Author: Alexander Reed

Fisker Inc. issued a recall covering 7,745 Ocean SUVs from the 2023 and 2024 model years to address a potential safety hazard related to unintended vehicle rollaway, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) disclosed. The recall follows an investigation by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), which had identified a logic flaw in the vehicle’s parking mechanism. The ODI found that when drivers attempted to engage the parking brake while the vehicle was moving at low speeds, the system would reject the request and shift into neutral instead of park. This design flaw, the agency noted, could lead…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid has clarified its future strategy, dismissing the possibility of launching a $20,000 EV under its brand. Speaking on The Wall Street Journal’s Bold Names podcast, CEO Peter Rawlinson stated, “No, because that market sucks,” emphasizing the low-margin nature of the mass-market EV segment. Despite this, Rawlinson highlighted the company’s potential to enable cheaper EVs indirectly through technology licensing. “Regarding a $20K or $25K EV, our advanced tech will enable that tomorrow,” he said, adding that other automakers with established manufacturing networks could adopt Lucid’s innovations to produce such vehicles. Lucid’s focus remains on the premium and…

General Motors (GM) announced plans to discontinue the gas-powered Cadillac XT4 SUV at its Kansas facility in January, as the automaker shifts focus to an expanded lineup of electric Chevy Bolt models. This move follows GM’s earlier decision to phase out the Chevy Malibu to make way for a next-generation Bolt family. GM’s President, Mark Reuss, confirmed that the upcoming lineup will introduce “a family of Bolts,” which includes a lower-cost variant and upgraded features such as faster charging. Although initial pricing for the new models is set to be slightly above the previous Bolt’s $28,785 MSRP, GM CEO Mary…

South Korea’s LG Energy Solution (LGES) reported a 39% decline in its quarterly profit, citing pressures from slowing electric vehicle (EV) demand. However, the result exceeded market expectations, as some European and North American automakers increased demand. For the July-September quarter, LGES announced an operating profit of 448 billion won ($322.84 million), meeting an earlier company forecast but down from 731 billion won in the same period last year. The battery supplier to major automakers such as Tesla, General Motors, and Hyundai Motor credited a tax benefit from the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as helping offset the losses. According…

European dealers representing Stellantis brands have voiced their support for a proposal from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) to delay upcoming carbon emission reduction targets set by the European Union for 2025. In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the dealer groups expressed concerns that market conditions do not support the feasibility of these goals. “We firmly believe that the CO2 reduction targets set for 2025 are unfeasible under current market conditions,” the letter stated, highlighting a position at odds with Stellantis’ own commitment to meet EU regulations. This adds pressure on Stellantis CEO…

Kia is recalling certain 2024 EV9 electric SUVs due to an issue with the Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) feature, which enables drivers to move the vehicle remotely using the key fob. This system is designed to help maneuver the car in tight spaces, but a software flaw could cause the vehicle to not stop properly when the feature is used. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified a problem with the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) software. If the driver repeatedly stops the vehicle at speeds around or below 2 mph using the remote, insufficient brake pressure may…

Lucid Motors Vice President of Global Communications, Nick Twork, has provided clarity on a detail regarding the forthcoming Gravity SUV. In a recent update on the social media platform X, Twork confirmed that the production version of the Lucid Gravity will feature a single charge port, a departure from some development models that were observed with two charge ports. “The production Lucid Gravity will have one charge port. Some development cars have two charge ports for testing purposes,” Twork stated in his post. However, he did not specify whether the production model would be equipped with a Combined Charging System…

Stadtwerke München (SWM) has introduced 13 new electric solo buses to Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft’s (MVG) fleet, supplied by MAN Truck & Bus. This addition raises MVG’s electric bus count to 71 vehicles. The new 12-meter-long MAN Lion’s City E buses are equipped with nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries, providing a capacity of 480 kWh. This allows the buses to cover approximately 250 kilometers under realistic conditions, with a technical range of up to 350 kilometers. The buses offer a continuous output of 160 kW and can reach a peak output of 240 kW. “These new electric buses mark a significant step forward in…

The first of seven planned EV fast-charging stations under the MetroCHARGE project has commenced operations in Barcelona, powered exclusively by energy recovered from metro trains’ braking process and photovoltaic panels installed on metro station roofs. Situated on the Rambla de Marina in L’Hospitalet, near the Line 1 Metro-stop Bellvitge, the new station features two 50 kW chargers, each with three connectors that can be used simultaneously. Depending on the connector, electric vehicles can charge for a maximum of 30 minutes to two hours, with a cost of 30 cents per kilowatt-hour. A fee of 0.399 euros per minute is charged…

Toyota Motor Corporation is contemplating the construction of a new electric vehicle (EV) battery plant on Kyushu island, Japan. The plant, to be operated by Toyota’s subsidiary Primearth EV Energy, is anticipated to be located in the Shin-Matsuyama Seaside Industrial Park in Kanda, Fukuoka Prefecture, according to a report by Nikkei. The proposed site is approximately 40 kilometers from Toyota’s Miyata auto plant in Miyawaka city, which currently produces Lexus models including the UX, NX, RX, and ES. This proximity could facilitate the integration of battery production with vehicle manufacturing, potentially leading to the assembly of EVs at the Miyata…

SVOLT, a prominent battery manufacturer, has introduced three new prismatic ‘short blade’ batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), featuring advanced fast-charging capabilities and various chemistries. The new lineup includes lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells, alongside a special version for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). The headline product, the 5C fast-charging LFP battery, promises to charge from 10% to 80% in just ten minutes. With an energy density of 188 Wh/kg, this battery offers a service life of 3,500 charging cycles, significantly higher than the typical 1,000 cycles for current lithium-ion cells. SVOLT plans to commence series production of…

Volkswagen has unveiled the ID.7 Pro S variant in the UK, featuring a larger battery and faster charging capabilities to bolster its electric vehicle lineup. The new ID.7 Pro S Match models are equipped with an 86 kWh battery, a significant upgrade from the 77 kWh battery found in the ID.7 Match versions, Volkswagen announced. This enhancement allows the fastback model to achieve a WLTP range of 437 miles, with the Tourer variant close behind at 425 miles. “With the 86 kWh battery, the ID.7 Pro S can support a WLTP range of 709 kilometers, ensuring ample distance for electric…