Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

As Tesla works to open up its Supercharger network to non-Tesla electric vehicles in North America, it has announced the price of retrofitting older Tesla models to use the CCS adapter and access other charging stations. The move has been a concern for Tesla owners since it could increase traffic at Supercharger stations. However, this does not work both ways as Tesla owners do not have access to most non-Tesla charging stations due to their CCS connectors. In 2020, Tesla announced that it was developing a CCS1 adapter, which was initially available only in Korea. However, the company eventually launched…

Las Vegas has long been known as the city that never sleeps, and now Motional’s self-driving robotaxis will be able to keep up with the partygoers as the company extends its service to operate at night. The move was confirmed in a recent blog post on the Motional website, signaling the company’s commitment to expanding its autonomous ride-hailing service in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Since partnering with Lyft in September and Uber in December, Motional has been steadily gaining momentum in the Las Vegas market, with its Hyundai IONIQ 5-based vehicles becoming a common sight…

Honda is set to enter the electric vehicle market with the Honda Prologue in 2024, and it is taking measures to ensure a sustainable supply chain. The Japanese automaker has partnered with Massachusetts-based recycler Ascend Elements to recycle lithium-ion batteries and recover valuable elements such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt for use in new battery cells. The ultimate goal is to achieve a perfectly circular supply chain and “zero environmental impact” by 2050. Honda has already established battery production deals with LG Energy Solutions and GS Yuasa, and is also developing its electric drivetrain capabilities at production facilities across the…

Shenergy has recently launched the world’s largest hydrogen-powered mining truck in an effort to build a domestic hydrogen energy manufacturing value chain. This massive mining truck, which was jointly developed by Shenergy, Zoomlion Mining, Hongzhen Intelligence, and Kunhua Technology, utilizes high-performance hydrogen fuel cell engine systems provided by Kunhua and has the potential to substantially reduce the operating costs of mining vehicles. The company is committed to creating more hydrogen solutions as China seeks to increase its usage of renewable energy across the mining sector to achieve a carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. According to Lin…

VinFast has significantly reduced its lease prices for its first model shipped to the United States, offering discounts of up to 54% to early customers in California. The company’s VF8 all-electric crossover was initially advertised with a monthly lease price of $599 for 24 months, but the website now shows a lease price of $399 per month for the same period. Those who had already paid a refundable deposit on the vehicle were informed that the payment would be $274 per month in California. VinFast’s move comes amid increased price competition among EV manufacturers. In January, Tesla reduced prices globally…

EAS Batteries, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and EdgeWave have teamed up for a three-year research project aimed at boosting the performance of lithium-ion round cells. The project, dubbed “High-E-Life,” will run until January 31, 2026, and has a total volume of 2.1 million euros, with 1.3 million euros in funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The three research partners are looking to apply concepts of laser structuring of electrodes to large-format wound cells, specifically lithium iron phosphate active materials (LFP), for the first time. According to the researchers, laser-structured LFP cathodes promise higher…

German tuner Irmscher has unveiled a new series of visual upgrades for the Tesla Model Y, showcasing the electric vehicle’s hidden potential for high-performance. Although the Model Y may not be the sportiest EV on the market, the additions from Irmscher are sure to turn heads on the road. The tuner, known for its Opel offerings, has developed a bold exterior design with eye-catching colors and aerodynamic bumper extensions, side skirts, and a rear diffuser. The ground effects kit, combined with a new set of 20-inch “Heli Star” wheels in black or diamond-polished finish, makes the Model Y look more…

Volkswagen’s second generation ID.3 electric vehicle is set to debut in less than a week, and the automaker has teased the new model with a video showing the refreshed face of the ID.3. The sneak peek offers a glimpse of the car’s updated headlights and sleek new design. The ID.3 was the first of Volkswagen’s “ID” series and represented a new focus on electric vehicles after the automaker ended production of the e-Golf in 2019. The ID.3 was launched in 2020 as Volkswagen’s first dedicated electric vehicle based on the automaker’s MEB platform, which is also the foundation for the…

Fisker has announced a strategic partnership with ChargePoint, a leading North American electric vehicle (EV) charging network, to support the charging needs of Fisker Ocean drivers. This collaboration will provide Fisker Ocean owners with access to over 400,000 charging ports, including 16,700 fast chargers. With this partnership, Fisker drivers will be able to locate and access the ChargePoint network of managed and charging partner stations more easily. The Fisker Ocean is the flagship EV produced by the second iteration of Fisker. The limited edition One trim is already sold out, and the company is continuing to ramp up production overseas…

Alauda Aeronautics, the Australian electric aviation company behind the development of eVTOLs for the Airspeeder racing league, has announced the latest iteration of its flying car – the Mk4. This marks the first time Airspeeder has created an eVTOL specifically for crewed racing flights as the league moves towards enabling racers to compete from the tracks in the skies. Airspeeder is an electric vertical takeoff and landing racing league headquartered in London, and the league is a subsidiary of Alauda Aeronautics. The Australian company designs, engineers, and builds the league’s eVTOL racing aircraft called “Airspeeders.” Since its launch, Airspeeder has…

