Author: Christopher Harrison

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…

German students from the TUfast Eco group have recently announced their latest electric vehicle, the Muc023, which they believe is highly efficient and will participate in the upcoming Shell Eco Marathon. This competition seeks to crown the winner as the vehicle with the least energy consumption. Compared to its predecessor, the Muc023 weighs 10 kilos less, coming in at 65 kg, and has a power output of 570 watts, a torque of 12.7 Nm, and a drag coefficient of 0.13. The weight reduction was achieved through adjustments to the body and new wheel suspensions, which are about 40% lighter than…

UK’s leading charging infrastructure providers have teamed up to form a new organization called ChargeUK. The aim of this collaboration is to invest more than £6 billion in developing and operating charging infrastructure in the UK by 2030, and to become the “voice of EV charging” in order to have a greater say in politics and negotiations. ChargeUK’s founding members are comprised of 18 companies, namely Be.EV, Believ, BP Pulse, Char.gy, ChargePoint, Connected Kerb, ESB, Evyve, Fastned, Genie Point, Gridserve, Ionity, Mer, Osprey, Pod Point, PoGo Charge, Raw Charging, and Shell Recharge. These companies have announced that they will build…

The city of Boulder, Colorado, has taken a bold step towards a more sustainable future by becoming the first in the US state to purchase an all-electric fire engine. The Rosenbauer RTX fire engine, equipped with a diesel range extender, is set to arrive in late 2024 or early 2025, with an estimated cost of $1.78 million. The move comes as part of Boulder’s ongoing commitment to tackling climate change and promoting eco-friendly solutions. City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde praised the purchase as “a tremendous step forward for our community and yet another example of Boulder’s leadership in addressing climate change.…

California-based electric aircraft start-up Joby Aviation has announced a long-term agreement with Toyota to supply powertrains and other components for its aircraft. This move marks a significant step towards the future of electric aviation, with Toyota investing close to $400 million in Joby Aviation in 2020 and becoming the company’s largest shareholder. See also: Tesla to Begin Model S and Model X Plaid Deliveries in China in H1 2023 Under the agreement, Toyota will manufacture Joby-developed parts on a contract basis and deliver them to Joby’s powertrain and electronics manufacturing facility in San Carlos, where they will be assembled into…