Author: David Smith

In December 2022, new passenger car registrations in France remained stable at 158,006, on par with December 2021. However, the overall volume for the year decreased by 8% to 1.53 million units, the lowest result in 47 years (since 1975). While the market for plug-in electric cars is growing, it is doing so at a slow pace. According to L’Avere-France, 42,461 new plug-in vehicles were registered in France last month, a 6% increase from the previous year. This includes 39,488 passenger plug-in cars, a 2% increase, making up 25% of the market (compared to 24.5% the previous year). The growth…

In 2022, the Peugeot 208 was the top-selling passenger car in Europe and its fully electric counterpart, the e-208, was the top-selling electric vehicle in the B-Segment. As a brand, Peugeot took first place in the electric B-Segment thanks to the success of both the e-208 and e-2008. These vehicles feature modern and efficient electric engines, as well as a variety of driving aids and innovations that pleased over 76,000 customers in Europe that year. Peugeot has announced that 2023 will be a turning point for the brand with all models available with one or more electrified engines options (100%…

Electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular in Europe as a sustainable mode of personal transportation. Many people are opting for electric bicycles, scooters, and motorbikes instead of cars, and as battery technology improves, electric two-wheelers are becoming more reliable. Spanish car manufacturer SEAT recently entered the e-mobility market with the Mo 125 electric scooter, designed for beginner commuters. They have also introduced the Mo 50, an electric scooter comparable to a 50cc gas-powered machine, making it accessible for riders as young as 14 years old. SEAT, the Spanish automaker, was able to develop the Mo 50 electric scooter by utilizing…

Ford’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has had its challenges, including resistance from Lincoln dealerships over the requirements for selling EVs from the brand. However, Ford reported that 59% of its dealers agreed to the terms, representing 88% of Lincoln’s share volume, according to Automotive News. This was a relief for Ford, who had been dealing with complaints about its $900,000 certification program for carrying EVs, which was intended to fund charging infrastructure at showrooms. Ford announced that 356 dealers have agreed to invest in the company’s EV program. Around 90% of them are located in the top 130 luxury…

According to Auto News Research & Data Center, Tesla delivered 491,000 vehicles in the US in 2022, a 44% increase from the previous year, making it the top luxury brand in America. However, Tesla does not officially disclose sales by country and the data does not specify which model was the best-seller. Auto News’ estimates are based on vehicle registration data and are considered accurate. If the numbers are correct, Tesla has now surpassed Mercedes and BMW as the top-selling luxury brand in America. Previously, Mercedes was considered the luxury sales leader with 350,949 units sold, surpassing BMW’s sales of…

BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse stated that the company’s future investment in the US will be determined by market demand, not politics. Despite the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) requiring North American production and sourcing of key parts and raw materials for EV tax credits, Zipse emphasized that the company will not be swayed by political agendas and will make decisions based on what is financially beneficial for the company. The automaker is facing pressure to re-evaluate its EV parts and battery production and supply in order to qualify for the $7,500 tax credit in the US. “We would not change…

LG Energy Solution and Honda have established a joint venture to produce lithium-ion batteries for Honda’s electric vehicles. The new battery plant, set to be built in Fayette County, near Jeffersonville, will begin construction early this year with plans to start mass production by the end of 2025. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 40 GWh and will exclusively supply batteries to Honda plants in North America. The companies have committed to investing $3.5 billion and creating 2,200 jobs for the new facility, with the overall investment projected to reach $4.4 billion. LG Energy Solutions (LGES), a…

The CharIN association, which promotes the CCS charging standard, has announced new members, including Chinese electric car manufacturer Nio, which recently launched in Europe. Nio sees joining the CharIN platform as an opportunity to interact with other EV charging industry partners and ensure end-to-end compatibility, promote interoperability, and strive for a better user experience. Other new members include Vega Chargers and Jema Energy from Spain, Pionix from Germany, Nanjing Powercore Tech from China, and DEWA from Dubai. It is yet to be seen how Nio’s battery-swapping stations will integrate with CharIN. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is joining…

Both Tesla’s Model S sedan and Model Y SUV were recently recognized for their safety by Euro NCAP, being named on the “Best in Class” list for 2022. Despite the perception that Tesla’s focus is on speed and futuristic features, the company has long emphasized the safety of its vehicles, with CEO Elon Musk claiming that some Tesla EVs have received the highest safety scores ever given by official organizations. Though the Autopilot and FSD Capability packages have drawn criticism, the recent recognition by Euro NCAP once again highlights Tesla’s commitment to safety in their vehicles. https://twitter.com/EuroNCAP/status/1613116129794293760 Euro NCAP uses…

Rivian, an electric vehicle startup, has recently parted ways with several top executives, including a Vice President and the head of supply chain, according to confirmation from a company spokeswoman to the Wall Street Journal. These departures come as the company attempts to increase production and build a second factory in Georgia. Although they have increased output by 36% in the quarter, they failed to meet the target of 25,000 units by 700 units. Rivian cited supply chain issues, which are also impacting other automobile manufacturers. Randy Frank, Vice President of Body and Interior Engineering and Steve Gawronski, the Vice…

