Author: David Smith

A coalition of major automakers, including General Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen, has called on President-elect Donald Trump to preserve federal tax credits for electric vehicle (EV) purchases and promote the rollout of self-driving car technologies. The automakers raised their concerns in a letter dated Nov. 12, according to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents the group. The alliance emphasized the importance of the $7,500 tax credit for EV buyers, noting its role in fostering consumer adoption of electric cars amid stiff competition from subsidized Chinese manufacturers. “Automakers face unfair competition from heavily subsidized electric vehicles and technologies exported from…

Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp are recalling more than 208,000 electrified vehicles in the United States due to concerns over potential loss of drive power, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday. The recall affects 145,235 Hyundai vehicles and 62,872 Kia vehicles, including popular models such as the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Genesis GV60, Genesis GV70 Electrified, Genesis G80 Electrified, and Kia EV6. The issue stems from the integrated charging control unit, which may become damaged and stop charging the battery, resulting in a loss of drive power. “A loss of drive power may increase the risk…

Tide Buss, a public transport operator in Hammerfest, Norway, is gearing up for a second winter season with nine Volvo 7900 Electric buses following a successful first year navigating the challenges of Arctic conditions. The buses, which operate at 70 degrees north, are part of an environmentally focused initiative led by the Finnmark county authority. “All in all, we’ve been very happy with Volvo’s electric buses. We’ve only had one stoppage where the bus ran out of power, but that was due to a failure in our own routines,” said Trond Inge Hausmann, Operations Manager at Tide Buss. “We’ve also…

Lectric Ebikes, a Phoenix-based electric bicycle manufacturer, has unveiled its latest model, the XPeak 2.0, an off-road e-bike that combines high-end features with an affordable price tag of $1,399. The latest addition to Lectric’s lineup, which has gained popularity for its value-driven e-bikes, also comes with a launch promotion offering over $300 in free accessories. The XPeak 2.0 brings several improvements over the first-generation model, including a new torque sensor for a more responsive pedal assist system, as well as enhanced components such as the RST Renegade front suspension fork. Lectric’s co-founder and CEO, Levi Conlow, commented, “With the RST…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer, is in discussions to establish battery recycling operations in Europe, Bloomberg reported. The Chinese power battery giant is exploring potential factory sites with several European governments, including Hungary, Jason Chen, CATL’s regional operations chief, stated in an interview. This initiative aligns with CATL’s strategy to mitigate environmental concerns associated with battery production and disposal. In addition to leveraging its subsidiary, Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., the company is considering partnerships with European firms to bolster its recycling capabilities. The move underscores CATL’s commitment to sustainability as it navigates the…

Stellantis, one of the top three automakers in the United States, is poised to adjust its strategy to align with potential policy changes under a Trump administration, Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said on Monday. President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is reportedly considering eliminating the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicle (EV) purchases as part of broader tax reforms, according to sources familiar with the matter. The proposed move could significantly impact the pace of EV adoption in the U.S., where the industry is already facing challenges. Speaking at a Stellantis plant in western France, Tavares emphasized the company’s readiness…

Tesla’s stock surged 7%, equating to a $70 billion increase in market value, amid optimism that Donald Trump’s incoming administration could create a federal framework for self-driving vehicles. The move would potentially ease regulatory hurdles for Tesla’s autonomous driving technology, which remains under development. Currently, self-driving regulations are governed at the state level, leading to a patchwork of rules. Reports from Bloomberg suggest that members of Trump’s transition team are prioritizing a unified federal approach for autonomous vehicles through the Department of Transportation. This aligns with comments made by Tesla CEO Elon Musk during a recent earnings call, where he…

LG Energy Solution has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bear Robotics, a mobility technology company based in Silicon Valley, to become the exclusive supplier of cylindrical battery cells (2170) for the company’s autonomous robots. Under the agreement, LG will supply batteries for Bear Robotics’ products, including the Servi Plus and Carti 100 models, starting next year. The partnership also includes collaboration on future technological developments. Bear Robotics, established in 2017, is known for its AI-powered robotics, including autonomous serving robots, and operates in 20 countries. The company focuses on automation for public and industrial spaces. The agreement highlights…

Yangwang, the premium sub-brand of Chinese automaker BYD, has commenced pre-sales for its U7 sedan at the 2024 Guangzhou auto show. The U7, which is the third model from Yangwang, is available in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) versions. Customers can reserve the vehicle for a payment of 20,000 yuan ($2,770), though the company has not yet disclosed the pre-sale pricing. The Yangwang U7 was first unveiled at the 2024 Beijing auto show in April, where the brand indicated that the flagship sedan would be priced in the RMB 1 million range. While Yangwang…

DHL Korea has joined forces with Kia to enhance its logistics operations using Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) solutions. The partnership will see Kia deliver medium- and large-sized PBVs to DHL, starting with the medium-sized PV5 in 2026 and the larger PV7 in 2027, marking a step forward in electrifying DHL’s delivery fleet. Under the agreement, Kia will customize PBV models to meet the specific needs of DHL’s logistics operations. The collaboration aligns with Kia’s broader strategy to penetrate the light commercial vehicle market by providing modular, electric, and connected vehicles designed for diverse applications. Beyond vehicles, Kia plans to…

