Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Canadian battery recycling company, Li-Cycle, has temporarily halted construction on its first US-based battery recycling plant in Rochester, New York. The decision is attributed to increasing construction costs, prompting the company to initiate a comprehensive project review. Li-Cycle originally anticipated that the total costs for the current project scope would surpass earlier forecasts. In light of these developments, the company’s Board of Directors has made the decision to suspend construction work on the Rochester Hub until the review of the project has been completed. The company had initially announced the Rochester Hub facility in September 2020, with plans for it…

Xiaomi’s foray into the electric vehicle (EV) market has reached a significant milestone, with industry insiders suggesting that the company’s first-generation electric car is now in the pre-manufacturing stage. Approximately 50 prototypes are said to be in production each week, marking a crucial step towards mass-market availability. Reports of this development have surfaced in conjunction with images circulating on Chinese social media, purportedly showcasing the body of the new Modena/MS11 prototypes. While the exterior of the prototypes features a camouflage skin, it does little to conceal the sedan’s fairly standard form, which bears a resemblance to the Tesla Model 3.…

BMW, the iconic German automaker, is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) industry with its latest breakthrough in battery cell technology. The company’s newly developed Gen 6 battery cells, which are poised to underpin its upcoming Neue Klasse-based EVs from 2025, promise a significant leap forward in energy density, range, and environmental impact. Notably, BMW asserts that these cells surpass the technology found in Tesla’s current models. The milestone achievement came as BMW initiated sample production of these cutting-edge battery cells at the BMW Group Cell Manufacturing Competence Center in Parsdorf, Germany. The innovative cells, boasting a 46 mm…

Fisker has recently made a notable change in its leadership by naming David King as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This transition comes after Dr. Burkhard Huhnke’s decision to leave the company for personal reasons. David King, an industry veteran with three decades of experience, has been a part of Fisker since 2021. As Senior Vice President of Engineering, he oversaw various aspects, including global Body Engineering and the development of the Ocean body program in Graz, Austria, at Fisker’s manufacturing facility. Additionally, King had responsibilities in managing UK operations and heading the Fisker Magic Works, the company’s special vehicle…

Ford has announced Switzerland as the second European destination for its highly anticipated F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. Following its debut in Norway, the F-150 Lightning is set to make its mark in Switzerland later this year, with orders opening in late November. While Ford did not disclose the exact number of units allocated for the Swiss market, the arrival of this electric powerhouse is generating substantial buzz. The F-150 Lightning is not only notable for its performance but also for its price tag, with base prices starting at 127,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to approximately $140,000 at the current exchange…

Mercedes-AMG is gearing up to enter the electric vehicle race with a new offering set to rival top contenders in the high-performance electric sedan category, including the Tesla Model S, Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, and Audi e-tron GT. The upcoming model, developed entirely by Mercedes-AMG, will be built upon a cutting-edge architecture known as AMG.EV, designed to accommodate low-slung EVs powered by Yasa’s advanced axial-flux electric motors. While specific details about the new electric sedan remain closely guarded by Mercedes-AMG, Autocar reported insights from Yasa, one of the key technology partners. According to Yasa, one of its 24 kg (53…

Lucid Motors is exploring the possibility of incorporating native support for Apple and Amazon Music in their vehicles, according to a recent job posting on the company’s official LinkedIn account. The California-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer is currently in search of a Senior Product Manager, Media Partner Management, tasked with overseeing responsibilities as the Product Owner for media app partners like Apple and Amazon Music, as specified in the job listing. In essence, this move could mean that the Lucid Air sedan and the forthcoming Gravity SUV might feature built-in controls for these popular audio streaming platforms, in a manner…

French automaker Renault’s plans to list its electric vehicle (EV) business, Ampere, are encountering obstacles due to factors such as subdued EV demand, heightened competition from China, and market instability, as reported by four sources familiar with the matter. Renault’s intention is to derive greater value from Ampere through an initial public offering (IPO). However, the company is reportedly unlikely to proceed with the IPO if the final valuation falls below 7 billion euros, according to two of the sources, while another suggests the cutoff point could be closer to 6 billion euros ($6.33 billion). Market conditions are expected to…

Toyota Motor has announced plans to ramp up its investment by $8 billion and add approximately 3,000 jobs to its electric-vehicle battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina. This strategic expansion underscores Toyota’s commitment to electrifying its vehicle lineup and keeping pace with the evolving automotive landscape. With a goal of offering electrified options for all its models by 2025, Toyota’s latest endeavor will bring the total investment in the North Carolina plant to an impressive $13.9 billion and create more than 5,000 job opportunities, solidifying the company’s dedication to sustainable transportation. Toyota, a global automotive heavyweight, had traditionally placed its…

BP’s electric vehicle charging subsidiary, BP Pulse, has inked a monumental deal with Tesla, worth $100 million, to deploy Tesla’s ultra-fast chargers across the United States. This marks the first instance of Tesla’s charging infrastructure being integrated into an independent network, presenting a significant stride forward in the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape. The substantial investment is an integral part of BP Pulse’s overarching strategy to funnel up to $1 billion into the expansion of charging stations throughout the United States by the year 2030. Beyond fortifying BP’s commitment to sustainable mobility, this collaboration offers Tesla, a leader in the…

