Author: David Smith

Tesla has officially announced its decision to implement congestion fees at select high-traffic Supercharging stations across the United States. This move, reportedly uncovered by a notable Tesla software hacker, involves the introduction of a controversial fee structure designed to encourage efficient use of the Supercharger network. Tesla’s congestion fees, set at $1 per minute, will come into effect once a vehicle reaches a State of Charge (SoC) of 90%. The primary objective is to dissuade users from charging their electric vehicles to full capacity, thereby facilitating a faster turnover at charging stations during peak hours or busy travel periods. The…

HW ELECTRO, a Japanese automaker, recently revealed its latest creation—the PUZZLE, a compact electric van drawing inspiration from the beloved kei car phenomenon. While the PUZZLE marks HW ELECTRO’s inaugural foray into the US market, the brand is no stranger to innovative electric vehicles, having previously launched the ELEMO series in its domestic market. At the heart of the PUZZLE’s design is a commitment to addressing environmental challenges and providing innovative eco-friendly solutions to the commercial vehicle market. The electric van was officially unveiled in the US last week, with commercial sales anticipated to commence in 2025, signaling a new…

Schneider National Inc., a player in freight logistics, is marking a significant achievement in the commercial electric vehicle (EV) space as its fleet of electric trucks, supplied by Daimler’s Freightliner brand, has surpassed an impressive 1 million miles – all accomplished without generating any carbon emissions. Known for its distinctive bright orange trucks, Schneider National Inc. (ticker symbol: $SNDR) brings not just freight but also more than 85 years of transportation expertise, contributing to an annual revenue exceeding $6.6 billion. Schneider has emerged as an early adopter of sustainable freight alternatives in the commercial segment, with a focus on electric…

Nio and Chongqing Changan Automobile have officially inked a collaborative agreement for a battery swap venture, marking a significant development in the realm of electric vehicles (EVs). The announcement was made on Weibo by the Chinese EV giant, highlighting the strategic partnership’s focus on multiple facets of the battery swap ecosystem. The key objectives outlined in the agreement include the joint promotion of standardized battery swap protocols, the extensive development and sharing of a robust battery swap network, collaborative efforts in researching and designing innovative battery swap models, and the establishment of an efficient mechanism for managing battery assets. Chongqing…

In a notable departure from its traditional stance against advertising, Tesla has made its foray into the world of promotional content with its inaugural YouTube ad. Discovered by social media users, the ad takes a unique approach by concentrating solely on Tesla’s commitment to safety, a crucial aspect amid increased scrutiny of the company’s safety systems. The 30-second commercial serves as a pre-roll ad on select YouTube videos, showcasing a departure from conventional flashy car advertisements. Tesla’s ad underlines the company’s extensive data collection capabilities, emphasizing its status as the only automaker globally with a fleet of over a million…

Subaru has unveiled plans for the 2025 Forester, indicating a collaboration with Toyota for its hybrid variant. According to Jeff Walters, Subaru of America’s spokesperson, the hybrid version is set to feature a “Toyota-sourced battery [and electric components] combined with a boxer engine.” Expected to hit the market approximately a year after the standard model, further details on the hybrid’s specifications will be disclosed in the coming months. Scheduled for a spring launch next year, the 2025 Forester’s standard model will come equipped with a 2.5-liter engine, producing a modest 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain will…

Tesla is reportedly exploring a novel approach to its vehicle features, with indications pointing towards a potential pay-to-use model for select amenities. An examination of Tesla’s latest software update by renowned Tesla hacker GreenTheOnly suggests that heated front seats and heated windshield wipers might become premium features in new Tesla Model 3 vehicles. This concept of software-locking features is not unfamiliar to Tesla, as the company has previously limited access to amenities such as footwell lights in the Model 3 and additional battery capacity in older Model S and X variants, often unlocking them for a fee. While Tesla had…

German automaker Volkswagen is initiating a recall of 23,883 ID.4 electric crossovers from the 2023-2024 model years due to concerns related to the fire retardancy of their sunshades. The recall is prompted by the realization that, in the event of a fire, the “burn rate of the material may sometimes be beyond the maximum allowable limit,” as stated in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While Volkswagen emphasizes that the sunshade is not expected to burst into flames, the material may not consistently meet the required performance standards, leading to the recall. The specificity of the recall…

Volkswagen has released the UK pricing details for the revamped ID.4 and ID.5 electric cars, both built on the Group’s MEB architecture. Interested buyers can now place orders for these models through Volkswagen’s UK retailers. The entry-level ID.4 Life Pro is priced at £46,035 on the road, while the ID.5 Style Pro starts at £50,940. The highest trim levels come in at £56,545 for the ID.4 GTX 4Motion and £53,865 for the ID.5 GTX. Notably, the all-wheel-drive ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX now boast a system power of 340 PS (250 kW), reflecting a significant increase of 41 PS (30…

Archer Aviation and Air Chateau, a prominent private aviation operator in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with an estimated value of $500 million. The MOU outlines Air Chateau’s intent to potentially acquire up to 100 of Archer’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The collaboration is designed to bolster Archer Aviation’s recently announced plans to initiate air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai by 2026. The parties involved aim to investigate opportunities for collaboration in securing the necessary infrastructure investments to prepare these cities for the planned operations. Air…

