Author: Casper Benedict

Tesla had a highly successful year in 2022, with the Model Y ranking among the top ten best-selling vehicles in the United States. The electric crossover sold 252,000 units in 2022, placing it at sixth on the list. According to Motor Intelligence, the Model Y saw a 32.4% increase in sales from the previous year. It outperformed popular models such as the GMC Sierra, Toyota Tacoma, Honda CR-V, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Michelle Krebs of Cox Automotive fully expected the Model Y to perform well. She said, “It’s no surprise that Tesla ranks that high. The brand, despite all the…

It has been over a year since Rivian began delivering its all-electric R1T pickup truck to customers at the end of 2021. Overall, the company has received positive feedback for the vehicle, with MotorTrend naming it “the most remarkable pickup truck” and several owners expressing satisfaction with their electric truck. In a recent owner review, YouTuber TEDActuallyTalks shared his thoughts on the R1T after one year of ownership and approximately 13,500 miles driven, highlighting both the positives and negatives of the vehicle. The YouTuber highlighted the benefits of the software updates that have been applied to the R1T over time,…

Volkswagen of America has released its 4th quarter and full-year 2022 sales numbers, revealing that 6.8% of its sales in the USA were electric vehicles (all ID.4 sales, as it is the only electric vehicle Volkswagen sells in the country). In the 4th quarter, the Volkswagen ID.4 had a market share of 18.2%, with 4,055 sales, making it the second best selling model in the USA. Only the Tiguan had more sales, at 7,740 in the quarter. The Volkswagen ID.4 had impressive year-over-year growth in the 4th quarter, with a 171.4% increase in sales. This growth was slightly higher than…

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy, based on research from the Argonne National Laboratory, Georgia, Kentucky, and Michigan are expected to dominate the electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing industry in the United States by 2030. Each state is projected to have a capacity of 97-136 gigawatt hours per year for EV battery production. Additionally, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee are expected to be significant players in the industry, with a planned capacity of 46-97 gigawatt hours per year by 2030. The planned expansion of EV battery manufacturing capacity in North America is expected to increase…

Vehya, a startup specializing in Electrification of Things (EoT), has announced a partnership with HEVO Inc., a top provider of wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging technology. The collaboration aims to speed up the installation of wireless EV charging stations in the United States, and allows Vehya to become one of HEVO’s preferred partners for the installation and maintenance of its wireless charging products. “HEVO is ecstatic to partner with Vehya, which already provides customers around the world with a turnkey solution to EV charging,” said HEVO’s Chief Commercialization Officer, Vic Peltola. “Our collaboration will enable more customers to benefit from wireless…

The Nissan Leaf and the Hyundai Ioniq Electric are both electric vehicles (EVs) that offer an alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars. Both vehicles have their own unique features and capabilities, and it can be difficult to decide which one is the best fit for you. Here is a comprehensive comparison of the two models to help you make an informed decision: Range and Battery Size: One of the main differences between the Leaf and the Ioniq Electric is their range. The Leaf has a range of up to 149 miles on a single charge, while the Ioniq Electric has a…

Volvo Car USA announced that it sold 102,038 cars in 2022, a decrease of 16.5% compared to the previous year. However, the share of fully electric Volvo cars increased by 14.3% to reach 7.2% of total sales. The company faced challenges in the supply chain and production due to component shortages and Covid-related lockdowns in China, despite strong demand for its cars. In December 2022, Volvo Car USA sold 11,111 cars, an increase of 6.4% compared to the same month in the previous year. The share of Recharge cars, which include both pure electric and plug-in hybrid models, reached 27.4%…

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is an annual event held in Nevada where various brands from around the world showcase their latest technological innovations. Japanese startup ICOMA present their innovative electric bike, the Tatamel Bike, at this year’s CES. This unique e-bike can be easily transformed from a compact suitcase-sized box into a fully-functional bike, making it an ideal solution for short distance travel or for those who have limited storage space. The Tatamel Bike is not only practical, but it also has a cute design that is sure to catch the attention of attendees at CES 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br9lqbhTwUo Tatamel…

Tesla has reportedly added the option of a traditional round steering wheel in the configurator for its Model X and Model S electric vehicles (EVs). The option is available at no extra cost, and those who have already purchased a Model S or X with the yoke steering wheel can pay a $700 fee to have it replaced with the round wheel. Tesla has updated its Design Studio to offer a choice between a traditional round steering wheel or a yoke steering wheel for new buyers. Both options are included in the price of the vehicle, with no additional charge…

PGT Trucking announced the order of its first Nikola Tre battery-electric semi-truck. This makes PGT the first flatbed trucking company to actively expand its fleet with zero-emission vehicles. The Nikola Tre BEV will be immediately used by PGT on a select customer account and will primarily operate on local, dedicated routes. According to PGT Trucking President Gregg Troian, “Our customers have expressed a need for sustainable shipping solutions, and we are working to align ourselves with their green energy commitments. With the purchase of the Nikola Tre BEV, PGT is prepared to meet these demands.” PGT aims to revolutionize the…

