Author: Christopher Harrison

BYD, the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, has unveiled its all-electric MPV, the BYD M6, at the 31st GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). This marks the debut of BYD’s first MPV model in Indonesia and the first all-electric MPV in the local market, according to a press release issued yesterday. The M6 is available in both 7-seat and 6-seat configurations, with prices ranging from Indonesian Rupiah 379 million to 429 million. This launch reflects BYD’s commitment to expanding its presence in Indonesia and addressing the growing demand for eco-friendly mobility solutions in the region, said Eagle Zhao, general…

Ford has revised its strategy for the European market, announcing that it will continue offering combustion engine vehicles and hybrids alongside electric vehicles (EVs). This shift comes in response to slower-than-expected adoption rates for EVs and ongoing challenges related to battery costs and regulatory uncertainties. Marin Gjaja, Chief Operating Officer of Ford’s Model E electrification division, addressed the company’s revised plans in an interview with British Autocar. Gjaja cited high battery costs and uncertain EV legislation and incentives as factors contributing to the decision to maintain a diverse powertrain portfolio. “I don’t think we can go all in on anything…

UK-based specialists Altilium and Connected Energy are joining forces to develop sustainable business models for the reuse and recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The collaboration aims to establish protocols that could become industry standards. Altilium has received its first batch of batteries from Connected Energy, which will be processed at its recycling facilities in Devon. The company claims that its ‘EcoCathode’ recycling process can recover over 95% of battery metals, reducing carbon emissions by 60% and costs by 20% compared to using virgin materials. The two companies aim to extend their collaboration to set responsible repurposing and recycling protocols,…

Tesla has introduced a significant enhancement to its in-car navigation system with the rollout of the 2024.26.1 Software Update this week, aimed at improving navigation precision and user experience. The latest update includes various improvements to Tesla’s HVAC and climate control settings, addressing requests from owners for refined functionalities. Notably, the update introduces a new “Navigate to Sub-Destinations” feature, designed to help drivers locate specific points within larger destinations with greater ease and accuracy. According to insights from Not a Tesla App, the new feature enables users to specify sub-destinations such as particular terminals within airports, providing more detailed routing…

Hyundai has officially announced the upcoming debut of its first three-row electric SUV in the United States, slated to make its inaugural appearance later this year. This eagerly anticipated model launch will coincide with an updated version of the popular Ioniq 5, marking significant additions to Hyundai’s 2025 lineup. As the demand for electric vehicles continues to surge, Hyundai is positioning itself strategically in the US market, where EV sales have seen a notable 15% increase in the second quarter alone. Randy Parker, Hyundai’s US CEO, expressed confidence in the company’s performance, describing the current market conditions as a “sweet…

General Motors (GM.N) declined on Monday to reaffirm its earlier projection of achieving 1 million units of electric vehicle (EV) production capacity in North America by the end of 2025, citing evolving market conditions. A spokesperson for GM emphasized the company’s commitment to meeting EV demand but refrained from reiterating the previously set production target. “We’re being flexible. We haven’t announced a new capacity target and we will build to demand,” the spokesperson stated. GM CEO Mary Barra, speaking at an event on Monday, clarified the company’s approach, noting, “We would not build 1 million EVs next year just because…

China’s dramatic reduction in battery prices is poised to accelerate worldwide efforts towards mass-level decarbonisation in road transport, analysts report. According to a recent Bloomberg analysis, the cost of LFP battery cells in China has plunged by 51% to an average of $53/kWh since 2023, significantly lower than the global average of $95/kWh over the same period. Bloomberg attributes this sharp decline to declining raw-material prices, overcapacity in production, and shrinking profit margins among suppliers. In the past eighteen months, raw material prices, particularly for cathode materials, have experienced a significant downturn. The share of cathode costs in battery cell…

Tesla’s Cybertruck has emerged as a frontrunner in the luxury electric vehicle market in the United States, surpassing expectations with over 3,200 units sold in June, according to data from Kelley Blue Book. The average transaction price for these vehicles stood at $112,696, reflecting strong consumer demand in the high-end segment. The exact sales figures for the Cybertruck have been closely guarded by Tesla, leading to some ambiguity in industry reports. Kelley Blue Book’s insights provide a positive outlook for Tesla investors, despite the lack of precise delivery numbers from the automaker. Tesla recently faced scrutiny over a safety recall…

Tesla is postponing the launch of its robotaxi service by approximately two months to October, as the company’s design team is revising certain elements of the vehicle, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the decision. CEO Elon Musk had initially announced an unveiling date of August 8 for the robotaxi, following reports in April that Tesla had scrapped plans for a low-cost vehicle in favor of developing self-driving robotaxis on the same small-vehicle platform. “Tesla has been playing this game for nearly a decade of promising ‘next year, next year’. And I’ve seen no indication that Tesla…

BP (BP.L) has signed a deal with mall owner Simon Property Group (SPG.N) to install and operate more than 900 high-speed electric-vehicle chargers at 75 sites across the United States, the companies announced on Wednesday. “The first locations with chargers from BP Pulse will be open to the public in early 2026 and support vehicles from nearly all EV makers,” the companies said in a joint statement. “We continue to believe that the U.S. will be a substantial EV market,” said Sujay Sharma, CEO of BP Pulse Americas, in an interview with Reuters. However, he declined to disclose the financial…