Tata Motors, the top-selling electric vehicle company in India, plans to expand its electric car lineup with new models and higher prices, according to its managing director. “Customer needs are getting very individualistic. Going ahead we will maintain our growth momentum and work towards further strengthening our portfolio,” said Chandra. The company presented 12 cars, including 5 electric models, and 14 trucks, including hydrogen fuel cell-powered ones, as part of its efforts to increase its clean vehicle offerings. The electric cars featured included versions of the popular Harrier and Sierra SUVs, as well as a concept car based on a…

Mazda has revealed that it will release the new Mazda MX-30 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in the near future, the rotary engine is back! On the official Mazda Europe media page, the new Mazda MX-30 PHEV car will be launched at the 2023 Brussels Motor Show. The launch of the new Mazda MX-30 PHEV car will be held on Friday (13/1) at 10.00 local time or 16.00 WIB. Not only revealing when and where the MX-30 PHEV was launched, Mazda didn’t forget to provide a teaser photo in the form of a logo. The logo has the shape of a rotor…

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has approved regulations known as Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC), which effectively prohibit the sale of new vehicles powered by combustion engines, including gasoline and diesel vehicles. Under these rules, all new vehicle sales in Oregon must be exclusively electric by 2035, with some exceptions. According to the recently passed ACC II legislation, the sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles will be permitted, although there is no clear indication of criteria for electric-only range. The legislation specifically mentions light-duty trucks, but does not address heavy-duty models such as the Ford Super Duty, Silverado HD, or…

Suzuki has entered into a partnership with Inmotive to develop a new 2-speed EV transmission called Ingear. The Ingear transmission is designed specifically for electric vehicles and is more efficient than traditional single-speed EV powertrains. The transmission utilizes a continuous chain drive and a unique morphing sprocket that changes size during gear shifts, allowing the shift to occur in a single revolution of the wheels. To shift, an actuator directs outer gear segments in or out of the chain path, while the motor speed is carefully adjusted so that shifts are barely perceptible and can be completed in as little…

Italdesign showcased an innovative modular design at CES in Las Vegas, called the Climb-E. It is an autonomous transport platform in the form of an electric shuttle, with a basic cabin that can accommodate four passengers. However, the design is highly versatile, as the passenger compartment of the shuttle can be detached from the electric drive and platform and transformed into a variety of different spaces, such as a dentist’s office, living room or restaurant. Italdesign envisions that the Climb-E could be used for a wide range of services, such as medical, veterinary or hospitality services, and be delivered “straight…

Hyundai Motor Company announced that its SEVEN and Trailer Drone concepts have received 2022 GOOD DESIGN Awards in the transportation category, and its Plug & Drive (PnD) Mobility, PnD L7, and Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED) have each been awarded in the robotics category. “Hyundai Design strives to forge strong connections between our customers and our mobility solutions,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center.  “The awards recognize how we add more value to our customers’ everyday lives within and beyond the automotive space. Our design dream team and engineers put their passion and heart…

US. need to significantly increase the number of EV chargers in the country by 2025 to keep pace with the growing electric vehicle market. S&P Global Mobility data projects that by 2025 the number of electric vehicles will reach 7.8 million in 2025 and 28.3 million by the end of this decade. Currently there are 1.9 million electric vehicles in the US which only accounts for 0.1 percent of vehicles on the road. Although most drivers charge their electric vehicles at home, with the growing population of electric vehicles, the demand for general charging will also be great. S&P Global…

Revel will open five new fast-charging ‘Superhubs’ in New York City, adding a total of 136 public charging kiosks to New York’s EV infrastructure. The five fast charging stations will be located in Maspeth, Port Morris, South Williamsburg, Lower East Side and Red Hook. Five new fast charging ‘Superhubs’ will be unlocked around the clock and accessible to all makes of electric vehicles. To cater for all brands, the fast charger comes with CHAdeMO, CCS1, and Tesla charging plugs. Ultra-fast charging is capable of charging electric vehicles within 10-20 minutes. Revel has prepared an interactive digital charging map of New…

Britishvolt, a UK-based battery startup, announced on Monday that it is currently in negotiations with a group of investors to sell a majority share in the company. The company did not disclose the identities of the potential investors. In November, Britishvolt revealed that it had secured temporary financial support to maintain operations. The current talks are aimed at securing long-term funding for the development and production of batteries in Britain. “The two parties will provide further details at the appropriate time and have nothing further to add at this stage,” Britishvolt said. Britishvolt has proposed a $4.6 billion, 38 GWh…

Lidl has opened four electric vehicle fast-charging stations at its stores in France, with two more set to follow this year. The charging stations, which were developed with the help of ABB and DBT, are located at supermarkets in Villefranche-sur-Saône, Landivisiau, Pennes-Mirabeau, and Tourcoing. Each station features several DC charge points with various power levels, as well as AC chargers. There are four AC charging points with 22 kW of power, four DC charge points with up to 90 kW of power, and five high-power connections with 180 to 360 kW of power at each location. The stations also feature…