Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Audi has announced the opening of its first proprietary fast-charging location outside Europe, located in Tokyo, Japan. The new facility features four fast-charging points, each capable of delivering up to 150 kilowatts, and is open to electric cars of all brands. One of the key features of the Tokyo charging location is its buffer storage system, which reduces the strain on the local power grid. This system utilizes used batteries from development vehicles, a practice already in place at Audi’s existing charging hubs in Europe. Unlike Europe, where Audi uses the combined charging system, the Tokyo facility employs the CHAdeMO…

When it comes to the long-term costs of owning a car, maintenance and repairs are key factors that can significantly impact a buyer’s decision. A recent survey by Consumer Reports shed light on the maintenance costs of various car brands over a 10-year ownership period, excluding collision repair costs. In a surprising turn, Tesla emerged as the least expensive brand to maintain over a decade of ownership, beating out traditional favorites like Buick and Toyota. The average cost to maintain a Tesla for the first five years is just $580, and $4,035 for the first 10 years, according to the…

German automotive powerhouse ABT Sportsline has ventured into the world of electric boats, unveiling its inaugural model in collaboration with Austrian electric yacht specialist Marian. The ABT | Marian M 800-R, a luxury electric boat, is set to captivate enthusiasts with its blend of opulence and eco-friendliness. Priced at just under half a million euros, this exclusive model is limited to a production run of only 20 units. Customers who opt for the ABT | Marian M 800-R can expect a luxurious experience paired with impressive performance. The electric boat boasts a powerful 450 kW motor, enabling it to achieve…

In a bid to transform light fleets in the mining sector, Rivian Automotive and Mining Electric Vehicle Company (MEVCO) have joined forces to introduce electric pickups for mining operations. MEVCO, a specialist in light-duty EVs for mining, aims to convert Rivian’s R1T electric pickup trucks for mining purposes, offering maintenance and charging infrastructure support for mines. The collaboration, according to MEVCO CEO Matt Cahir, is poised to exceed the expectations of even the most demanding operators. Cahir emphasized the Rivian R1T’s acclaimed on and off-road capabilities, robust design, and adaptability as key factors driving its selection for mining applications. He…

China’s state planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), has forecasted an intensification of price wars among electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid automakers this year due to an oversupply and other factors, according to a statement released on Monday. The NDRC expects the launch of more than 110 new energy vehicle (NEV) models out of a total of 150 new cars this year, leading to heightened competition in the market. Despite this, the commission estimates market demand for NEVs, including EVs and plug-in hybrids, to reach 2.1 million units in 2024. However, the three top NEV brands—BYD, Aito,…

Tesla has recently made headlines with significant price reductions on its vehicles and Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. These moves have reignited discussions about the company’s pricing strategy, with CEO Elon Musk defending the changes. In response to criticism about the frequency of Tesla’s price adjustments, Musk pointed out that traditional automakers often change prices more regularly than consumers realize due to the dealership model. He highlighted the transparency of Tesla’s direct-to-consumer sales model, where prices are clearer. Last Friday, Tesla slashed the prices of the Model S, X, and Y by $2,000, following an earlier reduction in the price of…

The installation of DC fast charging stations in the US has experienced significant growth, with a 7.6% increase in Q1 2024, bringing the total to nearly 8,200 stations. According to analysis by Bloomberg Green of federal Alternative Fuels Data Center data, almost 600 DC fast charging stations were added in the first quarter of 2024. These developments represent a notable milestone, with one DC fast charging station now available for every 15 gas stations. Tesla Superchargers account for more than a quarter of these stations. Tesla’s Superchargers qualify for federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding if they are CCS…

In a move to counter recent market disappointments, Tesla announced significant price reductions for its Model Y, Model X, and Model S vehicles in the U.S. The price cuts, amounting to $2,000 each, come on the heels of lower-than-expected first-quarter deliveries for the electric vehicle (EV) giant, despite being the world’s most valuable automaker. The base variant of the Model Y will now cost $42,990, with the long-range and performance variants priced at $47,990 and $51,490, respectively. Similarly, the basic version of the Model S is now priced at $72,990, while the plaid variant costs $87,990. For the Model X,…

Citroen has recently revealed the first images of the new C3 Aircross, showcasing a revamped design akin to the compact e-C3 and an expanded model range including a seven-seat variant. The new lineup will include an electric version, the ë-C3 Aircross, promising an “affordable all-electric drive produced in Europe,” although specific technical details have yet to be disclosed. Similar to the e-C3, the ë-C3 Aircross is expected to be manufactured in Slovakia, utilizing the CMP Smart Car platform shared with the smaller electric model. Given the C3 Aircross’s larger size, with a length of 4.39 meters and the option for…

Tesla has delivered its Tesla Semi, an electric semi-truck, to a new customer for a pilot program that has reportedly exceeded expectations, pushing the electric vehicle “well beyond expectations.” The Tesla Semi program has experienced significant delays since its unveiling in 2017, with production initially expected in 2020. However, it only entered production in late 2022. Despite entering production over a year ago, the program has remained limited. In October 2023, it was reported that Tesla had only built about 70 Tesla Semi trucks, primarily using them internally and with one main customer: PepsiCo. Tesla was expected to increase production…

