Author: Casper Benedict
Casper Benedict
Casper Benedict is a EV writer at EVMagz.com, reporting on electric vehicle launches, battery innovation, charging infrastructure, and clean mobility trends across global markets. Outside of work, he enjoys trail running, experimenting with home coffee roasting, and restoring vintage bicycles.
The Japanese Mitsubishi Corporation has made its first foray into lithium mining, investing 25 million Canadian dollars in a 7.5 per cent stake in a project by Canadian lithium mining company Frontier Lithium in Ontario. The agreement includes an option to increase this stake to 25 per cent, according to a statement from Mitsubishi. The project aims to commence production of high-quality spodumene concentrates by 2027 and battery-grade chemicals by 2030, with an annual production capacity of 20,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate, enough for nearly 300,000 electric vehicle batteries. Mitsubishi’s initial investment is primarily intended to finalize the project’s feasibility…
Tesla, the pioneering electric vehicle manufacturer, has introduced a specialized two-seater configuration of its popular Model Y SUV, designed with a focus on businesses. The new variant, unveiled in France today, offers a capacious rear storage area ideal for transporting goods or accommodating custom solutions tailored to commercial needs. Clément Maguet, Senior Account Manager at Tesla, shared the announcement of this innovative model on LinkedIn, highlighting its impressive features. “Tesla has developed a 2-seater Model Y with a storage capacity of 2,158 liters and offering a range of up to 565 km (WLTP cycle),” said Maguet. “This model is eligible…
Dodge has upped the ante in the electric vehicle (EV) market with the grand debut of its 2024 Charger Daytona EV, boldly claiming it to be the “world’s quickest and most powerful” muscle car. This groundbreaking announcement marks a pivotal moment for Dodge, renowned for its high-performance gasoline-powered vehicles, as it takes a decisive step into the realm of electrification. Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Dodge, expressed enthusiasm about the new electric Charger, stating, “The electrified 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack delivers Charger Hellcat Redeye levels of performance.” This move underscores Dodge’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and…
Polestar, the electric performance carmaker, has faced challenges in recent months, including disappointing performance and the announcement by parent company Volvo Cars that it would cease financial support. However, CEO Thomas Ingenlath remains optimistic about the company’s future, claiming it is in a better position than it may seem. Ingenlath’s optimism comes at a time when the global electric vehicle (EV) market has not seen the significant growth of previous years, leading some automakers to reverse their commitments to fully transition to EVs. Ingenlath warned against this approach, calling it an “incredible trap” to ignore future innovation in electric drivetrains,…
In a remarkable surge, new car sales in the UK soared to their highest February figure in 20 years, a trend propelled by companies investing in electric vehicles (EVs) for their fleets, despite a dip in private EV purchases. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), registrations of new cars leaped 14% year-on-year to 84,886 vehicles last month, marking the best February performance since 2004. See also: Stellantis to Begin Production of Medium-Sized Electric Vans in Luton, UK The rise in electrified vehicles was particularly notable, with hybrid electric vehicle sales climbing 12.1% and plug-in hybrids…
French automaker Renault is poised for success with its upcoming Renault 5 Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), as the company reports an impressive 50,000 orders on the waitlist just days after its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Scheduled to officially go on sale in May in Europe, the Renault 5 BEV is priced starting at €25,000, approximately $27,130, making it significantly more affordable than many of its rivals. Manufactured in Northern France, this retro-inspired vehicle represents Renault’s first all-new small EV since the renowned Zoe was introduced in 2014. See also: Renault Unveils Flagship Colors for Upcoming Electric Renault 5…
Altilium, a UK-based clean technology group, has announced a collaboration with Nissan to improve the sustainability of electric vehicle (EV) batteries manufactured in the UK. This project aims to use advanced recycling technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of new batteries and decrease reliance on imported raw materials, supporting the transition to net zero. The initiative, part of a £30 million project led by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), has been granted £15 million in funding. It will enhance the technical expertise and research and development (R&D) capability of the Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) in Cranfield, Bedfordshire. The focus…
As the highly anticipated debut of the Rivian R2 electric SUV approaches on March 7, the EV startup has released additional teasers to generate excitement for its upcoming, more affordable model, expected to broaden the brand’s appeal significantly. The latest teaser images suggest that the R2 will bear a strong resemblance to a scaled-down version of the R1S, Rivian’s larger electric SUV. The cropped teaser of the rear hints at sharper styling elements, consistent with Rivian’s design language. See also: RJ Scaringe Unveils Fresh Insight of Rivian R2 Platform Architecture in Latest Update https://www.instagram.com/reel/C35dsjcx8Pa/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3-0vb5PIrv/ https://twitter.com/Rivian/status/1764719859198550516 In teaser videos shared on…
Porsche has released a tantalizing teaser for its upcoming high-performance variant of the Taycan, set to be unveiled on March 11. Dubbed the “most dynamic Taycan of all time,” the new model is expected to carry the Turbo GT badge, joining Porsche’s elite lineup of extreme offerings. The teaser image reveals a profile shot of the car, showcasing its aggressive aerodynamic package, including a fixed rear wing. This design element is reminiscent of the prototypes spied by our photographers and the pre-production model previously showcased by Porsche. See also: Apple CarPlay+ Makes Its Debut in the 2025 Porsche Taycan Notably, the…
