Author: Derick Munoz

Volkswagen Group of America has formalized an agreement to import and distribute vehicles from prestigious brands Bugatti and Rimac. The announcement was made by Volkswagen Group of America CEO Pablo Di Si, who expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. Di Si stated, “We’re thrilled to continue distributing Bugatti vehicles through our newly-signed agreements,” while also highlighting the excitement surrounding the addition of Rimac models to their offerings. This strategic move has been described as a step that “strengthens existing synergies between the pinnacle of the internal combustion engine world and the pinnacle of the electric vehicle world,” according to Volkswagen. In…

Fiat has officially commenced taking orders for its latest electric quadricycle, the Topolino, in Italy. With a starting price of €7,544 ($8,065) for the closed-roof variant, the vehicle is already generating significant interest, amassing more than 10,000 pre-orders. This compact EV shares close ties with the Citroen Ami and Opel Rocks Electric models. According to information provided on Fiat’s Italian website, customers can expect an estimated delivery time of 19 weeks, with the first units scheduled to reach buyers in January 2024. What sets this offering apart is the automaker’s commitment to providing transparency throughout the entire purchase process. Fiat…

Geely Holding Group’s premium electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary, Zeekr, is gearing up for a planned initial public offering (IPO) in the United States with an ambitious target—a valuation of $18 billion. This valuation has caught the attention of investors and is higher than anticipated, according to a report in local media outlet Jiemian. Zeekr’s discussions have primarily focused on attracting overseas investors, with no talks yet conducted with mainland Chinese and Hong Kong-based investors. The company has engaged in preliminary conversations with institutional investors in Singapore and Europe. See also: Zeekr Secures $750 Million in Series A Financing, Valuation Reaches…

The Spanish government has approved substantial subsidies for two major players in the battery manufacturing sector, Envision and Seat. Envision has secured a grant of 200 million euros and a loan of 100 million euros for its battery cell factory project in Navalmoral de la Mata, while Seat is set to receive 47 million euros in subsidies for its battery assembly plant near Barcelona. Envision’s ambitious battery cell factory project, announced in July 2022 with a production start target of 2025, aims to produce 50 GWh of battery cells annually. The company’s total investment exceeds 1.3 billion euros, with the…

Fortum Battery Recycling has successfully secured funding from Business Finland to establish a new test production facility dedicated to the development of battery materials. The primary objective of this facility is to pioneer a novel, highly efficient method for producing cathode and anode materials, which are integral components of battery cells. Compared to conventional processes, the newly patented method promises swifter and more energy-efficient production of cathode and anode materials. Furthermore, it stands out for its cost-efficiency and environmentally friendly attributes, as it does not generate harmful wastewater discharge. Notably, this innovative process has the capacity to incorporate recycled battery…

In a recent meeting held at the Turkish House near the United Nations in New York, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended an invitation to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, urging him to consider establishing a Tesla factory in Turkey. This request was shared on social media platform X by the Turkish state-owned news agency, Anadolu Agency. While attending the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States, Erdogan took the opportunity to discuss potential business endeavors with Musk. As of now, both Tesla and the Turkish embassy in Washington have not issued official comments on this…

A recent study conducted by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a US-based nonprofit organization, reveals that electric vehicles (EVs) are set for significant growth in the coming years, positioning them to claim a substantial portion of global car sales by 2030. The study suggests that this rapid ascent will signal the decline of global oil demand for cars, marking the beginning of the end for the internal combustion engine (ICE) era. The report outlines a clear exponential growth pattern for EVs, likening their rising sales trajectory to an S-curve. It predicts that by 2030, EVs will dominate the global car…

In a significant development for the advancement of eco-friendly port operations, Hyster has successfully delivered a hydrogen fuel cell reach stacker to the bustling Port of Valencia in Spain. This milestone marks a pivotal moment in the European Union’s H2Ports project, which seeks to introduce hydrogen-powered vehicles and equipment to ports, reducing emissions and promoting sustainability. The Hyster ReachStacker is equipped with a cutting-edge fuel cell system provided by Nuvera. This system features integrated high-pressure tanks for hydrogen storage, offering the unique advantage of swift refueling in just ten to 15 minutes. However, specific details regarding the tank’s capacity remain…

German automotive supplier Dräxlmaier has officially inaugurated its new manufacturing facility in Leipzig dedicated to producing high-voltage battery systems. These advanced 800-volt battery systems are destined for the all-electric Porsche Macan, set to roll off the production line at Porsche Leipzig. The opening of the Leipzig plant marks a significant expansion of Dräxlmaier’s production network in Germany, adding to existing locations in Landau an der Isar and Sachsenheim near Stuttgart. Notably, the Leipzig plant’s start-up was notably delayed, with the topping-out ceremony taking place in October 2020. At that time, it was expected that battery system assembly would commence in…

Lordstown Motors, the bankrupt electric vehicle manufacturer, has put forth a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan that outlines its intention to allocate the proceeds from the ongoing sale of its assets. The company, which shares its name with the Ohio town where it is headquartered, has indicated that it will prioritize other creditors over its shareholders, including Taiwan’s Foxconn, if the asset sale generates sufficient funds to cover its outstanding debts. This Chapter 11 plan, filed in Delaware bankruptcy court, comes with a cautionary note stating that the value of Lordstown Motors’ assets is currently “necessarily speculative” and could potentially amount…

