Author: Casper Benedict

In the midst of speculation surrounding Tesla’s imminent entry into the Indian market, the American automaker finds itself embroiled in a trademark infringement battle with an Indian company. Tesla has taken legal action against Tesla Power India Pvt. Ltd., alleging unauthorized use of its trademarks ‘Tesla Power’ and ‘Tesla Power USA’. The case, registered in the Delhi High Court, sees Tesla seeking a permanent injunction and damages for trademark infringement, passing off, and unfair trade competition. Despite the legal action, Tesla Power India Pvt. Ltd. has defended its position, stating that it primarily deals in lead-acid batteries for various applications,…

The robotics experts at ETH Zurich have developed an autonomous excavator, known as HEAP (Hydraulic Excavator for an Autonomous Purpose), that utilizes advanced AI to tackle high-skill tasks without the need for human intervention. Traditionally, tasks like dry stone wall construction have been labor-intensive, requiring hours of skilled labor. However, with the development of autonomous robots like HEAP, these tasks could soon be completed with minimal human involvement. HEAP is a modified Menzi Muck M545 excavator designed for autonomous operations. It features electrically-driven hydraulics, an advanced boom arm equipped with draw wire encoders, LiDAR, Leica iCON site-mapping technology, and a…

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced updated electric vehicle (EV) tax credit rules today, introducing new requirements aimed at expanding eligibility for more electric cars. Despite being in effect for over a year, the U.S. has continued to update its reformed federal incentive for electric vehicles. The latest announcement finalizes the rules for the program, which was launched as part of a reform in 2023. This reform brought significant changes, including the removal of the 200,000-vehicle limit per manufacturer and the addition of eligibility criteria for EV buyers and EV Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail…

Farasis Energy, a Chinese battery manufacturer, has introduced its latest innovation, the ‘Standard Electric Motorcycle Battery,’ designed for electric motorcycles. This pouch battery utilizes NCM chemistry and boasts impressive features aimed at revolutionizing the electric motorcycle industry. One of the key highlights of the ‘Standard Electric Motorcycle Battery’ is its fast-charging capability, allowing it to be charged from ten to 80 per cent within just 15 minutes. Farasis claims that the battery’s energy density is 25 per cent higher than the industry average, promising enhanced performance and efficiency. Moreover, the battery is designed for an interchangeable system, meaning it can…

Acura has unveiled its latest offerings, the 2024 ZDX A-Spec and ZDX Type S, marking the brand’s entry into the EV market. These models come with a 313-mile EPA range rating, DC Fast Charging capability, and a range of charging solutions. The ZDX Type S is highlighted as the most powerful Acura to date, featuring a performance-tuned dual-motor AWD powertrain delivering nearly 500 maximum horsepower and 544 lb.-ft. of torque. Both the ZDX A-Spec and ZDX Type S qualify for the Federal $7,500 EV Tax Credit, providing a potential incentive for buyers. Acura has focused on ensuring convenient recharging with…

Ford has experienced a significant rebound in its electric vehicle (EV) segment, with an impressive 129.2 percent increase in EV sales in April compared to the same period last year. The surge was largely driven by strong demand for the Mustang Mach-E, which saw a remarkable 204.7 percent increase in sales year-over-year. In April 2024, Ford sold a total of 8,019 EVs, a substantial jump from the 3,499 units sold in April of the previous year. The Mustang Mach-E accounted for 4,893 of these sales, followed by the F-150 Lightning with 2,090 units, and the E-Transit with 1,036 units. Every…

Electric car registrations in Norway have surged once again, with 10,051 new electric cars registered in April, marking a significant increase compared to March and the same month last year. Notably, the Tesla Model Y, which had been the best-selling car in previous months, was surpassed in April. Compared to March, the 10,051 newly registered electric cars in April represent a 15.4 percent increase, amounting to 1,342 more units. Compared to April 2023, the growth is even more substantial, with registrations increasing by 34.5 percent, from 7,471 to 10,051 vehicles. In April, 11,241 passenger cars were newly registered in Norway,…

Audi has introduced the new Q6 e-tron quattro in the UK, marking a significant step in the company’s shift towards premium electric mobility. The all-electric SUV, Audi’s first PPE model, is now available for purchase, with prices starting at £68,975 for the twin-motor version. The Q6 e-tron quattro features a 100-kWh battery (94.9 kWh net) and offers a range of 381 kilometers. The SQ6 SUV e-tron quattro, fitted with the same battery, provides a slightly lower range of 358 kilometers. Both models support DC fast charging with a capacity of 270 kW. Audi also announced that a rear-wheel-drive variant of…

Italian automaker Lancia has commenced series production of its new Ypsilon, marking the brand’s first foray into battery electric vehicles. The company has also begun accepting initial orders in Italy, revealing pricing details for the electric model. The all-electric Lancia Ypsilon starts at 34,900 euros before subsidies in Italy, with deliveries scheduled to commence in early June. While availability in other markets has not been confirmed, Lancia intends to offer the model across Europe, signaling a broader market strategy beyond Italy. CEO Luca Napolitano stated, “It is the first of three new cars in the strategic plan for Lancia to…

Xiaomi’s co-founder and vice chairman, Lin Bin, recently expressed admiration for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, indicating a supportive stance toward the American EV maker’s innovations despite the competitive landscape. Lin’s endorsement followed his firsthand experience with Tesla’s FSD (Supervised) V12 during a test ride. Taking to Chinese social media, Lin shared his excitement, stating, “I just went to the Tesla store to experience FSD V12 autonomous driving. It took more than ten minutes and covered 10 kilometers. Although there are not many vehicles, there is no need for high-precision maps and no LIDAR. It is completely based on pure…

