Author: Casper Benedict

Over the past week, the Swedish manufacturer has previewed the technologies and features that will be included in the EX90 electric SUV. After flirting with the interior and infotainment system, this time Volvo is flirting with the exterior of the EX90 electric SUV that will make its debut on November 9. For the exterior, Volvo put efficiency at the top of the list when designing the EX90 by concentrating on reducing drag and cutting wind resistance. The Volvo EX90 will have a drag coefficient of 0.29 which will help its driving range. The Volvo achieved a low CD with a…

After experiencing delays, Tesla is targeting to start mass production of the Cybertruck by the end of 2023,  two people with knowledge of the plans told Reuters. The Cybertruck electric pickup truck itself was introduced to the public for the first time in 2019. Last month, Tesla said it was preparing Giga Teas to build a new model with “early production” set to begin in mid-2023. “We’re in the final lap for the Cybertruck,” Musk told a news conference. With production at the end of 2023, Tesla can only get income from Cybertruck in the middle of 2024. Orders totaling hundreds…

Commercial electric vehicle maker Nikola Corp. announced a partnership with KeyState Natural Gas Synthesis to create the first low-carbon hydrogen production supply chain in the state of Pennsylvania. Nikola is working on a definitive agreement with hydrogen producers to expand Nikola’s supply of FCEVs. The KeyState site covering more than 7,000 hectares is targeted for operation by 2026 and will also supply ammonia and urea to the industrial and transportation markets. Nikola is known to build Tre FCEV trucks with a range of up to 500 miles and a refueling time of under 20 minutes. With this capability, it is…

The Hummer EV as GMC’s high-end electric vehicle seems a great business approach and, from its sales performance, seems to have exceeded all expectations. Currently reservations for both models – the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and the GMC Hummer EV SUV are very strong, exceeding 90,000 (backed by a $100 refundable deposit). 90,000 is a huge amount for a high-end EV. Compare that to the 783 units shipped so far (between December 2021 and September 2022). Duncan Aldred, Buick and GMC Global Vice President said the Hummer EV “sold out for two years or more.”. Seems like an exaggeration, but…

De Lijn ordered 252 additional filling stations for his depot from SPIE-Ekoenergetyka. Charging stations for emission-free buses are scheduled to start operating in 2023-2024. Previously the first series of charging stations was delivered, installed and operated by De Lijn. This year, De Lijn will purchase up to 1,250 electric buses of various sizes with lengths ranging from 8.5 to 24 meters. SPIE-Ekoenergetyka is a business unit created by SPIE Belgium and Ekoenergetyka, a Polish company known for providing electric charging infrastructure. An additional 252 charging stations for De Lijn will be installed for several of its depots including at Destelbergen…

Rivian rolled out the 2022.39.03 software update for the R1T electric pickup and R1S electric SUV. The highlighted feature of this latest update is the “Kneel Mode” which can lower the vehicle by up to 10 inches, making it easier for the driver and passengers to get in and out of the vehicle. The “Kneel Mode” feature is possible due to Rivian’s independent air suspension system. This feature can be activated after the vehicle is parked, and places the vehicle at a low driving height—about 10 inches (254 millimeters) from the ground. This feature is very useful for easy entry/exit…

Volkswagen ID.Buzz has received an overwhelming response from fans as more than 20,000 orders have been placed. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) announced that more than 20,000 ID. buzz order has been placed. According to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV), it’s the number before ID. Buzz was even shown at dealerships, which showed interest from customers in Europe. Currently, the electric van is only available for the European market. “Even before the launch at our dealerships, since the start of advance sales, we’ve already been able to sell more than 20,000 ID. Buzz. With their availability in the showrooms, we are now…

Irizar e-mobility has received orders for 20 electric buses and charging facilities from London transport company Go-Ahead. The bus booked was a 12-meter tram trolley bus with right-hand drive. Go-Ahead also ordered two 450 kW pantograph chargers and a 100 kW depot charger. This order is Irizar’s first in a right-hand drive version. Apart from Irizar, Go-Ahead has so far used electric buses from BYD-ADL, and FCEV buses from Wrightbus. The charging technology is supplied by Jema Energy, which is a subsidiary of the Irizar Group. The 12 meter trolleybus trolley will start arriving in London in late 2022 and…

The Ioniq 5 is the first electric vehicle to use the exclusive Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). E-GMP owned by Ioniq 5 is claimed to be able to provide considerable benefits such as increased flexibility, powerful performance, increased driving mileage, strengthened safety features, to an increase in cabin and wider luggage. The Ioniq 5 is an extraordinary vehicle, and that’s why the Ioniq 5 won several prestigious awards this year. The following are some of the things that make you must have Ioniq 5. Exterior The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has an attractive design thanks to the retro-futuristic style applied to…

Tesla is currently under investigation in the United States (US) over claims its electric vehicles are self-driving. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation after the number of reported accidents caused by self-driving. Some of these fatal accidents are thought to have involved Tesla’s Autopilot software system. Launching Reuters, in 2016 Tesla has demonstrated the ability of a self-driving system called Autopilot. Tesla CEO Elon Musk even said that Autopilot might be better at driving than humans. Last week, Musk said they would soon upgrade to full self-driving software that would allow drivers to travel to work, home…

