Author: Christopher Harrison

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…

Nio is intensifying efforts to incorporate humanoid robots into its vehicle assembly plants, marking a significant step forward in automotive manufacturing innovation. According to a report from China Star Market today, Nio, in collaboration with Huawei’s HarmonyOS, is conducting trials of Kuavo, the first humanoid robot equipped with the operating system, at its factories alongside Jiangsu Hengtong Group. The initiative, featuring Huawei’s “Pangu large model + Kuavo humanoid robot,” aims to deploy these robots in both industrial and domestic settings simultaneously, the report noted. Kuavo, developed by local robotics manufacturer Leju Robotics, was showcased at Huawei’s HDC 2024 developer conference…

Hyundai Motors is gearing up to revolutionize electric vehicle (EV) charging times with its upcoming dedicated EV platforms, aiming to cut slow-charging durations by half compared to current levels, according to its latest sustainability report. The South Korean automaker plans to introduce the ‘eM’ platform for passenger EVs and an ‘eS’ platform for Purpose-Built Vehicles (PBVs), promising significant enhancements in battery capacity and motor output alongside faster AC charging capabilities. See also: Hyundai Motor Group to Introduce Battery as a Service in South Korea “Our goal is to achieve a 50% reduction in slow-charging time with our next-generation platforms,” Hyundai stated…

Augsburg-based Kontron has clinched a substantial contract worth €120 million to supply wall box charging stations to a prominent German automotive manufacturer. The order, facilitated through Kontron’s subsidiary eSystems, entails the development and manufacturing of fully networked wall boxes tailored for the European and Chinese markets. According to Kontron, production under the contract is slated to commence in the third quarter of 2024 and extend through 2028. The wall boxes, based on eSystems’ ghostONE platform, will feature advanced connectivity capabilities including Ethernet, LTE, WiFi, and support for industry standards like EEBUS, MODBUS/TCP, OCPP, and ISO15118. Jochen Paukert, Managing Director of…

A New York-based leasing firm, American Lease, stands to clinch a substantial deal amidst Fisker’s bankruptcy proceedings, according to recent filings. Fisker plans to sell its entire inventory of 3,231 Fisker Ocean units to American Lease for up to $46.25 million. American Lease specializes in leasing vehicles to ride-share users, and the deal offers a wide pricing range per unit, from $2,500 to $16,500. This variance reflects the conditions of the vehicles, including damage and prior ownership, as reported by Car and Driver. See also: Fisker Seeks Approval to Sell Over 3,000 Electric SUVs at Discount Amid Bankruptcy Fisker’s filing details…