Author: Casper Benedict

The Tesla Cybertruck, known for its unique design and standout features, particularly its acceleration, has been making waves on the drag strip. Despite its unconventional appearance, the electric pickup truck has been impressing with its speed and consistency, especially considering its hefty weight and size. A recent video shared by YouTuber DblCapCrimpin, who owns the range-topping Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast, showcased the truck’s performance on the 1/8 mile strip. The Cybertruck demonstrated remarkable consistency, with four out of five passes clocking in within a narrow margin. It completed the 1/8 mile in 6.88, 6.86, 6.89, and 6.95 seconds, with only a…

General Motors (GM) is set to significantly expand access to its Super Cruise hands-free advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) by 2025, covering approximately 750,000 miles of roads in the United States and Canada. This expansion, nearly doubling the current Super Cruise network, will include rural and minor highways connecting smaller cities and townships. Super Cruise integrates lidar map data, high-precision GPS, cameras, radar sensors, and a driver-attention system to ensure safety. The system can accelerate, brake, steer, and change lanes to pass slower traffic while maintaining a selected following distance from the vehicle ahead. It can also be used while towing…

Finnish technology company Kempower has unveiled plans to introduce a new charger platform across its product range, leveraging silicon carbide (SiC) technology. The company asserts that this new SiC generation maintains high performance while ensuring reliability akin to its previous designs. Additionally, the platform is tailored to accommodate heavy-duty charging, aligning with Kempower’s future objectives. SiC technology is renowned for its superior efficiency in electronic devices compared to traditional pure silicon (Si). This is attributed to its higher conductivity and switching frequencies, resulting in reduced energy loss as heat. Moreover, SiC components can endure higher temperatures, enabling the development of…

Waymo’s autonomous Jaguar I-Pace EV fell victim to a violent attack in San Francisco’s Chinatown over the weekend, resulting in the complete destruction of the vehicle. According to Waymo, the electric cab was traversing Chinatown at approximately 9 pm on Saturday after dropping off a passenger when it was besieged by a group of individuals who proceeded to deface the vehicle. The assailants smashed the windows and threw at least one firecracker inside, igniting a fire that consumed the car. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from the incident. See also: Waymo Autonomous Car Collides with Cyclist in San Francisco https://twitter.com/Gia_Vang/status/1756569968265847043…

Joby Aviation has unveiled details of its groundbreaking agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), marking a significant step in the realm of urban air mobility. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, announced at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Joby will have exclusive rights to operate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis in Dubai for a period of six years. The deal positions Joby as the primary operator of air taxi services in Dubai, with plans for initial eVTOL operations set to commence in 2025. Following this, the company aims to launch commercial air taxi…

Toyota has announced the introduction of two new electric vehicles (EVs) to the UK market, namely the nine-seater Proace Verso EV and the five-seater Proace City Verso EV. Deliveries of these vehicles are expected to commence in March. The Proace Verso EV, designed as a shuttle, is offered in two length options: 4.96 meters and 5.31 meters. Equipped with a 100 kW electric motor and a 50 kWh lithium-ion battery, both variants boast a range of up to 143 miles (203 km) on a single charge, with a top speed electronically limited to 130 kph. See also: Toyota to Invest…

Tesla has unveiled plans to significantly bolster its Supercharger network in Iceland through a collaborative effort with a gas station chain, aiming to accommodate the burgeoning demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the country. Benefiting from Iceland’s nearly 100% renewable electricity generation, EV adoption in the region offers a notably environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petrol-powered vehicles, particularly given the high cost of petrol on the remote island. Despite Iceland’s relatively sparse population of approximately 350,000 inhabitants, there exists a notable concentration of residents around the capital city of Reykjavík, where short commutes are common and well-suited for…

Hyzon Motors, a fuel cell specialist, and New Way Trucks have announced a collaboration to develop fuel cell-powered refuse collection vehicles for the North American market. The companies aim to commence pilot tests with North American customers in the first half of 2024, with plans to deliver the first fuel cell trucks to American customers by 2025. As part of the partnership, Hyzon will supply its fuel cell technology and powertrain for integration into New Way refuse collection vehicles. New Way will oversee the supply and integration of the prototype’s Sidewinder XTR automated side-load refuse body. “New Way has a…

Fisker will bring Fisker Ocean all-electric SUV at the Canadian International AutoShow, scheduled to run from February 16th to 25th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Ontario. Highlighting the significance of the Canadian market, Henrik Fisker, Chairman and CEO of Fisker, emphasized the company’s commitment to launching in Canada in 2023. “Canada is an important market for Fisker,” stated Fisker, expressing anticipation for customers to explore the unique features of the Ocean at the AutoShow. Fisker reiterated the company’s ambition to bolster sales in Canada, underlining ongoing efforts to recruit dealers as part of its recently announced Dealer Partnership…

Automotive supplier Magna has announced a significant order to supply a primary eDrive rear-wheel drive system for a prestigious vehicle platform of a North American original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The 800-volt system, capable of delivering up to 726 kW of power, underscores Magna’s commitment to advancing electrification solutions in the automotive industry. While the specific car manufacturer remains undisclosed, Magna highlights its expansion in the electrification sector, indicating a growing customer base. This order signifies a milestone in Magna’s efforts to establish itself as a key player in the electric vehicle (EV) market, with partnerships extending across various automotive brands.…

Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) has announced the commencement of operations of its EC230 Electric excavator at a stud farm project in the Poissy region of Paris, in collaboration with Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France. The deployment of the EC230 Electric marks a significant milestone as the first electric excavator of its kind to be utilized in France. Designed to provide a low-noise, zero-exhaust emission solution, the excavator is tasked with trenching and platform refinement during the initial phase of large-scale earthworks at the construction site. The project, a joint effort between Volvo CE and long-time partner Bouygues TP, underscores a…

BYD, a leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, is set to introduce its in-house developed Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature on urban roads by the end of March, according to a recent report. The deployment of BYD’s city pilot assisted driving feature is scheduled for March 30, with the Denza-branded N7 SUV being the initial model to receive the feature, as reported by LatePost on February 5, citing sources familiar with the matter. The rollout will primarily target major cities, including Shenzhen, where BYD is headquartered. However, as of now, only Shenzhen is nearing availability for the feature, the report…

Nio announced changes to its board of directors on Monday, with the addition of two appointees from Abu Dhabi government fund CYVN Holdings and the resignation of a Tencent executive. Effective February 7, Eddy Georges Skaf and Nicholas Paul Collins have been appointed as new directors to Nio’s board, the company revealed. Simultaneously, James Gordon Mitchell, Tencent’s senior executive vice president and chief strategy officer, stepped down from his position as a director at Nio. Skaf, currently serving as the chief investment officer at CYVN Holdings L.L.C, brings with him extensive experience in investment management and strategy. Prior to his…

LS e-Mobility Solutions, a South Korean automotive components manufacturer, has completed the construction of a cutting-edge plant in Durango, Mexico, aimed at supplying the burgeoning North American electric vehicle (EV) market. With a focus on providing components to major players, LS e-Mobility’s new facility spans 35,000 square meters and boasts a production capacity capable of churning out 5 million EV relays and 4 million Battery Disconnect Units (BDUs) annually. The move signifies LS e-Mobility’s strategic response to the increasing demand for locally sourced components within the North American automotive sector. The Durango plant marks LS e-Mobility’s third manufacturing facility, following…

The EU-funded project ALRIGH2T has commenced with the objective of developing refueling technologies and processes for liquid hydrogen (LH2) for aviation, aiming to demonstrate the results at two airports in Europe. Bringing together a consortium of 21 partners from seven EU countries and Israel, the ALRIGH2T project spans a duration of 48 months with nearly ten million euros in funding. The collaborative effort seeks to address the environmental impact of the aviation sector, which contributes 2.5 to 3 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. See also: Airbus Joins Forces with Nordic Partners for Extensive Hydrogen Infrastructure Feasibility Study at Airports…

In a recent three-day competition, Synacktiv, a hacking group, claimed the top spot at Pwn2Own Automotive 2024, hosted by Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) and VicOne in Japan. The event, focused on ethical exploitation of automotive electronic systems, saw Synacktiv secure a total of $200,000 in prize money. On the first day, the group earned $100,000 by successfully executing a three-bug chain against the Tesla Modem. The following day, they bagged another $100,000 for targeting the Tesla infotainment system using a two-bug chain. The group also demonstrated their prowess by hacking into other systems, including Automotive Grade Linux, Ubiquiti Connect EV…

Sports retailer Decathlon has introduced its electric city bike, the BTWIN LD 920 E, to the UK market, following its initial launch in the EU in September. The company is also gearing up for a potential release in the US, as the e-bike has been featured in Decathlon’s 2024 catalog, indicating an upcoming introduction in the American market. The LD 920 E, or E-LD 920, is equipped with a 250W mid-drive motor from OWURU, boasting 600W peak power and 65 Nm torque. Riders can choose from three assistance levels or opt to turn off the engine. The e-bike is powered…

Canadian retail company Loblaws has announced the addition of ten new Freightliner eCascadia e-trucks to its fleet, doubling the size of its electric truck fleet. The company, already operating four of the trucks, has further ordered 25 Tesla Semis, solidifying its commitment to electrifying its transportation operations. See also: Daimler Truck Mexico Delivers First Electric Freightliner and Unveils Second Charging Station The expansion sees Loblaws bolstering its electric truck fleet with the deployment of ten new Freightliner eCascadia Class 8 trucks in Vancouver. These trucks will join the existing four electric trucks that have been in operation since April, serving…

Residents of Minnesota now have the opportunity to apply for subsidies when purchasing electric vehicles (EVs), with the state unveiling a new program aimed at encouraging EV adoption. Under the program, individuals purchasing new EVs can receive subsidies of up to $2,500, while those opting for used EVs may qualify for up to $600 in subsidies. To be eligible, the electric or plug-in vehicle must have been purchased after May 25, 2023, and must be titled in Minnesota. Additionally, new EVs must have a purchase price below $55,000, while used EVs must cost $25,000 or less. See also: U.S. Energy…

Mastercard and Last Mile Solutions have joined forces to establish new payment standards within Europe’s electric vehicle (EV) charging industry. The partnership aims to introduce a seamless payment gateway solution, allowing Charging Point Operators (CPOs) to integrate their existing charging stations with various payment terminal brands effortlessly. Last Mile Solutions describes the collaboration as unifying user experiences and streamlining payment terminal integration, onboarding processes, and transaction processing for CPOs. This initiative precedes the implementation of the European AFIR regulation, set to replace Germany’s Charging Station Ordinance (LSV) in April 2024. According to the AFIR regulation, publicly accessible recharging points deployed…