Author: David Smith

China has officially launched its annual campaign to promote new-energy vehicles (NEVs) in rural areas. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), along with four other government departments, announced that the campaign will take place from June to December in three locations: Wuxi in East China, Qionghai in South China, and Jingmen in Central China. During this campaign, a total of 69 NEV models will be showcased, according to the MIIT. The ministry has urged NEV manufacturers and distributors to finalize their sales policies and enhance their customer service systems. Additionally, charging facility operators have been encouraged to provide…

Volvo, the Swedish automotive group, has officially announced the opening of its office in Fort Worth, Texas, which will serve as a central hub for its planned automated trucking services in the state. The new facility, operated by Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS), aims to streamline efforts and coordinate operations as the company prepares for the launch of commercial autonomous hub-to-hub transportation. While the long-term objective is to establish autonomous freight corridors between major Texan cities such as Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston, Volvo Autonomous Solutions will initially focus on utilizing trucks with drivers to cater to its customers,…

Archer Aviation and Stellantis are gearing up to showcase their electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Midnight, in its European debut at the upcoming 2023 Paris Air Show’s air mobility event. This demonstration marks an important milestone for Archer as it prepares for the commercial launch of Midnight in 2025. The collaboration between Archer Aviation and Stellantis began in 2020, and in January of this year, they announced that Stellantis would serve as the exclusive manufacturer of Archer’s innovative aircraft. Midnight, which was initially unveiled last year, has been specifically designed to revolutionize urban air transportation. With the ability…

Following its highly anticipated release in China last month, the second-generation Nio ES6 has finally arrived in various European markets. However, due to an ongoing trademark legal battle with Audi, the innovative electric vehicle will be rebranded as the Nio EL6 for European customers. The Nio EL6 is set to captivate the German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian markets, offering enthusiasts the choice to either purchase the vehicle outright or opt for a convenient monthly subscription program. Embodying the essence of a smart and versatile all-electric SUV, the EL6 displays a subtle evolution in its design compared to its predecessor.…

Aehra, an Italian electric vehicle (EV) startup renowned for its focus on crafting ultra-premium electric cars, has recently unveiled the exterior design of its upcoming model, the Sedan. This grand reveal took place at the prestigious Milano Monza Motor Show, where the Sedan was showcased in its concept form. Serving as a sibling to Aehra’s previously showcased SUV, both models were developed simultaneously, a fact made evident by their striking visual similarities. Inheriting the design language and body surface treatment of the Aehra SUV, the Sedan boasts a distinct identity with its lower stature and unique front and rear ends.…

Volkswagen’s PowerCo SE has unveiled a groundbreaking battery manufacturing technique that could revolutionize the sector and lead to substantial cost savings for the company. By introducing a novel “dry coating” procedure, Volkswagen has found a way to produce electrodes more efficiently and affordably, potentially saving hundreds of millions of euros annually. Traditionally, battery materials are mixed with additives and liquid solvents to form a slurry, which is then coated onto copper or aluminum foils, dried, and calendered. This conventional process is not only expensive but also consumes a significant amount of power. However, the introduction of the dry coating technique…

A group of European manufacturers specializing in L7e microcars has joined forces to create a compelling alternative to large cars in urban areas. Founding members of the newly established “Microcars Coalition” include prominent companies such as Microlino, City Transformer, and Circle Mobility, with many others expected to join their cause in the near future. The primary objective of the coalition is to raise awareness about microcars and their numerous benefits within cities. They aim to promote policies that incentivize individuals to transition from larger vehicles to microcars by ensuring favorable tax and subsidy regulations. Additionally, the coalition plans to collaborate…

Renault is set to launch the all-electric Renault 5 as the first vehicle equipped with a bidirectional charger. This milestone development will enable Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) services, allowing the car to feed electricity back into the grid when needed. The Renault 5, along with a V2G-capable charging station, will be available in France and Germany starting in 2024 and in the UK in 2025. The introduction of bidirectional charging is being spearheaded by Renault’s mobility brand, Mobilize. In order to utilize this feature, customers will require a V2G-capable charging station, which can facilitate the two-way flow of electricity between the vehicle…

In a recent update, Tesla has made a slight increase in the price of its popular Model Y electric vehicle in the United States. According to information available on the company’s website, the price of one variant has been raised by a mere $250, bringing the new price to $47,740. However, the prices for the other variants of the Model Y remain unchanged in the U.S. This adjustment marks the third price hike for the Model Y since April 19, when Tesla previously reduced prices for some of its vehicles in the country. In May, the company had implemented a…

General Motors (GM) and Samsung SDI have revealed plans to construct a state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) battery cell plant in Indiana, with an estimated investment of over $3 billion. Indiana’s governor confirmed the news, stating that the plant is set to commence operations in 2026, generating approximately 1,700 job opportunities. Earlier this year, in April, GM and Samsung SDI announced their intention to collaborate on a joint venture for EV battery manufacturing in the United States. However, they had not yet disclosed the specific location. It was reported by Reuters in January that GM had decided against proceeding with a…

Stellantis, the multinational automotive manufacturing corporation, has initiated the production of the Peugeot e-208 on a small scale at its facility near Zaragoza, as reported by Spanish media sources. The e-208 model was previously manufactured at the Trnava plant in Slovakia but has now been relocated to Zaragoza, where the Opel Corsa is also assembled. In Spain, the production of the e-208 will commence in limited numbers, with plans for full-scale production expected to begin in September or October. Reports suggest that the relocation was necessitated by the allocation of new models to the Trnava plant, leaving no room for…

Toyota Motor Corporation’s Chairman, Akio Toyoda, has unveiled the “GR H2 Racing Concept,” a prototype of a hydrogen engine vehicle designed to compete in the new hydrogen car category of the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours race. This marks the first time Toyota has showcased a hydrogen-powered race car, driven by the recent announcement by the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest) – the organizer of the Le Mans 24 Hours – allowing hydrogen-engine vehicles to participate alongside fuel cell electric vehicles in the race’s hydrogen category. Toyota has already been actively involved in hydrogen-powered racing, participating in the Super Taikyu…