Author: Derick Munoz

Audi has launched a specialized test charging park at its development center in Ingolstadt, featuring a grid simulator that enables engineers to replicate charging conditions from different global markets, including China and the United States. The grid simulator allows Audi to test charging performance under various voltages and frequencies, ranging from 100 to 540 volts and 40 to 65 hertz. This ensures compatibility with international charging infrastructures. See also: Audi Unveils Q6 e-tron Offroad Concept with Portal Axles, Draws Mixed Reactions “The results are incorporated directly into the research and development of the vehicles. This means that customers always benefit…

Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company Waymo may be developing a feature that allows robotaxi passengers to add a tip for charity, according to findings by a security researcher. Jane Manchun Wong, known for uncovering unreleased app features, reported on X that she discovered the tipping option while reverse engineering Waymo’s Android app. The feature includes a button labeled “add a ‘tip’” and a dropdown menu where riders could select a charity to receive the donation. See also: Security Researcher Finds Hidden Feature in Waymo App, Customizes Robotaxi Dome Text Waymo, the driverless car company, is working on… “tipping” ⁉️ pic.twitter.com/Lh8Xexa7PZ —…

Tesla has introduced an autonomous system that enables newly manufactured vehicles to drive themselves from the factory floor to loading docks without human intervention. The advancement streamlines logistics at its production sites by reducing manual labor and improving efficiency. A video released by the company showcases the system in action, demonstrating how vehicles navigate factory intersections and park themselves at available loading bays. See also: Tesla Autopilot Engineer Teases Significant Progress in Full Self-Driving Technology Amid Criticism Tesla’s post read, “Teslas now drive themselves from their birthplace at the factory to their designated loading dock lanes without human intervention. One…

Volvo Cars will equip its upcoming 2026 electric vehicle (EV) models in Europe with Plug & Charge functionality, a feature that streamlines the charging process by automatically starting charging sessions when vehicles are connected to compatible chargers. The Swedish automaker announced that its EX40, EC40 (formerly XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge), and EX30 models will be among the first to benefit from the new technology. Plug & Charge, widely associated with Tesla’s Supercharger network, has been gradually adopted by legacy automakers aiming to enhance EV convenience. “We’re committed to simplifying the EV experience, and Plug & Charge is a significant…

General Motors (GM) delivered a positive profit outlook for 2025 after reporting full-year 2024 earnings that exceeded Wall Street estimates, despite a challenging fourth quarter impacted by special charges. The automaker announced a 2024 net income attributable to shareholders of $6.0 billion, with EBIT-adjusted earnings of $14.9 billion. In the fourth quarter, GM reported a net income loss of $3.0 billion, while its EBIT-adjusted figure stood at $2.5 billion. See also: General Motors and LG Energy Solution Unveil Prismatic Battery Cell Development Partnership The fourth-quarter results included over $5 billion in special charges, comprising $4 billion in non-cash restructuring expenses…

Lucid Group announced that its newly launched Gravity SUV will gain access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network in the United States and Canada starting Jan. 31. With a built-in North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, the Gravity SUV eliminates the need for an adapter to connect to Tesla’s chargers. Lucid noted that the Gravity became the first non-Tesla vehicle to be sold with a NACS charging port when initial deliveries of the premium electric SUV began in December 2024. Currently, the high-end Grand Touring model, priced at $94,900, is available for purchase. A lower-priced Touring variant, starting at $79,900, is…

Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are projected to rise by at least 17% in 2025, surpassing 20 million units, as China prolongs auto trade-in subsidies and Europe implements stricter CO2 emission regulations, research firm Rho Motion said on Tuesday. China, already the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market, is expected to exceed earlier growth forecasts after its 2024 sales surged by a record 40% to 11 million units. The extension of subsidies has further solidified its dominance, with Chinese automakers capturing over 80% of Latin America’s EV market in 2024 and expanding rapidly in Asia-Pacific and…

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly affordable, with inflation-adjusted prices falling by 25% since 2018, according to a Jato Dynamics report. The price reduction has significantly closed the gap between EVs and combustion-engine vehicles, addressing a long-standing barrier to adoption for many buyers. See also: Global EV Sales Surge 25% in 2024, Regional Trends Highlight Divergences In the United States, the gap between EVs and traditional cars narrowed from 50% in 2021 to just 15% by 2023. This shift has been driven by a surge in new EV models and competitive price cuts by manufacturers like Tesla. In Europe, the…

A new study led by the University of Birmingham and the London School of Economics (LSE) has revealed that modern battery electric vehicles (BEVs) now offer reliability and longevity comparable to, and in some cases better than, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The research, which analyzed over 300 million records, including data from 30 million cars, was published in Nature Energy and marks a significant milestone in the evolution of electric vehicle technology. The study examined anonymized MOT test data from Great Britain, spanning records from 2005 to 2022. The findings indicate that early electric vehicles struggled with longevity, but…

UTA Edenred, a leading mobility service provider, and Daimler Truck have expanded their partnership to facilitate charging for electric trucks at public chargers across Europe. The companies aim to extend their service card offering to additional countries, further enhancing the accessibility of charging infrastructure for fleet operators. The collaboration will focus on the ‘Mercedes ServiceCard charging card,’ which enables battery-electric trucks from Daimler to access UTA Edenred’s international charging network. The network currently includes approximately 300 truck-compatible charging stations across 28 countries, with future expansions planned. The card is currently available in Germany, Austria, and France, and will soon be…

Genesis has revealed the GV60 Mountain Intervention Vehicle (MIV), an off-road electric vehicle designed for extreme rescue operations, at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. The vehicle was showcased at the AMERON Davos Swiss Mountain Resort, attracting significant attention from attendees. The GV60 MIV, based on Genesis’s first dedicated EV, the GV60, is purpose-built for tackling challenging terrains and harsh weather conditions during rescue missions. See also: Genesis Unveils Updated GV60 Electric SUV with Refined Design Enhancements Key features of the concept include snow tracks, emergency medical and communication systems, and a heavy-duty roof and rear hatch rack.…

Apple has confirmed a delay in the rollout of its next-generation CarPlay, initially promised for 2024. First teased in 2022, the updated version is designed to integrate seamlessly with a car’s instrument cluster, displaying data like speed, climate control, and other key vehicle information. The company has not provided a revised timeline but assures that development is progressing. “We continue to work closely with several automakers, enabling them to showcase their unique brand and visual design philosophies in the next generation of CarPlay,” Apple said in a statement to MacRumors. The mention of a 2024 release has also been removed…