Author: Casper Benedict
Casper Benedict
Casper Benedict is a EV writer at EVMagz.com, reporting on electric vehicle launches, battery innovation, charging infrastructure, and clean mobility trends across global markets. Outside of work, he enjoys trail running, experimenting with home coffee roasting, and restoring vintage bicycles.
Volvo Group Australia will produce all-electric trucks in its Wacol factory, Queensland’s largest vehicle manufacturing plant, starting in 2027. This decision follows the start of commercial production of heavy-duty electric trucks in Gothenburg, Sweden, and the approval to trial them on Queensland roads, just six months ago. The commitment to manufacturing fully electric trucks in Australia aligns with Volvo’s success in receiving significant orders for electric trucks since introducing them in Australia in 2021. This development coincides with the ongoing dialogue about re-establishing an all-electric vehicle manufacturing industry in Australia. See also: Australian freight company orders 36 Volvo FL electric…
Tesla is on the verge of releasing Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta version 11.3, with a select group of testers set to receive the update by the end of the week. The new release is part of Tesla’s ongoing effort to fine-tune its advanced driver assistance software, which has received intense scrutiny and criticism. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has provided some details on the FSD Beta release, indicating that the company might release version 11.3.2 before the full release of the single stack in North America. The single stack software, which was rolled out in late 2022, uses a single software…
Google continues to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) ownership experience by introducing new features to Google Maps. Vehicles with Google built-in systems such as GM, Renault, Polestar, and Volvo will now offer several useful new functionalities to their users. One of the most notable updates is the inclusion of charging station information in search results. For instance, when searching for supermarkets, those with on-site charging stations will be clearly marked, making it easier for EV owners to find places to recharge while shopping. See also: Renault and Google will work together to develop software for future cars Another significant update…
Mercedes-Maybach is making its entry into the world of electric vehicles with the launch of its first plug-in hybrid model, the Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e. This new model is essentially the Maybach version of the Mercedes S-Class plug-in hybrid. Additionally, Mercedes-Maybach is also set to unveil its first fully electric model before the end of 2023. The new plug-in hybrid Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e boasts an electric range of up to 100 km according to WLTP standards. The electric motor provides 110 kW to the total system output of 375 kW. This performance is not surprising, as the drive system…
Ineos, the company behind the highly-regarded Grenadier off-roader, has announced details about their upcoming electric SUV. The second model from the company will be developed in partnership with Magna-Steyr and is expected to hit the market in 2026. In an interview with Australia’s Drive, Mark Tennant, an executive at Ineos, revealed the company’s close collaboration with Magna-Steyr on a new electric SUV project. This vehicle, which is expected to have robust off-road capabilities, is expected to be introduced in 2026. According to Tennant, the exterior design is nearly finished with just a bit more work to be done on the…
The recent car sales data from Norway presents an intriguing picture. January of this year saw the lowest number of new car registrations in the country since 1962, with just 1,860 new cars recorded. This marks a significant decline compared to the 41,441 cars sold in December 2022, of which 39,497 were registered that same month. The sudden drop in sales can be attributed to the end of generous electric vehicle (EV) subsidies announced by the government in December 2022. Since 2010, car sales in Norway have been steadily increasing, reaching 200,840 cars sold in 2021. However, the discontinuation of…
Hyundai Motor America has launched a new car subscription service that provides consumers with an alternative to purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle. Called Evolve+, the service was unveiled at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show and offers customers the chance to rent a Kona Electric or Ioniq 5 for either $699 or $899 per month, depending on the model. The subscription fee includes 1,000 miles of driving, maintenance, registration, roadside assistance, and insurance. The appeal of Hyundai’s new service lies in its month-to-month nature, offering the freedom to cancel the subscription after a single month without any long-term commitment. See…
After a prolonged period, Tesla has made a significant change to its vehicle order pages in the United States. The latest update eliminates the default display of “potential savings” in the prices of electric cars, and now shows their actual purchase price. In the past, Tesla’s US order pages faced criticism over the use of “potential savings” in pricing. When a consumer visited the order page of a vehicle, such as the Model Y, they would see two prices, one labeled as “potential savings” and the other as “purchase price.” However, this is no longer the case, as the actual…
Rivian has recently released a software update for its R1T and R1S vehicles, which has resulted in improved range capabilities. The update, version 2023.02.03, was rolled out on February 7 and includes a variety of enhancements, including improvements to the R1 key fobs and alerts for potentially unlocked doors. One of the key improvements in the update is the “Improved EPA – Estimated Range Numbers”. According to Rivian, the update has increased the “Depth of Discharge”, which refers to the percentage of the battery that has been used in relation to its overall capacity. This has resulted in more usable…
Hertz Global Holdings Inc’s latest regulatory filing on Tuesday revealed that their rental fleet has fallen short of their planned order for Tesla vehicles. According to the filing, the company’s American fleet peaked at 428,700 vehicles, with only 11% of them being Tesla cars. The company’s international fleet includes an additional 1,187 Teslas, bringing the total number of Tesla EVs in Hertz’s fleet to 48,344. This is significantly less than the 100,000 electric vehicles the company had intended to order from Tesla by the end of 2022. See also: Hertz adds Tesla Model Y to its electric vehicle fleet In…
EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, a joint venture between ElringKlinger and Plastic Omnium, has received a new order from a European car manufacturer for fuel cell stacks to be used in a forthcoming production vehicle. The details of the vehicle have not been disclosed. The order covers the development of a custom stack, delivery of prototypes, and has a single-digit million euro value. The stacks will begin shipping this year. According to Dr. Gernot Stellberger, Managing Director of EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, the company’s customer has high standards for quality and production. EKPO was able to meet these requirements with their…
The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has shared further information about their collaborative plans and vision for the next 15 years. The partnership is set to encompass joint efforts in regions such as Europe, India, and Latin America. Rumors have been circulating about a potential 800-volt architecture in Europe. At the end of January, Nissan revealed its intentions to acquire a maximum stake of 15% in the Renault Group’s upcoming independent electric vehicle division, Ampere. Mitsubishi is also evaluating the possibility of investing in Ampere, though the exact percentage the car manufacturer is eyeing has not been disclosed yet. The alliance partners plan…
The US Treasury Department has made a crucial revision to the vehicle classification standard for the $7,500 Inflation Reduction Act tax credit, bringing good news for those considering purchasing a Tesla Model Y. Previously, this electric vehicle was not eligible for the credit as it was classified as a sedan, and its cost exceeded the $55,000 maximum limit for sedans to qualify. Similarly, the Volkswagen ID.4, Cadillac Lyriq, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E faced the same issue as they too were priced above the maximum threshold for sedans. With the updated classification standard, these vehicles may now be eligible for…
Zeekr has finally revealed the name of its third model. Unlike its previous models, the Zeekr 001 and Zeekr 009, the new model will not be named after the number 3. Instead, it will be called the Zeekr X. The X symbolizes limitless exploration, boundless imagination, and unending transcendence, according to Zeekr. The company also released official images of the vehicle. Zeekr X promises to set a new benchmark for performance in the A-class SUV segment. With a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of under four seconds, the Zeekr X is poised to deliver a thrilling driving experience. In terms of…
Montague Bikes has introduced a new solution for urban mobility with its electric bike, the M-E1. The bike combines the best of both worlds – the efficiency of a conventional bicycle with the portability of a folding bike. The M-E1 features a folding frame, conventional 700c wheels, and a Shimano STEPS E6100 mid-drive motor for top-tier performance. The motor has a continuous output of 250 watts and a 36V, 418-Wh battery that provides up to 50 miles on a single charge. Other components include a Shimano Deore drivetrain, SR Suntour NEX front suspension fork, Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes, an…
Ford’s European business will not follow the company’s decision to cut prices of the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover in the US, in an effort to compete with Tesla’s Model Y. In the US, Ford has reduced the Mustang Mach-E’s price by $600 to $5,900, while Tesla has also made significant price cuts in Europe, with up to €9,100 off in Germany and up to £8,000 in the UK. Despite the competition, Ford has no plans to cut prices in Europe at this time. A Ford France spokesperson stated that the price cuts in the US are specific to that market…
CATL, the leading Chinese battery manufacturer, has announced plans to invest up to ¥23.8 billion (approx. €3.25 billion) in the construction of a large industrial park for the recycling and processing of battery raw materials. The industrial park, which will be built by CATL subsidiary Brump (Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology) in Foshan, Guangdong province, will have an annual processing capacity of 500,000 tonnes. The facility will recycle cathode materials from LFP and NMC cells and graphite from anodes, and process them into new batteries. The construction is estimated to take four years. See also: Nissan plan build new battery recycling…
Generac, the leading manufacturer of home backup generators, has announced the launch of its EV home chargers. Founded in 1959, Generac has a long history of providing power generation equipment, electrical storage systems, and other power products, and is considered the eighth largest generator company in the world according to Insider Monkey. The Wisconsin-based company’s Level 2 EV charger, which features a 48A /11.5kW output and J1772 connector, can fully charge an electric vehicle in four to six hours. This new product will be available for purchase through home improvement retailers, wholesalers, hardware stores, and can also be installed in…
The upcoming Mk. 8.5 Volkswagen Golf, an eighth-generation facelift, will be released in 2024, as confirmed by the automaker’s CEO, Thomas Schaefer. In an interview with the Spanish edition of Auto Bild, Schaefer stated that the update is scheduled for 2024 and that this would be the final iteration of the Golf with an internal combustion engine. The CEO emphasized that the next Golf model must be an electric vehicle, reflecting the industry’s shift towards electrification. This news applies not just to the standard Golf, but also to the high-performance R variant. The announcement of the Golf’s electrification came during…
Tesla has launched its non-Tesla Supercharger pilot program in Australia, allowing compatible electric vehicle (EV) owners to access Tesla’s rapid charging network. The program was announced through a tweet on Tesla’s official Twitter account, and select Superchargers in Australia are now open to all EVs. The pilot program is limited to drivers residing in Australia and is part of Tesla’s effort to speed up the transition to sustainable energy. To access the Supercharger Network, non-Tesla EV owners in Australia must download the latest version (4.2.3 or higher) of the Tesla App. See also: Non-Tesla electric vehicles can be recharged in…