General Motors said it had temporarily suspended paid advertising on Twitter after Tesla CEO Elon Musk made the social media acquisition for $44 billion. General Motors is one of the largest auto manufacturers in the US, which is a rival to Tesla. “engaging with Twitter to understand the direction of the platform under their new ownership.” GM said GM said “as is normal course of business with a significant change in a media platform, we have temporarily paused our paid advertising.” The Detroit automaker added its “customer care interactions on Twitter will continue.” In the second quarter of this year,…

The Lotus Eletre is Lotus’ first electric SUV that has been introduced since last March. Lotus Eletre comes as an electric car that will bring the Lotus name to one of the largest automotive market segments in the world. Interestingly, last Tuesday (25/10), Lotus has officially revealed the variants, specifications, and prices of the Lotus Eletre electric car. “The confirmation of the Lotus Eletre’s pricing and specifications is a key moment in Lotus’ transformation through our Vision80 strategy,” said Matt Windle, Group Vice-President and Managing Director of Lotus Cars. “Delivery for consumers will start in the first half of next…

Tesla recalled more than 24,000 Model 3 manufactured from 2017 through 2022 in the United States (US) due to seat belt problems. The Austin-based manufacturer says the left and center second row seat belt buckles may not be properly attached. So far, Tesla claims there have been no user reports of injuries or accidents related to this condition. However, improperly fitted seat belts can interfere with component performance and result in fatalities in the event of an accident. It was quite a highlight, Tesla said that the recall of the 24,000 Model 3 was due to a service error and…

WeRide, a robotaxi operator from China, confirmed that it has partnered with Hyundai Motor to develop a car with a hydrogen-powered autonomous driving system. The collaboration comes at a time when research and clean hydrogen production is increasingly becoming a focal point for China, which has been trying to decarbonize its economy. In September last year, Hyundai said it plans to offer a hydrogen fuel cell version for all of its commercial vehicles from 2028. With the collaboration with WeRide, Hyundai can expand the use of its hydrogen products to robotaxis. In addition, vehicles that use hydrogen fuel have advantages…

Mercedes-Benz trucks continue to push transport electrification forward at full speed. At this year’s Bauma construction industry exhibition in Munich, Germany, the manufacturer presented several fully battery-powered trucks for construction site applications. At the event, Mercedes-Benz Trucks demonstrated a prototype of the eActros LongHaul concept, which was first presented at IAA Transportation last September, with electric take-off for semi-trailers such as the Tipper. This makes the e-truck suitable for testing on a construction site and can replace previous diesel-based propulsion solutions. Mercedes-Benz trucks begin serial production in 2021, for heavy-duty distribution with suitable electrical power for several months. “Together with…

Toyota had already announced a strategic plan for transitioning to electric vehicles last year, but recent reports suggest that the car manufacturer from Japan is completely overhauling the strategic plan. According to Reuters, an internal group at Toyota was tasked with drawing up plans to upgrade the current e-TNGA flexible EV platform or to develop a new EV architecture. The e-TNGA platform is already used in the all-electric bZ4X crossover SUV and will now also be used to power the upcoming Lexus RZ 450e 2023. As this change is still in the discussion stage, Toyota has reportedly also suspended development…

Toyota has finally introduced the successor to the all-electric bZ4X in the Chinese market. Named the Toyota bZ3, this latest electric sedan is predicted to be a formidable competitor to the Tesla Model 3. The electric sedan is built on Toyota’s global e-TNGA platform with a bZ3 battery pack made by BYD. Equipped with regenerative energy technology, the Toyota bZ3 is claimed to have a mileage of more than 373 miles. This considerable distance is helped by a drag coefficient of 0.218. Toyota itself has not announced how much power output from the bZ3, but is estimated to touch the…

After four years since the Tesla Cybertruck was launched and several delays, it looks like electric pickup trucks are about to go into production. The optimism came after a recent video featuring the new rear fascia and taillight cluster went viral on Twitter. The video shows the rear of the redesigned Cybertruck. The Cybertruck’s lightbar section now consists of three center-mounted LED traffic lights, flanked on either side. On both sides of this, additional lighting can be seen. The lights come on when braking and double as taillights too. https://twitter.com/AstroS3xy/status/1583819107744370688 Reverse lights are on either side of the license plate.…

Rivian has discontinued production of the Camp Kitchen, one of the most distinctive features of the Rivian R1T electric pickup truck. The Camp Kitchen is a $5,000 option that comes with a two-burner induction hob, removable sink, storage drawer and 4-gallon water tank. Rivian in an email to reservation holders said the company is temporarily stopping production of the Camp Kitchen for a redesign. Customers who add the Camp Kitche option may not make their deliveries in time. The company didn’t give details as to why the kitchen was redesigned, apparently finding some flaws. The Rivian R1T electric pickup truck…

Tesla celebrates 10 years of Supercharging with the first station on the market in September 2012 with the launch of the Tesla Model S Supercharging at 90 kW, and then up to 120 kW opens the possibility of using electric vehicles for long-distance trips. At first, Tesla introduced some completely new concepts mainly to encourage customers to buy the Model S. Tesla uses its proprietary ultra-compact connector for normal AC charging, and fast DC charging, while at the time, the DC-only CHAdeMO was a separate thing from the SAE J1772’s AC connector. At that time, CCS was not yet available.…