Author: Christopher Harrison

Tesla has recently introduced a new safety measure concerning the state-of-charge of its vehicles upon delivery. In adherence to an undisclosed industry policy, Tesla now ships some of its electric cars with a maximum charge level of 50%. This decision, believed to be in response to stricter regulations enforced after the Felicity Ace cargo ship fire, ensures safety during transportation. To compensate affected buyers, Tesla is providing them with 150 kilometers of free Supercharging credits. Although this change primarily affects vehicles transported by sea, it carries significant implications for Tesla’s expanding shipping operations from Gigafactory Shanghai in China. Tesla has…

Rolls-Royce, the renowned luxury car manufacturer, has announced its plans to commence manufacturing the highly anticipated Spectre electric coupé starting in September. With an expected average price exceeding half a million euros, the luxury electric vehicle has already generated unprecedented demand in the market. During the Spectre’s European debut at the prestigious Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza event in Italy, CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös revealed to Autocar that the extensive 2.5 million-kilometer development program for the Spectre is nearing completion. This milestone indicates that the company is now ready to transition into series production, which is set to begin in the autumn.…

In a major move that is set to redefine the electric vehicle (EV) market, the pioneering startup Faraday Future Intelligent Electric unveiled its highly anticipated limited edition FF 91 2.0 Futurist Alliance vehicle on Tuesday. With a price tag of $309,000, this exclusive model is bound to turn heads and captivate the imagination of EV enthusiasts worldwide. As a testament to its exclusivity, Faraday Future has restricted the production of the FF 91 2.0 Futurist Alliance to a mere 300 units, creating an air of desirability around this groundbreaking vehicle. To meet the overwhelming demand, the company has already begun…

In an exciting development for prospective electric vehicle (EV) buyers, the state of Colorado has enacted a groundbreaking bill that significantly enhances the tax credit available for EV purchases. Effective from July 1st, 2023, the new legislation more than doubles the existing tax credit, making it an impressive $5,000. This bold move by Colorado aims to make a wide range of EVs more affordable and within reach for potential buyers. Previously, Colorado offered a tax credit of up to $2,000 to new EV buyers. However, under the new legislation, the maximum tax credit amount has been increased to $5,000, as…

Cool Planet Group, an Irish company specializing in sustainable solutions, has secured a groundbreaking contract to convert approximately 8,500 diesel-powered mining trucks into electric vehicles (EVs) within the next three years. Valued at an estimated 50 million euros, the order comes from a prominent yet undisclosed “world-leading mining company,” according to reports from the Irish Times. Significant portions of the conversion process will take place at Cool Planet’s recently completed facility in Wicklow, Ireland, while another planned plant in Ireland and additional sites in Portugal will also contribute to the endeavor. The company’s CEO and founder, Norman Crowley, expressed his…

The federal government of Canada and the province of Quebec have jointly announced a substantial investment of approximately C$150 million each, totaling C$300 million, in the General Motors-POSCO Chemical battery materials facility. This strategic initiative is expected to create around 200 job opportunities within the country. The Canadian industry ministry revealed this news on Monday, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting the development of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. General Motors, a prominent U.S. carmaker, and South Korea’s POSCO had previously outlined their collaborative plan to construct the facility in Becancour, Quebec. The primary objective of this facility is to…

The Tesla Cybertruck has garnered significant attention and amassed an impressive number of pre-orders, surpassing 1.6 million according to reports. With such overwhelming interest, Tesla’s primary challenge lies in ensuring sufficient manufacturing capacity to meet the demand for its inaugural electric pickup truck. However, despite its considerable number of reservations, some industry experts, including Morgan Stanley, remain skeptical about the Cybertruck’s potential, viewing it as a niche product that will struggle to compete with mainstream pickup trucks. Elon Musk, the enigmatic CEO of Tesla, contradicted these doubters, stating earlier this month that he foresees annual sales of 250,000 to 500,000…

Mercedes-Benz has recently unveiled its latest electric SUV, the EQE, in China, aiming to tap into the expanding market for electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. Developed under the joint venture Beijing Benz, the EQE SUV is based on the EVA all-electric platform and marks the 12th model manufactured by the renowned German luxury carmaker in China. The EQE SUV is available in four different versions, each offering distinct features and starting at enticing prices. The base model begins at RMB 486,000 ($68,660), followed by the RMB 510,000 variant, the RMB 564,600 version, and the top-tier model priced at RMB…

SAIC, a prominent automotive company, is making strides in the development of solid-state batteries, as it aims to introduce its first series electric vehicle (EV) equipped with this new technology in China within the next two years. Local news outlets have reported on SAIC’s announcement made during an investor survey, revealing their plans to launch a solid-state battery model by 2025, although specific details remain undisclosed at this time. In pursuit of this innovative venture, SAIC had established a joint laboratory in collaboration with solid-state battery specialist ChingTao Energy last year. The initial objective of this partnership was to incorporate…

Renault’s chief executive, Luca De Meo, expressed his disapproval of the European Union’s (EU) proposed Euro 7 emissions rules for vehicles, stating that they would divert the auto industry’s focus from its electrification goals. He also extended gratitude to the Italian government for opposing these regulations. The EU countries and lawmakers are currently slated to negotiate the “Euro 7” legislation this year, aiming to impose stricter limits on vehicle emissions, including nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The proposed rules are intended to be applicable to cars and vans from July 2025 and buses and trucks from two years later. While…

