Author: Shaun Williams

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has officially announced its intention to establish a new electric car factory in Indonesia. The company is in the process of acquiring a 100-hectare plot of land in the Subang Smartpolitan Industrial Area in West Java, where construction is slated to commence later this year. Operations are expected to commence in January 2026. While BYD has not disclosed the production capacity of the new facility, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, previously mentioned a target of 150,000 vehicles annually. He also stated that BYD’s investment in the project is estimated to be around…

Kia Europe’s Kia Charge service, launched alongside the Kia EV6 in September 2021, has achieved a milestone with over 100,000 subscriptions. The service serves as the central platform for all charging activities for Kia in Europe, catering to both public and business customers. Offering access to more than 700,000 charging points across 28 European countries, Kia Charge has been used by 60% of Kia electric vehicle buyers. Customers have completed over two million charging sessions using either their card or the Kia Charge app. Martin Enthofer, Director of Customer Experience Strategy and Solutions at Kia Europe, noted, “The rising popularity…

A new lease offer from Polestar has positioned the 2024 Polestar 2 as an appealing choice for electric car enthusiasts in the U.S. The promotion, featured on the Polestar website, reduces the monthly lease price to $299, making it a competitive option in the electric vehicle market. The offer includes an increased clean vehicle incentive for leasing, now at $10,000, up from $7,500. This adjustment brings the price of a new Polestar 2 down to $39,295 after accounting for destination, delivery, and acquisition fees. The vehicle can be leased for 27 months at $299 per month, with a $3,000 down…

Monaco’s historic harbor is gearing up for a significant marine race event that will showcase the latest advancements in electric marine propulsion technology, thanks to a collaboration between the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) and the International Electric Marine Association (IEMA). The event will see teams from top universities worldwide competing and presenting their work in the field. The partnership between YCM and IEMA aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies in marine mobility. By leveraging their combined expertise and networks, the organizations seek to raise awareness and draw attention to electric marine technologies, particularly highlighting the work being…

Tesla’s push towards launching its Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in regions with left-hand-drive (LHD) configurations has gained momentum, with CEO Elon Musk indicating an imminent expansion beyond North America. While Tesla has been laying the groundwork for FSD launches in international markets for some time, Musk’s recent statement hints at a focused effort to introduce the software in LHD regions. However, the company is not yet ready to launch in right-hand-drive (RHD) markets. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1783925863295422732 LHD countries, such as the United States, Canada, and many European countries, have the driver seated on the left side of the car, driving on…

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable freight transport, as their Class 8 heavy-duty electric semi became the first of its kind to cross the border hauling a standard load. This event marks a pivotal moment as both nations strive toward a net-zero future. The electric semi, part of a fleet of 11 Peterbilt 579EV Class 8 trucks purchased by San Diego-based Bali Express last year, completed its inaugural trip to Mexico, carrying a load of goods through the Port of Entry at Otay Mesa. This port connects Southern California to Tijuana, Mexico. Bali…

Tesla has reduced the price of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver assistant software in the United States from $12,000 to $8,000, as CEO Elon Musk intensifies the company’s focus on self-driving technology. Musk is banking on self-driving technology to become a lucrative venture for Tesla, which is currently the world’s most valuable automaker. However, despite years of efforts, Tesla has yet to achieve full self-driving capability, facing increasing regulatory and legal scrutiny. Earlier this month, Musk announced that Tesla would unveil its robotaxis on August 8, following reports that the company had abandoned plans for an inexpensive, mass-market car in…

Fastned, an European fast-charging network for electric vehicles (EVs), has unveiled its vision for the “motorway service station of the future” with the opening of a shop, restaurant, and toilets at one of its fast-charging stations. This development marks a significant step towards making the EV charging experience more pleasant and convenient for customers. The first location of this innovative concept is situated on the E19 motorway in Brecht, Belgium, between Antwerp and Breda. Fastned plans to expand this concept to other locations, starting with Gentbrugge, where it intends to build charging stations with shops on both sides of the…

The global electric vehicle (EV) market witnessed a remarkable surge in 2023, with a record 13.7 million units sold worldwide, comprising 18% of total passenger vehicle sales. This acceleration was particularly evident in the fourth quarter, which saw 4.4 million EVs sold, according to a recent Bloomberg NEF report. Despite this global momentum, the United States’ adoption of EVs remains sluggish in comparison. In 2023, only 1.3 million EVs were added to American roads, accounting for just 9% of new vehicle sales. This figure falls significantly below the global average, highlighting the nation’s slower pace of EV adoption. Looking ahead,…

Michelin Services and Solutions has made its initial foray into electrification by introducing its first electric vans in the UK. The move signifies the company’s commitment to transitioning its entire fleet to electric vehicles by 2026. The company’s service division has deployed 17 Vauxhall Combo Electric eLCVs, marking the beginning of its plan to electrify the 54-strong fleet of the unit by 2026. While these vehicles are currently on a four-year lease, Michelin has plans to further expand its electric transporter fleet in the coming year. Alastair Cameron, National Operations Manager for Services and Solutions at Michelin, highlighted the significance…

