Author: Casper Benedict

The Munich Transport Company (MVG) is set to introduce 21 new electric articulated buses into regular service in the Bavarian capital over the next few days, marking a significant stride towards achieving its goal of 100 percent emission-free public transport services. These newly deployed buses, the MAN Lion’s City E articulated models, were ordered approximately a year ago. According to MVG, MAN emerged as the most economically advantageous supplier, securing the tender. With these additions, MVG’s electric bus fleet has now expanded to include 47 electric vehicles. See also: MAN Receives €25 Million Funding from Bavarian Government for Advancement of…

Swiss investment bank UBS has recently conducted an in-depth analysis of the BYD Seal electric sedan, drawing comparisons with the industry-leading Tesla Model 3. In a surprising turn of events, UBS analysts dismantled a BYD Seal to better understand its capabilities and concluded that traditional automakers, including Tesla, should take notice. The BYD Seal, a mid-size electric sedan from Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, has earned UBS’s praise as a compelling alternative to the Tesla Model 3, boasting a significantly lower price point. UBS noted that the Seal offers numerous advantages over its American…

General Motors (GM) President Mark Reuss expressed confidence that the automotive giant’s electric vehicles (EVs) would turn profitable after 2025, primarily attributed to their innovative Ultium platform. Speaking at the Automotive News Congress in Detroit, Reuss shared that GM had already produced 50,000 EVs in North America during the first half of the year and had ambitious plans to manufacture 100,000 more in the latter half. Reuss emphasized that the key to GM’s future success in the EV market lies in designing their vehicles from the ground up for battery integration, as opposed to retrofitting existing internal combustion models. He…

In a recent report, data from the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, highlighted by the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, has shed light on the energy consumption habits of American households. Surprisingly, electric vehicle (EV) charging doesn’t claim the top spot, but rather comes in as the fourth-largest electricity consumer on average. The three major appliances that outpace EV charging in energy consumption, each consuming over 2,700 kilowatt-hours annually per household, are air conditioning (2,775 kWh), space heating (including both primary and secondary heating systems, as well as air handlers, at 2,717 kWh), and water heating (2,706 kWh). According…

In a bid to solidify its position in the evolving electric vehicle (EV) market, Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, a fully electric SUV, is undergoing a significant facelift. The IONIQ 5, initially launched in 2021 as Hyundai’s inaugural dedicated EV on the E-GMP platform, has been a notable success in the US, steadily climbing the ranks to become one of the best-selling EVs, securing the seventh position in overall sales last year. As of 2023, its sales have continued to surge, especially in attracting premium buyers, lauded for its striking design, advanced technology, and impressive efficiency. Now, Hyundai aims to further enhance…

BMW has announced a substantial investment of £600 million (approximately $750 million) in its UK manufacturing facilities. The aim of this substantial investment is to transition its iconic Mini brand into an all-electric lineup by the year 2030, providing a much-needed boost to the country’s car industry following years of uncertainty driven by the Brexit process. Beginning in 2026, BMW, a prominent German premium car manufacturer, will commence production of two electric models at its Mini plant located in Oxford. These models include the classic Mini Cooper 3-door and the compact crossover Mini Aceman. As part of its long-term vision,…

South Korean conglomerate POSCO International has embarked on a strategic move to secure a stable supply of graphite, a crucial raw material for anode production in secondary batteries, while also reducing its reliance on Chinese suppliers. This initiative comes in response to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which mandates a reduction in dependence on minerals sourced from foreign entities of concern (FEOCs) to qualify for electric vehicle (EV) tax credits in the United States starting in 2025. On August 28th, POSCO International announced a significant business agreement with Canadian mining company Next Source, with the aim of jointly investing…

In August, Norway witnessed a decline of over 10 percent in new passenger car registrations, marking a significant downturn compared to the same period the previous year. The Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) reported 11,083 new passenger cars registered, underscoring the challenges faced by the country’s auto industry. The year-to-date sales figures also revealed a persistent downturn, with 85,157 units sold, down 3.4 percent compared to the previous year. Notably, plug-in electric car sales in August showed a decrease, primarily due to the declining popularity of plug-in hybrids, while all-electric car sales remained relatively stable. According to the OFV, 9,974 new…

Volkswagen Group France is embarking on an ambitious project known as Electrify France. Under this initiative, the automotive conglomerate aims to establish an extensive ultra-fast charging network, unifying brands such as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Audi, SEAT, Cupra, and Škoda. The project envisions the installation of 150 charging stations across the country by the summer of 2024. Unlike Volkswagen’s large-scale Electrify America venture, the focus in France will be on regions with limited motorway access and peri-urban areas. Leveraging the extensive network of more than 700 sites owned by its various brands throughout France, Volkswagen Group intends to significantly enhance the…

In an interview at the Munich car show, Chief Executive of Mercedes-Benz, Ola Kaellenius, has clarified that the premium carmaker does not anticipate its entire European sales to be all-electric by 2030. However, the company remains committed to having its electric vehicle (EV) line-up prepared for the transition. Mercedes-Benz has previously stated its ambition to achieve all-electric sales by 2030, contingent on market conditions, customer preferences, and the requisite infrastructure to support electric mobility. Speaking on the sidelines of the Munich show, Kaellenius acknowledged that while Europe’s EV market has experienced significant growth, it is unlikely to be fully prepared…

In a significant development, Tesla is intensifying its collaboration with China as it continues to navigate the thriving New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market in the region. The electric vehicle manufacturer is poised to commence the construction of a state-of-the-art Megapack factory, while over 95% of its supply chain is now located within China. China has emerged as a formidable force in the NEV market, with consistent growth and innovation. Tesla, in partnership with the Chinese government, has played a pivotal role in shaping this dynamic landscape. Allan Wang, President of Tesla China, expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing collaboration, emphasizing the…

In a bold move just as summer came to a close, Tesla has initiated preorders for the Model 3 Highland and implemented substantial price cuts on several of its vehicles, including the Model S, Model X, and Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta software. The electric car giant aims to entice more customers into the electric vehicle (EV) market with these attractive offers. The most notable price reduction comes in the form of the FSD Beta software option, which has seen a reduction from a staggering $15,000 to a more accessible $12,000. Tesla is betting big on its autonomous driving technology, and…