Author: Christopher Harrison

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has been named the Best Electric 5 Passenger SUV for Families in the 2024 Best Family Cars Awards by Parents, an online magazine. Auto industry experts with children were consulted to nominate and vote on this year’s top cars for families. The judging panel included Paul Watt, Auto Pacific’s Director of Industry Analysis, Kelly Stump, founder of The Car Mom, Tea Collier, founder of the Modern Family Driver, Christina Bradman, founder of Mobile Mama Reviews, Omar Rana, founder of Omar Drives, and Scotty Reiss, founder of Girls Guide to Cars. See also: Hyundai Unveils Upgraded 2024 Ioniq…

Saietta, the British electric vehicle (EV) drive manufacturer, is currently facing financial difficulties, having put itself up for sale in February without securing any buyers. The company now finds itself at a critical juncture, potentially facing closure. Due to the lack of buyer interest, Saietta has officially entered Administration, with Lucy Winterborne and Dan Hurd appointed to oversee the process. Saietta was previously recognized for its lightweight axial flux traction motors designed for small electric vehicles like trikes and motorbikes. The company garnered attention approximately a year ago when the US low-speed electric vehicle manufacturer Ayro placed a significant order…

Xiaomi, the renowned smartphone manufacturer, asserts its readiness for an imminent price war in China’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape, ahead of the anticipated debut of its maiden EV model, the SU7, slated to hit the market on March 28. The company, buoyed by its successful foray into smartphones, is primed to tackle the competitive EV industry, affirming its strategic preparedness across all fronts, as reported by the Securities Times today. Xiaomi’s announcement of the official launch date for the SU7 electric sedan came earlier today, marking a significant milestone since its unveiling on December 28. However, the pricing details are…

Li Auto has initiated the delivery process for its inaugural battery electric vehicle (BEV) model, the Li Mega MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle), alongside an ambitious expansion of its supercharging station network aimed at enhancing the model’s appeal. The company’s social media channels announced the official commencement of Li Mega deliveries. Li Auto has been actively engaging with user feedback since the Li Mega’s launch on March 1, utilizing comments to drive further improvements, according to the company. In response to user input, Li Auto is rolling out an upgrade program that includes a significant expansion of supercharging stations and a five-year…

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…