Author: Casper Benedict

Genesis, a luxury car brand, has announced its latest innovation, the Plug & Charge service, which offers a seamless and secure charging experience for electric vehicle (EV) owners. With this bespoke system, customers can simply plug in and charge without the need for a payment card or a dedicated app. This hassle-free charging solution was made possible through Genesis’ successful collaboration with Shell Recharge and Hubject, a Plug & Charge ecosystem operator. The Plug & Charge service is designed to provide the ultimate convenience for EV drivers. The system is easy to use, allowing drivers to pull up, plug in,…

ZF, a leading supplier of driveline and chassis technology as well as active and passive safety technology, has announced the series production of its new electric central drive, the CeTrax lite. The company states that the new driveline is suitable for light commercial vehicles up to 7.5 tons and has already received orders from Asia and America. The CeTrax lite is being produced under the direction of ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The division was founded in 2022 to focus more precisely on the commercial vehicle market. The new driveline, according to ZF, exploits synergies from the…

New pictures and technical data have been leaked on the internet ahead of the official premiere of the new Mini Cooper, which is being produced in collaboration with Chinese company Great Wall. The four images show a blue Mini with a white painted roof, white exterior mirror caps, and a white border around the ‘radiator grille’. The electric Mini has its own unique design for the tail lights, while the front and side lines remain true to the iconic Mini look. See also: Mini unveiled its first all-electric Mini Cooper SE as a convertible The Mini Cooper E is expected…

Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian has been facing production delays that have led to a 90% drop in its stock value since its IPO. The production holdups were primarily attributed to issues with the complex Bosch motors used in the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV, which are fitted with numerous semiconductor chips. To address these concerns, Rivian has developed its own simplified in-house motor, named “Enduro,” that it hopes will help reduce delays and improve production efficiency. The new Enduro motor uses fewer semiconductors, and is currently being introduced to Rivian’s Amazon delivery vehicles. The company is aiming to…

Waymohas made headlines once again with five of its self-driving Jaguar I-Pace crossovers causing a traffic jam on a residential street in San Francisco due to thick fog. Four of the vehicles stopped on the first lane, while one parked in the center lane, frustrating morning commuters. The vehicles began moving again once the fog cleared, which took several minutes. Waymo’s spokesperson stated that the company plans to release software updates to improve their fog and parking performance to prevent similar situations in the future. The incident highlights the lack of systemic data available to regulatory agencies regarding autonomous vehicles’…

Chinese automaker BYD is set to create waves in the automotive industry by unveiling a new electric SUV at the Shanghai Auto Show. The upcoming SUV is part of BYD’s Dynasty series and is expected to feature a fully electric powertrain, which makes it an exciting prospect for the rapidly expanding electric vehicle market. According to a teaser image posted by the automaker, the SUV boasts a sleek coupe-SUV design with a similarity to the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. The teaser image showcases the EV’s rear end, which features full-width LED taillights, pronounced shoulders, and heavily inclined rear glass. These features…

China’s sales of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) continue to surge as the latest data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) reveals that NEV sales in March reached 653,000 units, up 34.8% year-on-year and 24.4% higher than February. The impressive growth in NEV sales can be attributed to the strong demand for battery-electric cars (BEVs) which accounted for 490,000 units, while plug-in hybrids only made up 163,000 units, representing less than a quarter of all NEVs. See also: China Exports Over Half a Million NEVs in 2022, with 43.3% came from Tesla China BYD, the Chinese automaker, continues to…

Volkswagen’s brand chief, Thomas Schäfer, has described the recent discussion over an e-fuel exception to the EU’s proposed 2035 gas car ban as “unnecessary noise” and has stated that “by 2035, combustion engines are over anyway,” in an interview with Automotive News Europe. The interview mainly focused on the availability of Volkswagen’s upcoming EVs in Europe, but Schäfer also highlighted the importance of electrification. The EU recently proposed a plan to ban new internal combustion engine cars in 2035 across the bloc, but this was met with objections from auto-producing countries, including Germany and Italy. The proposal was eventually modified…

WiTricity, a company specializing in wireless EV charging technology, will be showcasing its product in an upcoming episode of Ask This Old House. The episode, titled “Oven Ventilation, Wireless EV Charger,” will air on PBS on April 13th at 8:00 PM EST and will be available for streaming on various platforms starting on April 17th. The WiTricity Halo™ wireless charging system eliminates the need for plugging in, simplifying the charging process for electric vehicle (EV) owners. Studies have shown that many EV consumers are interested in wireless charging, which ranks higher in desirability compared to other features such as autonomous…

Tesla Solar products in California are facing a major setback with the new pay structure for residential solar systems that will come into effect from April 15th. This move is expected to have a considerable impact on the demand for Tesla’s residential solar systems, which have already struggled to establish themselves in the competitive market. However, there may be some good news for Tesla Energy, as the new incentive program for energy storage products could help the company come out unscathed. California is the largest solar market in the US, with over 38% of all solar capacity in the country,…