Duke Energy is set to launch a pioneering flat-rate pilot program in partnership with renowned car manufacturers General Motors, Ford, and BMW. This initiative, known as the ‘EV Complete Home Charging Plan,’ will empower customers in North Carolina to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) at home, consuming up to 800 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month, all for a fixed monthly fee. Duke Energy’s North Carolina State President, Kendal Bowman, emphasized the financial benefits, stating, “The average EV owner is already saving about $1,000 per year on fuel costs compared to a traditional vehicle – a predictable monthly subscription charge on top…

In a strategic move to solidify its position in the burgeoning global electric vehicle (EV) market, LG Magna e-Powertrain Co., a collaborative effort between South Korea’s LG Electronics Inc. and Canada’s Magna International Inc., has unveiled plans to construct an electric vehicle parts factory in Hungary. The establishment of this facility aligns with LG’s ambitious objective of leading the future mobility sector. Scheduled to commence operations in 2026, the newly planned factory, situated in Miskolc, Hungary, will initially focus on the production of driving motors. However, LG Magna intends to diversify its manufacturing portfolio in response to market demand. Unfortunately,…

In a keynote speech at the IAA auto show in Munich, BMW’s Chief Executive, Oliver Zipse, revealed an ambitious plan to introduce six new electric models within a span of just 24 months. These vehicles will be part of the forthcoming “Neue Klasse” electric-only lineup, set to make its debut in the mid-2020s. This announcement underscores BMW’s commitment to electrification and its determination to compete with established electric vehicle pioneer, Tesla. The production of the Neue Klasse electric vehicle platform is slated to commence in 2025 at BMW’s facility in Debrecen, Hungary. Zipse, speaking at the event, emphasized the rapid…

Pepper Motion, the German electric converter, has inked a supplier agreement with Toyota Tsusho Nexty Electronics Europe to incorporate Toyota’s fuel cells into its hydrogen-driven conversion kit. This partnership aims to bring state-of-the-art hydrogen technology to the forefront of commercial transportation. The foundation of Pepper Motion’s hydrogen version of their conversion kit will be Toyota’s renowned fuel cells. These fuel cells will debut in a fleet of 25 hydrogen-powered trucks based on the Mercedes Benz Atego platform. The trucks are currently being deployed by Paul Nutzfahrzeuge, marking a pivotal moment in the journey towards zero emissions and carbon neutrality in…

Tesla has upgraded the quality of its side repeater cameras, as reported by multiple Full-Self Driving (FSD) beta testers. While the physical cameras remain unchanged, the Austin-based automaker has introduced software enhancements and boosted processing capabilities to provide a sharper and more refined visual experience. Tesla employs a comprehensive camera setup, consisting of eight cameras, to create a detailed map of its surroundings, facilitating semi-autonomous driving features. Two of these cameras are strategically positioned on the front quarter panel, between the fenders and the doors. One FSD beta tester, Chuck Coo, shared a comparison of footage between versions 11.4.6 and…

In a bid to address the pressing environmental concerns associated with battery production and recycling within the e-mobility sector, the ‘High-Quality Life Cycle Analysis’ (HiQ-LCA) project has been launched in Europe. This new initiative, backed by the European Union and EIT RawMaterials with a substantial funding of 3.5 million euros, seeks to revolutionize the practices of electric mobility companies by providing them with improved tools for producing and recycling batteries in an environmentally responsible manner. Spanning the course of five years, from its inception until 2025, the HiQ-LCA project aims to bolster the battery value chain’s shift towards sustainability by…

Rimac Nevera, hailed as the world’s swiftest electric vehicle around the Nürburgring, showcases its exceptional capabilities in a head-to-head encounter with a modified Lamborghini Huracan boasting a staggering 1,800 horsepower. The automotive enthusiasts at CarWow orchestrated this showdown, featuring high-speed duels and rigorous challenges to determine the ultimate performance champion. The Rimac Nevera distinguishes itself with a quartet of electric motors, meticulously distributed to empower each wheel. This harmonious setup bequeaths a remarkable 1,914 horsepower and an impressive 1,741 pound-feet of torque. Fueled by a substantial 120-kilowatt-hour battery pack, the Nevera’s official specifications proclaim its ability to surge from 0…

Xpeng, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced the completion of its 233rd S4 supercharging station in Zhangzhou, situated in the southeastern province of Fujian, China. With this milestone, Xpeng has extended its ultrafast charging network’s reach to encompass 100 cities across the country. Xpeng has expanded its charging infrastructure to encompass more than 1,000 Xpeng-branded charging stations, offering both supercharging and destination charging options. The company’s S4 supercharging stations have collectively provided over 470,110 services to date. Furthermore, Xpeng has outlined its intention to equip all forthcoming self-operated supercharging stations with S4 charging capabilities. The journey towards this achievement commenced…

Chinese automaker BYD has announced its plans to introduce its second EV model, the Dolphin, for sale in Japan. The company’s entry into this competitive arena presents a potential concern for Japanese automakers grappling with increased competition from international players and a shift towards EVs. BYD disclosed its intention to accept orders for the Dolphin EV starting from September 20th. The decision to venture into the Japanese market underscores the automaker’s aspiration to gain a foothold in a region known for nurturing some of the world’s top-selling automobile brands. See also: BYD starts EV sales in Japan, first model Atto…

In the stride towards an all-electric future in the United States and Canada by 2030, Buick, the renowned automaker, appears to be progressing at a deliberate pace. While the brand currently boasts four Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in the Chinese market, including the Velite 6 compact wagon, Velite 7 subcompact crossover, and the Ultium-based Electra E4 and Electra E5 SUVs, it has yet to introduce an all-electric model within its domestic market. Assurances are now in place that Buick’s electric vehicles will soon grace the roads of the US, with the inaugural model anticipated to debut in late 2024. This…