Author: Christopher Harrison

Lucid Motors CEO Peter Rawlinson has revealed that his company is unlikely to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) as one of the first adopters. The primary reason behind this decision lies in the voltage compatibility issues between NACS chargers and Lucid’s electric vehicles (EVs). In a recent discussion with the Wall Street Journal, Rawlinson explained that Lucid’s EVs require 1,000-volt DC charging to support their high-voltage system. The company operates on a 900-volt architecture, necessitating a higher voltage for efficient fast charging. Fortunately, Lucid vehicles can make use of CCS1 chargers, which offer access to up to 900…

German automaker Smart has announced the launch of its latest electric vehicle, the Smart #1 Pulse. Set to debut on German roads in 2023, the #1 Pulse presents an enticing option for electric car enthusiasts. Interested buyers can now place their orders, with prices starting at 46,490 euros. The release in other European markets is expected to follow soon. One of the notable upgrades in the Smart #1 Pulse is the inclusion of an additional engine, which complements the existing 200 kW rear-wheel drive. This configuration brings the total power output to an impressive 315 kW, similar to the performance-oriented…

BTC Power, a major electric vehicle (EV) charger manufacturer, has announced its plan to incorporate Tesla’s charging standard into its products starting next year. This decision comes shortly after industry giants Ford and General Motors also embraced Tesla’s technology, causing ripples in the EV sector. BTC joins other notable charger makers, including ABB E-mobility North America, Tritium DCFC, and SK Signet, in adopting Tesla’s standard. The establishment of a nationwide EV charging network is crucial in alleviating concerns about driving range and enticing customers to switch from traditional combustion engine vehicles. BTC’s move not only reinforces Tesla’s drive to dominate…

Tritium, the renowned Australian fast charger manufacturer, has made a significant announcement regarding its support for Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging connector. The company has joined the growing list of advocates for integrating the NACS plug option into its DC fast chargers, a move initiated by Ford and General Motors earlier this month. Presently, Tritium offers its chargers with various plug options, including the Combined Charging System (CCS1), CCS2 (for Europe and Asia), and CHAdeMO. However, with its recent commitment, Tritium’s CEO, Jane Hunter, affirms that the NACS plug option will be made available in the United States…

Hyundai recently took the stage at its CEO Investor Day to provide an array of exciting updates regarding its electrification plans for the short and long term. The automaker aims to accelerate its transformation into a “smart mobility solution provider” by investing a staggering $84.9 billion (£66.6 / €77.8) over the next decade. Out of this massive investment, $27.8 billion (£21.8 / €25.5) will be specifically allocated towards electrification efforts, with the goal of selling two million electric vehicles (EVs) annually by 2030. Dubbed “Hyundai Motor Way,” this strategic plan revolves around electric vehicles as the company strives to establish…

Stellantis and Foxconn have officially announced the formation of a joint venture called SiliconAuto, aimed at developing cutting-edge semiconductors for next-generation electric vehicle (EV) platforms. This collaboration brings together Stellantis, a prominent automotive manufacturer, and Foxconn, a leading electronic component manufacturer, to address the growing demand for advanced semiconductor technology in the automotive industry. Stellantis has been making significant strides in the EV sector, despite initial skepticism surrounding its CEO Carlos Tavares. The company’s commitment to embracing electric mobility became evident when Uwe Hochschurtz, the head of Stellantis Europe, emphasized their transition to purely electric vehicles. Building on their success…

Xiaomi is expanding its electric scooter lineup in the European market with the introduction of the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Go. This new e-scooter was unveiled through an EU declaration of conformity, which revealed three different models: DDHBC32NEB, DDHBC30NEB, and DDHBC29NEB. While it remains unclear how these models differ from one another, a previous Bluetooth listing referred to the same kick scooter as the Xiaomi Electric Scooter Go. Product listings for the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Go have already surfaced on Batna24.com in Poland and eMAG in Hungary. According to these listings, the e-scooter boasts a 250W motor, enabling a…

In a significant development, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is scheduled to personally brief Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the company’s plans to establish a manufacturing base in India. According to a reliable source familiar with the matter, this high-level meeting will take place on Tuesday during Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the United States. The source, who requested anonymity due to the private nature of the discussions, confirmed that this meeting would be the first of its kind to discuss Tesla’s expansion plans in India. “Tesla has very strong plans for India, including looking at manufacturing,” the source…

Rimac, the manufacturer of all-electric hypercars, recently made headlines with its Nevera model breaking an impressive 23 acceleration and braking records in a single day. Now, the company has delivered two brand new Nevera models to two prominent hypercar collectors in the United States. The exclusive handover took place in Florida, facilitated by Rimac of Naples, and was celebrated during a private event attended by Mate Rimac, the company’s founder. The two vehicles made their public debut the following day at “The Event III,” a charitable supercar show. The occasion was hosted by the Triple F Collection, owned by Dave…

Tesla’s stock experienced a remarkable surge of over 4% today as automakers are increasingly interested in securing access to the renowned Supercharger network for their electric vehicle (EV) owners. This development signifies a domino effect initiated by the North American Charging Standard (NACS), gaining substantial momentum with Rivian’s recent decision to join the network. Consequently, Tesla’s connector is solidifying its position as the prevailing standard across North America, consequently bolstering the company’s stock performance. Despite already holding the esteemed status of the world’s most valuable automaker, Tesla’s stock has achieved a remarkable 50% increase in value over the past month…

