Author: David Smith

Kia Motors Corporation announced plans to combat declining electric vehicle (EV) resale prices in Australia through a new guaranteed future value program, targeting its latest electric models such as the EV6 and Kia EV9. Concerns over diminishing battery capacity in some of Australia’s earliest EVs have contributed to a downward pressure on used-vehicle prices, prompting Kia to devise a strategy to mitigate this trend. The forthcoming program, set to be rolled out later this year, aims to safeguard the future values of Kia EVs. See also: Kia EV6 GT Challenges BMW M2 in Quarter-Mile Drag Race and Handling Test Kia…

Recent incidents involving individuals driving Tesla vehicles while wearing Apple Vision Pro VR headsets have sparked concern over safety and responsible technology use. The videos circulating online depict risky behavior, prompting criticism from various quarters, including U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Apple’s newly launched $3,499 Vision Pro VR headset has already seen misuse by some customers, with footage emerging of individuals wearing the device while driving. Notably, the headset features a “pass-through” mode allowing users to maintain awareness of their surroundings. https://twitter.com/SecretaryPete/status/1754559027688685941 Despite clear instructions from Apple advising against using the VR headset while operating a moving vehicle or engaging…

In January, the United Kingdom celebrated a significant achievement as the registration of the one-millionth battery-electric vehicle (BEV) coincided with the addition of the 60,000th electric van on its roads. Data from the UK Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that the one-million BEV milestone was reached with the registration of 20,935 electric vehicles in January alone, constituting 14.7% of the overall vehicle market. The figures also indicated growth in other electrified vehicle variants, with plug-in hybrid registrations rising by 31.1%, claiming an 8.4% market share, while hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) volumes experienced a slight dip with a…

German automaker MAN, a part of the Traton Group, achieved a notable uptick in electric bus sales in 2023, selling a total of 771 Lion’s City E buses in Europe. This marked a significant threefold increase from the previous year’s sales of 263 electric buses in 2022. According to MAN Truck & Bus, the company now holds a market share of approximately 13.3% in the European electric bus market. Notably, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Norway, and Belgium emerged as the top markets, collectively representing nearly 80% of all registered Lion’s City E buses in Europe in 2023. MAN asserted its position…

In a recent crash test conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) at the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility (MwRSF), the Rivian R1T, an electric truck weighing 7,000 pounds, crashed through a guardrail designed for traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The research, sponsored by the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in collaboration with Auburn University’s Transportation Research Institute, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of existing guardrail protection against the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road. The footage captured during the test reveals the limitations of the Federal Highway Administration’s standardized guardrail when faced with…

In January, the Ford brand experienced a 3.6% year-on-year increase in overall U.S. vehicle sales, totaling 145,632 units. However, the company’s battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales registered a sluggish start to the year. Last month, Ford sold 4,674 all-electric vehicles, reflecting an 11% decline from the same period last year and marking the lowest level since April 2023. Notably, this accounts for just 3.2% of the brand’s total volume, down from 5-6% in late 2023. See also: Tesla Charging Adaptors on the Horizon for Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning Owners A closer look reveals that the primary reason for the…

Skarper has officially launched its eagerly awaited e-bike conversion kit, a unique entry in the market that harnesses the power of the bike’s rear disc brake. Initially introduced in 2022, production of the innovative conversion kit began in 2023, and the product is now available for purchase. Distinguishing itself from a plethora of bicycle conversion kits, Skarper’s e-bike kit stands out by utilizing the bicycle’s disc brake system to propel the converted e-bike. The kit includes a sleek 4kg clip-on mount designed to seamlessly integrate the motor, battery, and electronics into the bicycle. See also: Desiknio Expands Presence in the…

The global lithium battery market experienced a lackluster performance in January, with the average prices of various power battery cell products continuing to decline in China, according to a report by market research firm TrendForce. Pouch-type automotive ternary power battery cells witnessed the most substantial decrease, dropping by 7.3 percent to RMB 0.51 yuan ($0.071) per Wh in January. TrendForce noted that the average price is anticipated to persist on a downward trend throughout February. In January, the average price of prismatic ternary battery cells declined by 5.9 percent compared to the previous year, reaching RMB 0.48 per Wh. Similarly,…

In a dynamic move to challenge Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta V12, several burgeoning Chinese automakers are strategically investing in the development of autonomous driving architecture models grounded in end-to-end neural networks, as reported by local media outlet LatePost. Nio, a notable player in the electric vehicle (EV) realm, is gearing up to introduce active safety features based on end-to-end technology in the first half of this year. An insider at Nio shared insights, stating, “If it moves forward smoothly, Nio will be the fastest among Chinese companies to mass-produce end-to-end features. To that end, a team of nearly 100…

Gocycle, the British e-bike company founded by former McLaren car designer Richard Thorpe, has introduced its latest offering, the CX series of electric cargo bikes. Designed to be elegant, lightweight, and foldable, the CX series targets families and includes the CX Plus model, featuring an intriguing new handlebar for improved rider comfort, and the CXi. The CX series incorporates the Flofit adaptable handlebar setup, deemed by Gocycle as one of the most adjustable-for-comfort handlebars ever developed. Offering adjustability in reach, grip angle, and multiple hand positions for urban riders, the handlebar innovation enhances the overall riding experience. See also: Specialized…

