Author: David Smith

Volkswagen has released the UK pricing details for the revamped ID.4 and ID.5 electric cars, both built on the Group’s MEB architecture. Interested buyers can now place orders for these models through Volkswagen’s UK retailers. The entry-level ID.4 Life Pro is priced at £46,035 on the road, while the ID.5 Style Pro starts at £50,940. The highest trim levels come in at £56,545 for the ID.4 GTX 4Motion and £53,865 for the ID.5 GTX. Notably, the all-wheel-drive ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX now boast a system power of 340 PS (250 kW), reflecting a significant increase of 41 PS (30…

Archer Aviation and Air Chateau, a prominent private aviation operator in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with an estimated value of $500 million. The MOU outlines Air Chateau’s intent to potentially acquire up to 100 of Archer’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The collaboration is designed to bolster Archer Aviation’s recently announced plans to initiate air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai by 2026. The parties involved aim to investigate opportunities for collaboration in securing the necessary infrastructure investments to prepare these cities for the planned operations. Air…

Volvo Trucks has revealed the latest iteration of its FL Electric and FE Electric trucks, enhancing the medium-duty duo with increased AC charging power and a novel electric power take-off interface. The updated models are set for customer deliveries in the first half of 2024. Tailored for urban delivery transport and waste management with a gross vehicle weight of up to 16.7 tonnes, the Volvo FL Electric, and its offshoot, the FE Electric, designed for weights up to 27 tonnes, were first introduced in 2019. Both models have garnered popularity across multiple markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia,…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian encountered a setback as its latest over-the-air software update, version 2023.42.0, inadvertently caused operational challenges for the infotainment systems in an unspecified number of R1T and R1S all-electric trucks. While the update aimed to enhance features such as proximity locking, vehicle access, and gauge view, users who promptly installed it experienced hung progress indicators and blank infotainment screens. Acknowledging the issue, a Rivian spokesperson confirmed that the error stemmed from an unintentional deployment of the wrong software build with incorrect security certificates. Rivian swiftly responded by retracting the update and issued a statement explaining the situation.…

The European Union is moving forward with legislation aimed at securing a reliable and sustainable supply of critical raw materials crucial for various industries. The draft Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), presented by the EU Commission in March 2023, has now received informal approval from the EU Parliament and member states. The official decision, expected to be a formality, awaits a formal vote in the Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy on December 7. The CRMA focuses on establishing local quotas for the extraction, processing, and recycling of critical raw materials, with the EU Commission proposing targets for 2030. These…

Lyft, the ridesharing giant, has entered into a partnership with Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions (EVCS) to provide exclusive charging discounts for Lyft drivers in California, Oregon, and Washington. The collaboration aims to incentivize Lyft drivers to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) by offering substantial savings on charging expenses. EVCS, touted as one of the largest and fastest-growing electric vehicle fast charging networks on the US West Coast, will extend tiered discounts to Lyft drivers for both Level 2 and DC charging. These discounts are designed to make EV adoption more economical for Lyft drivers, potentially saving them hundreds of dollars annually…

Joby Aviation, a manufacturer in the electric air mobility sector, achieved a significant milestone with the first-ever electric air taxi flight at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport on Sunday. The exhibition flight showcased the potential of quiet, emissions-free journeys that could transport passengers from JFK Airport to downtown Manhattan in approximately seven minutes. During the demonstration, Joby Aviation’s electric air taxi displayed its capabilities in an urban setting, marking a crucial step forward in the development of electric air transportation. CEO JoeBen Bevirt highlighted the craft’s ability to recharge in about five minutes, a process conveniently synchronized with passengers unloading and…

Lambretta introduces the Elettra, a blend of style and sustainability unveiled at EICMA 2023. The scooter marries classic charm with modern technology, making it a noteworthy addition to the buzzing electric scooter market. The Elettra distinguishes itself with a design that seamlessly combines Lambretta’s signature style with cutting-edge features. Beyond aesthetics, the scooter offers an engaging riding experience, propelled by its powerful four-kilowatt motor, peaking at 11 kW. This ensures a practical and versatile choice for both city commutes and leisure rides, with speeds reaching up to 110 kilometers per hour. Catering to diverse riding preferences, the Elettra provides three…

The highly anticipated BYD Seal and BYD Dolphin, two electric vehicles generating significant anticipation in Australia, have both achieved 5-star safety ratings from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). This accolade signifies their adherence to the highest safety standards across various tests and incorporation of advanced safety assist technologies. Under the rigorous evaluation of ANCAP, both the Seal and the Dolphin surpassed expectations, with the Seal earning full marks for protecting the driver in the oblique pole test and ensuring the safety of child passengers in the side impact test. The EV achieved notable scores, including 89% for adult…

BMW is set to debut its Level 3 highly automated driving assistance system, named Personal Pilot L3, on the latest-generation 7 Series, including the i7, later this year in Germany. Following in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz, BMW’s innovative system, priced at approximately $6,400 (€6,000), allows drivers to disengage from steering and visual attention on highways with separated carriageways, at speeds up to 37 miles per hour (60 kilometers per hour). Touted as the world’s second Level 3 system, BMW’s Personal Pilot L3 distinguishes itself by offering functionality even in low-light conditions, facilitated by its “particularly sophisticated sensors.” The feature is…

In a bold move earlier this year, Ford took the unconventional route by entering the Pikes Peak Hill Climb with the latest iteration of its iconic SuperVan. In a near-20-minute documentary, Ford details the hurdles faced in bringing the SuperVan 4.2 to the renowned mountain race, where it, despite not clinching the top spot, demonstrated remarkable prowess. The SuperVan lineage traces back to 1971, and to commemorate its rich history, Ford unleashed the SuperVan 4.2 at Pikes Peak in June. Powered by three electric motors generating a combined 1,408 hp (1,050 kW) and shedding approximately 880 lbs (400 kg) compared…

In the first half of 2023, California led the United States in electric vehicle (EV) sales, constituting approximately 25 percent of total transactions in the market. Data compiled by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry lobby group, highlights a correlation between EV adoption and the dominant political party in a given state. The five states with the highest proportion of EV registrations in H1 2023 were California, the District of Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada, all known as Democratic strongholds. In contrast, Wyoming, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Mississippi were among the states adopting EVs at a slower pace, according…