Author: David Smith

Tesla has started rolling out its latest software update, version 2023.12, to its employees for testing before a public release. This update includes a number of significant user interface (UI) improvements that both new and existing Tesla owners will enjoy. According to Teslascope, a third-party companion app and software update tracker, the update will offer both usability improvements and the long-requested ability to customize some of the controls. https://twitter.com/teslascope/status/1645369555899002880 The new update includes several improvements that will make accessing information easier for all users. One of the most notable changes is the addition of two text size options, Standard and…

Tesla is under investigation once again by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), marking the 40th investigation the company has faced in relation to its autonomous driving systems. While Tesla’s suite of autonomous driving offerings has wowed car owners with its capabilities, the software has faced significant criticism due to a number of high-profile cases. The latest investigation was prompted by an incident in which a Tesla vehicle collided with a high school student who was getting off a school bus in North Carolina. Despite the school bus stopping and displaying its stop signs and lights, the Tesla failed…

Rivian, the American EV manufacturer, has issued its third recall notice for the R1S electric SUVs in 2023. This time, the recall concerns 5,030 R1S vehicles that were manufactured between November 19, 2012, and March 21, 2023. The reversing lights of these vehicles may not be visible from certain angles and, as a result, do not meet the legal visibility requirements. This issue could potentially increase the risk of a collision. According to the recall report posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Rivian will replace the non-compliant reversing lights free of charge with redesigned lamps that conform…

Volvo UK has announced that its C40 and XC40 Recharge electric models have received significant technical updates that have surpassed initial expectations, resulting in improvements in driving range and energy efficiency. The latest homologated performance figures for both models reveal an increase in the distance that can be covered on a single charge by up to 64 miles, with the C40 crossover now able to cover up to 342 miles and the XC40 SUV up to 334 miles. This translates to a significant improvement of up to 24% on the outgoing models. The improvements in energy efficiency are also notable,…

Stellantis has officially confirmed that production of the highly anticipated Ram 1500 REV will take place in the United States. The announcement has caused a stir in the automotive industry, with several potential locations vying for the opportunity to land production of the all-electric pickup. The Ram 1500 REV was recently unveiled in full at the New York Auto Show, where Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares confirmed that it will be manufactured in the US, and a location will be announced soon. The Ram 1500 REV is set to be one of the most sought-after electric pickups available, with its impressive…

Tesla has announced plans to expand the use of cheaper, iron-based batteries to its Semi heavy electric trucks and an affordable electric vehicle. The world’s biggest electric carmaker will use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology for “short-range” heavy electric trucks, which it calls “Semi Light,” and proposed small electric vehicles. The move is part of Tesla’s efforts to reduce costs and increase efficiency in its production process. Elon Musk, Tesla’s Chief Executive, has championed the LFP battery technology dominated by Chinese suppliers, citing the abundance and cheaper prices of iron as a key factor. However, having Chinese suppliers build…

Kia’s recently unveiled EV9 made a big splash during its global debut in March, with standout features such as second-row captain’s chairs that swivel 180 degrees, allowing passengers to face each other. However, as the EV9 made its way to the New York Auto Show, eagle-eyed journalists noticed that the swiveling seats were missing from the US version. According to a spokesperson from Kia, the swivel seats are not part of the plan for the US launch, along with several other features that were mentioned in the global release. The loss of the swiveling seats is a disappointment for American…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reportedly set to introduce new rules next week aimed at significantly reducing vehicle emissions pollution and promoting the sale of electric vehicles. The proposed rules will cover model years 2027 through 2032 and are expected to result in at least 50% of the U.S. vehicle fleet being electric or plug-in hybrids by 2030. This aligns with a goal set by President Joe Biden in 2021, although the administration has not yet backed calls from California and others to ban the sale of new gasoline-only light-duty vehicles by 2035. The EPA’s previous light-duty tailpipe…

The world of e-bikes is constantly evolving, and the latest innovation to hit the market is the Eunorau Flash e-bike series. Available in three different models, this electric bicycle is set to revolutionize the way we think about cycling. The Flash-lite boasts a 750 W rear drive motor, while the Flash-AWD takes things up a notch with dual 750 W motors that deliver an impressive 2,000 W peak power. But it’s the range-topping Flash that really steals the show, with its 1,000 W 220 Nm mid-drive motor and built-in torque sensor. All of the motors can be operated using a…

Kia, the Korean automaker, has unveiled ambitious plans to electrify its fleet during its annual Kia CEO Investor Day presentation. The company aims to achieve over half of its global sales from electrified vehicles by 2030, and is targeting a 34% increase in its total global volume to 4.3 million units. The CEO of Kia, Ho Sung Song, has stated that the company intends to sell 2.38 million full-electric and hybrid vehicles in 2030, an increase of 300,000 units from the previous year’s target. Of these, 1.6 million vehicles, or 37% of anticipated global sales in 2030, will be battery-electric…

Ford Motor and Stellantis, two major automakers in the United States, have announced that most of their electric and plug-in electric hybrid models will see tax credits halved to $3,750 from April 18th onwards, following new U.S. Treasury rules that were unveiled on Friday. The rules were mandated by Congress as part of a $430 billion climate bill in August 2022, and are aimed at reducing China’s dominance in global supply chains of products like EV batteries and solar panels, as well as encouraging the production of these products in the U.S. “China dominates the global supply chains of products…

Indonesia, a South East Asian nation, has set bold targets for itself in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. The country had previously aimed for a 29% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and put two million electric motorcycles on the road by 2025. While these goals may seem ambitious, the nation is taking tangible steps to achieve them. The government of Indonesia has recently announced a state-funded subsidy program worth 7 trillion rupiahs (~$459M USD) to encourage the purchase of electric motorcycles. The program aims to promote the sale of 800,000 new electric…