Author: Christopher Harrison

Volkswagen has confirmed plans to launch an all-new electric version of its iconic Golf, marking a significant shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) for the company. Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen, announced the development, stating that the new Golf EV will be a high-volume car available widely across Europe and potentially in other regions. The Volkswagen Golf, with a history spanning five decades and eight generations, has sold more than 37 million units, making it an icon in the auto industry. As part of Volkswagen’s long-term strategy to convert at least 80% of its sales in Europe to EVs by 2030…

In a bid to bolster the supply chain independence of its battery and automotive industries, South Korea is providing policy financing of 9.7 trillion won (US$7.1 billion) this year. This move comes as the U.S. government defers sanctions related to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), specifically for graphite. The decision to support supply chain independence follows a two-year extension granted by the U.S. government for achieving this goal to qualify for tax benefits under the IRA. With the United States being the largest market in the world, reducing reliance on Chinese imports for graphite, a core anode material in secondary…

Tesla seems to have chosen Bonne Eggleston as the next head of its ambitious 4680 battery cell program, following the departure of former SVP Powertrain and Energy Engineering Drew Baglino less than a month ago. Reports of Eggleston’s apparent appointment surfaced in China, with tech publication LatePost stating that he had conducted a department-wide meeting where he announced a moratorium on layoffs. Despite this, Tesla is reportedly aiming to achieve significant cost reductions by the end of the year. https://twitter.com/ByeonChansoo/status/1788943067585609900 LatePost reported that Tesla is seeking to make its self-produced batteries cheaper than those provided by suppliers like Panasonic and…

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast has announced its pioneering collaboration with Sony, making it the first automaker to offer drivers access to Sony’s new RIDEVU in-car streaming service. This exclusive feature will be available to VF 8 customers in the United States, providing access to Sony’s vast library of over 2,000 movies, with options to rent and purchase premium content. The VF 8, VinFast’s flagship EV, made its debut in the US market two years ago as a 2023 model. Despite encountering initial software challenges, VinFast has persevered, aiming to increase its presence on American roads by stimulating demand…

Bentley has announced its latest V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, designed to succeed the iconic W12 engine. This new powertrain, named the Ultra Performance Hybrid, is positioned to be the most dynamic, responsive, and efficient system in Bentley’s history, signaling a new direction for the brand’s lineup of luxury vehicles. The Ultra Performance Hybrid continues Bentley’s tradition of incorporating advanced technology to enhance performance. Building on the existing hybrid powertrains, this new system is expected to deliver more than 750 PS and an electric-only range of 50 miles (80 km), surpassing the power output of the previous W12 engine by at…

Tesla is preparing to introduce a significant change in its upcoming Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 12.4 update by eliminating the “steering wheel nag” feature. This feature prompts drivers to apply torque on the steering wheel and is often perceived as repetitive and bothersome by Tesla users. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has hinted at the update’s impact, describing it as “mind-blowing.” However, details were scarce until now. Musk confirmed that the forthcoming FSD v12.4 update would remove the steering wheel nag, a term coined by Tesla drivers to describe the alerts reminding them to keep their hands on the steering…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary probe into 6,813 Ocean SUVs produced by Fisker in 2023 due to complaints regarding the vehicles’ automatic emergency braking system engaging inadvertently. According to the NHTSA, it has received eight complaints alleging that the braking system activated without any visible obstruction, leading to sudden vehicle deceleration. Three of these complaints also reported injuries. The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation will conduct an evaluation to determine the extent and seriousness of the potential issue and its impact on safety. The regulator noted that it could conclude the investigation without taking…

Panasonic Holdings’ energy unit fell short of its operating profit guidance for the past business year due to reduced electric vehicle (EV) battery production in Japan and declining sales of consumer products, the company announced on Thursday. Operating income for the segment, which manufactures batteries for Tesla and other automakers, reached 88.8 billion yen ($570.18 million) for the fiscal year ending in March, missing its own forecast of 113 billion yen, Panasonic stated. The slowdown in EV demand in the United States and Europe, along with intense competition in China, has impacted automotive battery manufacturers. While the North American EV…

Luxury electric vehicle manufacturer Automobili Pininfarina has revealed a bespoke Battista commission, paying homage to the iconic 1955 Lancia Florida, a car revered by company founder Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina. The Battista Cinquantacinque showcases a stunning design and cutting-edge technology, embodying the pinnacle of automotive excellence. Powered by four independent electric motors and a robust 120 kWh lithium-ion battery, the Battista delivers an astounding 1,900hp and 2,340Nm of torque. This advanced powertrain propels the car from 0-100 kph in a mere 1.86 seconds and 0-200 kph in just 4.75 seconds, while offering a remarkable driving range of up to 476 km.…

Aekyung Chemical, a South Korean firm, revealed on Wednesday that it has developed a high-performance hard carbon material designed for use as the primary anode material in sodium-ion batteries (SIB). The newly developed hard carbon material meets international standards, boasting a discharge capacity of 300 mAh/g and an efficiency exceeding 90%. Aekyung Chemical has successfully manufactured these materials in its mass production facilities, indicating readiness for large-scale production. SIBs are garnering interest as a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their superior cost-effectiveness and environmentally friendly characteristics. Since 2012, Aekyung Chemical has been a pioneer in South Korea, being…

