Author: Alexander Reed

Italian government is considering a substantial investment of 930 million euros in a scrappage scheme, designed to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by offering financial aid to participants. According to a report from Bloomberg, the proposed plan is primarily focused on supporting low-income families owning Euro 2 model vehicles. Those with an annual income below 30,000 euros could potentially receive up to 13,750 euros upon trading in their outdated diesel or petrol cars for electric alternatives. Notably, the eligibility criteria include a requirement that the vehicle must be at least 20 years old. See also: Italy Explores Auto…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Mullen is set to reveal the long-anticipated world debut of the Five RS at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024. Despite facing delays in the production schedule of the Mullen Five, the company appears determined to showcase the product design of the Five RS at the event in Las Vegas. While details remain scarce, the invitation to the unveiling hints at a significant step forward, labeling it as the “product design world debut.” This suggests that Mullen might present either the road-ready variant or, at the very least, its design at CES 2024. See also: Mullen…

Tesla Inc. has reported robust sales figures for the fourth quarter of 2023, achieving its annual production and delivery goal of 1.8 million units. The quarterly performance was marked by significant contributions from the Model 3 and Model Y, which collectively constituted over 90 percent of the company’s sales mix throughout the year. In the final quarter, Tesla grouped the sales figures for the Model S and Model X with the recently introduced Cybertruck, which initiated deliveries in late November. Although specific numbers for the Cybertruck remain undisclosed, it is estimated that Tesla delivered fewer than 100 units in November…

Nanotech Energy has introduced an innovative 18650 lithium-ion battery, setting it apart from conventional counterparts by incorporating graphene and a proprietary non-flammable electrolyte. This distinctive feature ensures the battery’s safety, mitigating the risk of fire or explosions under stress, thereby making it a promising option for electric vehicles (EVs), e-scooters, power banks, and various electronic devices. While lithium-ion batteries are widely used due to their high power density and ability to store considerable energy in a compact space, they are susceptible to issues such as overcharging, pressure, and heat. The liquid electrolyte used in traditional lithium cells is highly flammable,…

Electric vehicle startup Faraday Future Intelligent Electric received a notice from the Nasdaq exchange on Thursday, citing non-compliance with listing rules mandating a minimum closing share price of $1, as disclosed in a recent filing. As of Thursday, the company’s shares closed at 26 cents, prompting the need for corrective measures to meet Nasdaq’s standards. Faraday Future has until June 25 to restore compliance by ensuring its stock price remains above the required threshold for a continuous period of at least 10 days. In an attempt to address its listing concerns, Faraday Future previously implemented a reverse stock split in…

Chinese battery cell manufacturer Gotion High-Tech, in collaboration with Nuovo Plus, a subsidiary of Thai energy and oil company PTT Group, has initiated battery production at its plant in Thailand. The facility, established as a joint venture named NV Gotion, focuses on the assembly of battery packs, modules, and integration of battery management systems for both electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems. The production plant, announced a year ago, boasts an initial annual capacity of 2 GWh, with plans for expansion up to 8 GWh based on market demand. The facility’s timely commencement aligns with the original schedule, with…

A recent study conducted by the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office sheds light on significant differences in electric vehicle (EV) charging behavior at paid and free DC fast charging stations in the United States. The analysis, based on over 2.3 million charging sessions at non-Tesla DC charging stations from June 2020 to June 2023, indicates that EV drivers tend to spend nearly twice as much time at free DC fast chargers compared to paid ones. According to the report, drivers at free DC fast chargers spend an average of 78 minutes per session, gaining 40.7 kilowatt-hours of energy. In…

Impact Clean Power Technology (ICPT), a Polish battery system manufacturer, has entered into an agreement with LG Energy Solution (LGES) to procure battery modules featuring NCM cells for electric buses. The approximately 200,000 battery modules will be produced by LGES at its facility in Wroclaw, Poland, and will be delivered to ICPT within the country. The three-year agreement signifies a strategic move by ICPT, with the battery modules destined for its production facility, GigafactoryX, located in Pruszkow near Warsaw. At this facility, the modules will be assembled into battery packs and systems for use in electric buses. The delivery timeline…

Patented images of the upcoming production-spec Renault 5 E-Tech have surfaced online, offering a glimpse of the all-electric hatchback prior to its official global unveiling on February 26. The leaked images, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), indicate a close resemblance to the 2021 concept and align with exclusive renderings previously released by Carscoops in July. The front of the Renault 5 E-Tech showcases an updated Renault badge, accompanied by LED headlights featuring a distinctive and sharp design reminiscent of the concept model. Despite the absence of a traditional grille, the front fascia incorporates three slim horizontal slats,…

Germany’s Volkswagen is reportedly in early-stage discussions with potential partners, including France’s Renault, to collaborate on the development of a 20,000-euro ($21,476) electric car, according to sources familiar with the matter, as reported by Handelsblatt on Friday. Volkswagen’s interest lies in jointly creating a platform for the electric vehicle, aiming to make battery-powered cars more accessible to a broader market. Talks with Renault are said to be in the preliminary stages, and their outcome remains uncertain, as per the sources. The envisioned target for annual production is set between 200,000 to 250,000 vehicles, with both companies actively exploring the possibility…

