Author: Casper Benedict

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo has achieved a Guinness World Record for the most significant altitude change by an electric vehicle, scaling the heights of Hongtu Daban in Tibet, reaching a staggering elevation of 17,569 feet. While the altitude itself is a testament to the car’s capabilities, it is the journey’s extraordinary ascent that truly distinguishes this achievement. The epic 10-day expedition embarked from Ayding Lake, a dry lakebed in Western China, which stands at a remarkable 718 feet below sea level. Over the course of its adventure, the Taycan Cross Turismo conquered a total ascent of 18,287 feet, a height…

Volvo Autonomous Solutions (V.A.S.), a division of the Volvo Group, has joined forces with Boliden, a prominent player in the mining and metallurgy sector, in a long-term collaboration aimed at developing and implementing cutting-edge autonomous transport solutions. This partnership encompasses a range of initiatives, including the introduction of autonomous transport systems at Boliden’s Garpenberg site in Sweden. The maiden deployment of an autonomous transport solution at the Garpenberg facility will focus on the transportation of rock fill from an on-site quarry. As part of this comprehensive undertaking, V.A.S. will provide a full suite of autonomous transport capabilities, encompassing vehicles, hardware,…

Electric vehicles (EVs) are poised to achieve price parity with fossil-fuel models in Europe as early as 2024 and in the U.S. market by 2026, according to recent research conducted by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). The RMI report, released on Thursday, projects a significant reduction in battery costs this decade, potentially halving from $151 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2022 to a range of $60 to $90 per kWh. This dramatic cost reduction is expected to make EVs not only as affordable as petrol-powered cars by 2030 but also cheaper to operate. Batteries, a primary cost component, currently account for…

Eberspaecher, the German automotive supplier, is set to broaden its product portfolio with the introduction of the AC138 EVO rooftop air conditioner, designed primarily for hybrid and battery-electric buses. The cutting-edge unit harnesses Eberspaecher’s patented heat pump technology and boasts impressive attributes, including low system complexity and remarkable energy efficiency. In a recent company announcement, Eberspaecher disclosed that the air conditioning system will be available in two size variants suitable for both city buses and coaches. These variants may differ in dimensions but share a common cooling capacity of 35 kW and a heating capacity of 24 kW, all within…

The Munich Transport Company (MVG) is set to introduce 21 new electric articulated buses into regular service in the Bavarian capital over the next few days, marking a significant stride towards achieving its goal of 100 percent emission-free public transport services. These newly deployed buses, the MAN Lion’s City E articulated models, were ordered approximately a year ago. According to MVG, MAN emerged as the most economically advantageous supplier, securing the tender. With these additions, MVG’s electric bus fleet has now expanded to include 47 electric vehicles. See also: MAN Receives €25 Million Funding from Bavarian Government for Advancement of…

Swiss investment bank UBS has recently conducted an in-depth analysis of the BYD Seal electric sedan, drawing comparisons with the industry-leading Tesla Model 3. In a surprising turn of events, UBS analysts dismantled a BYD Seal to better understand its capabilities and concluded that traditional automakers, including Tesla, should take notice. The BYD Seal, a mid-size electric sedan from Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, has earned UBS’s praise as a compelling alternative to the Tesla Model 3, boasting a significantly lower price point. UBS noted that the Seal offers numerous advantages over its American…

General Motors (GM) President Mark Reuss expressed confidence that the automotive giant’s electric vehicles (EVs) would turn profitable after 2025, primarily attributed to their innovative Ultium platform. Speaking at the Automotive News Congress in Detroit, Reuss shared that GM had already produced 50,000 EVs in North America during the first half of the year and had ambitious plans to manufacture 100,000 more in the latter half. Reuss emphasized that the key to GM’s future success in the EV market lies in designing their vehicles from the ground up for battery integration, as opposed to retrofitting existing internal combustion models. He…

In a recent report, data from the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, highlighted by the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, has shed light on the energy consumption habits of American households. Surprisingly, electric vehicle (EV) charging doesn’t claim the top spot, but rather comes in as the fourth-largest electricity consumer on average. The three major appliances that outpace EV charging in energy consumption, each consuming over 2,700 kilowatt-hours annually per household, are air conditioning (2,775 kWh), space heating (including both primary and secondary heating systems, as well as air handlers, at 2,717 kWh), and water heating (2,706 kWh). According…

In a bid to solidify its position in the evolving electric vehicle (EV) market, Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, a fully electric SUV, is undergoing a significant facelift. The IONIQ 5, initially launched in 2021 as Hyundai’s inaugural dedicated EV on the E-GMP platform, has been a notable success in the US, steadily climbing the ranks to become one of the best-selling EVs, securing the seventh position in overall sales last year. As of 2023, its sales have continued to surge, especially in attracting premium buyers, lauded for its striking design, advanced technology, and impressive efficiency. Now, Hyundai aims to further enhance…

BMW has announced a substantial investment of £600 million (approximately $750 million) in its UK manufacturing facilities. The aim of this substantial investment is to transition its iconic Mini brand into an all-electric lineup by the year 2030, providing a much-needed boost to the country’s car industry following years of uncertainty driven by the Brexit process. Beginning in 2026, BMW, a prominent German premium car manufacturer, will commence production of two electric models at its Mini plant located in Oxford. These models include the classic Mini Cooper 3-door and the compact crossover Mini Aceman. As part of its long-term vision,…

