Author: Christopher Harrison

Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar, expressed bewilderment over the Biden administration’s decision to significantly increase tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), calling the move erratic. The new tariff rate on EVs made in China and imported to the U.S. is set to jump to 102.5 percent, up from 27.5 percent. This increase also applies to raw materials like steel and aluminum from China, as well as microchips. Ingenlath remarked, “There is a certain erraticness that comes with going from one day to the next to 100 percent tariffs.” See also: Polestar and StoreDot Achieve Rapid EV Charging: 10 to 80 Percent…

Zeekr’s all-electric models, the Zeekr X and Zeekr 001, have both secured the highest possible 5-star ratings from Euro NCAP, one of the world’s most respected consumer safety assessments. The ratings were awarded under more stringent protocols in 2024, highlighting the exceptional safety standards of Zeekr vehicles. Both models also received 5-star Green NCAP ratings, recognizing their outstanding contributions to sustainable development. These accolades underscore the advanced safety features and environmentally friendly technologies integrated into Zeekr vehicles. See also: Waymo’s Partnership with Zeekr Threatened by New U.S. Tariffs on Chinese-Built EVs Developed from the state-of-the-art Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform for…

Peugeot has announced a partnership with German mobility startup Vay to integrate its teledriving technology into Peugeot vehicles. Teledriving offers remote driving capabilities, allowing cars to be operated by a human from a distance, presenting a cost-effective and safer alternative to autonomous vehicles. The technology is particularly useful in short-range driving scenarios, such as last-mile delivery of goods, vehicle flow management in logistics centers, and car sharing or rental services, offering on-demand valet services. See also: Vay Makes Transatlantic History as Pioneer in Teledriving, Succeeding in Las Vegas Autonomy Trial Peugeot has already equipped one of its passenger vehicles with teledriving…

Hamm, a manufacturer in road-building, gardening, and landscaping equipment, unveils its latest innovation: a full line of eight new battery-powered electric tandem compact rollers. This rollout marks a significant advancement in the construction industry, offering environmentally friendly solutions with no compromise on performance. Launching this week for North American customers, the HD 10e and HD 12e models stand out as prime examples of Hamm’s commitment to sustainability without sacrificing power. These electric rollers deliver the same level of compaction force as their combustion engine counterparts but with the added benefits of reduced noise and zero local emissions. Earlier this year,…

Gogoro, the Taiwanese electric scooter pioneer, has officially launched its innovative battery-swapping system in Colombia. Teaming up with Colombian fuel company Terpel, Gogoro’s entry into the South American market kicks off in Bogotá, the capital city, under Terpel’s Voltex brand. The collaboration with Terpel marks a significant step in Gogoro’s expansion plans, following its earlier announcement this year to enter both the Colombian and Chilean markets. Gogoro’s battery-swapping technology has gained widespread acclaim, enabling users to swap depleted batteries with fully charged ones at public stations. See also: Gogoro Strikes Major Partnership to Expand Swappable Battery Standard Beyond Electric Scooters This…

Hyundai is gearing up to elevate its top-selling EV, the Ioniq 5, by making it the first electric vehicle manufactured at its new $7.6 billion EV and battery plant in Georgia. This strategic move will unlock access to the coveted $7,500 federal tax credit, making the Ioniq 5 even more appealing to prospective buyers. Having sold nearly 34,000 units of the Ioniq 5 last year, marking a significant 48% year-over-year increase in the US market, Hyundai’s flagship EV continues to maintain strong momentum in 2024. March saw a record-breaking 3,361 Ioniq 5 models sold, contributing to a total of 6,822…

A group of car starter battery manufacturers, including Banner, Clarios, Exide, FIAMM Energy Technology (FET), and Rombat, are set to contest accusations of operating a cartel to fix battery prices in the European Union. The companies, along with trade body Eurobat and its service provider Kellen, will present their arguments at a closed hearing in Brussels next week. The European Commission charged the companies last year, alleging collusion to increase prices of automotive starter batteries sold to car producers in Europe between 2004 and 2017. The companies are accused of creating, publishing, and agreeing to use new indexes in their…

French startup Seederal is set to disrupt the farming industry with the market launch of its groundbreaking electric tractor in 2025. The tractor boasts 118 kW of power and an impressive operating time of 8 to 12 hours on a single charge, making it a viable alternative to traditional diesel tractors. One of the key advantages of the Seederal electric tractor is its rapid charging capability, with the vehicle able to fully charge within just two hours. This, coupled with lower energy and maintenance costs, positions the electric tractor as a more cost-effective option over a seven-year operating period compared…

The U.S. government has launched a $1.3 billion funding round to build charging stations and alternative fuelling infrastructure, including hydrogen and gas, in urban, rural, and highway areas. Applications for this funding will be accepted until August 28, 2024. This funding marks the largest round to date under the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Programme, which has a total budget of $2.5 billion. The programme supplements the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Programme, which recently allocated an additional $150 million to repair aging charging infrastructure across the country. The CFI programme is divided into two categories: Community…

