1,200 sold EVs and GWM had the third-highest sales figures at just 814. Overall, BYD owns 42.7pc of the total Brazilian EV market, followed by Fiat at 14.8pc and GWM, with a 13.4pc market share. The two Chinese brands both plan to start manufacturing cars in Brazil by year's end. BYD also acquired mining rights for two separate lithium sites in the country in an effort to streamline its whole operation in the country, as it figures as its largest market outside of China. By Pedro Consoli Brazil EV sales units Brand 1Q 2025 1Q 2024 ±% Market share (%) Total EVs (BEVs, HEVs) BYD 21,384 14,920 43.3 42.7 Fiat 7,400 n/a n/a 14.8 GWM 6,693 5,735 16.7 13.4 Toyota 4,277 5,049 -16.2 8.5 Volvo 2,097 1,606 30.5 4.2 Mercedes Benz 1,765 1,166 51.3 3.5 Honda 1,207 567 112.8 2.4 Caoa Chery 1,203 2,105 -42.8 2.4 BMW 911 825 10.4 1.8 Porsche 687 41 1,575.6 1.4 Total (hybrid vehicles, EVs) 50,074 35,872 39.6 100 Electric vehicles (BEVs) BYD 9,678 10,052 -4 75.1 Volvo 1,196 596 101 9.2 GWM 814 1,892 -57 6.3 BMW 219 238 -8 1.7 Renault 176 187 -6 1.3 Porsche 155 41 278.0 1.2 Zeekr 141 n/a n/a 1.0 Mini 124 34 265 1.0 JAC 107 457 77 0.8 Mercedes Benz 38 39 -3 0.3 Total (EVs) 12,877 14,053 -8 100 Hybrid vehicles (HEVs, PHEVs, MHEVs) BYD 11,706 4,868 140.4 31.4 Fiat 7,400 n/a n/a 19.9 GWM 5,879 3,843 52.9 15.8 Toyota 4,277 5,049 -15.2 11.5 Mercedes Benz 1,727 1,127 53.2 4.6 Honda 1,207 567 112.8 3.2 Caoa Chery 1,203 2,105 -42.8 3.2 Volvo 901 1,010 -10.7 2.4 BMW 692 587 17.8 1.9 Jaguar Land Rover 627 816 -23.1 1.7 Total (hybrid vehicles) 37,197 21,819 70.5 100 Does not include all brands sold Source: Fenabrave 1Q Brazil electrified vehicles sales units Brazil EV year-on-year comparison per type units Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Lime, Redwood partner on battery recycling

15/04/25

Lime, Redwood partner on battery recycling

Houston, 15 April (Argus) — US shared micromobility operator Lime entered an exclusive partnership with battery recycler Redwood Materials to recycle end-of-life batteries from electric bikes and scooters. The partnership covers all Lime operations in the US, Germany, and the Netherlands. Financial details for this partnership were not disclosed. Redwood collects 20 GWh/yr of batteries and claims it can recover, on average, 95pc of key battery materials. Lime's global fleet of e-bikes and e-scooters comprises 200,000, offering services in 280 cities globally. As high utilization of shared micromobility accelerates battery wear and shortens battery lifespan, the partnership helps supplement Redwood's feedstock with a steady supply of batteries, before end-of-life electric vehicles become available for recycling. By Carol Luk Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

South Korea's March car output rises, exports dip

15/04/25

South Korea's March car output rises, exports dip

Singapore, 15 April (Argus) — South Korea's automotive output and domestic sales rose in March but exports dipped. The country has agreed to offer a wide range of support measures to offset the impact of the US' sweeping tariffs on its auto industry. The country's auto output in March edged up by 1.5pc on the year to almost 371,000 units, according to South Korea's trade and industry ministry (Motie). Domestic sales rose by 2.4pc on the year to around 149,500 units. Exports in March fell by 2.4pc on the year to almost 241,000 units, with auto export revenue at $6.24bn. The country earlier this month unveiled planned emergency measures to support its automobile industry , in response to the potentially lower export volumes given the US tariffs. The country will cut the special consumption tax on new car purchases, and push its public sector, public institutions and local governments to buy "business vehicles" within the first half of 2025. Domestic eco-friendly vehicle sales rose by 14pc on the year to almost 70,000 units while exports rose by 5.8pc to almost 69,000 units. Eco-friendly vehicles in South Korea refer to hybrids, battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. Hybrid domestic sales rose by 23pc on the year to about 49,500 units, while domestic BEV sales dipped by 7.5pc to around 18,700 units after rising sharply on the year in February . Hybrid exports were also up by almost 25pc to almost 42,000 units, while BEV exports fell sharply by 25pc on the year to about 20,800 units. By Joseph Ho South Korea's car exports in 2025 (units) South Korea's domestic car sales in 2025 (units) Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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