Author: Casper Benedict

Ovo Energy has revealed its acquisition of the public electric vehicle (EV) charging app, Bonnet. The app claims to provide information on over 80% of UK charge points and facilitates payments at more than 27,000 chargers across 7,000 locations. Bonnet’s user-friendly features allow EV drivers to access and pay for public charge points without the need for multiple cards or logins. While the cost of the acquisition remains undisclosed, Ovo Energy aims to leverage Bonnet’s capabilities to enhance its presence in the growing EV market. Mat Moakes, Chief Commercial Officer at Ovo, emphasized that the collaboration with Bonnet aligns with…

Berlin-based electric scooter manufacturer Unu has submitted an application for insolvency, citing factors such as increased material and transportation costs, higher operational expenses, and a significant decline in demand due to inflation. Despite the insolvency filing, Unu emphasizes that business operations will continue as part of the insolvency proceedings, with the company expressing its intention to undergo restructuring. The insolvency application was lodged with the district court in Berlin-Charlottenburg on Thursday, as reported by Unu on Friday. The challenges faced by the company include ongoing struggles, workforce reductions, and production suspensions during the pandemic, which impacted Unu, employing around 50…

Shanghai-based electric vehicle (EV) giant Nio is set to embark on a significant restructuring initiative, revealing plans to slash its workforce by one-third by 2027 while concurrently increasing automation. The move comes on the heels of the recent 10% reduction in its workforce, part of Nio’s strategy to enhance efficiency and stay competitive in the fiercely contested electric vehicle market. Ji Huaqiang, Nio’s Vice President of Manufacturing, Logistics, and Operations, outlined the company’s vision, stating, “If 80 percent of our decisions [in manufacturing] can be made by AI, it will enable us to reduce 50 percent of our managerial positions…

Luxury automaker Porsche has officially launched the third generation of its Panamera model, featuring a notable advancement in plug-in hybrid technology. The company has revealed plans for four plug-in hybrid drives, boasting increased power, range, and efficiency compared to previous models. However, Porsche has not yet indicated the development of a battery-electric variant for the Panamera lineup. The flagship model, the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, takes the spotlight at the market launch, delivering a formidable system output of 500 kW (680 hp). This includes a newly developed electric motor contributing 140 kW. Positioned as a part-time electric vehicle, the Panamera Turbo…

Tesla has incorporated additional safety features in the refreshed Model 3, including an “Active Hood” designed to enhance protection in the event of a collision with a pedestrian. This information is outlined in the Model 3 owner’s manual in markets where the updated vehicle is currently available. In the case of a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist, Tesla explains that the Active Hood feature causes the car’s hood to pop up, aiming to reduce the risk of serious injury. Following the deployment of this feature, drivers receive an immediate touchscreen alert and a collision chime. Tesla advises Model 3…

Barcelona-based luxury automaker Hispano Suiza is gearing up to celebrate its 120th anniversary with the debut of the Sagrera. Named after the ‘La Sagrera’ district in Barcelona, where the company established a factory in the early 1910s, the Sagrera is positioned as an “evolution” of the Carmen model. Notably, the company emphasizes that the Sagrera will complement, rather than replace, the existing Carmen and Carmen Boulogne models in their lineup. The upcoming model is confirmed to feature a 103 kWh battery pack, aligning with the industry trend towards electric powertrains. Hispano Suiza has hinted at a significant advancement in aerodynamics…

Global automotive group Stellantis, owner of various car brands including Jeep, is recalling over 44,000 plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe SUVs worldwide due to concerns that their high-voltage battery packs may pose a fire risk. The recall was initiated following a routine review of customer data, leading to an internal investigation that identified eight vehicle fires. Notably, all incidents occurred while the vehicles were parked and turned off, with six of them connected to chargers. The affected units are specific to certain 2021-2024 model-year Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles, comprising 32,125 in the United States, an estimated 3,856 in Canada, and…

Spanish e-bike brand Desiknio, recognized for its lightweight electric bicycles featuring premium technology, has extended its reach to the US market. Collaborating with Stromer, Desiknio introduces its latest models, the X20 series, offering cyclists in the US a choice between a gravel or urban commuter option. At the core of the X20 series is the Mahle X20 motor, lauded for its compact design, low weight, and smooth power delivery. Nestled in the hub of the e-bike, the motor incorporates torque sensors for seamless assistance, boasting a nominal output of 250 watts that facilitates assistance up to 20 miles per hour.…

In a notable shift, electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as the third most popular vehicle type in Europe, surpassing diesel-powered cars in new registrations from January to October, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). The ACEA’s recent report reveals a substantial increase in new EV registrations in the European Union, totaling 1.2 million for the year-to-date, marking a significant 53.1% surge compared to the previous year. This development positions EVs with a 14% market share for the first ten months of the year, outpacing diesel-powered cars that now hold a 13.9% share. The shift is particularly…

Skoda is enhancing the charging experience for Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé owners by offering hassle-free access to more than 500,000 public charging points across Europe through its Powerpass app and card. As the UK’s electric car charge point infrastructure expands, Skoda aims to simplify the process for Enyaq owners, eliminating the need for multiple apps and memberships to access and pay at public charging points. Enyaq owners can choose from three Powerpass membership levels: Charge Free, Simply Charge, and Charge Faster. The subscription, with automatic renewal and cancellation options, lasts for one month. Charge Free, with no monthly fee, is…