Benteler’s brand of autonomous shuttles, called Holon, has unveiled its first vehicle at the CES in Las Vegas. The electric Holon Mover, designed by Pininfarina, can hold up to 15 passengers and does not require a driver. The company recently renamed its business unit to “Holon” and spun off the unit at the end of 2021 to focus on developing autonomous electric shuttles, also known as “People Movers.” The Holon Mover on display in Vegas is designed for up to 15 passengers and has a range of about 290 kilometers, operating at a maximum speed of 60 km/h in autonomous…

The Kia Niro EV Cargo is a new addition to Kia’s Niro EV lineup, which will be available for purchase in the Netherlands. It can be purchased as a standalone model or as a conversion kit for an existing Niro EV. There are two options for the conversion kit: the Basic kit, which includes a coated aluminum load floor, metal divider, and two lashing eyes, and the Pro kit, which includes storage compartments under the loading floor and between the front seats, as well as additional lashing eyes. Both kits come with a 2-year warranty and are priced at €1,990…

At the 2023 Consumers Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Mercedes-Benz announced that it will construct its own global high-power charging network that will eventually include over 10,000 stalls worldwide. This network will be separate from the Ionity network, which is operated by Mercedes and other automakers. In partnership with MN8 and ChargePoint, Mercedes-Benz will begin building the first stations in the United States and Canada this year, with the aim of having over 400 hubs with more than 2,500 fast charging stations in North America by 2027. The company intends to have the entire network operational by the end…

Swiss start-up LOXO has announced that it will be using Innoviz’s lidar technology in its autonomous delivery vehicles. The partnership was announced at CES in Las Vegas and coincides with LOXO’s unveiling of its first autonomous delivery vehicle. The vehicle, which is designed to travel at urban speeds and transport packages in multiple compartments, is set to begin making last-mile deliveries on public roads in Switzerland this year, with plans for expansion to Germany and the United Kingdom in the future. It will be monitored remotely by trained safety personnel who can intervene if necessary. LOXO has decided to purchase…

The Japanese government is looking to ease safety regulations for high-power charging stations (HPCs) with more than 200 kW of power in order to make their installation more cost-effective. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency of Japan, which is responsible for regulating electric vehicle charging, plans to modify the regulations by the end of 2023. The changes will put HPCs on equal footing with DC charging stations that have a power range of 50-200 kW, in an effort to promote their expansion. Currently, HPCs with over 200 kW are treated like electrical substations and must meet strict requirements, such as…

The Voyah Zhuiguang is a new medium-to-large electric sedan from luxury EV brand Voyah, a division of Dongfeng Motor Corporation. Pre-sales for the vehicle have begun in China, with prices ranging from 322,900 to 432,900 yuan (approximately 46,310 to 62,100 USD). The Voyah Zhuiguang, previously known as the H53, is set to be released in the first quarter of 2023. In addition to the Zhuiguang, Voyah currently sells the Free SUV and Dreamer MPV. The Zhuiguang features a closed front face design for improved aerodynamics and a longer battery range, as well as sporty cuts and creases on the front.…

According to a survey by consulting firm Deloitte, a growing number of American consumers are interested in purchasing electric vehicles (EVs), but are worried about the increasing cost. The survey, conducted from September to October 2022, found that nearly 70% of potential EV buyers in the United States hope to pay less than $50,000 for their next vehicle. Additionally, over half of the respondents cited affordability as the main concern when considering EV adoption, as top EV manufacturers are currently raising prices due to high inflation. In contrast, fewer respondents expressed interest in purchasing gasoline-powered vehicles. According to the companies…

In December, Tesla vehicles claimed the top two spots on the list of best-selling vehicles in New Zealand. According to registration data, the Model Y was the most popular with 868 registrations, followed by the Model 3 with 413 registrations. Another electric vehicle, the MG ZS, was the third most popular passenger car in the country with 396 registrations. The top 10 best-sellers in New Zealand for December included a mix of electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, with the Suzuki Swift, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mitsubishi ASX, BYD Atto 3, Toyota Corolla, Toyota RAV4, and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross also making…

On Thursday, Continental and Ambarella, a California-based artificial intelligence chip company, announced a partnership to develop software and hardware systems for self-driving vehicles. The partnership will focus on Level 2+ autonomous driving, which allows drivers to briefly remove their hands from the steering wheel through features such as assisted cruise control and lane centering. Ambarella, a semiconductor company, has created a new type of chip called a system on a chip (SoC) that combines multiple CPUs on a single logic board and enables artificial intelligence processing. In partnership with Continental, the two companies will develop technology consisting of high-resolution cameras,…

On Wednesday, Qualcomm Technologies unveiled a new processor chip called Snapdragon Ride Flex SoC for use in vehicles. This chip is capable of managing both assisted driving and cockpit functions, including entertainment. According to Nakul Duggal, Qualcomm’s head of automotive, combining these functions onto a single chip can help to lower costs. Duggal explained that using this chip would mean “reducing the number of physical boxes” and the associated memory and external components. Qualcomm has announced that its automotive business pipeline has grown to $30 billion. The company has been expanding its presence in the automotive industry, particularly as the…