Author: David Smith

As anticipation builds for Rivian’s unveiling of the R2 SUV on March 7, the electric vehicle startup has initiated a teaser campaign to generate excitement for its upcoming, more budget-friendly model, which is expected to broaden the brand’s appeal. In a 33-second teaser video distributed across its social media channels, Rivian provides a glimpse of the R2 SUV parked in a garage. Despite being obscured in shadows, the video suggests that the R2 will feature a front-end design reminiscent of the larger and pricier R1 series. See also: Rivian Unveils Teaser for R2 SUV Ahead of March 7 Unveiling A notable…

Luxury superyacht manufacturer Sanlorenzo is set to pioneer the integration of Volvo Penta’s innovative “electric-ready” marine powertrain system into two upcoming customer yachts, marking a significant advancement in the marine industry. Volvo Penta’s IPS professional platform offers ship-builders like Sanlorenzo the flexibility to customize drive solutions tailored to the specific requirements and environmental considerations of yacht owners. This range of options includes traditional diesel ICE units, hydrogen combustion engines, and Volvo Penta’s cutting-edge electric motors. See also: Kempower and Aqua Superpower Team Up for Electric Boat Charging Solutions The modular nature of Volvo Penta’s IPS system allows for a seamless…

Tesla has announced a significant upgrade to its Phone Key feature, incorporating ultra-wideband (UWB) technology aimed at improving the precision and reliability of its vehicle unlocking system. The latest software update, version 2024.2.3, was introduced this week, albeit with limited availability to Tesla owners. Ultra-wideband technology, renowned for its exceptionally accurate location tracking capabilities surpassing conventional Bluetooth, operates by utilizing short-range radio waves to determine precise distances between devices. The integration of UWB technology is expected to not only enhance the ease and reliability of locking and unlocking Tesla vehicles but also improve features such as automatic door opening and…

Knorr-Bremse has finalized the sale of its subsidiary, Kiepe Electric, to investment firm Heramba, while retaining a 15% stake in the company. The transaction, completed in late January, follows Knorr-Bremse’s previously stated intention to divest Kiepe Electric, as announced in August 2023. The sale encompasses all aspects of Kiepe Electric’s operations, including its entire workforce, although the specific financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Kiepe Electric, headquartered in Düsseldorf, specializes in electrifying urban road and rail transport, offering a range of products and solutions for power electronics, electric drives, and vehicle control systems. Dr. Nicolas Lange, Member…

Ferrari’s Maranello facility has recently garnered attention from car enthusiasts due to sightings indicating the benchmarking of a Tesla Model S Plaid at the renowned Italian automaker’s headquarters. The presence of the all-electric performance sedan at Maranello suggests potential advancements in Ferrari’s electric vehicle (EV) program, sparking excitement within the automotive community. Videos capturing the Model S Plaid’s presence at the Prancing Horse’s facility surfaced on social media platforms like Instagram, generating buzz among enthusiasts. Notably, the Model S Plaid observed at Maranello featured standard 19″ wheels, a detail of interest considering Ferrari’s historic emphasis on performance. However, this choice…

Toyota Motor Corp revealed plans today to inject $1.3 billion into its flagship Kentucky facility to spearhead the development of future electric vehicles (EVs). The Japanese automaker disclosed intentions to introduce a new, three-row battery electric SUV to the U.S. market as a result of this investment. This move marks Toyota’s commitment to bolstering its Kentucky plant, with cumulative investments nearing $10 billion, aimed at manufacturing high-quality vehicles and ensuring job stability for its workforce. Part of the investment will facilitate the establishment of a battery pack assembly line at the Kentucky plant, with the batteries sourced from Toyota’s Battery…

Tesla confirms its intention to resume production at Gigafactory Berlin next week following a temporary shutdown due to supply chain disruptions. Several manufacturing companies across Europe have grappled with logistical issues stemming from cargo disruptions in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, attributed to the ongoing civil conflict in Yemen. Among the impacted companies is Tesla, which halted operations at its Berlin factory as it awaited the resolution of supply blockades. Despite facing challenges, Tesla had recently achieved record production levels at Gigafactory Berlin, churning out up to 6,000 Model Y vehicles per week. André Thierig, Tesla’s…

Archer Aviation announced today a significant step forward in its efforts to construct the company’s debut fleet of Midnight aircraft, with assembly already underway for the initial three conforming units. Scheduled to commence final assembly in the coming weeks, this milestone underscores Archer’s commitment to advancing its commercialization plans. The forthcoming fleet will undergo piloted flight testing later this year, followed by “for credit” evaluation alongside the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of the company’s path towards commercial deployment. See also: Archer Aviation Successfully Completes First Phase of Flight Testing for Midnight EAV Electric Air Taxi The imminent completion…

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…