Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Semiconductor manufacturer Onsemi has unveiled nine new versions of its EliteSiC Power Integrated Modules (PIMs), aimed at facilitating bidirectional charging for DC ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) chargers and energy storage systems. These silicon carbide-based solutions, deemed more efficient than traditional silicon-based semiconductors, offer potential cost reductions for IGBT power modules. See also: Onsemi Partners with Volkswagen to Supply Components for Next-Generation Electric Platform The technology boasts simplified cooling mechanisms, contributing to a 40% reduction in module size and a 52% decrease in weight compared to conventional silicon-based IGBT solutions. Utilizing Gen3 M3S SiC MOSFET technology, these PIMs feature improved switching…

Swedish automaker Volvo has entered into a €420 million ($460 million) financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) as part of its commitment to achieving a fully electric lineup by 2030. The funds will be dedicated to developing a new electric vehicle (EV) platform for the automaker’s next-generation models. The financing will support research and development efforts associated with the new EV platform, as well as the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies for an efficient production rollout. See also: Volvo’s First Electric Sedan Set to Debut in 2025, Featuring a 111 kWh Battery The overarching goal is to enhance…

Smatrics EnBW, a joint venture, has unveiled plans for the construction of 200 new High-Power Charging (HPC) points in Austria with capacities of up to 400 kW in the coming year. These charging points are slated to be strategically located along the country’s road network and within urban supermarket parking lots. The expansion will focus on key areas along the west and south motorways, with the first large fast-charging parks set to become operational in 2024. Notable locations include Innermanzing in Lower Austria and Regau and Vorchdorf in Upper Austria, where charging parks featuring 16 fast-charging points each will be…

Fuel cell specialist Ballard Power Systems has entered into a substantial long-term supply agreement with North American bus manufacturer NFI Group. Under the initial firm order, Ballard will deliver at least 100 FCmove-HD+ modules in 2024 for integration into New Flyer’s Xcelsior Charge FC H2 buses, destined for deployment in the USA and Canada. The agreement extends Ballard’s collaboration with NFI, covering fuel cell modules for buses across major NFI brands, including New Flyer, Alexander Dennis, and MCI. The companies have a history of partnership, with Ballard previously supplying fuel cells for ADL’s Enviro400FCEV, unveiled in 2021. See also: Solaris…

In the year 2023, Nikola Corporation reported the production of 42 and the sale of 35 Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks. Out of the seven trucks not delivered, three are undergoing an extended field test with a fleet partner, two are in continued validation and engineering, and the final two are designated for service training and customer demonstrations. The assembly of the fuel cell trucks takes place in Coolidge, Arizona, with serial production commencing on July 31, 2023, and the commercial launch following on September 28. Nikola’s noteworthy year was marked by significant events, including the departure of…

General Motors (GM) has disclosed its Q4 sales figures, revealing a mixed performance in the electric vehicle (EV) segment. While the Ultium platform continues to experience steady growth, the overall EV sales have seen a decline, largely attributed to the phasing out of the best-selling Chevy Bolt. In the fourth quarter, GM reported the sale of 19,469 EVs, a modest decrease from the previous quarter’s 20,092 units but a notable improvement from Q4 2022, which recorded 16,266 EV sales. The Ultium-based models, particularly the Lyriq and Hummer EV, exhibited positive momentum with increasing sales figures, indicating a promising trend for…

A recent study conducted in the United States by Energetics has brought attention to the distinct charging behaviors of electric vehicle (EV) owners, shedding light on the prolonged durations spent at free charging stations compared to their paid counterparts. The analysis, encompassing 2.4 million charging sessions spanning three years until June 30, 2023, unveiled that the average paid fast-charging session at non-Tesla chargers amounted to 42 minutes. However, when incorporating Tesla Superchargers into the equation, the average charging time decreased to 31 minutes. See also: Study Estimates Need for 28 Million Charging Ports for 33 Million Electric Vehicles in the…

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has introduced new regulations aimed at enhancing the integration of new energy vehicles (NEVs) with the electric grid. As the global leader in electric vehicle (EV) adoption grapples with rising electricity demand amid a transition to renewable energy, the NDRC’s notice, published on Thursday, outlines the need for initial technical standards governing NEV integration into the grid by 2025. The directive emphasizes that by 2030, NEVs will play a crucial role in China’s energy storage system. With the surge in electricity demand attributed to the growing popularity of NEVs, governments and stakeholders are…

Hyundai Motor America achieved a milestone in December with a record-breaking sales performance in the United States. The company reported 75,164 vehicle sales, marking a 4.3% year-over-year increase and signaling the 17th consecutive month of growth, culminating in the best December ever for the brand. In the entirety of 2023, Hyundai sold 801,195 vehicles, reflecting a robust 10.6% growth compared to the previous year. A standout contributor to this success was the significant surge in the all-electric car segment, which experienced a threefold increase last month, constituting over 7% of Hyundai’s total volume. See also: Hyundai IONIQ 5 Clinches Singapore’s…

India is reportedly strategizing the replacement of 800,000 diesel buses with electric counterparts within the next seven years, as revealed by high-ranking officials and detailed in a report by The Economic Times. The proposed plan entails the deployment of 200,000 electric buses for state transport companies, 550,000 for private operators, and an additional 50,000 for school buses and shuttles, all slated for realization by 2030. The initiative may fall under the ‘Faster Adoption and Manufacturing Electric Vehicles’ (FAME) funding program, currently navigating its third round, pending official confirmation. See also: India Launches Tenders for Thousands of Electric Buses in Major…