In an exciting development, Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has achieved a significant milestone as the first customer dual-motor R1T truck, featuring Rivian’s internally designed Enduro drive unit, was successfully manufactured at their factory in Normal, IL. This marks a notable step forward for Rivian, which has been diligently working on developing its innovative “Enduro” drive unit, aimed at streamlining production processes and reducing costs. While Rivian currently procures motors for its quad-motor powertrains from an external supplier, the introduction of the in-house designed Enduro drivetrains is expected to yield substantial cost savings for the company. The production of these…

Vietnamese automaker VinFast is making significant strides in expanding its electric vehicle (EV) exports, with expectations to sell between 40,000 and 50,000 EVs this year—a notable increase compared to the approximately 7,400 units sold in 2022. To further bolster its product lineup, VinFast is preparing to introduce two new models, namely an electric pickup truck and an electric “mini car.” Notably, the mini car is anticipated to have a price range of $10,000 to $12,000. While technical specifications for these forthcoming models have not yet been disclosed, VinFast’s parent company, Vingroup, envisions its automotive unit achieving breakeven status as early…

Volvo Trucks and Chivas Brothers have teamed up to launch an innovative two-year pilot program that will showcase Scotland’s first electric semi-truck transporting the nation’s most prized export – Scotch whisky. Chivas Brothers, a prominent name in the Scotch whisky industry, will be at the forefront of this initiative, employing a Volvo FM Electric 6×2 tractor unit to pull a tri-axle box van trailer. This electric truck will operate at a gross vehicle weight of up to 44 tonnes, demonstrating its capabilities in the transportation of heavy loads. The Volvo FM Electric boasts three electrical motors, generating an impressive output…

During Monday’s Capital Markets Day, Ford provided an in-depth look at its upcoming second-generation electric vehicles (EVs), which include a new full-size pickup truck and a three-row SUV. These new models are expected to contribute significantly to Ford’s EV goals in the coming years. Remaining committed to its strategy of introducing EVs in segments where the brand has a strong presence, Ford converted some of its popular models into electric vehicles for the first generation. This included the successful Mustang Mach-E and the Ford F-150 Lightning, both of which have been well-received by consumers. Building on its renowned expertise in…

The Volvo Group has recently unveiled a safety application specifically designed for electric trucks, utilizing augmented reality (AR) technology. The purpose of this app is to provide crucial assistance to first responders during emergency situations. The freely available app can be downloaded on both Android and Apple devices, and its primary objective is to enable emergency personnel to swiftly gather vital information from electric trucks upon arrival at the scene. By employing a combination of connectivity, cameras, sensors, 3D modeling, and augmented reality overlays, the app offers first responders an intricate view of the vehicle, ensuring the implementation of safe…

Rolls-Royce, renowned for its meticulously crafted luxury motor cars, is experiencing longer delivery times for its first electric vehicle, the Spectre. The exceptional demand for the Spectre, previously reported in January, has surpassed the company’s anticipated timelines, according to CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. During a media scrum at the Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este in Lake Como, Italy, Müller-Ötvös revealed that ordering the Spectre today would result in a delivery timeframe extending into 2025. While Rolls-Royce typically aims for a 12 to 15-month turnaround, the CEO expressed his intention to minimize waiting periods for their esteemed clientele. “In the luxury segment, clients…

During Tesla’s highly anticipated 2023 Annual Shareholders Meeting, the audience was treated to an intriguing revelation, albeit one shrouded in mystery. Elon Musk, the enigmatic CEO of Tesla, tantalized the crowd with hints about two upcoming electric vehicles (EVs) that he believes have the potential to achieve a staggering sales figure of over 5 million units annually when combined. However, much to the audience’s dismay, Musk refrained from divulging specific details about these unnamed EVs, preferring to save the grand reveal for a dedicated product launch in the future. With a mischievous smile, Musk emphasized, “We are actually building a…

Researchers from the Fraunhofer IPA have successfully demonstrated that electric bike (e-bike) motors can be remanufactured to create a modern circular economy. The researchers worked with partners on the ‘AddRE-Mo’ project, which investigated the technical feasibility of remanufacturing e-bike motors and analyzed the ecological and economic potential of the process. The companies involved in the project included Cirp, Electric Bike Solutions, the sponsoring association Umwelttechnologie-Cluster Bayern, and the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, and Energy. The remanufacturing process involved non-destructive dismantling, cleaning, testing, remanufacturing or replacement with new parts, and reassembly. The researchers were able to produce a bike motor…

The Volkswagen Group has announced plans to dismiss almost the entire board of its software subsidiary Cariad, which has been facing numerous problems. The new head of Cariad will be Peter Bosch, who is currently the head of production at the Group’s subsidiary Bentley. Bosch is to be appointed to head Cariad by VW group CEO Oliver Blume as a reorganizer. He will replace Dirk Hilgenberg, who will vacate his position, as will Cariad’s head of technology Lynn Longo and chief financial officer Thomas Sedran. While it is not yet known whether Hilgenberg, Longo, and Sedran will leave the VW…

Since the unveiling of the all-electric Tesla Cybertruck over three years ago, the much-anticipated market launch of the revolutionary vehicle has been delayed on multiple occasions. However, after much anticipation and speculation, production of the Cybertruck is finally set to start soon. As an innovative car manufacturer, Tesla has always done things its own way. From the moment the Cybertruck was first unveiled, the company has provided few details about how the vehicle will change from concept to production. Nonetheless, there have been some developments in recent months, and a number of undisguised prototypes of the Cybertruck have been spotted…