Author: Christopher Harrison

Tesla has unveiled the electric vehicle models that will continue to qualify for the $7,500 federal incentive following the rule adjustments in 2024. The automaker’s recent statements have highlighted modifications to the eligibility criteria for its electric vehicles concerning the federal tax credit, which now operates as a point-of-sale incentive. The changes in eligibility rules stipulate that 50% of battery minerals and 60% of battery components must originate from North America. These alterations have led to uncertainties among automakers, including Tesla, regarding which vehicles would still retain access to the tax credit or potentially face a reduced credit. Tesla has…

General Motors (GM) is continuing to make the Chevy Bolt EV accessible to consumers despite the announced end of its production, offering the 2023 model for lease at an attractive price point. Priced at $299 per month for a 36-month lease, the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV LT remains one of the most affordable electric vehicle (EV) options on the market. Interested parties are urged to act swiftly to take advantage of this opportunity. GM CEO Mary Barra announced in April the decision to conclude production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV, aligning with the company’s broader strategy of transitioning…

Canada is anticipated to announce a significant initiative on Tuesday, potentially requiring all new cars sold in the country to be zero-emission by 2035. According to reports from Reuters and CBC News, the transition will unfold gradually, with zero-emission vehicles targeted to represent 20% of all new car sales in 2026, escalating to 60% by 2030 and reaching a complete phase-out by 2035. While not explicitly a ban on internal combustion engines, indications suggest that plug-in hybrids will be included in the zero-emissions category, alongside electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. The proposed regulations, known as the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, reportedly…

Hubject, a key player in the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure sector, has unveiled a three-tiered premium service structure for its Intercharge platform. The new offering provides users with the flexibility to choose from different service levels catering to a diverse range of requirements. The three Intercharge levels—Standard, Business, and Enterprise—offer distinct features and pricing to address the evolving needs of the maturing e-mobility market. The “Standard” level encompasses the existing Intercharge product at the most economical rate. The “Business” tier provides users with direct access to Hubject specialists, special service levels, a 99.5% uptime guarantee, and additional features. The…

A recent report by Reuters highlights the intensifying competition within the electric vehicle (EV) charging sector, with over 900 companies worldwide vying for strategic locations to deploy fast public chargers. As the specter of global bans on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles looms, the sector has become a magnet for investors, attracting over $12 billion in venture capital funding since 2012, according to data from PitchBook. CEO of Finnish EV charger manufacturer Kempower, Tomi Ristimaki, described the current landscape as a “land grabbing game,” emphasizing the significance of securing optimal locations for fast chargers to ensure sustained electricity sales in…

Scout Motors, the nascent electric truck brand born from the legendary International Harvester Scout, is gearing up for significant expansion by establishing a cutting-edge “Innovation Center” in Novi, Michigan. The strategic move positions Scout Motors to strengthen its focus on research and development, design, and engineering, cementing its presence in the thriving landscape of electric vehicle (EV) innovation. The forthcoming Innovation Center, set to become the nerve center for Scout’s creative endeavors, will house its product, design, and engineering teams, fostering collaboration and cross-functional synergy. This strategic expansion aligns with Scout’s commitment to injecting fresh American ingenuity into the creation…

In a bid to attract increased investment in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, Indonesia has announced new regulations offering tax incentives to automakers planning to establish EV plants. The presidential regulation, signed on December 8 and disclosed this week, extends tax benefits to companies already invested in EV manufacturing, those planning to enhance their EV investments, or those intending to make new investments in the sector. The updated rules specifically waive import duties and luxury-goods sales tax on completely built-up EVs imported into the country. Unlike previous regulations, which applied incentives solely to imports of knocked-down vehicles assembled within the…

The Tesla Cybertruck is notably absent from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 2024 crash-test list, raising questions about the electric pickup’s crashworthiness evaluation. Due to the Cybertruck’s late delivery event, it missed inclusion in the NHTSA’s initial list, and uncertainties persist regarding whether it will undergo official safety testing. The NHTSA’s list covers approximately 86% of the new vehicle fleet, focusing on widely adopted models like the Cadillac Lyriq, Ford Bronco, and Jeep Wrangler. The agency prioritizes testing vehicles that constitute a significant portion of the market. Tesla conducted its own crash testing, ensuring compliance with Federal Motor…

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deploying 7,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across India by the coming year. The strategic collaboration extends beyond infrastructure development to include the introduction of a co-branded RFID card payment system, enhancing convenience for customers and fostering increased EV adoption. With Bharat Petroleum operating a network of over 21,000 fuel stations throughout India, this ambitious expansion initiative signifies a substantial upgrade for approximately one-third of their stations by the targeted deadline. The partnership also encompasses the creation of more than 90 fast-charging…

Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary, PowerCo, has reached a milestone in its venture to establish a battery cell factory in Canada. Following the completion of site preparations in St. Thomas, Ontario, PowerCo has officially founded its Canadian subsidiary, tasked with overseeing the construction and operation of the forthcoming battery plant. Announced in April of this year, the 90 GWh factory is set to break ground next year after successfully completing the initial site preparation phase. Sebastian Wolf, Chief Production Officer at PowerCo, expressed confidence in the project’s progress, stating, “We are fully on track. Site preparation as the first phase of the…

