Author: Casper Benedict

German automaker Mercedes-Benz has unveiled new photos of the forthcoming EQG / G-Class EV, indicating that production is drawing near, and the electric SUV will be hitting the market “soon.” Despite Mercedes keeping specifics undisclosed, the company has billed the model as a “true off-road icon” and an embodiment of the “best of all worlds.” Described as a “real G,” it is touted to seamlessly merge “sophistication and advanced electric technology.” The EQG’s design, influenced by the earlier EQG concept, closely mirrors its conventionally-powered counterpart, currently undergoing a facelift. Notable distinctions include a square ‘spare tire carrier,’ assumed to be…

In response to recent observations on Cars.com, Elon Musk has addressed claims that Tesla is quietly selling new vehicles on the platform. CarDealershipGuy, an account on the auto industry-focused platform X, initially reported the development on Friday, asserting that Tesla had ventured beyond its traditional sales strategy by listing “new” vehicles on Cars.com. Musk, however, expressed surprise at this revelation, stating that he was unaware of any decision by Tesla to sell vehicles through Cars.com, deeming the situation “odd.” The listings on Cars.com reportedly redirect users to Tesla’s official website upon clicking, prompting speculation about a potential advertising, marketing, or…

Charge Construct, a developer specializing in high-power charging parks, has announced a collaboration with Switch, a London-based provider of charging software. The partnership seeks to broaden the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Germany, focusing on the deployment of high-performance charging (HPC) hubs. Charge Construct has secured notable deals, including a framework agreement to install fast-charging infrastructure at 200 locations for the German discounter Norma. Switch’s role in this collaboration lies in being the only OCPP 2.0.1 certified charging system that fully supports ISO 15118-2/-20, reflecting its commitment to international EV communication standards. Marc Mültin, the founder of Switch, brings over…

South Korean automaker Kia has disclosed the trim levels and pricing details for its upcoming EV9 electric SUV in the Canadian market. This marks the brand’s introduction of its first three-row electric SUV, catering to a range of preferences and driving needs. The base model, the Light RWD, starts at CA$59,995 and is equipped with a 215 hp motor and 19-inch wheels. Notably, customers have the option to upgrade the 76.1kWh battery in the Light trim to a larger 99.8kWh power pack, available in the Wind and Land versions. The Wind variant boasts an extended estimated range of 489 km…

Dutch charging infrastructure provider, Alfen, has entered into a significant four-year framework agreement with E.ON Drive Infrastructure (EDRI) to supply AC charging stations across various European countries. The deal solidifies Alfen’s position as one of EDRI’s “preferred suppliers,” as disclosed in an official press release. The initial phase of installation is set to take place in Germany, with more than 300 Eve Double PG-line units earmarked for deployment, including 140 in the capital city of Berlin. The ambitious plan also includes the expansion of charging stations to cities such as Dortmund, Essen, and Bochum, although specific quantities for the four-year…

Apple’s recent patent filing, titled “Customizable System,” sheds light on the tech giant’s ongoing efforts in the automotive sector. The patent reveals a system designed to personalize the in-vehicle experience through advanced user identity recognition, employing facial recognition, fingerprints, and voice biometrics. The intended features aim to enhance security measures and provide customized comfort settings, such as seat adjustments, media preferences, and climate control, based on the passenger’s location within the vehicle. Additionally, the system integrates with portable electronic devices to deliver timely reminders for items and devices left behind in the vehicle. While Apple’s progress in the automotive sector…

Renault has officially founded Ampere, its dedicated electric vehicle (EV) division, as part of its strategic move to focus on the growing market for electric mobility. Headed by Luca de Meo, Ampere aims to democratize electric vehicles in Europe, with a logo based on Renault’s longstanding diamond symbol, representing perpetual motion and shared goals. The formation of Ampere follows Renault’s confirmation in May 2022 that it was considering spinning off its EV business. The new division commenced operations on November 1, with the transfer of eleven sites in France, including key industrial plants such as the ElectriCity eMobility cluster and…

Engwe showcased its newest model, the E26 fat-tire electric bike, at EICMA 2023, formerly known as the Milan Motorcycle Show. Initially introduced in two variants for the international and EU markets, the E26 took center stage at the event. The Engwe E26 boasts a 750W electric motor delivering a top speed of 45km/h and a maximum torque of 70Nm for its international version. Meanwhile, the EU variant is equipped with a 250W motor, maintaining the same torque but with a lower top speed of 25km/h. The electric bike features a riding range of approximately 140km, attributed to its 48V 16Ah…

Leading battery-swapping electric scooter manufacturer, Gogoro, has announced a strategic collaboration with Apple to incorporate key Apple features directly into its scooters. The partnership will enable Gogoro Smartscooter riders to leverage NFC keyless unlocking and Apple Wallet, allowing users to activate and lock their scooters directly from their iPhone or Apple Watch. Owners of Gogoro Smartscooters can now add a scooter key to Apple Wallet on their iOS devices, simplifying the unlocking and starting process by holding the device near the scooter’s NFC-enabled reader. The feature is not limited to new scooters but is also backward compatible with over 300,000…

Scania and digital road freight forwarder Sennder Technologies have joined forces in a pioneering venture named ‘Juna,’ headquartered in Berlin, with the goal of driving the widespread adoption of electric trucks across Europe. Juna aims to offer electric trucks through a pay-per-use model, streamlining the transition to electric transport for logistics companies. The innovative pay-per-use approach is designed to alleviate the financial burden on transport companies, eliminating high acquisition costs and residual value risks from their balance sheets. Instead, these responsibilities fall to Juna, offering logistics firms access to Scania e-trucks with “guaranteed capacity utilization.” By ensuring access to cargo…