Zeekr, a prominent player in the electric vehicle market, reached a significant milestone in April, delivering a record 16,089 vehicles. This achievement represents a substantial increase from 8,101 vehicles delivered in April last year and a notable 23.65 percent jump from 13,012 vehicles in March. The success in deliveries follows the well-received launch of the updated Zeekr 001 at the end of February. In the first four months of 2024, Zeekr delivered a total of 49,148 vehicles, reflecting a robust 110.62 percent year-on-year growth. Since its inception, the company has delivered 245,781 vehicles, solidifying its position in the competitive electric…

Nio has announced the rollout of its Navigate on Pilot Plus (NOP+) driver assistance feature to all vehicles based on the NT 2.0 platform, following a preview that began 10 days ago. Owners of Nio vehicles on the NT 2.0 platform can now enable the full-domain NOP+ feature, covering urban roads and highways, by upgrading their onboard system to Banyan 2.6.0, the electric vehicle (EV) maker revealed today. According to a post on the Nio App, vehicles equipped with NOP+ can autonomously complete driving tasks such as lane changing, overtaking, speed regulation, and intersection passing under the driver’s monitoring. This…

Hyundai, facing a decline in sales of its purely electric cars in the first quarter of 2024, has announced a strategic shift towards hybrid vehicles. The company plans to leverage its electric car plant in Georgia, USA, to produce hybrids, aiming to capitalize on the growing demand for hybrid cars globally. “We are investing in facilities to produce hybrid cars at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America,” stated Hyundai Motor Chief Financial Officer Lee Seung Jo during an earnings conference call. The production facility is scheduled to commence operations in the fourth quarter of this year. However, the exact amount…

Ji Yue, the automotive brand born out of a collaboration between Geely and Baidu, has revealed its latest offering, the Ji Yue 07 electric sedan, at the Beijing Motor Show. This marks the brand’s second model following the Ji Yue 01 electric SUV. With a sleek design boasting a drag coefficient of 0.198, the Ji Yue 07 is set to hit the Chinese market later this year. While the presentation at the motor show showcased the sedan’s body design, details regarding its drive system have not yet been disclosed. The press release, published only in Chinese, and Chinese eMobility media…

Rivian has commenced the distribution of free NACS adapters to its owners, a move aligned with its recent access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. While Rivian received official access to Tesla’s Supercharger network last month, non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) require an adapter to utilize it. Tesla’s plug is now referred to as NACS, following its decision to open its charge standard in 2022. Although third-party adapters have been available, several automakers that have announced a switch to NACS have committed to sending adapters to their owners upon availability. The design of Rivian’s adapter was leaked in February, indicating its imminent release.…

Earlier this month, Tesla enthusiasts noticed a curious sight at Giga Texas: the holding lots were brimming with Model Y units sporting a sleek Quicksilver paint job, a color previously exclusive to Giga Berlin. These Quicksilver Model Ys have now made their way onto Tesla’s Inventory page, available for purchase. A peek at Tesla’s Inventory page reveals several Quicksilver Model Ys up for grabs, currently offered in Long Range Dual Motor All Wheel Drive (AWD) or Performance variants. Buyers can choose between the Model Y’s 19” Gemini Wheels or 20” Induction Wheels, with black and white interior options also on…

Honda Motor announced on Thursday its plans to invest C$15 billion ($11 billion) in new electric vehicle (EV) and battery production plants alongside its existing facilities in Ontario, marking the Japanese automaker’s largest-ever investment in Canada. The investment, unveiled by company executives and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reflects Honda’s anticipation of increased North American demand for EVs. Honda, like other Japanese car companies, has been a late entrant into the EV market but is now striving to compete more effectively with agile Chinese rivals. In Canada, the company intends to produce crucial EV components through joint ventures with firms…

Tesla has announced a strategic shift in its product plan to introduce more affordable electric vehicles that will be manufactured on its current production lines, deviating from its previous strategy of developing a ‘next-generation vehicle platform’ for cheaper EVs. The automaker’s new approach aims to streamline manufacturing processes and reduce costs, making electric cars more accessible to a broader market. Tesla had previously outlined plans for two vehicles on the next-generation platform: a model cheaper and smaller than Model 3, sometimes being referred as the “$25,000 Tesla” or “Model 2” Tesla Robotaxi: a new vehicle designed from the ground-up for…

Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone giant turned electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has set an ambitious target of delivering 100,000 units of its first EV model, the SU7, this year. However, capacity constraints pose a significant challenge to achieving this goal. Announced by Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun at an investor conference, the company has already secured more than 70,000 locked-in orders for the SU7 as of April 20. This strong demand is a testament to users’ trust in Xiaomi’s brand, as noted by the company’s president, Lu Weibing, on Weibo. The Xiaomi SU7 was officially launched on March 28,…

Xiaomi’s entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market with its SU7 model has garnered significant attention, but the long waiting times for delivery have prompted the company’s CEO, Lei Jun, to suggest alternative options to potential customers. In a recent Weibo post, Lei Jun advised, “If you are really in a hurry to buy a car, domestic new energy vehicles (NEVs) are good, for example, Luxeed S7, Nio ET5, Xpeng P7 series, you can also consider to buy.” Despite initial delays, Xiaomi’s efforts to ramp up production are yielding results. Delivery of the standard and Max trims has already commenced…