Author: Casper Benedict

Luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz has announced a voluntary recall in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for approximately 14,912 electric vehicles sold in the United States. The recall affects various models from the 2023 model year or newer, including the Mercedes-AMG EQE, Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV, Mercedes-AMG EQS, Mercedes-Benz EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, EQS SUV, and Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV. The issue at hand involves the battery management system software, which can become overloaded with diagnostics requests from other control units. This overload can lead to the contactors of the high-voltage battery opening, potentially causing a loss of propulsion without…

Nio has shifted its strategy for the launch of its third brand, codenamed Firefly, opting to debut the brand in China before its European launch. The decision comes as Nio aims to accelerate the introduction of its new brand, according to a report from local media outlet 21jingji. Firefly’s inaugural model is expected to make its first appearance in China by the end of this year, with a subsequent release in Europe in the first half of next year, as per the report, which cites multiple sources. The sub-brand’s mobile app is anticipated to go live in December. Jin Ge,…

British bus retrofitting firm Equipmake has secured a follow-up contract with Golden Tours, a leading London sightseeing and UK tourism company, to convert ten Volvo B5 London Tour Buses to electric using its Zero-Emission Drivetrain (ZED). This new contract builds on the £2 million order received earlier this year from Golden Tours and is part of Equipmake’s strategy to make electric fleet conversions more accessible and cost-effective. The company expects to start delivering the newly electrified buses in the coming months. Equipmake’s approach focuses on repurposing existing bus chassis and bodies, making it a more sustainable and economical choice compared…

China has granted approval to nine automakers to conduct tests on vehicles equipped with advanced autonomous driving technologies on public roads. This move is part of a broader plan to accelerate the adoption of self-driving cars in the country. According to a statement from the industry ministry on Tuesday, the tests will focus on so-called level three autonomous driving technologies. Automakers involved in the tests include BYD, Nio, Changan Automobile, GAC, and SAIC, among others. Fleet operators, such as ride-hailing companies, will also participate in the tests. See also: XPeng Aims for Level 4 Autonomous Driving in China by Next Year…

Wayve, a British champion in driverless car technology, is gearing up to introduce its autonomous vehicles to the streets of San Francisco, aiming to rival US tech giants such as Tesla and Waymo on their home turf. The self-driving car company, which recently secured over $1 billion for its technology, is making preparations to deploy its fleet in the US. Wayve is in the process of hiring staff to manage its test drivers and safety operators as it lays the groundwork for its US operations. A spokesperson for Wayve confirmed the company’s plans, stating, “We will be doing data collection…

French roaming platform Gireve has secured 20 million euros in fresh capital, with the funds earmarked for the platform’s expansion and the development of new services. Among the investors is the US investment platform Partech, alongside existing backers. The capital infusion is aimed at accelerating the platform’s growth across Europe and beyond, with a focus on integrating new features like plug & charge and clearing. Additionally, Gireve plans to broaden its roaming services to include data and consulting solutions. Currently active in 35 countries, Gireve connects over 500,000 charging points and boasts partnerships with industry players like Hubject, Tesla, and…

BYD continued its strong performance in May, recording its second-highest sales ever with a total of 331,817 new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold. This marks a 38.13% increase from the same period last year and a 5.93% increase from April. BYD’s focus on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) has been a significant factor in its recent success. The company ceased production and sales of vehicles powered solely by internal combustion engines in March 2022, shifting its focus to PHEVs and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). See also: BYD’s Workforce Surges as China Leads Global Electric Vehicle Market In May, BYD’s passenger NEVs saw…

Chinese battery manufacturer SVOLT has announced the cancellation of its plans to set up a manufacturing site in the German state of Brandenburg. The decision was made as part of a reassessment of the company’s location strategy, with SVOLT citing difficulties in planning exacerbated by German politicians. The company’s press release pointed to challenges such as “an already low level of planning security at various levels,” including threats of international punitive tariffs and market distortions due to subsidies. Additionally, a significant customer project cancellation and discussions about the end of combustion engines in the EU were mentioned as factors influencing…

Swiss upfitter Antidoto has inked a deal with American electric vehicle manufacturer Mullen to purchase 40 Mullen-GO electric urban delivery vehicles. Antidoto, known for its specialization in outfitting vehicles for on-demand food delivery, has set its sights on expanding its fleet to meet the growing demand for efficient urban delivery solutions. “We are thrilled to partner with Mullen Automotive to bring their innovative Mullen-GO vehicles to Switzerland and beyond,” stated a representative from Antidoto. “These vehicles align perfectly with our commitment to providing top-notch solutions for on-demand food delivery, and we are confident that they will help us meet the…

Sysco, the US food delivery company, has added ten new electric heavy-duty trucks to its fleet at its operating site in Houston, Texas. The new Freightliner eCascadia vehicles from Daimler Truck North America bring Sysco’s electric truck fleet to nearly 120 EVs worldwide. These new electric trucks will join Sysco’s fleet in Houston, with an additional ten trucks expected to arrive next month. Sysco’s existing electric truck fleet consists of over 100 vehicles operating in various locations across the US, with the remaining 20 units in service in Canada, the UK, and Sweden. Neil Russell, Chief Administrative Officer at Sysco,…