Cruise, the self-driving taxi project under General Motors, has announced plans to reintroduce its autonomous cab service in a yet-to-be-disclosed U.S. city. This move comes in the wake of California’s recent ban on Cruise vehicles offering rides on public roads after an incident involving a pedestrian and a human-driven vehicle. Following the ban, GM’s autonomous taxi unit temporarily halted all supervised and manual car trips across the United States, leading to internal changes, including the departure of CEO Kyle Vogt and Chief Product Officer Daniel Kan. Additionally, production of the Origin driverless pod, designed without a steering wheel to accommodate…

In a potential turnaround for commercial electric vehicle (EV) startup Volta Trucks, Luxor Capital Group, a major shareholder and lender, is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations to acquire the company out of bankruptcy. The move could potentially salvage numerous jobs in the UK, where Volta primarily operates. Volta Trucks, based in London, filed for bankruptcy just over a month ago, citing challenges in the capital markets and significant disruptions caused by the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of its battery supplier, Proterra, in August. Despite earlier indications of progress, including the initiation of series production in Austria, the company…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced today that the electric car manufacturer has made public all design and engineering details of its original Roadster, marking a significant move that has fueled speculation about the potential implications for the delayed next-gen Roadster. Covering everything from Owner’s Manuals to Circuits and Connectors, the open-source release encompasses the entirety of the original Roadster’s design and engineering, providing insights into Tesla’s initial foray into electric vehicles dating back to 2008. The timing of this disclosure, occurring at the close of 2023, has led to speculation regarding its connection to the production timeline of Tesla’s next-gen…

British design and engineering company CALLUM has officially introduced its latest creation, the CALLUM SKYE, marking the firm’s inaugural venture into proprietary vehicle development. The SKYE, a multi-terrain electric vehicle (EV), is designed, engineered, and conceived entirely in-house by CALLUM. Measuring 4,047mm in length and 1,900mm in width, the SKYE boasts a rugged space frame chassis accompanied by trail-capable suspension, providing both sufficient ground clearance and comfort across diverse terrains. See also: Munro Unveils Series-M: The Evolution of Their Electric Off-Roader Equipped with a 42kWh lithium-ion battery, the SKYE is estimated to achieve a range of 170 miles. Additionally, customers…

The city of Wałbrzych in south-western Poland has placed an order for 20 Urbino 12 Hydrogen buses from Solaris, with an additional option for 25 more buses. This procurement marks the city’s first venture into hydrogen-powered buses, with deliveries scheduled to commence in September 2024. Wałbrzych, with a population of around 110,000, joins several other Polish cities, including Konin, Poznań, and Lublin, in investing in sustainable hydrogen-based public transport using buses from Solaris. The delivery timeline for the Urbino 12 Hydrogen buses for Wałbrzych involves the first 14 units arriving in September 2024, followed by the remaining six buses by…

South Korea has joined the growing list of countries where Tesla is allowing open access to its Supercharger network for non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs). The company recently announced the move on its social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), revealing that around 80 Supercharger sites are now accessible to drivers of any EV brand, with more sites expected to be added in the near future. Tesla’s decision to open its Supercharger network to third-party EVs is not limited to South Korea. The company had previously implemented a similar strategy in Europe, where it made select Supercharger hubs available for use by…

New Jersey, joining a coalition of states including California, Vermont, New York, Washington, and Oregon, is set to implement measures to phase out gasoline-burning cars. Starting in 2027, the state plans to restrict the sale of gasoline-powered cars, light-duty trucks, and SUVs, with a complete ban slated for 2035, aligning with a broader national shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced the filing of the Advanced Clean Cars II rule, scheduled for adoption on December 18. This move mirrors similar initiatives in states such as California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts,…

Berlin-based teledrive specialist, Vay, has made history by completing a successful autonomous trip in Las Vegas without a human occupant, making it the first company to achieve this feat on both sides of the Atlantic. Vay initially made headlines in February when it deployed a vehicle without a human inside on public roads in Hamburg, setting a precedent for Europe. The company expanded its focus to the United States in June, establishing an office in Las Vegas. Unlike traditional self-driving taxi operators, Vay’s vehicles operate with remote teledrivers, professionally trained individuals located in a remote hub. These teledrivers use a…

Hyundai and Motional have confirmed plans to manufacture self-driving taxis based on the Ioniq 5 model at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS). Motional, a Boston-based autonomous driving technology company, has been testing Ioniq 5 taxis as prototypes in Las Vegas, Nevada, and aims to deploy them for commercial operations in the U.S. starting in 2024. Motional’s President and CEO, Karl Iagnemma, expressed pride in the collaboration, stating, “We’re enormously proud to have the Ioniq 5 robotaxi manufactured at this facility and look forward to introducing the world to some of the first-ever FMVSS-certified autonomous vehicles.” He highlighted…

Detroit is now home to a pilot project testing a novel autonomous truck parking network, a joint venture between Robotic Research Autonomous Industries (RRAI) and Truck Specialized Information Services (TSIS). The project is poised to mark the advent of autonomous trucking in the Detroit area, spotlighting the transformative possibilities within the trucking industry. RRAI contributes its AutoDrive-enabled vehicles to the partnership, originally designed for off-road military applications. The self-driving platform is engineered to facilitate multi-model autonomous driving capabilities, boasting the ability to operate without GPS, special signage, or road markings. The initiative kicks off with RRAI’s AutoDrive-enabled autonomous trucks maneuvering…