Author: Casper Benedict

HiPhi, the luxury electric vehicle (EV) brand under Chinese start-up Human Horizons Technology, has commenced sales of its first two models, the HiPhi X SUV and HiPhi Z GT, in Europe. The company, known for its focus on autonomous driving and EV technologies, recently received certification in Europe and has now revealed the pricing details for the two models. HiPhi plans to expand its presence in the European market with the introduction of a third EV model. The HiPhi X, initially showcased as the HiPhi 1 SUV concept in 2019, has evolved into the flagship production model. It features automatic…

EVoke Systems and FleetZero Inc. have joined forces in a strategic partnership aimed at addressing the obstacles faced by fleets as they shift towards zero emissions. The collaboration will empower FleetZero to distribute EVoke System’s open and scalable cloud platform, which focuses on electric vehicle (EV) charging, energy management, and grid interaction. The EVoke platform stands out as a groundbreaking, cloud-based solution that streamlines the transition to a unified EV charging infrastructure. By providing a scalable system, it simplifies the process of reducing energy costs and ensuring vehicle readiness. With EVoke, fleets can maintain a constant state of charge, optimize…

Optima Batteries, a leading battery manufacturer, is set to make a strong presence at the 101st running of the Pikes Peak hill climb. The company will be sponsoring a diverse range of vehicles, including the first-ever Rivian R1T, a bespoke Radford Type 62-2 Pikes Peak Edition driven by Tanner Foust, the 2022 PPIHC winner Robin Shute, two-time PPIHC winner Rhys Millen, and James Clay in the BimmerWorld BMW E36 M3. These vehicles will be equipped with the high-performance OPTIMA ORANGETOP HYPERCORE Lithium Quad-30 batteries. Gardner Nichols, a Pikes Peak rookie, will be driving the G Autosport team’s Rivian R1T in…

Volkswagen has unveiled its first electric vehicle for the upper mid-sized class, the ID.7, marking a significant step in the company’s electric vehicle lineup. Boasting an impressive range of up to 700 kilometers according to WLTP standards, the Volkswagen limousine sets a new standard for efficiency in its segment. The extended range of the ID.7 can be attributed not only to its advanced drive system but also to its sophisticated aerodynamics, which have been meticulously developed through close collaboration between the Design and Development departments. Aerodynamic performance plays a crucial role in the efficiency of vehicles, with the body shape…

Vestas, a prominent wind turbine manufacturer based in Europe, has made a significant move towards decarbonization by ordering over 100 VW ID. Buzz Cargo electric vans. These innovative vehicles, specifically designed for the service and maintenance of Vestas wind turbines, were first introduced into operation in February 2023. The partnership between Vestas and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles goes beyond the purchase of electric vans, as they aim to collaborate on electrified transport solutions to accelerate the decarbonization process within Vestas’ service fleet. While the ID. Buzz Cargo is primarily based on Volkswagen’s passenger car model, the ID. Buzz, it incorporates unique…

Audi, the renowned automobile manufacturer, has recently unveiled its inaugural charging hub in Salzburg, Austria. This significant development is a result of Audi’s collaboration with Moon Power, an establishment that also manages an electric vehicle (EV) competence center in close proximity to the hub. Marking the fourth of its kind under the Volkswagen brand, the Audi Charging Hub in Salzburg joins the ranks of its predecessors located in Nuremberg, Zurich, and Berlin. Emulating the structure in the German capital, this charging hub offers four rapid charging stations, each capable of delivering a formidable 320 kW of power, which can be…

Global logistics company Maersk has announced a significant initiative to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in hinterland container transports. Maersk plans to purchase 25 state-of-the-art Volvo FH electric trucks in Germany, showcasing their commitment to decarbonizing global logistics and becoming a net-zero company by 2040 across all business areas and modes of transport. Volvo Trucks is scheduled to deliver the first two units of fully electric trucks in Q4 2023, with the final unit expected in Q1 2024. The acquisition of these electric trucks is backed by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. Maersk is also exploring the…

Mercedes-Benz, the renowned automobile manufacturer, has unveiled its ambitious plan to incorporate more than 200,000 tonnes of CO2-reduced steel per year into its production plants across Europe. This significant initiative is set to be achieved through partnerships with esteemed European suppliers such as Salzgitter, Thyssenkrupp Steel, Voestalpine, Arvedi, SSAB, and H2 Green Steel, with the goal of implementing the sustainable steel supply chain model as a blueprint for other regions. The utilization of CO2-reduced steel is a pivotal step towards addressing the environmental impact of vehicle production. Currently, Mercedes estimates that steel accounts for up to 20 percent of the…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed confidence in the company’s progress towards achieving autonomy during his recent appearance at the VivaTech conference in Paris. Emphasizing the significance of Tesla’s efforts, Musk highlighted their impact on the company’s valuation. “While I have mentioned this previously, I genuinely believe that we are on the verge of solving autonomy,” stated Musk, as reported by Reuters. Over the past decade, Musk has consistently emphasized Tesla’s expertise in the electric vehicle (EV) sector and has frequently suggested that Tesla is close to introducing a fully self-driving car before any of its competitors. Currently, Tesla offers the…

Toyota is set to receive a substantial subsidy of approximately $853 million (120 billion yen) from the Japanese government. The funding aims to facilitate the expansion of the company’s electric vehicle (EV) battery production. This move is part of Toyota’s strategy to enhance domestic output and reduce reliance on supply chains associated with China. According to a report by Nikkei, Japanese companies, including prominent Tesla supplier Panasonic, currently account for less than 10 percent of automotive battery usage, while Chinese suppliers such as CATL and BYD control over half of the market share. Toyota plans to allocate the financial aid…