Recent findings from Tesla Cybertruck owners have brought attention to a potential hurdle in the electric pickup’s charging compatibility. Enthusiast and reviewer Kyle Conner from Out of Spec Reviews discovered that the Cybertruck seems to physically reject a CCS Combo 1 charging connector, a standard commonly used by electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. According to Conner, the bulky CCS1 to NACS (Tesla’s charging port) adapter does not fit in the Cybertruck’s charging port due to the plastic wheel arch obstructing its full insertion. While removing the plastic wheel arch allows the adapter to fit, it raises concerns about…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has successfully deployed an Over-the-Air (OTA) software fix for 85% of the 7,800 early Rivian R1T and R1S models affected by a recall. The issue, flagged by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pertained to the accelerator pedal failing to activate “auto-hold” or “park” as intended, potentially resulting in unintended vehicle movement. The recall, covering vehicles produced between June 10, 2021, and October 31, 2022, specified that in extreme heat conditions, a certain accelerator pedal part could cause the vehicle to move forward slowly, similar to an idling internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. Rivian, in…

Elli, Volkswagen Group Charging, has announced an expansion of its charging network, providing e-mobility customers access to over 600,000 charge points in 27 European countries, just in time for the New Year. As a significant player in the charging and energy sector under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, Elli aims to strategically grow its mobility service business, focusing not only on network expansion but also on enhancing user convenience during the charging process. See also: Volkswagen’s Elli Reveals Charging Expansion Plans at IAA Mobility with Over Half a Million Charge Points This move is expected to offer a notable advancement for…

Nissan’s Leaf, an iconic electric vehicle (EV), has been acknowledged as a significant chapter in the history of transportation, according to a recent survey conducted by the automaker to commemorate its 90th anniversary. The survey highlights the Leaf’s position among the most impactful transport innovations over the past nine decades, securing the 19th spot since its launch in 2010 as the world’s first mass-market electric car. See also: Next Nissan Leaf Production Shifts Overseas, Taking on a New Look: Report Signals Farewell to Federal Tax Credit Nissan’s history of pushing boundaries in transportation innovation dates back to its pioneering Tama…

General Motors (GM.N) announced on Wednesday that it is introducing incentives of $7,500 on its electric vehicles (EVs) following the recent loss of a U.S. government tax credit. Simultaneously, Ford Motor (F.N) revealed plans to raise prices on select F-150 EVs by up to $10,000. The U.S. Treasury issued guidelines in December, outlining new battery sourcing requirements designed to reduce dependence on the Chinese EV supply chain. These guidelines came into effect on Monday. Last month, GM declared that all its EVs, except the Chevrolet Bolt, would temporarily lose eligibility for the tax credit. The Cadillac Lyriq and Chevy Blazer…

Hyundai electric SUV, the IONIQ 5, has secured the prestigious Car of the Year 2023 accolade in Singapore, as announced by the nation’s leading daily newspaper, Straits Times. Marking a notable milestone, this achievement represents the first time a Hyundai vehicle has clinched the coveted title, and the second South Korean model to do so since the Kia Stinger received the honor in 2018. See also: Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 Electric SUV Spotted Testing in the US with Upgraded Facelift The evaluation criteria considered only newly launched models from authorized agents within the 12-month period spanning mid-November 2022 to mid-November 2023.…

The much-anticipated Hyundai N Vision 74 Rolling Lab, an innovative hydrogen fuel-cell powered electric vehicle (EV) with retro-futuristic aesthetics, is rumored to enter “mass-production” for a limited run of 100 cars in 2026, according to a report by Korean outlet ET News. While similar speculations surfaced in May of 2023, Hyundai had swiftly refuted them. This time, ET News claims the news is confirmed, although specific sources are not provided, and the company has yet to issue a denial. Reportedly, only 70 of the 100 cars produced will be available for sale, with Hyundai retaining the remaining 30 for participation…

In a remarkable feat, Tesla has secured its position as the leading car manufacturer in Norway for the third consecutive year in 2023, further widening its gap with competitors. This achievement comes amid an ongoing conflict between the U.S. electric vehicle giant and powerful labor unions in the Nordic region. Recent registration data reveals that nearly five out of six new cars sold in Norway last year were exclusively powered by batteries. Tesla’s market share has surged, reaching 20.0%, up from 12.2% in 2022. This impressive growth solidifies the company’s dominance in the Norwegian automotive market. The overall market for…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Xpeng reported a noteworthy achievement in December, delivering 20,115 vehicles, maintaining its streak above the 20,000-unit mark for the third consecutive month. This marks a robust 78.13 percent year-on-year increase and remains nearly unchanged from November’s 20,041 deliveries. For the fourth quarter of 2023, Xpeng set a new record by delivering 60,158 vehicles, surpassing the 60,000-unit milestone for the first time. This figure aligns with the company’s earlier guidance range of 59,500 to 63,500 units, indicating a significant 170.93 percent year-on-year growth and a notable 50.36 percent increase from the preceding quarter. Anticipated fourth-quarter revenue…

Automaker Zeekr, the luxury electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary under Geely Holding Group, disclosed today that it successfully delivered an impressive 13,476 vehicles in December, marking an 18.87 percent surge from the same period in 2022 and a 2.84 percent increase from November’s figures. In the fourth quarter of the year, Zeekr reported a total of 39,657 vehicle deliveries, reflecting a notable 22.15 percent year-on-year rise and an 8.96 percent uptick from the third quarter. For the entirety of 2023, Zeekr accomplished the delivery of 118,685 vehicles, showcasing an outstanding growth rate of 64.98 percent. The company had set an ambitious…