California-headquartered Aptera Motors Corp., the solar mobility company specialising in ultra-efficient electric vehicles, has announced that five validation vehicles have successfully completed assembly on its new low-volume validation line.

The vehicles were manufactured at Aptera's facility in Carlsbad, using a 14-station assembly process designed to bridge the gap between prototype development and high-volume manufacturing. By running multiple units in sequence, the company is validating the assembly system's repeatability and refining technician workflows.

The 14-station line is being used to test cycle times, workstation efficiency and the precision of the manufacturing system. Each build provides real-world data to sharpen production predictability and identify improvements for future high-volume scaling. The five vehicles will now join an expanding validation fleet for a rigorous testing regime, including durability, safety verification, software integration and solar energy harvest performance.

The Aptera EV, with its around 700 watts of integrated solar cells, claims to provide up to 40 miles or 64km of range per day and a 400 miles or 640km range per full charge. It can accommodate 2 passengers plus a pet, and is targeted as a city vehicle.

Chris Anthony, Co-CEO, Aptera Motors, said, "Every vehicle we run through this line teaches us something. With five vehicles now off the line, we have a growing foundation of data, a team that is getting sharper with every build, and a process that is proving itself in real time. That is what gives us confidence as we move toward our goal of customer deliveries."

Steve Fambro, Co-CEO of Aptera Motors, added, "What we are building here is not just vehicles, but the system to build them well. Each cycle through the line improves precision, efficiency and repeatability. This is how we plan to meet our customers' expectations when they finally get their hands on their own Aptera vehicle."

With nearly 50,000 reservations, the transition to a sequenced assembly line is a vital step for Aptera. The ‘low-volume’ approach allows the engineering team to implement firmware and hardware refinements in real-time before finalising the configuration for mass production.

The milestone underscores Aptera's progress in proving that its unique three-wheeled, solar-integrated design can be manufactured consistently at scale, a critical factor for the company as it approaches its first wave of customer handovers.

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South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution has commenced operations at its 226-acre manufacturing facility in Lansing, Michigan. The site represents an investment exceeding USD 2 billion since 2022 and targets an annual production capacity of over 35 GWh at full scale.

The site produces lithium-iron phosphate battery cells for energy storage systems alongside nickel-manganese-cobalt cells for electric vehicles. The energy storage cells will be integrated by LG Energy Solution Vertech into equipment for grid and industrial uses, with energy supplier DTE Energy designated among the utility customers. The vehicle battery lines will supply nickel-manganese-cobalt cells to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky for installation in the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV.

The Lansing site currently employs 900 people, with headcount projected to reach 1,700 at capacity. The facility joins an existing manufacturing site in Holland, Michigan, as well as an engineering centre in Troy, bringing the company's total investment in the state to over USD 5 billion since 2010. The company plans to establish over 50 GWh of lithium-iron phosphate cell production capacity across North America across five operating and joint-venture plants.

Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, said, “Michigan is open for business and creating good-paying jobs building the future of cars, chips, and batteries. LG Energy Solution has called Michigan home for more than 20 years, and we’re proud to see that investment continue with the start of production at its Lansing facility. This project will create up to 1,700 good-paying jobs, helping more working families make it in Michigan. It’s part of our historic work to invest in clean energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, and battery storage in communities across Michigan. Let’s keep working together to grow Michigan’s economy, create opportunity, and build a bright future for our state.”

Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, stated, “Domestic battery production is foundational to America’s energy future – reducing dependence on foreign adversaries, driving good-paying American jobs and advancing the American Energy Dominance Agenda. Michigan is uniquely positioned to help lead this effort with its skilled workforce, manufacturing expertise and the industrial capabilities needed to strengthen America’s domestic battery supply chain. The Trump administration is thrilled to see these vital manufacturing jobs returning to the U.S. and remains committed to ensuring we have the capabilities to build the technologies of the future here at home.”

Sangwoo Hong, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, said, “The Korea-U.S. alliance has evolved into a comprehensive strategic alliance including economic cooperation and cutting-edge technology. Today’s opening is a key milestone. The battery industry sits right at the heart of our shared strategic priorities. Michigan is a prime example of this strategic partnership. LG Energy Solution is expanding its presence across the United States. By growing from Holland to this new facility in Lansing, LG Energy Solution is solidifying Michigan’s position as a global hub for battery manufacturing.”

David Kim, CEO, LG Energy Solution, said, “Today marks a defining milestone for LG Energy Solution. Lansing will produce advanced batteries that support not only the future of mobility, but also America’s growing energy infrastructure and digital economy. We are strengthening America’s battery ecosystem, expanding our manufacturing footprint and reaffirming our long-term commitment to the United States.”

Dae-sik Choi, President, LG Energy Solution Michigan, said, “The state’s skilled workforce is a great fit for our high impact industry, and we expect to continue our partnership with Michigan well into the 21st century. The jobs at this facility pay well, offer great benefits and require creativity and problem solving at all levels. Unlike many other high-tech industries, battery making creates jobs for everyone, from hourly workers to advanced degree holders.”

