Author: Casper Benedict

In a significant stride towards innovation, Lightning Motorcycles, a renowned California-based performance electric motorcycle specialist, has announced its adoption of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to bolster its engineering endeavors. By partnering with Autodesk, a global leader in design and engineering technology, Lightning Motorcycles aims to integrate Generative AI into the engineering design of their high-performance electric motorcycles, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in the industry. The collaboration between Lightning Motorcycles and Autodesk highlights the growing influence of AI in various domains, including the motorcycle industry. With rapid advancements in technology, particularly in the realm of electric motorcycles,…

In a significant milestone for sustainable transportation, Electreon has announced the successful installation of its cutting-edge inductive charging system in a 50-tonne electric truck. The truck, a DAF XF model, underwent a remarkable transformation by Dutch commercial vehicle manufacturer GINAF, now proudly named GINAF GE2121. The pioneering charging technology was put to the test as part of Electreon’s groundbreaking Smartroad Gotland project in Sweden. The electric truck underwent charging both while stationary and while in motion, demonstrating the versatility and efficiency of Electreon’s solution. Buoyed by this achievement, Electreon and GINAF are now planning to carry out aftermarket installations in…

Avesta Battery and Energy Engineering (ABEE), a Belgian company, is set to construct a battery cell factory in Galați, Romania, aimed at catering primarily to the automotive industry. With an investment of 1.4 billion euros, the factory, named Romvolt, will not only generate an estimated 8,000 job opportunities but also boast an annual production capacity of 22 GWh upon completion in 2026. Additionally, the facility will manufacture cells for stationary batteries. In the second phase, scheduled for the end of the decade, ABEE plans to invest an additional 200 million euros to establish a recycling plant on-site, capable of handling…

General Motors (GM) has recently unveiled its entry into the home energy market, announcing three new products under the Ultium Home brand. With these offerings, GM aims to rival Tesla’s Powerwall line and provide homeowners with a reliable power solution, ensuring they are not left without electricity during grid outages, storms, or when relying on solar power. While these home energy systems naturally complement GM’s new generation of electric vehicles (EVs), the company emphasizes that they have been designed to accommodate both EV owners and those content with traditional combustion vehicles. The first product in the lineup is the Ultium…

In a significant move to bolster electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, Allstar, a prominent fuel card provider, has joined forces with Fastned, a leading European fast-charging operator. Their partnership aims to empower business drivers utilizing Allstar’s One Electric solution, enabling them to effortlessly locate, charge, and make payments at Fastned’s extensive network of high-power charging stations across the United Kingdom. This collaboration will substantially amplify the number of fast charge points available within Allstar’s network, skyrocketing the total count to over 6,000. With this expansion, the Allstar network will encompass an impressive 11,000 charge points, spread across more than 4,000…

In response to weakening sales, Volkswagen has announced a temporary reduction in the production of electric cars at its Emden plant, according to the works council. The decrease in demand has affected not only the ID.4 model but also the production start-up of the new electric sedan, ID.7. Citing information from the works council, a report in the local German publication Nordwest-Zeitung confirmed that demand for Volkswagen’s electric vehicles is nearly 30 percent below the initially planned production figures. The works council further revealed that the late shift for the production of the ID.4 and the initial models of the…

Stellantis, one of the world’s leading automotive companies, unveiled its new ‘Charging & Energy’ business unit on Tuesday, aiming to enhance the convenience of electric vehicle (EV) usage and capitalize on the growing market for sustainable mobility services. Under this initiative, Stellantis will introduce a platform named Free2move Charge, offering a range of customer services. By the end of this year, the company plans to provide access to more than 500,000 charging points in Europe, in collaboration with partners. The move comes in response to the current inadequacy of charging infrastructure, which has contributed to ‘charging anxiety’ among EV drivers.…

Alef Aeronautics has accomplished a significant breakthrough in the realm of transportation. On Tuesday, the company announced that its flying car, known as “Model A,” has become the first of its kind to receive official approval for both road and air travel from the US government. Inspired by the iconic sci-fi movie “Back to the Future” and the futuristic year depicted in it (2015), the concept of Alef’s flying car took shape. In 2016, the company constructed its initial subscale prototype, designed to meet specific criteria: functioning as a conventional car, enabling vertical takeoff capabilities, and remaining relatively affordable. See…

Indonesia’s state energy company Pertamina has announced its collaboration with Electrum, a company dedicated to the proliferation of electric two-wheelers, to develop battery packs for electric motorcycles. This strategic partnership seeks to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads of Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The agreement was formalized during the groundbreaking ceremony for Electrum’s state-of-the-art electric scooter plant last Friday. As a joint venture between prominent coal miner TBS Energi Utama and tech giant GoTo Gojek Tokopedia, Electrum aims to manufacture an impressive 250,000 units of electric scooters annually. Pertamina, through its renewables division, will establish and…

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has implemented a fresh set of regulations, known as FIA Electric Sport Vehicles (FIA ESV), with the aim of promoting affordable electric vehicle competitions at national and regional levels. These regulations establish standardized specifications for racing electric cars, emphasizing minimal adaptations from their road-going production models. By focusing on touring car-style vehicles rather than prototypes specifically designed for racing, the FIA aims to differentiate the ESV series from established motorsports like Formula E and Extreme E. According to the FIA’s technical regulations for ESV, the overall body shape of the cars must largely remain…

Polestar, the Swedish automaker, has recently unveiled the refined 2024 model year of its popular Polestar 2 electric vehicle (EV), which incorporates significant upgrades to enhance its range, charging speed, and efficiency. These improvements, made possible by substantial hardware upgrades, aim to provide an improved driving experience while minimizing environmental impact. One of the notable enhancements in the 2024 Polestar 2 is its increased range, boasting a 20 percent improvement compared to its 2023 predecessor. The vehicle has obtained official certification for an EPA-rated range of up to 320 miles, addressing one of the concerns often associated with EVs. In…

Tesla Cybertruck has recently showcased its rear-wheel steering capability in a captivating video. The feature, also known as four-wheel steering, allows for independent control of the rear axle, enabling tighter and more precise turning radii. While rear-wheel steering technology was introduced over two decades ago, it failed to gain significant traction. However, it is now experiencing a renaissance as it becomes an increasingly coveted feature among electric pickup trucks entering the market. GMC initially made waves by demonstrating the “crab mode” in the Hummer EV, which utilizes rear-wheel steering. Since then, several other automakers have announced their plans to incorporate…