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.
Luxury electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors is commencing the new year by extending a limited-time offer of up to $10,000 in Air credits for its 2023 Air models. The promotional incentive, available until January 31, 2024, caters to various trims within the 2023 Air lineup. For the 2023 Air Pure and Air Touring trims, Lucid is providing Air credits of up to $7,500. The offer reaches its pinnacle with a $10,000 Air credit for the 2023 Air Grand Touring trim. See also: Lucid Air Sapphire Specifications: Battery, Power and Range The credits can be utilized for both cash payments and…
General Motors (GM) is reportedly discontinuing its Ultra Cruise driver assistance program, a move that follows persistent comparisons of the technology to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta. The decision comes as GM addresses challenges within its self-driving subsidiary Cruise, stemming from an October accident. Sources familiar with the matter, cited in a CNBC report, state that GM has decided to terminate the Ultra Cruise project after missing expected launch timelines. According to one source, GM intends to redirect efforts towards advancing its Super Cruise system, opting for a more consolidated approach rather than maintaining two distinct Advanced Driver Assistance Systems…
Hertz to Sell 20,000 Electric Vehicles, Including Teslas, Citing Rising Expenses and EV Demand Shift
Rental firm Hertz Global Holdings has announced the sale of approximately 20,000 electric vehicles, including Teslas, from its U.S. fleet. This move comes about two years after the initial deal with the automaker to offer electric vehicles for rent, signaling a potential shift in the demand for electric vehicles (EVs). Hertz stated on Thursday that it will be transitioning to gas-powered vehicles due to higher expenses related to collision and damage for EVs. Despite earlier aspirations to convert 25% of its fleet to electric by the end of 2024, the company has faced challenges, including unforeseen costs associated with EV…
Tesla has solidified its leadership in the electric vehicle (EV) market, securing three positions within the top 10 best-selling EVs in the U.S. for 2023, according to EV sales data released by Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive. The Tesla Model Y emerged as the top-selling EV, surpassing all non-Tesla counterparts in the top 10 combined, with an estimated 394,497 units sold. The Model 3 followed closely as the second-best-selling EV, with 220,910 units, while the Model X secured the ninth spot with a total of 23,015 units. In the overall ranking, Tesla’s dominance was evident, with the combined sales…
Renault is gearing up to reclaim its position in the electric vehicle (EV) market by introducing new models and implementing a price reduction strategy for its Megane model, aiming to compete with U.S. rival Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) on its home turf. Ivan Segal, the sales director for France at Renault, highlighted the company’s focus on the electric segment in 2024 to regain ground against competitors. Having been a pioneer in the EV market alongside alliance partner Nissan (7201.T), Renault has faced stiff competition from newer entrants. In the French market, Tesla outpaced Renault’s electric Megane sales last year, selling 25,000…
Since its introduction in 2020, the Chinese-manufactured Ora Good Cat, also recognized as the Ora Funky Cat, GWM Ora, and GWM Ora 03, has gained attention for its retro-inspired design reminiscent of a hatchback version of the Porsche 911. Noticing this distinctive aesthetic, Thai tuning specialist Lumga Design crafted an eye-catching bodykit for the electric vehicle (EV), drawing inspiration from the track-focused Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Operating out of the Lam Luk Ka district in Thailand, Lumga Design specializes in visual enhancements for various Chinese models, such as the BYD Dolphin and MG 3. However, it is their Ora Good…
Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast has set its sights on the competitive U.S. pickup market with the unveiling of the VF Wild, a mid-sized electric pickup concept, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. While the VF Wild is currently a concept, VinFast executives have signaled their intent to move it into production. VinFast’s Deputy Chief Executive for Sales and Marketing, Tran Mai Hoa, emphasized the significance of the VF Wild, stating, “This is not just a new product in our offering — it showcases our aspiration to venture into the fast-paced and thriving electric pickup truck market.” See…
Automaker Stellantis, home to brands like Fiat, Peugeot, and Chrysler, faced a shortfall in the production of its fully-electric 500e cars in Italy in 2023. According to the FIM CISL union, the company manufactured 751,384 vehicles in Italy last year, a 9.6% increase from 2022. However, the production of the 500e model fell short, with only 77,000 units produced, compared to the initial forecast of over 90,000. Ferdinando Uliano, leader of FIM CISL, attributed the production lag to delayed government incentives for electric vehicles (EVs), which prompted buyers to postpone their purchases. The Italian government announced EV incentives multiple times…
The labor dispute between Tesla Sweden and IF Metall persists into 2024, with the Swedish union returning to the picket lines. In an interview with local media outlet Dagens Nyheter, IF Metall provided insights into its unwavering stance and proposed a potential compromise to bring an end to the prolonged strike against Tesla Sweden. IF Metall’s contract secretary, Veli-Pekka Säikkälä, indicated that the strike could be resolved if Tesla follows a model previously employed by Amazon. In 2020, when Amazon entered the Swedish market, it hired a logistics contractor with an existing collective agreement with the Transport Workers Union, effectively…
Tesla is recalling more than 1.6 million vehicles in China, marking its largest recall in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market. The recall encompasses potentially all vehicles delivered by Tesla in China. The recall, prompted by software issues, covers a total of 1,610,105 vehicles produced between August 26, 2014, and December 20, 2023. The affected models include locally produced Model 3 and Model Y, as well as imported Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles. See also: Tesla Delays Full Self-Driving (FSD) v12 Software Update for Further Testing According to the statement from China’s State Administration for Market…
