Author: David Smith

Kia has unveiled a tempting offer for those eyeing its inaugural three-row electric SUV, the 2024 EV9. With a $5,000 customer cash discount now in play, the timing might be perfect for prospective buyers. The EV9 made its market debut in November last year, boasting a starting price of $54,900. Kia positioned it as a groundbreaking addition to the electric vehicle landscape, signaling a bold shift in the industry. Demand for the spacious electric SUV has been robust, with 2,726 units sold in the US during the first two months of this year. Surpassing the sales figures of Kia’s first…

French energy group EDF and infrastructure investor Morrison are joining forces to invest up to 450 million euros in the construction of nearly 8,000 high-power charge points in France by 2030. The investment will be made through a joint financing platform, with EDF subsidiary Izivia set to operate the high-power charging (HPC) stations. The HPC chargers will be installed on roads or in publicly accessible private car parks. However, details regarding the planned charging capacity and the starting date for the rollout are yet to be provided by the partners. The initiative is driven by the expectation that the number…

Hyundai’s foray into the three-row electric SUV segment will be marked by the Ioniq 9, a departure from its previously expected name, the Ioniq 7. The decision reflects Hyundai’s strategy to capitalize on Kia’s success with the EV9. The Ioniq 9 joins Hyundai’s lineup of dedicated EVs, which includes the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, solidifying the brand’s position as a key player in key markets. See also: Hyundai’s IONIQ 7 Electric SUV Set to Debut at Busan Motor Show Data from S&P Global indicates that Hyundai ranked as the fourth best-selling EV brand in the US last year, capturing 4.5%…

Munich-based automotive giant BMW has commenced the construction of its dedicated production facility for fifth-generation high-voltage batteries in Thailand. The new assembly plant, located in Rayong, is poised to play a pivotal role in the company’s foray into purely electric vehicles. Scheduled to kick off in the latter half of 2025, the local production of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) marks a significant milestone for BMW Group Thailand. The decision to invest in battery production underscores BMW’s commitment to leveraging Thailand’s strategic position in the automotive market. The forthcoming high-voltage battery assembly plant, spanning 4,000 square meters, signifies a substantial expansion…

BMW, known for its luxurious and high-performance vehicles, has unveiled a groundbreaking creation at the Frieze Los Angeles art fair. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, a collaboration with E Ink and South African artist Esther Mahlangu, is turning heads for its ability to change colors on command. This innovative vehicle builds on BMW’s earlier introduction of color-changing E Ink technology with the iX Flow concept SUV at CES 2022. The i5 Flow NOSTOKANA features sections of E Ink film, similar to that found in e-readers, which contain millions of microcapsules filled with color pigments that can be rearranged using an…

A new analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that without the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), solar, wind, and nuclear power, the global increase in emissions over the last five years would have been three times larger. The IEA’s annual update on global energy-related CO2 emissions and the inaugural edition of the Clean Energy Market Monitor track clean energy deployment and its implications for global energy markets. See also: IEA Projects Decline in Fossil Fuel Demand Before 2030 Due to Green Energy Advancements and EV Adoption Despite a rise in energy-related emissions in 2023, the expansion of clean energy…

Leapmotor has officially launched its much-anticipated C10 SUV, marking a significant milestone as the company’s first global model. The C10 made its world debut at the prestigious Munich auto show in September 2023 and has since captured the attention of electric vehicle enthusiasts worldwide. Following its successful unveiling, the C10 went on pre-sale in China on January 10 this year, generating considerable buzz among consumers. In addition to the launch of the C10, Leapmotor has announced updates to its existing models, the T03, C01, and C11. These models have been enhanced with upgraded specifications and lower prices, further enhancing Leapmotor’s…

Nissan is reportedly in advanced negotiations to invest in electric vehicle maker Fisker, potentially providing the Japanese automaker access to an electric pickup truck while offering the struggling startup a much-needed financial lifeline. Two sources familiar with the discussions disclosed that the deal could be finalized this month, although they requested anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the talks. The terms under consideration include Nissan investing over $400 million in Fisker’s truck platform and manufacturing Fisker’s planned Alaska pickup beginning in 2026 at one of Nissan’s U.S. assembly plants. Additionally, Nissan would develop its electric pickup using the same…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng delivered 4,545 vehicles in February, according to data released by the company today, representing a 24.38% decrease year-on-year and a 44.91% drop from January figures. The Xpeng X9, the company’s Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) model, accounted for 1,448 deliveries in February and nearly 4,000 units in the first two months since its launch on January 1. See also: Volkswagen and XPeng to Collaborate on Electric SUV as First Joint Project Priced at RMB 359,800 ($49,980), the X9 is the most expensive model in Xpeng’s product lineup. Despite the decrease in February deliveries, Xpeng remains optimistic about future…

The City of Toronto is teaming up with the government of Canada to add over 500 new electric vehicle chargers to the city’s corporate charging network, aiming to enhance accessibility and support the adoption of electric vehicles. By the end of 2025, electric vehicle drivers commuting to work in Toronto can expect to utilize 486 new Level 2 chargers and 40 fast chargers. This infrastructure expansion is made possible by a joint investment of $10 million from the City of Toronto and the Government of Canada. The new charging infrastructure will facilitate the City’s workplace charging program expansion, with some…

