Author: David Smith

Waymo has officially launched its full self-driving taxi service to the public in Los Angeles. The company’s announcement, confirmed in a blog post, marks the commencement of operations on March 14, following approval from the California Public Utilities Commission earlier this month. The service will cover a 63-square mile area of the city, extending from Santa Monica to Downtown and including neighborhoods like Century City, Westwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Koreatown. Initial rides will be free, with Waymo planning to transition to a paid model in the near future. Waymo has already garnered significant interest, with over 50,000 people…

Rivian has followed in Ford’s footsteps by adopting Tesla’s NACS plug, marking a significant step in standardizing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This move has paved the way for other major EV manufacturers to follow suit. Rivian has become the second automaker, after Ford, to offer its customers access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. Notably, Supercharger locations are now integrated into the Rivian app and navigation system, simplifying trip planning with charging stops at these stations. Tesla opened its Superchargers to third-party EVs in North America in early 2023, using a special adapter called Magic Dock on selected chargers. Initially, Rivian…

Stockholm’s public transport company, SL, is set to significantly expand its electric bus fleet, signaling a major commitment to sustainable urban mobility in the Swedish capital and its surrounding areas. SL has announced plans to launch three tenders for a total of 380 new electric buses, which are scheduled to enter service from 2026 onwards. This ambitious initiative aims to transition all public transport buses in Stockholm and several neighboring municipalities to electric vehicles within the next few years. Currently, there are only 29 electric buses operating in the SL area. According to bussmagasinet.se, approximately one-third of SL’s fleet will…

JAC Motors and Volkswagen China are gearing up for a significant capital increase in their joint venture, Volkswagen Anhui, with plans to invest approximately 826 million euros over the next two years. Currently, Volkswagen holds a 75 percent stake in Volkswagen Anhui, while JAC Motors holds the remaining 25 percent. This ownership structure will remain unchanged after the capital increase, with both companies investing at the same ratio. Volkswagen is set to invest 4.875 billion yuan, while JAC will invest 1.625 billion yuan, totaling 6.5 billion yuan or approximately 826 million euros. According to reports from Gasgoo, citing official statements…

During its annual figures presentation, Skoda provided a glimpse of its upcoming entry-level electric SUV priced at 25,000 euros. Named the Epiq, this Skoda variant of the VW ID.2 X is set to redefine the current Skoda design language. Scheduled for a 2025 debut, the Epiq’s design study measures 4.10 metres in length, promising a spacious interior and up to 490 litres of luggage capacity. While technical specifications are still under wraps, Skoda hints at a range exceeding 400 kilometres, along with front-wheel drive borrowed from the VW ID.2. See also: Skoda Auto Achieves Production Milestone with 200,000 Enyaq Electric Models…

Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk announced plans to bring the company’s electric semi truck, the Tesla Semi, to production at Gigafactory Berlin, but emphasized the importance of starting volume production in the US first. Musk made the announcement during the reopening of Gigafactory Berlin after it had to shut down for just over a week following an arson attack that crippled its power supply. The factory is currently producing only the Model Y. “I think it makes sense to produce the Tesla Semi in Europe in Gigafactory Berlin,” Musk said, according to local German media reports. However, Musk did not…

Waymo has announced the official launch of its fully autonomous ride-hailing services for the general public in Los Angeles, starting from March 14th. The company also revealed plans to expand its services to Austin, Texas, later this year. After conducting testing of its Level 4 autonomous ride-hailing service in Los Angeles since late 2022, Waymo is now ready to offer its services to the public. Level 4 autonomy means that the vehicle can operate without human input but is limited to specific conditions, such as a predefined service area. Waymo has spent recent months conducting its “Waymo Tour,” offering free…

Hyundai and Kia are set to recall approximately 170,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in Korea, marking the largest recall for the automakers since their EVs were launched. The recall is related to a software problem affecting Hyundai’s IONIQ, Genesis, and Kia EVs, with an ongoing investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States. The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced the recall on Thursday, citing defects in twelve models from Hyundai, Kia, Stellantis Korea, and Tesla Korea. The majority of the recall impacts Hyundai and Kia vehicles, with around 113,916 Hyundai models affected,…

Polestar has announced the introduction of two additional variants of the 2025 Polestar 3 SUV just before its first deliveries in the US later this year. The new variants include a base-level dual motor version starting at a price of $73,400, offering customers more choices in the Polestar 3 lineup. This move comes as Polestar prepares to expand its presence in the competitive electric vehicle market. The 3 from Polestar is the third model from the Geely-owned automaker and its second fully-electric option, following the success of the Polestar 2 sedan. Launched in October 2022, the Polestar 3 is the…

Tesla has launched a webpage allowing TSLA shareholders to register for early Cybertruck delivery, providing insight into the progress of Cybertruck deliveries. Since November last year, Tesla has been delivering Cybertrucks, starting with the limited-edition “Foundation series” that comes with a $20k premium for early delivery and slight trim differences. Most confirmed Cybertruck orders have been for the Foundation Series, according to the Cybertruck Owner’s Club. See also: Tesla Cybertruck Achieves Record Charging Speed with NxuOne Charger Now, Tesla is offering another way for reservation holders to expedite their delivery or enhance the exclusivity of the model. Shareholders can register for…

