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,…