Author: Christopher Harrison

In a notable shift, the percentage of electric vehicles (EVs) among new vehicle sales in the United States has risen to 7.2% during the first seven months of 2023, marking a substantial increase from the 4.9% recorded during the same period last year, according to data from Experian. The surge in EV adoption saw 655,986 new EV registrations this year, while total new light-vehicle registrations reached approximately 9.1 million. Tesla continues to be the undisputed leader in the U.S. EV market, commanding an impressive 59.5% share with a total of 390,377 new registrations. Notably, the Tesla Model Y proved exceptionally…

Renault Trucks has unveiled its forthcoming electric vehicle, the E-Tech Trafic. This eco-friendly iteration of the popular Renault Trafic van is scheduled to make its debut in eight European markets, including France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. While the company has confirmed the imminent release, details regarding pricing and a synchronized market launch have yet to be disclosed. The electric variant of the Renault Trafic, known as the Trafic E-Tech Electric, was initially introduced approximately one year ago. Built upon the third-generation Trafic platform, which has been in circulation since 2014, the electric model…

Chinese electric car manufacturer WM Motor, facing financial challenges, appears to be on the brink of changing ownership. Kaixin Auto, a Chinese car trading group, has formally announced its intention to acquire a 100% stake in WM Motor from its current shareholders, with the transaction involving the issuance of new shares. While specific details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, Kaixin Auto highlights WM Motor’s recent strides in overseas expansion as a pivotal factor. WM Motor’s recent endeavors have included “various cooperation projects in the European Union, the Middle East, ASEAN, North America, and other regions,” according to Kaixin Auto’s brief…

BYD  has unveiled its latest addition to the Colombian electric vehicle (EV) market, the Seal battery electric vehicle (BEV). This marks the second Ocean series model introduced by BYD in Colombia, following the launch of the Dolphin in December 2022. The Seal, built on BYD’s advanced e-Platform 3.0, stands out as the company’s pioneer model utilizing CTB (cell to body) technology, offering an impressive WLTC range of 520 kilometers. Beyond range, the Seal boasts the iTAC intelligent torque control system, delivering enhanced handling capabilities and a swift acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. BYD’s strategic partnership…

Tesla is set to receive approximately €148.7 million ($150 million) in funding from the European Union (EU) to establish and upgrade 7,198 charging stations, each boasting a formidable output of 250 kilowatts. This ambitious initiative will span 687 locations across 22 European countries, according to an announcement by the European Commission. Tesla’s success in securing this funding is part of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) call for proposals, which selected 26 projects, collectively garnering EU grant support exceeding €352 million ($377 million). Remarkably, Tesla, the American electric vehicle (EV) giant, clinched approval for two projects, one submitted by Tesla…

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi is gearing up to unveil its long-awaited electric vehicle (EV), codenamed MS11, which has generated significant anticipation in the automotive industry. Reports suggest that the company is on track to introduce the EV before the end of this year, coinciding with the launch of its next flagship smartphone. Xiaomi, known as one of China’s leading technology conglomerates, revealed its ambitious plans for an EV approximately two years ago. Remarkably, the company has expedited the design and development of the vehicle, with leaked images surfacing as early as January. However, it wasn’t until last month that Xiaomi…

In a notable update to its popular Model 3, Tesla has introduced blind-spot indicators, a feature commonly found in more affordable vehicles. The blind-spot indicators, which are typically integrated into the side mirrors of most cars, have taken an unconventional position in the facelifted Model 3, residing within the upper speaker grille on the driver’s door. While the placement of these indicators may appear unorthodox, it offers a convenient location for drivers, promising ease of use and enhanced safety on the road. See also: Tesla officially Introduces Updated Model 3 Facelift, Highlighting Design Tweaks and Enhanced Range This marks the…

United States Department of Energy has unveiled a funding initiative, PROPEL-1K (Pioneering Railroad, Oceanic and Plane Electrification-1K), offering up to $30 million in support. This program seeks to stimulate research and development efforts focused on innovative energy storage solutions that can surpass current state-of-the-art options by achieving a remarkable >4x improvement in performance. The technical scope of the PROPEL-1K program encompasses electrochemical and chemical innovations that eliminate the need for hydrocarbon-based fuels, whether they are fossil-derived or synthetic. The primary objective is to attain energy storage system (ESS) solutions that can deliver 1000 Watt-hour per kilogram (Wh/kg) and 1000 Watt-hour…

Tesla is celebrating a remarkable achievement at its Giga Shanghai plant, also known as Gigafactory 3, located in China. The facility, which primarily produces the popular Model 3 and Model Y, has reached a significant milestone by rolling out its two millionth electric car. Giga Shanghai commenced operations in late 2019, a feat achieved in record time following the commencement of construction on January 7, 2019. Initially, the facility focused solely on the production of the Model 3. However, in late 2020 and early 2021, production and sales of the Model Y commenced at the plant. According to Tesla, it…

Electric scooter rental services in the City of Light have been officially banned, leading three major operators, Lime, Dott, and Tier, to withdraw their scooters from the Parisian streets. This decision comes after a prolonged period of mounting concerns related to safety, intoxicated riding, and parking issues associated with electric scooters. Operating licenses were initially granted to the three companies in 2020, but the surge in complaints prompted the local government to take action. City Mayor Anne Hidalgo decided to put the fate of electric scooter rentals in the hands of Parisians, who voted overwhelmingly in favor of the ban,…

In a bid to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and bolster its electric mobility infrastructure, Japan’s government has unveiled ambitious plans to double its current EV charger installation target. The new goal is set at 300,000 charging stations by the year 2030, a significant increase from the current tally of approximately 30,000 publicly accessible EV chargers across the country. The move comes as part of Japan’s broader efforts to promote sustainable transportation and reduce carbon emissions. The country’s Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has presented draft guidelines to an expert panel outlining the strategy for achieving this substantial…

In a bid to harness cutting-edge technology for its upcoming electric vehicles, Mahindra, the renowned German auto giant, is exploring a partnership with Volkswagen Group to leverage components from the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) platform. The MEB, known for its open vehicle architecture for electric vehicles (EVs), has also piqued the interest of other manufacturers, including Skoda, as they seek to electrify their lineups. Volkswagen Group confirmed that it is currently engaged in advanced discussions with Mahindra regarding the potential collaboration. The central focus of this partnership is to drive down the cost of batteries, a critical factor in…