SkyDrive, the Japanese electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) developer, has made a significant announcement during this year’s Paris Air Show. The company has reached a basic agreement with renowned Japanese manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corporation to collaborate on producing SkyDrive’s innovative SKYDRIVE aircraft. This partnership comes alongside an unveiling of a redesigned eVTOL that can now accommodate more passengers. Established in 2018 after four years of relentless efforts in prototyping and testing flying car concepts, SkyDrive gained recognition in the eVTOL community by successfully conducting a crewed test flight of its flagship aircraft in 2019. Since then, the company has…

Cyngn Inc., an AI-powered autonomous driving solutions developer, has recently achieved significant progress in the development of autonomous forklifts. Collaborating with BYD, a renowned Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicles, Cyngn has integrated its autonomous technology, DriveMod, into an electric BYD forklift to enhance its capabilities. One notable feature of this autonomous forklift is the Flexible Pallet Detection system, which utilizes proprietary AI and computer vision technology to identify and analyze pallet dimensions in real-time. This innovative feature enables the forklift to handle various pallet sizes, including standard, non-standard, and custom pallets. The primary objective of this solution is to address…

Vitesco Technologies, a powertrain supplier, has recently secured a significant deal with Rohm Semiconductor, worth over $1 billion, to obtain energy-efficient silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors. This long-term partnership between the two companies, which began in 2020, forms the foundation of the newly signed agreement. Under this deal, Vitesco Technologies’ inverters integrated with SiC chips from Rohm will be utilized in electric vehicle (EV) powertrains by two major car manufacturers. The company plans to commence the supply of the first series project as early as 2024, surpassing the initial timeline expectations set when the collaboration was announced. Vitesco CEO Andreas…

Hyundai Motor is considering aligning its vehicles with Tesla’s charging standard in North America, according to the CEO of the South Korean automaker, Jaehoon Chang. With Tesla’s Superchargers accounting for about 60% of available fast chargers in the United States, companies like Ford and General Motors have recently entered agreements with Tesla to utilize its charging technology, now known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS). Chang stated, “That’s what we will look into from the customer’s perspective,” during his remarks to analysts at the automaker’s investor day. He emphasized that Hyundai would evaluate the option of joining the coalition…

Tailwind, a company specializing in garage door controllers, has introduced a new app for Android Auto that allows drivers to control their garage doors directly from their vehicles. This development comes as Android Auto’s app store expands with a variety of services, offering users a wider range of functionalities. The Tailwind app, now available on the Play Store, enables users to control up to three garage doors and provides real-time information about their status. Operating the app is a straightforward process: users simply open the app and press a single button to either open or close their garage doors. Although…

The Tesla Model Y continues its impressive ascent in the automotive industry, solidifying its position as a top contender in the global market. Following its triumph as the world’s best-selling passenger car in the first quarter of 2023, the Model Y has maintained its exceptional sales growth in the United States. Data provided by Experian and reported by Automotive News reveals that Tesla’s flagship model experienced a staggering surge in registrations, reaching 127,541 in the first four months of 2023—double the figures from the previous year. Remarkably, the Model Y claimed the coveted spot as the second most popular vehicle…

ve, an electric aircraft manufacturer, and Blade Air Mobility have announced an expansion of their partnership to integrate Eve’s upcoming flying car into Blade’s European route network, beginning with France. This collaboration, revealed during the Paris Airshow, follows previous agreements between the two companies to utilize Eve’s electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) in India and the United States. Eve, which is owned by Brazilian planemaker Embraer, is slated to commence commercial operations of its vehicle by 2026. The latest memorandum of understanding between Eve and Blade will see Blade concentrating on developing practical applications for air mobility, including…

French energy company Engie Group has unveiled its new subsidiary, Engie Vianeo, which is dedicated to providing charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs). With a focus on decarbonizing mobility, Engie Vianeo plans to deploy 12,000 EV charge points across France by 2025. Starting this June, EV drivers in France will become acquainted with the Engie Vianeo brand as the company initiates the rollout of its services, beginning with an initial network of 1,000 charge points nationwide. These charge points are already operational and encompass over 800 locations on major motorway networks such as APRR, SANEF, Vinci Autoroutes, and ESSO (Certas…

In a notable development, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has recently filed a patent for a cutting-edge steer-by-wire system. This technology, previously reported on by Electrek, marks a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to incorporate steer-by-wire capabilities into their line of electric vehicles. The steer-by-wire system revolutionizes traditional steering mechanisms by replacing mechanical linkages with electrical or electromechanical systems. By relying solely on these innovative systems, Tesla aims to enhance efficiency, introduce improved steering configurations, and provide greater flexibility in designing the vehicle’s cockpit. However, it is worth noting that numerous markets currently mandate the inclusion of mechanical linkages…

Polestar, the renowned Swedish electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, announced on Monday its collaboration with Xingji Meizu to establish a joint venture. The purpose of this partnership is to develop an advanced operating system for Polestar cars sold exclusively in China, incorporating cutting-edge smart technologies within their vehicles. This joint venture underscores the Geely group’s ongoing efforts to tailor automobiles specifically for the Chinese market. Xingji Meizu, which is owned by Geely chairman Li Shufu, holds a significant stake in Polestar and exerts control as the largest shareholder of Volvo Cars, further solidifying the connections within the Geely family. See also:…