Mercedes-Benz recently launched its all-electric EQS SUV in China, with a starting price of RMB 910,500 ($132,020). This luxury car is the first SUV based on Mercedes’ EVA platform and is currently offered in three versions. While the vehicle’s specifications are impressive, its high price tag may hinder sales in China. The EQS SUV measures 5,137 mm in length, 1,965 mm in width, and 1,721 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,210 mm. It has a battery pack with a capacity of 111.8 kWh, which supports a maximum charging power of 145 kW, allowing for a charging time from…

Evonik, a German chemical company, has made an undisclosed investment in SuperC, a Chinese battery specialist that has developed a groundbreaking process for producing few-layer graphene and pastes for electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. According to Evonik, SuperC’s graphene-based electrode material is already used in products from major Chinese battery manufacturers. Evonik plans to open a new production facility in Hefei in 2023, where automakers such as Volkswagen and JAC have vehicle plants. Adding graphene to the electrodes increases the electrical and thermal conductivity of batteries, improving their overall performance and charging speed. It also makes them more resistant to temperature…

French President Emmanuel Macron and Vice President Kamala Harris met during the Munich Security Conference to discuss various issues including concerns about the United States’ subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean technologies. Macron acknowledged that they are working hard to address the issue. While the European Union (EU) welcomes the US’s commitment to energy transition, the EU is concerned that the US Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) $369 billion of subsidies for EVs and other clean technologies could disadvantage European companies. The bill is a critical part of US President Joe Biden’s plan to address climate change, promote American…

GMC Hummer EV has been making waves in the automotive industry with its battery-driven take on the iconic off-roader. The new model offers a fusion of cutting-edge all-electric vehicle technology and impressive capability in the rough stuff. Interestingly, most GMC Hummer EV reservations are for the Pickup body style, rather than the SUV body style. During a recent media briefing, Global Vice President of Buick, GMC, and GMC Hummer EV at General Motors, Duncan Aldred, shared that GMC Hummer EV reservations were split 60/40 to 70/30 in favor of the Pickup body style. This may come as a surprise to…

As the world moves towards autonomous vehicles, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have found that the computing power required to run these vehicles could make them quite carbon-intensive. In fact, if the mass adoption of autonomous vehicles occurs, it could generate as many greenhouse gas emissions as all the world’s data centers combined produce, the study found. The study’s authors found that these vehicles could use a considerable amount of computer power, with a 360-degree view of the world and 20 cameras trying to understand all the things happening at the same time. To understand the impact…

The total number of 2023 Cadillac Lyriq EVs shipped within a 30-day timeframe will reach approximately 1,000 units by Friday, February 17th, as production of the vehicle continues. The information was provided by Rory Harvey, Cadillac‘s global vice-president, during a recent media briefing. GM produced 8,195 units of the Cadillac Lyriq during the 2022 calendar year, but only 122 of those were delivered through December 31st. Several factors contributed to the low shipment rate in 2022. Among these, most production was back-loaded in the final four months of the year, with significant numbers of the Lyriq only rolling off the…

Infineon has announced its plans to expand its capacity by building a new plant in Dresden, Germany. This ambitious project is set to be the largest investment in Infineon’s history, costing approximately €5 billion. While the company is still seeking public funding of around €1 billion, the Board has given its approval to move forward with the project. The expansion project has been driven by the expected order volume from Stellantis, with whom Infineon signed an MoU in November 2022. This agreement will see Infineon supply corresponding chips for use in Stellantis-branded electric cars in the second half of the…

US-based electric powersports vehicle manufacturer, VOLTERRA Motors, has unveiled two new products in its electric powersports line-up: the DTFe-50 and DTFe-110. These all-electric bikes are designed to provide a green alternative for younger riders while offering up to 50% more acceleration than traditional combustion bikes. The DTFe-50 boasts a low 24-inch seat height, 10-inch wheels, an adjustable speed of up to 19mph, and a range of up to 50 miles. Meanwhile, the DTFe-110 features a 14-inch front wheel, 12-inch back wheel, a top speed of up to 25mph, and a range of 50 miles. See also: Bowlus Volterra electric travel…

Porsche has teamed up with global firms and Chilean operating company, Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF), to commence the industrial production of synthetic fuels. The “Haru Oni” pilot plant located in Punta Arenas, Chile, has been officially inaugurated, and members of the Porsche Executive Board have carried out the first ceremonial refueling of a Porsche 911 with synthetic fuel produced at the facility. These eFuels are generated using wind power, ensuring CO2-neutral operation of gasoline engines. Barbara Frenkel, the Member of the Executive Board for Procurement at Porsche AG, has confirmed the company’s dedication to a double-e path: e-mobility and eFuels…

NanoGraf, a US-based battery material start-up, has successfully raised $65 million in a series B financing round led by Volta Energy Technologies and CC Industries. The company will use the funds to finance the start of production of its in-house silicon anode material in the fourth quarter of 2023. This recent funding brings the total amount of capital raised by NanoGraf to €85.8 million, including the previous €25 million raised in a Series A round. While the previous funding round mostly attracted financial investors, the new round also saw participation from existing investors Hyde Park Angels, Evergreen Climate Innovations, and…