Author: David Smith

Volkswagen has announced a temporary halt in production at its Zwickau and Dresden plants in Germany. The pause, slated for the first two weeks of October, affects the VW ID.3 and Cupra Born models, emblematic of Volkswagen’s pivot towards electric mobility. A spokesperson from Volkswagen cited intensified competition, particularly from Tesla and a burgeoning field of Chinese automakers, as contributing factors to the decision. Furthermore, the European EV market has witnessed a decrease in demand due to soaring inflation and reductions in subsidies, compounding the challenges faced by the German automaker. The production suspension at the Zwickau plant coincides with…

California Governor Gavin Newsom has chosen to veto Assembly Bill 316, a legislative proposal that aimed to mandate the presence of trained human safety operators in autonomous semi trucks whenever they traverse public roads within the state. While the bill received resounding support with a 36-2 vote in the Senate just last week, it awaited the Governor’s approval before becoming law. Governor Newsom defended his decision by asserting that the bill was deemed “unnecessary” in the realm of heavy-duty autonomous vehicle technology regulation. He stressed the adequacy of the existing regulatory framework, which vests the California Department of Motor Vehicles…

In the wake of Tesla’s recent facelift for the 2024 Model 3, an astute observation emerged from Tesla enthusiasts: the absence of the Model 3 Performance variant. However, it appears that Tesla has not overlooked the demand for a sportier iteration, as hints of a new Performance model have surfaced, suggesting it may be on the horizon. Information shared on the TFF Forum in Germany, and subsequently reported by Drive Tesla Canada, brought to light an intriguing development. The Dutch vehicle authority recently released a vehicle certification document for the 2024 Model 3, and within it, there is mention of…

The United Kingdom’s recent decision to delay the ban on new fossil fuel car sales has ignited a discussion on its potential impact on the electric vehicle (EV) transition. Despite evoking concerns from automakers about supply chain disruptions and investment uncertainty, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who faces a challenging election in 2024, defended the five-year extension to 2035, emphasizing it as a move “in the best interest of the country.” Sunak cited a desire to alleviate the burden on those affected by the cost-of-living crisis, particularly those unable to afford the higher-priced EVs, as a motivation for the delay.…

Chinese battery materials company CNGR Advanced Materials has unveiled ambitious plans to commence the production of critical battery components for electric vehicles (EVs) in Morocco. To bring this vision to fruition, CNGR intends to establish a strategic joint venture with Al Mada, one of Africa’s largest private investment funds. Together, they aim to construct a state-of-the-art facility in Jorf Lasfar, situated within the El Jadida region of Morocco, with the primary goal of processing indigenous raw materials, including cobalt, phosphate, and manganese, into essential battery components. The primary focus of this collaborative effort will center on the production of precursors…

Candela, the Swedish electric boat manufacturer, has shattered the previous endurance record for electric boats, showcasing the potential of electric marine transportation. The previous record, standing at 79 nautical miles (146 km) in 20 hours, was eclipsed by the Candela C-8’s astonishing performance. The groundbreaking record run took place on a 20-nautical-mile circuit, running between Stockholm Freeport and the island of Tynningö. The primary objective of this endeavor was to demonstrate fast-charging capabilities, underscoring the viability of electric boats for extended journeys. See also: Candela C-8: The First Electric Hydrofoil Boat Powered by Polestar Technology After completing each lap, the…

Volvo has unveiled an innovative approach to its advanced driver assist suite. The company’s representatives recently shared their insights during the inaugural public crash test of the EX90 EV, emphasising the need to minimise unnecessary warnings. Mikael Ljung, Senior Safety Technical Lead at Volvo, explained, “You spend about 80% of your time looking at the road ahead and 20% elsewhere. People have learned to do this in a way that works for safe driving.” Ljung highlighted that the 80/20 division of attention is effective in ensuring safe driving, with accidents primarily occurring due to sporadic distractions. Volvo’s new system takes…

Bird Globa has acquired Spin, a shared electric bike and scooter operator, from Berlin-based TIER Mobility. The acquisition, valued at $19 million, with $10 million in upfront cash, cements Bird’s status as the largest micromobility operator in North America, both in terms of market share and the number of markets served. Spin, headquartered in San Francisco, boasts a robust presence in North America, operating in over 50 cities and on various university campuses. Importantly, this footprint has minimal overlap with Bird’s existing operations, ensuring geographic expansion for the micromobility giant. This strategic acquisition significantly bolsters Bird’s geographical reach, consolidating its…

Takashi Watanabe, President of Lexus, confirmed the luxury automaker’s stance on producing its versions of Toyota’s existing internal combustion engine (ICE) pickup lineup, which includes well-known models like the Hilux, the Tacoma, and the Tundra. While Lexus currently has no plans to venture into this segment, it remains open to the possibility of developing a fully electric truck in response to customer demand. Watanabe emphasized that Toyota holds the responsibility for the development of pickups within the larger Toyota Group, leaving Lexus and Gazoo Racing with distinct roles and priorities. However, for those who have been dreaming of a Lexus-branded…

Steve Girsky, the newly appointed CEO of Nikola, has drawn intriguing parallels between his company’s current position and Tesla’s early days when it was underestimated by the industry. Girsky, who assumed the role in August this year, served on GM’s board of directors from 2009 to 2016, giving him a unique perspective on the automotive landscape. Girsky reminisced about how, during his tenure at GM, Tesla was often regarded as “just a bunch of engineers playing with laptop batteries.” However, he noted that Tesla’s relentless drive and innovation ultimately allowed it to gain a remarkable ten-year head start on the…

The coastal city of Kiel in northern Germany is set to bolster its public transportation fleet with an order of 50 electric buses from Dutch manufacturer VDL. Commencing in July of next year and spanning a year-long period, Kiel’s capital of Schleswig-Holstein will witness a steady influx of three to five new electric buses each month, marking a noteworthy development in the city’s commitment to environmentally friendly transportation. The substantial order comprises 30 Citea LF-181 articulated electric buses and 20 Citea LF-122 electric solo buses, all of the latest generation models. Valued at 800,000 euros for an articulated bus and…

German automaker BMW has officially announced that its upcoming Neue Klasse electric vehicles (EVs), set to debut in the coming years, will feature a new-generation design language showcased in the Vision Neue Klasse concept. CEO Oliver Zipse has confirmed that this design approach will not only extend to the electric platform but also to customized models exclusive to the Chinese market. Speaking at the World New Energy Vehicle Congress, Zipse revealed that BMW Design Shanghai is already actively engaged in crafting unique designs and functionalities for Neue Klasse vehicles specifically tailored for Chinese consumers. While Zipse did not provide specific…