RJ Scaringe, CEO of Rivian, anticipates a resurgence in electric vehicle (EV) adoption with the introduction of new models in the coming years, including Rivian’s R2 crossover slated for launch in 2026. Speaking at the annual Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, Scaringe noted that the current slowdown in EV adoption is partly due to the lack of compelling options in the market. Scaringe emphasized the importance of offering choices to consumers, especially in the face of Tesla’s dominant market position. He stated, “We haven’t had choice, so we’ve had a singular dominant market-share player in the space today. But I also…

Tesla has officially launched its first store and showroom in Qatar, as part of its expansion efforts in the Middle East after commencing sales in the country late last year. Announcing the opening, Delivery Operations Supervisor Momo Elmegrahi shared the news in a LinkedIn post on Friday, revealing photos of the new store located at the Doha Festival City mall in Doha. According to Tesla’s website, the store is open seven days a week. In his post, Elmegrahi stated, “This milestone marks a significant step in our mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Our Qatar store will…

Volvo has unveiled its first-ever production-ready self-driving truck, the Volvo VNL Autonomous, at the ACT Expo in Las Vegas. The truck, based on Volvo’s VNL Class 8 semi for long-haul transportation, is described as “purpose designed and purpose built” for autonomous operation. The Volvo VNL Autonomous utilizes hardware and software from Aurora Innovation, a Pittsburgh-based company. The integration includes Aurora’s Aurora Driver autonomous technology, which consists of AI software, dual computers, lidar, high-resolution cameras, and radar. Aurora Driver has been extensively tested, accumulating 1.5 million commercial miles on public roads and billions of miles in virtual testing. See also: Volvo Autonomous…

Volkswagen of America has announced a collaboration with Denver-based Wrapmate to introduce an online 3D configurator tool, allowing owners of the upcoming ID. Buzz electric vehicle to design their own custom vehicle wraps. The announcement was strategically timed to coincide with the second annual International Volkswagen Bus Day on June 2, a celebration of all things VW bus, past and present. Wrapmate specializes in purchasing, designing, printing, and installing vehicle wraps across the United States. The new Wrapmate 3D configurator, set to launch in beta on June 2, will enable future ID. Buzz drivers to visualize and create custom wraps…

Speaking at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions conference, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares emphasized the challenges faced by automakers in the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). Tavares stated, “You are going to see a huge shift of the supplier base. The sourcing will move from the Western world to the best cost countries.” He highlighted the need for automakers to sell EVs at the same price as equivalent petrol models, despite their production costs being 40% to 50% higher, necessitating cost-cutting measures across operations. Tavares noted that the transition to EVs is hindered by affordability issues, as customers are reluctant to buy…

Ford has significantly reduced prices for its electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia, following a trend among automakers in the country. The price cuts apply to models such as the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV and the E-Transit van. The price of the E-Transit van has been slashed by AUD$15,000, now starting at AUD$89,990 from the previous price of AUD$104,990. Similarly, the Mustang Mach-E has seen price reductions, with the Select variant now starting at $64,990 after an $8,000 price drop. Ford’s entry into Australia’s EV market last year has been marked by these price adjustments. The company has lowered the price…

The European Commission has greenlit funding for IPCEI Hy2Move, a project aimed at supporting 13 innovative hydrogen projects across seven EU member states. These projects will receive up to 1.4 billion euros in public funding, with an expected additional 3.3 billion euros in private investments. IPCEI Hy2Move, jointly prepared by Germany, Estonia, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Spain, will focus on research, innovation, and various aspects of the hydrogen technology value chain. The approved projects include developments in fuel cell vehicle platforms for buses and trucks, high-performance fuel cell technologies for ships and locomotives, on-board storage solutions for air…

Jeep has introduced its first fully electric vehicle, the Wagoneer S, marking a significant step in the company’s commitment to electrification. The new electric SUV, which is not based on a combustion model, is designed to compete with popular electric vehicles like the Tesla Model Y. The Wagoneer S is based on the STLA-Large platform and features a 400-volt system capable of delivering over 800 Nm of torque. It boasts impressive performance, with the ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. The vehicle’s 100 kWh battery can be charged from 20-80% in 23 minutes, offering a range…

Renault has announced plans to collaborate with a Chinese engineering company to develop future Twingo electric cars priced below 20,000 euros ($21,676), as part of its strategy to compete with Chinese automakers in the small and affordable electric vehicle segment. The development of the new Twingo models is progressing rapidly, with Renault’s Ampere electric vehicles division spearheading the project. A spokesperson for the division stated, “Twingo’s development is moving forward quickly, as we plan to make the development in two years,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to advancing its electric vehicle lineup. See also: Volkswagen Ends Talks with Renault on Electric Twingo…

Recent reports of a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) sales in the U.S. may not be as prolonged or severe as initially thought, according to new data that suggests the downturn could be short-lived. A Bloomberg report highlighted that first-quarter sales data indicates the supposed slowdown in EV sales might be more of a blip, as many automakers saw year-over-year sales continue to rise. Despite concerns about demand, consumer purchases of EVs have not been significantly impacted. While Tesla’s deliveries were seen as disappointing by some, the company remains the dominant high-volume EV maker in the U.S. Stephanie Valdez-Streaty, Director…