Author: David Smith

Fisker Inc. has recently revealed its upcoming electric car, the “Ronin,” a sleek electric convertible aimed at competing with the Tesla Roadster, provided it can secure the necessary resources to bring the vehicle to market. The Ronin, showcased as the company’s latest prototype, shares some design elements with the previously unveiled Fisker EMotion, which was set aside in favor of the Ocean electric SUV. While the Ocean initially captured attention with the promise of a $35,000 price tag, the current production model comes at a higher cost, leading to financial challenges for the automaker. The Ronin, presented as “the world’s…

German semiconductor giant, Infineon, has announced a substantial investment of up to five billion euros in expanding its production of silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors. The company aims to significantly enhance its factory in Kulim, Malaysia, which is set to become the world’s largest 200-millimetre SiC Power Fab. The planned expansion is backed by customer commitments of approximately five billion euros in the automotive and industrial sectors, with upfront payments of around one billion euros. This support will facilitate the second phase of the Kulim plant, following the initial phase announcement made in February 2022. Among Infineon’s distinguished clientele, six carmakers…

Electric motorcycles are steadily shaping the future of urban mobility around the world, with Europe and Asia witnessing an abundance of practical and commuter-focused models. In contrast, the US market has seen a surge of performance-oriented concept machines, some of which, like those from Zero, have gained significant traction. Among the standout performance-focused concepts is the Fuell Fllow electric motorcycle, the brainchild of Erik Burrell, founder and former chairman of the Buell Motorcycle Company, renowned for pioneering modern motorcycle technology with over 130,000 Buell motorcycles produced to date. Although introduced in 2019, the Fuell Fllow has recently opened pre-orders for…

Hyundai Motor America reported a record-breaking month in July, with soaring sales of the IONIQ 5 electric SUV, making it the model’s highest monthly total to date. Additionally, the IONIQ 6, the automaker’s second dedicated electric vehicle (EV), is experiencing strong demand. Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, highlighted the significant month-to-month growth in “green car” sales this year. He attributed the success to the company’s effective marketing strategies and dealer programs. In June, Hyundai introduced a national incentive for current Hyundai owners, offering potential savings of up to $10,000. The incentive included a $2,500 cash-back Valued Owner Coupon,…

In a recent development, Stellantis, the renowned car company, has become the third shareholder in the fuel cell joint venture, Symbio. The company now holds a 33.3% share in the partnership, joining forces with existing shareholders Faurecia and Michelin. Stellantis had previously expressed its interest in acquiring a stake in Symbio, and in May 2023, the car company solidified its commitment by signing a binding agreement with the other two shareholders. The financial details of the share acquisition have not been disclosed. Founded in November 2019 by Faurecia and Michelin, Symbio has established itself as a fuel cell manufacturer with…

In a remarkable display of consistency and skill, Jake Dennis secured the 2022-2023 Formula E driver’s championship after establishing an insurmountable points lead over his championship rivals, Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy. The decisive moment came during the first of two races at the thrilling indoor-outdoor London circuit. Dennis, who achieved his seventh runner-up finish in 15 races, experienced two major stretches of overwhelming success throughout the season, a feat rarely witnessed in a series where maintaining consistency can be a formidable challenge, even for champions. Out of the 15 rounds, he impressively finished no worse than fourth in 11…

In Ford’s recently held second-quarter earnings call, the automotive giant revealed the impact of the ongoing electric vehicle (EV) price wars on its business, with results indicating a challenging road ahead. Despite the difficulties, Ford remains committed to a positive outlook and is taking proactive measures to address the situation. The dynamic landscape of the industry makes the future uncertain, but the company is striving to adapt and thrive. The automaker’s projection for its electric vehicle Model e division initially anticipated a $3 billion loss this year as it began to scale. However, due to unexpected challenges, Ford is now…

In a recent press statement, Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis, the Franco-Italian automaker, acknowledged the evolving dynamics of the automotive industry as Tesla, a prominent U.S. rival, stepped into the world of traditional manufacturing and competition. Tavares noted that as Tesla adapted to the challenges of operating in a highly competitive market, their profitability experienced a decline. According to Tavares, Tesla’s profitability, which had exceeded 17% in the first half of 2022, dropped to 10.5% in the first half of 2023. This change brought Tesla’s profitability below that of Stellantis, signaling a shift in the competitive landscape. Despite the…

In a significant move to bolster electric mobility and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the European Union (EU) has introduced new legislation that will vastly enhance access to charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) across the continent. This progressive step is set to make long-distance travel in EVs a convenient and viable option. Under the recently enacted law, fast charging stations along Europe’s main transport routes will be required to provide at least 150 kW chargers to cars and vans, spaced approximately every 37 miles (60 km). Importantly, these charging stations must facilitate contactless payment methods, eliminating the need for drivers…

In a groundbreaking achievement, Nissan Motor Co has proudly announced that its global sales of electric vehicles have exceeded 1 million units. The company’s journey towards electrification began in December 2010 with the introduction of the Nissan Leaf, which has since become a resounding success, selling over 650,000 units worldwide. With a strong presence in approximately 50 markets, including Japan, the USA, and Europe, the Nissan Leaf has garnered widespread acclaim and numerous prestigious awards from satisfied customers worldwide. Building on the triumph of the Nissan Leaf, the Japanese automaker has ventured into new territory, expanding its electric vehicle offerings.…

