Author: Casper Benedict

Ford is contemplating the continuation of gas-powered vehicles and hybrids in Europe beyond 2030, a departure from its earlier commitment to an all-electric lineup in the region, the Detroit automaker announced on Thursday. The company had previously stated its intention for an all-electric lineup in Europe by the end of the decade, as outlined in 2021. However, Ford now believes it is necessary to provide customers with internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicle options beyond 2030 due to the slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Europe. “As EV adoption in Europe has slowed, we believe we need to…

BP’s electric charging unit is set to ramp up its presence in the United States following Tesla’s decision to disband its EV charging team, the oil company announced on Thursday. This move by BP reflects its commitment to bolstering its network amidst Tesla’s strategic shift. “We are aggressively looking to acquire real estate to scale our network, which is a heightened focus following the recent Tesla announcement,” a spokesperson for BP stated. The company outlined its priority regions for expansion, including the north-east, the Sun Belt, the west coast, and the Great Lakes region. Tesla’s decision to downsize its EV…

Lexus is set to introduce new hybrid and fully electric powertrains for its ES sedan. Recent trademark filings reveal the arrival of the ES350h, ES350e, and ES500e variants, signaling an upgrade from the current ES250, ES350, and ES300h models. The ‘h’ designation will denote hybrids, ‘h+’ for PHEVs, and ‘e’ for fully electric models, according to Lexus’ naming convention. The ES350h is expected to inherit the AWD self-charging hybrid system from the RX350h, positioning it as a step up from the existing FWD-only ES300h. Meanwhile, the ES350e and ES500e are anticipated to feature fully electric powertrains. Despite limited information on…

Korean battery manufacturers are making significant strides in the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market, with 72% of recently subsidized EV models using batteries from South Korea. The U.S. government’s expansion of subsidized EV models from 10 to 43 has boosted the presence of Korean batteries in the American automotive industry. LG Energy Solution leads the pack with 17 models, followed by Samsung SDI with 12 and SK on with 10, out of the 31 models using Korean batteries. Notably, all brands except Nissan have at least one model equipped with Korean batteries. Nissan’s Leaf S and Leaf SV Plus are…

Daimler Truck North America has revealed a groundbreaking development in the realm of electric commercial vehicles, showcasing a demonstrator electric semi-truck equipped with autonomous driving technology. The Freightliner eCascadia, an electric autonomous technology demonstrator, is built on the foundation of a production electric Freightliner eCascadia. It features Torc Robotics’ autonomous driving software and cutting-edge Level 4 sensor and compute technology, paving the way for eventual Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. Level 4 autonomy denotes a fully autonomous system that can manage most driving scenarios independently, although a driver is still required to be present in the vehicle. Torc Robotics, based…

In an update outlining Tesla’s upcoming Full Self-Driving (FSD) software updates, CEO Elon Musk has stirred excitement among enthusiasts. The upcoming FSD v12, alongside the impending launch of Tesla’s dedicated Robotaxi, has generated considerable buzz around Tesla’s self-driving endeavors. Musk, no stranger to predicting the imminent release of a true self-driving system, acknowledges that while Tesla is nearing this goal, the path ahead remains challenging. Addressing the release schedule for FSD, Musk revealed, “12.4 has almost completely retrained models. The final touches are for comfort, as it sometimes accelerates or brakes too fast for most people’s taste.” This update marks…

Costco, the wholesale giant, has become the latest customer to embrace sustainable transportation, taking delivery of the all-electric Tesla Semi for its logistical needs. The Tesla Semi, introduced two years ago, initially saw limited adoption. However, with PepsiCo serving as its inaugural customer, Tesla gathered crucial data to showcase the advantages of electrified tractor-trailers over traditional combustion engine trucks. The move by Costco signals a significant step forward for the Tesla Semi in mainstream adoption. Despite being in “Pilot Production,” according to Tesla’s most recent quarterly Earnings Call Shareholder Deck, the vehicle’s production is ongoing. https://twitter.com/Joaquin03114400/status/1787650741307576702 Initially produced at a…

In a significant move aimed at bolstering the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Vice President Kamala Harris announced today the White House’s commitment to freeing up $100 million in funding. The initiative, part of the Vice President’s Economic Opportunity Tour, targets small- and medium-sized auto parts manufacturers, particularly in Michigan, a crucial swing state. Harris, joined by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, revealed the plan in Detroit. The funding, split evenly between the Department of Energy’s Automotive Conversion Grants Program and its Implementation Grants Program, seeks to assist suppliers in…

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…