Author: David Smith

Kia is gearing up to introduce a series of affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in the US, believing it has an edge with its “secret sauce” technology. The company aims to capitalize on the growing demand for cheaper EVs, especially with competition from Chinese automakers like BYD on the rise. During its first annual EV Day in October, Kia unveiled a new range of low-cost EVs, including the EV2, EV3, EV4, and EV5. The lineup is part of Kia’s “EV for all” strategy, offering a wide range of EVs with prices ranging from $30,000 to $80,000. While the EV5 has already…

The ambitious plans for a battery cell factory in Blyth, Northumberland, are on the verge of being abandoned, with reports indicating that the site intended for the factory will be sold to a company planning to construct a large data center instead. The future of the Blyth site has been uncertain for several months, following the insolvency filing of battery startup Britishvolt in early 2023 and subsequent concerns regarding the new owner, Recharge Industries. According to reports from major British media outlets, Northumberland County Council is now considering selling the site to Blackstone, a company looking to develop a sizable…

In a bid to expand its electric vehicle lineup, Renault is contemplating a revival of its iconic Espace model, this time in a purely electric avatar with a retro design. The new electric Espace, if greenlit, would be based on the Ampr Medium platform (formerly CMF-EV), positioning it to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz and other seven-seater electric vehicles. The original Renault Espace, introduced in 1984, revolutionized the European automotive landscape as the first large saloon with a ‘one-box’ design, essentially laying the groundwork for modern vans. The innovative seven-seat layout, with the ability to remove five…

BP, the global oil and gas giant, is restructuring its electric vehicle (EV) charging business, BP Pulse, and scaling back its presence in several markets after its ambitious plans for rapid growth in commercial EV fleets did not materialize as expected, according to company sources. In a bid to address investor concerns over its transition from traditional fossil fuels to green energy, BP CEO Murray Auchincloss is overseeing significant changes at BP Pulse. The company has exited eight of the 12 countries it operated in, focusing its efforts on the United States, Britain, Germany, and China, where it anticipates the…

Tesla, the electric vehicle pioneer, is set to reduce its global workforce by more than ten percent, including individuals in senior management roles. This decision comes as a response to the company’s rapid growth in recent years, which has led to duplicated roles and functions within certain areas. According to an internal email from CEO Elon Musk, as reported by US website Electrek, the move aims to streamline operations following a period of extensive expansion. While initial reports suggested a potential reduction of up to 20 percent, Musk’s email clarified that the actual figure would be “more than ten percent,”…

BASF’s plans for a new plant producing cathode material precursors in Harjavalta, Finland, have been halted following a recent court ruling, leading to the indefinite layoff of site employees. The construction of the plant has been on hold for several years pending authorization. After the Vaasa Administrative Court revoked a temporary permit for the plant in February, BASF announced that negotiations with employee representatives in Harjavalta would commence due to the uncertain timeframe for receiving a final, unappealable permit. The company expressed regret over the decision, stating, “BASF is forced to consider indefinite layoffs, potentially affecting all employees at the…

U.S. safety investigators are delving into two separate crashes involving Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, raising concerns about the technology’s role in these incidents. In the first crash on February 24, on Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio, Texas, a Ford Mustang Mach-E collided with a stationary Honda CR-V, resulting in the death of the Honda driver. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the Ford was utilizing “BlueCruise,” Ford’s advanced hands-free driving system, at the time of the crash. According to the NTSB, data from the vehicle indicated that the Ford driver had…

A groundbreaking study has shed light on how electric vehicle (EV) owners are not only benefitting from cost savings but also contributing to billions of dollars in savings for all electricity consumers, regardless of whether they drive EVs. The report, conducted by Synapse Energy Economics, analyzed the electricity costs for EV owners and compared them with the expenses incurred by utilities to generate, distribute, and manage that electricity. The findings were striking, showing that between 2011 and 2021, EV drivers contributed over $3 billion in net revenue to the grid. The study’s lead researcher stated, “EVs have contributed much more…

Go Fast Campers has unveiled a new rooftop tent system designed specifically for the Rivian R1T electric pickup truck, catering to adventurous drivers seeking off-the-grid experiences. The new system consists of two components: a platform topper and a platform camper, providing ample storage and sleeping space while enhancing the R1T’s rugged capabilities. The platform topper, which sits atop the truck’s bed, offers a spacious storage area shielded from the elements. With all three sides of the topper capable of being opened, accessing gear is convenient and easy. While Go Fast Campers has not disclosed the exact materials used, the topper…

EMT Madrid has completed a significant expansion of its electric bus charging infrastructure at the depot in the Carabanchel district of Spain. The third phase of expansion, recently finished, has added 118 new charging points, with further expansion planned for the fourth phase. These new charge points will allow 260 battery-electric buses to be charged simultaneously at the Carabanchel depot. The charging infrastructure features top-down pantographs, which are lowered from the roof of a fixed tent onto the pantographs on the roofs of the electric buses parked below. This system eliminates the need for drivers to plug in a cable…

The Tesla Cybertruck has garnered both supporters and critics since its unveiling, with the latter often questioning the durability and safety of the stainless steel all-electric pickup truck. One particular concern raised by critics is the potential for the Cybertruck’s steel body to become dangerously hot under the sun. However, a recent test by a Tesla owner suggests that this may not be the case. A user on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum, known as Stuck4ger, shared an intriguing experience involving a Cybertruck parked at the Merritt Island, FL Service Center. The Tesla owner, who also owns a Model Y,…

Fisker, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is facing mounting challenges as it grapples with misplaced customer payments and financial mismanagement. According to recent reports, the company misplaced millions of dollars in customer payments for its Ocean EV, leading to an internal audit that has yet to be resolved since its initiation in December. The situation worsened as Fisker struggled to track down deposits that customers had put down on its EVs. While some deposits were located, others were lost, forcing the company to ask customers to submit new checks or update payment methods to reobtain their deposits. Employees revealed the…