Fisker has announced its intent to roll out two over-the-air (OTA) software updates in the coming weeks, signaling a sustained effort to improve the software components of their Fisker Ocean SUVs. Henrik Fisker, Chairman and CEO, emphasized the significance of software improvements in modern vehicles. “In the 21st century, our vehicles are more like rolling computers than the cars of the past,” Fisker said. “We have a dedicated team of software engineers who are continually working to enhance our vehicles. Our ongoing OTA strategy means Fisker owners will routinely see improvements based on their feedback.” Key Areas for Updates The…

Ford has recently updated the F-150 Lightning for 2024, and prospective buyers are in for a pleasant surprise. The new model is available for leasing through Ford Credit at interest rates similar to those of the 2023 model. Specifically, a 4.76% lease or interest rate is available for 36 months, 5.17% for 39 months, and 5.67% for 48 months. It remains uncertain whether the 2024 F-150 Lightning will also qualify for a $7,500 lease discount, which was available on some versions of the older model due to federal EV tax credits. According to Cars Direct, the lease rate for the…

BYD has officially launched its 2024 Seal model in the Australian market through distributor EVDirect, aiming to offer a viable alternative to Tesla’s Model 3. The Seal is available in three versions: the entry-level Dynamic Standard Range RWD starts at AU$49,888 ($31,457), followed by the Premium Extended Range RWD at AU$58,798 ($37,076), and the Performance AWD from AU$68,798 ($43,381). For context, Tesla’s Model 3 is priced from AU$61,900 ($39,032) for its entry-level variant and AU$71,900 ($45,337) for the Long Range version. The entry-level BYD Seal is powered by a 61.44 kWh battery pack that drives a rear electric motor delivering…

Kia Motors Corporation has released the much-anticipated EPA-estimated ranges for its upcoming EV9 lineup, outperforming initial estimates across various models. The Korean automaker will begin accepting reservations on October 16, requiring a $750 refundable deposit. Customers who finalize their purchase are also set to receive a suite of complimentary offers, enhancing the buying experience. Starting at the more affordable end of the spectrum, the entry-level EV9 Light is equipped with a 76.1 kWh battery pack and a rear-mounted motor that generates 215 horsepower. This setup allows the vehicle to travel 230 miles on a single charge, “besting the targeted range…

Kia, the South Korean automotive giant, has officially unveiled its reservation plans for the 2024 EV9, an all-electric SUV set to make waves in the United States. Customers eagerly awaiting the opportunity to own this eco-friendly marvel can mark their calendars for October 16, 10 a.m. PST / 1 p.m. EST, when reservations open. This exciting development will allow potential buyers to configure their EV9 of choice on the Kia website and secure their reservation with a $750 fully refundable payment through participating Kia dealerships. The lineup at launch will feature four distinct versions of the EV9, catering to a…

In a recent legal decision, a California judge has ruled that a group of Tesla owners seeking to initiate a class action lawsuit against the company over allegations of misleading claims about Autopilot capabilities must pursue their claims through individual arbitration rather than in a court of law. This ruling carries significant implications for both Tesla and the owners involved, as it precludes them from forming a collective class to collectively address their grievances, thereby providing Tesla with a substantial legal advantage. U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam, in his ruling, cited the fact that the Tesla owners who initiated the…

In a recent development at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, a mysterious shipment arrived, containing what appears to be structural battery packs. While the exact purpose of these battery packs remains shrouded in uncertainty, speculation is running rampant within the Tesla community. The revelation came to light when drone pilot Joe Tegtmeyer shared a photograph of the shipment on social media platform X. Notably, these pallets of battery packs were sighted at the Southwest receiving door of Giga Texas, the very location where the highly anticipated Cybertruck is assembled. https://twitter.com/JoeTegtmeyer/status/1708927973221441567 The photograph depicts two sets of pallets positioned side by…

Ford has introduced the F-150 Lightning Flash, a cutting-edge electric pickup truck that combines advanced technology with an extended-range battery. Priced at $69,995, the F-150 Lightning Flash will be available for online orders on Ford.com in early 2024. Marin Gjaja, Chief Operating Officer at Ford Model e, emphasized the company’s dedication to customer feedback in the development of the F-150 Lightning Flash. He stated, “The F-150 Lightning Flash is a direct outcome of engaging with and learning from our customers. This truck combines many of the technology-forward features our customers love in our EV lineup, at a more accessible price.…

In a recent special video featured on his “Jay Leno’s Garage” YouTube channel, the iconic Jay Leno fulfilled a long-held dream as he took the wheel of the Tesla Semi Class 8 electric truck. Tesla’s Chief Designer, Franz von Holzhausen, and Senior Manager of Semi-Truck Engineering, Dan Priestley, were on hand to brief Leno about the groundbreaking electric truck before he embarked on this electrifying adventure. The 42-minute video not only offers viewers an up-close look at the Tesla Semi but also provides fascinating insights into its design philosophy. Von Holzhausen revealed that the Semi’s design drew inspiration from high-speed…

A recent drone flyover above the Gigafactory Texas has provided a glimpse into the first verified crash test of Tesla’s highly-anticipated Cybertruck. The images, captured by drone pilot Joe Tegtmeyer, offer initial insights into how the electric truck fared in what is believed to be a frontal offset test. However, the true safety performance of the Cybertruck remains uncertain pending comprehensive evaluations by regulatory agencies. The aerial images depict a Cybertruck with its front airbags deployed, a severely cracked but not completely shattered windshield, and doors knocked off their hinges. The front storage compartment, or “frunk,” appears to have absorbed…