Author: Derick Munoz

Tesla on Sunday teased an upcoming event scheduled for October 7, fueling speculation that the automaker may unveil a long-awaited affordable model aimed at revitalizing sales growth. Shares of the company rose about 2% in premarket trading following the announcement. In a nine-second video posted on social media platform X, the company showed a car with illuminated headlights against a dark background, accompanied by the date “10/7.” The brief clip offered few details but heightened expectations among investors and analysts, many of whom are anticipating the debut of a lower-cost version of the Model Y or a new entry-level vehicle.…

Electric vehicle drivers in Illinois can now access flat-rate fast charging for $15 per session, following a new pricing initiative introduced by Universal EV Chargers. The program aims to simplify the charging experience by eliminating time-based rates and additional surcharges. See also: Universal EV Chargers Awarded Grants to Expand EV Charging Network Across Illinois Under the new system, drivers can charge their vehicles to around 80% in about 30 minutes for a fixed cost of $15 per session, regardless of charging duration. The network supports both CCS and NACS connectors and does not require a membership to use. However, the…

New Mexico has partnered with GreenPower Motor Company to deploy all-electric, zero-emission school buses in several districts as part of a two-year pilot program aimed at evaluating performance, reliability, and environmental benefits. The initiative, supported by a $5 million state appropriation, will introduce three Type A Nano BEAST buses during the 2025-26 school year. In the second year, two Type D BEAST buses and one Mega BEAST model will be added. The vehicles will rotate across districts in five six-week cycles each year, with GreenPower providing charging infrastructure, driver training, and telematics to collect operational data. Brendan Riley, president of…

California now has more than 201,000 public and shared electric vehicle (EV) charging ports, Governor Gavin Newsom said, marking a major step in the state’s effort to expand clean transportation. The figure represents an increase of 22,631 since March 2025 and nearly 70% more charging ports than gasoline nozzles at service stations. The milestone includes public chargers located at places such as supermarkets, gas stations and park-and-ride lots, along with shared chargers installed in apartment buildings, offices and sports venues, which may have access restrictions. In addition, the state has roughly 800,000 private chargers installed in single-family homes, according to…

Kia Motors temporarily halted production at its Gwangju plant in South Korea on Wednesday after a partial strike at Motras, a subsidiary of auto parts supplier Hyundai Mobis, caused a shortage of electronic module components. The stoppage affected Plant 1, where the EV5 and Seltos SUVs are assembled, and Plant 2, producing the Sportage and Soul, while a third facility remained operational. Local reports indicated that Motras workers began four-hour daily strikes on September 24, demanding full employment guarantees and performance-based pay comparable to other automakers. A Kia spokesperson said, “Motras is expected to resume normal operations tomorrow. The Kia…

Tesla has been granted a U.S. patent (US12420879B1) for an innovative vehicle assembly system designed to enhance production speed, accuracy, and efficiency, particularly for its upcoming robotaxi, the Cybercab. The method, called True Unboxed Process 2.0, replaces traditional piece-by-piece assembly with a “global datum,” serving as a master reference point to ensure every component aligns precisely. This approach prevents small misalignments from accumulating during assembly, which can otherwise cause uneven panel gaps and require costly rework. Instead of relying on numerous clips, bolts, and brackets, the system uses industrial-strength adhesive applied by robots to secure panels. The adhesive compensates for…

RWTH Aachen University’s Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) is working with several European and international partners to develop next-generation battery packs under the Horizon Europe-funded project ‘RESiLiTE’. The initiative, supported with around €6.2 million in EU funding, aims to improve the energy density, efficiency, safety, temperature resistance and sustainability of batteries used in electric vehicles and future electric aircraft. Project partners include Turkish electric car manufacturer Togg, semiconductor group Infineon Austria and the Fraunhofer Institutes EMI and LBF. The research is centred on a cell-to-pack approach using cylindrical 4695-format cells densely integrated into a lightweight housing made…

Kia has launched the EV4, its first all-electric C-segment hatchback, as the South Korean automaker seeks to expand its electrification strategy in Europe. Built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV4 offers up to 391 miles of range on the WLTP cycle and will be produced at Kia’s plant in Slovakia. The EV4 is powered by an 81.4 kWh battery in its long-range version, charging from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes, and paired with a 150 kW front-mounted motor. A standard 58.3 kWh variant will also be available. The hatchback accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in…

Britain’s largest carmaker, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), said on Tuesday it would extend the closure of its three domestic factories until October 1 following a cyberattack in early September that has paralyzed operations and disrupted smaller suppliers. The factories produce roughly 1,000 vehicles per day, and the shutdown is reportedly costing the company £50 million ($68 million) per week. “We have made this decision to give clarity for the coming week as we build the timeline for the phased restart of our operations and continue our investigation,” JLR said in a statement. The company did not provide details on who…

Jeep has introduced a £3,750 grant for its Avenger electric SUV in the UK, aligning the incentive with the highest level of the country’s new Electric Car Grant. The offer, which applies to the Longitude, Altitude and Summit trims, runs until Sept. 30. The incentive lowers the entry-level Longitude to £26,249, the Altitude to £28,249 and the Summit to £30,249. Jeep is also offering a £1,500 deposit contribution on the Summit variant when financed through 0% APR Personal Contract Purchase, reducing monthly payments to around £270. The UK government launched its Electric Car Grant in July, offering subsidies of up…

