Author: Casper Benedict

Airbus, in collaboration with Avinor, SAS, Swedavia, and Vattenfall, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the feasibility of hydrogen infrastructure at airports in Sweden and Norway. This joint effort aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of hydrogen aircraft concepts, operations, supply chains, infrastructure requirements, and refuelling needs at airports. The overarching goal is to foster the development of a hydrogen ecosystem for aviation in both countries, facilitating the transformation of airports to operate hydrogen-powered aircraft. See also: AMSL Aero Secures USD 3.49 Million Grant from ARENA to Advance Hydrogen-Powered Vertiia Aircraft The partners plan to conduct an unprecedented…

Chinese automaker BYD disclosed a dip in sales for January compared to the previous month, attributing the decline to seasonal factors that impacted several major automakers in China. According to an announcement on the Hong Kong stock exchange, BYD sold 201,493 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in January, reflecting a 33.14% year-on-year increase but a notable 40.92% decrease from December. In a strategic shift in March 2022, BYD halted the production and sales of vehicles solely powered by internal combustion engines, redirecting its focus towards plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). See also: BYD Unveils Official Images of New…

In a bid to diversify amidst the global shift away from fossil fuels, Saudi Arabia is navigating challenges in its endeavor to embrace electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, according to a Reuters report. The country, with limited experience in automotive production and an undeveloped EV infrastructure, is actively investing in EV initiatives, primarily involving US-based Lucid and its own startup, Ceer. Lucid has received a substantial investment of $10 billion from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), with the government committing to purchasing up to 100,000 Lucid vehicles. Lucid’s automotive factory, the only one in the kingdom, currently operates by reassembling…

Chinese automaker BYD witnessed remarkable success in 2023, making significant strides in various global markets and achieving a notable milestone by surpassing the Volkswagen Group to become the top-selling brand in China. According to data from the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, BYD recorded registrations of 2.4 million vehicles in China last year, capturing an 11% share of the new car market. This marked a notable 3.2% increase from 2022 when BYD was in close competition with Toyota for the second spot, trailing behind the Volkswagen Group. BYD’s ascendancy has been rapid, with sales soaring over the past few…

Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt has expressed its intention to explore cobalt sourcing from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a crucial component in electric vehicle battery production. The company has conducted trials, examined work processes, and compared plans to enhance social and environmental sustainability, with the goal of establishing long-term partnerships. Chief Environmental Officer Emma Nehrenheim mentioned in a Reuters phone interview that she would feel comfortable engaging in sourcing agreements within the year but did not specify a definite timeframe. Stakeholders had approached Northvolt, urging the company to directly engage with miners and other parties to improve working conditions…

Ford unveils a new Bronze Appearance Package for the Mach-E GT, aiming to enhance the visual appeal of the electric vehicle. Priced at $60,990, the package includes “Sinister Bronze” paint for the 20-inch cross-spoke alloys, badges, and mesh-look front grille. Buyers can choose from three body colors: Shadow Black, Star White Metallic Tri-Coat, and the newly introduced Eruption Green. Opting for the Bronze kit also provides buyers with the opportunity to purchase a yet-to-be-disclosed performance upgrade, positioning it as the fastest Mach-E ever. See also: Ford Shifts Sales Strategy for Electric Mustang Mach-E in China Amidst Challenging Market Dynamics https://youtu.be/eRudvjxBmPw…

Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Canoo has commenced the delivery of its Lifestyle Delivery Vehicles (LDVs) to commercial van and fleet rental company Kingbee. This marks an early fulfillment of the substantial 9,300-unit order placed by Kingbee in 2022, with the LDV 130 units destined for integration into Kingbee’s rental fleet. Canoo plans to continue deliveries throughout 2024 as production accelerates at its newly established manufacturing facility in Oklahoma. In an official statement on Wednesday, Canoo’s CEO, Tony Aquila, expressed pride in the increasing presence of Canoo vehicles on American roads, emphasizing their engineering for service industries and optimization for safety,…

ZeroAvia has entered into a memorandum of understanding with hydrogen tech startup Verne to jointly explore the utilization of cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) as an energy-dense fuel source for hydrogen-electric planes. The aim is to enhance refueling speed and potentially extend the flight range of the aircraft. ZeroAvia has made substantial progress in the past decade, achieving experimental flight certificates from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The company is now on the brink of realizing commercial operations with hydrogen-electric planes, targeting the development of a 40- to 80-seat aircraft with a range of…

Luxury electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors is commencing the new year by extending a limited-time offer of up to $10,000 in Air credits for its 2023 Air models. The promotional incentive, available until January 31, 2024, caters to various trims within the 2023 Air lineup. For the 2023 Air Pure and Air Touring trims, Lucid is providing Air credits of up to $7,500. The offer reaches its pinnacle with a $10,000 Air credit for the 2023 Air Grand Touring trim. See also: Lucid Air Sapphire Specifications: Battery, Power and Range The credits can be utilized for both cash payments and…

General Motors (GM) is reportedly discontinuing its Ultra Cruise driver assistance program, a move that follows persistent comparisons of the technology to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta. The decision comes as GM addresses challenges within its self-driving subsidiary Cruise, stemming from an October accident. Sources familiar with the matter, cited in a CNBC report, state that GM has decided to terminate the Ultra Cruise project after missing expected launch timelines. According to one source, GM intends to redirect efforts towards advancing its Super Cruise system, opting for a more consolidated approach rather than maintaining two distinct Advanced Driver Assistance Systems…

Rental firm Hertz Global Holdings has announced the sale of approximately 20,000 electric vehicles, including Teslas, from its U.S. fleet. This move comes about two years after the initial deal with the automaker to offer electric vehicles for rent, signaling a potential shift in the demand for electric vehicles (EVs). Hertz stated on Thursday that it will be transitioning to gas-powered vehicles due to higher expenses related to collision and damage for EVs. Despite earlier aspirations to convert 25% of its fleet to electric by the end of 2024, the company has faced challenges, including unforeseen costs associated with EV…

Tesla has solidified its leadership in the electric vehicle (EV) market, securing three positions within the top 10 best-selling EVs in the U.S. for 2023, according to EV sales data released by Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive. The Tesla Model Y emerged as the top-selling EV, surpassing all non-Tesla counterparts in the top 10 combined, with an estimated 394,497 units sold. The Model 3 followed closely as the second-best-selling EV, with 220,910 units, while the Model X secured the ninth spot with a total of 23,015 units. In the overall ranking, Tesla’s dominance was evident, with the combined sales…