Author: Casper Benedict

In a significant move to bolster electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, Allstar, a prominent fuel card provider, has joined forces with Fastned, a leading European fast-charging operator. Their partnership aims to empower business drivers utilizing Allstar’s One Electric solution, enabling them to effortlessly locate, charge, and make payments at Fastned’s extensive network of high-power charging stations across the United Kingdom. This collaboration will substantially amplify the number of fast charge points available within Allstar’s network, skyrocketing the total count to over 6,000. With this expansion, the Allstar network will encompass an impressive 11,000 charge points, spread across more than 4,000…

In response to weakening sales, Volkswagen has announced a temporary reduction in the production of electric cars at its Emden plant, according to the works council. The decrease in demand has affected not only the ID.4 model but also the production start-up of the new electric sedan, ID.7. Citing information from the works council, a report in the local German publication Nordwest-Zeitung confirmed that demand for Volkswagen’s electric vehicles is nearly 30 percent below the initially planned production figures. The works council further revealed that the late shift for the production of the ID.4 and the initial models of the…

Stellantis, one of the world’s leading automotive companies, unveiled its new ‘Charging & Energy’ business unit on Tuesday, aiming to enhance the convenience of electric vehicle (EV) usage and capitalize on the growing market for sustainable mobility services. Under this initiative, Stellantis will introduce a platform named Free2move Charge, offering a range of customer services. By the end of this year, the company plans to provide access to more than 500,000 charging points in Europe, in collaboration with partners. The move comes in response to the current inadequacy of charging infrastructure, which has contributed to ‘charging anxiety’ among EV drivers.…

Alef Aeronautics has accomplished a significant breakthrough in the realm of transportation. On Tuesday, the company announced that its flying car, known as “Model A,” has become the first of its kind to receive official approval for both road and air travel from the US government. Inspired by the iconic sci-fi movie “Back to the Future” and the futuristic year depicted in it (2015), the concept of Alef’s flying car took shape. In 2016, the company constructed its initial subscale prototype, designed to meet specific criteria: functioning as a conventional car, enabling vertical takeoff capabilities, and remaining relatively affordable. See…

Indonesia’s state energy company Pertamina has announced its collaboration with Electrum, a company dedicated to the proliferation of electric two-wheelers, to develop battery packs for electric motorcycles. This strategic partnership seeks to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads of Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The agreement was formalized during the groundbreaking ceremony for Electrum’s state-of-the-art electric scooter plant last Friday. As a joint venture between prominent coal miner TBS Energi Utama and tech giant GoTo Gojek Tokopedia, Electrum aims to manufacture an impressive 250,000 units of electric scooters annually. Pertamina, through its renewables division, will establish and…

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has implemented a fresh set of regulations, known as FIA Electric Sport Vehicles (FIA ESV), with the aim of promoting affordable electric vehicle competitions at national and regional levels. These regulations establish standardized specifications for racing electric cars, emphasizing minimal adaptations from their road-going production models. By focusing on touring car-style vehicles rather than prototypes specifically designed for racing, the FIA aims to differentiate the ESV series from established motorsports like Formula E and Extreme E. According to the FIA’s technical regulations for ESV, the overall body shape of the cars must largely remain…

Polestar, the Swedish automaker, has recently unveiled the refined 2024 model year of its popular Polestar 2 electric vehicle (EV), which incorporates significant upgrades to enhance its range, charging speed, and efficiency. These improvements, made possible by substantial hardware upgrades, aim to provide an improved driving experience while minimizing environmental impact. One of the notable enhancements in the 2024 Polestar 2 is its increased range, boasting a 20 percent improvement compared to its 2023 predecessor. The vehicle has obtained official certification for an EPA-rated range of up to 320 miles, addressing one of the concerns often associated with EVs. In…

Tesla Cybertruck has recently showcased its rear-wheel steering capability in a captivating video. The feature, also known as four-wheel steering, allows for independent control of the rear axle, enabling tighter and more precise turning radii. While rear-wheel steering technology was introduced over two decades ago, it failed to gain significant traction. However, it is now experiencing a renaissance as it becomes an increasingly coveted feature among electric pickup trucks entering the market. GMC initially made waves by demonstrating the “crab mode” in the Hummer EV, which utilizes rear-wheel steering. Since then, several other automakers have announced their plans to incorporate…

Luxury carmaker Aston Martin has announced a forthcoming partnership with Lucid Group, a leading American luxury electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. The collaboration aims to develop and produce state-of-the-art electric vehicles, representing Aston Martin’s entry into the evolving electric car market. Under the agreement, Lucid will supply Aston Martin with select powertrain components for their upcoming battery-electric vehicle (BEV) models. In exchange, Aston Martin will issue approximately 28.4 million new ordinary shares and provide phased cash payments totaling around $232 million to Lucid. This arrangement will make Lucid a 3.7% shareholder in Aston Martin. See also: Aston Martin announces partnership with…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) giant BYD has joined forces with Australian partner EV Direct to introduce their newest electric vehicle (EV), the Dolphin, in Australia. The Dolphin was officially launched at a special event on June 22, as stated in a press release by BYD. This move signifies BYD’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Australian market and promoting a sustainable future. The Dolphin is available in three versions in Australia, each with different starting prices. The entry-level model starts at A$38,890 ($26,000), while the higher-spec versions are priced at A$44,890 and A$49,990 respectively. In China, the Dolphin…