South Korean conglomerate POSCO International has embarked on a strategic move to secure a stable supply of graphite, a crucial raw material for anode production in secondary batteries, while also reducing its reliance on Chinese suppliers. This initiative comes in response to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which mandates a reduction in dependence on minerals sourced from foreign entities of concern (FEOCs) to qualify for electric vehicle (EV) tax credits in the United States starting in 2025. On August 28th, POSCO International announced a significant business agreement with Canadian mining company Next Source, with the aim of jointly investing…

In August, Norway witnessed a decline of over 10 percent in new passenger car registrations, marking a significant downturn compared to the same period the previous year. The Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) reported 11,083 new passenger cars registered, underscoring the challenges faced by the country’s auto industry. The year-to-date sales figures also revealed a persistent downturn, with 85,157 units sold, down 3.4 percent compared to the previous year. Notably, plug-in electric car sales in August showed a decrease, primarily due to the declining popularity of plug-in hybrids, while all-electric car sales remained relatively stable. According to the OFV, 9,974 new…

Volkswagen Group France is embarking on an ambitious project known as Electrify France. Under this initiative, the automotive conglomerate aims to establish an extensive ultra-fast charging network, unifying brands such as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Audi, SEAT, Cupra, and Škoda. The project envisions the installation of 150 charging stations across the country by the summer of 2024. Unlike Volkswagen’s large-scale Electrify America venture, the focus in France will be on regions with limited motorway access and peri-urban areas. Leveraging the extensive network of more than 700 sites owned by its various brands throughout France, Volkswagen Group intends to significantly enhance the…

In an interview at the Munich car show, Chief Executive of Mercedes-Benz, Ola Kaellenius, has clarified that the premium carmaker does not anticipate its entire European sales to be all-electric by 2030. However, the company remains committed to having its electric vehicle (EV) line-up prepared for the transition. Mercedes-Benz has previously stated its ambition to achieve all-electric sales by 2030, contingent on market conditions, customer preferences, and the requisite infrastructure to support electric mobility. Speaking on the sidelines of the Munich show, Kaellenius acknowledged that while Europe’s EV market has experienced significant growth, it is unlikely to be fully prepared…

In a significant development, Tesla is intensifying its collaboration with China as it continues to navigate the thriving New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market in the region. The electric vehicle manufacturer is poised to commence the construction of a state-of-the-art Megapack factory, while over 95% of its supply chain is now located within China. China has emerged as a formidable force in the NEV market, with consistent growth and innovation. Tesla, in partnership with the Chinese government, has played a pivotal role in shaping this dynamic landscape. Allan Wang, President of Tesla China, expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing collaboration, emphasizing the…

In a bold move just as summer came to a close, Tesla has initiated preorders for the Model 3 Highland and implemented substantial price cuts on several of its vehicles, including the Model S, Model X, and Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta software. The electric car giant aims to entice more customers into the electric vehicle (EV) market with these attractive offers. The most notable price reduction comes in the form of the FSD Beta software option, which has seen a reduction from a staggering $15,000 to a more accessible $12,000. Tesla is betting big on its autonomous driving technology, and…

In a noteworthy development for the off-road racing community, the Extreme E off-road racing series is set to introduce hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in 2025, slightly later than initially anticipated. This decision signifies a significant move towards sustainability and innovation in the sport. After successfully completing one season as an FIA championship, the Extreme H off-road series is on track to receive official recognition as an FIA World Championship starting from 2026. This acknowledgment by the global automotive governing body underscores the increasing prominence of off-road racing on the global stage. In parallel, the battery-electric Extreme E, currently categorized as…

Renault has unveiled the fifth-generation Scenic, a fully electric people mover carrying the E-Tech badge. This innovative vehicle shares the CMF-EV platform with the Renault Megane E-Tech and the Nissan Ariya European compact EVs, marking a promising step in the transition to sustainable transportation. Scheduled to roll off the assembly line at Renault’s Douai ElectricCity Factory, the Scenic E-Tech is set to grace European dealerships early next year. It offers consumers a choice of two zero-emissions powertrains, both powered by LG nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries, emphasizing performance and environmental consciousness. The Standard range Scenic E-Tech features a front-mounted electric motor generating…

Zeekr has revealed their latest creation, the 001 FR, positioning it as a formidable contender against the Tesla Model S Plaid. The 001 FR boasts a quad motor powertrain delivering an astonishing 1,248 horsepower (930 kW / 1,265 PS) and a staggering 944 lb-ft (1,280 Nm) of torque, rivaling hypercar specifications. Impressively, the vehicle accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in just 2.07 seconds under a “rolling start scenario.” While the acceleration is undeniably rapid, the 001 FR’s top speed is capped at 174 mph (280 km/h). While not breaking any records in this department, it’s…

Auto component manufacturer Hyundai Mobis has announced a strategic partnership with Israeli semiconductor company Autotalks Ltd. to jointly develop cutting-edge 5G network-based vehicle-to-everything (V2X) integrated control technology, aimed at enhancing the safety aspects of autonomous vehicles. The subsidiary of South Korea’s automotive giant, Hyundai Motor Group, is set to begin work on advanced technologies in line with the latest specifications of the 5G-based V2X international standard. This initiative is scheduled to start later this year, with plans to introduce the technology to the global market by 2024, according to Hyundai Mobis. See also: Hyundai Mobis supplies chassis modules for all-electric…