Author: Casper Benedict

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…

A unique piece of history was sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on January 28th – the first-ever 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV rolled off the production line and onto the auction block. The highly-anticipated electric SUV garnered much attention and ultimately sold for a staggering $500,000. However, the real winner of this auction was not the lucky buyer, but Tread Lightly!, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the great outdoors through education and conservation efforts. The entire amount raised from the sale of the GMC Hummer EV SUV will go directly to Tread Lightly!, as Barrett-Jackson graciously waived their…

A recent study conducted by UpShift, a performance marketing services company, compared the running costs of electric vehicles (EVs) and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE) during winter across several countries. The study used the most popular EV and ICE vehicle in each country to make the comparison. The results showed that EV owners in the United States saved the most money in comparison to other countries, due to low electricity costs. On average, EV charging costs were $78.95 per month, compared to the average ICE fueling cost of $272.79 per month. This resulted in total winter season savings of $193.84…

General Motors is considering a switch from pouch to round cells in its future electric vehicles, according to a report by TheElec. The change in cell format could also be the reason behind the cancelation of the plan for a fourth joint US battery cell plant between GM and LG Energy Solution. The current electric car platforms of GM utilize LGES pouch cells, but it appears that future models will support the use of round cells, specifically the 4680 format (46mm diameter and 80mm height) that Tesla uses. The fourth US battery cell plant was initially planned to be built…

California-based 3D-printed solid-state battery developer, Sakuu, has enlisted Porsche Consulting, the consulting subsidiary of Porsche, to plan its global gigafactories. Sakuu currently operates two facilities in Silicon Valley, one being a pilot line for solid-state batteries and the other an engineering center that will allow Sakuu to expand its 3D printing battery platform. The company aims to have annual production capacities of 200 GWh for lithium metal and solid-state batteries by 2030 and has commissioned Porsche Consulting to plan a reference factory in the US with maximum efficiency and sustainable setup that can be replicated globally. The first factory will…