Author: Shaun Williams

Toyota is partnering with WattTime to give customers of eligible Toyota and Lexus vehicles access to data on the health and environmental effects of charging at different times. This information will be provided through the Toyota and Lexus apps, using the Remote Connect feature, allowing customers to use the ECO Charging feature to choose the best times to charge their vehicles. This will empower customers to make more informed decisions and help reduce emissions from power plants, benefiting both human health and the environment. “With the integration of WattTime data in the Toyota and Lexus apps, we are providing customers…

The future of the BMW Group is electric, circular and digital. BMW i Vision Dee is dedicated to the digital aspect of the trio and represents the BMW Group’s digital future experience. Dee (Digital Emotional Experience) are three letters with deep meaning for the BMW Group. Vision vehicles that enable a whole new type of interaction and communication between humans and vehicles. The BMW i Vision Dee was presented to the world for the first time at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. “With the BMW i Vision Dee, we’re showing what’s possible when hardware and software…

Oslo has launched a grant scheme through its ‘Climate and Energy Fund’ to support the installation of charging stations for electric trucks and buses in the city. The first round of funding will cover up to 80% of installation costs, with 28 new fast-charging stations being granted 25 million Norwegian kroner (about €2.3 million). Fastcharge and ST1 have been selected to implement the new chargers, with three confirmed locations and at least one under construction. Bergljot Tjønn, Technology Adviser at the Climate Agency, said it was “fun” that Oslo now has three very different charging stations for heavy vehicles, including…

Although Tesla typically adheres to a policy of not offering discounts on its electric vehicles, it has been known to break this rule at the end of quarters in order to clear excess inventory and boost its quarterly results. Recently, the company offered larger discounts than usual in several markets, which led some analysts to speculate that there may be issues with demand. Despite the discounts typically ending at the end of the quarter, Tesla has continued to offer them into the new year. The continuation of discounts in early year is considered abnormal. As previously reported, Tesla China Maintain…

Mitie, a British energy service provider, has been awarded a £4.3 million contract by the UK Department for Work and Pensions to install and maintain 250 charging points at 120 employment centers in the UK. The company, which already provides facilities management services to the DWP, will also help the department achieve its goal of operating an all-electric fleet by 2030. The contract is equivalent to just under 4.9 million euros. “Getting workplace car parks ready and welcoming with charging facilities is critical for the transition to an electric future. We are proud to partner with DWP as they lead…

Mercedes-Benz ended 2022 on a high note with a strong final quarter, delivering 540,800 passenger cars to customers worldwide, an increase of 17% over the previous year. Despite ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19 measures and supply chain issues, the company saw particularly robust demand for top-end and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) during the October to December period, with sales of these models up 14%. Despite the challenges of the year, Mercedes-Benz still delivered 2,043,900 passenger cars to customers in 2022, representing a 1% decrease from the previous year. However, the company saw significant growth in its electric vehicle (EV) offerings,…

According to a recent study by Juniper Research, the number of connected vehicles in service is expected to surge by 91% over the next four years, reaching 367 million globally by 2027. This growth is driven by the rapid advancement of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and the expanding capabilities of in-vehicle infotainment systems. The study also cites 5G’s high speed and low-latency capabilities as a transformative force behind these goals, and highlights the importance of effective collaborations between automotive OEMs and operators to achieve them. Connected vehicles are equipped with advanced communication technologies that enable the exchange of information…

In 2022, Mercedes-Benz Vans delivered a total of 411,000 units to customers worldwide, an increase of 4% over the previous year. Of these, around 14,700 were electric vans, representing a 15% increase. The company currently offers four models of battery-electric drive vans, and in the first quarter of 2023, they will be releasing two additional small electric van models, the eCitan and EQT, with a combined power consumption of 18.99 kWh/100 km and zero emissions. With this addition, the entire van product range will be fully electrified. This accomplishment highlights Mercedes-Benz Vans’ ambition and demonstrates that their strategy is effective.…

Davinci Motor, a rapidly expanding Chinese producer of advanced robotic electric motorcycles, made its debut at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a leading global technology exhibition. The company was prominently featured and displayed the exceptional user experience provided by its cutting-edge DC100 electric motorcycle, which also premiered in the United States. “We are thrilled to be here at CES 2023. The huge North American market is primed for the introduction of new market entrants, and with the technical prowess and knowhow that has gone into the creation of the DC100, we are well-positioned to become a major player here…

XPeng has announced that it has entered into agreements with China Auto Rental and Xiaolinggou Travel Technology to supply them with its P7 vehicles. China Auto Rental will be responsible for operating the vehicles, while Xiaolinggou will be responsible for purchasing them. The first P7s for this partnership are already in operation in five cities in China, and the service will also be available in Guangzhou before the Chinese New Year holiday. XPeng signed the strategic partnership on January 9 and completed the delivery of the first vehicles in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. XPeng’s P7 electric vehicle has gained popularity in…

