Author: Derick Munoz

Zeekr, the electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, has entered the Brazilian market with the introduction of its Zeekr 001 model. The vehicle was launched in São Paulo on October 10, marking the company’s first step into the market as part of its international expansion strategy. Priced at 428,000 reais ($76,390), the Zeekr 001 will be available for delivery in Brazil starting in November, according to a company press release. Zeekr also plans to open its first store in Brazil in December, with additional locations expected to follow in major cities. Zeekr has been expanding its presence across…

Lynk & Co has officially unveiled its new 02 electric vehicle, marking the brand’s first entry into the European market. The model, also known as the Z20 in China, is presented as a striking five-door crossover coupe designed to capture attention with its aerodynamically optimized front end, split lighting units, and active shutter intake. The vehicle features a panoramic glass roof, a two-tone paint scheme, and is offered with either 19- or 20-inch wheels, alongside flush-mounted door handles and a prominent rear spoiler with integrated taillights. Notably, the 02 includes a unique “Hey Honk” feature, which allows for customizable sounds…

The U.S. has the potential to lead the world in electric vehicle (EV) battery development, driven by a strong local customer base and supportive government policies, according to Kurt Kelty, General Motors’ vice president of batteries. Speaking at The Battery Show in Detroit, Kelty highlighted that while China remains the global leader in EV battery production, largely due to 15 years of government subsidies and control of key materials, the U.S. is now positioned to challenge that dominance. “It’s a simple and pragmatic reality that the development of any new technology benefits from proximity to customers,” Kelty said. “We now…

Tesla recently held its highly anticipated Robotaxi event, where the company introduced not only its upcoming driverless Robotaxi but also unveiled an innovative autonomous van, referred to as the Robovan. This versatile vehicle is designed to accommodate either 20 passengers for mass transit or serve as a cargo hauler, expanding Tesla’s vision of automated transport solutions. The event, dubbed the “We, Robot” showcase, primarily aimed to spotlight the new 2-seat Robotaxi, alongside updates on Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus. Attendees witnessed Robotaxis shuttling passengers around the Warner Bros. backlot, while Optimus robots engaged the crowd by serving drinks and distributing goodie…

Twenty-four owners of the Mercedes-Benz EQE electric vehicle in Korea have filed a class action lawsuit against the automaker following a fire incident in the underground parking lot of an apartment in Incheon this past August. The lawsuit, filed in the Seoul Central District Court, accuses Mercedes-Benz of false advertising regarding the batteries installed in the EQE, leading to substantial financial and emotional damages for the plaintiffs. Attorney Ha Jong-sun, representing the plaintiffs, stated, “We have filed a claim for damages with the Seoul Central District Court against seven sales companies, including the German headquarters of Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz Korea, and…

Environmental service provider PreZero is set to enhance its operations in the Netherlands by adding 30 electric rubbish trucks to its fleet, replacing traditional diesel vehicles. This expansion follows the introduction of ten electric trucks already in operation for PreZero in Duiven since 2023. The new electric trucks will collect commercial waste across various locations, including Amsterdam, Utrecht, Dordrecht, Berkel en Rodenrijs, Duiven, Helmond, Alphen aan den Rijn, Hengelo, and Apeldoorn. To support this initiative, six new charging stations will be installed at each of the nine depots in these cities, with Heliox acting as the technology partner. The charging…

China and the European Union (EU) are maintaining dialogue over the EU’s ongoing anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), following the EU member states’ approval of a draft final ruling on the case last Friday, according to a report by the Xinhua News Agency. This investigation is part of a broader trade discussion between China, the EU, and the US, with recent intensified communications focused on EV-related trade issues. Notably, the EU reportedly declined China’s proposal of setting a minimum sales price of 30,000 euros ($32,946) for EVs, although no official confirmation has been made from either side. Trade…

China has taken the first step in a trade dispute with Turkey at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over Ankara’s tariffs on electric vehicle (EV) imports, according to a statement from China’s diplomatic mission on Tuesday. This move comes as China faces increasing global pressure over its rising EV exports, which many nations allege are heavily subsidized by Beijing to bolster its slowing economy. “The discriminatory measure taken by Turkiye is against WTO rules and is protectionist in nature. We urge Turkiye to follow WTO rules and immediately correct its measures,” the statement read, using the Turkish spelling of the…

Toyota and Subaru are reportedly expanding their electric vehicle (EV) lineups with a new jointly developed SUV scheduled to launch in 2026. This upcoming model will be part of the brands’ efforts to strengthen their presence in the EV market, following the launch of the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. While specific details about the new SUV remain limited, it is expected to share components with the bZ4X and other Toyota models to help reduce production costs. According to reports from Japan, production will take place at Subaru’s Yajima plant in the Gunma prefecture, with an anticipated output of between…

Chinese battery manufacturers CATL and BYD remained the world’s top electric vehicle (EV) battery suppliers from January to August 2024, although their market shares shifted during the period, according to data from South Korean market researcher SNE Research. Global EV battery usage reached 510.1 GWh in the first eight months of 2024, marking a 21.7% increase from 419.1 GWh in the same period in 2023. CATL, the largest supplier, installed 189.2 GWh of batteries, up 27.2% year-on-year. While CATL maintained its leadership with a 37.1% global market share, this figure represents a slight decline from its 37.6% share in the…

PwC Belgium has announced plans to add 200 Mini Cooper E electric vehicles to its fleet by the end of this year, replacing 200 diesel-powered BMW 1 Series models. The new cars will be provided to young professionals at the company as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce fleet emissions and promote sustainable mobility. With this move, PwC Belgium will have a total of 300 electrified Mini vehicles in its fleet. The decision to phase out diesel vehicles and adopt electric Minis aligns with the company’s broader sustainability targets. PwC Belgium committed in 2021 to cutting fleet emissions by…

24M has released new testing results for its innovative battery separator, Impervio, which addresses key safety concerns for electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems (ESS), and consumer applications. The data follows heightened concern over battery fires in the U.S. and abroad, underscoring the importance of improved safety measures in the industry. Impervio, first announced in January 2024, specifically tackles the risk of overcharging—a condition where a battery exceeds its safe charging limit, potentially leading to overheating and fires. Overcharging can cause dendrite formation, leading to internal shorts that may result in thermal runaway or even explosions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W01j0DzH3Y The Impervio separator…