Samsung SDI has begun the comprehensive shipment of its solid-state battery, commonly referred to as the “dream battery.” The disclosure was made during a routine performance report meeting on January 30 by Park Jong-sun, Vice President of Samsung SDI’s Large Business Division. The company confirmed the commencement of sample shipments from its solid-state battery pilot line (S-line) during the fourth quarter of the previous year. Distinguished by its utilization of a solid electrolyte, the solid-state battery offers a lower risk of fire compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Samsung SDI initiated sample production at its Suwon research center in Gyeonggi Province,…

Tesla witnessed a dip in sales of its China-made vehicles last month, attributing the decline to seasonal factors that affected major electric vehicle makers in China. According to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) today, Tesla sold 71,447 vehicles produced in China in January. This figure represents an 8.17 percent increase from the same month last year, when 66,051 vehicles were sold. However, it marks a 24.1 percent decrease from December’s sales of 94,139 units. Tesla’s manufacturing facility in Shanghai, boasting an annual production capacity exceeding 950,000 vehicles, stands as the company’s largest globally. The plant focuses…

Volvo Trucks is set to launch its latest addition, the Volvo FM Low Entry, a low-entry truck designed exclusively for electric operation. With a gross vehicle weight ranging from 19 to 32 tonnes, the new electric truck, named “Low Entry” due to its lowered cab design, aims to cater to urban transport tasks such as waste management, distribution transport, and construction. Sales for the electric truck will commence in the current quarter, with production scheduled for the second quarter of 2024. The Volvo FM Low Entry is part of Volvo Trucks’ commitment to sustainable urban transport, offering a specialized solution…

Auto parts supplier Aptiv has announced its decision to reduce its stake in the self-driving technology joint venture, Motional, and cease further funding after facing substantial losses associated with the investment. Motional, formed in collaboration with Hyundai Motor, utilizes the IONIQ5 electric car for its robotaxi service, currently operational in Las Vegas through ride-hailing platforms Uber and Lyft. Aptiv CEO Kevin Clark revealed during an earnings call that, despite Motional’s progress on its technology roadmap, the company has opted to discontinue capital allocation to the joint venture. Aptiv’s 2024 profit forecast includes a non-cash equity loss of approximately $340 million,…

General Motors’ self-driving car unit, Cruise, is anticipated to face a prolonged effort throughout this year to reassure regulators and the public about the safety of its robotaxis, according to industry officials. Following the release of a critical safety report commissioned by Cruise, GM revealed a substantial reduction of about $1 billion in Cruise’s annual budget. The company pledged to provide a timeline for the unit’s return to operations soon but indefinitely postponed a March update that was expected to outline its plans. The delay has prompted questions about when Cruise will be able to resume its vehicles on the…

A consortium of 25 California counties, including Los Angeles, Alameda, San Joaquin, and San Francisco, has filed a lawsuit against Tesla, led by CEO Elon Musk, alleging the mishandling of hazardous waste at the company’s facilities across the state. The legal action, initiated on Tuesday in California state court, seeks civil penalties and an injunction compelling Tesla to appropriately manage its waste in the future. As of now, Tesla has not responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit. The counties claim that Tesla violated state unfair business and hazardous waste management laws by inaccurately labeling waste and disposing of…

Baltimore City Public Schools has introduced 25 electric school buses, marking Maryland’s second-largest electric school bus fleet, following Montgomery County Public Schools. The initiative, funded by the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program with over $9.4 million, aims to enhance sustainability and address environmental concerns, particularly in marginalized communities. The electric buses, part of an ambitious effort to create a cleaner and quieter transportation system, are set to serve an initial group of approximately 350 students daily, including those with special education needs. The funding, allocated in Round 1 of the EPA program, emphasizes deploying eco-friendly solutions in communities that need…

Gogoro has introduced its latest flagship two-wheeler, the Pulse, featuring the cutting-edge Hyper Drive electric motor and AEROFORCE design. The company boasts that the scooter can accelerate from 0 to approximately 32 mph in less than 5 seconds, courtesy of its new Hyper Drive electric motor. Promoted as a “smartscooter,” the Pulse integrates a “panoramic” iQ Touch HD screen powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Chassis silicon. The vehicle’s compatibility with Apple Find My and digital key technology is highlighted, promising potential advancements in security measures. The Pulse is equipped with a high-performance 11,000 rpm H1 motor, capable of delivering up…

Insurers in the United Kingdom have pushed back against allegations of profiteering following a substantial 50 percent increase in the cost of insuring electric vehicles (EVs) in 2023. This surge has resulted in drivers in the country now paying nearly double the insurance premiums compared to owners of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Insurers assert that they are constrained by factors beyond their control, emphasizing that premiums are dictated by claim costs and frequency. According to their explanation, accidental damage claims on EVs are reportedly 35 percent more expensive than comparable repairs for combustion engine vehicles. At the close of…

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has underscored the importance of avoiding a price war within the automotive sector, emphasizing the potential threat to profitability and the risk of automakers becoming takeover targets. Tavares made these remarks on Friday during the unveiling of Stellantis’ latest platform for large battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Positioning Stellantis as one of the most profitable companies in the industry, Tavares expressed confidence in the company’s resilience against a downturn in prices that could pose challenges for other players in the market. He warned against hasty price cuts that ignore the reality of production costs, stating, “If you…