In a recent showdown, Tesla’s Cybertruck faced off against Ford’s high-performance pickup, the F-150 Raptor, in a drag race, unveiling some noteworthy results. Since its debut in 2019, Tesla has positioned the Cybertruck as a direct competitor to the Ford F-150, a dominant force in the crucial US pickup truck market. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, emphasized the aim to challenge the market leader and shared a viral video showcasing a tug of war between the Cybertruck and the F-150. Interestingly, the production version of the Cybertruck did not revisit this competition at its launch. However, select media outlets were granted…

Lucid Group has experienced an unexpected change in leadership with the immediate resignation of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Sherry House. House, who took on the role in May 2021, cited a desire to explore new opportunities as the reason for her departure. In her statement, House expressed confidence in Lucid’s future and gratitude for the chance to contribute to the company’s success. She will continue to support Lucid in an advisory capacity until December 21, 2023, to facilitate a smooth transition. See also: Up Close With Lucid Gravity’s Sanctuary Feature To fill the void left by House’s departure, Lucid has…

Early reservation holders of the Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series edition have shared insights into the full list of features and options available with the dual-motor or tri-motor configurations. Tesla enthusiasts who received invitations to purchase the exclusive pickups have divulged details from the order configurator, shedding light on what the Foundation Series entails. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability is a prominent option, priced at $7,000 for the Cybertruck Foundation Series. Notably, this is lower than the current $12,000 FSD pricing on other Tesla models, reflecting the FSD cost at the time of initial Cybertruck reservations. While FSD Beta won’t be…

In a recent assessment by Edmunds, Hyundai’s IONIQ 6 Limited Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) model emerged as the fastest-charging electric vehicle (EV) in the market. The Edmunds EV Charging Test, conducted in collaboration with P3 Group, evaluated the charging speeds of 43 popular electric vehicles through real-world testing with Level 3 DC fast chargers. The IONIQ 6 Limited RWD demonstrated remarkable efficiency by adding 100 miles of range in an average time of 6 minutes and 54 seconds, equivalent to an impressive 868 miles per charging hour. This notable performance positioned the IONIQ 6 at the forefront of EV charging…

The Milence electric truck charging joint venture, comprising Daimler Truck, the Traton Group, and the Volvo Group, has inaugurated its first charging location in Venlo, near the Dutch-German border. The site features four high-power charging (HPC) stations equipped with up to 400 kW of power, supplied by two HPC columns. Additional charging stations are planned to be added in the first quarter of 2024, expanding the facility. Situated strategically for international trade, Venlo is identified as an ideal location for the development of Milence’s inaugural public charging network in Europe. The joint venture aims to establish secure truck parking areas…

Volkswagen’s rugged Scout brand is making substantial progress in its mission to unveil electric pickup and SUV models in the third quarter of 2022. According to Scout CEO Scott Keogh, the designs are currently 85-95% complete, with prototypes expected to hit the streets in the coming months. Keogh emphasized that the brand remains on schedule for the debut of its first electric truck and SUV, with design aspects such as proportions and exterior aesthetics largely finalized. The brand enlisted the expertise of former Stellantis designer Chris Benjamin to lead the design efforts, known for his work on popular off-road vehicles.…

Volkswagen Group’s software subsidiary, Cariad, has officially inaugurated its joint venture with Chinese AI chip company Horizon Robotics, as announced a year ago. The collaboration, named Carizon, signifies a strategic partnership aimed at developing Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) solutions by merging Horizon Robotics’ hardware and software capabilities with Cariad’s expertise in vehicle and systems integration. Carizon, headquartered in Beijing, has ambitious plans to recruit over 300 experts by the end of 2023, according to Horizon Robotics. Focusing on the development of self-driving solutions, the joint venture will utilize Horizon Robotics’ Journey family of chips. These solutions are intended for…

Czech automaker Skoda has announced significant enhancements to its Enyaq SUV for the upcoming 2024 model year, introducing extended range, faster charging, and increased torque. These improvements are attributed to a new rear motor and battery chemistry integrated into the vehicle’s drivetrain. The Enyaq lineup for 2024 now features three models – the 85, 85x, and the RS, including the Coupe variants – all equipped with the upgraded drivetrain. The Enyaq 85 model now boasts an extended range of up to 565 km on a single charge, as per the WLPT cycle, an increase from the previous 548 km. The…

French automaker Renault Group has announced a comprehensive plan for the transformation of its industrial base, with a targeted reduction of 50% in production costs per electric vehicle and 30% for internal combustion vehicles by 2027. The initiative also aims to streamline vehicle development times, aiming to cut them from three to two years. Central to this transformation is the company’s Industrial Metaverse, a digital framework that will play a pivotal role in enhancing competitive advantages and revolutionizing vehicle production processes. Renault anticipates leveraging the Industrial Metaverse to achieve significant efficiency gains, with early indications revealing savings of €270 million…

Autonomous truck company TuSimple has officially announced its withdrawal from the United States as part of a new restructuring plan, according to a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The publicly traded company intends to reduce its U.S. workforce by 75%, or approximately 150 employees, leaving around 700 full-time employees globally. The restructuring plan includes winding down U.S. operations, selling U.S. assets, and focusing on the company’s strategic shift to the Asia-Pacific region. TuSimple anticipates incurring one-time charges between $7 million and $8 million for employee severance payments and benefits fulfillment. The plan is expected to be executed…