Seres Group, a partner of Huawei in the automotive industry, has commenced the delivery of vehicles in Europe. Recently, on June 21, Seres successfully handed over Seres 5 vehicles to their first European owners in Bergen, Norway. This announcement was made by the company, which is headquartered in Chongqing, China, on June 23. In contrast to Nio, another Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer that directly sells its vehicles abroad, Seres collaborated with a local dealer called Sandven AS to carry out the initial deliveries in Norway. Sandven AS, working alongside Seres, aims to introduce a broader range of new energy…

In a major move to enhance its electric vehicle (EV) offerings, Ford has substantially increased its stock of Mustang Mach-E vehicles. The automaker signed a groundbreaking deal with Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, granting its customers access to Tesla’s extensive network of charging stations. This groundbreaking collaboration was reported by S&P Global Mobility. Ford made the announcement in May, revealing that its customers would soon have access to over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers, starting from the following spring. In addition, Ford pledged to incorporate Tesla’s unique charging technology into its own lineup of EVs. According to an analysis by S&P Global Mobility…

After much anticipation, Fisker has finally commenced the delivery of its highly awaited Fisker Ocean electric SUV to customers in the United States. The initial shipment of 22 units, known as the Ocean One, was recently delivered at Fisker’s facility in Los Angeles. These vehicles made their way to the US from Fisker’s manufacturing plant in Austria, operated by Magna Steyr. In an official statement celebrating the milestone, Fisker expressed gratitude to its customers for their patience during an extended certification period earlier this year. The company is delighted to begin rewarding their patience by initiating the deliveries. We’re grateful…

Porsche is embarking on a remarkable journey towards becoming a fully electric sports car brand. As part of this ambitious transition, the company has announced the establishment of a groundbreaking software-centric division at its Nardò Technical Center in Italy. This strategic move aims to leverage the nearby pool of software experts and engineers, heralding a new era of digitalization that will enable advanced automated driving and other cutting-edge functionalities in future electric vehicles (EVs). The Nardò Technical Center (NTC), founded in 1975, spans an impressive 700 hectares of land in Puglia, Italy, and is currently home to over 20 state-of-the-art…

Lithium producers worldwide are expressing growing apprehension regarding potential setbacks in mine permitting, staffing shortages, and inflation, which could impede their ability to meet the aggressive timelines for supplying the crucial battery metal required for global electrification efforts. Once considered a niche metal primarily used in ceramics and pharmaceuticals, lithium has now become one of the most sought-after metals globally due to the ambitious electric vehicle (EV) plans put forth by major automakers such as Stellantis and Ford. The speed at which electric vehicles can replace internal combustion engines, a pivotal objective of the green energy transition, hangs in the…

Lordstown Motors’ Founder and former CEO, Stephen Burns, has recently made headlines with the complete sale of his ownership in the electric-vehicle manufacturer. A regulatory filing confirmed the divestment, revealing that Burns conducted three separate transactions between May and June. Prior to the reverse stock split implemented by the company in May, Burns sold approximately 581,000 shares, followed by the sale of 791,572 shares post-split. Lordstown Motors, currently facing financial challenges, has refrained from providing any comments on the stake sale. This development comes after Lordstown Motors initiated a reverse stock split to meet Nasdaq’s requirement of maintaining a minimum…

The British classifieds website AutoTrader has named the Tesla Model Y as the “Best Car for Families 2023.” AutoTrader praised the electric crossover for its ability to build upon the successful features of the smaller Model 3, making it an excellent choice for families. Additionally, Tesla received recognition for having the best technology among car brands. AutoTrader highlighted several key features of the Model Y that contributed to its award. The car’s minimalist cabin, impressive central touchscreen, impressive battery range, and effortless acceleration were among the factors that impressed the judges. Furthermore, the increased load capacity of the trunk, extra…

Basquevolt, a cutting-edge technology company specializing in solid-state batteries, announced significant progress in the development of their revolutionary battery cells. The company’s research and development center is on track to produce the first batch of 20 Ah cells suitable for electric vehicles by the end of this year. Having conducted extensive testing since April of last year, Basquevolt has demonstrated the remarkable capabilities of its multi-layer cells. Their groundbreaking technology has achieved an impressive energy density of 1,000 Wh/l or 450 Wh/kg, while simultaneously reducing the overall cost of battery packs. Basquevolt envisions a potential cost reduction of 30 percent…

American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian Automotive has announced its adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS), originally developed by rival Tesla. Rivian joins a growing list of automakers embracing this charging standard. In recent weeks, the term “NACS” has gained popularity as Tesla’s plug has rapidly transitioned from a proprietary component to the accepted North American standard. Tesla renamed its Charging Connector the North American Charging Standard when it opened its Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs, paving the way for other automakers to follow suit. Although the SAE combo (CCS Type 1) has long been considered the prevailing…

A remarkable sight unfolded at the Shanghai South Port in Shanghai as a drone flyover captured an immense fleet of Tesla Model Y and Model 3 electric vehicles (EVs) awaiting their journey to North America. The footage, which was recently published on the Wu Wa YouTube channel, revealed over 3,000 cars neatly parked at the port, raising speculation about their destination. According to the video’s description, the vehicles were marked with a distinctive “CA” insignia, presumably indicating their intended arrival in Canada. Tesla has recently commenced importing vehicles from China to Canada, prioritizing American-made EVs for the United States market.…