Author: David Smith

A new all-electric bus service will begin in the midwest region of Ireland this month, featuring 11 new buses for Athlone’s depot. The depot has been reconfigured with charging infrastructure installed by ESB Smart Energy Services, including chargers and a substation to power the electric fleet. This new service is expected to cut CO2 emissions by 400,000kg annually and provide a quieter bus experience for Athlone and its many weekly passengers. The service set to launch on January 29th, is the first of 35 planned transportation projects to be rolled out under the Government’s Pathfinder program. Operated by Bus Éireann,…

Citroen has released its latest electric vehicle, the eC3, but it will only be available in India. The company markets the eC3 as an SUV, but it is actually just a small hatchback with raised suspension and added exterior cladding. The eC3 looks similar to its gasoline-powered counterparts, with the only difference being the lack of a tailpipe. The car has small blue “e” badges but otherwise does not stand out as an electric vehicle. It is unclear if the budget was limited or if Citroen chooses not to emphasize the eC3’s electric power source. The interior of the eC3…

In December of last year, pictures emerged online that seemed to show a refreshed version of the Tesla Model 3. These recent photos, taken of the same vehicle spotted on the streets again, have led to even more pictures being shared online. Some speculate that the Model 3 update will be similar to the Model S refresh, with minimal exterior changes and mostly under-the-hood improvements. However, if this were the case, why would Tesla go to the effort of covering up the front and rear bumpers? The December photos also hinted at some slight design modifications. Besides aesthetics, rumors suggest…

Technicians at Tesla’s Gigafactory Austin have reportedly begun assembling a 9,000-ton Giga Press from Italian die casting machinery maker IDRA Group. This machine, which has been spotted in the factory over the past few months, will be used to produce structural components for the Cybertruck. Drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer, who has been closely monitoring the construction of Tesla’s Texas plant since the beginning, has captured images of the giant new casting machine being assembled inside the factory. A drone flyover video shows that Tesla is currently in the process of assembling the Giga Press, the world’s largest aluminum die casting…

Data from China Merchants Bank International (CMBI) showed that Tesla’s retail sales in China significantly increased in January, following a reduction in prices for their best-selling models. According to CMBI, the average daily sales for Tesla in China from January 9th to January 15th were 12,654 vehicles, a 76% increase from the same period in 2022. This is in contrast to a 14.5% decrease in overall retail auto sales in China during the same week, however, sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in the country did increase by 36.5%. The company has not yet commented on CMBI’s data on Tesla’s…

Renault Group and French research organization CEA are developing a highly efficient bidirectional charger for electric vehicles. The charger, set to be used in Renault’s production models by the end of the decade, aims to reduce energy losses during charging by 30%. The improved efficiency is attributed to a new architecture for onboard current transformers, which will be made with new materials and integrated into the vehicles’ onboard charger. The charger will also have the ability to feed power back into the grid, and have a charging power of up to 22 kW in three-phase operation. Renault has developed a…

BMW announced at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show that it will not provide over-the-air performance upgrades for its electric vehicles. As a result, customers who want a faster accelerating BMW iX will have to opt for the M60 variant. This decision was confirmed by Frank Weber, a member of BMW’s Board of Management for Development. This differs from Mercedes-Benz’s approach, which faced criticism in the past for its $1,200 Acceleration Increase subscription. As a reminder, Mercedes previously offered a $100 per month upgrade on its EQE 350 to increase output from 288 to 349 horsepower, resulting in a drop in…

The Tesla Cybertruck is close to production after its unveiling by CEO Elon Musk over three years ago, according to Chief Vehicle Designer Franz von Holzhausen in a podcast interview. The Tesla Cybertruck, originally unveiled in 2019, has faced multiple delays due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying supply chain disruptions. Despite CEO Elon Musk stating the design is final, Tesla continues to make slight modifications as it gears up for early production in mid-2023, with full-scale production scheduled for the end of the year. According to Tesla’s Chief Vehicle Designer Franz von Holzhausen, the company is nearing production…

In December 2022, new passenger car registrations in France remained stable at 158,006, on par with December 2021. However, the overall volume for the year decreased by 8% to 1.53 million units, the lowest result in 47 years (since 1975). While the market for plug-in electric cars is growing, it is doing so at a slow pace. According to L’Avere-France, 42,461 new plug-in vehicles were registered in France last month, a 6% increase from the previous year. This includes 39,488 passenger plug-in cars, a 2% increase, making up 25% of the market (compared to 24.5% the previous year). The growth…

In 2022, the Peugeot 208 was the top-selling passenger car in Europe and its fully electric counterpart, the e-208, was the top-selling electric vehicle in the B-Segment. As a brand, Peugeot took first place in the electric B-Segment thanks to the success of both the e-208 and e-2008. These vehicles feature modern and efficient electric engines, as well as a variety of driving aids and innovations that pleased over 76,000 customers in Europe that year. Peugeot has announced that 2023 will be a turning point for the brand with all models available with one or more electrified engines options (100%…

Electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular in Europe as a sustainable mode of personal transportation. Many people are opting for electric bicycles, scooters, and motorbikes instead of cars, and as battery technology improves, electric two-wheelers are becoming more reliable. Spanish car manufacturer SEAT recently entered the e-mobility market with the Mo 125 electric scooter, designed for beginner commuters. They have also introduced the Mo 50, an electric scooter comparable to a 50cc gas-powered machine, making it accessible for riders as young as 14 years old. SEAT, the Spanish automaker, was able to develop the Mo 50 electric scooter by utilizing…

Ford’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has had its challenges, including resistance from Lincoln dealerships over the requirements for selling EVs from the brand. However, Ford reported that 59% of its dealers agreed to the terms, representing 88% of Lincoln’s share volume, according to Automotive News. This was a relief for Ford, who had been dealing with complaints about its $900,000 certification program for carrying EVs, which was intended to fund charging infrastructure at showrooms. Ford announced that 356 dealers have agreed to invest in the company’s EV program. Around 90% of them are located in the top 130 luxury…