Author: Casper Benedict

General Motors (GM) marked a significant international debut as the Chevy Silverado EV, the electric variant of its iconic pickup, was showcased at the China International Import Expo. This event, recognized as the world’s largest import show, served as the platform for GM’s foray into China’s rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) market. The appearance of the Chevy Silverado EV at the Expo comes as part of GM’s broader strategy to leverage China’s thriving EV sector. GM established The Durant Guild, a premium import business named after GM founder Billy Durant, with the aim of expanding its renowned brands across China.…

Kia officially introduced its new EV5 electric SUV in China, entering the highly competitive electric vehicle (EV) market with a starting price of around $20,700 (149,800 yuan). The launch positions the EV5 as a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model Y, reflecting Kia’s ambitious foray into the world’s largest EV market. Unveiled in August as a family-friendly electric SUV, the EV5 garnered attention by significantly undercutting local expectations on pricing. While initial reports anticipated starting prices around $40,000 (300,000 yuan), Kia surprised the market by launching the EV5 at half that amount. The EV5, measuring 4,615 mm in length, 1,875 mm…

China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, BYD, unveiled its inaugural mid-size urban electric SUV, the Sea Lion 07, at the 2023 Guangzhou International Auto Show. The new addition to BYD’s Ocean series is positioned as a significant move to compete with Tesla in a new market segment. The Sea Lion 07’s design, led by former Audi and Lamborghini chief designer Wolfgang Egger, has been teased by BYD in the lead-up to its official debut. Drawing inspiration from sea lions diving into the water, the SUV features a distinctive five-spoke design. Part of BYD’s Ocean series, which includes the Dolphin hatchback…

Volvo has introduced its latest electric offering, the EM90, designed exclusively for the Chinese market. The premium electric van, based on Geely’s SEA platform, shares similarities with the Zeekr 009, featuring a 200 kW rear engine and a 116 kWh battery providing an impressive range of up to 738 kilometers under the Chinese standard CLTC. A future variant with all-wheel drive is anticipated. While performance details for the all-wheel-drive version remain unspecified, the rear-wheel-drive variant boasts an acceleration of 8.3 seconds, emphasizing a potential emphasis on passenger comfort over driving performance. Notably, the EM90 stands out at charging stations, requiring…

The United States, through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has committed billions of dollars. The IRA introduces consumer incentives, including a $7,500 tax credit, while both policies emphasize local battery production and expanding charging infrastructure. Notably, an additional $3.5 billion, part of the Infrastructure Law, has been earmarked for domestic advanced battery and battery mineral production. The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced that this funding aims to establish new, retrofitted, and expanded facilities for critical mineral processing, battery precursor materials, and cell and pack manufacturing. The objective is clear: reduce dependence on China and…

General Motors (GM) has officially absorbed BrightDrop, its wholly-owned electric commercial vehicle subsidiary established in January 2021. Originating from GM’s Innovation Lab, BrightDrop has functioned as a quasi-independent tech startup within GM for the past three years. However, effective November 16, the integration process is set to be “even tighter” as BrightDrop becomes an integral part of the parent company. In a press release, GM stated, “Starting today, BrightDrop will become part of GM. We believe that this move will benefit our fleet customers by providing them with an efficient single point of contact through GM Envolve,” referring to a…

Hyundai has officially introduced the forthcoming 2025 IONIQ 5 N, a high-performance electrified sports vehicle, during the AutoMobility LA event. Representing the initial foray into electrification for the Hyundai N brand, the IONIQ 5 N is built on the Hyundai E-GMP platform and serves as a precursor to forthcoming electrified N models. Expected to hit Hyundai dealerships in March 2024, the IONIQ 5 N boasts electric motors capable of reaching an impressive 21,000 RPM, delivering an estimated 641 horsepower (478 kW). A notable feature is the N Pedal, a software function developed to address the unique challenges posed by the…

China-based electric vehicle manufacturer Zeekr has officially introduced its inaugural sedan model, the Zeekr 007, at the Guangzhou auto show, intensifying competition in the country’s growing all-electric sedan market. The pre-sales for the Zeekr 007 have commenced, offering customers an enticing starting price of RMB 229,900 yuan ($31,730). Potential buyers who reserve the Zeekr 007 with a RMB 1,000 deposit before the official launch can benefit from a RMB 5,000 discount on their final payment, reducing the effective pre-sale starting price to RMB 224,900. The eagerly anticipated sedan is set to hit the market and initiate deliveries in January 2024,…

Volkswagen has recently canceled one shift on the production line at its Zwickau plant in Germany, dedicated to manufacturing the VW ID.3 and Cupra Born electric models. The decision comes as a result of lower-than-expected demand, prompting a reevaluation of the production strategy. VW Sachsen operates two production lines in Zwickau, with Line 1 focusing on the ID.3 compact models and Cupra Born, while Line 2 produces the ID.4, ID.5, Audi Q4 e-tron, and Q4 Sportback e-tron SUV models. Line 2 is currently at a standstill due to a supply bottleneck for the new APP550 electric motor, anticipated to persist…

U.S. Department of Energy announced an allocation of up to $3.5 billion on Wednesday. This funding, derived from the infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, is geared towards expanding facilities for critical minerals, next-generation technologies, and lithium-based technologies, among other key elements of the battery supply chain. U.S. Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, emphasized the strategic importance of positioning the United States at the forefront of meeting the escalating demand for advanced batteries. Granholm stated, “Positioning the United States front and center to meet the growing demand for advanced batteries is how we boost our global competitiveness,…