Maeving, the British electric motorcycle manufacturer, has introduced its latest model, the Maeving RM1S, to the US market, building on the success of its RM1 predecessor. Priced at $8,995 and initially available in California with plans for broader state releases, the RM1S combines classic motorcycle aesthetics with cutting-edge electric vehicle technology. Seb Inglis-Jones, co-founder of Maeving, expressed enthusiasm about expanding into North America: “We’re so excited to offer North American riders the chance to experience and own a zero-emissions motorcycle that blends timeless British design with the benefits of modern electric performance and usability.” The Maeving RM1S boasts a top…

Toyota has joined a consortium of leading automakers to support IONNA, an electric vehicle charging firm focused on establishing a high-powered network across North America, as announced on Wednesday. The consortium, which includes Mercedes, GM, Stellantis, Honda, BMW, and Hyundai-Kia, formed IONNA as a joint venture last year to develop a competitive fast-charging infrastructure to rival Tesla’s Supercharger network. Details regarding Toyota’s financial commitment were not disclosed. Toyota’s involvement in the joint venture will enable Toyota and Lexus customers to access IONNA’s expanding network of DC fast chargers, which is slated to commence deployment later this year. IONNA plans to…

South Korean automaker Kia Motors Corp is gearing up to launch its latest electric vehicle, the EV3, in Europe this November, aiming to capitalize on its recent success in the home market and bolster its position in the competitive European EV landscape. The EV3, priced around $30,700 (KRW 42.08 million) in Korea, has garnered significant attention since its debut last month, with over 10,000 reservations recorded in less than 23 days. Kia’s vice president, Won-Jeong Jeong, hailed the EV3 as a potential “game changer” in South Korea, citing its affordability and robust features derived from Kia’s flagship EV9 model. Powered…

Tesla’s UK division has introduced a new financing initiative aimed at enhancing accessibility to its popular Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles, marking a strategic move amidst intensifying competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The program, prominently featured in Tesla’s promotional materials, offers consumers the opportunity to purchase the reengineered Model 3 and Model Y with 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) financing. Available for both Hire Purchases (HP) and Personal Contract Purchases (PCP), the offer requires new orders to be placed and delivered by September 30, 2024. https://twitter.com/tesla_uk/status/1811024477737619699 Auto Express UK highlighted the appeal of Tesla’s 0% APR…

Hyzon Motors, the U.S. developer of fuel cell commercial vehicles, announced on Monday it is suspending operations in the Netherlands and Australia, redirecting its focus exclusively to the North American market amid challenging market conditions and reduced government support for hydrogen vehicles in Europe and Australia. In a company statement, Hyzon cited the discontinuation of subsidy programs for hydrogen vehicles, particularly in Germany, as a key factor influencing its decision. The company highlighted contrasting efforts in North America, where initiatives to accelerate hydrogen adoption and promote emission-free fuel cell technology have seen stronger governmental backing. The strategic shift follows an…

Lucid has initiated recalls for 5,251 of its Air luxury sedans due to a software error that could potentially lead to power loss, excluding 2024 models from the action, according to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The issue involves the High Voltage Interlock (HVIL) safety mechanism, originally intended for non-motion scenarios during vehicle assembly, maintenance, or repair, but may inadvertently activate while the vehicle is in Drive or Reverse, causing an unexpected power loss. Essential functions like steering, brakes, and displays continue to operate independently of the high-voltage battery pack. Lucid addressed the issue with…

Lucid surpassed market expectations for second-quarter deliveries, buoyed by strategic price reductions that bolstered demand for its high-end electric sedans. The company’s shares rose approximately 4% following the announcement on Monday, reflecting investor optimism. In response to a slower-than-anticipated growth in electric vehicle (EV) demand due to economic uncertainties and consumer preferences for hybrid alternatives, industry leaders such as Tesla and Lucid have implemented price cuts and financing incentives to attract buyers. Lucid slashed prices of its flagship Air sedans by up to 10% in February, contributing to a total production of 3,838 vehicles in the first half of 2024.…

Swiss firm Designwerk Technologies AG has unveiled its pioneering ‘Mega Charger’ at pilot customer Galliker Transport, marking a milestone in electric vehicle infrastructure. The battery-supported charging unit, powered by self-generated solar energy, features two CCS charging points each delivering 420 kW. “The new charging systems are designed to enable electric commercial vehicles to undertake long journeys without straining the power grid,” Designwerk stated. The technology not only prevents grid overload during peak charging times but also stabilizes renewable energy supply fluctuations. According to Designwerk’s specifications, the Stationary Battery Backed Mega Charger (SBC) boasts 840 kW total charging power and up…

Audi of America faced a downturn in its electric vehicle (EV) sales during the second quarter of 2024, despite unveiling anticipated upgrades to its upcoming models. The luxury automaker sold 48,687 vehicles in the United States during Q2, marking a decrease of more than 12% compared to the previous year. Electric car sales followed a similar trend, albeit with a marginal decline. In Q2, Audi delivered 5,714 all-electric vehicles, reflecting a 4% drop from the same period in 2023. However, the EV share of Audi’s total volume saw a modest improvement, rising to 11.1% from 10.2% year-over-year. Among the models,…

Liebherr is forging ahead with its initiative to phase out fossil fuels from its job sites, focusing particularly on hydrogen power as an alternative to battery-electric solutions for its heaviest heavy equipment. The company recently unveiled its latest hydrogen-powered wheel loader, signaling a strategic shift away from battery-electric options which it finds impractical for larger machinery weighing over 40 tons. Liebherr acknowledges challenges in making a commercial case for electric wheel loaders of this scale, citing concerns over reliable access to electricity in remote job site environments. While Liebherr has successfully electrified smaller equipment such as the 300-ton mobile container…