Author: Christopher Harrison

Tesla has reportedly reversed some of the layoffs within its Supercharger team, a key aspect of its electric vehicle infrastructure, and reinstated a key executive, according to a recent report. In April, Tesla made significant layoffs within its Supercharging team, including two key executives: Max de Zegher, Director of North American Charging, and Rebecca Tinucci, Senior Director of the Charging Team. However, Tesla seems to be retracting some of these layoffs. Bloomberg reported that Tesla has brought back de Zegher, who was previously let go earlier in the month. His LinkedIn profile still indicates his role as the Director of…

Fisker Inc. announced on Monday the completion of a deal to sell senior secured notes due 2025 to an existing institutional investor, raising $3.456 million, according to an 8K filing with the SEC. The offering, finalized on May 10, has the potential to increase the aggregate principal amount of the notes to $7.5 million. This financial move is part of Fisker’s strategy to secure investment for restarting production and launching new products, including the Fisker Pear and the Alaska pickup truck, known as the Kayak in Europe. “The proceeds from this offering will be used to finance various expenses in…

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has announced significant investments in its headquarters complex on Swan Island in Portland, Oregon. The company is set to establish a new Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) training center adjacent to Electric Island and a new engineering facility at the DTNA campus. The new EVSE training center, a valuable addition to the ‘Electric Island’ complex, aims to accelerate the testing and development of charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles. It will serve as a resource center for the DTNA dealer network and community stakeholders. John O’Leary, President and CEO of DTNA, expressed pride in the company’s…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Amazon.com’s self-driving Zoox vehicles following two rear-end collisions involving motorcyclists due to unexpected braking. The incidents resulted in minor injuries. NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation focuses on crashes involving vehicles equipped with the Zoox Automated Driving System. The agency has started a probe into 500 Zoox robotaxis. Each incident involved a Toyota Highlander equipped with the Zoox automated driving system. NHTSA confirmed that each of the Zoox vehicles was operating with the automated driving system engaged in the moments leading up to each collision. The investigation will assess the…

Autoflight, a Chinese startup specializing in automated Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) technology, achieved a significant milestone with the completion of a test flight at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The successful flight of the 2-ton eVTOL V2000CG marks the first test of its kind at a 4F airport, the highest classification for civil airports with advanced facilities capable of accommodating large aircraft. According to Autoflight, the V2000CG has undergone various test flights, including research and development flights and compliance verification tests, covering scenarios from self-built sites to general aviation airports. The company’s focus on eVTOL technology aligns with the…

Nio is gearing up to launch its mass-market sub-brand, Onvo (Ledao in China), with a strong focus on energy efficiency. Onvo’s president, Ai Tiecheng, emphasized the brand’s commitment to low power consumption from its inception, stating, “We’ve prioritized low power consumption since Day 1.” One key decision reflecting this commitment was Nio founder William Li’s veto of a vehicle styling that had been in development for six months, all in the pursuit of lower vehicle energy consumption. The company is set to unveil the Onvo brand on International Family Day, May 15, with a livestreamed event at 7:30 pm Beijing…

Tesla has received approval from the Office of the Management Committee in Lingang New Area, China Pilot Free Trade Zone, for its Megafactory construction plan in Nanhui New Town, Pudong New Area. The Megafactory will cover an area of 204,359.92 square meters and is expected to complete trial production in 2024, according to local media reports. Lu Yu, the Director of the high-tech Department of the Administration Committee of Lingang New Area, revealed that the Megapack factory is estimated to reach a production capacity of 40 GWh. Tesla Megapacks manufactured in China will be distributed to global markets. Preliminary preparations…

Samsung Electronics has joined the ranks of Apple and other global automakers in pausing its autonomous vehicle research, signaling a slowdown in the advancement of self-driving technology. The move reflects a broader industry trend away from Level 4 autonomous driving, where vehicles operate without human intervention, due to challenges in technology development and commercial viability. Industry sources revealed on May 9 that Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), the research arm of Samsung Electronics, has redirected its focus away from autonomous driving to robotics. This strategic shift comes after Samsung’s successful completion of a 200 km “driverless driving” test last…

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…