Author: Casper Benedict

China has formally requested the World Trade Organization (WTO) to establish an expert panel aimed at resolving a dispute concerning electric vehicle (EV) subsidies under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, the country’s commerce ministry announced on Monday. The world’s second-largest economy initiated the WTO dispute in late March following the enactment of the IRA by the Biden administration. This comprehensive legislation allocates substantial tax credits to bolster consumer EV purchases and incentivize renewable energy production, aligning with the White House’s efforts to decarbonize the U.S. power sector. According to a statement from the Chinese commerce ministry, attempts to resolve the…

Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles increased by 13% in June compared to the same month in 2023, driven primarily by growth in China, according to market research firm Rho Motion. China accounted for over 60% of the total, stated Charles Lester, data manager at Rho Motion, emphasizing the impact of increased availability of electric vehicles and strong sales by BYD on the domestic market share of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the first half of the year. In July, global PHEV sales reached 1.4 million units, with China alone contributing 0.86 million units, marking a…

Renault announced on Monday a collaboration with conversion specialist TOLV to introduce electric retrofit kits for Renault Master III vans in France. The initiative, set to take place at Renault’s Refactory in Flins, aims to provide an economical alternative for businesses looking to transition existing combustion engine vehicles to electric power. The retrofit kit, developed by TOLV, includes a 57 kW electric motor, automatic transmission, and a 52 kWh battery, offering a WLTP range of up to 200 kilometres on a full charge. Renault stated that the vehicle can charge with 22 kW AC and comes with a two-year warranty…

SAIC-GM-Wuling has introduced the Binguo EV in Thailand, marking a strategic move by Chinese automakers to penetrate the Southeast Asian market. The launch, announced on July 8, comes shortly after the one-year anniversary of Wuling’s Air EV debut in Thailand. The Binguo EV is offered in two variants locally, priced from 419,000 baht ($11,510) to 449,000 baht. Originally unveiled in China on March 28, 2023, the 2024 model lineup in China features four versions priced between RMB 56,800 ($7,810) and RMB 84,800, catering to different consumer needs with ranges varying from 203 kilometers to 410 kilometers. In Thailand, both Binguo…

LG Energy Solution (LGES) has bolstered its battery minerals strategy through a new agreement with Tesla lithium supplier Liontown, aimed at securing high-quality lithium spodumene from the Kathleen project. Signed on July 4, 2024, the convertible note subscription agreement extends LGES’s existing offtake arrangement with Liontown by an additional 10 years, totaling 15 years. Under the agreement, Liontown will supply 700kt of spodumene concentrate over the first 5 years and 1,500kt over the subsequent decade. This collaboration also includes plans to explore the feasibility of establishing a lithium refinery, ensuring compliance with Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) standards for critical minerals…

Electrify America has initiated a pilot program at ten of its charging stations aimed at managing congestion by limiting electric vehicles (EVs) to 85% state of charge. This pilot, known as the Congestion Reduction Pilot, is currently active at high-utilization stations in Southern California. According to Electrify America, these stations were selected due to their congestion issues and proximity to other EV chargers, ensuring that EVs with shorter ranges are not disproportionately affected. The primary goal of the pilot program is to reduce wait times for EV owners. Charging sessions at these stations will automatically terminate once an EV reaches…

Milence, a specialist in truck charging infrastructure and a joint venture involving Daimler Truck, Traton, and the Volvo Group, is set to establish a new charging hub for electric trucks south of Verona, Italy. The hub, scheduled to open in the third quarter, represents Milence’s expansion into Italy, adding to its growing network across Europe, which includes locations in the Benelux countries, France, Germany, and Sweden. Positioned in Bagnolo San Vito, in the province of Mantua, approximately 40 kilometers south of Verona along the A22 motorway, the hub aims to serve as a pivotal point on Europe’s north-south transport corridor.…

Porsche, renowned for its luxury sports cars, is confronting a decline in sales of its Taycan electric vehicle (EV), prompting the automaker to reportedly reduce production at its Zuffenhausen plant. Introduced in 2019 as Porsche’s first fully electric model, the Taycan initially enjoyed strong success, becoming the top-selling Porsche in Europe by 2021, surpassing traditional gas-powered models like the 911 and Panamera. In 2021, Porsche achieved a milestone with 41,296 Taycan deliveries, more than double the previous year’s figures. However, the momentum proved fleeting, as subsequent years saw sales dip, with 34,801 units sold in 2022 and a modest increase…

Tesla has begun distributing its latest point update for the Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, as observed by several customers who received the new version this week. Earlier reports from Teslascope suggested a shift from v12.4.2 to v12.4.3 following delays with the previous update. Tesla CEO Elon Musk attributed the delay of v12.4.2 to the software’s focus on training from intervention cases rather than typical driving scenarios. https://twitter.com/teslascope/status/1808960582428582380 Accounts on social media platform X noted on Friday that Tesla had initiated the rollout of FSD Supervised v12.4.3, primarily to early access customers. Some users have already shared video footage showcasing…

The European Commission has confirmed the imposition of substantial tariffs on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) imported from China, effective July 5, following a nine-month investigation into alleged unfair subsidies. This decision is expected to reshape trade relations with Beijing and may prompt retaliatory measures against European manufacturers. The investigation revealed extensive subsidies across the supply chain of Chinese BEVs, covering everything from raw material extraction to shipping services. These subsidies, officials stated, enable Chinese producers to offer BEVs at significantly lower prices than their European counterparts, where production costs are higher due to energy and labor expenses. The price disparity…

Alabama has unveiled plans to disburse $11.2 million in federal grants aimed at enhancing its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Announced by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), these funds are part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program initiated by the Biden administration. The objective is to establish 13 new EV charging stations strategically located along major highways and interstates, ensuring comprehensive coverage across designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Governor Kay Ivey emphasized the economic advantages of these initiatives, highlighting their potential to bolster local EV industries and create high-paying jobs in Alabama. The NEVI program mandates…

Fisker, currently navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, has petitioned a bankruptcy judge to authorize the sale of more than 3,000 Ocean electric SUVs from its inventory to American Lease, a New York-based vehicle-leasing company. According to a court filing on Tuesday, the proposed deal values each vehicle at approximately $14,000, totaling $46.25 million. The EV startup, which shifted to a dealer-partner model earlier this year after encountering logistical challenges in selling its Ocean electric SUVs, filed for bankruptcy protection last month. Initially priced around $70,000, Fisker reduced the cost of its cheapest variant to approximately $25,000 amidst financial strains to…