Author: Christopher Harrison

Rivian, in its first Investor Day following the Volkswagen partnership announcement, revealed details about its upcoming bidirectional charging capabilities for its R1T pickup trucks and R1S SUVs. During the event, Rivian disclosed that both the first and second-generation R1T and R1S vehicles can support bidirectional charging up to 24 kW with a dedicated wall charger mount. Additionally, the upcoming R2 vehicles are expected to handle bidirectional charging up to 11 kW, showcasing Rivian’s strategic integration of advanced features into its vehicle designs. See also: Rivian Soars 36% on Volkswagen’s $5 Billion Investment Boost https://twitter.com/RivianUpdates/status/1806370970682224735 The announcement marks a significant development for…

Hyundai has debuted its new micro SUV, the Hyundai Inster, at the 2024 Busan Mobility Show today, showcasing a compact vehicle designed for navigating narrow and bustling city streets in Europe. Derived from the South Korea-exclusive Hyundai Casper petrol model, the Hyundai Inster measures 3,825 mm in length, 1,610 mm in width, and 1,575 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,425 mm. It offers 280 litres of luggage space, expandable to 351 litres by adjusting the rear seats. The Hyundai Inster lineup features two single-motor variants: Standard Range and Long-Range. The base model boasts a 71.1 kW motor paired…

South Korean battery cell manufacturer SK On has entered into a non-binding agreement with ExxonMobil, aiming to procure up to 100,000 tonnes of lithium annually from the U.S. energy giant’s first planned project in Arkansas. The agreement sets the stage for a multi-year supply arrangement crucial for SK On’s battery cell production, specifically targeting electric vehicles (EVs) manufactured in the United States. SK On, which currently operates two battery factories in Georgia and is constructing three more in collaboration with Ford, plans significant expansion through its joint venture, BlueOval SK. This includes upcoming facilities in Kentucky and Tennessee, supported by…

Volvo Cars announced on Monday that it will postpone the launch of its EX30 electric vehicle in the United States until 2025 as it boosts production capabilities at its facility in Belgium. The EX30, Volvo’s smallest and most affordable EV, began production in China last fall and quickly became a top seller in Europe. Global sales reached 14,500 units in the first quarter of 2024, approaching the figures of its larger sibling, the EX40, which recorded 17,400 units sold during the same period. See also: Volvo Recalls All EX30 Models Due to Software Bug, Fixed Through OTA Update Initially slated for…

Volkswagen’s Scout brand has received a substantial incentive of nearly $1.3 billion for its upcoming $2 billion manufacturing facility in South Carolina. State Governor Henry McMaster signed the legislation approving the incentive package. In addition to the direct incentive, Scout will benefit from up to $180 million in tax credits for job development, contingent on its hiring plans, according to South Carolina’s Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey. Volkswagen anticipates that the Scout plant will generate approximately 4,000 jobs, with positions in the body shop, paint shop, and final assembly buildings. See also: Scout Motors Set to Revive Iconic American Truck Brand with…

Rocky Mountain Power, an electricity provider, has teamed up with Electrify Commercial, a business unit of Electrify America, to install its first fast-charging locations in Utah. The collaboration aims to add 20 new charging hubs in the Salt Lake area. The new charging stations, located in Millcreek and Vernal in Salt Lake County, offer up to 350 kW and are part of the Electrify America network. Despite being part of this network, the stations are owned by Rocky Mountain Power, which handles pricing. See also: Electrify America Accelerates EV Charging Network Expansion, Targets 5,000 DC Fast Chargers by Year-End In May…

Tesla is advancing its supercomputing capabilities with a massive new cluster being built at its Gigafactory Texas. CEO Elon Musk revealed plans for the center’s power consumption, highlighting the company’s ambitious goals for this year and beyond. Musk announced on X that the supercomputer center is designed to require approximately 130MW of power and cooling this year, with plans to scale up to over 500MW within the next 18 months. He noted that half of the chips in the cluster will be Tesla’s own hardware, while the other half will be comprised of Nvidia or other manufacturers’ hardware. See also: Tesla…

International delivery company UPS has announced plans to integrate 100 all-electric Iveco eDaily vehicles into its fleet in Paris, as part of a larger strategy to expand its electric vehicle presence in Europe. UPS aims to have 600 electric delivery vehicles in operation across Europe by the end of the year. While the press release does not specify whether the 100 electric vehicles have already been delivered or are scheduled for future deployment in Paris, UPS highlights that these transporters are “custom-made for UPS” and offer a range of up to 142 miles (228 kilometers). Artur Drenk, UPS sustainability director…

In a recent video release as part of its “Road to Gravity” series, Lucid Motors provided viewers with an inside look at the production of its highly anticipated Gravity SUV at the Advanced Manufacturing Plant 1 (AMP-1) factory in Casa Grande, Arizona. The video, featuring CEO Peter Rawlinson, showcases the advanced manufacturing processes that will bring the Gravity SUV to life later this year. Rawlinson guides viewers through the assembly line, highlighting the robotic equipment that will play a crucial role in building the SUV. The video demonstrates the robots in action, particularly at the framing station, where they are…