In a recent meeting as part of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), the EU Commission and the US government failed to reach an agreement on a raw materials partnership, further excluding Europe’s car manufacturers from significant portions of electric vehicle (EV) subsidies in the US. The meeting, which was the final one before the US presidential elections in November, was seen as a crucial opportunity to amend the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to include European car manufacturers in EV subsidies. However, no breakthrough was achieved, with the joint final declaration of the TTC meeting only stating an intention to…

Tesla has reportedly reduced production at its Shanghai plant as sales of electric cars in China experience slower growth amidst intense competition in the world’s largest car market. According to insiders cited by Bloomberg, Tesla has scaled back production of its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles at the Shanghai plant to five days a week, down from the previous 6.5 days. The production lines will now operate in two shifts of 11.5 hours each for the remaining days of the week. It is unclear when production will resume at full capacity, as Tesla has not provided a clear indication.…

Connected Energy, a leading energy storage company specializing in second-life battery systems, has successfully installed its innovative energy storage solutions at two Volvo Truck & Bus dealer sites in the UK. The installations, located in Carlisle and Enfield, utilize Connected Energy’s 300kW E-STOR system to power both DC and AC electric vehicle charging stations. The Enfield site features a configuration supporting 350kW and five 22kW electric car chargers, while the Carlisle installation supports a 150kW truck charge point and two 22kW electric car chargers. These systems ensure that both locations have sufficient power to operate high-capacity charging points, crucial for…

Lilium, the Munich-based aviation company, has signed a memorandum of understanding with US aviation service provider Atlantic Aviation to ensure seamless compatibility between the Lilium Jet and Atlantic’s network of aviation assets across North America. This agreement will allow operations at current and future locations. Atlantic Aviation operates more than 30 airport locations in Lilium’s targeted launch markets in Florida, Southern California, the northeast of the US, and Texas. In January, the company announced its plan to install charging infrastructure for electric aircraft at all of its locations, in cooperation with VTOL start-ups such as Joby Aviation and Archer. The…

North American bus manufacturer New Flyer has announced a substantial order from New York City, encompassing the delivery of up to 1,420 electric buses over the next five years. The order includes the production of both 12 and 18-meter buses for the city. The New York City Transit Authority (NYCT) has committed to purchasing up to 2,090 buses from New Flyer within five years, with up to 1,420 of them being electric. Under the framework agreement, NYCT has already placed a firm order for 205 Xcelsior Charge NG electric buses. The agreement for electric buses spans both 12 and 18-meter…

Tesla will resume production at its German Gigafactory on Wednesday after power was restored late Monday night. The financial impact of the recent power outage is not as severe as initially feared, according to the company. Experts predict that Tesla will take less than a day to restart production at the plant, with operations expected to be fully operational by Wednesday, as reported by the German Handelsblatt. Initially, Tesla had announced that production would be suspended until the end of the week following the arson attack on a nearby electricity pole last week, which caused a blackout in the company…

Tesla has issued an open letter accusing Australia’s leading automotive lobby, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), of spreading false information regarding proposed regulations to cap fuel efficiency standards. The company announced its intention to exit the group in June, and Polestar is reportedly considering a similar course of action. Australia currently lacks regulations mandating fuel efficiency standards, making it one of the few developed countries without such rules. The government’s recent announcement of plans to introduce regulations similar to those in the U.S. prompted the FCAI to claim that these rules would result in higher prices for consumers.…

Brighton & Hove, a pioneering municipality in the UK, is set to bolster its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with the addition of 100 new lamp post charging points and 20 fast chargers next month. This expansion will bring the total number of EV chargers in the city to close to 500, offering residents and visitors greater accessibility to charging facilities. The first phase of the initiative will focus on installing AC chargers, made possible by a 440,000-pound government grant from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). This grant will cover 60 per cent of the total cost of…

SK On, a South Korean battery manufacturer, showcased improved versions of its SF cells, first introduced in 2021, at the InterBattery trade fair in Seoul. The company also presented the Winter Pro LFP battery, designed to excel in low-temperature conditions. The trade fair, held at the Coex Convention & Exhibition Centre, has been ongoing since Wednesday. SK On highlighted improvements in the energy density of its SF cells, which already offered a charging time of 18 minutes for the usual window of ten to 80 per cent. The 2024 version maintains this charging time while boasting a nine per cent…

Hyundai has unveiled the stunning new Ioniq 6 Black Edition, following the recent launch of the updated Ioniq 5. The sleek blacked-out electric vehicle (EV) comes with special matte wheels, black front and rear molding, side sills, outside mirror cover, and front mat emblem. Launched in Korea earlier this week, the Ioniq 6 Black Edition is a design-specialized package that highlights the sophisticated beauty of black. It is available starting from the Exclusive Plus trim. See also: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Earns Top Spot as Most Fuel-Efficient 2024 Model in U.S. In Korea, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 Standard starts at $37,500 (KRW…