Author: Christopher Harrison

Toyota has finally launched its first electric car, the bZ4X, in Australia after an 18-month delay. Priced starting at $66,000 (plus on-road costs), Toyota aims to maintain its position as the best-selling car brand in the country, even as electric vehicle (EV) leaders like Tesla are gaining market share. The bZ4X electric SUV is available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) models. The base FWD model starts at $66,000 and offers a range of 332 miles (535 km) according to NEDC standards or 271 miles (436 km) according to WLTP standards. See also: Toyota Launches Enhanced Bozhi 4X,…

Li Auto is gearing up for the official launch of its first battery electric vehicle (BEV), the Li Mega (Multi-Purpose Vehicle), with CEO Li Xiang hinting at strong pre-order numbers and high expectations for its performance in the market. In a recent Weibo post, Li Xiang stated that pre-orders for the Li Mega, secured with a RMB 5,000 ($700) reservation fee, have surpassed those of the Li L9, the company’s previous model, during the same period in 2022. He expressed confidence that the Li Mega would be a “blockbuster product” and urged suppliers and partners to ensure an adequate supply…

In a strategic move to bolster its presence in the electric vehicle (EV) charging sector, Voltera Power has announced a substantial $150 million expansion plan for its commercial EV charging infrastructure. The expansion is set to double the number of managed charging depots operated by the company in 2024. Voltera Power has gained recognition for its innovative approach to managed charging depots, which it constructs, owns, and operates to serve local electric fleets. The company charges fleets for access to its chargers, providing maintenance and management services to ensure optimal performance and uptime. See also: Voltera Partners with Amerit to Offer…

Ford Motor Co is gearing up for a significant leap in its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, considering the adoption of an 800V fast charging system for its upcoming models to compete with rivals like Hyundai, Porsche, and Kia. The move comes as Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, acknowledged a “seismic change” in the EV market following the automaker’s Q4 earnings, attributing it to aggressive price cuts by EV makers like Tesla and increased competition in the two-row crossover segment, where Ford’s Mustang Mach-E dominates. See also: Ford’s NACS Connector for Tesla Superchargers in Final Testing Before Release Despite a 4.6% increase in…

Nissan Motor announced plans on Wednesday to launch a small-scale driverless ride service in Japan in approximately three years, aiming to offset the declining number of taxi drivers with autonomous technology. The automaker intends to introduce Level 4 autonomous driving services in three or four municipalities in Japan, including rural areas, by the financial year starting April 2027. See also: Nissan and UK Government Collaborate on Groundbreaking evolvAD Autonomous Driving Project To prepare for this initiative, Nissan will conduct a trial in Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city, using up to 20 remodelled Serena minivans over the next few years. https://youtu.be/ZyHPghrvYVw Other manufacturers,…

A European research project, DigiCell, has been launched to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of electric vehicle (EV) battery production by integrating digital processes and data-driven analysis. The 13-member DigiCell project, initiated this week in Vienna, Austria, aims to improve battery cell and battery pack manufacturing and testing processes using digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI). The project will not only focus on lithium-ion batteries (LiB) but also explore “innovative cell solutions beyond lithium,” according to project researchers. See also: Tozero and Huayou Recycling Forge Partnership for Battery Waste Management in Europe Dr. Nawfal Al-Zubaidi-R Smith, deputy coordinator of the…

VinFast has inked a dealer sales agreement with Bahwan Automobiles Trading LLC (BAT) for distributing electric vehicles in the Oman market, marking its initial foray into the Middle East and a substantial stride in its global expansion efforts. BAT is set to become the official dealer of VinFast in Oman, with plans to establish and operate 13 VinFast stores and service centers from 2024 to 2027. The first store is slated to open in mid-2024, with vehicle sales to follow shortly thereafter. VinFast will collaborate with BAT to sell four e-SUV models: VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF…

Morrow Batteries, a key player in the battery industry, is teaming up with Stena Recycling to tackle the growing issue of battery production waste. The two companies have joined forces with the goal of establishing a fully circular battery value chain, where recycled materials are reintegrated into battery cell production. The collaboration will kick off with Morrow’s battery factory in Arendal, Norway, which is set to start test production later this year. Stena Recycling will play a pivotal role by receiving and processing scrap from the production process at its facility in Halmstad, Sweden. This partnership is expected to span…

In the dynamic world of electric vehicles, the landscape is ever-changing. Newcomers like Rivian and Lucid, once focused on scaling up production, now face a different challenge: a decline in demand. As the adoption of EVs progresses slowly, these startups find themselves grappling with a shifting market. Last week, both American startups offered disappointing production outlooks. Rivian and Lucid don’t expect to produce significantly more vehicles in 2024 than they did last year, causing their share prices to tumble. However, they both attribute this slowdown not to their production capacity but to the challenge of finding customers. See also: Elon Musk…

Apple is winding down its team working on electric cars, known as the Special Projects Group, according to a report from Bloomberg. This move marks the end of Apple’s secretive effort to develop a car to compete with Tesla. The program, which employed thousands of employees, was seen as a divergence from Apple’s core business of electronics and online services. Reports of Apple’s interest in building a car first emerged in 2014 when the company began recruiting automotive engineers and other talent from the auto industry. Although Apple’s plans were kept under wraps, the company operated a program with autonomous…

BYD has solidified its position as the world’s second-largest EV battery maker, claiming a substantial 15.8% global market share in 2023. While BYD’s batteries have been predominantly utilized in electric cars and stationary storages, their application in electric motorcycles, e-bikes, and other two-wheelers has been limited. However, recent developments indicate a significant shift in this trend. The company announced today its plans to intensify its investment and research and development efforts to cater specifically to the two-wheeler battery market. FinDreams, BYD’s wholly-owned battery subsidiary, disclosed on its WeChat platform its commitment to producing safe and reliable batteries tailored for the…

Kia popular compact crossover SUV hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) model, the Niro, has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 1 million global sales since its debut in 2016, the company announced on Feb. 25. By the end of 2023, global cumulative sales were close to 998,000 units, with January’s domestic sales totaling 1,241 units and exports exceeding 10,000 units, bringing the total to 1,008,822 units. Over 80% of Niro sales have originated from overseas markets. See also: Kia Announces Pricing and Updates for 2024 Niro EV : Starting at $40,925 with Premium Wave Trim at $46K In South Korea, sales reached…