Jeep’s Gladiator pickup is set to receive a plug-in hybrid variant, expanding the Stellantis-owned brand’s electrified lineup. The announcement was made by Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa on his LinkedIn account, confirming that the Gladiator 4xe PHEV will join the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe as part of Jeep’s electrification strategy starting in 2025. Following the discontinuation of the diesel-powered Gladiator last year, the only powertrain option for Jeep’s pickup was the 3.6-liter V-6, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The upcoming Gladiator 4xe PHEV is expected to feature a similar powertrain to the Wrangler 4xe, which includes…

In a strategic move to bolster its presence in the electric vehicle (EV) market, Stellantis is set to announce the official launch of a joint venture with Chinese OEM Leapmotor. The venture, named Leapmotor International, aims to market Leapmotor’s China-built EVs worldwide, with a particular focus on Europe and potentially the US. This development marks the culmination of a journey that began last fall when Stellantis acquired a 20% stake in Leapmotor for 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion). This investment paved the way for the joint venture, in which Stellantis will hold a controlling 51% stake. After gaining regulatory approval…

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD will launch its Sea Lion 07 battery electric vehicle (BEV) on May 10, the first model in its new Sea Lion lineup, the company announced on Friday. The launch event, which will also unveil BYD’s new e-Platform 3.0 Evo, is scheduled for 7 pm Beijing Time. While details on the new e-Platform 3.0 Evo were not provided, it is speculated that the Sea Lion 07 will be based on this platform, an upgrade from the current e-Platform 3.0. According to a previous regulatory filing, the Sea Lion 07 is a coupe SUV with dimensions of 4,830…

Nikola reported lower-than-expected first-quarter revenue, citing a decrease in deliveries of hydrogen fuel cell trucks due to an uncertain macroeconomic environment and reduced customer spending. The company’s financial results for the quarter revealed a decline in total revenues, with a non-GAAP net loss per share of $0.09. The adjusted EBITDA loss amounted to $104 million, with an operating loss of $145.4 million. Despite these challenges, Nikola managed to produce 43 trucks in the first quarter, 40 of which were shipped. While production declined year over year from 63 units, shipments increased from 31. Nikola exceeded its own guidance by wholesaling…

Belgium’s transport company De Lijn has awarded a framework agreement to Spanish manufacturer Irizar e-mobility for the supply of up to 100 BRT e-buses. Irizar’s bid was chosen as the best among three offers, selected from a pool of eight candidates, according to De Lijn. This decision comes after De Lijn’s recent order of 92 electric buses from BYD, as part of a larger framework agreement for up to 500 units, and ongoing supplies of e-buses from Iveco Bus in Flanders. Irizar’s ie tram vehicles are already in operation or set to operate in several countries, including the UK, France,…

UrbanLink, an air mobility (AAM) operator, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Lilium, a leading electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer. The partnership includes the purchase of a minimum of 20 all-electric eVTOL jets, marking a significant step towards UrbanLink’s goal of becoming the first fully committed US airline to adopt this cutting-edge technology. Lilium, a Munich-based startup founded in 2015, has rapidly expanded its presence, with development teams now located across Europe and the United States. With a workforce of approximately 1,000, including 500 aerospace engineers, Lilium is dedicated to bringing its innovative eVTOL Jet design to the…

Luxury electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Lucid Motors has revealed its first-quarter earnings, demonstrating notable improvement compared to the same period last year despite still grappling with significant net losses. In its financial report, Lucid disclosed a net loss of $684.7 million, marking a reduction from the $779.5 million loss reported in Q1 of the previous year. The company’s revenue saw a positive uptick, reaching $173 million, up from $149 million in Q1 2023. Additionally, Lucid ended the quarter with $2.2 billion in cash equivalents, a significant increase from the $1.4 billion reported in Q4. The EV maker recently shared its…

Electric vehicle maker Fisker is in the spotlight once again for its financial struggles, with a recent lawsuit shedding new light on the depth of its challenges. The lawsuit, filed by German engineering firm Bertrandt AG, highlights Fisker’s financial woes dating back to last summer and raises questions about the company’s ability to continue operations. Bertrandt AG’s lawsuit, related to its work on Fisker’s upcoming Pear and Alaska models, claims that the firm stopped receiving payments from Fisker in August 2023. The German company was hired to work on the Pear, an affordable electric crossover, in a contract valued at…

BMW Group is gearing up to start manufacturing its next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) in North America, about two years after launching production in Europe. The company has initiated preparations for battery assembly, a crucial component of these new ‘Neue Klasse’ EVs, well ahead of their start of production (SOP). With production sites in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and Woodruff, USA, BMW Group plans to start producing Neue Klasse EVs in Mexico in 2027. Construction has begun on a high-voltage battery assembly plant spanning over 80,000 square meters, which will be responsible for manufacturing BMW Group’s future sixth-generation batteries. The next-gen…

Citroen’s innovative electric vehicle, the Ami, is marking its fourth year on the market with a stunning transformation. The car is debuting a striking new “Night Sepia” livery, a deep brown hue that adds a sense of strength and character to its unique design. Since its launch in April 2020, the Citroen Ami has taken the urban and peri-urban mobility scene by storm, with nearly 50,000 units sold across 14 markets. This compact vehicle has redefined micro-mobility and energy transition, offering an affordable, safe, and comfortable driving experience for two passengers, usable in some countries from the age of 14…