In a groundbreaking development, Reliable Robotics has secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for its revolutionary autonomous flight system certification plan. With this major milestone, the company is now poised to conduct extensive testing of its fully automated aircraft systems. The autonomous flight system is designed to keep the aircraft in autopilot mode throughout all phases of operation, spanning from taxiing to takeoff and landing. In response to the achievement, the company expressed its enthusiasm, stating, “This landmark achievement marks unrivaled progress towards the certification of fully automated aircraft.” See also: Alef Aeronautics Receives FAA Approval for Electric Flying Car…

Indonesia is nearing the completion of a fresh set of incentives aimed at enticing investment from electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, as revealed by a senior minister on Tuesday. Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources, Luhut Pandjaitan, stated that the government is currently in discussions with prominent companies such as Tesla and BYD. Speaking at a nickel industry conference hosted by CNBC Indonesia, Luhut Pandjaitan mentioned that the incentives will be modeled after those offered by competing countries in the region, specifically Thailand and Vietnam. However, specific details of the incentives were not disclosed during his address. See also:…

California-based electric-vehicle charger operator, EVCS, is seeking a substantial investment of $125 million to fuel its ambitious expansion strategy, as it aims to capitalize on the U.S. government’s push for widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption. A recent document viewed by Reuters reveals the company’s plans to increase its network of fast chargers eightfold by 2025, in line with the Biden administration’s goal of making EVs account for 50% of new-vehicle sales in the United States by 2030. The growing importance of electrifying U.S. highways through a $5 billion federal program and market leader Tesla’s efforts to open its charging technology…

The German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) has announced a substantial increase in the budget for the environmental bonus in 2023. Originally allocated 2.1 billion euros for this purpose, the ministry will now raise the funds to at least 2.5 billion euros, according to a recent report by Tagesspiegel. The decision comes with the aim of providing predictability and security for consumers and the economy. Already, as of 3rd July, 1.72 billion euros have been utilized, indicating that more than two-thirds of the budget has been allocated, even after the increase. It’s worth noting that the environmental…

Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft (DVG) has placed an order for 25 hydrogen buses from the renowned Polish manufacturer, Solaris. Under this new contract, DVG aims to bolster its eco-friendly fleet with eleven Urbino 12 hydrogen solo buses to be delivered by the end of 2024, along with fourteen Urbino 18 hydrogen articulated buses scheduled for arrival by mid-2025. DVG is fervently pursuing an ambitious hydrogen-only strategy to electrify its entire bus fleet, embracing fuel-cell technology as the way forward. The ultimate goal is to procure a total of 100 new fuel cell buses by 2030 and establish the necessary hydrogen tank and…

Edmonton International Airport (YEG) has partnered with Toyota Canada to bring 100 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles to Alberta roadways. The groundbreaking initiative seeks to reduce carbon emissions and aligns with YEG’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, making it the first fleet of hydrogen-powered zero-emission vehicles in the region. Myron Keehn, President & CEO of Edmonton International Airport, expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to attract investment and kick-start the Edmonton Metro Region’s ambitious “5,000 Vehicle Challenge.” This challenge aims to have 5,000 hydrogen and hydrogen dual-fuel vehicles on the roads of Alberta by…

In a strategic move to establish a stronger foothold in the Asian market, Tesla has officially launched its electric vehicles in Malaysia, with the highly acclaimed Model Y taking center stage. With its recent entry into Thailand, the pioneering automaker is now setting its sights on Malaysia, aiming to contribute to the country’s transition towards a zero-emission future. Aiming to offer Malaysians a first-hand experience with their electric vehicles, Tesla has unveiled a temporary pop-up location at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, providing interested customers with the opportunity to test drive the much-anticipated Model Y. The pop-up location will remain open until…

In recent updates from Tesla, the highly-anticipated Cybertruck has surpassed an astonishing 1.9 million pre-orders, according to a crowd-sourced data tracker. During an Earnings Call, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk expressed his awe at the overwhelming demand, stating, “The demand for the Cybertruck is so off the hook, you can’t even see the hook.” Tesla’s ambitious plan aims to produce 375,000 Cybertrucks annually at peak capacity. However, given the staggering number of new orders, customers may face an approximate five-year wait for delivery. The Cybertruck is currently being produced at Giga Texas, but there’s a possibility of future production at Giga…

German bicycle specialist, Rose Bikes, is once again pushing the boundaries of e-bike innovation with its latest release, the Backroad AL. As the gravel bike trend continues to gain momentum due to its practicality and adaptability, the Backroad AL offers a compelling mid-tier option in the market. The Backroad AL comes in two variants, following the familiar configuration of other gravel e-bikes. However, what sets it apart is its more relaxed geometry, providing riders with a versatile platform suitable for both performance-oriented and commuting-focused riding. The aluminum frame is thoughtfully designed with multiple mounting points, enabling riders to effortlessly install…

The long-awaited moment has finally arrived for BMW enthusiasts and electric vehicle enthusiasts alike, as BMW officially commenced production of its first electric 5 series sedan, the BMW i5, on Friday. The company’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, had teased the idea of an electric 5 series sedan for over six years, and now it has become a reality, marking a significant milestone for the automaker. The revelation of the BMW i5 took place during BMW’s annual conference in March, where CEO Oliver Zipse provided a sneak peek of the much-anticipated electric sedan, highlighting its potential as a “unique selling point” for…