Author: Derick Munoz

Tesla (TSLA.O) has introduced a leasing option for its Cybertruck, offering fans a new way to drive the angular electric pickup, starting from $999 per month. Available for the Dual Motor version, this three-year lease comes with a 10,000-mile-per-year allowance and requires a $7,500 down payment at signing, making the effective monthly cost around $1,180 before taxes. Alternatively, buyers can forgo the down payment, raising the monthly fee to $1,249 pre-tax. The Cybertruck Dual Motor, featuring a 600-horsepower all-wheel-drive powertrain, accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Meanwhile, Tesla is also offering lease options for the Cyberbeast, the…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has raised concerns over Tesla’s social media posts suggesting its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software may operate autonomously as a “robotaxi” without driver attention, warning that such messaging contradicts the system’s design as a driver-assist feature. In October, NHTSA launched an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles with FSD following four accidents, including a fatal 2023 crash, under conditions like sun glare and fog. In a May email, NHTSA advised Tesla to reconsider its messaging on platforms like X, citing posts about an FSD-driven emergency hospital trip and a drive home from a sports…

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced on Thursday that it will implement new data reporting requirements for autonomous vehicles, mandating companies to provide detailed trip-level reports for both collision and non-collision incidents. These reports will cover events such as accidents, citations, and instances where self-driving cars become stuck. In its new guidelines, CPUC requires all autonomous vehicle operators to file incident reports with both the commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) within one day of a collision. The reports must include more comprehensive data to ensure better oversight and prompt responses to accidents. “This rule will…

Renault UK has teamed up with Octopus Energy to offer a year of free charging to customers who buy a Scenic E-Tech or Megane E-Tech electric vehicle by December 16, 2024. This collaboration also provides buyers access to Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Octopus Go tariff, which offers substantial savings on home charging compared to standard rates. The initiative aims to make electric vehicle ownership more affordable while promoting the use of renewable energy. Through the program, retail customers purchasing these Renault models and opting into the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff will receive a credit equivalent to a year’s worth of off-peak…

China has formally requested consultations with the European Union (EU) through the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address what it calls discriminatory import tariffs on battery electric vehicles. The request, submitted to WTO members on November 6, 2024, initiates a 60-day consultation period during which China and the EU can discuss the matter in an attempt to resolve it without escalating to litigation. China argues that the EU’s import tariffs on electric vehicles violate WTO provisions under the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) Agreement, which outlines the distinction between prohibited and actionable subsidies, and Article VI of the General Agreement…

Mercedes-AMG is progressing toward developing its first full-size electric SUV, to be built entirely on the AMG.EA platform. Development vehicles for the new model, working under the title “Born in Affalterbach,” are set to undergo initial test drives this winter. The AMG.EA platform, which stands for AMG Electric Architecture, is engineered specifically for Mercedes-AMG’s high-performance electric models. It previously served as the foundation for the Vision EQXX technology platform showcased at CES 2022. While the EQXX itself is a prototype intended to preview efficient EV technology, the upcoming full-size SUV represents a concrete entry in the brand’s lineup, and the…

Tesla is expanding its “Oasis” Supercharger station concept with a new installation in Coalinga, California. The station, though smaller in energy capacity, will mirror the design of its predecessor with 168 charging stalls and the potential to operate off-grid, marking a significant step in Tesla’s strategy to build independent, solar-powered charging hubs. The Coalinga station, located approximately 50 miles from the initial Oasis project on Interstate 5, features less than 1 megawatt (MW) of solar capacity and 15.5 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy storage. By comparison, the original Oasis project boasts 11 MW of solar power and 39 MWh of storage,…

The Scottish government announced a £6.3 million funding initiative to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Ayrshire and the Glasgow City Region, First Minister John Swinney revealed on Monday. The investment, part of Scotland’s broader £30 million EV Infrastructure Fund, is expected to add over 3,500 new public chargers. “Today’s announcement is clear evidence of our commitment to making sustainable travel accessible for everyone in Scotland,” Swinney said. “By fast-tracking EV infrastructure, we’re paving the way for a net-zero Scotland while advancing our goal to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.” Scotland has already achieved its…

Swiss-based Lion E-Mobility AG announced progress in its development of the “Lion Light” battery, featuring an advanced immersion cooling technology. The battery recently underwent rigorous tests in collaboration with a German premium automotive manufacturer, with Lion reporting that the technology exceeded performance expectations under high-stress conditions. The 400-volt Lion Light battery utilizes direct cell cooling, or “immersion cooling,” a method that aims to enhance battery efficiency and stability. According to Lion, recent tests confirmed the battery’s resilience in extreme environments, marking a significant milestone in its path toward series production. Dr. Joachim Damasky, CEO of Lion E-Mobility, highlighted the achievement,…

Silicon Valley start-up Plus has launched its Level 4 autonomous trucking software, SuperDrive Beta 5.0, in partnership with Traton Group brands Scania, MAN, and International, marking a significant advancement in driverless technology. Following extensive testing across the U.S. and Europe, the software is now operational in trucks on both continents. The collaboration with Traton, Volkswagen Group’s trucking division, has set the stage for phased commercial deployments. Initial hub-to-hub routes in Texas, including a pilot from San Antonio to Laredo, have been identified to support gradual fleet rollouts. Plus has focused on rigorous safety testing, moving from offline trials to controlled…

Michelin announced plans on Tuesday to shut down two of its factories in western France, impacting approximately 1,250 workers, amid growing pressures on Europe’s automotive sector. The closures come as high operational costs and intensified competition from cheaper Asian manufacturers continue to strain the tire maker’s profitability. The plants slated for closure include the Cholet facility, which employs 955 workers and primarily produces light truck tires, and the Vannes plant, where 299 employees manufacture metal tire frames. “The market share of entry-level car, light truck, and heavy-duty tires has risen significantly, affecting premium categories and creating overcapacity at some Michelin…

ChargePoint has introduced the ChargePoint Essential cloud plan, designed as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cloud subscriptions for electric vehicle (EV) charging. This plan offers a competitively priced software fee that can be offset by driver payments for charging, enabling small businesses to set up their own EV charging stations more affordably. Under the Essential plan, all revenue generated beyond the initial software fee is returned to the station owner monthly, with activation of the charging stations included at no extra charge. Currently, the plan is available exclusively with ChargePoint’s CPF50, the company’s lowest-cost level 2 charging station. The offering…