Author: Shaun Williams

Honda has unveiled its comprehensive lineup for the upcoming 2023 Japan Mobility Show, promising a series of world premieres that are set to make waves in the industry. While the automaker has remained tight-lipped about one of the main attractions, the Specialty Sports Concept, it has already generated significant buzz. This enigmatic concept is expected to be an all-electric marvel that promises a thrilling driving experience without the traditional internal combustion engine. “The joy of driving and distinctive individuality of this model will enable people to transcend their everyday life,” Honda tantalizingly states, leaving enthusiasts eager for more details. While…

Few yet-to-be-launched cars have stirred as much controversy as the Tesla Cybertruck. However, amidst the debate, there’s one undeniable positive aspect: Tesla’s vision to employ a staggering 60,000 individuals at its Texas Gigafactory once Cybertruck production hits full stride. This bold assertion comes from Jason Shawhan, Tesla’s director of manufacturing at Giga Texas. The current workforce at the Austin Gigafactory stands at 20,000, already ranking Tesla as the second-largest corporate employer in the region. But if the expansion plan proposed by Shawhan, which envisions tripling the workforce, becomes a reality, Tesla would emerge as the largest employer in the area.…

In a recent evaluation conducted by Spanish outlet km77.com, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 480 trim demonstrated some limitations in high-speed handling, shedding light on the challenges posed by the weight of electric vehicles (EVs), primarily attributed to their substantial battery packs. The EQS SUV 480 boasts an impressive dual-motor setup, delivering a combined 536 horsepower, and is equipped with a substantial 108.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack, affording it an EPA-estimated range of 285 miles. However, this impressive range comes at a cost – a significant increase in weight. The vehicle tips the scales at a hefty 6,228 pounds, which can impact…

In a thrilling development for gaming enthusiasts and electric vehicle (EV) aficionados alike, the Rivian R1T and R1S have made their grand debut in the popular racing game, Forza Horizon 5. According to Rivian, both the R1T and R1S models can be unlocked by players during the second and third weeks of Horizon Creatives via the Festival Playlist. To gain access to the Rivian R1T, players are tasked with completing the “Mudslinger’s Scramble” EventLab challenge. Meanwhile, those eager to get behind the wheel of the R1S can do so by successfully conquering the “Stadium Supercross” EventLab challenge. The integration of…

New Zealand-based company Robotics Plus has officially launched Prospr, an autonomous, multi-use agricultural vehicle tailored for orchard and vineyard crop tasks. This innovative creation seeks to address issues such as land scarcity, increasing global food demands, and the ongoing shortage of labor in the sector. Prospr, characterized by its hybrid nature and low-emission capabilities, boasts a flexible design that can accommodate a variety of swappable tools, including tower sprayers suitable for grapes, apples, or tree crops. The vehicle’s adaptability shines as it allows users to attach the ideal tool for the day’s specific agricultural task, and multiple Prospr units can…

The leading Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, often referred to as the “big four,” are demonstrating a concerted commitment to electric mobility. In a collective endeavour, these renowned companies have joined forces to establish a battery technology consortium in Japan, resulting in the formation of Gachaco—an organisation dedicated to refining battery technology for consumer applications. Additionally, Gachaco has entered into a strategic partnership with Japanese petroleum company Eneos to further bolster its efforts. In late 2022, Gachaco embarked on the deployment of battery swapping facilities across Japan, with initial locations established in collaboration with Honda. Building on this foundation, the organisation is…

At the Oracle CloudWorld conference in Las Vegas, former Tesla board member and co-founder of Oracle, Larry Ellison, unveiled a unique vision for the future of law enforcement vehicles—a Tesla Cybertruck designed specifically for police and public safety applications. Ellison, known for his forward-thinking approach, introduced the concept of a Tesla Cybertruck customized with police equipment and adorned with Oracle branding. This specialized law enforcement Cybertruck was showcased as part of Oracle’s initiative to bolster first responders’ capabilities. See also: Tesla Cybertruck Release Candidate Spotted at 50,000th Supercharger in California During his presentation, Ellison shared insights into the forthcoming next-generation…

In a groundbreaking move, NIO has introduced SkyOS, described as China’s inaugural operating system tailored exclusively for smart electric vehicles. The unveiling took place during the NIO IN 2023 innovation day event in Shanghai, where the company showcased its commitment to pioneering automotive technology. SkyOS stands as NIO’s comprehensive domain operating system, encompassing a broad spectrum of functionalities, ranging from vehicle control to intelligent driving, cockpit management, mobile connectivity, and more. The development aligns with NIO’s “1+4+N” technology framework, signifying its ambition to revolutionize the EV landscape. The “1” component of this framework is SkyOS-H, a hypervisor that extends support…

Aurrigo, an UK-based autonomous vehicle manufacturer, has unveiled its Auto-Shuttle as the designated autonomous vehicle for the Living Lab for Autonomous Electric Vehicles project. This collaborative initiative, funded by the European Union and led by University College London, seeks to assess the potential of driverless public transit in Europe. Initially, Aurrigo’s Auto-Shuttles will have human operators on board to take control in the event of errors or emergencies. However, Aurrigo’s ambitious plan is to gradually phase out human operators and replace them with remote supervisors, who will not be physically present on the bus but will have the capability to…

Hertz customers renting Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles can now enjoy the convenience of Tesla’s mobile app, enriching their rental experience. This update was shared by Tesla North America on their official communication platform, X (formerly Twitter). The integration of Tesla’s mobile app provides Hertz renters with a host of functionalities previously exclusive to Tesla owners. As stated in Tesla’s announcement, this includes keyless lock/unlock capabilities through the phone, remote cabin preconditioning, real-time charge status monitoring, and more. Furthermore, this integration offers an additional perk for users who have activated cloud-backed driver profiles in their personal Tesla vehicles.…

