Author: Shaun Williams

Potential electric vehicle buyers in the UK eyeing the new all-electric Smart #1 are in for a pleasant surprise, as the automaker strategically reduces prices to better position itself against competitors like Hyundai and Jeep. Smart has implemented a substantial price reduction of €5,800 for the upcoming Smart #1 Pro, presenting a noteworthy alternative in the competitive EV market. Priced at €36,760, this move not only brings affordability but also introduces a new nomenclature, replacing the previous Smart #1 Pro+. See also: Smart to Release Affordable #3 Pro Variant: 49-kWh Battery, 5,000 Euro Price Drop, 325 km Range The competitive…

XPeng’s electric aviation subsidiary, AeroHT, revealed new details about its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles during a press event at CES in Las Vegas. AeroHT showcased its flying supercar and announced that its modular “Land Aircraft Carrier” is set to enter mass production. XPeng AeroHT, a majority-owned entity of XPeng Inc., has been actively developing electric flying vehicles since 2013. The company presented live demonstrations of its eVTOL flying supercar, emphasizing advancements in its electric aviation technology. The “Land Aircraft Carrier,” a 6×6 all-wheel-drive electric vehicle with an integrated eVTOL aircraft in the rear, is slated for mass…

Indian electric vehicle (EV) charger manufacturer Servotech Power Systems and the Lloyd Institute of Engineering have formalized a partnership to advance training and research initiatives in electric mobility and charging infrastructure. The collaboration includes the establishment of a dedicated research and development (R&D) lab and a Centre of Excellence focused on EV charging technology and infrastructure, to be located at Lloyd’s campus. As part of this agreement, Servotech has committed to providing job offers or internship opportunities to trainees from the Lloyd Institute of Engineering. Arun Handa, Chief Technical Officer of Servotech Power Systems, highlighted the significance of the R&D…

Tesla has announced upcoming improvements to its V4 Supercharger stations, aimed at enhancing user convenience. The move aligns with Tesla’s strategy to open up its extensive charging network to other electric vehicle brands. The initial rollout of V4 Superchargers in the Netherlands last year maintained performance parity with the preceding V3 Superchargers, as both utilized the same supporting infrastructure. Notable immediate benefits of the V4 design included a longer charging cable, facilitating easier use for non-Tesla electric vehicles with non-standardized charge port locations. The new Superchargers also featured a redesigned charging handle, necessitating a new holster for secure docking when…

Biden Administration has introduced updated travel guidelines for federal government employees. The directive emphasizes the use of “sustainable transportation for official and local travel, both domestically and internationally.” This development carries significance, given that the government is the largest employer in the United States and allocates approximately $2.8 billion annually for business travel. The White House revealed that in 2022 alone, government employees took over 2.8 million flights and rented 2.3 million vehicles. See also: Ohio Inaugurates First EV Charging Station Under President Biden’s Infrastructure Plan Of particular note, the guidelines recommend a preference for electric vehicles (EVs) when renting…

General Motors’ autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Cruise, is set to reduce its workforce by 24%, amounting to 900 employees, as part of a strategic restructuring initiative prompted by recent challenges. The decision comes after Cruise suspended all U.S. testing following a critical accident in October, leading to the resignation of its CEO and co-founder. The workforce reduction primarily targets commercial operations and related corporate functions, reflecting Cruise’s shift in focus towards a more deliberate go-to-market strategy. The company also terminated contracts with some contingent workers supporting its driverless operations. See also: General Motors Adjusts Cruise Budget Following Robotaxi Safety Incident The…

Urtopia has recently revealed a new e-bike, emphasizing its advanced AI functions and compatibility with various apps and wearables. Marketed as the first smart e-bike with ChatGPT integration, the model showcases a robust software architecture that facilitates communication among individual sensors, including a fingerprint sensor, GPS module, gyroscope, and torque sensor, connected via a CAN bus to a central control unit with dedicated computing chips. The e-bike boasts 4G connectivity for cloud services and integrates with applications such as Google Maps, Apple Health, Strava, and ChatGPT through APIs. See also: Storck Introduces Name:2 E-Bike, Prioritizing Urban Commuting with Sporty Design…

Chemical group BASF is set to undergo significant restructuring, as it plans to separate several large divisions from its existing structure and transfer them to legally independent units. Among the divisions affected is the battery materials business for electric vehicles. The move, according to BASF, aims to achieve “differentiated business management for greater profitability,” as stated in the accompanying Group statement. The restructuring process is expected to be completed by 2026, according to the industrial union IGBCE. BASF clarified that the intention is not to sell the divisions but rather to provide “more room to meet the needs of their…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has reportedly undergone a substantial restructuring within its long-range battery cell development team, leading to the departure of approximately 20 team members, including lead cell engineer Victor Prajapati—a former senior manager at Tesla. This development has sparked speculation regarding Rivian’s future plans for in-house battery production. Currently headquartered in California, Rivian sources its battery cells from Samsung SDI in South Korea, integrating them into packs at its manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois. The decision to streamline the battery cell development team has raised inquiries about the company’s earlier commitments to manufacture its own batteries at a…

Vietnamese automaker VinFast’s VF8, vying for a share in the U.S. electric vehicle market, recently underwent Euro NCAP’s crash tests, earning a four-star safety rating. Notably, this marks the first instance of a significant safety organization evaluating the electric crossover. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States have not yet tested the VinFast VF8, Euro NCAP’s assessment provides valuable insights into the newcomer’s crash performance. The VF8 fell short of attaining the maximum five-star rating, positioning it slightly below rivals such as the Tesla Model Y. The…

A recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports, has highlighted ongoing reliability challenges for electric vehicles (EVs), primarily attributed to charging and battery-related issues. The survey revealed that, on average, new EVs experienced 79% more problems than their gasoline-powered counterparts, while hybrid vehicles demonstrated fewer issues compared to traditional gasoline vehicles. Plug-in hybrids, however, faced a notable 146% increase in problems. The reliability of electric pickups ranked the lowest among vehicle types, while compact cars, sports cars, and small pickups emerged as the most reliable in a comprehensive evaluation of 19 categories. Consumer Reports’ senior director of Auto Testing, Jake Fisher,…

American automaker Ford, which called on its dealership network to embark on a “sustainable expansion journey” in support of its EV transformation, has witnessed a significant drop in enrollment. Approximately one year ago, over two-thirds of dealers, totaling 1,920, joined Ford’s program. However, recent reports reveal that nearly 400 dealers have exited the initiative, marking a shift in dealer participation. Originally, Ford urged its dealers to align with the company’s “revolutionary” EV plans, with 1,659 dealers opting for the higher-tier “Certified Elite” level, while 261 chose the “Certified” tier. However, challenges and criticisms emerged, leading to adjustments in the program’s…

Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors has revealed that its latest electric commercial vehicle, the Minicab EV, is slated to debut in the Japanese market on December 21. Priced at 2,431,000 yen (approximately €14,922) for the two-seater variant and 2,486,000 yen (around €15,260) for the four-seater, these figures include a 10% consumption tax. The Minicab EV, belonging to the ‘kei-car’ class—a category defining Japan’s smallest highway-legal passenger vehicles with specific restrictions on dimensions and motor capacity—is founded on a monobox design. This iteration incorporates a new generation of electric components, encompassing the motor and drive battery. The electric motor boasts a peak…

South Korean automaker Kia’s highly anticipated three-row electric SUV, the 2024 EV9, is generating notable interest even before hitting US roads, with the company unveiling a series of enticing pre-delivery deals for prospective buyers. Despite the EV9 already gaining “significant consumer interest,” Kia is launching the electric SUV with a range of promotional offerings. Earlier this month, the company announced a leasing option for the 2024 EV9 starting at $599 per month for a 36-month term, requiring a $5,999 payment at signing—competitive pricing akin to a fully equipped Kia Telluride. See also: Affordable Electric Three-Row SUV: The 2024 Kia EV9…

Paris authorities are contemplating a proposal to raise parking fees for heavy cars, with a specific focus on making the city less attractive for larger SUVs. The citizens of the French capital are set to vote on this proposition in February 2024. The proposed parking fee adjustments aim to address challenges in distinguishing between SUVs and other vehicle models. Instead, fees will be calculated based on vehicle weight, with higher charges planned for cars featuring combustion engines weighing over 1.6 tons and electric cars exceeding two tons. The determination of weight will involve scanning license plates linked to the model…

US semiconductor manufacturer Onsemi has inaugurated an application test laboratory in Piestany, Slovakia, focused on the ongoing development of system solutions for electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids. The facility is equipped with specialized tools for the development and testing of forthcoming silicon and silicon carbide semiconductor components, fostering collaboration with car manufacturers and suppliers, according to the company. The laboratory’s capabilities extend to the development of semiconductors for energy infrastructure applications. The announcement did not specify the number of personnel working at the site. See also: Onsemi Partners with Zeekr to Supply EliteSiC Silicon Carbide Power Modules for Enhanced…

The Chinese electric vehicle market is witnessing a notable rise in the preference for hybrid vehicles, driven in part by their cost-effectiveness compared to traditional internal combustion engine models. Contrary to many global markets where hybrids typically command a premium, certain hybrids in China are priced lower than standard gasoline counterparts, and notably, up to 23% more affordable than battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). Recent data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, reported by Reuters, indicates a substantial 72% surge in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales during the January-September 2023 period, reaching 1,370,324 units, up from 798,164 in the previous year. Concurrently,…

In response to Hyundai’s recent partnership announcement with Amazon set for 2024, online discussions are circulating criticism regarding marked-up prices on Hyundai vehicles. It’s essential to note that the new system has not yet been implemented and is slated to be available in early 2024. Despite this, concerns about pricing have emerged, indirectly confirmed by Hyundai officials. The confusion stems from Hyundai’s existing digital showroom on Amazon called the ‘Hyundai Evolve Showroom.’ This platform, currently operational, allows users to research and compare vehicles but does not facilitate direct purchases through Amazon. Instead, it acts as a lead generation tool, connecting…

British transport company FirstGroup and Hitachi have joined forces to establish a 50:50 joint venture named NextGen, aimed at procuring batteries for electric buses. The newly formed company is set to purchase approximately 1,000 electric bus batteries valued at around £100 million. Both FirstGroup and Hitachi have committed £10 million each to the joint venture, with the remaining investment being financed through debt. The initial phase will see the installation of 400 batteries in First Bus buses by 2024, followed by the deployment of the remaining 600 batteries over the subsequent 24 months, completing the project by 2026. FirstGroup CEO…

At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Lucid made waves not just with its sleek Gravity electric SUV but with a groundbreaking addition— the Lucid Sanctuary feature. Far more than a means of transport, the Gravity aims to redefine the driving experience, introducing a sanctuary on wheels. The Lucid Sanctuary is more than a luxurious touch; it’s a thoughtful response to the challenges of our screen-dominated lives. In a world where digital overwhelm is a genuine concern, Lucid’s innovation provides a unique escape. Imagine immersing yourself in the tranquility of the Pacific Ocean or the serenity of Lake Tahoe, all from…