According to a recent ranking by the Center of Automotive Management (CAM), Chinese car manufacturers are dominating global electromobility in terms of innovation. The top six most innovative electric car companies include three Chinese companies: Geely, BYD, and SAIC. Tesla remains the world’s most innovative car manufacturer in the field of battery-electric mobility, ahead of the Volkswagen Group, according to CAM. However, it is directly followed by two Chinese representatives, Geely and BYD. The SAIC Group is in 6th place but achieved the second-largest increase in innovative strength in the study. The CAM team individually assessed a total of 512…

Illinois is making substantial strides towards a cleaner energy future with a new $25.1 million investment in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. John J. Kim, Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed plans to allocate this funding under the Driving a Cleaner Illinois program. The initiative aims to deploy 643 new Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) ports at 141 locations across the state, significantly bolstering the EV charging network. Director Kim highlighted the importance of this investment, stating, “Through these grants, Illinois will increase the number of fast charging ports by over 100 percent, resulting in nearly 1,000…

The U.S. Treasury announced on Friday that it has reimbursed auto dealers for more than $580 million in advance point-of-sale consumer electric vehicle (EV) tax credit payments since the beginning of the year. This marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the new EV credit program. Previously, U.S. auto buyers could only benefit from the EV credit of up to $7,500 or the $4,000 used EV credit when they filed their tax returns the following year. However, starting January 1, consumers are now able to transfer the credits to a car dealer at the time of sale, effectively reducing…

The City of Berkeley, California, has taken a significant step towards achieving its goal of transitioning to a zero-emission off-road equipment and vehicle fleet by 2035. In a groundbreaking move, Berkeley has become the first city to take delivery of a 70 horsepower Monarch MK-V electric tractor, signaling a shift towards sustainable farming practices. This development comes at a challenging time for the electric farm tractor industry, with Solectrac, a California-based company, facing setbacks, including being evicted from their Sonoma County R&D facility. Additionally, some agricultural equipment dealers have expressed reservations about Solectrac, citing the preference for a 75 horsepower…

Tesla has officially introduced its Full Self-Driving (FSD) subscription option in Canada, following an announcement last month that the service would soon be available in the country. The move comes after Tesla’s Vice President of Public Policy and Business Development, Rohan Patel, confirmed that CEO Elon Musk had approved the rollout of FSD subscriptions in Canada. The FSD subscription is now available in Canada for $99 CAD per month, mirroring the price cut in the United States. Tesla reduced the monthly price of FSD (Supervised) to $99 in the U.S. as part of its efforts to expand the availability of…

MAN, Europe’s second-largest commercial truck manufacturer, has announced plans to produce 200 hydrogen-powered semi trucks, signaling a significant step towards alternative fuel technologies. This move comes even as the company’s leadership remains skeptical about hydrogen’s long-term viability. MAN’s CEO, Alexander Vlaskamp, has previously expressed doubts, stating that “it is impossible for hydrogen to effectively compete with battery electric trucks.” He highlighted the current high cost of hydrogen, stating that “Today you cannot buy hydrogen for less than 13 or 14 euros … and it is not green.” Despite these reservations, MAN is proceeding with the development of hydrogen-powered vehicles as…

In a recent development, the Italian government has criticized Alfa Romeo’s choice to manufacture its new Milano crossover in Poland, arguing that the move violates Italian laws regarding products with “Italian sounding” names that are not actually made in Italy. Italy’s industry minister, Adolofo Urso, expressed his disapproval, stating, “A car called Milano cannot be produced in Poland. This law stipulates that you cannot give indications that mislead consumers. So a car called Milano must be produced in Italy. Otherwise, it gives a misleading indication which is not allowed under Italian law.” Despite this, Stellantis’ CEO, Carlos Tavares, defended the…

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled upgrades to its EQS electric flagship for the 2024 model year, enhancing both its design and technology. The new EQS model features a larger battery capacity of 118 kWh, up from 108.4 kWh, resulting in a maximum WLTP range of up to 822 kilometers for the EQS 450+. This marks a significant increase from the previous 717 kilometers, making the EQS more suitable for long-distance travel. Despite the larger battery, Mercedes-Benz has decided to maintain the 400-volt architecture for the EQS, rather than switching to an 800-volt system as anticipated. This decision means that the maximum charging…

Hyundai and Kia are looking to equip their electric vehicles (EVs) in India with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from local manufacturer Exide. The strategic partnership between the automakers and Exide aims to expand their EV plans for the Indian market and localize battery production, aligning with India’s carbon neutrality goals. While specific details about which models will feature the locally produced batteries have not been disclosed, Exide Industries, based in Kolkata, will produce LFP cells for Hyundai and Kia’s EVs. The partnership positions the companies as pioneers in using domestically produced batteries in their upcoming EV models in India.…

Lucid Motors has unveiled an enticing leasing offer for its 2023 Air Grand Touring electric sedan, aimed at U.S. customers seeking a luxurious and high-performance driving experience. With a starting price of $135,750, the Air Grand Touring comes with significant discounts and credits, making it a compelling option in the electric vehicle market. Buyers of the 2023 Lucid Air Grand Touring can benefit from a $15,000 Air Credit and a $9,650 Pro Credit. Additionally, the vehicle is eligible for a $7,500 tax credit when leased. Customers can also receive a $5,000 bonus and a $1,250 discount if they are referred…