Author: Casper Benedict

New Jersey, joining a coalition of states including California, Vermont, New York, Washington, and Oregon, is set to implement measures to phase out gasoline-burning cars. Starting in 2027, the state plans to restrict the sale of gasoline-powered cars, light-duty trucks, and SUVs, with a complete ban slated for 2035, aligning with a broader national shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced the filing of the Advanced Clean Cars II rule, scheduled for adoption on December 18. This move mirrors similar initiatives in states such as California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts,…

Berlin-based teledrive specialist, Vay, has made history by completing a successful autonomous trip in Las Vegas without a human occupant, making it the first company to achieve this feat on both sides of the Atlantic. Vay initially made headlines in February when it deployed a vehicle without a human inside on public roads in Hamburg, setting a precedent for Europe. The company expanded its focus to the United States in June, establishing an office in Las Vegas. Unlike traditional self-driving taxi operators, Vay’s vehicles operate with remote teledrivers, professionally trained individuals located in a remote hub. These teledrivers use a…

Hyundai and Motional have confirmed plans to manufacture self-driving taxis based on the Ioniq 5 model at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS). Motional, a Boston-based autonomous driving technology company, has been testing Ioniq 5 taxis as prototypes in Las Vegas, Nevada, and aims to deploy them for commercial operations in the U.S. starting in 2024. Motional’s President and CEO, Karl Iagnemma, expressed pride in the collaboration, stating, “We’re enormously proud to have the Ioniq 5 robotaxi manufactured at this facility and look forward to introducing the world to some of the first-ever FMVSS-certified autonomous vehicles.” He highlighted…

Detroit is now home to a pilot project testing a novel autonomous truck parking network, a joint venture between Robotic Research Autonomous Industries (RRAI) and Truck Specialized Information Services (TSIS). The project is poised to mark the advent of autonomous trucking in the Detroit area, spotlighting the transformative possibilities within the trucking industry. RRAI contributes its AutoDrive-enabled vehicles to the partnership, originally designed for off-road military applications. The self-driving platform is engineered to facilitate multi-model autonomous driving capabilities, boasting the ability to operate without GPS, special signage, or road markings. The initiative kicks off with RRAI’s AutoDrive-enabled autonomous trucks maneuvering…

Tesla enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the anticipated unveiling of the upgraded Model 3 Performance, slated to make its debut in the first half of 2024. Referred to in electric vehicle (EV) circles as the Model 3 Highland, the new top-tier variant is expected to bring significant enhancements, making it a standout addition to Tesla’s lineup. The recent unveiling of the Model 3 Highland in Sydney showcased the existing variants available in the Australian market, namely the base Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) version starting at AUD 61,900 (USD 40,451) and the Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor All Wheel Drive (AWD)…

Tesla has initiated discounts on new inventory Model Y and Model 3 vehicles, signaling a renewed end-of-quarter push to achieve robust delivery figures. Historically known for using price adjustments to stimulate demand, Tesla had refrained from direct discounts on vehicles until earlier this year. In recent months, Tesla had maintained stable pricing, discontinuing discounts on new inventory vehicles. However, as the end of the year and quarter approaches, the electric automaker has reverted to offering discounts. See also: Dacia Sandero and Tesla Model Y Vie for Top Spot in European New Vehicle Sales An update to the “new inventory” section…

Nio has reassured current vehicle owners that their battery swap experience will remain unaffected following the announcement of a strategic partnership with Chongqing Changan Automobile, a major player in the automotive industry. William Li, founder, chairman, and CEO of the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, shared in a statement on the Nio app that the collaboration with Changan aims to introduce the next generation of mass-market battery packs capable of supporting ultra-fast charging. He emphasized that Nio’s existing vehicle owners can anticipate an improved battery swap experience. The partnership, unveiled in Chongqing, involves the joint establishment of standards for swappable…

Dongfeng has officially kicked off the pre-sale phase for its latest venture into the electric vehicle market with the introduction of Nammi 01, a compact, all-electric car set to make waves in China’s small car segment. Priced between 79,800 and 109,800 yuan (approximately 10,250 to 14,100 euros), the Nammi 01 is poised to be a key player in Dongfeng’s ambitious goal to achieve 150,000 electric vehicle sales by 2024, with a further target of 400,000 units by 2025. Positioned as the flagship model for the newly unveiled Nammi brand, Dongfeng is strategically entering the market with a focus on small…

Recent discussions within Toyota suggest the possibility of reviving the renowned Celica model as an electric vehicle (EV), utilizing the innovative platform introduced in the Lexus LF-ZC Concept at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo. Confirming last month’s reports, Chairman Akio Toyoda expressed his interest in bringing back the Celica for the EV era. However, he acknowledged the need for alignment within Toyota’s executive circles, recognizing that enthusiasm for such a model may vary. If the project moves forward, the new Celica could potentially serve as a successor to the front-engined GT 86, offering an alternative to the FT-Se, a…

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland are delving into a novel approach for the recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, exploring the use of bioengineered bacteria. The method involves processing used Nissan Leaf batteries into a “leachate” – a liquefied battery slurry – and combining this slurry with specially engineered microbes. While the details of the process are not extensively outlined, the researchers mention that the bacteria, selected and engineered for the task, operate within a bioreactor. The bacteria excrete the metallic content of the battery leachate as silt, effectively producing metal particles that can be isolated for…

British automaker Vauxhall has officially opened orders for its inaugural fully electric estate car, the Astra Sports Tourer Electric. With prices starting at £39,995 on-the-road (OTR), eager customers can anticipate receiving their vehicles from the second quarter of 2024. The pricing details were initially disclosed in June, unveiling the Astra Electric’s £39,995 price tag. Introduced in November of the previous year, the Astra Electric not only brought forth its price but also detailed technical specifications. For its drive system, Opel/Vauxhall opted for the same technology found in the Peugeot sister models, 308 and 308 SW. The electric drive system, a…

Ford Motor Company revealed adjustments to its investment, capacity, and job projections for an electric-vehicle (EV) battery plant in Michigan. The move comes in response to criticism from U.S. lawmakers, who have expressed concerns about the use of technology supplied by Chinese battery manufacturer CATL. The construction of the facility near Marshall, Michigan, which was paused two months ago, is set to resume. Ford’s revised plan involves producing low-cost lithium-iron batteries by 2026, leveraging technology licensed from CATL. Despite concerns raised by lawmakers, Ford asserts that it will own the factory and has extended an opportunity to the United Auto…