Aventon, the Brea, California-based electric bike brand known for offering quality at an affordable price, has unveiled its latest model, the Aventon Ramblas. This marks the brand’s entry into the dedicated electric mountain bike market, showcasing Aventon’s commitment to pushing boundaries in the e-bike industry. Despite its reputation for budget-friendly electric bikes, Aventon has positioned the Ramblas to compete with higher-end e-bike models. This move underscores the brand’s evolution towards offering more refined and feature-rich bicycles in the budget category. See also: Aventon Launches Upgraded Pace E-Bikes with New Torque Sensor and Added Features The standout feature of the Ramblas is…

Polestar has officially begun production of its highly anticipated electric SUV, the Polestar 3, at its facility in Chengdu, China. This marks a significant milestone for the company as it becomes the first Polestar model to be manufactured on two continents. The Polestar 3 is also set to be produced at another facility in Ridgeville, South Carolina, USA, with production scheduled to begin in mid-2024. According to Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath, the start of production in Chengdu is a crucial step forward for the company’s expansion plans. See also: Polestar 3 Undergoes Rigorous Hot Weather Testing as Production Nears “This stunning…

Li Auto has announced a robust fourth-quarter 2023 performance, with net income doubling from the previous quarter and a further improvement in gross margin. The company reported record revenue of RMB 41.73 billion yuan ($5.88 billion) in the fourth quarter, surpassing market expectations of RMB 39.8 billion yuan, as per its unaudited earnings report released today. This marks a 136.4 percent increase year-on-year and a 20.3 percent increase from the third quarter, exceeding the upper end of its previous guidance range of RMB 38.46 billion to RMB 39.38 billion. See also: Li Auto Unveils New Details of Mega Electric MPV Li…

French automaker Peugeot is gearing up to unveil its largest electric SUV to date, the E-5008. Positioned above the E-3008 in both size and features, the E-5008 promises to deliver a new level of sophistication and comfort to the electric vehicle market. Peugeot recently offered a sneak peek of the E-5008’s interior in a short teaser trailer, showcasing some of its key features. A standout feature of the E-5008 is its new Panoramic i-Cockpit, which boasts a massive 21-inch HD screen that integrates the heads-up display with the central infotainment panel. While Peugeot’s i-Cockpit infotainment system is a familiar sight…

BYD has introduced an updated version of its compact hatchback, the Dolphin, featuring a reduced starting price as part of its ongoing strategy. The new model, known as the Dolphin Glory Edition, was officially launched today, offering four variants with starting prices ranging from RMB 99,800 ($13,860) to RMB 129,800. Previously, the Dolphin was available in five versions with starting prices ranging from RMB 116,800 to RMB 139,800. The latest price adjustments mark a reduction of RMB 17,000, or 14.55 percent, making the Dolphin the latest addition to BYD’s post-Chinese New Year price war. See also: BYD Seal and Dolphin Earn…

A recent sighting of a Tesla Cybertruck sporting both the base aero wheel covers and Cybertruck-specific Goodyear AT tyres has stirred speculation about potential changes to the vehicle’s wheel cover design. This development comes on the heels of reports highlighting issues with the Cybertruck’s original wheel covers, which were reportedly causing damage to tyre sidewalls. In response, Tesla halted shipments of the Cyber wheel covers to customers and listed the item as “out of stock” on its accessory store. See also: Tesla Unveils New Cybertruck Wrap Colors, Including Satin Rose Gold and Satin Abyss Blue A video shared by Nic Cruz…

The Tesla Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD) variant has experienced its third price hike this month, with the latest increase totaling $250. This latest adjustment brings the total price increase for this model to $1,750, marking a 3.8% rise. The initial $1,000 increase occurred shortly after the introduction of the refreshed “Highland” model, followed by a $500 raise just a week ago. Meanwhile, the price of the entry-level Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) remains unchanged at $38,990. Notably, the RWD version currently boasts an estimated delivery time of February-March for new orders, while customers looking for the…

Elon Musk, the outspoken CEO of Tesla and founder of the social media platform X, took to his platform to offer advice to American EV startups Rivian and Lucid following the release of their financial results for the fourth quarter and all of 2023. Both Rivian and Lucid are facing significant cash burn. Rivian, despite increasing revenue each quarter, continues to operate at a loss on every vehicle sold. The company has also announced a 10% reduction in its salaried staff. See also: Rivian Reports 2023 Financial Results: Net Loss of $5.4 Billion Despite Increased Sales https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1760508844114112722 Musk acknowledged that while…

New Jersey has unveiled a $45 million, three-year pilot program aimed at deploying electric school buses in 18 school districts, offering additional incentives for buses with the capability to power schools. The state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) initiated the grant application program this month and conducted three recent webinars to guide participants through the application process. Notably, the February 14th webinar highlighted the advantages of bi-directional, vehicle-to-building (V2B) technology. V2B technology gained prominence during the 2021 Texas ice storms, where electric vehicles and some hybrids provided power to homes, serving as lifelines for those reliant on continuous electricity. New…

VinFast, the Vietnamese manufacturer, presented its business figures for 2023, revealing that it delivered 34,855 electric vehicles last year and posted a gross loss of just over half a billion US dollars. The company aims to sell 100,000 cars in 2024. VinFast fell short of its 2023 expectations, having previously stated its intention to deliver between 40,000 and 50,000 vehicles. The manufacturer delivered 34,855 units, with a five-digit number delivered in the second half of the year for the first time. After handing over 10,027 EVs to customers in Q3, this number rose to 13,513 in Q4. VinFast opened the…