Author: Derick Munoz

Norway has introduced new regulations mandating that charging infrastructure operators offer card payment options at newly installed fast charging stations, effective from July 1st. While retrofitting existing charging stations is not currently obligatory, policymakers are discussing the possibility. The Ministry of Transport has clarified that this rule applies initially to stations with a minimum capacity of 50 kW that were ordered after July 1st. Importantly, the term “ordered” does not refer to installations, meaning it may take several weeks or even months for the newly ordered charging stations to be equipped with the mandatory payment terminals. The Ministry has not…

Ford, led by tech executive Doug Field, formerly of Apple, is embracing the shift towards subscription services as the automotive industry enters a new era of digitalization and electrification. With the imminent release of their next-generation electric vehicles (EVs), Ford is already in the process of transitioning towards subscription-based services. Field, who began his career at Ford in the late 1980s, has an impressive track record, having worked at renowned companies such as Apple, Tesla, and Segway. In September 2021, he returned to Ford as the Chief Technology Officer, responsible for spearheading advanced product development and technology initiatives. Field played…

Iveco, the Italian commercial vehicle manufacturer, has successfully concluded its acquisition of the electric and fuel cell truck joint venture in Ulm, Germany with Nikola Corporation, as previously announced in May. As part of the deal, the joint venture will be rebranded as EVCO (Electric Vehicles COmpany). According to the Iveco Group, the definitive agreements with Nikola Corporation have been finalized, adhering to the terms disclosed on May 9, 2023. As a result, Iveco now holds permanent and exclusive ownership of the German company. Notably, the Nikola name has been removed from the venture’s designation, and it will now operate…

Rivian, the American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced its quarterly production and delivery figures for the second quarter of 2023. The company’s performance during this period reached unprecedented heights, showcasing growth and establishing new records. Rivian’s manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, produced 13,992 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Q2 2023. This represents a staggering 218 percent increase compared to the same period last year and sets a new production record. Surpassing the previous best result of 10,020 units achieved in Q4 2022, Rivian has demonstrated a significant boost in its manufacturing capabilities. In terms of deliveries, Rivian reported a…

In an exciting update from Fisker, the electric vehicle (EV) automaker recently unveiled a sneak peek of its highly anticipated third model, the Fisker Ronin. Building on the success of their flagship SUV, the Ocean, the company’s chairman and CEO, Henrik Fisker, took to social media to generate buzz for the upcoming convertible GT. While specific details are still scarce, Fisker has promised an impressive range for this super GT, aiming to set a new standard in the EV industry. The Fisker Ronin, internally known as “Project Ronin,” was initially announced by Fisker in May 2022, half a year prior…

In a recent meeting of the VW Group and Audi supervisory boards on Thursday, it was decided to replace Audi CEO Markus Duesmann, with the transition scheduled to take place on September 1. The German magazine Der Spiegel first broke the news, which has now been officially confirmed by Audi. Although Audi has not provided a specific reason for Duesmann’s sudden departure after approximately three years in his role, a statement from Chairman of Audi’s Supervisory Board, Manfred Döss, suggests that Gernot Döllner’s appointment as the future CEO is aimed at further refining Audi’s product strategy and strengthening its position…

German automotive supplier ZF has introduced its latest electric vehicle (EV) technologies in a concept car based on the Porsche Taycan, showcasing their commitment to sustainable mobility. The concept car, named EVBeat, features ZF’s innovative 800-Volt electric drive, the EVSys800, as well as a proprietary central thermal management system. The launch of these cutting-edge technologies is slated for 2026. The new EVSys800 drivetrain is impressively lightweight, weighing just 74 kilograms. This makes it approximately 40 kilograms lighter than ZF’s latest 800-volt production drivetrain, contributing to the overall weight reduction of the concept car. The EVSys800 is a modular system designed…

According to the latest S&P Global Mobility study analyzing the first four months of the year, Toyota has experienced a decline in brand loyalty, falling to seventh place among US automakers. Automotive News reports that Toyota, typically on par with Ford and Chevrolet in terms of brand loyalty, has suffered a demotion partly due to customers opting for Tesla. The study reveals that the percentage of customers switching from Toyota to Tesla has increased by 2.1 points, reaching 5 percent year over year. In contrast, Ford leads the mainstream car names in the US with 59.5 percent brand loyalty, followed…

Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is reportedly examining the extreme fast charging (XFC) battery technology developed by Israeli startup StoreDot. While there is no official partnership or collaboration mentioned, this development underscores Tesla’s commitment to exploring innovative advancements in battery technology. One of the key areas Tesla is focused on is reducing EV charging times, as it aims to alleviate “range anxiety” and provide greater convenience to its customers. The evaluation of StoreDot’s pioneering battery design is part of Tesla’s ongoing efforts to enhance charging experiences and minimize the time required for recharging. According to the report from…

In a significant development for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Volkswagen has confirmed that it is engaged in discussions with Tesla to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector for its EVs in North America. This announcement follows the recent adoption of NACS by Electrify America, a charging station operator established by Volkswagen as part of its settlement for the Dieselgate scandal. Over the past month, Tesla has successfully persuaded nearly all major American automakers to embrace its newly introduced connector standard, NACS. Ford was the first to commit, with General Motors (GM) and Rivian promptly following suit. Furthermore,…

