Author: Christopher Harrison

GoFast, in collaboration with Aldi Suisse, has unveiled plans to install up to eight charging points at each Aldi store, with the potential for expansion to 16 points based on individual branch requirements. The charging infrastructure will boast capacities of up to 300 kilowatts per charging point, providing a robust and high-speed charging solution. Visual representations released by GoFast showcase four Alpitronic Hypercharger HYC300s, each equipped with eight charging points, positioned in front of an Aldi store. While the specific charging equipment to be utilized remains uncertain, GoFast has historically favored installations from Swiss manufacturer EVTEC. Notably, EVTEC, an initial…

Supernal, the Hyundai-backed startup venturing into the realm of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, is gearing up for an ambitious journey toward urban air mobility. In an interview with Bloomberg in Singapore, Supernal CEO Shin detailed the company’s plans, revealing that they are on track to showcase a prototype eVTOL taxi at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next year. The eVTOL aircraft, designed to fly at speeds of 120 miles per hour (190 kph), is intended to carry one pilot and four passengers. Shin has set a target of December 2024 for a test flight,…

Tesla has recently reduced the price of its Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) option to $12,000, as the autonomous driving software continues to face regulatory scrutiny. Despite a recent legal victory for Tesla in an Autopilot-related case that determined a fatal accident was the result of driver error, the company remains entangled in various lawsuits and federal investigations. Among these, California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Attorney General’s office have alleged that Tesla misled the public with descriptions of its driver-assist features. In one such lawsuit, Tesla offered a Model 3 owner the opportunity to settle the claim out…

The road to Tesla’s official presence in India appears to be clearing as the local government contemplates a policy overhaul for electric vehicles, with early 2024 on the horizon as a potential approval date. The Indian government is on a trajectory to grant its approval for Tesla’s future ventures within the country by January 2024. Recent discussions within government departments have revolved around changes in policy pertaining to electric vehicle manufacturing, with Tesla’s investment proposal taking center stage. “Though the agenda of the meeting was centered on general policy matters, fast-tracking approvals by January 2024 to Tesla’s proposed investment in…

Tesla, under the leadership of visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk, is on the verge of integrating Grok AI, a revolutionary AI assistant developed by Musk’s recent startup, xAI, into its fleet of electric vehicles. This bold move signifies Tesla’s commitment to creating more intuitive and interactive vehicles, though it does not come without controversy. Elon Musk, renowned for his groundbreaking endeavors in redefining terrestrial and extraterrestrial transportation, introduced xAI earlier this year with the overarching goal of unraveling the universe’s complexities. While xAI’s ultimate mission is grand in scope, its immediate focus centers on crafting an AI assistant or chatbot reminiscent…

Huawei and Chery’s collaborative electric vehicle (EV) brand, Luxeed, is gearing up for a significant milestone as it prepares to unveil its inaugural model, the Luxeed S7. The official launch event is scheduled for November 9, coinciding with the release of Harmony intelligent mobility. Furthermore, the Luxeed S7 will be made available for pre-sale, according to a recent announcement by the official account for Harmony intelligent mobility on Weibo. While specific details about the Luxeed S7 were not disclosed in the announcement, Luxeed shared four images of the upcoming sedan, offering a glimpse of its exterior design and features. Richard…

Polestar, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is launching a unique program, the Polestar Flexible Lease, providing customers with the opportunity to explore the world of EVs without committing to long-term contracts. The Polestar Flexible Lease program offers a 24-month lease for the Polestar 2 sedan, starting at $349 per month. What sets this program apart is its flexibility, allowing lessees to make a decision after the initial five months and payments. Beyond this point, customers can opt for a month-to-month arrangement, deciding whether to continue the lease or return the vehicle. Notably, the 2024 Polestar 2 is receiving updates, enhancing…

Lucid Motors, the American electric vehicle manufacturer, has officially announced its decision to embrace the Tesla-developed North American Charging Standard (NACS) as its preferred charging standard for electric vehicles (EVs). This strategic move will mark the beginning of a transition from Lucid’s current CCS1 charging inlet to the NACS inlet for its North American offerings, with the integration of NACS set to commence in 2025. Moreover, Lucid plans to introduce an adapter, ensuring that existing CCS1-compatible Lucid EVs can seamlessly utilize the NACS charging infrastructure. The significance of this transition lies in the fact that it will grant all new…

General Motors (GM) is gearing up to make significant investments in its U.S. facilities, with a focus on bolstering its electric vehicle (EV) portfolio. The plan encompasses the production of a more affordable version of the Chevrolet Bolt in Kansas, along with the development of a new series of premium electric vehicles for its Cadillac and Chevrolet brands in Michigan. These investments are part of GM’s ambitious $13.3 billion commitment to enhancing its U.S. manufacturing capabilities. The blueprint for GM’s planned investments, slated to span until April 2028, was outlined in a summary provided by the United Auto Workers (UAW),…

FOR:EV, a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Scotland, has unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance their charging network by partnering with Starbucks. As part of this collaboration, rapid charging stations have been deployed at four Starbucks locations, bolstering the accessibility and convenience of EV charging for consumers. The installation process is already complete at Starbucks outlets in Livingston and Dunfermline, while two more sites in Galashiels and Blairgowrie are slated to commence their installation later this month. The charging hubs situated at Livingston, Dunfermline, and Galashiels feature cutting-edge ultra-rapid 150 kW C Series charger models. These…