Volvo Trucks has revealed the latest iteration of its FL Electric and FE Electric trucks, enhancing the medium-duty duo with increased AC charging power and a novel electric power take-off interface. The updated models are set for customer deliveries in the first half of 2024. Tailored for urban delivery transport and waste management with a gross vehicle weight of up to 16.7 tonnes, the Volvo FL Electric, and its offshoot, the FE Electric, designed for weights up to 27 tonnes, were first introduced in 2019. Both models have garnered popularity across multiple markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia,…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian encountered a setback as its latest over-the-air software update, version 2023.42.0, inadvertently caused operational challenges for the infotainment systems in an unspecified number of R1T and R1S all-electric trucks. While the update aimed to enhance features such as proximity locking, vehicle access, and gauge view, users who promptly installed it experienced hung progress indicators and blank infotainment screens. Acknowledging the issue, a Rivian spokesperson confirmed that the error stemmed from an unintentional deployment of the wrong software build with incorrect security certificates. Rivian swiftly responded by retracting the update and issued a statement explaining the situation.…

The European Union is moving forward with legislation aimed at securing a reliable and sustainable supply of critical raw materials crucial for various industries. The draft Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), presented by the EU Commission in March 2023, has now received informal approval from the EU Parliament and member states. The official decision, expected to be a formality, awaits a formal vote in the Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy on December 7. The CRMA focuses on establishing local quotas for the extraction, processing, and recycling of critical raw materials, with the EU Commission proposing targets for 2030. These…

Lyft, the ridesharing giant, has entered into a partnership with Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions (EVCS) to provide exclusive charging discounts for Lyft drivers in California, Oregon, and Washington. The collaboration aims to incentivize Lyft drivers to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) by offering substantial savings on charging expenses. EVCS, touted as one of the largest and fastest-growing electric vehicle fast charging networks on the US West Coast, will extend tiered discounts to Lyft drivers for both Level 2 and DC charging. These discounts are designed to make EV adoption more economical for Lyft drivers, potentially saving them hundreds of dollars annually…

Joby Aviation, a manufacturer in the electric air mobility sector, achieved a significant milestone with the first-ever electric air taxi flight at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport on Sunday. The exhibition flight showcased the potential of quiet, emissions-free journeys that could transport passengers from JFK Airport to downtown Manhattan in approximately seven minutes. During the demonstration, Joby Aviation’s electric air taxi displayed its capabilities in an urban setting, marking a crucial step forward in the development of electric air transportation. CEO JoeBen Bevirt highlighted the craft’s ability to recharge in about five minutes, a process conveniently synchronized with passengers unloading and…

Lambretta introduces the Elettra, a blend of style and sustainability unveiled at EICMA 2023. The scooter marries classic charm with modern technology, making it a noteworthy addition to the buzzing electric scooter market. The Elettra distinguishes itself with a design that seamlessly combines Lambretta’s signature style with cutting-edge features. Beyond aesthetics, the scooter offers an engaging riding experience, propelled by its powerful four-kilowatt motor, peaking at 11 kW. This ensures a practical and versatile choice for both city commutes and leisure rides, with speeds reaching up to 110 kilometers per hour. Catering to diverse riding preferences, the Elettra provides three…

The highly anticipated BYD Seal and BYD Dolphin, two electric vehicles generating significant anticipation in Australia, have both achieved 5-star safety ratings from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). This accolade signifies their adherence to the highest safety standards across various tests and incorporation of advanced safety assist technologies. Under the rigorous evaluation of ANCAP, both the Seal and the Dolphin surpassed expectations, with the Seal earning full marks for protecting the driver in the oblique pole test and ensuring the safety of child passengers in the side impact test. The EV achieved notable scores, including 89% for adult…

BMW is set to debut its Level 3 highly automated driving assistance system, named Personal Pilot L3, on the latest-generation 7 Series, including the i7, later this year in Germany. Following in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz, BMW’s innovative system, priced at approximately $6,400 (€6,000), allows drivers to disengage from steering and visual attention on highways with separated carriageways, at speeds up to 37 miles per hour (60 kilometers per hour). Touted as the world’s second Level 3 system, BMW’s Personal Pilot L3 distinguishes itself by offering functionality even in low-light conditions, facilitated by its “particularly sophisticated sensors.” The feature is…

In a bold move earlier this year, Ford took the unconventional route by entering the Pikes Peak Hill Climb with the latest iteration of its iconic SuperVan. In a near-20-minute documentary, Ford details the hurdles faced in bringing the SuperVan 4.2 to the renowned mountain race, where it, despite not clinching the top spot, demonstrated remarkable prowess. The SuperVan lineage traces back to 1971, and to commemorate its rich history, Ford unleashed the SuperVan 4.2 at Pikes Peak in June. Powered by three electric motors generating a combined 1,408 hp (1,050 kW) and shedding approximately 880 lbs (400 kg) compared…

In the first half of 2023, California led the United States in electric vehicle (EV) sales, constituting approximately 25 percent of total transactions in the market. Data compiled by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry lobby group, highlights a correlation between EV adoption and the dominant political party in a given state. The five states with the highest proportion of EV registrations in H1 2023 were California, the District of Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada, all known as Democratic strongholds. In contrast, Wyoming, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Mississippi were among the states adopting EVs at a slower pace, according…