Author: David Smith

Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) and Motor magazine have recently conducted the world’s largest winter electric car test, assessing the range and charging speed of electric cars available in Norway. The test was conducted on 29 electric car models, starting from Oslo and going through Lygnasæter, Gjøvik, Ringebu, Dombås, Hjerkinn, Folldal before heading south to Venabygdsfjellet and then back to Ringebu. The cars were started with a fully charged battery without preheating, with the temperature overnight being between -10 and -15°C. See also: Finnish Minerals Group and Epsilon Advanced Materials considers construction of anode material plant The test aimed to determine…

As the demand for zero-emission electric vehicles surges, Toyota has finally decided to join the movement by beginning production of electric SUVs in the US. After falling far behind the industry over the past several years, insisting on a hybrid approach rather than going all in on fully electric vehicles, Toyota has significant ground to make up. To catch up with competitors, Toyota’s longtime CEO, Akio Toyoda, is passing the baton to Lexus chief branding officer Koji Sato. Set to take the reins on April 1, 2023, Sato has addressed the situation, claiming Toyota is committed to building better cars…

Faraday Future has announced that it is targeting March 30, 2023, as the start of production (SOP) date for its flagship FF 91 Futurist. The company expects to begin deliveries to its first users by the end of April, assuming it receives timely funding from its investors. This will mark a historic moment for Faraday Future, according to its Global CEO, Chen Xuefeng (XF), who expressed his gratitude to all those who have supported the company. Faraday Future’s Hanford California manufacturing facility, known as “FF ieFactory California,” will produce the first vehicles, and the company has secured all the funding…

Tesla has recently released the release notes for the Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta V11.3, which is believed to be currently rolling out to the company’s employee FSD Beta testers. The electric vehicle community has been eagerly anticipating this update, as it reportedly brings some significant improvements to the FSD Beta software. According to longtime FSD Beta testers, the new version brings several key improvements that would make the driving experience much smoother and closer to that of a human driver. These improvements include better handling in high-speed and high-curvature scenarios, as well as improved Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) capabilities. The…

Beta Technologies, an aerospace manufacturer based in Vermont, recently completed the first test flight of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi in New York City. With its partner brand, Blade Air Mobility, the firm plans to have its air taxi in commercial use by 2026. Blade Air Mobility currently provides short-haul helicopter rides for high-end clients looking to save time by avoiding traffic. In the next three years, the company plans to start using Beta’s eVTOL aircraft in New York, aiming to offer customers an efficient and environmentally friendly transportation option. See also: EHang Completes First Passenger-Carrying…

Volta Inc., a company that specializes in electric vehicle (EV) charging and media services, has announced its plans to use its infrastructure planning service, PredictEV®, to perform an extensive EV charging needs assessment for the City of Irving, Texas. PredictEV® will use data-driven insights to identify the most effective charging infrastructure strategy based on current and future requirements of EV drivers, including those from disadvantaged communities. This information will be used by the Transportation and Natural Resources Committee in Irving to create a comprehensive infrastructure plan that will enable the city to apply for federal and state grants in the…

Eve Holding Inc, a Brazilian electric aircraft maker controlled by Embraer SA, is on track to achieve its goal of starting commercial operations in 2026, according to Luiz Mauad, the vice president of services & fleet operations at Eve. Mauad highlighted that the certification of its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft is the most immediate target, and that he expects progress to be made in establishing rules for the sector by authorities in 2023. Once established, this would pave the way for certification in a few years. Eve has already launched a process for Brazil’s civil aviation regulator to…

Tesla is offering an exclusive trade-in offer for Model S and Model X owners, where they can get a $5,000 increase in trade-in value if they have unlimited Supercharging enabled. The electric car manufacturer has launched an Ownership Loyalty Program with some updates, which allows the Model S and Model X owners to get the extra credit on their trade-in value if they purchase another Model S or Model X. The offer can’t be applied to other models, such as the Model 3 or Model Y. Tesla’s aim with this incentive appears to be to increase sales of new Model…

Munro Vehicles, a UK startup, has made waves in the auto industry with the recent unveiling of its first electric vehicle, the MK_1. Dubbed as the world’s most capable all-electric 4×4, the MK_1 boasts impressive features and capabilities that can rival even the most established off-road vehicles in the market. Despite the ongoing patent infringement suit filed against the company by Bollinger Motors, Munro Vehicles remains steadfast in its mission to develop and scale up the MK_1. In fact, the vehicle made its public debut at the Low Carbon Agriculture 2023 show in Stoneleigh, UK, where its potential to revolutionize…

Tesla has sold out its Model Y for the quarter in the United States, with no more production builds until April, as reported by Electrek citing sources familiar with the matter. Despite being just halfway through the quarter, the new model, now Tesla’s highest-volume vehicle, has been in high demand, as customers rush to take advantage of the recent price drops and the new $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles. Tesla has completely run out of production build slots for the Model Y for the quarter, but the automaker will still have some specific configurations in inventory available in…

The Somerset Police Department in Wisconsin has added a Tesla Model Y to their fleet, justifying the higher purchase price of the electric vehicle by analyzing the total savings they expect to see over the next decade. Despite some skepticism about the benefits of fully electric police cars due to their higher purchase prices compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, Chief Joel J. Trepczyk believes that the Tesla Model Y will “save taxpayers money and eliminate idle waste/cost.” Based on their projections and calculations, the department anticipates total savings of $83,810 over 10 years of use when compared to a conventional…

The updated Nio EC6 based on the new 2.0 EV platform, has finally been approved by the Chinese government and is ready to hit showrooms. The latest EC6 offers an array of updates and improvements over its predecessor, making it a distinct and more advanced version. One of the most noticeable changes in the new EC6 is the redesign of the front bumper, which features more subtle headlights and a different design for the daytime running lights (DLRs). The side profile is equally impressive, with a straight shoulder line that connects the front and rear wheel arches, creating a more sophisticated…