Tesla is recalling 125,227 vehicles in the United States due to a malfunction in its seat belt warning system that can increase the risk of injury in a collision, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Friday. The affected vehicles, including certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles, do not comply with federal safety requirements. The seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate when the driver is unbelted. See also: Tesla Enhances Autopilot Safety Measures and HVAC Efficiency in Latest Update To address the issue, Tesla will deploy…

In a bid to retain its leadership in the next generation of electric vehicles (EVs) powered by solid-state batteries, China is providing significant financial support to local companies. The government will be offering over $800 million in research and supply chain grants to the world’s largest battery manufacturers for the development and production of solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries are seen as the next evolution in EV battery technology, offering higher energy density, improved safety, and faster charging compared to current lithium batteries. China’s robust R&D subsidy program has identified several companies at various stages of solid-state battery development and production.…

Hyundai is gearing up to introduce an upgraded version of its Ioniq 6 electric sedan in May 2025, according to reports from Korean media. The new model is expected to feature several cosmetic enhancements and technical updates, serving as a timely replacement for the current model launched in June 2022. The revamped Ioniq 6 is likely to undergo production not only at Hyundai Motor Company’s (HMC) existing plant in Asan, South Korea but also at the upcoming Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) facility in Ellabell, Georgia, USA. This move would enable Hyundai to qualify for federal government incentives of…

The European Commission has decided to postpone its decision on imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles until after the European Parliament election on June 9, according to a source familiar with the matter, as reported by Reuters. The postponement comes amid concerns about adding billions of dollars in new costs for Chinese electric car makers. Initially, the provisional tariffs were expected to be announced by June 5, but the decision was delayed to avoid the issue becoming a focal point of the election campaign. The new deadline for the decision is June 10, the day after election results are released,…

In a recent conference, Ford CEO Jim Farley and GM CEO Mary Barra presented contrasting views on the future of hybrid vehicles, highlighting divergent strategies in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape. Farley emphasized that hybrids should no longer be seen as a temporary solution, stating, “We should stop talking about it as transitional technology.” He noted that many of Ford’s hybrids in the U.S. are now more profitable than their non-hybrid counterparts, indicating their increasing importance in the market. Farley suggested that while plug-in hybrids might not remain relevant for long, extended-range hybrids are a crucial technology for the industry’s…

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast is considering further delaying its planned $4 billion factory in North Carolina, a move prompted by challenges in winning over U.S. consumers. The company’s initial announcement in 2022 outlined plans for an EV and battery plant with a yearly production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, aiming to capitalize on the Biden administration’s push for EV subsidies for American-made cars. Originally slated for completion in July 2024, VinFast had already postponed the start of operations to 2025. Now, a source familiar with the matter suggests another delay is under consideration, though the company is yet to…

There may be a glimmer of hope for Evergrande New Energy Vehicle (NEV), the electric vehicle division of Chinese property group Evergrande, as the company’s insolvency administrators have reportedly reached a provisional agreement with an undisclosed buyer for a potential takeover. According to a report by Bloomberg, the investor is considering acquiring an initial 29 per cent stake in Evergrande NEV, with an option to purchase an additional 29.5 per cent of the shares at a later date. If the deal goes through, the investor would hold a majority stake of 58.5 per cent in the electric car manufacturer. The…

Volkswagen announced plans to develop low-cost electric vehicles aimed at competing with Chinese rivals in the European market. The move comes after talks with Renault to collaborate on the project fell through earlier this month. The new project, named ID.1, aims to produce electric vehicles priced around 20,000 euros ($21,746) for European customers. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume stated, “It’s about entry-level electric mobility from Europe for Europe,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to the region. See also: Volkswagen Ends Talks with Renault on Electric Twingo Development To ensure competitiveness, Volkswagen plans to localize production in Europe, reducing emissions by cutting transport routes…

The United Automotive Workers (UAW) has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a new election at a Mercedes-Benz factory in Alabama, after workers at the plant voted against joining the union in a recent election. In the initial union election at the Mercedes factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, held last week, 56 percent of workers voted against UAW membership. However, the UAW has accused the automaker of engaging in union-busting tactics, including signage encouraging employees to vote against unionization. The UAW’s petition alleges a “relentless anti-union campaign” by Mercedes, including the firing of pro-union employees…

Atlante, a leading fast-charging provider, has clinched a significant tender from Autostrade per l’Italia (ASPI) to install and manage 90 high-power charging points along the motorways it operates in Italy. These chargers, capable of delivering up to 400 kW, will be deployed at eight service stations, marking a notable increase in charging capacity. The move to install higher-power chargers signifies a departure from Atlante’s typical supplier in Southern Europe, Wallbox from Spain. While Atlante has had a hardware partnership with Wallbox since 2023, the company has opted for Hyperchargers from Alpitronic for the ASPI project, showcasing their commitment to advancing…

Kia Motors is recalling 2,209 Niro EVs from the 2022 model year due to potential safety issues with the high voltage battery safety plug. The plug has been found to overheat and melt, which could lead to a fire or a loss of power while driving. According to the Safety Recall Report, the contact surfaces of the high voltage battery safety plug may develop high electrical resistance over time. While the exact cause is not yet determined, Kia believes the issue is related to a supplier deviation in the manufacturing of the Female-Female terminal. The automaker first became aware of…