Author: Christopher Harrison

Rivian is gearing up to challenge Tesla with its R2, a smaller and more affordable SUV set to compete directly with the popular Model Y. Both vehicles will enter the fiercely competitive mass-market electric SUV segment, boasting similar starting prices around $45,000 and impressive battery ranges of around 300 miles. See also: Tesla Model Y Performs Well in Stringent Crash Tests, Compared to Traditional ICE Vehicles However, the Model Y poses a formidable challenge to Rivian’s R2. Tesla’s mass-market SUV has been a major success since its 2020 launch, with the Model Y and its sibling, the Model 3, leading the…

AeroHT, a leading player in the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) segment, continues to make strides in the aerial mobility space. Today, XPeng’s eVTOL division conducted the first successful flight test of its all-electric X2 “flying car” eVTOL above Guangzhou, China, demonstrating its capabilities for future transport and sightseeing routes. AeroHT, formerly known as XPeng Huitian, is a subsidiary of XPeng Inc., majority-owned by the company and its founder, He Xiaopeng. With over a decade of operational experience, AeroHT has conducted tens of thousands of safe flights, gathering valuable data to develop safe, electric aircraft for commercial use. See…

Charge Enterprises, a key player in the EV charging market, has filed for bankruptcy, citing financial challenges. The company, which recently partnered with Stellantis and GM, has announced plans to restructure its business under the supervision of its senior lender, Arena Investors, according to Bloomberg. Mark LaNeve, a former executive at Ford and GM, serves as the company’s president. Stellantis, in a move to expand its EV charging infrastructure, had partnered with Charge Enterprises to install EV chargers at over 2,600 dealerships across the US. Charge Enterprises also provided charging solutions for Volvo, Ford, and General Motors. See also: Stellantis to…

General Motors announced on Friday that it is resuming sales and reducing the price of its Chevrolet Blazer EV following software quality issues that led to a halt in deliveries in late December. The automaker stated that it has implemented significant software updates to address concerns raised by early owners. These updates include features such as customizable multi-color ambient lighting, revised Driver Information Center graphics with battery percentage display, and more. Current Blazer owners will receive a software update to rectify the issues. GM also disclosed that it would reduce the price of the Blazer by approximately $5,600 to $6,500…

German authorities have initiated an investigation into a suspected arson attack on a power pylon near the Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. The attack, claimed by an environmental group, resulted in power outages across several areas and disrupted vehicle production at the electric vehicle plant. The public prosecutor’s office in Frankfurt an der Oder has launched a probe into the incident. According to spokesperson Carola Ochs, investigations are underway “in all directions,” including the criminal offense of sabotaging infrastructure that harmed the community, as reported by DW. The attack, which caused scorch marks on the electricity pylon, disrupted Giga Berlin’s power supply…

Lotus has released the European prices for its latest electric model, the Emeya, which is now available for configuration and ordering. The Emeya will be priced starting at £94,950 in the UK and €106,400 in continental Europe. The top-of-the-range Emeya R model will start at £129,950 or €126,950. The Emeya is set to launch in continental Europe and the UK in the third quarter of 2024, following its January debut in China where it started at €86,000. While China offers four variants, Europe will have three versions available at launch. See also: Lotus Technology Targets High-End Market with $80,000+ Electric Vehicles…

As Tesla continues to generate excitement for its Cybertruck, showcasing its off-road capabilities, instances of Cybertruck owners encountering difficulties off-road are on the rise. Tesla has marketed the electric pickup truck as a rugged off-road vehicle, highlighting features such as its adaptive air suspension, which offers 12 inches of travel and 17 inches of clearance, making it a formidable off-roading vehicle without modification. See also: Tesla Cybertruck Achieves Record Charging Speed with NxuOne Charger However, reports on social media paint a different picture, with numerous videos and images surfacing of Cybertrucks struggling off-road in recent weeks as Tesla expands deliveries to…

Market research firm Gartner predicts that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will become, on average, cheaper to produce than comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2027, thanks to new manufacturing methods that are driving down production costs. Gartner expects production costs to decrease at a faster rate than battery costs, which currently account for around 40% of an EV’s price and are a major factor in its overall cost. See also: Study Predicts Over 200 EV Models Set to Spark Intense Market Competition by 2026 The analysis by Gartner is based on innovations that simplify production costs, such as centralized vehicle…

British supermarket chain Tesco is set to introduce 151 all-electric Iveco eDaily vans into its delivery fleet, with the first vehicle already in service at the Horwich store. Equipped with two batteries, the eDaily can be fast-charged with up to 80 kW, providing an additional 62 miles (about 100 kilometers) of range in approximately 30 minutes. While the eDaily will primarily rely on local AC infrastructure at Tesco stores for charging, the retailer boasts 2,700 charging bays across its 619 UK locations. Tesco plans to have the remaining 150 EVs deployed by the end of the year, all featuring the…

A European consortium, spearheaded by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, has launched the STREAMS research project, aiming to bolster sustainability and enhance the robustness of supply chains for battery raw materials. The EU-funded project, officially titled ‘Sustainable Technologies for Reducing Europe’s bAttery raw MaterialS dependance,’ seeks to fortify the European battery production supply chain by developing adaptable and scalable technologies. The project also aims to diminish reliance on imported raw materials and promote circular economy practices in battery production, with a particular focus on sustainable production of anode and cathode active materials. “The fragility of current supply chains and…