Kia America announced robust sales figures for December 2023, with a total of 60,275 vehicles sold in the United States, maintaining parity with the same period in 2022. The year 2023 marked a record-setting performance for Kia, as the company achieved an annual sales figure of 782,451 vehicles, reflecting a noteworthy 12.8% year-over-year increase. The highlight of Kia’s December sales was the positive reception of its all-electric cars, particularly the newly launched Kia EV9 SUV. See also: Kia EV6 GT Challenges BMW M2 in Quarter-Mile Drag Race and Handling Test In December, Kia’s electric vehicles (EVs) based on the Electric-Global…
In a phased deployment, 35 electric buses commenced regular service in Latvia’s capital, Riga, starting December 2023. The introduction followed a series of test drives conducted in wintry conditions and comprehensive technical evaluations. Ordered by public transport operator Rigas Satiksme from Polish manufacturer Solaris, the zero-emission buses are designated for routes 26, 33, and 57 during weekdays and 9, 20, and 26 on weekends. While the electric buses have been in operation since the end of the year for testing purposes, the impact of cold temperatures on the battery, particularly due to heating usage, is under scrutiny, as reported by…
Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion, supported by Volkswagen, has entered into a partnership with Nasdaq-listed EHang to jointly develop battery solutions for EHang’s electric unmanned aerial vehicles (eVTOLs). The collaboration, formalized in a deal signed on December 28, 2023, encompasses the co-development of battery cells, battery packs, storage systems, and charging infrastructure for EHang’s eVTOL aircraft. See also: Gotion High-Tech Inaugural Battery Pack Production in the United States Simultaneously, on the same day, EHang’s EH216-S, an unmanned passenger-carrying aerial vehicle, successfully completed its inaugural commercial flight demonstrations in Hefei, Anhui province, and Guangzhou, Guangdong province. Notably, the aircraft had secured the…
Tesla is commencing 2024 with a unique promotion targeting owners of non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe. In a departure from its usual offerings exclusive to Tesla owners, the company is providing complimentary Supercharging sessions to non-Tesla EV users. The Non-Tesla Supercharger Pilot Program, initiated in November 2021 with the launch of 10 Supercharger stations in the Netherlands, has since expanded globally, covering 25 countries, including three stations in Canada (Deep River, North Bay, Calgary). Tesla’s website highlights that EV owners worldwide can now access and utilize Superchargers, fostering cross-brand compatibility. See also: Tesla Welcomes Non-Tesla EVs to Supercharger Network…
German automaker Audi is embracing the current off-roading trend with its latest release, the Q8 e-tron Edition Dakar, priced at around €120,000 ($132k) in Germany. This SUV, based on the twin-motor 55 non-Sportback e-tron, taps into Audi’s rich off-highway heritage, harking back to the rallying success of the iconic Audi Quattro in the early 1980s and the more recent RS Q e-tron Dakar racer. The Q8 e-tron Edition Dakar maintains the performance of the stock model, boasting 402 hp (408 PS / 300 kW) in boost mode and accelerating from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.8 seconds on…
A Swiss development team has established a new world record for electric vehicles by driving a solar-powered electric truck to an impressive altitude of 6,500 meters on Ohis del Salado in Chile. This groundbreaking achievement was made possible with the support and financing provided by Austrian logistics company Gebrüder Weiss, which facilitated the transportation of the vehicle from Switzerland to Chile. According to Gebrüder Weiss, the Peak Evolution team commenced their expedition at the Maricunga salt lake, initiating exploratory tours and acclimatization on the mountain at an elevation of 3,400 meters. The extreme terrain and environmental conditions of the world’s…
Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has recently submitted a patent application for a unique full-size spare wheel mount designed for its R1S SUV. The patent, uncovered by RivianForums, showcases several inventive features in the design. The mount is crafted to accommodate a spare wheel for the R1S, featuring a latch that stretches horizontally across the wheel without securing it in place. Instead, the wheel is bolted to an exterior bracket on the vehicle, with the outer face facing inward. This unconventional arrangement allows easy access to the cavity inside the wheel. See also: Rivian Patents Air-Conditioned EV Charger to Increase Charging…
Waymo, a leading self-driving taxi company, has released data asserting the superior safety of its autonomous vehicles compared to human-driven ones. The analysis, covering over 7.14 million miles of fully autonomous journeys in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, claims an 85% reduction in crash injuries, equivalent to a 6.8 times lower crash rate, for vehicles equipped with Waymo Driver technology. The study also indicates a 57% reduction in police-reported crashes. According to Waymo, the analysis suggests 17 fewer injuries and 20 fewer police-reported crashes over the 7.1 million miles driven, compared to human drivers with a benchmark crash rate…
Automakers, including Mercedes, Tesla, and Polestar, are increasingly offering performance upgrades to electric vehicle (EV) owners through over-the-air updates, providing an extra dose of horsepower for a fee. Despite the appeal of an additional 68 horsepower for $1,195, the mechanics behind this digital enhancement raise questions about how it operates. Unlike traditional internal combustion engines limited by hardware configurations, EVs possess the flexibility to adjust power outputs by modifying settings in the inverter. The core elements influencing an electric drivetrain’s performance are voltage and current. While voltage determines motor speed, current translates directly into torque, allowing EVs to unlock more…
Schneider, a prominent player in the freight industry, has successfully deployed all 50 battery-electric Freightliner eCascadia trucks as part of the Joint Electric Truck Scaling Initiative (JETSI) project. This accomplishment positions Schneider among the largest zero-emission Class 8 fleet operators in the United States. The JETSI project, a collaborative effort, aims to deploy a total of 100 Class 8 battery-electric trucks in Southern California. Operational through Schneider’s Southern California intermodal operations center in South El Monte, California, the deployed trucks primarily undertake regional haul routes in the Los Angeles and Inland Empire region, covering distances under 200 miles. The transition…