The New South Wales (NSW) government has announced its decision to discontinue a $3,000 subsidy for new electric vehicle (EV) purchases, along with exemptions for stamp duties, effective from January 1, 2024. This move is part of an effort to reallocate savings towards the expansion of EV charging infrastructure in commuter car parks and apartment complexes. Transitional arrangements have been put in place to ensure that individuals who have already purchased or placed a deposit on an eligible EV, regardless of whether the vehicle has been delivered by the specified date, will still be eligible for the incentives. The decision…

The team formerly behind the self-driving startup Argo AI has returned with a new venture called Stack AV, focusing on autonomous trucking. This announcement comes 11 months after Ford and Volkswagen withdrew their support for Argo AI, sending shockwaves through the autonomous vehicle industry. Stack AV, led by Founder and CEO Bryan Salesky, President Pete Rander, and Chief Technology Officer Brett Browning, is committed to harnessing the potential of self-driving trucks for commercial success. The company, which is also headquartered in Pittsburgh, has quickly grown to employ 150 professionals across multiple states. Notably, Stack AV has secured substantial funding from…

Jaguar is embarking on an innovative venture in collaboration with the prestigious apartment group MODA Living. The initiative aims to provide residents of two opulent apartment complexes in the UK, namely Angel Gardens in Manchester and New York Square in Leeds, with the exclusive opportunity to experience the electric I-Pace through an on-demand rental service. This visionary move underscores Jaguar’s commitment to redefining the client journey in anticipation of its transition to an all-electric luxury car company by 2025. The essence of this groundbreaking program lies in convenience and accessibility. Residents of the aforementioned apartment complexes can effortlessly book the…

Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD, delivered a compelling message today at the 2023 ESG Global Leaders Conference in Shanghai. He called upon humanity to expedite its departure from fossil fuels, emphasizing the urgency of transitioning to sustainable energy sources to secure the future. Mr. Wang acknowledged the historical significance of fossil energy, which has fueled human progress for over 260 years since the first industrial revolution. Nevertheless, he stressed that this reliance has come at a considerable cost to society. According to Wang’s speech, humanity has already depleted almost half of the planet’s fossil energy resources. At the…

In a move that has sparked controversy, the European Commission has launched an investigation into the competitive landscape of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). The probe comes in the wake of concerns raised by European automakers about their ability to produce affordable EVs and catch up with China’s dominance in this rapidly expanding market. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the investigation, which aims to evaluate the dynamics of the EV industry, just days after executives at Munich’s IAA mobility show voiced their apprehensions. They acknowledged the formidable challenge of narrowing the gap with China in terms of affordability…

German automaker BMW has announced plans to reduce the planning time for new factories by 50%. This strategic move was revealed by BMW’s production chief, Milan Nedeljkovic, ahead of the recent Munich Motor Show. Traditionally, the planning phase for a new production facility can span anywhere from 12 to 24 months, with construction taking an additional one to two years. Nedeljkovic highlighted that by reducing the planning duration from 24 to 12 months, the overall timeline could be condensed from three years to just two. See also: BMW manufactures its Next-Gen Electric Vehicles in Virtual Factory Using NVIDIA’s Advanced Technology…

Tesla’s Giga Berlin facility has introduced a dedicated employee shuttle train, marking a significant step in its efforts to streamline transportation for its workforce while also contributing to local traffic alleviation. The train commenced operations on Monday, connecting the town of Erkner to the Tesla plant, and it is expected to run approximately 60 times a day from Monday to Friday. This innovative initiative was celebrated with a grand event at the newly established train depot on the Tesla site in Grünheide (Oder-Spree). The train service is not only designed to efficiently transport over 1,500 Tesla employees to and from…

Leapmotor, a player in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market, maintained its impressive delivery figures in August, though slightly below the record-breaking numbers seen in July. According to the latest data released by the company, Leapmotor reported 14,190 vehicle deliveries in August, marking the second-highest monthly figure, just shy of July’s peak of 14,335 units. Despite the marginal dip, this represented a substantial 13.29 percent increase when compared to the same month the previous year when 12,525 vehicles were delivered. However, it also indicated a modest 1.01 percent decrease from July’s extraordinary performance. See also: JSW Group in Preliminary Talks with…

In a recent unveiling, Tesla introduced the 2024 Model 3, showcasing significant advancements in aerodynamics and range. While the changes might appear as a routine mid-cycle update, they bring noteworthy enhancements to the popular electric vehicle. According to information compiled by Sawyer Merritt on X (formerly Twitter), the 2024 Model 3 claims the title of “the most aerodynamic Tesla ever,” boasting a drag coefficient of 0.219. However, it’s important to note that the larger Model S still retains a slightly lower drag coefficient of 0.208. The discrepancy arises from Tesla’s claim of having the “lowest absolute drag of any Tesla…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk diverted his attention last week to address Tesla employees via email regarding the imperative need for precise manufacturing standards for the forthcoming Cybertruck. Recent images have emerged that appear to underscore his concerns. Shared by Redditor u/kmraceratx on the subreddit r/RealTesla—known for candid Tesla discussions—the images feature close-up shots of several Tesla Cybertrucks displaying varying degrees of misalignment among their panels. The post’s title, “one of the richest companies in the world, folks…,” along with the accompanying caption, “amazing this is the best they can come up with…,” suggests disappointment with the perceived quality. See also:…