Author: David Smith

Chinese battery cell manufacturer AESC, formerly Envision AESC, is reportedly in advanced negotiations to become a supplier of battery cells to Renault Group’s vehicle plants in Valladolid and Palencia, Spain. The talks, according to local media La Tribuna de Automoción, are said to be progressing well, and if successful, AESC would provide cells for Renault’s electric vehicle production in these Spanish facilities. Renault is currently manufacturing the Renault Captur in Valladolid and the Kadjar SUV and fourth-gen Mégane in Palencia. However, Renault denied plans for purely electric car production in these plants when asked for comment. See also: AESC Group…

For more than two decades, Whyte Bikes, a prominent British brand synonymous with mountain biking, has expanded its offerings to include a diverse range of mountain bikes (MTBs) catering to various biking preferences. In response to the surging popularity of electric mountain bikes (e-bikes), Whyte introduces its latest flagship model, the E-Lyte, designed to combine lightweight construction with an emphasis on a natural pedal feel. Contrary to the power-centric focus of urban commuter and cargo e-bikes, the E-Lyte prioritizes low weight, utilizing a full carbon fiber frame and incorporating cutting-edge motor options tailored to the rider’s preferences. Chief Engineer Ian…

Domino’s Pizza has revealed its latest innovation: the dxb electric bike. While electric bicycles for delivery services are not new, the dxb stands out with a unique feature – a built-in mobile oven aimed at ensuring pizzas reach customers’ doorsteps fresh and warm. The dxb’s distinctive design includes a spacious rear compartment that doubles as a mobile oven, allowing freshly baked pizzas to be kept warm throughout the delivery process. This inventive approach promises customers an oven-fresh experience, challenging the common issue of pizzas cooling during transit. Addressing potential challenges in delivery terrain, Domino’s equipped the dxb with “space age…

Rivian, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is rolling out a lease program for its R1T pickup, marking the first time the company has offered leasing options for its vehicles. The move comes as Rivian aims to attract new customers, utilizing a leasing strategy shortly after introducing incentives for purchasing existing R1T pickup inventory. The announcement precedes Tesla’s Cybertruck launch scheduled for November 30th. Rivian has recently been in the spotlight following a positive Q3 report, showcasing better-than-expected production numbers and sustained high demand for its vehicles. Despite a minor over-the-air software glitch this month, Rivian swiftly addressed the issue, preventing…

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…