Author: Christopher Harrison

The cost of repairing new cars has been steadily climbing as a result of increased complexity, the introduction of new components, and a shift towards non-repairable energy-dissipating elements. Consequently, if you find yourself in a fender bender with a new car, you can expect to pay more than ever before to restore it to its original condition. Recent data reveals that the average repair costs have risen by 36 percent since 2018, leading to a noticeable impact on insurance premiums. Insurance rates have surged by 17 percent in the past 12 months through May, according to Mitchell, a company that…

In an exciting development, Tesla has made a significant price reduction on the seven-seat option for its popular Model Y all-electric crossover. The company’s official website now reflects a reduced price of $2,500 for this option, marking a $500 decrease. However, potential buyers can enjoy even greater savings and an additional perk by utilizing a referral link, as highlighted by automotive enthusiast Sawyer Merritt in a recent tweet. The revised referral program, currently active in the United States, introduces compelling benefits for new buyers of the Model 3 or Model Y. Those who utilize a referral code or referral link…

Since their debut in North America back in 2018, Rivian’s highly anticipated all-electric pickup truck, the R1T, and its SUV counterpart, the R1S, have left European customers eagerly awaiting their arrival on the Old Continent. Some American R1T owners who relocated to Europe went to great lengths to ship their electric trucks overseas, but this option is not accessible to everyone due to the initial purchase requirement in the United States. However, during a recent interview with Bloomberg TV, RJ Scaringe, the founder and CEO of Rivian, revealed that the company has now established an operational base in Europe, complete…

Volkswagen, once a dominant force in China’s auto industry, has experienced a decline in market share as electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers like BYD, NIO, and Tesla steal the limelight. In a bid to attract buyers and regain its position, VW has decided to significantly reduce the price of its compact electric car, the ID.3. For a limited period, VW will offer the ID.3 at an unprecedentedly low price, starting from as little as 125,900 yuan (approximately $17,500). Introduced in July 2020, the ID.3 was Volkswagen’s first model from its all-electric “ID” lineup, which now includes the ID.4, ID.5, ID.6 (exclusive…

Panasonic, a leading technology company, has announced its ambitious goal of building four additional electric vehicle (EV) battery factories across the globe by 2031. This move is part of the company’s strategy to expand its battery production and procurement capacity in response to growing demand for electric vehicles. In the fiscal year ending March 2031, Panasonic aims to enhance its global battery production and procurement capacity to an impressive 200 gigawatt-hours. This represents a substantial increase from the 50 GWh produced in the previous fiscal year. Notably, the company also plans to enhance the energy density of its lithium-ion batteries,…

The state of Michigan is spearheading the development of a groundbreaking Mobility Charging Hub, an innovative program designed to address the growing demand for charging stations for commercial electric vehicles. Collaborating with Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) and DTE Energy, Michigan aims to revolutionize the charging infrastructure. Situated at Daimler Truck North America’s expansive 130-acre Redford facility near the Canadian border, the Mobility Charging Hub will serve as a “real-world prototype” location. The facility already boasts ample power capacity to accommodate charging solutions. Michigan, renowned as the global automotive capital, witnesses over 10,000 medium and heavy-duty commercial trucks crossing state…

Chinese automaker BYD is set to establish three production facilities on a former Ford industrial site located in Brazil’s Camaçari industrial park. The ambitious project will involve the construction of a plant for electric and hybrid cars, another for electric bus and truck chassis, and a third facility dedicated to processing lithium and iron phosphate for global distribution. To transform the site into a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub, BYD is prepared to allocate up to three billion Brazilian reals, equivalent to around 570 million euros. This announcement follows signals from the Brazilian government indicating its intention to provide subsidies to BYD…

Stellantis, the world’s fourth largest carmaker by sales, unveiled its latest vehicle platform, ‘STLA Medium,’ signaling a shift towards electric-centric models. This platform is the first of four upcoming bases that will underpin all future vehicles produced by the company. Following the merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA at the start of 2021, Stellantis sold approximately 6 million vehicles last year. With a vision for the future, the company plans to transition all its forthcoming products onto four new Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platforms, namely STLA Small, Medium, Large, and Frame. The rollout commences this year with STLA…

In a surprising turn of events, Nikola, the alternative-fuel truck manufacturer, has revealed its plans to liquidate the assets of battery manufacturer Romeo Power. This decision comes just 11 months after Nikola acquired Romeo Power for $144 million in stock, aiming to bolster its own battery pack production capabilities. Back when the deal was struck, Romeo Power was one of Nikola’s trusted battery suppliers, alongside LG Energy Solution and Proterra. The acquisition was expected to pave the way for Nikola to manufacture its own battery packs by 2024. However, in an unexpected twist, Nikola has chosen to discontinue its operations…

E-commerce giant Amazon has announced the deployment of its Rivian-manufactured Electric Delivery Vehicles (EDVs) in Europe, starting with its German subsidiary. The first batch of over 300 Amazon EDVs will be operational in Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Munich in the coming weeks. These new electric vans will supplement the existing fleet of 1,000 electric vehicles from various brands already in use by the company in Germany. Neil Emery, Director Global Fleet & Product at Amazon, highlighted the collaborative effort between Amazon and Rivian in developing a cutting-edge electric vehicle tailored specifically for delivery purposes. Emery stated that the vehicle prioritizes driver…

BYD, a leading Chinese manufacturer of new energy vehicles (NEVs), continues to make impressive strides in the industry as it reports another record-breaking sales performance. Data released today reveals that BYD sold a total of 253,046 NEVs in June, marking an 88.79% increase from the 134,036 units sold during the same period last year and a 5.34% growth compared to the previous month’s figure of 240,220 units. This remarkable achievement is a testament to BYD’s strategic decision to discontinue the production and sale of internal combustion engine vehicles in March of last year. The company swiftly redirected its focus towards…

Electric motorcycles have gained significant popularity in recent years, not only as practical scooters and commuters but also in off-road applications. Electric dirt bikes, including enduros, trail bikes, and motocrossers, have become increasingly sought-after due to their ability to address one of the biggest issues in powersports: noise pollution. Thanks to rapid advancements in electric motor and battery technology, manufacturers have been able to achieve remarkable levels of performance from electric motors. A prime example of this progress is the Pohlbock eBock2, an electric off-road platform that showcases extraordinary capabilities. Developed from the ground up by German enthusiasts Romano Pohl…