Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

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…

London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) has announced the launch of the TX Access, an upgraded version of its electric taxi designed to cater to the needs of wheelchair users and accommodate up to six passengers. The new vehicle offers enhanced accessibility features, according to LEVC. The highlight of the TX Access is its full wheelchair accessibility, facilitated by a direct access ramp that conveniently folds away into the floorspace. LEVC emphasizes that the ramp ensures swift deployment and adjustability, providing a seamless experience for wheelchair users. Built on the existing TX electric taxi platform, the TX Access features the same…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of Geely, has announced its plans to introduce two EV models in Israel later this year, making it the second Chinese automaker to enter the Middle Eastern nation following Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV). According to a press release issued by Zeekr today, the company has partnered with Israeli dealer Union Group to establish a collaborative car distribution network in Israel. Union Group’s automotive business unit, GEO Mobility, aims to launch the Zeekr brand in the Israeli market during the fourth quarter. In preparation for this, GEO Mobility will assemble a dedicated management team to…

BYD, the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) giant, has officially launched its Dolphin electric vehicle (EV) in Thailand, as part of its strategy to expand into new markets. Collaborating with Thai partner Rêver Automotive, BYD hosted a grand launch event on July 6 to unveil the Dolphin model to local customers. Thailand will have the opportunity to experience the Dolphin in both standard range and extended range versions, priced at 699,999 baht ($19,880) and 859,999 baht respectively. This marks another milestone for the Dolphin, which initially debuted in China on August 29, 2021, with a starting price of RMB 116,800…

Following a thorough investigation by the Phoenix Fire Department into the recent battery electric truck fires involving Nikola Tre vehicles, the cause of the fires has been officially declared as “undetermined.” The department, in response to inquiries from Electrek, stated that there is no evidence supporting the suspicion of arson. Daniel Cheatham, the division chief of the City of Phoenix’s Fire Investigations Task Force, affirmed the findings in an email to the online publication, stating, “It officially is undetermined. But we do not have any evidence at all that supports arson.” Nikola had initially expressed concerns of “foul play” when…