Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Ford Performance has released a teaser for a new high-performance version of the F-150 Lightning, set to compete at the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The teaser image hints at a low and wide vehicle, possibly featuring a massive rear wing, leading to speculation that this could be the Supertruck teased by F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo last year. While Ford has not provided additional details, it has confirmed that the vehicle will race as competitor No. 150. This move follows Ford’s record-breaking performance at last year’s event with the electric SuperVan 4.2, driven by Romain Dumas,…

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N has emerged as one of the top three finalists for the prestigious 2024 World Performance Car award. The World Car Awards, featuring over 100 international jurors who test-drive and vote on eligible vehicles, will announce the final winners on March 27 during the 2024 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). “Hyundai Motor’s nominations for this year’s competition reflect the company’s growing stature on the global stage and build on its past success at the World Car Awards,” stated the South Korean car company. “Previously, Hyundai Motor’s Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 were back-to-back triple winners of…

The Tesla Model Y has shown strong performance in recent crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), demonstrating safety levels comparable to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The IIHS’s new, more rigorous testing procedures did not pose significant challenges for the Model Y, which achieved solid results. In one test, the Model Y exhibited notable resilience, scoring -30cm in the “B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat” assessment. This measurement indicates the extent of deformation in the crushed area, stopping short of the seat centerline. By comparison, the Volvo XC90, a well-known safety leader among…

Luxury carmaker Aston Martin has announced a one-year delay in the launch of its first battery electric vehicle (BEV). The London-listed company now plans to introduce the BEV in 2026, pushing back from its earlier target of 2025. Aston Martin’s decision to delay follows the signing of a supply agreement last June with Saudi Arabia-backed Lucid Group, a move aimed at strengthening its electrification strategy. See also: Lucid Sets Its Sights on Expanding Technology Supply Business Following Aston Martin Deal The company stated, “With Aston Martin’s technical partnerships now in place, the Company’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) is now targeted…

Schaeffler, the German automotive supplier, has announced plans to invest over 230 million US dollars (around 212 million euros) in two sites in the state of Ohio by 2032, focusing on electric vehicle components. The company will construct a new production facility in Dover and expand its existing plant in Wooster. The Wooster facility specializes in electric transmission systems and serves as an innovation center for electric vehicles. Construction of the new plant in Dover is set to begin in mid-2024, with completion expected in the third quarter of 2025. The facility will be an “advanced manufacturing space dedicated to…

The International Electric Marine Association (IEMA) has rapidly expanded its membership to 40 within just half a year since its establishment. Founded in September 2023, the organization is dedicated to advancing the electrification of the marine industry worldwide, extending its influence from Europe to Asia and the South Pacific. IEMA’s primary goal is to eliminate barriers hindering the widespread adoption of marine electrification. Through lobbying efforts, access to capital, big data utilization, and networking initiatives, the association aims to facilitate the transition to sustainable marine practices. See also: Kempower and Aqua Superpower Team Up for Electric Boat Charging Solutions While specific…

French automaker Renault unveiled its highly anticipated new electric R5 on Monday at the Geneva Motor Show, aiming to revitalize its electric vehicle sales with a model inspired by its 1972 bestseller. The new R5, part of Renault’s turnaround plan announced in 2021, features design elements from the original R5 and the iconic Super 5, including vertical tail-lights and bright colors. Together, the two models sold over nine million cars between 1972 and 1996. See also: Renault Unveils Flagship Colors for Upcoming Electric Renault 5 Renault’s approach to the R5 revival avoids what the brand’s design director, Gilles Vidal, refers to…

Edmunds has corrected its article on the range of the Tesla Cybertruck. The update came after members of the EV community on X pointed out an error in the initial report regarding the Cybertruck’s tire specifications and range estimates. Initially, Edmunds reported that the all-electric pickup truck fell short of its 340-mile range estimate, citing a real-world range of 334 miles in their testing. However, it was later clarified that the Cybertruck’s 340-mile range is for the vehicle’s All Season tires, which are slated for release in 2024. The current Cybertrucks come with all-terrain tires, which have an estimated range…

Tesla has achieved a significant milestone with over 600,000 installations of its Powerwall energy storage systems worldwide, coinciding with the launch of its next-generation Powerwall 3 in the United States. On Friday, the official Tesla Energy account on X social media platform announced the milestone, marking a substantial achievement for the company’s energy division. The announcement comes shortly after the official rollout of the Powerwall 3 in the U.S., following a gradual deployment of the new product throughout much of last year. See also: Tesla Expands API Support, Includes Powerwall, Solar, and Home Charging Station https://twitter.com/teslaenergy/status/1761189903482642720 While orders for the Powerwall…

Lotus Technology, the luxury electric vehicle (EV) company majority-owned by Geely Holding, saw a modest increase in its Nasdaq debut on Friday following its merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Trading under the ticker symbol “LOT,” Lotus Technology closed the day up 2.15 percent at $13.80, giving it a market capitalization of $9.3 billion. This places it higher than Xpeng’s $8.1 billion but slightly below Nio’s $11.2 billion. Li Auto leads among US-listed Chinese EV makers with a market capitalization of $36.9 billion. See also: Lotus Emeya Hyper-GT Successfully Concludes Global Testing Program in Arctic Conditions Nio, on the…

Ford appears to have inadvertently leaked its CCS to J3400 adapter, a move that could provide its electric vehicle (EV) owners with access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. Ford became the first automaker about a year ago to adopt Tesla’s connector, now known as the J3400, setting it on a path to potentially become the new standard EV connector in North America. See also: Tesla Charging Adaptors on the Horizon for Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning Owners Since then, Tesla has signed deals with nearly all automakers to incorporate the J3400 connector in their upcoming vehicles starting in 2025. In the…

South Korean battery cell manufacturer LG Energy Solution (LGES) has signed a contract with Chinese company Changzhou Liyuan New Energy Technology for the supply of 160,000 tonnes of LFP cathode material. The contract, reported by several South Korean media outlets, is set to run for the next five years. LG Energy Solution plans to begin producing LFP batteries for electric vehicles in the second half of 2025. While the Korean company has primarily focused on nickel-containing cell chemistries, the automotive industry’s increasing demand for cheaper LFP cells, which have significantly improved in energy density, has prompted this strategic move. See…