Automaker Stellantis has announced its collaboration with San Francisco-based swappable electric vehicle (EV) battery developer, Ample, to address concerns related to range anxiety and long charge times. The partnership aims to introduce swappable battery technology to Stellantis’ rental EV fleet, providing a solution for quickly replacing depleted batteries with fully charged ones through Ample’s automated process. Set to commence in Spain in 2024, the initial program will involve a fleet of 100 Fiat 500e models within Stellantis’ Free2move car-sharing service. The innovative approach aims to offer EV owners a swift battery replacement experience, lasting only a few minutes at one…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla recently disclosed insights into the rapid development of its Cybertruck, shedding light on the ambitious timeline and unique design inspirations behind the unconventional vehicle. In an interview with Top Gear, Tesla’s chief designer, Franz Von Holzhausen, and VP of engineering, Lars Moravy, revealed that Tesla CEO Elon Musk set an extraordinary challenge for the team – to build the first prototype of the Cybertruck in just 90 days. This accelerated timeline aimed to drive swift decision-making within the team. Moravy explained, “Elon wanted the first prototype in 90 days… When you have 90 days to build…

The highly anticipated market launch of the Tesla Cybertruck is on the horizon, and early test drives under embargo have provided a glimpse into the electric vehicle’s potential range. Noted gadget expert and YouTuber Marques Brownlee shared a photo from the Cybertruck’s cockpit, hinting at a driving range of 265 miles. While details and precise figures are promised in Brownlee’s upcoming video, a closer examination of the displayed state-of-charge reveals ten bars, with nine illuminated and the last appearing as one or two pixels. Assuming a 10% per bar representation and a 1% estimate for the remaining pixels, speculations suggest…

Dutch carsharing leader MyWheels is set to incorporate Invers’ bidirectional charging technology into its latest fleet of electric vehicles. The integration involves the installation of Invers’ CloudBoxx in the new electric cars, allowing for bidirectional charging capabilities. MyWheels, recognized as the largest carsharing platform in the Netherlands as of 2022, is further collaborating with We Drive Solar to introduce over 200 bidirectionally chargeable vehicles into its fleet based in Utrecht. Invers, renowned for its hardware and software solutions tailored for shared mobility companies, sees bidirectional charging as an innovative means to address both a city’s electricity demand and its mobility…

German electric aviation company Lilium has achieved Design Organization Approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), a crucial milestone for companies involved in the development of commercial aircraft. This approval positions Lilium to hold a type certificate for its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) in Europe. Attaining the Design Organization Approval signifies that Lilium possesses the necessary organization, procedures, competencies, resources, and demonstrated diligence to design and certify aircraft according to the highest safety standards. Alastair McIntosh, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Design Organization at Lilium, emphasizes the significance of this approval as the company’s “license…

Elexon, a company specializing in charging logistics for fleets, is now under the ownership of Swiss energy group Varo Energy, following a complete acquisition. While the financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, the agreement is currently pending approval from the German Federal Cartel Office, with the expected closure in mid to late January. Despite becoming a part of Varo Energy, Elexon will maintain its independent brand identity. Elexon primarily focuses on building charging points for company fleets, particularly in the logistics sector. As a system integrator and industry innovator, the company provides services in consulting, installation, prototyping, charging and…

General Motors is reportedly trimming expenditures on its autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Cruise, following a recent pedestrian incident, as per the Financial Times on Tuesday. In October, a Cruise autonomous cab failed to halt in time, colliding with a pedestrian who had already been hit by a hit-and-run driver, sparking safety apprehensions surrounding the deployment of robotaxis. In response, Cruise, in November, temporarily halted all supervised and manual car trips across the United States. Simultaneously, the company initiated an extended safety assessment of its robotaxis, leading to internal unrest and prompting the resignations of CEO Kyle Vogt and Chief Product Officer…

Chinese automaker BYD, renowned for its “Build Your Dreams” philosophy, is making its mark in the European electric vehicle (EV) market with the introduction of the Seal, a direct contender to the Tesla Model 3. Both EVs, manufactured in China, debunk any notion that vehicles from this region lack the quality seen in Western-built counterparts, as demonstrated by Tesla’s success in surpassing its American facilities’ standards with its Shanghai Gigafactory. In a review by the Fully Charged Show, the BYD Seal showcases not only competitive build quality but also surpasses expectations in interior design, drawing parallels to luxury brands like…

On Monday, South Korea’s leading automotive industry research institute indicated that the global automobile market is on a trajectory to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, foreseeing a moderate growth pace amid an extended economic slowdown in the coming year. Projections suggest a 10.4% increase in global automobile sales, reaching 90.1 million units in 2023 compared to the previous year. This optimistic outlook is attributed to improved supply chains for automotive components and reduced inventories of automobiles. In 2024, the growth rate is anticipated to decelerate to 2.4% year-on-year, totaling 92.2 million units. Notably, the report highlights India and China…

German automaker Mercedes-Benz has officially opened its inaugural charging hub in Mannheim, Germany, marking the commencement of its own European High-Performance Computing (HPC) network. This facility is the first of 30 planned fast-charging parks across Europe, expected to offer over 200 charging points by the conclusion of 2024. In a strategic collaboration, Mercedes-Benz has enlisted the support of E.ON for the Europe-wide construction and operation of these charging hubs. Situated at the Mercedes-Benz branch in Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße, Mannheim, the charging park is equipped with six Hyperchargers from Alpitronic, each featuring a CCS connection capable of delivering up to 300 kW of…