Author: Christopher Harrison

InfluenceMap’s annual report on climate lobbying has once again highlighted Toyota’s poor performance, placing the automaker at the bottom of the list for climate policy engagement and ranking it third-worst for its 2030 electric vehicle (EV) production plans. The report assesses automakers and industry associations based on their lobbying efforts to impede climate policy goals, revealing the extent to which companies are working against environmental protection measures. According to the report, Tesla led the rankings, although it received a “B” score due to its relatively low engagement intensity in lobbying activities. Other automakers, such as Ford, GM, VW, and Mercedes,…

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in collaboration with four government bodies, has initiated a nationwide campaign aimed at accelerating the adoption of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in rural areas across the country. The campaign, scheduled to run from May to December 2024, aims to address the current gap in NEV consumption in rural regions and promote green, safe travel while contributing to the development of beautiful villages and rural revitalization. The NEV rural promotion catalog features an impressive selection of 99 models from leading auto manufacturers, covering a wide range of NEVs including sedans, SUVs, and multipurpose vehicles.…

Biden Administration has announced new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports, among other products. The tariffs, released on May 14, 2024, are part of a broader effort to curb China’s influence in the global market and prevent unfair competition. The new tariffs are estimated to affect $18 billion worth of products from China, including steel, aluminum, computer chips, and solar cells. Importantly, Chinese EV import tariffs will see a significant increase of over 102%, the highest among the targeted China-made products. President Biden emphasized the need to prevent China from flooding the American market and undermining the competitiveness of…

A new chapter in airport transportation has commenced at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, with the launch of an 18-month trial featuring self-driving shuttles. This pioneering project, a collaboration between Beep, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), and infrastructure specialist Sustainability Partners, marks a significant step forward in autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment. Four electric, autonomous shuttles, including one named Miki, inspired by the Hawaiian term for “agile,” will ferry travelers around the airport. Each shuttle, equipped to accommodate 11 passengers and a human safety attendant, will operate alongside the airport’s existing Wiki Wiki bus service. “While Miki…

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, has announced a significant milestone, with its Waymo One service now providing more than 50,000 paid trips every week across Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The service operates 24/7 in parts of these cities, offering riders a convenient and autonomous transportation option. This milestone reflects the growing popularity of Waymo’s autonomous ridesharing service, with an average of 300 bookings every hour or five bookings every minute. Waymo has also revealed that it has completed over one million rider-only trips across four cities, including Austin, where it currently offers limited rides to…

Ride1Up has introduced the Revv1 DRT, a redesigned off-road version of its original Revv1 electric moped-style bike, marking the brand’s expansion into a wider range of e-bike models. The Revv1 DRT is designed for off-road adventures, catering to the popular trend among younger and more adventurous riders. The original Revv1, launched in early 2023, aimed to offer high-performance riding and moto-inspired styling at an affordable price, challenging major brands like SUPER73. The Revv1 DRT builds on this foundation, incorporating modifications based on feedback from riders who optimized the bike for off-road use. The new Revv1 DRT features several modifications for…

ESWE Verkehrsgesellschaft in Wiesbaden has unveiled its newly remodelled bus depot, equipped to support a fleet of 120 electric buses. The depot now features 120 charging stations, allowing each electric bus to draw power for their daily trips. Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH played a crucial role as the technology partner for this ambitious project. Since 2019, Daimler Buses has supplied ESWE with 120 battery-electric eCitaro buses. The collaboration extended beyond bus deliveries, as both ESWE and Daimler Buses worked together to convert the Wiesbaden depot to accommodate the electric fleet. This involved creating 24 additional charging options and implementing intelligent…

Xiaomi EV, the automotive arm of the Chinese tech giant Xiaomi, celebrated a significant achievement as it delivered its 10,000th unit of the SU7, its debut electric vehicle model. The company announced this milestone on Weibo, highlighting the achievement in just 43 days since April 3rd. “We are thrilled to reach this milestone,” Xiaomi EV stated. “It reflects the strong demand and positive reception for the SU7 in the market.” The company also reaffirmed its commitment to ramping up production to meet its ambitious target of delivering 100,000 units by the end of the year. Xiaomi EV’s SU7, which launched…

The North York Moors National Park Authority has partnered with Zest, an EV charging infrastructure operator, to introduce new electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities in the National Park. The initiative includes the installation of 12 new charge points, with the first already operational in the Hutton le Hole car park, and plans for additional locations including Newton under Roseberry. Zest, known for its investments in public access EV charging infrastructure, has jointly funded this project with the National Park Authority. They will also manage and maintain the fast chargers to ensure reliable service. Lucas St John, Commercial Manager for the…

Sunreef Yachts, renowned for its solar electric boats and sustainability efforts in the maritime industry, is now incorporating recycled PET bottles into its yacht production process, marking a significant step towards greener practices. Based in Gdansk, Poland, and with a growing presence in the United Arab Emirates, Sunreef Yachts has been a pioneer in sustainable marine travel since its inception in 2002. The company made waves by launching the world’s first 74-foot luxury oceangoing catamaran with a flybridge. With hundreds of its eco-friendly boats traversing waters globally, Sunreef Yachts boasts a lineup of sustainable, all-electric propulsion systems and advanced solar…