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Epsilon Advanced Materials has received government approval for its Epsilon C2GR anode material project under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The scheme provides INR 1.45 billion in capital expenditure support, representing 25 percent of the project's capital investment. Epsilon stands as the single manufacturer approved for anode material production in this evaluation round. Across all product categories, the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme has cleared 106 projects representing INR 695.48 billion in total investment.

The sanctioned project focuses on establishing domestic production of graphite anode materials for lithium-ion battery cells used in electric mobility, energy storage systems, and consumer electronics. Epsilon has operationalised a customer qualification facility, EAM-ONE, located in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. The company plans to scale graphite anode manufacturing capacity to 30,000 tonnes per annum by 2028, with a targeted extension to 100,000 tonnes in a subsequent phase.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Group, said, “The project approval under ECMS is an important recognition of Epsilon’s efforts to develop indigenous graphite anode technology and manufacturing capabilities in India. Building a resilient battery ecosystem requires ownership of technology, intellectual property, R&D and process know-how. This support will help accelerate our scale-up and strengthen India’s domestic battery materials value chain. We remain committed to contributing to the Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by building globally competitive critical battery materials from India.”

Epsilon's research framework incorporates testing across coin-cell, pouch-cell, and multi-layer pouch-cell formats to facilitate material customisation. The company holds 43 patent filings covering process, product, and equipment technologies, with plans for 50 additional intellectual property filings through 2030 to support domestic supply chain integration.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has concluded Environment Month 2026, an initiative focused on resource recycling and emissions reductions across its supply chain.

The programme involved over 13,600 workforce members, suppliers, dealership partners and community members under the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 framework.

The company recorded a reduction of 3,005-tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions, with internal operations contributing 895 tonnes and supply partners accounting for 2,110 tonnes. Water conservation efforts yielded savings of 16,806 kilolitres across operations and suppliers. Waste reduction measures removed 231 tonnes of material from disposal streams, alongside reductions in plastic and paper usage across the dealership network. In addition, manufacturing updates reduced volatile organic compound emissions by 3.19 grams per square metre, while dealership locations recorded 255 megawatt-hours in electricity savings.

The automaker introduced compressed biogas as a fuel source for cooking facilities, yielding an estimated reduction of 980 tonnes in carbon emissions. Internal programmes included eco-driving sessions for 1,700 employees, community tree planting projects resulting in 89,000 saplings and the ‘Hasiru Santhe’ exhibition showcasing recycling applications such as converting cotton waste into felt and copper scrap into valve components.

B. Padmanabha, Senior Executive Vice-President and Director of Manufacturing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, "Environment Month 2026 demonstrated that sustainability thrives through collective action and shared responsibility across the entire value chain. The measurable outcomes we achieved—from carbon reductions to waste elimination—prove that when employees, families, suppliers, and communities align around environmental commitment, transformation is possible. This month was not just about awareness; it was about embedding circular thinking and resource consciousness into how we operate and live."

The initiative forms part of the automaker's ongoing environmental programmes, including the Toyota Green Wave Project, which monitors plant and animal species at company sites and the Ecozone educational programme for schools.

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JSW Greentech, the electric commercial vehicle division of JSW Group, has selected software company Dassault Systemes to implement a manufacturing execution system at its production facility in India.

The company will deploy Dassault Systemes’ DELMIA Apriso applications to build a digital platform across the plant floor. The system will manage operations for JSW Greentech's line of electric trucks and buses from the start of production.

Headquartered in Mumbai, JSW Greentech is establishing technology development and manufacturing capacity within India's commercial vehicle sector. The deployment of the manufacturing execution system aims to standardise operations management by connecting production execution directly with quality control and material tracking.

Sumit Mittal, Chief Executive Officer, JSW Greentech, said, “As we build a state-of-the-art commercial EV manufacturing facility, it is imperative that we complement it with equally advanced technology systems. Our partnership with Dassault Systèmes and its MES platform brings global expertise and digital capabilities to our manufacturing ecosystem. Together, this will enable us to create a smart, connected and future-ready operating environment, setting a new benchmark for technology-led manufacturing in India’s commercial vehicle industry.”

Deepak NG, Managing Director for India, Dassault Systemes, said, “In India, considering the pace at which the market is moving, it is equally important that we address sustainability during production. Leveraging Dassault Systèmes' systems like DELMIA Apriso is further strengthening our commitment toward technology adoption and sustainable manufacturing standards. The future of sustainable mobility in India depends on how efficiently we can scale clean transportation. By building its production around a connected digital backbone from day one, JSW Greentech is driving this transition. This collaboration underscores Dassault Systèmes' commitment to empowering India's EV ecosystem with virtual twin technology to accelerate innovation, manufacturing excellence, and sustainable growth.”

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