Author: Alexander Reed

Former Nikola CEO Trevor Milton is pushing back against the Board of Directors’ recent decision to reject his five director nominees, a move that could signal a potential showdown between the embattled company’s founder and its current leadership. Milton had nominated Cole Cannon, Derek Johnson, Hans Peterson, Paul Southam, and Dave Sparks, known for his HeavyD YouTube channel, to join Nikola’s Board of Directors. However, the current Board swiftly rejected these nominations, citing concerns over the nominees’ lack of experience in public companies and their perceived lack of relevant skills. See also: Nikola Rejects Director Nominees Backed by Trevor Milton…

Commercial EV manufacturer Xos, Inc. has joined forces with renowned lifestyle vehicle expert Winnebago to further electrify the commercial segment. The partnership has yielded a fully electric chassis designed to support Winnebago’s specialty vehicle division, known for its custom builds of Class C RVs and Class A EV buses for various use cases. Xos, Inc. ($XOS) is an emerging commercial EV startup based in Southern California, specializing in Class 5 to 8 trucks, electric powertrains, and fleet management software called “Xosphere.” Its EVs have been purchased by last-mile delivery giants like FedEx Ground and Penske, as well as armored EVs…

Swiss technology group ABB announced on Tuesday that Morten Wierod, currently Head of the Electrification division, will take over as Chief Executive Officer from Björn Rosengren, effective August 1, 2024. Wierod, 52, has been with ABB since 1998 and has been a member of the Executive Committee since 2019. He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The company stated that Rosengren will relinquish his position as CEO on July 31 and will leave ABB completely at the end of the year. To ensure a smooth transition, Rosengren will provide advice and…

Tesla revealed exciting additions to its Cybertruck customization options. The Tesla Shop now offers three new wrap colors for the Cybertruck, expanding beyond the previously available Satin Stealth Black and Satin Ceramic White options. The new colors include Satin Rose Gold, Satin Abyss Blue, and Slip Grey. Among these, the Satin Abyss Blue wrap has garnered significant attention and appears to be the most popular choice among Tesla enthusiasts, based on comments following Tesla’s announcement. See also: Tesla’s Cybertruck “Wade Mode” Tested: Can It Really Swim? Tesla’s Cybertruck wraps, also known as color paint film, come with a price range of…

General Motors announced on Wednesday that its Cadillac Lyriq is once again eligible for a $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit in the United States, following a battery sourcing change to address two minor components. New U.S. Treasury battery sourcing rules, effective January 1, significantly reduced the number of EVs eligible for tax credits. To compensate for the lost Lyriq credit, GM had offered $7,500 discounts. See also: Cadillac Lyriq Set for Major Upgrades in March, Promising Enhanced Luxury and Performance The Chevy Blazer EV, currently under a stop sale due to a software issue, also lost the credit. GM stated last…

Volvo Cars is simplifying and standardizing the names of its electric vehicle models, introducing the abbreviations EX for SUVs and EC for SUV coupés. This change will impact two of Volvo’s current models. The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will be known as the EX40, while the C40 Recharge Pure Electric will be renamed the Volvo EC40 starting from the 2025 model year. The new naming convention has already been applied to the upcoming top model EX90 and the new entry-level Volvo EX30 in a new model series. The two existing models mentioned above, which are based on the CMA mixed…

VinFast, the Vietnamese automaker, has announced its entry into the Indonesian market through strategic partnerships with top dealers. GSU, BAM, and GNA, headquartered in Jakarta, alongside MCA in Medan and Majesty in Batam, will spearhead VinFast’s brand establishment and customer outreach efforts. The company’s Indonesian dealerships are gearing up to unveil the VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, and VF 7 models later this year. Details regarding pricing, sales, ordering, and after-sales services will be disclosed in the first half of 2024. See also: VinFast to Debut Right-Hand Drive EVs at Indonesia Motor Show, Eyes Market Expansion VinFast Indonesia CEO, Mr.…

LG Chem, the South Korean chemicals giant, unveils plans for a significant expansion in its battery cathode production capabilities with the construction of a $3 billion factory in Tennessee. The announcement comes alongside a multi-billion dollar contract agreement with General Motors (GM), signaling a strategic move to bolster its presence in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The long-term supply contract between LG Chem and GM, valued at $19 billion, will see the former providing cathode materials to power approximately 5 million EVs for the latter. The supply agreement, set to commence in 2026, aligns with the expected operational timeline of…

XCharge North America has unveiled plans to construct a grid supporting a Battery Storage EV Charging Superhub at Watters Creek Village, a mixed-use development near Dallas. This project will include more than 20 stalls equipped with ultra-fast chargers ranging from 200kW to 400kW per port. Once operational, the Superhub will become the largest non-Tesla DC fast-charging hub in the region, featuring 3 megawatt-hours of storage capacity dedicated to grid support. Engineered to withstand seismic weather events, it will demonstrate the capability to sustain and redistribute energy resources. Watters Creek Village will contribute to the community by returning surplus energy to…

The Lotus Emeya hyper-GT has recently completed the final phase of its extensive global test and development program in the challenging Arctic Circle, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward production. “Emeya is designed to provide an exceptional driving experience in all conditions, and we are eager for customers to experience it firsthand,” stated Sylvain Verstraeten, Regional Vehicle Line Director for Emeya. See also: Lotus Confirms Apple Car Key Compatibility for New Emeya Electric Vehicles During the winter months, Lotus engineers conducted thorough testing of the all-electric grand tourer in Ivalo, Finland, located approximately 250km inside the Arctic Circle.…

A recent video released by the California Highway Patrol depicts a Tesla Semi navigating down an icy hill on I-80 Eastbound at Donner Summit, showcasing the vehicle’s capabilities in challenging conditions. The footage underscores the importance of rigorous real-world testing conducted by Tesla to ensure vehicle performance and safety before public release, as encounters with treacherous driving conditions are not uncommon for truckers. See also: Tesla Semi Breaks Stereotypes, Achieves Over 1,000-Mile Journey in a Single Day https://twitter.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1755122588781609455 Truckers often face hazardous terrains and weather conditions, making it essential for both drivers and vehicles to be equipped to handle such…

The state of Washington is set to invest more than $85 million to facilitate the installation of nearly 5,000 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the region. Notably, half of the allocated grants will be directed towards communities facing elevated health risks due to pollution linked to fossil fuels. The Washington State Department of Commerce announced that the entirety of the funds will be allocated to non-profit organizations, electric utilities, tribes, and public agencies. The selection of locations was based on a comprehensive scoring system, with an interactive map aiding applicants in identifying areas where EV chargers would be…