Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

The automobile industry in the United States is currently undergoing a monumental transformation towards a 100% all-electric future, and the pace of this shift is rapidly accelerating. Recent reports show that in January alone, new light-duty, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations accounted for over 7% of total vehicle volume, indicating a significant increase in demand for electric cars. But it’s not just the demand that’s increasing; the market is also expanding with more and more electric vehicle models being introduced. The Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office has reported that the number of available BEV models nearly doubled from 20 in…

Autel, a provider of automotive aftermarket service solutions, has announced its strategic expansion into the Asia and Australian markets with a full range of new energy vehicles charging solutions for both residential and commercial use. The move is part of Autel’s strategy to expand its presence and provide comprehensive solutions to meet the needs of customers in different regions. To expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific market, Autel has partnered with ChargeSini EV Charging, a leading smart EV charging supplier in Malaysia, to provide charging solutions for electric vehicles and related infrastructure services. In Australia, Autel has formed a strategic…

Fastned, the Dutch charging infrastructure specialist, has been awarded a significant concession in Belgium. The company has won the contract to develop and operate two fast-charging parks on the E17 motorway near the Flemish town of Gentbrugge, in response to a tender by the Flemish road authority Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer (AWV). This new project is part of Fastned’s goal to expand its charging network across Europe, and specifically in Belgium, where it currently has 19 fast-charging stations in operation and 24 sites under development. The new sites on the E17 motorway are expected to be the first “motorway service…

According to a report by Automotive News, Toyota had planned to compete at the Suzuka Circuit endurance race with a new GR Corolla race car powered by liquefied hydrogen. However, the vehicle caught fire during a test run due to a leak in its hydrogen fuel line and was ultimately replaced with a combustion-powered GR Yaris. Despite this setback, Toyota’s commitment to hydrogen technology remains strong, with incoming CEO Koji Sato stating that hydrogen will still play a key role in the company’s multi-pronged approach to achieve carbon neutrality. While Toyota has faced challenges with the Mirai, its hydrogen-powered zero-emissions…

IBU-Tec Advanced Materials AG has recently established a new subsidiary, IBUvolt Battery Materials GmbH, in response to the growing significance of battery materials. The new company will concentrate on producing, developing, and selling battery materials, with a particular focus on cathode and anode active materials. Ulrich Weitz, the CEO of IBU-Tec, has been appointed as the managing director of IBUvolt Materials. Weitz will be assigned to the supervisory board of IBU-Tec at the annual general meeting on April 26th. The establishment of the new company is designed to support IBU-Tec’s rapid growth in the battery business. With Weitz leading the…

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the launch of the world’s largest autonomous racing league, set to kick off in Q2 of 2024. The league is being spearheaded by ASPIRE, the program development arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), which is responsible for defining Abu Dhabi’s research and development strategy. The first race in the series will be an autonomous car race set to take place at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, with a prize pool of up to USD 2.25 million. The event will feature Dallara-built Super Formula…

Audi of America has announced the launch of a limited edition of just 75 units of the 2023 Audi RS e-tron GT project_513/2. Developed in collaboration between Audi of America and Audi exclusive, this exclusive offering allows customers to drive a version of the e-tron GT that closely resembles the prototype car. The RS e-tron GT project_513/2 is the first Audi to offer a camouflage graphics-skinned and wrapped exterior from the factory, which is often used for initial testing. This limited edition leverages the original design used for global prototype testing with “e-tron” camouflage script on both the exterior and…

Audi has announced that it will be launching a new entry-level electric vehicle (EV) based on Volkswagen Group’s next-generation EV platform. CEO Markus Duesmann stated during Audi’s annual media conference that the company plans to offer an all-electric vehicle in each core segment by 2027. He added that Audi recently decided to launch an additional electric entry-level model, expected to replace the A3, below the Audi Q4 e-tron. Autocar reports that the new EV is expected to be offered as a four-door hatchback and sedan. See also: Audi is making A3 model as electric for the next generation due in…

Tesla has recently revealed some exciting details about its Gigafactory in New York and its Prefabricated Supercharger Units (SPUs) during the Investor Day event held in 2023. With a 2,000-strong team in Buffalo, Tesla Giga New York is responsible for manufacturing the next generation Superchargers and Semi chargers. Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s head of charging infrastructure teams, briefly discussed the SPUs and how they are made at Giga New York. Tinucci mentioned that Tesla has extended its manufacturing expertise to the construction of Supercharger sites. At Giga New York, Tesla pre-builds four post Supercharger units, loads them onto a truck, transports…

German luxury car manufacturer BMW is set to launch at least six new electric cars in the “New Class” range within the next 24 months, with additional plants being converted to support production of the new vehicles. The company has described the new vehicle architecture as “BEV-only,” indicating a complete shift to electric powertrains. The new plant in Debrecen, Hungary will begin producing electric cars from the second half of 2023, while production of the New Class will also begin at BMW’s main plant in Munich from 2026 and at the Mexican plant in San Luis Potosi from 2027. The…

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) has recently released its latest round of midsize SUV crash test ratings, and the results are mixed. Out of the thirteen midsize SUVs tested, only four received the top rating from the IIHS. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, Ford Explorer, and Subaru Ascent were the only vehicles to receive a “good” rating, while the Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Highlander, and Volkswagen Atlas were given “marginal” ratings. The IIHS found that most midsize SUVs offer “inadequate front crash protection for passengers seated in the rear,” with six of the thirteen vehicles tested receiving…

Honda has announced its plans to shift the production of its Accord model from its Ohio factory, where it has been built since 1982, to its Indiana Auto Plant in Greensburg by 2025. The move comes as part of the company’s broader strategy to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and consolidate its production facilities. The Marysville plant was the first Japanese automaker plant to open in the United States, and it has produced over 12.5 million Accords to date. However, as Honda prepares for the future, it will be retooling the facility for EV production in early 2024, consolidating internal…