Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

BYD has recently provided a glimpse of its upcoming Song L model, which originally made its debut as a concept vehicle at the Shanghai Auto Show held in April. Revealing a series of exterior images on Weibo, BYD announced that the Song L will fall under the category of a B-class flagship shooting brake SUV. Diverging from the conventional SUV design, the Song L boasts a distinctive, coupe-like appearance with a lower body, as illustrated in the shared images. During its initial introduction at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 18, BYD emphasized that the Song L harmonizes the company’s…

Germany’s automotive landscape witnessed a significant shift as Volkswagen, the nation’s leading automaker, clinched the top spot in electric vehicle (EV) registrations, surpassing Tesla’s previous dominance. The competition for supremacy in the German EV market intensified in the past months, with Volkswagen’s electric van emerging as a game-changer. While Tesla had maintained its lead throughout the first half of the year, Volkswagen managed to reclaim the throne in the most recent month. Data sourced from Automobilwoche reveals that Volkswagen achieved 41,475 EV registrations during the initial seven months of the year, narrowly overtaking Tesla, which recorded 40,289 vehicle registrations. Top…

In a strategic move, Tesla has enlisted the expertise of Michael Hildebrand, a seasoned leader with a proven track record in capital project management, to oversee the expansion of Giga Nevada. The electric vehicle manufacturer is set to invest an impressive $3.6 billion into enhancing the factory’s capabilities. The expansion plans for Giga Nevada were initially unveiled in January, outlining the establishment of two new manufacturing segments within the facility. These dedicated areas will focus on the production of high-volume Semi vehicles and cutting-edge 4680 cells, boasting an impressive annual capacity of 100 Gigawatt hours (GWh). Once the expansion is…

The global landscape of personal mobility is undergoing a transformative shift, propelled by the swift rise of electric motorcycles. This phenomenon holds particularly true for Asia, where a spectrum of motorcycle brands, both established and emerging, are unveiling electric models that prioritize practicality, utility, and affordability. In this evolving narrative, countries like India and Indonesia are taking notable strides, driven by government incentives and an escalating demand for sustainable transportation. In recent times, electric motorcycles have surged to the forefront of discussions surrounding the future of personal mobility worldwide. The phenomenon is particularly pronounced in Asia, where manufacturers, ranging from…

In a notable development for electric vehicle enthusiasts, the landscape of the used EV market has received a potential reshaping as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) appears to signal a shift in its stance towards used Teslas qualifying for the $4,000 electric vehicle tax credit. This transformation was unveiled through a discreet update to the IRS website on August 3, 2023, replacing the list of qualified manufacturers with a direct link to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s website. The electric car tax credit, an integral component of the Inflation Reduction Act, garnered substantial attention as it could provide a financial…

The Rimac Nevera, an all-electric hypercar, recently participated in a carwow drag race, an event featured on the world’s largest automotive YouTube channel, where cars compete head-to-head over the quarter-mile and beyond. During the race, the Nevera managed to outperform the Red Bull Racing RB8 and the McMurtry Spéirling, winning two out of the three standing-start races. The Nevera, known for its speed, is a two-seater road-legal GT hypercar designed not only for impressive acceleration but also for providing a comfortable driving experience with ample space for two occupants and their belongings. On the other hand, the Red Bull Racing…

In July 2023, XPeng Inc., the prominent Chinese smart electric vehicle manufacturer, achieved notable success with its vehicle delivery figures, marking the sixth consecutive month of delivery growth. The company recorded a total of 11,008 Smart EVs delivered during the month, reflecting a substantial 28% increase compared to the previous month. A significant contributor to XPeng’s impressive performance was the successful market launch of the G6 Ultra Smart Coupe SUV in late June. In July, the G6 witnessed mass deliveries across 110 cities nationwide, reaching a commendable milestone of more than 3,900 units delivered. The popularity of the G6 model…

The European Commission has granted the French government the green light to subsidise research and development (R&D) in the field of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. The partnership, forged with Taiwanese firm ProLogium, has secured €1.5 billion in funding under EU state aid rules. Dubbed “Prometheus,” the ambitious R&D project is slated to run until the end of 2029. ProLogium will initially focus on creating a first-generation of solid-state batteries, aiming to overcome the limitations currently associated with conventional lithium-ion batteries. Subsequently, the company will endeavour to develop a new generation of solid-state batteries boasting higher energy density and enhanced…

Nissan UK has taken significant steps to make its fully-electric Ariya SUV more appealing to customers by introducing a new entry-level model and implementing substantial price reductions. The latest move brings the starting price of the popular electric SUV down to £39,645, making it a more accessible option for environmentally conscious drivers. As of 1st August 2023, all existing 63kWh Ariya variants have been reduced by £3,000, while the 87kWh versions receive an even greater discount of £3,750. With these price adjustments, the UK lineup of the Nissan Ariya now kicks off with the newly introduced Ariya Engage 2WD, available…

Kia’s EV6 GT has caught the attention of electric vehicle enthusiasts with its impressive performance and luxurious features. However, with a starting price of $62,925, it may not fit everyone’s budget. Thankfully, Kia is offering substantial discounts to make the EV6 GT more accessible to interested customers. For those looking to purchase the EV6 GT, Kia is providing a $5,000 Customer Cash incentive applicable to all versions of the EV6, making it an appealing offer for all buyers. Additionally, there’s an extra $1,000 Bonus Cash incentive specifically for the EV6 GT, accompanied by a $1,000 loyalty discount for returning Kia…