Tesla’s Cybertruck has achieved a new peak charging speed using the NxuOne Charging Station from Nxu, a tech company specializing in EV charging and energy storage solutions. The test, conducted earlier this week with several Cybertruck units and a NxuOne Charging Station, saw the Cybertruck reach a peak charging rate of 327kW, surpassing the previous record of 253kW. The Cybertruck’s revolutionary 800-volt architecture, designed for faster charging speeds, allowed it to peak at 327.67 kW, 814 volts, and a peak current of 462 amps. See also: Tesla Cybertrax: The Insane Snow-Ready Cybertruck Modification That Broke the Internet Charging speed is a…

Nissan and the IRS announced today that the Leaf has once again become eligible for the federal tax credit for electric vehicles, now offering a $3,750 tax credit. This tax credit brings the starting price of the Leaf down to just $24,400, positioning it as one of the most affordable EVs in the US market. Nissan, like many other automakers, has faced challenges in meeting the battery component requirements necessary to qualify for the up to $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles in the US. The Leaf, which is manufactured in Tennessee, has previously gained and lost eligibility for the…

The British government is allocating funding for eMobility projects through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), with four projects in the e-mobility sector set to receive a total of around £35.7 million. The largest portion, £15 million, will be granted to a consortium led by Nissan. The consortium aims to advance technologies for the reuse, recycling, and energy balancing of electric vehicle batteries. Additionally, funding will be allocated to JLR, Yasa, and Empel Systems, all specializing in electric drive systems. See also: UK New Car Sales Surge in February, Boosted by Electric Vehicle Growth JLR will receive the second-largest sum, £9.94 million,…

BMW has initiated the electrification of deliveries around its Regensburg plant, integrating the first three fully electrically powered trucks to transport parts between different areas of the site. Two of the electric trucks are tasked with transporting high-voltage storage systems, while the third handles floor paneling for BMW vehicles. Although BMW has not specified the models involved, press photos show at least one DAF CF Electric, indicating that one or all of the vehicles may be from DAF. See also: BMW Starts Construction of High-Voltage Battery Production Facility in Thailand The duo transporting batteries shuttle between EV component production at Plant…

Waymo announced on Tuesday that it will commence autonomous passenger services for its employees in Austin, Texas, starting Wednesday. The services will cover 43 square miles of the city, including downtown Austin, Barton Hills, Riverside, East Austin, and Hyde Park. The company plans to extend its ride-hailing program, Waymo One, to the public in Austin at a later date. This move will make Austin the fourth city to offer Waymo One, following San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. See also: Waymo Publishes Safety Data, Claims 85% Reduction in Crash Injuries for Autonomous Vehicles “Our disciplined deployment in Texas’ capital brings us…

If you’ve been following the latest Tesla Cybertruck news, you might have caught a glimpse of the jaw-dropping sight of a Cybertruck equipped with snow tracks tearing through the snowy hills of Colorado. The mastermind behind this beastly creation, known as the Cybertrax, recently unveiled a video showcasing the incredible modifications made to the electric pickup, and it’s nothing short of mind-blowing. See also: Tesla Rolls Out Cybertruck Online Service and Owner’s Manuals https://twitter.com/heavydsparks801/status/1764519657695019059 The man behind the Cybertrax is none other than Supercar Ron, an avid car collector based in Utah renowned for owning an impressive fleet of high-performance vehicles,…

Toyota has announced an agreement with Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic HD) to acquire the remaining stake in Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd. (PEVE) in order to make it a wholly owned subsidiary. This move is aimed at bolstering Toyota’s capabilities in mass-producing automotive batteries. The acquisition is scheduled to be completed by the end of March. Currently, among Toyota-affiliated companies, PEVE, Toyota Industries Corporation, and Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc. (owned 51% by Toyota and 49% by Panasonic HD) are involved in mass-producing batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc. also manufactures batteries for…

Shares in Tesla fell more than 7% on Monday following a decline in sales in China in February. The Lunar New Year holidays likely contributed to the slowdown in China, a key market for the electric vehicle (EV) maker. The drop in sales in China has dimmed the outlook for Tesla’s global deliveries. The company is currently facing challenges including a decline in demand, rising competition, and a lack of entry-level vehicles in its product lineup. According to data from the China Passenger Car Association, Tesla sold 60,365 China-made vehicles in February, down 19% from a year earlier and the…

Decathlon has introduced its latest hybrid e-bike, the Rockrider E-ACTV 500, in the European Union. Designed for both road and trail riding, the low-frame model boasts a range of up to 150 km (~93 miles) on a single charge, thanks to its 504 Wh battery. The battery fully recharges in seven hours, making it convenient for daily commutes or long rides. The E-ACTV 500 is equipped with a mid-mounted PW-C2 Yamaha motor, delivering up to 250W of power and 55 Nm of torque. Adhering to EU regulations, the e-bike has a top speed limited to 25 kph (~16 mph) and…

Heavy equipment innovator Firstgreen made waves as the first construction OEM to unveil battery swap technology, showcased in its electric skid steer two years ago. Now, as the technology moves into production, the company claims it can keep a job site operational around the clock. Formerly known as Kovaco Electric, Firstgreen caught our attention earlier this year with the introduction of the Elise CBL, touted as “the world’s first cabinless, remotely operated electric skid steer.” The Elise 900, a mechanical sibling to the CBL, appears more ready for real-world use, particularly with its battery swap feature. See also: Skanska’s Volvo Electric…