General Motors’ self-driving subsidiary, Cruise, is taking proactive steps to address a recent accident involving one of its autonomous vehicles and a pedestrian in California. In response to the incident, Cruise’s board has engaged a third-party law firm and technology consultants to thoroughly review the company’s actions and technology. Last month, a Cruise robotaxi was involved in a collision with a pedestrian who had previously been struck by another vehicle. Following this incident, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspended Cruise’s self-driving operations. Cruise’s decision to bring in legal firm Quinn Emanuel and consultancy Exponent underscores its commitment to…

Geely Holding Group, the Chinese car manufacturer, and Baidu Inc., the tech giant, have unveiled their first artificial intelligence-powered electric vehicle, the Ji Yue 01. This innovative SUV, priced from 249,900 yuan ($34,151.8), boasts an array of cutting-edge features, including level 4 (L4) autonomous driving technology, a voice-activated control system, and advanced intelligent cabins. Notably, L4 autonomy signifies that the vehicle can operate without a human driver in most conditions. The Ji Yue 01 integrates Ernie Bot, a language model similar to Baidu’s ChatGPT, to provide an immersive AI-driven experience within the intelligent vehicle. Moreover, the vehicle offers an impressive…

In a recent visit to the Tesla Giga Berlin-Brandenburg plant in Grünheide near Berlin, Germany, CEO Elon Musk dropped tantalizing hints about the facility’s potential role in the production of Tesla’s highly anticipated next-generation, affordable electric car. While Musk’s visit encompassed discussions on interior decor and accolades for the factory’s impressive work, it was his revelation that the upcoming €25,000 electric car (equivalent to $25,000 in the U.S.) would be manufactured in Berlin that has sparked excitement among Tesla enthusiasts. The Gigafactory Berlin News channel on Twitter/X, a reliable source for plant-related news, reported Musk’s announcement, which unfortunately remains unverified…

Nikola Corporation revealed significant progress in its transition to hydrogen-fuel cell trucks on Thursday, securing 277 non-binding orders despite a turbulent third quarter marked by battery fires that led to substantial losses. The company’s shares also saw an approximate 11% boost following the announcement. Nikola indicated that the demand for its hydrogen-fuel trucks has outpaced its manufacturing capacity for the current year. Consequently, customers placing orders now should expect delivery in the second quarter of the following year. The company anticipates delivering up to 50 vehicles in the present quarter. In a bid to recover from a challenging period, Nikola…

Xpeng revealed an impressive achievement in their October delivery figures. The company surpassed the 20,000 mark for the first time, recording a total of 20,002 vehicle deliveries. This substantial growth represents a remarkable 292.12 percent increase compared to the previous year and a notable 30.65 percent rise from September, marking the ninth consecutive month of increased deliveries. The robust performance of the Xpeng G6 SUV played a crucial role in the company’s October success. This model alone contributed 8,741 units in deliveries, establishing itself as the best-selling all-electric SUV in the RMB 200,000 ($27,320) to RMB 250,000 price segment, according…

Samsung SDI announced on Monday its groundbreaking agreement with Hyundai Motor , in which it will provide the automotive giant with electric vehicle (EV) batteries for a period of seven years, commencing in 2026. This remarkable accord marks the first-ever collaboration between Samsung and Hyundai in the realm of electric vehicle batteries, ushering in a new era of innovation and sustainability. In a statement released by Samsung SDI, the battery manufacturer, renowned for its contributions to industry titans such as General Motors, Stellantis, and BMW, revealed its commitment to supplying prismatic batteries manufactured at its state-of-the-art facility in Hungary. These…

VinFast, the Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, announced on Friday that it has entered into a share subscription agreement with U.S.-based investment fund Yorkville Advisors. The deal provides VinFast with the option to require Yorkville to subscribe for up to $1 billion worth of ordinary shares, according to a filing with the U.S. securities authority. David Mansfield, VinFast’s Chief Financial Executive, stated, “This new source of equity funding provides us with valuable optionality and access to capital to continue to expand our business globally. While we are under no obligation to draw on the full amount, the transaction aligns with…

Amazon disclosed that it now has 10,000 Rivian electric delivery vans operating in the United States and Europe. This significant expansion of its electric fleet is part of the company’s commitment to put at least 100,000 Rivian electric vans on the road by 2030. In a previous update in July, Amazon stated it had more than 5,000 of these vans in operation. “Our partnership with Rivian continues to accelerate. We have completed 260 million deliveries with Rivian electric vans,” said an Amazon spokesperson. “Our goal remains unchanged: 100,000 electric delivery vans by 2030.” The recent update follows Rivian’s own announcement…

Stellantis has unveiled an ambitious strategic initiative known as “Pro One,” aimed at expanding its commercial vehicle business. With an annual sales volume of 1.6 million commercial vehicles, accounting for one-third of its net revenues, Stellantis is eyeing substantial growth in this segment. To achieve this objective, Stellantis is making a substantial pivot towards electrification and introducing a range of new commercial vehicle models. In an exciting development, Stellantis’ European brands are set to reveal a “fully renewed van lineup” on October 23. These new vans will feature second-generation zero-emission powertrains, a unique hydrogen solution, comprehensive connectivity, and cutting-edge autonomous…

Chevrolet has released previously undisclosed power specifications for the AWD version of its all-electric Blazer EV, according to a report from Car and Driver citing a company spokesperson. The automaker had earlier revealed details solely for the high-performance SS model. The latest information comes as the RS AWD trim is set to be the first to hit dealer showrooms this summer. The lesser AWD trims will offer 288 horsepower (215 kW/292 PS) and 333 lb-ft (451 Nm) of torque, a noticeable downgrade from the top-tier SS model, which boasts 557 hp (415 kW/565 PS) and 648 lb-ft (878 Nm) of…