Kia America announced its February sales figures, revealing a slight decline in overall vehicle sales compared to the previous year. The company reported 59,059 vehicle sales in the United States last month, down 3% year-over-year. This brings the total for the first two months of the year to 110,149, a decrease of 2.4%. Despite the overall decrease, Kia’s electric vehicle (EV) sales saw a significant uptick in February. The company reported a 65% increase in EV sales compared to the same period last year, although the exact number was not disclosed. However, estimates suggest that Kia sold approximately 4,000 EVs…
As the end of the quarter approaches, Tesla has revealed its latest purchasing incentive, offering 5,000 miles of free Supercharging on select trade-ins. This incentive follows the recent launch of a temporary $1,000 discount on Model Y orders and other incentives. Tesla’s newest perk is available to U.S. and Canadian Tesla owners who trade in a vehicle and take delivery by March 31, 2024. Customers can find details on Tesla’s trade-in webpage. See also: CATL’s M3P Battery Likely to Power Tesla Models While the offer excludes used vehicles, Cybertrucks, business orders, lease returns, or vehicles used for commercial purposes, it is…
Iveco, a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has announced a significant order from DHL’s Post & Parcel Germany division for 178 S-Way CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) trucks. These new vehicles will primarily serve inter-hub transport at DHL parcel centers, customer pick-ups, and urban deliveries to post offices. The Iveco S-Way CNG trucks are powered by Cursor engines from FPT Industrial, a brand of the Iveco Group specializing in low-environmental impact powertrains. See also: Iveco and Hyundai Collaborate on New Battery-Electric Commercial Vehicle for European Market These engines can run on bio-CNG, a sustainable renewable fuel derived from waste and residual materials. The…
Mullen has begun road testing its electric van with a new solid-state polymer battery pack, surpassing the expected range of 190 miles in initial real-world tests, the company announced. The higher energy density of the solid-state battery has been credited for this achievement, increasing from 42 kWh on LFP technology to 72 kWh with SSP chemistry. The latest phase of solid-state polymer battery testing commenced in January with the installation of the battery pack into the Class 1 EV cargo van to assess system compatibility between the vehicle and pack. See also: Mullen Unveils Five RS Electric Crossover with 1,000 HP,…
Tesla has increased the prices of specific Model Y vehicles in the United States by $1,000, as displayed on its official website. The electric vehicle manufacturer raised the prices of its Model Y rear-wheel drive and long-range variants to $43,990 and $48,990, respectively. However, prices for the Model Y Performance variant and other models have remained unchanged, according to the information available on the website. See also: Tesla Model Y Performs Well in Stringent Crash Tests, Compared to Traditional ICE Vehicles This price adjustment follows Tesla’s recent move to temporarily reduce prices on some of its Model Y cars in the…
Soracom and Suzuki have announced a new partnership aimed at developing IoT technologies for mobility services, with a specific focus on sustainability. The collaboration seeks to explore potential areas such as electric vehicles for the global market, modular “base units,” and new technologies and services to support carbon neutrality. The partnership between Soracom, a leading provider of IoT connectivity, and Suzuki, a renowned automotive manufacturer, is a response to the rapidly evolving automotive industry. This evolution is driven by the increasing electrification and automation of vehicles, as well as the growing consumer preference for connected cars. According to a joint…
BMW has issued a safety recall for four of its electric vehicles in the United States due to a battery welding problem affecting the i4 and i5 models. The recall affects three i4s, including the i4 xDrive40 and i4 M50, along with a single i5 eDrive40, all from the 2024 model year. Despite the small number of vehicles involved, BMW has taken proactive measures to address the issue. The company reached out to the owner of one affected vehicle on February 16, while the other three vehicles are being repaired before being delivered to their owners. The remedy involves replacing…
Gene Munster, a prominent analyst at Loop Ventures, believes Apple is at a crucial juncture following the reported cancellation of its Apple Car project. Speaking to CNBC, Munster expressed surprise at the move, cautioning that not all of Apple’s projects necessarily come to fruition. However, he emphasized the need for Apple to make a significant strategic move to sustain its growth trajectory. “Apple’s a tech company, and tech companies by definition need to grow,” Munster stated, highlighting the imperative for Apple to explore new avenues for revenue growth. With Apple’s revenue currently standing at a staggering $400 billion annually, Munster…
Last May, Ford became the first automaker to announce its plans to adopt Tesla’s charge connector, now known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS). In a bid to enhance accessibility for electric vehicle (EV) owners, Ford also revealed its intention to provide a free adapter to existing Ford EV owners. Starting today, eligible Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners can request their free CCS to NACS adapter. Deliveries are expected to commence in March. Concurrently, Ford is initiating a software update that unlocks Tesla Supercharger support for Mach-E and Lightning vehicles. See also: Ford Plans 800V Fast Charging Architecture for…
Zeekr, a brand under Geely, has unveiled the latest iteration of its Zeekr 001 electric shooting brake in China, with plans for a European release. The revised model, which has already sold over 160,000 units, features significant technical improvements and a more competitive price point compared to its predecessor. The Zeekr 001 is a luxury-class electric shooting brake based on Geely’s SEA platform. Initially launched in October 2021, the model has undergone slight technological upgrades, including the adoption of the Qilin battery from CATL, featuring the latest generation of cell-to-pack technology. This advancement allows for an impressive energy content of…
The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 may not sport significant exterior changes compared to its predecessor, but beneath the familiar design lies a host of improvements that promise to enhance its appeal to buyers. Following its debut in Europe last fall, the upgraded ID.4 is now available in North America, manufactured in Chattanooga, TN. One of the standout enhancements is a substantial increase in power for the single-motor models, with output jumping from 201 hp (204 PS) to 282 hp (286 PS). This brings the base model’s power output close to that of the previous bi-motor, AWD ID.4, which has also received…