In a bold move to strengthen its presence in the North American electric vehicle (EV) market, the Hyundai Motor Group is already contemplating its second EV assembly plant in the region. This decision comes even before the completion of its first facility in Bryan County, Georgia. According to Don Romano, the CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada, “Canada’s going to be part of that conversation.” Hyundai initially announced its plans for a dedicated EV manufacturing facility in North America back in May. With a commitment of $5.5 billion, the South Korean automaker is set to construct a new EV assembly and…

Pizza delivery giant Domino’s has made a strategic move to bolster its electric delivery fleet in the United States by acquiring over 300 additional 2023 Chevy Bolt EVs. This expansion comes after the company’s initial announcement in November 2022, where it revealed plans to deploy 800 Chevy Bolt EVs as delivery vehicles by the end of this year. Already, these electric cars are zipping through the streets, transporting piping hot pizzas to hungry customers. Now, Domino’s aims to further amplify its eco-friendly efforts by incorporating more than 300 Chevy Bolts into its EV fleet by the end of 2023. These…

In recent times, discussions surrounding Tesla’s anticipated refresh of the popular Model 3 electric sedan have garnered significant attention. While much speculation has centered around the vehicle’s design changes, it is widely expected that Tesla will also introduce updates beneath the surface. Fresh reports emerging from Asia’s tech media outlet, 36kr, now suggest that the revamped Model 3 will be equipped with innovative battery cells. According to the publication, Tesla is set to adopt CATL’s cutting-edge M3P cells to develop a new 66 kWh battery pack. This development is expected to bring substantial improvements in the vehicle’s overall performance and…

NoTraffic, a pioneering mobility infrastructure startup, has recently concluded its Series B funding, raising an impressive $50 million. Led by M&G Investments, this substantial investment positions NoTraffic to propel its growth trajectory, ramp up production, advance research and development initiatives, and expand its sales operations into new international markets, including Japan, Italy, Germany, and the UK. At the heart of NoTraffic’s offerings lies an innovative AI-powered platform, complemented by a software-defined Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform. This cutting-edge solution empowers U.S. Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and other stakeholders to effectively manage traffic in real time. The platform’s remarkable capabilities encompass the classification…

GAC Aion, the electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of Guangzhou-based GAC Group, is targeting of selling approximately 500,000 vehicles this year, reflecting a significant surge in growth compared to the previous year. During a press conference held on June 27 by the Guangzhou municipal government, Yin Jie, spokesperson for GAC Group, revealed that GAC Aion plans to manufacture and sell 500,000 pure-play EVs in 2023 while concurrently launching their overseas business initiatives. Yin stated that GAC Aion’s objective is to surpass the milestone of producing and selling 1 million vehicles annually by 2025. Additionally, she highlighted that the company is actively progressing…

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has once again demonstrated its commitment to sustainable public transportation by awarding funding for electric buses. In a significant move, 130 awards worth nearly $1.7 billion have been allocated to public transport projects in 46 states and territories. With this funding, over 1,700 new buses will be added to the nation’s roads, marking a substantial step towards a greener future. Approximately half of these buses will be zero-emission vehicles, though an exact count of electric buses is not mentioned. Nonetheless, this latest announcement is expected to raise the number of zero-emission…

Blink Charging, a provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, has announced the successful transition of all former SemaConnect chargers and services to the newly developed Blink Network. This milestone not only marks the final step in integrating SemaConnect into Blink Charging but also highlights the company’s commitment to streamlining operations and offering enhanced services to its customers. Following the acquisition of SemaConnect in June 2022, Blink Charging gained access to SemaConnect’s hardware development and manufacturing capabilities. With the inclusion of SemaConnect’s Maryland plant, Blink can now comply with the Buy American mandates, thereby enabling the company to take advantage…

California-based eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) developer, Joby Aviation, has reached a significant milestone by completing the construction of its first aircraft off the pilot production line. This achievement brings the company one step closer to delivering the “first ever eVTOL to be delivered to a customer” next year. However, before that can happen, the aircraft must undergo flight testing, for which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already issued certification. Joby Aviation is focused on the development of eVTOL aircraft, aiming to establish a fast, quiet, and emission-free passenger transportation service in cities worldwide. Located near Marina, California,…

Shares of Volkswagen experienced a modest rebound on Wednesday, following a recent selloff triggered by concerns over the automaker’s potential reduction in electric vehicle (EV) production in Germany. The company has since clarified that it expects battery electric vehicle orders to gradually stabilize in the coming months, signaling renewed confidence in EV demand. Despite the recovery, analysts have expressed skepticism about the European EV market’s ability to sustain all the new models and expanded capacities amidst reports of production cuts. Volkswagen spokesperson Christopher Hauss assured Reuters that the trend in BEV orders has already shown improvement since May and is…

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, after successfully completing its inaugural race in Portland, Oregon, has unveiled significant partnerships with CBS Network and Roku Media. These alliances aim to bring live Formula E races to a broader audience through multiple platforms in the United States. Formula E, an all-electric single-seater motorsport championship series, was established as a sustainable alternative to the popular Formula 1 combustion vehicle series. Since its inception in 2014, the championship has gained considerable traction, reaching the pinnacle of motorsport recognition by acquiring FIA world championship status in 2020. Season 8 introduced an electrifying “knockout” qualifying…