Electrification

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SHEFFIELD, England—The first commercial prototype of a solar tree is being developed by engineers at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.

UUSIKAUPUNKI, Finland—Production of Lightyear’s much anticipated solar-powered EV has started at Valmet Automotive’s state-of-the-art assembly plant here.

Vehicle production plants are undergoing a massive transformation as automakers evolve from internal-combustion engines (ICE) to battery power. While EVs use fewer parts overall, those components tend to be heavier than their ICE equivalents. That demands new ways to deploy robots on assembly lines.

TOULOUSE, France—Airbus SE and Renault Group have formed a strategic partnership to develop EV battery technology.

Heavy- and medium-duty trucks are one of the hottest segments of the electric vehicle industry today. Both legacy manufacturers and start-ups are scrambling to develop battery-powered machines. Vehicles are slowly starting to roll off assembly lines, but this new class of truck is expected to dominate the market within the next 15 years.

MARYSVILLE, OH—Honda Motor Co. plans to assemble a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle at its factory here starting in 2024.

CHARLOTTE—Honeywell International Inc. is expanding its strategic alliance with Nexceris, a company that specializes in lithium-ion gas detection.

LOS ANGELES—The Petersen Automotive Museum here has opened a temporary exhibit that focuses on Tesla Inc.

IRVING, TX—Caterpillar Inc. has unveiled an electric version of its 793 mining truck.

SANTA CLARA, CA—Archer Aviation Inc. recently unveiled its first production aircraft.