Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Swedish automaker Volvo is set to acquire the battery business of Proterra and Proterra Operating Company for $210 million, aiming to enhance and expedite its battery-electric offerings. The move comes as Proterra and its operating arm navigate a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy process in the United States, with Volvo emerging as the buyer following an auction process, as disclosed on Friday. The assets included in the acquisition encompass a battery module and pack development center located in California, along with an assembly facility situated in South Carolina. The completion of the deal is anticipated in early 2024, contingent upon approvals…

Tesla has raised the prices of its long-range versions of the Model 3 and Model Y in China, following a similar move for the Model Y Performance at the end of last month. The adjustment is attributed to cost increases, according to a statement from the company. The price hikes, which come amidst a backdrop of escalating production costs, have been implemented without any alterations to the vehicles’ configurations, as reported by local media outlet Elephant News. Tesla’s customer service staff emphasized that fluctuations in car prices are standard, and if costs decrease, prices may follow suit. Tesla’s Shanghai factory,…

Cruise, the autonomous ride-hailing service, revealed its decision to lay off an unspecified number of workers, impacting contract employees engaged through third-party vendors and staffing agencies, as confirmed by a Cruise representative to KRON4. The affected contingent workers were involved in various tasks, including cleaning, charging, and maintaining the autonomous vehicle (AV) fleet, as well as providing customer support. The layoffs come in the wake of reports on Wednesday indicating that Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt deemed these measures necessary during a company executive meeting on Monday, aimed at addressing concerns arising from negative headlines surrounding the General Motors-backed autonomous vehicle…

Polestar has announced a collaborative effort with Luminar, a leading automotive technology company, and Mobileye, a global leader in autonomous driving solutions, to enhance the safety and autonomous driving capabilities of the forthcoming Polestar 4. This partnership involves integrating Luminar’s next-generation LiDAR technology with Mobileye’s Chauffeur platform. The Polestar 4, slated to be the first production car featuring Mobileye Chauffeur, will now incorporate Luminar’s LiDAR technology, expanding upon the full-surround camera-based SuperVision platform available in the Polestar 4 from its launch. The joint efforts of these three companies aim to provide eyes-off, point-to-point autonomous driving on highways and eyes-on automated…

Tesla, the leading electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced a significant achievement in its energy storage division, having deployed 1 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of Powerwalls in Europe. This milestone underscores the burgeoning role of energy storage solutions in the region. Tesla’s venture into the energy storage sector dates back to 2015 with the introduction of the Powerwall, which has now evolved into a substantial division within the company. In the previous quarter, Tesla revealed that it had deployed a record-breaking 4 GWh of energy storage, encompassing both Powerwalls and Megapacks. The latter, primarily utilized in large-scale utility projects, likely constituted the majority…

Bosch, the global technology and engineering company, has unveiled a significant milestone in its partnership with Shanxi Meijin Energy by supplying 300 commercial vehicles equipped with Bosch’s fuel cell systems. The announcement was made at the inauguration of Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems’ new facility, a joint venture established between Bosch and Qingling Motor in 2021. While Shanxi Meijin Energy is primarily known as a coal producer, it has emerged as an early advocate of hydrogen solutions in China. In addition to this accomplishment, Bosch has entered into contracts with notable customers, including Cosco Shipping and China Postal Express & Logistic,…

Australian startup AMSL Aero has received a financial boost of AUD 5.43 million (USD 3.49m/EUR 3.26m) from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to propel the development of its hydrogen-powered electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, named Vertiia, as announced by the agency today. Resembling a helicopter with its eight rotors, Vertiia is designed to transport up to five passengers across distances of up to 1,000 km (621 miles). Targeting markets such as air ambulance, emergency services, and passenger and cargo transport, the aircraft aims to revolutionize sustainable air travel. The AUD-10.86-million project encompasses development and certification activities for…

Rotwild, known for its technical innovation and flawless design, has unveiled its latest addition to the e-bike lineup, the R.R275 X, representing a remarkable breakthrough in the world of e-gravel bikes. With a focus on blending the rider’s biomechanical power with discreet and continuous support from the Integrated Power Unit (IPU), this e-gravel bike breaks new ground. The R.R275 X showcases the brand’s dedication to “technical innovation through sporting ambition and perfect design.” It exudes the spirit of a racing bike while being versatile enough to conquer various terrains, including asphalt, forest paths, gravel roads, and trails. Notably, it boasts…

The Neco E-Pop electric scooter has officially made its debut in the European market, offering a compact and eco-friendly urban mobility solution. Equipped with a 1,200W rear-wheel motor, the E-Pop boasts a maximum speed of 45 kph (~28 mph), placing it in the L1 category, which requires European Union customers to have completed a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course or possess a category AM or P on their driving license to operate the vehicle. One of the standout features of the E-Pop is its 48V 28Ah battery, which provides a commendable range of up to 60 km (~37 miles) on…

Albert Heijn, the grocery chain in the Netherlands, is taking a significant step toward sustainable transportation by introducing fully electric delivery services in Amsterdam and Utrecht. These two cities join The Hague and Rotterdam, where Albert Heijn has already been conducting all of its deliveries using electric vehicles. Furthermore, the grocery chain has plans to expand to additional city centers in 2024. Although specific details regarding the electric vehicle models to be deployed in the two new locations remain undisclosed, a press release from the company recently featured a Mercedes eActros in Amsterdam. These fully electric trucks have been undergoing…

In response to a recent incident involving a fire caused by an electric scooter battery within the Madrid subway system in mid-October, authorities have enacted a temporary ban on e-scooters. Notably, this regulation extends not only to the Spanish capital but also encompasses the entire Madrid metropolitan area. The ban, designed to enhance safety and minimize potential risks, will be in effect for a maximum of nine months or until a comprehensive investigation into the incident has been concluded. This precautionary measure is not isolated to Madrid alone. In Barcelona, a temporary prohibition on e-scooters within public transport systems has…

Tesla is broadening its color choices for customers, adding more options to its lineup. Among the recent additions are the new Tesla Stealth Grey and the previously rumored Quicksilver. These colors have now been showcased in real-life settings, demonstrating their unique characteristics, especially under different lighting conditions and angles. The availability of the Stealth Grey is extended to the Model S and Model X in the United States, while the Quicksilver makes its official debut in the U.S. market. In Germany, the Model 3 Highland offers the Quicksilver color option at an additional charge of 2,000 EUR. Tesla’s move to…