The state of California is set to introduce regulations mandating a standardized onboard diagnostic (OBD) system for electric vehicles (EVs) beginning in the 2026 model year. Unlike combustion-powered vehicles, where the OBD II port is a standardized feature for diagnostics, the lack of uniformity in the EV sector has posed challenges in accurately identifying issues with these vehicles. California’s Advanced Clean Cars II program will require automakers to integrate a standardized EV diagnostic system, a move aimed at streamlining diagnostics and ensuring consistency across the burgeoning electric vehicle market. While initially confined to California, the potential for broader adoption is…

BYD’s premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand, Yangwang, is poised to reveal a groundbreaking supercar platform and a concept car based on e⁴ technology at the upcoming Guangzhou auto show on November 17. The highly-anticipated unveiling, scheduled for 10:20 am Beijing time, is expected to showcase two undisclosed technological breakthroughs that aim to push the boundaries of performance and safety within the automotive industry. Yangwang, which made its debut in January with the introduction of the Yangwang U8 off-road SUV and the Yangwang U9 supercar, is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in the electric vehicle market. The Yangwang…

The construction of the Audi-FAW factory in Changchun, announced in January 2021 and commenced in June 2022, is reportedly on track to be completed by the end of this year, according to Chinese media sources. The plant, designated for the production of Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) models, aims to commence production by the end of 2024. Designed for an annual production capacity of 150,000 electric vehicles (EVs), the Changchun facility is expected to roll out its inaugural model, the Audi Q6L e-tron, starting in 2024. This electric SUV, an extended version of the Q6 e-tron produced in Ingolstadt, Germany,…

Still, the Hamburg-based industrial truck manufacturer, has inaugurated its first production line for 24-volt fuel cell systems, marking a significant leap in intralogistics hydrogen technology. The northern German port city’s Still plant will now produce fuel cell systems for warehouse vehicles in series, making Still the sole intralogistics sector manufacturer to independently produce and integrate fuel cell systems into its vehicles. With the aim of fostering hydrogen use in intralogistics and supporting Hamburg’s vision to become a hydrogen hub, Still’s new production line signifies a pivotal move in advancing green energy solutions. The company positions itself as a trailblazer by…

InoBat, in collaboration with its Chinese investor and partner Gotion High-Tech, is set to manufacture battery cells for Lilium’s electric jets at its Volta I and Volta II plants in Voderady, Slovakia. This strategic move follows Gotion High-Tech’s signing of a “pre-joint venture agreement” with Slovakian battery company InoBat in September, aiming to establish a joint battery cell factory in Europe. Gotion High-Tech, the world’s eighth-largest battery cell manufacturer and a key supplier to the Volkswagen Group, holds a 25% stake in InoBat. This significant investment positions Gotion to provide essential resources and manufacturing expertise, particularly for the upcoming Volta…

Electric vehicle (EV) company Rivian has announced its intention to raise approximately $15 billion in debt to support the construction of a new electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Georgia, according to a statement released on Monday. As outlined in a securities filing, taxable bonds for this initiative will be issued by the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton Counties. The agreement, dated November 9, stipulates that Rivian has committed to acquiring the bonds as they are issued. In addition to the funding arrangement, Rivian has pledged to make minimum property…

Fisker has revised its 2023 production expectations downward. The company now anticipates producing 13,000 to 17,000 electric vehicles, a significant reduction from its initial projection of 20,000 to 23,000 units. Fisker attributes this adjustment to challenges in scaling up deliveries and acknowledges weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting. Chief Financial Officer Geeta Fisker emphasized the company’s commitment to responsible decision-making for long-term sustainability during a post-earnings conference call. This production cut follows a previous reduction in forecasts in August, primarily attributed to delays from a key supplier. While the supply chain has reportedly stabilized, Fisker anticipates occasional bottlenecks from…

British petrol station operator EG Group has announced its collaboration with Tesla to acquire ultra-fast charging units, marking a strategic move to bolster its electric vehicle (EV) charging network across Europe. EG Group, owned by the Issa brothers, prominent figures behind UK supermarket Asda, aims to elevate its existing network of 600 chargers to an ambitious 20,000 chargers at its own sites in the foreseeable future. The expansion aligns with the imperative of accelerating electric vehicle adoption, a pivotal component of the UK’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Despite progress, the automotive industry advocates for a more rapid…

Chinese electric motorcycle manufacturer Yadea took center stage at the 2023 Milan Motorcycle Show EICMA, revealing its newest creation, the Kemper electric motorcycle. This cutting-edge model boasts a top speed of 99mph and introduces several notable features, including high-speed charging and enhanced performance compared to its gasoline counterpart. The Yadea Kemper electric motorcycle represents a significant leap forward in terms of comfort, acceleration, maintenance, and environmental impact. Notably, its charging capabilities set it apart in the electric motorcycle landscape. The Kemper offers a remarkable 10-minute fast charging option, propelling it to the forefront in terms of charging speed. A mere…

Canoo has unveiled the American Bulldog, an all-electric pickup truck derived from the extensively tested Screaming Eagle model, previously evaluated by the US Army in 2022. This release underscores Canoo’s commitment to innovation, with an emphasis on practical testing in real-world conditions. Canoo’s modular electric platform is designed to optimize interior space and offers customization options throughout the vehicle lifecycle. This adaptability caters to a wide range of business and consumer requirements, positioning the company uniquely in the competitive electric vehicle market. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qarjJIsXY_g The American Bulldog joins Canoo’s portfolio of electric vehicles, known for their distinctive designs and a business…