Illinois said it will invest $18.4 million to build 25 new electric vehicle charging stations along interstate highways, after federal funds that had been frozen were restored through legal action. The charging projects, announced by Governor JB Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Illinois Department of Transportation, will support both automakers and charging providers. Beneficiaries include Tesla, Rivian, Electrify America, EVgo, Universal EV, and Francis Energy Charging, which were selected last year before the funding was halted. “Selected locations will have at least four DC fast charging ports, each of which can fully charge a typical EV from empty…

Porsche AG said on Friday it will delay parts of its electric vehicle rollout, citing weaker demand, trade pressures in China and higher tariffs in the United States, prompting both the luxury brand and its parent Volkswagen to cut their 2025 profit outlooks. Volkswagen, which owns 75.4% of Porsche, said it would take a €5.1 billion ($6 billion) charge linked to a wide-ranging product overhaul. The shift prioritizes hybrids and combustion-engine cars over some electric models. Porsche said the change could reduce its operating profit by up to €1.8 billion this year. Porsche plans to postpone launches of several all-electric…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) said its sodium-ion battery has reached an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, supporting a driving range of more than 500 kilometres for electric vehicles, and will enter mass supply next year depending on customer rollout schedules. The world’s largest EV battery maker said sodium-ion batteries, while offering slightly lower energy density than lithium-ion cells, deliver advantages in low-temperature performance, carbon footprint and safety. These features make them suitable for adoption in cold regions and broaden the geographical reach of electric mobility. CATL estimates that sodium-ion batteries could meet over 40% of passenger vehicle demand…

Five out of seven recently tested electric vehicles performed well in a key crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), while two models showed weaker protection for back seat passengers. The 2025 BMW i4, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Tesla Cybertruck and Volkswagen ID.Buzz earned good ratings in the moderate overlap front test, while the Tesla Model 3 was rated acceptable. The Cybertruck’s rating applies only to vehicles built after April 2025, when changes were made to the front underbody structure. All five models demonstrated strong driver protection, though IIHS noted the Model 3 showed “a somewhat elevated…

Ford Motor has postponed plans to redesign its Mustang Mach-E electric crossover until the end of the decade, Automotive News reported, citing sources familiar with the company’s product strategy. The Mustang Mach-E, which debuted in 2021 as Ford’s first mass-market EV crossover, has not yet received a mid-cycle refresh or a redesign. Earlier reports had indicated that substantial changes were expected as early as 2026 or 2027. See also: Ford Mustang Mach-E Outsells Gasoline Mustang in August Amid EV Tax Credit Rush Instead, the automaker now intends to extend the current generation for several more years while focusing on reducing…

Tesla has begun rolling out new alerts that prompt drivers to activate its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system when signs of drowsiness or lane drifting are detected, marking a shift in how the company frames the role of its driver assistance technology. With the release of software version 2025.32.3, some Tesla vehicles now display messages such as “Lane drift detected. Let FSD assist so you can stay focused” and “Drowsiness detected. Stay focused with FSD,” according to @greentheonly, a researcher known for uncovering hidden features in Tesla’s software. The alerts appear when the car is being driven manually and monitoring systems…

Lyft and autonomous vehicle startup May Mobility on Wednesday launched a pilot robotaxi service in Atlanta, marking the first public deployment for the partnership. The service allows Lyft riders to hail Toyota Sienna minivans retrofitted by May Mobility through the standard Lyft app on routes in and around Midtown Atlanta, including Virginia Highlands, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park. Fares are comparable to conventional Lyft rides, and trained operators will be onboard to assist passengers and take control if necessary. “We’ll start in the single digits of cars, move up to dozens, and over time to hundreds and thousands,” Jeremy…

Jaguar plans to reposition itself as a luxury brand with a new line of electric vehicles, doubling its average selling price to around $130,000 as it shifts away from its traditional premium-car segment, executives said. The British marque, owned by India’s Tata Group, has discontinued its current models and is developing three new battery-powered cars set to launch from 2026. The first will be a four-door electric sedan with four individual seats, followed by a larger luxury saloon and an SUV. All models will be based on Jaguar’s new JEA platform, which promises ranges of up to 430 miles (692…

Mercedes-Benz is continuing its premium pricing approach in China, even as competition from lower-cost domestic brands has eroded its market share, CEO Ola Kaellenius told Reuters ahead of the IAA auto show in Munich. Kaellenius said the newly unveiled all-electric GLC SUV, featuring EQ Technology, would play a key role in regaining ground in the world’s largest auto market. “This is going to hit the nail on the head in terms of what Chinese Mercedes customers are looking for,” he said. “And yes, we charge a little bit more. But GLC fans can rest assured … from a pricing point…

Hyundai Motor is continuing its lease promotion on the 2025 Ioniq 5 electric crossover, offering the vehicle for $179 per month on a 24-month contract, with the deal running until September 30. The offer applies to the SE Standard Range RWD model and requires a $3,999 payment at signing, including the first month’s installment. The promotion factors in a $7,500 EV Lease Bonus, lowering the effective capitalized cost to $24,380. At the end of the lease, customers can purchase the vehicle for $22,542 plus a $300 purchase option fee. The 2025 Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range RWD, priced from $42,600,…