Author: David Smith

Chinese automakers may not have made their mark in the American market yet, but the threat they pose is already causing headaches for U.S. car manufacturers. A recent study on American buyers’ awareness of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) is set to further amplify this concern. While Chinese brands are not currently available for purchase in the U.S., General Motors (GM) and Ford are wary of their attempts to establish a presence in Mexico, potentially gaining backdoor access to the North American market. However, hopes that it would take Chinese brands a long time to build brand awareness among American consumers…

Tesla has introduced subscription plans for Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) in China. The development comes amidst growing speculation that the electric vehicle pioneer is gearing up to unveil its Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities in the Chinese market. The new subscription options for EAP in China are priced at 699 yuan (~$98) per month or 1,399 yuan (~$197) for a three-month plan, according to multiple sources reporting on Friday. This move follows Tesla’s earlier offering of free EAP trials in February as a sales incentive, heightening rumors of an impending FSD launch. Tesla currently provides EAP in China for a one-time purchase…

Kia’s first three-row electric SUV, the EV9, has garnered significant attention and strong demand since its launch. Following this success, Kia has confirmed the launch of a high-performance GT version of the EV9 in January, boasting “enormous power” and a host of other upgrades. The flagship EV9 was introduced in Korea in June last year, with over 1,334 units sold in its first month and another 1,251 in July. The EV9’s US debut saw prices starting at $54,900, positioning it as a competitive offering in the electric SUV market. Kia has reported selling over 4,000 EV9 units in the US…

German-Australian lithium producer Vulcan Energy has announced a strategic partnership with Swiss technology group ABB to enhance its lithium extraction project in the Upper Rhine Valley. The partnership aims to optimize Vulcan’s production processes, particularly in the extraction of lithium from geothermal brine, creating a sustainable local source of lithium in Europe. Vulcan’s project focuses on extracting lithium from geothermal brine, utilizing a combined geothermal and lithium resource, which is the largest in Europe. The company’s license areas are concentrated in the Upper Rhine Valley in Germany. In February 2023, Vulcan unveiled the results of a definitive feasibility study for…

In a bid to attract customers away from Xiaomi’s highly anticipated SU7 electric vehicle (EV), Nio, a prominent player in China’s EV market, is reportedly offering incentives to entice SU7 order holders to switch to its own models. According to local media outlet Cailian, Nio’s offline stores are providing a subsidy of RMB 5,000 ($690) to customers who have already placed orders for the Xiaomi SU7. This move is part of Nio’s strategy to capture a larger share of the EV market and compete with other major players like Xpeng and Li Auto. “We are subsidizing the same RMB 5,000…

Charge point operator Connected Kerb is embarking on a nationwide rollout of smart charging across its public network in the UK, following a successful trial conducted last year. The smart charging system by Connected Kerb enables drivers to schedule charging during off-peak hours when energy is both cheaper and greener, resulting in cost savings, reduced carbon emissions, and alleviated pressure on the grid. The rollout is scheduled to commence this month and will encompass the majority of Connected Kerb’s 6,000 installed charge points. The company has also announced plans to deploy an additional 4,000 charging stations this year, all of…

Northern Irish bus manufacturer Wrightbus has inked a deal with Canadian fuel cell specialist Ballard Power Systems for the supply of 70 fuel cell modules, slated for use in buses both in the UK and Germany. The agreement includes the delivery of FCmove-HD systems to Wrightbus this year, with the buses expected to be operational by next year. The hydrogen fuel cell drives will power single and double-decker buses, with Saarbahn in Germany recently placing an order for 28 hydrogen buses from Wrightbus. Oben Uluc, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, EMEA, at Ballard Power Systems, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration,…

Rivian has announced a delay in the construction of its electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Georgia, but the company remains committed to the project. The delay comes after Rivian unveiled the R2, a smaller and more affordable electric SUV, last month, with plans to begin production at its existing facility in Normal, IL, instead of the new $5 billion Georgia plant. Rivian stated that this decision will save $2.25 billion and accelerate the launch of the R2, with production expected to begin in the first half of 2026. CEO RJ Scaringe emphasized the importance of this move in the…

The European Union (EU) must reassess its strategies to enable a ban on new petrol car sales by 2035, as electric vehicles (EVs) remain costly and alternative fuels lack credibility, warns the EU’s external auditor. This challenge jeopardizes the EU’s 2050 climate goals of achieving net zero emissions. With road transport accounting for nearly a quarter of EU emissions, the bloc aims to have at least 30 million zero-emission cars on its roads by 2030, constituting about 12% of the current car fleet. However, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) cautioned that the EU may develop new economic dependencies and…

Waymo, a subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet, has announced plans to test its self-driving taxis in Atlanta, Georgia, this summer. The expansion comes as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to evaluate its autonomous Waymo Driver technology in diverse environments and new settings. This move follows winter testing in Buffalo, New York, and spring assessments in Washington D.C., as part of Waymo’s cross-country road trip program. The program aims to test the self-driving taxis in regions beyond its current operating areas, which include Phoenix in Arizona, San Francisco and Los Angeles in California, and Austin in Texas. https://twitter.com/Waymo/status/1780249405821689938 In…

Tesla has initiated repairs on Cybertruck units following a recent recall prompted by concerns over the accelerator pedal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the recall, leading Tesla to halt Cybertruck deliveries and cancel customer appointments over the weekend. At the Cyber Takeover Cybertruck meetup event in Long Beach, California, on Saturday, Tesla technicians began addressing the problem by installing a small rivet beneath the pedal. This fix, demonstrated in a video, reportedly takes just 35 seconds to complete. https://twitter.com/aaronjcash/status/1781734760215408922 Jim McGlone, a Cybertruck owner from Virginia, shared on Facebook that he was able to pick up his…

As new cars increasingly integrate high-tech features, the connection between vehicles and smartphones remains a crucial aspect that can often feel cumbersome. Polestar, aiming to streamline this link, has unveiled the Polestar Phone, designed specifically for Chinese consumers purchasing one of its electric vehicles (EVs). While the Polestar Phone may not revolutionize design, it boasts a sleek, minimalist look. With a white back adorned with a central Polestar logo, a stylish metal edge, and four camera lenses, including one trimmed in gold as a nod to its performance models, the phone presents an appealing aesthetic. Although specifics regarding the phone’s…