Tesla is offering discounts to electric vehicle buyers in Singapore who agree to purchase existing inventory of the Model 3 or Model Y. The discount includes a credit of $5,000 for trading in an internal combustion vehicle and another $5,000 credit against the cost of the certificate to operate a car in Singapore. The Model 3 RWD is priced at approximately S$114,785, the Model 3 AWD at S$164,528, the Model Y RWD at S$142,601, and the Model Y AWD at S$190,325, all excluding the Certificate of Entitlement. Tesla is offering additional discounts for qualified buyers in Singapore who have a…

In December, passenger car registrations in the UK saw a 18% year-over-year increase, totaling 128,462 units. Despite this growth, which marked the fifth consecutive month of expansion, the total number of units sold in 2022 came to 1,614,063, a 2% decrease compared to 2021. Plug-in electric cars, on the other hand, had a strong end to the year, with 50,651 new passenger plug-in car registrations (a 41% year-over-year increase) reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This resulted in a record market share of 39.4%. The all-electric car segment saw particularly impressive growth, with a record number…

SparkCharge has unveiled its fleet services solution, a new addition to its mobile Charging as a Service (CaaS) offerings, to make the shift to electric vehicles easier, more cost-effective, and more immediate. This solution is the latest addition to SparkCharge’s CaaS lineup. “SparkCharge was founded in part to expedite electric vehicle adoption and accessibility for everyone,” said Josh Aviv, founder and CEO of SparkCharge. “Electrifying a fleet doesn’t have to be expensive or timely – our turnkey EV fast charging solutions allow businesses to make the switch from gas-powered vehicles to battery-electric, enabling them to be in compliance with green initiatives…

At CES 2023, VinFast and Vayyar Imaging announced a partnership to enhance the driving experience and safety of the latest VF 6 and VF 7 electric SUV models by integrating in-cabin radar technology. The technology, developed by Vayyar Imaging, helps detect and alert when children are left in the car, ensuring a safer journey for all passengers. Under the agreement, VinFast will integrate Vayyar’s 4D imaging radar technology into the VF 6 and VF 7 models. The Vayyar platform offers classification-based Child Presence Detection (CPD) to protect small passengers from hot car tragedies. The high-resolution platform has a wide field…

BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) company, has introduced a new luxury brand called YangWang, and its flagship SUV is the U8. This off-road ready vehicle is powered by a quad-motor system and features a ladder-frame chassis, as well as styling inspired by the Land Rover Defender and Nissan Armada. The U8’s motors are powered by BYD’s Blade batteries, which the company claims set new safety standards for the industry. Despite its sturdy ladder frame chassis, the U8 can reportedly accelerate to 62 mph in just three seconds. The SUV also boasts advanced torque vectoring technology, which allows it to…

Verge Motorcycles, the Finnish electric motorbike manufacturer, is introducing its highest-spec bike yet, the Verge TS Ultra, at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) taking place from January 5 to 8, 2023. This year, the company is also announcing its plans to start selling its bikes in the United States later in the year. U.S. residents can now place preorders for Verge Motorcycles on the company’s website. The company has been generating excitement for its futuristic designs since 2021, and European riders have already been able to purchase and receive previous TS models, with preorders starting at the end of…

Universal EV Chargers, a Texas-based company, has received $3.2 million in grants to install 105 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports at 21 locations in Texas. The grants will help to increase the availability of public EV charging stations in sectors such as hospitality and multifamily housing. Currently, there are 2,139 Level 2 and DC fast charging stations with 5,100 ports in Texas, serving around 150,000 registered EVs, or about one charge port for every 30 EVs. However, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) predicts that by 2028, 1 million Texans will be driving EVs, increasing the demand for public…

Renault is considering the production of a mass-market electric vehicle (EV) in India. The move is part of Renault’s plan to boost sales in the country, where the carmaker has remained profitable despite a decrease in car sales in 2022 compared to the previous year. Renault is reportedly exploring the possibility of launching an EV version of its Kwid hatchback that would be manufactured in India. This decision demonstrates Renault’s commitment to its electrification plans, even as it continues negotiations with partner Nissan about investing in an EV division that Renault plans to create from its other operations. The move…

Ford has made significant progress in the electric vehicle market, selling a total of 61,575 battery-powered vehicles in 2022. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, with sales more than doubling from 2021. Despite this progress, Ford still lags behind Tesla in terms of overall EV sales. However, the Michigan-based automaker has seen success with the release of the F-150 Lightning pickup and E-Transit van, contributing to the 126% increase in EV sales in 2022. Last year, electric vehicles made up only a small portion of Ford’s total sales, at 3.3%. However, the company’s CEO, Jim Farley, has…

Mercedes-Benz has become the first automaker to receive regulatory approval for Level 3 autonomous driving from the state of Nevada. The approval allows the automaker to operate the autonomous driving function on Nevada’s roads, and the function will be available on the Mercedes S-Class and EQS electric vehicle. According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, Level 3 automation allows a vehicle to operate autonomously in limited conditions, allowing the driver to take their eyes off the road and hands off the steering wheel. However, Mercedes’ Drive Pilot system is only capable of operating at speeds up to 40 mph, meaning…