Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Tesla reported a remarkable 60.5% increase in sales in France during the month of September, compared to the same period last year. This surge in sales has solidified Tesla’s position in the French auto market, where the company now commands a 3.55% share. The electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer’s impact on the market has also contributed to the growth of EVs on French roads, which reached 19% in September. According to data from the Platform for Automotive (PFA), which represents manufacturers and suppliers in the sector, the overall registrations of new private cars in France saw a robust 10.7% increase compared…

ElectricBrands, the German startup behind the intriguing XBUS EV, has defied the odds in a startup landscape where ninety percent of ventures falter within the first three years. While the road to success has been far from smooth, the company is determined to break the mold by bringing its modular minivan to market, despite facing delays that have pushed its launch date to late 2024 or early 2025. Although ElectricBrands technically celebrated its sixth anniversary, surpassing the perilous three-year threshold for startups, co-CEO Max Brandt remains resolute in his commitment to delivering the diminutive van to consumers. Brandt is quick…

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled a substantial funding opportunity, amounting to at least $500 million, through the Clean School Bus rebate competition. This announcement marks the second round of funding and builds upon the initial nearly $1 billion investment in advancing eco-friendly school transportation. The EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, a product of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, harnesses an extraordinary $5 billion in funding aimed at revolutionizing the nation’s school bus fleet. This forward-looking initiative directs financial support towards electric buses, renowned for emitting zero tailpipe emissions, as well as propane and compressed natural gas (CNG)…

Xpeng continues to make strides in the EV market with impressive September delivery figures. According to data released today, Xpeng delivered 15,310 vehicles in September, marking its fourth-highest monthly total and extending its streak of consecutive monthly increases. The figures reveal a remarkable 80.80 percent year-on-year growth and an 11.83 percent rise compared to August, underscoring the company’s strong performance in the competitive EV sector. One of the standout performers for Xpeng in September was the Xpeng G6, which accounted for a substantial portion of the monthly deliveries, contributing 53.12 percent. Since its launch on June 29, the Xpeng G6…

NIO, the Chinese EV manufacturer, has inked a global strategic cooperation agreement with Germany’s Würth Group. The partnership, signed on September 14 at Würth’s headquarters in Künzelsau, aims to strengthen their collaboration both in Europe and China. NIO’s founder, chairman, and CEO, William Li, was present at the signing ceremony, although NIO did not issue an official press release regarding the agreement. Würth Group, on the other hand, unveiled the details of this landmark collaboration. Würth is recognized globally as a leader in the development, production, and distribution of fastening and assembly materials. This partnership is an extension of NIO…

Alfa Romeo is embarking on a venture to develop a compact electric sports car, poised to take on competitors like the future Alpine A110 and the all-electric Porsche Boxster. This forthcoming addition to Alfa Romeo’s lineup is set to be a spiritual successor to the Alfa Romeo 4C, although its official launch is not anticipated until after 2027. The announcement of this new sports car project follows closely on the heels of Alfa Romeo’s unveiling of the limited-edition 33 Stradale, a masterpiece restricted to just 33 units worldwide. In contrast to the exclusivity of the 33 Stradale, the upcoming sports…

Rolls-Royce has successfully conducted the inaugural fuel burn of its novel small gas turbine, specially engineered to power hybrid-electric flight. This remarkable achievement underscores the efficacy of the compact, high-power-density turbine, which will be seamlessly integrated into a lightweight turbogenerator system. The comprehensive turbogenerator system is purpose-built for the burgeoning Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market. This encompasses a range of aircraft, including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) vehicles for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and commuter applications, with capacities of up to 19 seats. Beyond AAM, the gas turbine in question holds promise…

GWM ORA’s debut model, the ORA Funky Cat, has achieved remarkable results in Europe’s rigorous environmental performance tests conducted by Green NCAP. These evaluations encompassed three vital metrics: clean air, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions. The ORA Funky Cat excelled with scores of 10/10, 9.5/10, and 9.8/10 in these respective categories. These outstanding scores culminated in an impressive overall rating of 97%, comfortably securing a 5-star Green NCAP rating for the ORA Funky Cat. Notably, the vehicle achieved a grid-to-battery output efficiency of 93.2% during 11kW charging, one of the highest efficiency scores ever recorded by Green NCAP. This…

BMW has taken to its social media platforms to release an intriguing teaser, unveiling a coupe-SUV that is believed to be the next generation of the X2 or its anticipated all-electric counterpart, the iX2. The brief yet enigmatic teaser video provides a glimpse of the model’s silhouette and distinctive lighting signature. At the forefront, BMW’s design team has chosen to accentuate the kidney grille, characterized by a polygonal shape inspired by the X6. Meanwhile, the assertive headlights bear a striking resemblance to the mechanically related X1, albeit with LED graphics that are expected to be unique to the X2. The…

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed reservations regarding the imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). In an interview with the business weekly Wirtschaftswoche, Chancellor Scholz shared his cautious stance on the matter. The European Commission is currently conducting an investigation to determine whether punitive tariffs should be applied to shield European Union automakers from the influx of more affordable Chinese EV imports, which are believed to benefit from state subsidies. In the interview, Chancellor Scholz stated, “I am not very convinced of this, to put it politely.” He went on to emphasize that Germany’s economic model should not…

