Author: Casper Benedict

Mullen has begun road testing its electric van with a new solid-state polymer battery pack, surpassing the expected range of 190 miles in initial real-world tests, the company announced. The higher energy density of the solid-state battery has been credited for this achievement, increasing from 42 kWh on LFP technology to 72 kWh with SSP chemistry. The latest phase of solid-state polymer battery testing commenced in January with the installation of the battery pack into the Class 1 EV cargo van to assess system compatibility between the vehicle and pack. See also: Mullen Unveils Five RS Electric Crossover with 1,000 HP,…

Tesla has increased the prices of specific Model Y vehicles in the United States by $1,000, as displayed on its official website. The electric vehicle manufacturer raised the prices of its Model Y rear-wheel drive and long-range variants to $43,990 and $48,990, respectively. However, prices for the Model Y Performance variant and other models have remained unchanged, according to the information available on the website. See also: Tesla Model Y Performs Well in Stringent Crash Tests, Compared to Traditional ICE Vehicles This price adjustment follows Tesla’s recent move to temporarily reduce prices on some of its Model Y cars in the…

Soracom and Suzuki have announced a new partnership aimed at developing IoT technologies for mobility services, with a specific focus on sustainability. The collaboration seeks to explore potential areas such as electric vehicles for the global market, modular “base units,” and new technologies and services to support carbon neutrality. The partnership between Soracom, a leading provider of IoT connectivity, and Suzuki, a renowned automotive manufacturer, is a response to the rapidly evolving automotive industry. This evolution is driven by the increasing electrification and automation of vehicles, as well as the growing consumer preference for connected cars. According to a joint…

BMW has issued a safety recall for four of its electric vehicles in the United States due to a battery welding problem affecting the i4 and i5 models. The recall affects three i4s, including the i4 xDrive40 and i4 M50, along with a single i5 eDrive40, all from the 2024 model year. Despite the small number of vehicles involved, BMW has taken proactive measures to address the issue. The company reached out to the owner of one affected vehicle on February 16, while the other three vehicles are being repaired before being delivered to their owners. The remedy involves replacing…

Gene Munster, a prominent analyst at Loop Ventures, believes Apple is at a crucial juncture following the reported cancellation of its Apple Car project. Speaking to CNBC, Munster expressed surprise at the move, cautioning that not all of Apple’s projects necessarily come to fruition. However, he emphasized the need for Apple to make a significant strategic move to sustain its growth trajectory. “Apple’s a tech company, and tech companies by definition need to grow,” Munster stated, highlighting the imperative for Apple to explore new avenues for revenue growth. With Apple’s revenue currently standing at a staggering $400 billion annually, Munster…

Last May, Ford became the first automaker to announce its plans to adopt Tesla’s charge connector, now known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS). In a bid to enhance accessibility for electric vehicle (EV) owners, Ford also revealed its intention to provide a free adapter to existing Ford EV owners. Starting today, eligible Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners can request their free CCS to NACS adapter. Deliveries are expected to commence in March. Concurrently, Ford is initiating a software update that unlocks Tesla Supercharger support for Mach-E and Lightning vehicles. See also: Ford Plans 800V Fast Charging Architecture for…

Zeekr, a brand under Geely, has unveiled the latest iteration of its Zeekr 001 electric shooting brake in China, with plans for a European release. The revised model, which has already sold over 160,000 units, features significant technical improvements and a more competitive price point compared to its predecessor. The Zeekr 001 is a luxury-class electric shooting brake based on Geely’s SEA platform. Initially launched in October 2021, the model has undergone slight technological upgrades, including the adoption of the Qilin battery from CATL, featuring the latest generation of cell-to-pack technology. This advancement allows for an impressive energy content of…

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 may not sport significant exterior changes compared to its predecessor, but beneath the familiar design lies a host of improvements that promise to enhance its appeal to buyers. Following its debut in Europe last fall, the upgraded ID.4 is now available in North America, manufactured in Chattanooga, TN. One of the standout enhancements is a substantial increase in power for the single-motor models, with output jumping from 201 hp (204 PS) to 282 hp (286 PS). This brings the base model’s power output close to that of the previous bi-motor, AWD ID.4, which has also received…

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and Mack Trucks, both Volvo Group companies, have collaborated to provide on- and off-road electric equipment to Coastal Waste & Recycling, based in Boca Raton, Florida. This partnership aims to support Coastal Waste & Recycling’s sustainability goals. Coastal Waste & Recycling is piloting a 23-ton EC230 Electric excavator from Volvo CE and has received a Mack LR Electric Class 8 refuse vehicle. The Mack LR Electric will be used for residential and specialized commercial applications in southern Florida. See also: Skanska’s Volvo Electric Excavator Pilot: Saving $15.15 and Reducing 34 Kilograms of Carbon Emissions per Hour…

The Ford SuperVan 4.2 has made history at Australia’s Mount Panorama, setting a new lap record with racing driver Romain Dumas behind the wheel. Ford showcased the SuperVan 4.2 at the Bathurst 500 Supercars event, where Dumas took it for a hot lap after the race’s qualifying session. Clocking in at 1:56.3247, Dumas’s lap time set a new record for closed-wheel vehicles at the circuit, surpassing the pole time of the Supercars event by over 10 seconds. The achievement also narrowly edged out a record set a week earlier by a modified Mercedes-AMG GT3. See also: Ford’s SuperVan 4.2 Electrifies Pikes…

Li Auto has revealed an ambitious plan to expand its supercharging station network this year, although the number falls short of earlier media reports. In a Weibo interaction today, Li Auto stated, “Supercharging station network layout of 2,000 planned for 2024, stay tuned.” The company’s statement was somewhat ambiguous in Chinese, leaving it unclear whether they intend to add 2,000 new supercharging stations this year or reach a total of 2,000 by year-end. See also: Li Auto to Triple Supercharging Station Plans Ahead of BEV Launch However, during an analyst call following the fourth-quarter earnings announcement, Li Auto’s management clarified that…

Verkehrsbetriebe Luzern AG (VBL) has welcomed the arrival of its first three electric buses, marking the initial step in a larger plan to electrify its fleet. The Swiss public transport operator intends to progressively transition to electric vehicles, with a goal to have an entirely electric fleet by 2040. The new electric articulated buses, part of a larger order for 50 electric buses placed late last year, commenced service on February 24. While the main charging for these buses will occur overnight, VBL noted that some recharging may be necessary during the day to ensure sufficient energy for continuous operation.…