Author: Alexander Reed

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…

A recent report from the Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) sheds light on the potential carbon emission reductions lost amid the global surge in SUV popularity, impacting the progress made by electric vehicles (EVs) in the past decade. The study suggests that if vehicles had maintained their size from 2010 to 2022 without the SUV trend, carbon emissions could have decreased by over 30%. Instead, emissions only experienced a modest 4.2% decline, partially offsetting the positive impact of EV adoption. SUVs, comprising 51% of new car sales, have contributed to an unprecedented rise in the average weight of light-duty vehicles,…

DHL Express and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles have joined forces to launch a pilot test of an ID.Buzz Cargo fleet in South Africa. The six-month trial will feature four ID.Buzz Cargo units strategically placed at DHL Express Service Centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. These electric vehicles will be dedicated to specialized last-mile delivery services during the testing period. Thomas Milz, the Director of Sales and Marketing at VWSA, expressed that the collaboration with DHL Express on the ID.Buzz Cargo test fleet marks the initial phase of Volkswagen’s gradual introduction of electric vehicles into the local market. He stated, “At…

Swiss electric bike manufacturer Stromer, a stalwart in the industry since 2009, continues its legacy with the urban-centric ST3 model. Recognized with a Red Dot Award in 2022, the ST3 exemplifies the brand’s commitment to premium, high-quality e-bikes tailored for the commuter market. Embracing a utilitarian ethos, the ST3’s aluminum frame, offered in Sport and Comfort configurations, boasts an urban-focused geometry. The Comfort variant, with slightly taller handlebars, prioritizes an even more upright riding position. Notably, the ST3 lacks built-in suspension, though upgrades like an upside-down fork and Kinekt suspension seatpost are available at an additional cost. Under the hood,…

The Oxford Bus Company has inaugurated Oxford’s maiden electric bus service, featuring 21 Wrightbus StreetDeck Electoliners set to be operational by year-end. In a partnership with Oxford Brookes University, the electric buses will replace the current diesel fleet and be charged by Zenobe, with service commencement expected by the end of this year. Owned and operated by the Oxford Bus Company, the new Brookes bus fleet showcases the Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliners, capable of covering 300 miles on a full charge, according to the Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer. Zenobe, in collaboration with Oxford Bus Company, will provide and install the charging…