Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

The recently unveiled Tesla Cybertruck has received official approval for the $7,500 federal tax credit in 2023, as indicated by information from the U.S. Department of Energy, sourced from Internal Revenue Service data as of December 7, 2023. According to the data, two versions of the Tesla Cybertruck qualify for the full $7,500 incentive: the all-wheel-drive variant and the top-tier tri-motor Cyberbeast version. Notably, the rear-wheel-drive version, planned for a 2025 release, has not been listed, potentially subject to further clarification at a later date. The federal incentive is applicable exclusively to pickup trucks with a price not exceeding $80,000.…

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive directive mandating the complete transition of all state government vehicles to electric power by 2040. The directive outlines a phased approach, with light vehicles targeted for conversion to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2033, followed by medium and heavy-duty vehicles by 2040. The directive also includes specific guidelines for state agencies, emphasizing the prioritization of ZEVs, particularly in communities historically impacted by higher pollution. State departments are instructed to focus on transitioning vehicles with higher mileage, install electric vehicle supply equipment, and establish exemption criteria for certain fleet vehicles. Additionally, alternative emission reduction…

German airline Lufthansa and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer Lilium have signed a letter of intent to explore a strategic partnership for the operation of eVTOLs in Europe. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to pave the way for collaboration on various aspects of eVTOL operation, including ground and flight operations, aircraft maintenance, crewing, flight training, and infrastructure. Lufthansa, with a current fleet of over 700 commercial aircraft, is focused on long-term strategies to enhance cost efficiency and reduce emissions. The airline group has set ambitious environmental goals, aiming to halve its net CO2 emissions by 2030…

Warsaw’s public transport services are set to receive a boost with the addition of 12 articulated electric buses from Solaris. The order, placed by the city’s transit authority ZTM, contributes to Warsaw’s position as one of Europe’s leaders in electric bus fleets. Scheduled for delivery between the third quarter of 2024 and the end of 2025, the 12 Solaris Urbino 18 Electric buses will join the existing electric fleet in Warsaw. The new vehicles, designed with a low floor, offer seating for 39 passengers along with two wheelchair and pushchair-friendly spaces. Operated by Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe (MZA), the buses are…

Chinese automaker BYD is gearing up to bolster its position in the electric vehicle (EV) market by introducing the Yuan UP, a compact electric SUV. The company’s push to diversify its EV lineup comes amid growing competition, with BYD closely trailing Tesla in global EV sales. Leaked photos from documents submitted to China’s Ministry of Information Technology, part of the homologation process for new vehicles, reveal the design and specifications of the upcoming Yuan UP. Positioned as a smaller EV at approximately 4.3 meters in length, the SUV is expected to cater to the increasing demand for compact electric vehicles.…

Tesla is actively exploring the possibility of acquiring a substantial piece of land in Thailand for a potential manufacturing facility, as revealed by the country’s Prime Minister following discussions with Tesla executives. While Tesla recently halted plans for Gigafactory Mexico, the electric automaker continues to scout future factory locations, considering options like Canada and India. Despite entering the Thai market officially only last year, Tesla is already contemplating a factory in the region. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin shared that Tesla executives visited Thailand and met with him, expressing confidence in the automaker’s interest in investing in the country. The reported…

China’s largest automaker, BYD, is intensifying its global electric vehicle (EV) presence with the introduction of the Seal electric sedan in North America. Positioned as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model 3, the Seal is part of BYD’s Ocean series and recently made its debut in Mexico, expanding the brand’s footprint in the region. The Seal joins BYD’s growing electric vehicle lineup in North America, which already includes the Dolphin, Han sedan, Tang SUV, and Yuan Plus, launched earlier this year. The electric sedan is available in two versions: a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variant and a four-wheel-drive model. Priced at…

China witnessed a historic surge in the retail sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in November, reaching an unprecedented 841,000 units, as reported by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). This figure surpasses the 800,000-unit milestone for the first time, marking a notable 39.8% increase compared to the same period last year and an 8.9% uptick from October. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) played a pivotal role, constituting a record-breaking 552,000 units in retail sales, accounting for 65.6% of all NEV retail transactions. This represents a 26.1% year-on-year increase and a 10.3% monthly growth. Additionally, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) achieved a…

UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper has unveiled a new £70 million pilot scheme aimed at increasing the number of ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charge points at motorway service areas and encouraging private investment in the EV charging infrastructure. The initiative plans to establish up to 10 trial sites in England, focusing on upgrading electrical network capacity to ensure resilience for at least a decade, up to 2035. As part of the government’s broader rapid charging fund, the announcement addresses the need for robust EV charging infrastructure by covering certain costs associated with upgrading the electricity grid at successful motorway service…

German automaker Mercedes-Benz Trucks is taking steps to electrify the supply chain at its truck assembly plant in Wörth, located in the automotive hub of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The initiative, slated to be completed by the end of 2026, involves several logistics partners adopting over a dozen eActros 300 electric trucks for transportation to and from the Wörth plant. The company also plans to share its insights and experiences with other businesses through consulting services. As the largest truck assembly facility for Mercedes-Benz Trucks, employing around 10,000 individuals, the Wörth plant produces various truck series, including Actros, Arocs, and Atego, along…

Swiss-Swedish electrical engineering and charging specialist ABB is set to deliver what it claims are the world’s first maritime megawatt charging systems (MCS) to Auckland Transport in New Zealand. The charging systems are designed to recharge electric ferries in and around the port of Auckland, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of electric vessels against their fossil-fueled counterparts. As part of Auckland Transport’s broader electrification initiative, ABB will install five megawatt charging systems for maritime vessels. ABB’s MCS charging system for ferries is anticipated to facilitate the adoption of electric maritime applications by employing a standardized and highly adaptable system, similar…

China’s China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) is set to open a new facility in Thailand, marking its fourth establishment worldwide. Thai government incentives have successfully attracted major Chinese automakers like BYD and Great Wall Motor, committing a substantial $1.44 billion investment in new production facilities within the country. CATARC, a Chinese government-affiliated auto research institute with existing centers in Germany, Switzerland, and Japan, is extending its reach to facilitate Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers in Thailand, according to a statement from Thai government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. Thailand, the largest car producer and exporter in Southeast Asia, has traditionally…

California-based self-driving technology company Kodiak Robotics has introduced its inaugural autonomous test vehicle tailored for the United States military. The military-focused autonomous vehicle (AV) is based on a Ford F-150 pickup truck and is equipped with Kodiak Robotics’ proprietary Kodiak Driver autonomous technology, encompassing both hardware and software essential for military ground vehicle operations. The unveiling follows Kodiak Robotics securing a $49.9 million contract with the United States Department of Defense (DOD) nearly a year ago. The deal aimed to develop software for vehicles intended for use by the U.S. Army. Kodiak integrated its portable Kodiak Driver technology into the…

Researchers at the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University in Germany have reported successful tests of their electric truck prototype equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell range extender. This achievement is a notable milestone in the “SeLv” research project, which focuses on developing heavy-duty trucks for emission-free logistics. Conducted at the Aldenhoven Testing Center in North Rhine-Westphalia, the prototype underwent rigorous testing on various driving dynamics surfaces, including a braking track, oval track, and an incline hill, covering approximately 500 kilometers. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport with around €16.9…

Bavarian electric air-taxi company Lilium has officially commenced the production of its Lilium Jet, with the first seven units designated for flight tests to obtain type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The production milestone signifies a pivotal transition from the design phase to industrialization, as the first Lilium Jet fuselage arrives at the German aircraft company’s final assembly line. Concurrently, Lilium’s suppliers are scaling up the production of essential components required for the aircraft. Lilium recently secured Design Organization Approval from EASA, a critical prerequisite for companies developing commercial aircraft. The next phase involves matching and joining…

Volkswagen is embarking on a transformative journey in China’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape, banking on the city of Hefei to spearhead its endeavors. Ralf Brandstaetter, Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, acknowledges the pivotal shift, stating, “We used to develop cars in Europe and brought them into China, sometimes with adjustments.” With China contributing around 40 percent of sales and profits, the German automaker is adapting to evolving market dynamics. In a departure from its traditional approach, Hefei has been chosen as the focal point for Volkswagen’s strategic overhaul. The city hosts a comprehensive hub, representing an investment of…

Nio is reportedly contemplating the spin-off of its battery manufacturing unit as part of a strategic move to achieve profitability, streamline operations, and cut costs, according to sources familiar with the matter cited in a Reuters report today. The spin-off initiative may materialize by the end of this year, following which the battery unit intends to attract external investors, with the valuation set to be determined at a later stage, as per the report. This development marks a shift in Nio’s previous strategy, where the company had initially planned to independently develop and manufacture some of its batteries while outsourcing…

Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, officially confirmed that the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt is set to hit the streets in 2025. This revelation follows Barra’s prior affirmation of the Bolt’s return, now revamped as an Ultium-based electric vehicle. Addressing the Automotive Press Association in Detroit, Barra discussed the upcoming successor to the affordable EV, stating, “That’s been a truly positive development this year, and it has influenced our decision to reintroduce it in 2025.” Previous statements from Barra had hinted at the Bolt’s comeback after the phase-out of current models. The next-generation Bolt will be built upon GM’s Ultium…

Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi is set to diversify its product lineup to include hybrid models, following the recent disclosure of its inaugural electric vehicle (EV) model in a regulatory filing last month. According to a report by local media outlet AutoPix, Xiaomi has outlined plans for three new models, with the first two being battery electric vehicle (BEV) models named Modenat and Lemang, and the third being a hybrid model named Kunlun. The company is expected to officially launch Modenat next year, with Lemang also being a BEV, while Kunlun will serve as a hybrid. Earlier speculations suggested that Xiaomi’s…

Hedge fund Luxor Capital has completed the acquisition of the UK business and assets of Volta Trucks, forming a separate sub-company named “Volta Commercial Vehicles Limited.” The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed. Volta Trucks filed for insolvency in October, encompassing not only its Swedish unit but also the crucial trading company, Volta Trucks Limited, based in England. The insolvency was reportedly triggered by the financial troubles of Volta’s battery supplier, Proterra, in August, causing a significant disruption to Volta’s production plans. The subsequent production halt made it challenging for Volta to secure new funding in an…