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…