Recharge Wrap-up: Chevy accelerates Bolt production, VW to fix 1.6L TDI in Europe

GM is accelerating Chevrolet Bolt production as the date of first deliveries approaches. The company's Orion assembly plant has a capacity of 90,000 cars a year working on its current single shift schedule, with the capability to switch between producing Chevy Sonics and Bolts on the same line depending on demand. This reflects a more cautious approach to Tesla, which is reconfiguring its Fremont factory to be able to produce as many as 500,000 Model 3 EVs a year. Chevy Bolt deliveries are expected to begin before the end of the year. Read more at Automotive News.

Volkswagen has received approval to fix models equipped with its EA 189 1.6-liter diesel engine throughout Europe. This allows the German automaker to recall some 2.6 million more cars affected by the emissions test defeat device scandal. While some previous cars affected by recalls only required software updates, certain 1.6-liter TDI vehicles also require a mesh flow conditioner installation associated with the car's airflow sensor. Read more at Automotive News Europe, or from Volkswagen.

10 Proterra electric buses will go into service in Chicago. Beginning next month, property management group JLL, in partnership with Drive Clean Chicago, will use Proterra's Catalyst buses for a shuttle service between the city's Prudential Plaza and Aon Center buildings and commuter train stations. "Increasingly, we're seeing tenants request more transit options to ease their commutes," says JLL Senior VP Bryan Oyster. "With Proterra's leasing option, we are able to provide a top-of-the-line shuttle service that meets tenants' commuting needs and Chicago's clean vehicle goals, while staying true to our own sustainability goals." Read more from Charged EVs.

Ford explores last-mile possibilities with the Carr-E electric rideable platform. The device is a finalist in the automaker's Last Mile Mobility Challenge among its employees. The Carr-E is meant to fit in the trunk of a car, and can carry a person or object up to 14 miles at a top speed of 11 mph. "When developing the Carr-E, I was inspired by Ford's expansion into both an auto and a mobility company," says Ford systems engineer Kilian Vas, "but I'm also aware of how rapidly cities are growing and how getting around urban areas will become progressively more complicated. I really wanted to create a device that makes commuting easier and more fun." Check it out in the video above, and read more at Gas2, or from Ford.