In a notable development on Monday, Canadian technology company BlackBerry announced its collaboration with the Foxconn-led Mobility in Harmony (MIH) consortium. Under this partnership, BlackBerry will provide its cutting-edge software and services for MIH’s ambitious electric vehicle platform venture. The core components of MIH’s EV platform will be integrated with BlackBerry’s renowned QNX operating system, specially designed for automotive applications. The collaboration will also see the incorporation of BlackBerry’s automotive artificial intelligence platform IVY, aimed at efficiently processing and storing the vast amount of data collected from sensors within the vehicles. Foxconn’s MIH consortium boasts an impressive lineup of suppliers and…

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast is set to make its debut on the U.S. stock market next month, utilizing a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger after receiving approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The move comes as VinFast aims to enhance its presence in the U.S. market and intensify competition with established automakers and emerging startups. VinFast, which commenced operations in 2019, has been eyeing expansion opportunities in the United States. Apart from the planned listing, the company is also planning to construct a car plant in North Carolina, further bolstering its prospects in the American…

Cruise, the autonomous driving division of General Motors has started initial testing and data collection in Miami, marking a another step in the company’s expansion beyond its home base in San Francisco. The first phase of testing in Miami aims to familiarize Cruise’s fleet with a diverse range of road conditions while gathering essential data. While the company has been tight-lipped about the specifics of Phase 2 and the exact timeline, the move represents a promising advancement towards the ultimate goal of providing driverless ride-hail services to the public. See also: Cruise’s Autonomous Driving Service Surpasses Three Million Driverless Miles…

In a remarkable display of market enthusiasm, Japanese eVTOL developer SkyDrive has clinched its second pre-order agreement in Vietnam within two days. This recent deal, signed with CT UAV, a subsidiary of CT Group specializing in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technologies, brings the total pre-orders for SkyDrive’s groundbreaking SKYDRIVE eVTOL aircraft to an impressive 200 units in Vietnam alone. Just yesterday, we reported that SkyDrive had sealed its initial pre-order agreement with Austin Aviation in South Carolina for up to five eVTOLs, marking the beginning of the company’s expansion into the United States. As part of its long-term vision, SkyDrive…

In a promising development for the automotive industry, the European passenger car market experienced substantial growth of approximately 18% year-over-year, with nearly 1.1 million new registrations recorded in May. The standout performer in this expansion was the plug-in electric car segment, which witnessed even faster growth due to the thriving all-electric sector. EV Volumes, in collaboration with Jose Pontes, shared data indicating that over 253,000 new plug-in electric cars were registered in Europe in May, marking an impressive 38% increase compared to the previous year. These registrations accounted for approximately 23% of the total volume. Of particular interest is the…

Ineos Automotive, a division of the British chemical company Ineos Group, has unveiled an innovative hydrogen-fuel-cell variant of its popular Grenadier 4×4 vehicle at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed. The company showcased a demonstrator model equipped with BMW’s cutting-edge hydrogen-fuel-cell stack, replacing the conventional combustion engines previously supplied by BMW. The fuel-cell vehicle developed by Ineos boasts a hydrogen storage capacity of 5 kg, enabling it to achieve an impressive range of approximately 200 km (124 miles) before requiring refueling. However, Ineos has set its sights higher and aims to achieve a remarkable range of 550 km (342 miles)…

Volkswagen has wasted no time in expanding its autonomous ID. Buzz testing program just one week after its announcement in Austin, Texas. Now, the fleet of self-driving prototypes is crossing the Atlantic to Munich, Germany. The eagerly anticipated first test runs on public roads are scheduled to commence in the coming weeks. Government representatives, journalists, public authorities, and business professionals will have the opportunity to experience the autonomous future firsthand from the passenger seats. While the ID. Buzz AD (Autonomous Driving) vehicles will handle the driving, a human driver will remain behind the wheel at all times to ensure smooth…

BYD, the world’s largest producer of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids, has presented a $1 billion investment proposal to establish a manufacturing presence in India. According to three anonymous sources familiar with the plan, BYD has partnered with Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures to submit a joint proposal for an EV joint venture to Indian regulators. The proposal aims to manufacture a comprehensive range of BYD-brand electric cars in India, starting from hatchbacks and extending to luxury models. Although BYD has not yet commented on the investment proposal, the company has previously expressed its intention to set up manufacturing…

In a collaborative effort, Nikola, through its HYLA brand, and BayoTech have announced a strategic supply agreement aimed at advancing the availability of reliable hydrogen for zero-emission commercial fuel cell electric vehicle fleets. The agreement encompasses several components, including Nikola’s Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, BayoTech’s HyFill™ bulk hydrogen transport trailers, and hydrogen production at BayoTech’s distributed network of hubs. Nikola, as the primary hydrogen customer, expects to receive deliveries of low-carbon hydrogen from BayoTech, starting this year in Missouri and expanding to California in 2024. To facilitate the distribution of high-pressure gaseous hydrogen from production sites to…

In an unprecedented move to strengthen its market share, Germany’s Audi is reportedly engaged in discussions with SAIC Motor, a Chinese state-owned automaker, to purchase an electric vehicle platform. Two individuals familiar with the matter disclosed this information, highlighting the pressure faced by legacy and Western brands in the world’s largest auto market as they compete for electric vehicles (EVs) amidst a decline in Audi’s EV sales compared to Tesla and domestic competitor Nio. Sources, who chose to remain anonymous due to the confidentiality of the matter, revealed that Audi, the premium car brand of Volkswagen AG, aims to take…