Author: Shaun Williams

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…

VinFast and NXP® Semiconductors have announced that they will be working together on the development of next-generation automotive applications for VinFast. The collaboration aims to support VinFast’s goal of creating electric vehicles that are smarter, cleaner, and more connected. As part of the collaboration, VinFast will use NXP’s processors, semiconductors, and sensors to enhance the early development phases of new VinFast automotive projects. NXP will provide a range of system solutions for innovative applications. NXP will collaborate with VinFast to accelerate the time-to-market for new automotive projects by sharing its robust ecosystem of partners and top-notch solutions. The companies will…

BMW Group UK saw a significant increase in fully electric vehicle (BEV) sales in 2022, with 28,903 registrations representing an 11% share of the overall UK BEV market, compared to 7.2% in 2021. BMW’s BEV sales alone tripled from the previous year to 21,480, making it the fastest-growing BEV brand in the UK. When plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations are included, BMW reached a total of 38,045, meaning one in three BMWs sold in 2022 had a plug. This growth was largely driven by the success of new products such as the BMW i4 and iX, as well as strong sales…

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this year, BMW unveiled the i Vision Dee, a mid-size sedan concept that gives a preview of the company’s upcoming Neue Klasse of electric vehicles (EVs). The first of these EVs, a 3 Series-sized electric sedan, is set to go into production in 2025. The i Vision Dee, whose name stands for “Digital Emotional Experience,” has a pared-down design that focuses attention on the digital experience and the BMW brand’s DNA. The exterior features a classic three-box sedan design and a reimagined BMW kidney grille, as well as twin circular headlights…

New Flyer of America has been awarded a contract from Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) to supply up to 157 buses over the next five years. The deal includes firm orders for 15 electric and 54 diesel buses, with the option to purchase an additional 88 electric or diesel buses. This is not the first time New Flyer has been active in the US market, as the company had previously announced orders in June with a public transport operator in San Mateo and in May with operators in Maryland and Ohio. The current order includes 15 zero-emission, battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG…