Author: Shaun Williams

NIO executives have unveiled details about the automaker’s third EV brand, Firefly, as well as the name of its first model, which will be revealed during the company’s 10th annual NIO Day event on December 21, 2024. Firefly is an affordable boutique EV marque, designed to offer smaller, innovative models at more accessible price points, targeting a range between RMB 100,000 ($13,800) and RMB 200,000 ($27,500). Firefly marks NIO’s continued expansion into the affordable EV segment, following the earlier launch of the Onvo brand (previously codenamed “Alps”), which debuted the L60 SUV this year. Despite tariffs on Chinese-built EVs entering…

The refreshed 2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 was revealed at the LA Auto Show, now featuring a new NACS charging port for access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. The updated electric SUV also boasts improved driving range, sleek new styling, and additional interior technology. The GV70 has quickly become Genesis’ most popular model in North America, with the all-electric version launching in the U.S. in March 2023. The 2026 model adds more range with an upgraded 84 kWh battery, expected to offer a range closer to 250 miles, up from 236 miles in the previous model. The new design includes a redesigned…

Chinese passenger car exports are projected to reach 4.5 million units in 2024, a 29% year-on-year increase, according to market researcher Canalys. However, the growth rate for battery electric vehicle (BEV) exports is expected to slow significantly due to European Union tariff policies and reduced demand for new energy vehicles (NEVs). China’s BEV exports are estimated at 860,000 units for the year, marking just a 9% increase. The contribution of BEVs to total Chinese car exports is anticipated to fall from 22.5% in 2023 to 19.0% in 2024. In contrast, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)…

Chinese tech giant Baidu announced on Tuesday that it has reduced the production cost of its Apollo RT6 self-driving vehicle to 250,000 yuan (US$34,525) per unit, a milestone aimed at accelerating the adoption of autonomous driving in China. Speaking at a trade event in Wuhan, Baidu co-founder and CEO Robin Li Yanhong highlighted the RT6’s status as the world’s only mass-produced Level-4 autonomous vehicle. “Tesla represents another technology roadmap … [it] wanted to go from L2 to L4, and is still working on it,” Li said, emphasizing Baidu’s lead in self-driving technology, according to local media reports. Level 4 autonomy,…

Daimler Buses has announced that a new battery generation, the ‘NMC4,’ will be available for all eCitaro variants starting in 2026, offering significant improvements in range. Additionally, the eCitaro with a fuel cell range extender will be able to operate solely on hydrogen in a new operating mode, enhancing its efficiency and flexibility for transport operators. The new ‘NMC4’ battery generation is set to provide a six percent higher energy density compared to the previous ‘NMC3’ batteries, thanks to a new cell chemistry. This improvement will allow the eCitaro to achieve a range of up to 500 kilometers, a substantial…

Dutch electric bus manufacturer Ebusco has secured a €5 million investment from Chinese battery maker Gotion as part of a strategic partnership aimed at stabilizing Ebusco’s finances and ensuring supply chain continuity. Under the terms of the agreement, Gotion will acquire a 9.3% stake in Ebusco through the purchase of rump shares. If insufficient shares are available, an extraordinary general meeting in early 2025 will determine whether additional shares can be issued exclusively for Gotion. The deal also grants Gotion board representation, with rights to appoint members to Ebusco’s Supervisory and Management Boards, subject to shareholder approval. The investment comes…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) announced its entry into the UK automotive market through a distributor agreement with International Motors Ltd (IML). This move marks another step in Xpeng’s broader international expansion strategy. Xpeng plans to introduce the G6, its flagship SUV, to the UK market in early 2024. The company described the UK as a critical entry point into the broader European market. IML, a long-established automotive distributor with operations across the UK, Ireland, and northern Europe, will facilitate Xpeng’s debut in the region. The G6 was previewed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 earlier…

The U.S. utility industry is advocating for the preservation of clean energy and electric vehicle (EV) tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as the incoming Trump administration signals potential rollbacks. Pedro Pizarro, CEO of Edison International, underscored the importance of the IRA at the COP29 climate summit, stating that maintaining the legislation would benefit businesses and consumers alike. “One of our big priorities as an industry is going to be to articulate the benefits of the IRA,” Pizarro told Reuters. He highlighted that most benefits “don’t actually accrue to our shareholders. They go straight to our bills and…

tozero, a European startup focused on lithium-ion battery recycling, has secured €11 million in an oversubscribed seed round, led by NordicNinja. This funding will enable the company to build its first industrial deployment plant, scale commercial production of recycled lithium, and expand its team. New investors in the round include In-Q-Tel, Honda, and JGC Group, while existing investors such as Atlantic Labs, Verve Ventures, and Possible Ventures have also increased their commitment. The global demand for lithium is projected to quadruple by 2030, creating significant challenges for the supply chain, particularly in industries like electric vehicle (EV) batteries. At present,…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is poised to enter South Korea’s passenger car market early next year, aiming to build on its established presence in the country’s commercial vehicle sector. BYD Korea, the automaker’s South Korean subsidiary, stated it has “completed review to release passenger car brands in the domestic market,” according to Yonhap news agency, which cited a company press release. BYD initially entered the South Korean market in 2016, focusing on commercial vehicles such as buses, trucks, and forklifts. Now, the company is advancing preparations to launch passenger EVs by setting up a regional sales and service network,…

Volkswagen Anhui, the Chinese joint venture majority-owned by Volkswagen, is set to shift from the MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) platform to the CEA (China Electric Architecture) for its upcoming electric vehicle (EV) models. This change comes amid disappointing sales of its ID.UNYX model, which launched in July. Local media outlet AutoPix reported that only a few hundred units of the ID.UNYX have been sold, despite some large customer orders. The first model based on the new CEA architecture is expected to begin production in late 2025, with a market launch slated for 2026. Consequently, the rollout of Volkswagen Anhui’s…

Automaker Stellantis and German chipmaker Infineon announced on Thursday that they will collaborate to advance the power architecture for Stellantis’ upcoming vehicle models. The two companies have signed supply and capacity agreements to lay the foundation for this partnership. As part of their cooperation, Infineon will provide smart power switches that will enable Stellantis to implement intelligent power network management and silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors. This collaboration aims to standardize power modules, enhancing electric vehicle (EV) performance and efficiency. As the automotive industry increasingly turns to electrification and interconnection, the demand for advanced technology and semiconductors continues to rise. “We…