Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Volvo Car USA and ChargePoint, in partnership with Starbucks, have officially inaugurated the first public DC fast charging network at 15 Starbucks stores. The pilot initiative, announced in March 2022, features 50 ChargePoint DC fast chargers strategically positioned along a 1,350-mile route connecting Denver to Seattle. Branded with both Volvo Cars and Starbucks logos, these chargers are spaced approximately 100 miles apart. Volvo EV drivers can conveniently locate and access charging stations at participating Starbucks locations using the integrated ChargePoint app. Meanwhile, drivers of other electric vehicles equipped with a standard CCS1 or CHAdeMO receptacle can avail themselves of the…

General Motors has clinched a deal to supply its Hydrotec fuel cell technology to US commercial vehicle manufacturer Autocar Industries. Autocar Industries plans to integrate GM’s fuel cell systems into a range of commercial vehicles, including concrete mixers, roll-off and dump trucks, refuse collection vehicles, and terminal tractors. Production is slated to commence in 2026 at Autocar’s facility in Birmingham, Alabama. GM’s Hydrotec fuel cells, named Hydrotec Power Cubes, are specifically designed for commercial vehicles, offering a compact design, scalability, and ease of installation. Each Power Cube boasts an output of 77 kW, with the flexibility to install multiple units…

Tesla is under scrutiny for a workplace incident earlier this year at its Fremont factory, which could result in a total fine of $38,000. According to documents obtained by Bloomberg through a California Public Records Act request, the electric automaker allegedly failed to ensure the power was cut to a conveyor belt during quality inspections, leading to a serious injury sustained by a female worker in April. The worker reportedly became trapped in a Model Y after its door struck a fixed vertical gate, with the documents describing the injuries as “serious.” The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health…

Luxury automaker Lexus is reportedly considering an expansion of its electric RZ line, as indicated by recent trademark filings for the names RZ350e, RZ500e, and RZ550e. The initial RZ offering, the RZ450e, featured a 71.4 kWh battery pack powering a 107 hp (80 kW) motor at the front axle and a 201 hp (150 kW) motor at the rear, resulting in a combined output of 308 hp (230 kW). Recently, Lexus introduced the entry-level RZ300e in Japan, maintaining the same 71.4 kWh battery pack but with a power cap at 201 hp and 196 lb-ft (266 Nm). The specifics of…

Volkswagen Group has unveiled a new exit warning system designed to enhance safety when leaving a vehicle, particularly in inner-city traffic. The system aims to prevent potentially dangerous situations by warning both the driver and passengers about approaching road users from behind the parked Volkswagen vehicle. Catering to the vulnerability of cyclists, the exit warning system covers not only the driver and front passenger doors but also provides protection for the rear doors. Utilizing two rear radar sensors located in the bumper (on the left and right), the system scans the area behind the vehicle and alerts passengers to potential…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled plans for a new “tap to park” feature that will allow Tesla vehicles to autonomously identify and park in suitable parking spaces. Musk shared that Tesla’s engineers are actively developing this feature, which utilizes the car’s Tesla Vision cameras and autonomous driving software to identify available parking spots. The envisioned process involves the Tesla car presenting the driver with a selection of potential parking spots to choose from. After making a selection, the driver can exit the vehicle, and the Tesla will autonomously park itself in the chosen spot. Musk’s description of the feature…

Bulls, a prominent player in the e-bike market, unveils its latest offering, the Vuca Evo FSX1, positioned as a versatile trekking or SUV e-bike. This model, equipped with full suspension, caters to riders seeking adaptability on both challenging forest paths and smoother terrains typical of trekking routes. The Vuca Evo FSX1 is designed with features characteristic of a trekking bike, ensuring its utility across a spectrum of scenarios. Bulls has integrated full suspension into the design, providing riders with the flexibility to navigate demanding trails. The e-bike’s specifications include a permissible total weight of 150 kg (331 lb), enhancing its…

Our Next Energy (ONE), the electric-vehicle battery startup, announced on Sunday the immediate appointment of Paul Humphries as its new CEO, succeeding founder Mujeeb Ijaz. Ijaz, a former Apple executive, will transition to the role of vice-chairman of the board and chief technology officer following the leadership change. Humphries, who has been a member of the ONE Board of Directors since the company’s inception in 2020, takes the helm as CEO. The Michigan-based company recently underwent a workforce reduction, laying off approximately 25% of its employees (128 individuals) last month, citing market conditions as the primary reason for the layoffs.…

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…