Author: David Smith

United Kingdom’s Department for Transport has unveiled its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, ushering in a new era for the automotive industry. The mandate, confirmed after a government announcement on Thursday, imposes significant obligations on UK automakers, demanding that 22 percent of all new cars and 10 percent of all new vans sold in 2024 be zero-emission vehicles. This quota is set to gradually increase, reaching a remarkable 80 percent by 2030, ultimately paving the way for a complete transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2035. However, manufacturers that fail to meet these targets will face financial penalties, though there is…

Unplugged Performance, renowned for its automotive tuning expertise, is set to enhance the Tesla Model Y’s off-road capabilities with the introduction of the UP-03 Beadlock wheels. These 18-inch forged aluminum wheels offer a unique blend of versatility, combining beadlock capability for off-road adventures and a standard tire mounting option for DOT-compliant highway driving. Unplugged Performance CEO, Ben Schaffer, expressed their pride in unveiling the UP-03 Beadlock wheels, stating, “They are a testament to the design and functionality that defines Unplugged Performance. These wheels represent our full support of uncompromised off-roading and overlanding car culture.” The key innovation of these wheels…

In the ever-evolving realm of the automotive industry, a confluence of factors has drastically transformed the landscape within just a span of three years. From pandemic-induced disruptions to the ascent of electric vehicles and shifting consumer preferences, automakers find themselves navigating a turbulent yet exciting era. Since the onset of the pandemic, an interesting trend has emerged: the resurgence of interest in luxury vehicles. While this may appear as a boon for automakers due to their higher margins, it’s important to note that luxury vehicles still account for a modest 20 percent of the market. Intriguingly, this segment witnesses a…

In a groundbreaking joint study conducted by The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and Cruise, the autonomous vehicle (AV) subsidiary of General Motors, self-driving taxis have emerged as a significantly safer mode of transportation compared to traditional cabs with human drivers. The study, aimed at establishing a safety benchmark for human-driven taxis, relied on a comprehensive dataset comprising 5.6 million miles of ride-hail driving information. This extensive dataset allowed for a thorough comparison of safety performance between human-driven and autonomous vehicles. The findings of the study are striking. Human-driven taxis were found to be involved in 64.9 collisions per…

Tesla has commenced construction on its ambitious project – a futuristic diner complete with a drive-in theater and Supercharger station. After several years of speculation and regulatory hurdles, it seems Elon Musk’s brainchild is taking shape. Back in 2018, Elon Musk, the enigmatic CEO of Tesla, first announced his vision of creating an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant” at a new Tesla Supercharger location in Los Angeles. Many were left wondering whether it was just another whimsical idea from Musk, but as it turns out, he was dead serious. Tesla’s initial attempt to realize this dream involved…

In a landmark trial that commenced on Thursday in Riverside, California, Tesla found itself at the center of a pivotal legal battle. The case, the first of its kind in the United States, hinges on allegations that Tesla’s Autopilot feature played a role in a fatal accident, reigniting debates about the responsibilities of both automakers and drivers in the era of autonomous driving. The lawsuit stems from a tragic incident in 2019 when Micah Lee’s Tesla Model 3 veered off a highway east of Los Angeles, striking a palm tree and erupting in flames, resulting in Lee’s untimely death and…

Northvolt, a Swedish lithium-ion battery manufacturer, announced on Thursday its plans to construct a $5.2 billion gigafactory in Quebec, marking a significant milestone in Canada’s electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing landscape. This substantial investment, the largest of its kind in the province, further amplifies Canada’s presence in the global EV revolution. The inaugural phase of construction for the Northvolt Six factory, located just outside Montreal, is slated to commence later this year with an operational target of 2026. Northvolt is set to contribute $3.2 billion to the project, while both the local and federal governments will each invest $1 billion,…

BMW has announced the addition of two new plug-in hybrid models to its renowned 5 Series Sedan lineup. This expansion of BMW’s electrified offerings comes just weeks after the debut of the all-electric BMW i5 and the combustion engine variants equipped exclusively with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. The upcoming plug-in hybrid models, namely the BMW 530e Sedan and the BMW 550e xDrive Sedan, are set to be launched in November 2023. These models are now available for ordering in Germany at recommended retail prices of 65,300 euros (incl. VAT) for the BMW 530e Sedan and 77,300 euros (incl. VAT) for…

Daimler Truck Financial Services, a provider of financial solutions for commercial vehicles, has teamed up with Electrada, a company specializing in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, to introduce a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution. This collaboration aims to assist customers in their transition to sustainable transportation. The initial phase of this all-in-one charging solution is set to roll out in the first half of 2024, targeting select customers in the United States. While specific details about future developments remain undisclosed, the partnership signifies a significant step toward promoting electric mobility. Richard Howard, President of Daimler Truck Financial Services USA, outlined the core…

Solaris, the manufacturer of electric buses, has clinched a new order from the public transport operator in Opole, Poland. The order comprises nine Urbino 12 Electric buses, scheduled for delivery by Solaris in the latter half of 2024, along with the necessary charging infrastructure. This development marks another chapter in the longstanding collaboration between MZK Opole and Solaris, with the partnership dating back to 2020. MZK Opole had initially placed an order for these electric buses at the end of 2022. Notably, the transport operator in Opole already operates 15 Solaris buses, including five electric ones. The new order includes…

Atlas Materials, a U.S.-based company pioneering an innovative technology for processing low-grade nickel ore suitable for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, has successfully raised $27 million in funding. The funding injection marks a significant milestone as the firm prepares to construct a pilot plant in North America, according to an announcement made by the startup. Atlas has devised a groundbreaking method to transform a specific type of nickel ore traditionally used in stainless steel production into a suitable form for EV batteries. Importantly, this process generates minimal emissions and produces no waste. CEO Jeremy Ley outlined the company’s ambitious plans, revealing…

Berlin-based charging infrastructure provider Ubitricity has marked a significant milestone by surpassing 10,000 charging points within its network. The achievement was realized in the Netherlands, where Ubitricity made a substantial addition to its charging infrastructure by incorporating approximately 1,500 existing AC charging points in the regions of North Holland, Flevoland, and Utrecht. This expansion into the Dutch market took place in July 2023, further solidifying Ubitricity’s position as a leading player in the charging industry. It’s important to note that the 10,000 charging points encompass not only self-installed chargers utilizing Ubitricity hardware but also a majority that relies on the…