Mercedes-Benz is expanding its offering in the Small Van segment with new long-wheelbase versions of its electric models, the eCitan Tourer and EQT, catering to both private and commercial customers. The extended wheelbase variants can now be ordered with up to seven seats, providing increased versatility for customers. The eCitan Tourer and EQT were initially introduced in May 2023, with compact models featuring a length of 4.5 metres and a maximum of five seats. The new long-wheelbase versions add 38 centimetres to the wheelbase, offering enhanced interior space and flexibility. Prices for the eCitan Tourer with a long wheelbase start…

Fisker, the electric vehicle startup, is moving towards liquidation, according to statements made by attorneys in U.S. bankruptcy court on Friday. This development comes as two creditor factions prepare for a battle over the priority of repayment. Following a cash drain in its efforts to boost production of its Ocean SUVs, Fisker filed for bankruptcy protection in Delaware on Monday. Despite initial intentions to secure additional financing and maintain “reduced operations,” Fisker’s attorney, Brian Resnick, indicated during the Wilmington hearing that obtaining financing is currently unlikely. See also: Fisker Files for Bankruptcy as Deal Talks Collapse, Citing Cash Burn and EV…

XPeng chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng is in the United States testing Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which is expected to be introduced in China later this year, according to a report by CnEVPost. He Xiaopeng took to Weibo to share his experiences and solicit feedback from his followers, asking, “I’m visiting the US for a longer period of time this time and dropping by to test the latest version of FSD and Waymo version. What aspects are you most interested in comparing between Tesla’s full self-driving software and XPeng’s XNGP (XPeng Navigation Guided Pilot). See also: XPeng Brings Tesla FSD-Like…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently announced new details about the company’s upcoming self-driving computer, dispelling expectations that it would be named Hardware 5 (HW5). Instead, Musk revealed it will be known as AI5 and is scheduled to be available in vehicles in the second half of 2025. Following the initial fifteen months with HW4, Tesla’s current self-driving computer, the company aims to introduce further enhancements to its Full Self-Driving suite. AI5 is poised to be the most advanced version of Tesla’s hardware yet, expected to consume approximately four times the energy of HW3 and HW4, necessitating a more robust effort.…

Despite the absence of a standardized megawatt charging standard (MCS), Shell has taken a pioneering step by installing its inaugural megawatt charging system at its Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam (ETCA). This system is designed to cater to electric trucks and ships, marking a significant advancement in the field of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The capacity of the megawatt charger is equivalent to approximately three regular 350 kW fast chargers currently used by trucks for charging. The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) at ETCA features two distinct charging arms: one rotating arm for electric ships and another for heavy electric lorries…

Chinese automakers are intensifying their competition with the Tesla Model Y, with the Voyah Zhiyin, a mid-size electric SUV, emerging as the latest entrant. Set to become the fourth model under the Dongfeng Motor-owned premium brand, preliminary details of the upcoming EV have been unveiled. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has confirmed the Dongfeng-Nissan joint venture plant in Wuhan, China, as the production site for the Voyah Zhiyin. This facility, responsible for producing the Nissan Ariya domestically, will now add this new electric SUV to its portfolio. Measuring 4,725 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and…

Dongfeng has introduced its latest offering to the electric vehicle market in China with the launch of the eπ 008, a new three-row electric SUV. The eπ brand, which was unveiled by Dongfeng in April 2023, aims to establish itself as a mainstream player in the EV market. The eπ 008, measuring 5,002 mm long, 1,972 mm wide, and 1,732 mm tall, is a spacious SUV with a 3,025 mm wheelbase and a 2+2+2 seating layout. It is powered by a single motor located on the rear axle, producing 200 kW and 340 Nm of torque. The motor is paired…

British automotive giant Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced the revival of its Freelander brand for a new line of electric cars, set to be produced in collaboration with its Chinese partner Chery. The vehicles, which will initially be built and sold in China, mark a significant strategic move for JLR in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. The new Freelander models will be based on Chery’s E0X platform, although JLR has not explicitly mentioned this in its official statement. According to recent reports, the E0X platform will be utilized for JLR’s electric cars, while the M3X platform is earmarked…

Tesla has filed a lawsuit against its former supplier Matthews International in California federal court, accusing the company of stealing trade secrets related to Tesla’s battery-manufacturing process and sharing them with competitors. The lawsuit, filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that Matthews owes damages that Tesla estimates will exceed $1 billion for misusing its trade secrets related to dry electrode battery manufacturing technology. Matthews responded to the lawsuit in a statement on Monday, calling Tesla’s claims a “new tactic” in their efforts to bully Matthews and take its valuable intellectual property.…

At the Deutsche Bank’s Global Auto Industry Conference in New York, GM’s chief financial officer Paul Jacobson revealed the company’s plan to invest an additional $850 million into its self-driving subsidiary, Cruise. This move aims to support Cruise’s operational costs as it resumes testing activities, following a pause triggered by a San Francisco accident involving one of its self-driving taxis last year. Jacobson stated, “We are going to put $850 million into Cruise this month. That will be what I would consider to be like a step financing.” He acknowledged the need for further funding, mentioning, “Given a lot of…

European Union (EU) has announced tariffs on EVs imported from China, effective next month. The decision, based on an investigation into Chinese state aid, will see varying tariffs imposed on different carmakers. Notably, Tesla, with its Shanghai factory, will be excluded for the time being. According to the EU Commission, BYD will face a special duty of 17.4 per cent, while Geely and SAIC will face 20 per cent and 38.1 per cent, respectively. These rates were determined based on the level of governmental aid received by these companies, allowing them to offer their electric vehicles in Europe at lower…