The electric motorcycle landscape witnesses a new entrant with the introduction of the Velocifero Race-X Scrambler. Revealed at EICMA 2023, this electric bike seeks to strike a balance between the thrill of riding and the practicality demanded by everyday use, presenting an immersive experience for riders. Positioned as a middle-ground marvel, the Velocifero Race-X departs from a singular focus on raw performance or mere commuting functionality. Equipped with a modest 5-kilowatt (6.7 horsepower) electric motor, the bike may appear underpowered on paper, yet its torquey nature and immediate power delivery elevate its on-road performance. Boasting a 6.48-kilowatt-hour battery, the Race-X…

Lucid Air owners will soon have the ability to share their vehicle’s stored battery power with other EVs, regardless of the manufacturer. This innovative feature, named “RangeXchange,” leverages Lucid’s bi-directional onboard charger and a newly introduced adapter, allowing for charging speeds of up to 9.6 kW. With this technology, a transfer of power capable of driving other EVs between 24 and 40 miles can be achieved in just about an hour. Following an over-the-air update, Lucid’s entire existing fleet will gain access to the RangeXchange feature. The process is akin to a digital jerrycan, wherein a cable is used to…

At the Polestar Day event in California, Polestar announced its collaboration with Israeli battery startup StoreDot to test an electric car prototype equipped with StoreDot’s extreme fast charging (XFC) cells. The technology, known as “100-in-5,” promises to add 100 miles of range in just five minutes of charging, potentially revolutionizing the electric vehicle (EV) ownership experience. Polestar, an investor in StoreDot along with Volvo Cars, Mercedes-Benz, and VinFast, is exploring the integration of the “100-in-5” cells into a production-level solution. The companies are working on an advanced engineering project to demonstrate how XFC battery cells can be fitted to an…

As BMW prepares to roll out a mid-lifecycle update for its popular 1-Series F40, the German automaker has reassured enthusiasts of the beloved hatchback that it has electric ambitions for the model’s future. Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, recently affirmed the company’s commitment to delivering models across various market segments, indicating that the compact segment will not be neglected. Horstmeier’s remarks were made during an interview with Italian media outlet Quattroruote, where she highlighted BMW’s dedication to catering to customers in the premium market segment. When questioned about the possibility of an electric successor…

White House has conveyed President Joe Biden’s intent to veto a Senate Republican effort to overturn his administration’s decision to waive certain “Buy America” requirements for government-funded electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The move underscores the ongoing debate over domestic manufacturing standards and their implications for the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. The Republican bill, set for a crucial vote at 5:30 p.m. ET (1030 GMT), has been met with resistance from the Biden administration. According to the White House, this legislation, if enacted, would effectively eliminate the domestic manufacturing requirement for government-funded EV chargers, potentially causing adverse effects on…

General Motors and Stellantis announced on Wednesday their joint investment in the startup Niron Magnetics, a strategic move aimed at revolutionizing the development of electric vehicle (EV) magnets. The collaboration seeks to create permanent magnets without the dependence on rare earth materials, a substantial development in the automotive industry’s ongoing efforts to reduce its reliance on China for critical components. In this initiative, both automakers have participated in Niron’s latest funding round, contributing to a total investment of $33 million. The objective is to work closely with Niron in the development of permanent magnets that do not require rare earths,…

In September, global sales of plug-in electric cars soared to unprecedented levels, reaching 1.3 million units, marking the highest recorded figure to date. This surge, reported by EV-Volumes data and shared by researcher Jose Pontes, represents a notable 23 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Rechargeable cars secured a robust share of 17 percent in global car registrations, with all-electric cars alone claiming 12 percent. When factoring in non-rechargeable hybrids, the total share of electrified cars, collectively known as xEVs (BEVs, PHEVs, HEVs), reached an estimated 29 percent. The breakdown of plug-in car registrations for the month…

Toyota’s luxury division, Lexus, is ramping up its efforts by providing substantial discounts of up to $15,000 on 2023 RZ 450e leases, marking its most significant discount to date. Lexus, known for its commitment to luxurious automobiles, entered the electric vehicle market last April with the introduction of the 2023 RZ 450e. The debut of this all-electric SUV signifies Lexus’ shift towards becoming a brand centered around battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The 2023 RZ 450e started its rollout in the first quarter of 2023 and has garnered significant attention, with Lexus having sold over 2,500 models through September. Sharing a…

Toyota has introduced its all-new Crown Sedan model in Japan, set to be available for orders starting November 13, 2023. This release is part of Toyota’s larger initiative, “Crown for a new era,” which seeks to push the boundaries of innovation and cater to a wider range of customer values and lifestyles. This new Sedan model is a departure from conventional sedan designs, as it strives to offer not only exceptional ride comfort and a high-quality driving experience but also a relaxing and spacious interior designed to meet the requirements of chauffeured cars. Toyota envisions it as a “new formal”…

Polestar, the Swedish electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced its expectation to meet the lower end of its 2023 delivery target. Despite the adjusted expectations, the company remains optimistic about the surge in demand with the upcoming launch of new EV models. In a significant move, Polestar’s first electric SUV coupe, the Polestar 4, is set to begin production next week. During the third quarter, Polestar reported the delivery of 13,976 vehicles, marking a 51% year-over-year increase. However, this number is slightly down from the 15,800 vehicles delivered in the second quarter. This year-over-year growth coincides with the rollout of…