Volvo Penta, a supplier of power solutions for industrial applications, has acquired a minority stake in US-based Utility Innovation Group (UIG), a specialist in resilient and innovative utility systems and decentralized energy solutions. This strategic investment is expected to accelerate Volvo Penta’s entry into the utility sector and further develop its battery energy storage subsystem and power generation portfolio as part of its road to net zero. Through this partnership, Volvo Penta and UIG aim to enhance their collective capabilities and create innovative solutions to advance electric grid infrastructure. They will also have the potential to provide more opportunities for…

British electric drive specialist, Saietta, has recently announced a partnership with Ayro, a US-based manufacturer of low-speed electric vehicles. As part of the collaboration, Saietta will be supplying 3,000 of its electric drive systems to Ayro, which will be used in the new Ayro Vanish model. This new model is set to enter production later this year, with deliveries of the powertrains scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2023. Saietta’s electric drive systems are designed to offer class-leading performance and high efficiency on urban duty cycles, making them an excellent option for businesses looking to transition to electric…

A team of 29 innovative students from the Skoda Academy has taken on a new project that could change the way we view electric vehicles (EVs) forever. Their mission is to convert the Enyaq iV EV into a versatile mini motorhome that can double as a camping van and mobile office. Although the vehicle is still in its development phase, the crew has shared their incredible renderings that offer a glimpse into what they are working on. The Enyaq iV’s exterior has been modified with a bulbous extension that covers the roof and hatchback, adding at least one foot to…

The UK has continued its trend of strong growth in new passenger car registrations, with March 2023 marking the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year growth. In total, 287,825 new passenger cars were registered in March 2023, up by over 18 percent compared to the same period last year. This brings the total number of new registrations in the first three months of the year to over 494,000, representing an increase of 18.4 percent. One of the most notable trends in the UK automotive market is the increasing popularity of plug-in electric vehicles. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)…

Taiwanese electronics manufacturing giant, Foxconn, has commenced production of Monarch Tractor’s all-electric MK-V tractors, under a contract manufacturing agreement. The first tractors recently rolled off the assembly lines at Foxconn’s Lordstown facility in Ohio. Foxconn, which is the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, acquired the Lordstown facility from struggling electric vehicle (EV) start-up, Lordstown Motors, in late 2021. Under the agreement, Foxconn agreed to help Lordstown Motors produce its Endurance pickup truck. The acquisition was completed in May 2022, and soon after, Foxconn announced that it would also assemble Fisker’s PEAR EV at the facility. Foxconn expanded its client list further…

Endera has just announced the release of its highly anticipated 2023 model all-electric shuttle. The shuttle boasts impressive range and charging capabilities, as well as a fully integrated software ecosystem that’s set to transform the transportation industry. Endera’s dedication to innovation has led to the development of proprietary electric drivetrain technology that delivers exceptional performance, efficiency, and range. The 2023 Endera shuttle features an all-electric powertrain with 150 kWh built into the platform’s architecture, designed to maximize energy density and efficiency. The advanced battery technology also allows for ultra-fast charging, with the ability to reach 80% charge in as little…

Audi has issued a recall for its Q4 E-Tron models in the United States, after it was discovered that one of the airbags could potentially tear, posing a safety risk to occupants. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the recall, warning that in the event of a crash where the head curtain airbag is deployed, the airbag may deform the door seal and expose the metal inlay within the seal. This could result in pieces of exposed metal tearing the airbag, compromising its ability to protect occupants and increasing the risk of injury. Audi has identified that the issue…

Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle and clean energy company, has officially announced that Tom Zhu will be taking on the role of Senior Vice President of Automotive, according to a recent SEC filing. This is a significant promotion for Zhu, who previously served as the head of Giga Shanghai, the company’s massive manufacturing plant in China. The announcement confirms rumors that have been circulating for some time regarding Zhu’s growing influence within the company. Zhu has been with Tesla since 2014, and has worked his way up the ranks through various operational roles, including Vice President of Greater China, where…

Tesla has made headlines with a new series of price reductions across its entire lineup of cars. This move comes as a surprise to many, as Tesla has consistently raised its prices over the past two years. However, with this new price drop, Tesla aims to keep up with increasing competition in the EV market and maintain its market share. Prices on some models have been reduced by as much as $5,000 overnight, making Tesla’s electric cars more affordable and accessible to a wider range of consumers. This wave of price reductions is not the first time that Tesla has…

German electric air taxi developer Volocopter has announced the completion of its entire production line in Bruchsal. The company’s own production facilities are set to begin operations this month, with the capacity to produce 50 VoloCity aircraft per year. The announcement coincides with the opening of a new hangar that will be used for the final assembly and development flight tests of the model. “Right here is where the aircraft that will change how humanity moves about cities will take off and make its way across the world,” said CEO Dirk Hoke. “This region is known for transforming mobility –…