China-based Hesai Group has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government for its decision to add the company, known for its lidar light sensors used in self-driving cars and driver-assistance systems, to a list of firms purportedly collaborating with Beijing’s military. The U.S. Department of Defense included Hesai in this list in January, alongside more than a dozen other companies. While inclusion on the list does not immediately impose bans, it serves as a cautionary measure to U.S. entities and companies regarding the potential risks of engaging in business with these entities. In response, Hesai stated in the lawsuit that…

China’s domestic car sales experienced a downturn in April, dropping by 5.8% compared to the previous year, with 1.55 million units sold. This decline was also reflected in a 9.6% decrease compared to March, which had shown strong performance following the Chinese New Year festivities. However, amidst the domestic slowdown, Chinese car exports soared to a record high in April, reaching 417,000 units, a 38% increase year-on-year. This upward trend in exports follows a similar surge of 39% observed in March, highlighting the growing global demand for Chinese-built cars. According to the secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association,…

Tesla has reportedly reversed some of the layoffs within its Supercharger team, a key aspect of its electric vehicle infrastructure, and reinstated a key executive, according to a recent report. In April, Tesla made significant layoffs within its Supercharging team, including two key executives: Max de Zegher, Director of North American Charging, and Rebecca Tinucci, Senior Director of the Charging Team. However, Tesla seems to be retracting some of these layoffs. Bloomberg reported that Tesla has brought back de Zegher, who was previously let go earlier in the month. His LinkedIn profile still indicates his role as the Director of…

Fisker Inc. announced on Monday the completion of a deal to sell senior secured notes due 2025 to an existing institutional investor, raising $3.456 million, according to an 8K filing with the SEC. The offering, finalized on May 10, has the potential to increase the aggregate principal amount of the notes to $7.5 million. This financial move is part of Fisker’s strategy to secure investment for restarting production and launching new products, including the Fisker Pear and the Alaska pickup truck, known as the Kayak in Europe. “The proceeds from this offering will be used to finance various expenses in…

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has announced significant investments in its headquarters complex on Swan Island in Portland, Oregon. The company is set to establish a new Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) training center adjacent to Electric Island and a new engineering facility at the DTNA campus. The new EVSE training center, a valuable addition to the ‘Electric Island’ complex, aims to accelerate the testing and development of charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles. It will serve as a resource center for the DTNA dealer network and community stakeholders. John O’Leary, President and CEO of DTNA, expressed pride in the company’s…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Amazon.com’s self-driving Zoox vehicles following two rear-end collisions involving motorcyclists due to unexpected braking. The incidents resulted in minor injuries. NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation focuses on crashes involving vehicles equipped with the Zoox Automated Driving System. The agency has started a probe into 500 Zoox robotaxis. Each incident involved a Toyota Highlander equipped with the Zoox automated driving system. NHTSA confirmed that each of the Zoox vehicles was operating with the automated driving system engaged in the moments leading up to each collision. The investigation will assess the…

Autoflight, a Chinese startup specializing in automated Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) technology, achieved a significant milestone with the completion of a test flight at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The successful flight of the 2-ton eVTOL V2000CG marks the first test of its kind at a 4F airport, the highest classification for civil airports with advanced facilities capable of accommodating large aircraft. According to Autoflight, the V2000CG has undergone various test flights, including research and development flights and compliance verification tests, covering scenarios from self-built sites to general aviation airports. The company’s focus on eVTOL technology aligns with the…

Nio is gearing up to launch its mass-market sub-brand, Onvo (Ledao in China), with a strong focus on energy efficiency. Onvo’s president, Ai Tiecheng, emphasized the brand’s commitment to low power consumption from its inception, stating, “We’ve prioritized low power consumption since Day 1.” One key decision reflecting this commitment was Nio founder William Li’s veto of a vehicle styling that had been in development for six months, all in the pursuit of lower vehicle energy consumption. The company is set to unveil the Onvo brand on International Family Day, May 15, with a livestreamed event at 7:30 pm Beijing…

Tesla has received approval from the Office of the Management Committee in Lingang New Area, China Pilot Free Trade Zone, for its Megafactory construction plan in Nanhui New Town, Pudong New Area. The Megafactory will cover an area of 204,359.92 square meters and is expected to complete trial production in 2024, according to local media reports. Lu Yu, the Director of the high-tech Department of the Administration Committee of Lingang New Area, revealed that the Megapack factory is estimated to reach a production capacity of 40 GWh. Tesla Megapacks manufactured in China will be distributed to global markets. Preliminary preparations…

Samsung Electronics has joined the ranks of Apple and other global automakers in pausing its autonomous vehicle research, signaling a slowdown in the advancement of self-driving technology. The move reflects a broader industry trend away from Level 4 autonomous driving, where vehicles operate without human intervention, due to challenges in technology development and commercial viability. Industry sources revealed on May 9 that Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), the research arm of Samsung Electronics, has redirected its focus away from autonomous driving to robotics. This strategic shift comes after Samsung’s successful completion of a 200 km “driverless driving” test last…