Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Electric car manufacturer Tesla is gearing up to commence deliveries of its highly-anticipated Cybertruck on November 30th, with a scheduled delivery event at its Gigafactory in Texas. Tesla, via X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that the event will kick off at 2 p.m. Central Time, with 10 Cybertrucks set to be delivered during the event. While the event is labeled as a delivery event, reports suggest that none of the Cybertrucks will be handed over to regular, paying customers, raising questions about the true nature of the gathering. The limited number of vehicles to be delivered at the event likely explains…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Faraday Future (FF) has reported the receipt of more than 300 nonbinding no-deposit reservations for its FF 91 2.0 Futurist aiFalcon limited edition. The surge in reservations occurred within 72 hours following the FF Middle East Strategy Launch Press Conference held in Abu Dhabi. FF sees these nonbinding reservations as indicative of the perceived appeal of the FF brand and its product offerings. Looking ahead, FF outlines plans to potentially introduce the FF 91 2.0 Futurist aiFalcon Limited Edition to the Middle East market as early as 2024. The company has expressed intent to convert these nonbinding…

German automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler has reached an agreement on the proposed merger with drive manufacturer Vitesco Technologies, with an improved offer of €94 per Vitesco share, up from the initial €91. Shareholders have until December 15, 2023, to accept the enhanced offer. This revised bid represents a 57.2% premium for shareholders who have held Vitesco shares since the spin-off from Continental AG in September 2021. Schaeffler, having already increased its stake to 49.99% last year, aims to absorb Vitesco into its operations based in Herzogenaurach. The integration process will be overseen by an “integration committee with equal representation,”…

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin disclosed in a recent interview that Tesla is considering a substantial investment of $5 billion in establishing a factory in Thailand. According to the Prime Minister, representatives from Tesla are scheduled to visit Thailand for site inspections, reflecting the electric vehicle company’s interest in expanding its presence in the country. Prime Minister Srettha expressed his desire for increased collaboration with Tesla after his visit to the company’s Fremont Factory in California earlier this month. The impending visit of Tesla executives to Thailand will not only focus on industrial matters but also includes an exploration of…

The recently concluded EU-funded Progressus research project, led by Infineon, has presented findings on how bolstering the resilience of electricity grids can contribute to the decarbonization of the transport sector. Over a three-year period involving 22 participants, the consortium’s key discovery indicates that existing electricity grids can be upgraded through intelligent management of loads and sources, effectively accommodating the rising share of green energy. Among the noteworthy outcomes is a solution enabling the operation of ten to 15 times more electric car charging stations on a single grid connection. Additionally, the Progressus team introduces an approach for tracking electricity from…

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is set to revolutionize its iconic G-Class with an all-electric variant, and CEO Ola Kaellenius suggests it could surpass its traditional counterpart in off-road capabilities. In a recently released outdoor video featuring the electric G-Class, Kaellenius, alongside chief engineer Fabian Schossau, provides insights into the vehicle’s development and distinctive features. The electric G-Class was initially announced four years ago, and now, key details have been revealed. Maintaining the classic boxy silhouette, the electric G-Wagon, as showcased in the video, retains the unmistakable appearance of a true G-Class. While camouflaged in the prototype, Mercedes-Benz had previously unveiled the…

Americans are set to purchase over 1 million vehicles in a single year, marking a remarkable achievement for the automotive industry. Despite a slowdown in growth, 2023 stands out as a record-breaking year for electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. Recent sales data reveals a surge in EV adoption, with automakers delivering 136,000 new EVs in September alone, marking a substantial 67 percent increase from the previous year. Notably, Tesla played a pivotal role, contributing nearly 59,000 vehicles to this impressive figure. As a result, battery-powered vehicles now constitute over 11 percent of the nation’s automotive market share. See…

Chinese power battery manufacturer, CALB, has outlined its ambition to become one of the world’s top three providers in terms of installation volume, according to CEO Liu Jingyu. Speaking at CALB’s global partner conference in Jiangsu province’s Changzhou city, Liu emphasized the company’s commitment to ongoing innovation for performance and cost efficiency, with the goal of achieving a top three installation volume globally. In September, CALB achieved 3.6 gigawatt-hours of installation volume, securing the fourth position among global battery makers for the first time, as reported by SNE Research data. Within China, CALB has ascended from the ninth position in…

The lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) battery market in the United States appears poised for a correction after experiencing robust growth and substantial investments over the past few years. Despite undeniable growth in the EV sector, the pace of expansion has encountered some hiccups, prompting certain EV battery manufacturers to recalibrate their strategies and delay investments in new battery facilities. Recent reports from the Financial Times highlight that two South Korean battery manufacturers, LG Energy Solution and SK Innovation’s SK On, have made slight reductions in their U.S. workforce. LG Energy Solution implemented layoffs affecting 170 workers at its Michigan plant,…

The challenges of post-warranty repairs extend beyond household appliances as Tesla Model S owners grapple with the potentially steep costs of out-of-warranty battery replacements. A user on the r/RealTesla subreddit recently shared an invoice from a local Tesla service center, revealing a daunting repair bill of $19,346.06 for addressing a Model S’s loss of driving range from 270 to 215 miles (435-346 km). The Model S owner, cautioning fellow community members, emphasized the need for financial preparedness for battery replacements post-warranty. The individual disclosed that the battery replacement requirement surfaced just four months after the warranty expiration, with the car…

Global logistics firm DHL Express Malaysia is making strides in decarbonizing its delivery operations in the South East Asian country. The company has announced the addition of 44 electric vans and seven electric scooters to its fleet, bringing the total number of electric vehicles in operation to 61, including scooters. The increased fleet coverage extends beyond key areas such as Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor. DHL Express Malaysia has partnered with local manufacturer Sendok Group for the production of the electric vans, including the CAM EA4 and Foton iBlue models, alongside the existing CAM EC35. While specific technical details…

Chinese automaker Leapmotor revealed its latest SUV, the C10, designed for global markets after its debut at the iAA Mobility and a subsequent appearance at the Guangzhou Auto Show. Following Stellantis’ acquisition of a 20% stake in Leapmotor, plans are underway to introduce the C10 to overseas markets. According to information from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the C10 is equipped with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack manufactured by CALB, boasting a capacity of 69.9 kWh. The battery powers a single electric motor with a robust 170 kW (231 hp) output, providing an estimated range…