Stellantis, the automotive giant, has recently made a significant decision regarding its vehicle shipments to American states adhering to California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) stricter emissions regulations. The company has announced a halt in the shipment of vehicles solely powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) to 14 states that fall under CARB’s jurisdiction. These states include California, New York, Pennsylvania, and several others. However, customers in these states can still purchase internal combustion vehicles, but they must place an order as opposed to selecting from the dealer’s inventory. Conversely, in states that follow emissions rules set by the federal government,…

Stellantis, the world’s third-largest carmaker, is set to unveil its highly-anticipated European-made affordable electric car, the Citroën e-C3, in mid-October. This move comes as the company aims to combat the increasing presence of lower-cost Chinese brands in the European market. Compared to conventional fossil-fuel vehicles, electric cars tend to carry a higher price tag. However, European automakers are planning to develop more affordable models, fueled by government subsidies and incentives. France, for instance, is planning to introduce a subsidy for electric vehicles manufactured within Europe, as these vehicles have a lower carbon footprint compared to imported models. In addition, the…

Polestar, the renowned electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has recently announced the details of the upcoming 2024 Polestar 2, which is set to captivate electric car enthusiasts with its extended range and exciting new features. The 2024 model, starting at $51,300 (including destination fee), boasts notable upgrades while staying true to the Swedish minimalist design and exceptional driving experience that have made the Polestar 2 a breakout hit since its debut in 2020. One of the most significant advancements in the 2024 Polestar 2 is the inclusion of larger batteries and more powerful motors, resulting in improved range and enhanced performance.…

Tesla is reportedly aiming to produce 375,000 units per year for its highly anticipated Cybertruck. The company had previously announced in January that production of the Cybertruck would commence at its Texas plant sometime in 2023. This latest information regarding the production target for the Cybertruck comes from reliable sources at Tesla who communicated the details to the suppliers. The sources also indicate that Tesla plans to manufacture the first examples of the Cybertruck by the end of August, with full-scale series production commencing in early October. It is worth noting that Tesla has not yet unveiled a production version…

German automaker Volkswagen is setting its sights on implementing a groundbreaking production process for electric car batteries on a large scale. By utilizing a dry coating technique, Volkswagen aims to reduce energy consumption in battery cell production by 30 percent and significantly lower the costs of electric vehicles by several hundred euros per unit. According to a report by German publication Spiegel, Sebastian Wolf, a board member of Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary PowerCo, unveiled the company’s ambitious plans. Volkswagen intends to ascend the value chain by producing cells for future electric car batteries in their own large-scale manufacturing plants. Internal tests…

Ford Opens Electric Vehicle Center in Cologne, Plans to Produce 250,000 Electric Cars Annually Ford has recently inaugurated its ‘Electric Vehicle Center’ in Cologne, Germany, following a substantial investment of two billion US dollars to convert the existing Ford plant in Cologne-Niehl into a production facility for electric cars. The Electric Vehicle Center is expected to have an annual production capacity of 250,000 electric cars in the future. The American automaker will commence production of the all-electric Ford Explorer at the Cologne facility later this year. Additionally, starting from 2024, Ford will introduce a second electric model based on Volkswagen’s…

Mercedes-Benz has announced a recall of 8,281 electric vehicles in the United States due to a software problem affecting the propulsion system. While the primary impact is on the EQS sedan, the recall also includes the EQS SUV and EQE models. The investigation into the issue was initiated by Mercedes in October 2022 after receiving a single field report indicating a malfunction in the electric drivetrain. The automaker proactively looked into the matter to identify the root cause, suspecting a loss of propulsion as reported by the driver. Through detailed analysis of field data, Mercedes determined that the electric drivetrain…

In response to recent rumors circulating over the weekend, Tesla China has denied reports suggesting that the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology will undergo a pilot run in Shanghai. Local media outlet Cailian released a brief report today, stating that Tesla China refuted the information as untrue. On May 12, a Shanghai official expressed the city’s commitment to deepening its collaboration with Tesla and supporting the advancement of the electric vehicle (EV) maker’s self-driving and robotics businesses. Chen Kele, deputy director of the intelligent manufacturing promotion division at Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, announced plans to establish a…

Trucksters, a Spanish transport company specializing in long-distance freight transport services, has successfully concluded a €33 million Series B funding round. The company also announced its intentions to electrify parts of its long-haul freight transport service. The funding round attracted new investors such as Continental, Volvo, and the European Investment Bank, among others. Trucksters utilizes artificial intelligence and big data in its truck switching system, which enables efficient long-distance freight transport. As one of the pioneers in the industry, the company aims to lead the way in electric long-haul transportation. It plans to introduce several electric trucks in the near…

Mercedes-Benz’s new eCitaro hydrogen fuel cell electric bus is set to be deployed in northern Italy starting from the end of this year. The public transport operator SASA has placed an order for nine units of the 18-meter-long articulated version of the electric bus, which comes with a fuel cell range extender. Recently unveiled by Daimler, the eCitaro fuel cell bus will be utilized by SASA to serve the South Tyrol region in Italy, specifically between Merano and Bolzano, where longer-range electric buses are needed. The deliveries are scheduled to take place between late 2023 and early 2024. SASA is…