BYD has initiated a new wave of model updates, signaling a strong offensive against traditional fuel vehicle models. This move is just the beginning of BYD’s ambitious plans, according to sources familiar with the matter cited in a report by 36kr. At a recent internal meeting, BYD’s core management team revealed plans for a “liberation battle” over the next three years, mobilizing technology and industry chain strengths. The company will focus on updating its DM (Dual Mode) hybrid system and its all-electric e-Platform, the report stated. See also: BYD Considers Building Electric Vehicle Plant in Mexico’s Jalisco State Data compiled by…

Volkswagen, a major player in the electric vehicle market, has decided to halt the production of its ID.3 model at the main plant in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, citing persistently low demand. The ID.3, which was set to begin assembly at the main plant this summer, will now be exclusively produced in Saxony. A Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed this development on Friday, stating, “The ID.3 assembly, planned for the main plant, has been canceled.” This decision aligns with the company’s strategy to consolidate production at its Zwickau facility and make efficient use of its fully equipped site. Christian Vollmer, Member of the…

US logistics company IMC has placed an order for 50 fuel cell trucks from Nikola, with the first ten units already delivered. This procurement is part of a strategic agreement signed at the beginning of 2023 between the two companies. IMC Logistics, the largest provider of sea freight transport in the US, has been electrifying its fleet, adding battery-powered trucks from Volvo Trucks. However, the exact number of battery-powered trucks added by the company has not been disclosed. See also: Nikola Taps Former GM, Amazon Executive Thomas Okray as CFO IMC’s move towards hydrogen trucks marks a significant step in its…

Leap24, a Dutch provider of EV charging infrastructure, has announced a strategic partnership with Shurgard Self-Storage to deploy fast chargers at approximately 70 Shurgard locations across the UK and the Netherlands. This collaboration aims to enhance accessibility to fast-charging infrastructure for electric vehicle owners, supporting the transition to sustainable mobility solutions. See also: Dutch Carsharing Operator MyWheels Adopts Invers’ Bidirectional Charging Technology for Electric Fleet According to Leap24, 46 of these fast chargers will be installed in the Netherlands, with the remaining 24 located in and around London. Each location will feature a 240 kW charging station with two connections, ensuring…

Volkswagen has announced the opening of pre-sales for its electric ID.7 Tourer estate car, known as a station wagon in the US. The ID.7 Tourer is the latest addition to Volkswagen’s electric vehicle lineup, following the release of the ID.7 sedan in April 2023. The ID.7 sedan is currently available in North America, Europe, and China, where it replaces the Passat. In mid-February, Volkswagen launched the ID.7 station wagon in Germany, with pre-sales now open in the country starting at €54,795. The ID.7 Tourer is available in the Tourer Pro configuration, featuring a 210 kW output and a 77 kW…

Rivian made waves on Thursday by unveiling not just the highly anticipated R2 electric SUV but also surprising the audience with the release of the R3 and high-performance R3X electric crossover models. The R2, finally revealed at Rivian’s Laguna showroom, is optimized for adventures and comes in a smaller, more affordable package than its predecessor, the R1. The essence of the Rivian brand is evident throughout the R2, which is built on a new, more efficient platform and offered in single, dual, and tri-motor configurations, all boasting over 300 miles of range. Despite being 400mm shorter and lower than the…

GreenPower, a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, has made its debut in Arizona by delivering an electric purpose-built Type D BEAST school bus to the Phoenix Elementary School District #1. This marks the first deployment of a GreenPower electric school bus in the state, signaling a significant step towards sustainable transportation solutions in the region. The BEAST, which stands for “battery electric automotive school transportation,” is a 40-foot electric school bus capable of seating up to 90 passengers. It boasts an aluminum body mounted on a high-strength steel truss chassis, ensuring durability and safety for students and drivers alike. See…

British transport company First Bus is set to introduce 57 electric buses from Wrightbus to its fleet in Leeds this month, comprising 32 GB Kite Electroliner solo buses and 25 StreetDeck Electroliner double-deckers. The deployment of these electric buses was contingent on the installation of charging infrastructure at the Bramley depot in Leeds. First Bus has completed the electrification of the depot, equipping it with charging infrastructure from Heliox. By the end of March, one-third of the buses stationed in Bramley will be electric, with further electric buses planned for introduction in the summer of 2024. See also: First Bus Makes…

A proposed joint venture between Stellantis, the world’s fourth-largest automaker, and Leapmotor, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has received approval from China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), according to sources familiar with the matter. The approval from the NDRC allows Stellantis to proceed with its plans to build and sell Leapmotor’s electric vehicles outside of China. However, the deal still awaits regulatory approval in other markets. See also: Stellantis Considers Producing Leapmotor EVs at Fiat’s Historic Mirafiori Plant in Turin Last October, Stellantis announced its intention to acquire a 21% stake in Leapmotor for $1.6 billion, signaling its ambitions…

The forthcoming 2024 Honda Prologue has received official recognition from the IRS, being listed among electric vehicles eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit. This significant advantage represents approximately 15% of the vehicle’s base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $47,400. After factoring in the $1,395 destination charge and subtracting the tax credit, the effective starting price is reduced to $41,295. See also: 2024 Honda Prologue Promises 300-Mile Range, Priced in Upper $40k Range The eligibility of the Honda Prologue for the $7,500 federal tax credit suggests that other models based on the Ultium platform, such as the Acura ZDX,…