Jakarta’s public transport operator PT Bianglala Metropolitan (PT BMP) has secured a significant contract with Chinese manufacturer Golden Dragon, placing an order for 90 electric buses. This marks the largest electric bus purchase in Indonesia to date, following the delivery of 22 electric buses last year. The new buses, which are 12-metre high-floor units, will be deployed along Jakarta’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes. The high-floor electric buses are designed to withstand Jakarta’s high temperatures, humidity, and corrosive conditions, with the vehicles powered by high-density batteries from CATL. Golden Dragon’s innovative wheel end design also contributes to lowering maintenance costs.…

A survey conducted by EPSI among electric vehicle drivers in Norway reveals that Tesla’s Supercharger network remains the country’s most popular charging option, despite a general decline in satisfaction with Norwegian charging providers. The survey, as reported by elbil24, shows that Tesla Superchargers scored 77.6 points out of 100, placing them well above other networks, including the second-ranking newcomer Uno-X, which scored 69.6 points. Norwegian EV drivers’ satisfaction with charging providers overall has seen a steady decline in recent years, falling from 70.1 points in 2021 to 67.3 in 2023, and now to 64.7 in 2024. While Tesla Superchargers maintained…

Electric vehicle (EV) sales have grown to account for 22.2% of all new vehicle registrations in California during the first nine months of 2024, according to the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA). The latest figures highlight California’s continued leadership in EV adoption, showing an increase from the 21.5% market share for EVs in 2023 and nearly double the 9.1% seen in 2021. The state’s new light-vehicle market saw 1,320,708 registrations through September, with a projected year-end total of 1.75 million—a slight dip from last year’s 1.77 million. Among these, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 293,109 registrations. “California continues…

Tesla has achieved a “Vehicle Privacy Protection” certification in China, recognizing the automaker’s compliance with the country’s rigorous automotive data security standards, as announced by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team/Coordination Center of China. The certification confirms that Tesla’s vehicles manufactured at Gigafactory Shanghai adhere to China’s standards for data privacy, which industry experts note are among the strictest globally. $TSLA Model 3/Y pic.twitter.com/yhRdtWV1ss — Tsla Chan (@Tslachan) November 8, 2024 Tesla China’s data privacy practices include the anonymization of external facial information and a default setting that disables data collection…

Mercedes-Benz is set to launch a new electric version of its entry-level CLA model, promising to lead the market in range, charging speed, and efficiency with cutting-edge technology adapted from the automaker’s Vision EQXX concept, CEO Ola Källenius announced at a recent test event in Immendingen. The CLA EV, the first in a new line of entry-level electric models, will be officially unveiled next year, with deliveries beginning in 2026. “This new CLA EV represents a significant evolution for Mercedes-Benz,” Källenius said, describing the model as a blend of sportiness and advanced functionality aimed at setting new standards for electric…

Tesla has quietly introduced a modest range increase for some Model Y and Model 3 configurations, marking a slight but notable improvement for drivers seeking more mileage per charge. The Model Y Long Range Dual Motor variant, Tesla’s best-seller, has seen its range rise from 308 to 311 miles, a 1% increase. Although incremental, this change may signal underlying modifications, as Tesla is known for implementing adjustments throughout the year, rather than waiting for new model releases. It remains unclear whether this range increase results from enhanced battery efficiency, improvements in energy management, or adjustments in the Environmental Protection Agency…

Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) has launched its first electric Freightliner eCascadia as part of its logistics operations, contributing to efforts aimed at decarbonizing transportation. The electric truck will operate from the Detroit Diesel Corporation (Detroit) facility in Redford, Michigan. The Freightliner eCascadia will facilitate logistics between an offsite warehouse in Detroit and the production facility, with operations managed by Load One LLC, a DTNA partner since 2018. The truck is designed to have a range of 220 miles and will be charged at the Detroit Logistics Center. “Detroit’s operation is focused on driving efficiency in today’s market while…

German electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Quantron AG filed for insolvency on October 29, with the Augsburg Local Court opening provisional proceedings as the company faces growing financial difficulties. The court appointed lawyer Constantin Salm-Hoogstraeten as the provisional insolvency administrator, who will now oversee the safeguarding of Quantron’s assets. During this period, Quantron’s management, led by CEO Andreas Haller, CFO Beate Reimann, and Head of Technology Rene-Christopher Wollmann, is restricted in its financial dealings without approval from the administrator. The financial challenges at Quantron have reportedly escalated over recent months. Various local media outlets highlighted the company’s struggle to meet payroll…

Hyundai’s N division has introduced the RN24 concept, a high-performance electric vehicle (EV) that stands out in a market dominated by tech-heavy SUVs and lifestyle-focused pickups. Built on the Ioniq 5 N’s E-GMP platform, the RN24 emphasizes driving performance over traditional EV features, appealing to those who prioritize a raw, track-focused experience. The RN24 concept is powered by the PE system found in Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N, aiming to bring the excitement of rally driving to an electric platform. While not designed for everyday use, the RN24 embodies Hyundai N’s commitment to advancing motorsport-inspired EV technology. “RN24 exemplifies Hyundai N’s…

Tesla announced today that it remains committed to producing and launching “more affordable models” in the first half of 2025, although it did not provide any new details regarding the timeline or specifications for these vehicles. For several years, the automaker has teased the prospect of more budget-friendly options, notably a vehicle referred to by many as the “Model 2,” priced around $25,000. The current entry-level model, the Tesla Model 3, is considered reasonably priced, yet anticipation has been building for a significantly cheaper alternative. Tesla had previously suggested that a revolutionary “unboxed” manufacturing method would facilitate lower production costs…