Samsung SDI has unveiled plans to invest a substantial $2 billion in the construction of a second EV battery factory, in collaboration with American automaker Stellantis. Samsung SDI’s strategic move was revealed during a board meeting held on September 27, where the company announced its intention to channel a staggering 2.6556 trillion Korean won (approximately $2.00 billion) into what is named the StarPlus Energy Gigafactory 2. This undertaking marks a continuation of the partnership between Samsung SDI and Stellantis, solidified through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in July for the establishment of this second manufacturing facility. Anticipated to reach…

In a recent appearance at the Code Conference 2023, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe expressed his optimism about the upcoming deliveries of Tesla’s Cybertruck, emphasizing that he sees little overlap with Rivian’s current vehicle lineup. Scaringe, among a distinguished gathering of tech and business leaders, welcomed the diversity in electric vehicle options for consumers. When questioned about the competitive landscape and the potential rivalry between Tesla’s Cybertruck and Rivian’s R1T and R1S models, Scaringe downplayed any direct competition, stating, “If you were to think of like the Venn diagrams of customers, there’s probably not a lot of overlap.” He further underscored…

Ford, in a surprising move, has announced the suspension of construction on its highly-anticipated $3.5 billion Blue Oval Battery Park in Michigan. This facility was designed to play a crucial role in Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) ambitions, specifically in the production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells for their EV lineup. Initially slated to commence operations in 2026, the Blue Oval Battery Park was projected to have an annual capacity of 35 GWh, capable of supplying power to approximately 400,000 EVs annually. This endeavor was central to Ford’s commitment to its electric transition. However, the project’s timeline now hangs in…

Nissan, a renowned player in the electric vehicle market, has recently unveiled the Concept 20-23, a striking testament to their dedication to innovation and design. This forward-looking concept car, revealed on the occasion of Nissan Design Europe’s (NDE) 20th anniversary in London, represents a fusion of sporty aesthetics and urban practicality. The Concept 20-23 is not merely a homage to NDE’s two decades in London; it also incorporates Nissan’s iconic number 23 (ni san), signifying the current year. The design team, which included some of the studio’s younger members, was granted creative freedom to craft a vehicle tailored for navigating…

The eagerly anticipated Polestar 3 electric crossover, which made waves with its initial announcement nearly a year ago, is facing a delay in production. Originally scheduled for mid-2023 production and delivery, the vehicle is still undergoing rigorous testing, including recent trials in the scorching hot deserts of the United Arab Emirates. In a bid to fine-tune the climate system for extreme conditions, Polestar subjected its upcoming model to temperatures soaring up to a blistering 122° F (50° C). While Polestar’s CEO, Thomas Ingenlath, didn’t explicitly discuss the delay, he did express confidence in the development and testing program, hinting at…

California-based Joby Aviation, a developer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, has achieved a significant milestone by delivering its first aircraft to the United States Air Force. Impressively, this delivery occurred approximately six months ahead of the initially projected 2024 delivery date. The Joby aircraft, boasting a remarkable range of up to 100 miles, inclusive of energy reserves, and a top speed of 200 mph, represents a groundbreaking addition to the aerospace landscape. Designed to efficiently and quietly transport a pilot and four passengers, it operates with zero operating emissions, aligning perfectly with the…

Faraday Future (FF) has announced the appointment of Matthias Aydt as the new Global CEO, effective September 29, 2023. Simultaneously, Xuefeng Chen will assume the role of FF China CEO while taking on the position of Executive Vice President (EVP) of Global Industrialization within the company. Matthias Aydt, a veteran with over seven years of experience at FF, has a robust background in the automotive industry, having held pivotal positions in Product Execution and leading Product Definition, Mobility Ecosystems, and Business Development. His career journey includes substantial roles at automotive companies and OEM suppliers, where he led teams in Project…

After a patient two-year wait since its initial deliveries in the United States, Tesla has begun handing over its updated Model S to eager customers in Japan. The company unveiled this much-anticipated moment on its official Twitter account, marking a milestone for Tesla enthusiasts in the Land of the Rising Sun. Orders for the revamped Model S opened approximately four months ago in May 2023, sparking excitement among Japanese consumers. One standout feature of Tesla’s offering in Japan is the inclusion of three years of complimentary unlimited supercharging for those who purchase the Model S and Model X. This enticing…

Scottish bus operator Lothian has made a substantial move towards a greener future with the announcement of a £24 million investment in 50 new Volvo BZL Electric double-decker buses, each boasting MCV bodywork. These environmentally friendly vehicles are set to grace the streets of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, with the first batch scheduled to hit the roads in early spring 2024. Lothian’s commitment to this significant fleet upgrade is aligned with its recently unveiled “Driving towards Net Zero” environmental strategy, which underscores the company’s dedication to ongoing investments in zero tailpipe emission buses and related infrastructure over the coming decade.…

Mercedes-Benz is embarking on a high-tech journey in its manufacturing facilities across Germany, Hungary, and China as it gears up for the production of Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) based models slated for the mid-2020s. In a bid to achieve this ambitious goal, the automaker is employing advanced technologies and leveraging Nvidia’s Omniverse system to create digital replicas of its factories. Described as the ‘Digital First’ approach, Mercedes-Benz is already utilising its MO360 digital production ecosystem in 30 plants globally. This system harnesses real-time data to interconnect all these manufacturing facilities, affording Mercedes-Benz the agility to produce electric, hybrid, and combustion…