Author: Derick Munoz

Rivian, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, may abandon its much-anticipated Tank Turn feature for the R1T and R1S models. Initially confirmed in December 2019, the feature has faced multiple delays since then. In a recent Instagram Q&A session on May 26, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe revealed that the company is now leaning towards not offering the feature at all. According to Scaringe, the decision is rooted in environmental considerations, as the Tank Turn feature has the potential to cause significant damage to trails and the surrounding ecosystem. Scaringe explained that while Rivian possesses the technical capability to implement Tank Turn,…

Natilus, a prominent developer of autonomous cargo aircraft, has recently forged a strategic partnership with ZeroAvia, a leading provider of hydrogen-electric powertrain solutions. The collaboration aims to incorporate ZeroAvia’s state-of-the-art ZA600 hydrogen-electric propulsion system into Natilus’ innovative Kona short-haul feeder unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The Kona drone, Natilus’ inaugural creation, features an autonomous blended-wing body (BWB) design that allows for enhanced payload capacity by utilizing additional space for hydrogen storage. To validate the performance of the BWB concept, Natilus conducted extensive wind-tunnel testing over a span of three years and subsequently completed flight tests using a quarter-scale prototype of the…

Nissan, the renowned automobile manufacturer, has recently launched a recall affecting 758 units of its popular electric vehicle, the Leaf, in the United States. This action has been prompted by a potential problem that could lead to premature failure of the brake lines, posing safety risks for the owners. As a result, Nissan will be requesting affected customers to bring their vehicles to authorized dealerships for free repairs. The issue initially came to light on January 13, 2023, when a diligent Nissan technician identified damage in the right-hand brake tube assembly during the assembly process. This discovery prompted immediate action,…

BMW has joined forces with AirConsole to incorporate gaming capabilities into the all-new i5 and its non-EV counterparts from the latest 5-Series lineup. While it may not rival the likes of Cyberpunk 2077 or Halo Infinite, the gaming experience in the i5 aims to provide entertainment and help occupants pass the time while the car is being recharged. The initial offering includes 15 games, with popular titles such as Go Kart Go, Golazo, Music Guess, and Overcooked among the options. BMW assures that the selection of games will continue to expand as new titles are added via over-the-air (OTA) updates.…

In an unexpected turn of events, the Volvo EX30 made a brief appearance on the automaker’s website, only to be swiftly removed. However, this fleeting glimpse allowed enthusiasts and automotive experts to catch a glimpse of the upcoming crossover, and a screenshot was captured for closer examination. Drawing inspiration from its flagship sibling, the EX90, the EX30 exhibits several design similarities while boasting a significantly smaller footprint. Notably, it is even more compact than the well-regarded XC40, serving as a point of reference for its diminutive size. Months prior to this leak, patent images had already provided a sneak peek…

Electric vehicle and hydrogen truck manufacturer Nikola has encountered yet another setback as its stock continues to decline. The company received a delisting notice from the Nasdaq stock exchange after its shares traded below $1 for 30 consecutive days. At present, the stock is valued at a mere 59 cents per share. Nikola now has a limited timeframe of 180 days to rectify the situation, a task that appears increasingly difficult. Nikola’s stock last sold for over $0.99 in the second week of April, shortly after the company issued a recall for a brake pedal defect that could potentially detach…

Volvo is gearing up for the highly anticipated debut of its smallest electric vehicle, the Volvo EX30, scheduled for June 7. As the reveal date approaches, the Swedish automaker is teasing eager customers with additional details about the upcoming EV. Anders Nyth, Volvo’s sustainability manager, has disclosed that the EX30 will come with two battery options right from the start. The first is a 51-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) pack, while the second is a larger 60-kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese (NMC) variant. The latter battery choice will provide a maximum driving range of 298 miles (480 kilometers), as reported by Autocar, though this figure…

Volvo Trucks, in a groundbreaking partnership with Holcim, a leading global building solutions provider, has achieved a significant milestone by securing a deal to sell 1,000 electric trucks by 2030. This agreement not only represents Volvo’s largest commercial order for electric vehicles to date but also underscores their commitment to sustainable transportation solutions. The initial delivery of 130 Volvo FH and Volvo FM electric trucks is scheduled for 2023 and 2024, targeting key markets in France, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK. While technical specifications are not explicitly mentioned, it is plausible that these truck models have been specifically designed for…

Dutch charging infrastructure specialist, Heliox, is set to introduce two new chargers in North America, a move that promises to revolutionize the region’s electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape. Partnering with Cummins, a renowned leader in the power industry, Heliox aims to leverage Cummins’ extensive sales and service network to make their cutting-edge chargers widely accessible. The first charger, known as Mobile 50, is a remarkable mobile DC charger with a power output of 50 kW. It boasts an innovative design and can be effortlessly connected to standard 480V AC wall sockets, making it remarkably versatile and suitable for various locations.…

General Motors has made an announcement regarding the estimated range rating for the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck, revealing a significant lead over its closest competitor in the electric pickup market. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the fleet-oriented Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck is expected to have an estimated range of 450 miles on a full charge. This figure surpasses the current longest-range electric pickup in America, the Rivian R1T in Quad Motor configuration with the Large battery, which has a range of 328 miles by over 100 miles. Furthermore, the Silverado EV Work Truck will have…

Albemarle, an American speciality chemicals company, has announced a significant expansion of its Kemerton lithium hydroxide plant in Western Australia. The plant’s production capacity will double from 50,000 tonnes per year to 100,000 tonnes per year, making Albemarle the largest lithium producer in Australia. The company expects the expansion to support the production of approximately 2.4 million electric vehicles per year and to create around 370 new jobs by 2026. See also: Albemarle Forecasts 40% Growth in China’s EV Market, Boosting Demand for Lithium The Kemerton plant, which has been under construction since 2019, will now have two additional processing…

German electric air taxi start-up Lilium has announced a significant capital increase of $250 million, bringing it one step closer to achieving its goal of revolutionizing the aviation industry. The company’s CEO, Klaus Roewe, says Lilium plans to use the funding to continue its development program and accelerate its mission to create the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet. See also: Lilium Air Mobility targets the production of 400 electric flying taxis per year The capital increase is expected to cover most of the estimated capital needed for Lilium’s first crewed test flight in the first half of next…

Swedish battery cell manufacturer Northvolt and its subsidiary Cuberg are reportedly eyeing Canada as a potential location for a new factory, according to a recent media report. While many details have yet to be released, the companies have apparently shortlisted two possible locations: Saint-Basile-Le-Grand and McMasterville in Quebec. The production capacity and timetable for the new facility remain unknown. See also: Swedish Lithium-ion Battery Maker Northvolt Plans $20 Billion IPO The potential move to North America may be due in part to available subsidies. Northvolt CEO Peter Carlsson had previously warned that the company’s factory in Heide, Germany could face…

Canadian electric utility vehicle manufacturer, Lion Electric, has taken the wraps off its latest all-electric Class 5 truck, the Lion5. Boasting an impressive payload capacity of up to 12,500 lbs., the Lion5 is powered by Lion’s newly developed 800V battery packs, which are engineered and manufactured in-house. The production of Lion5 is scheduled to begin before the end of this year. Designed to cater to the commercial fleet needs of Lion’s customers, the Lion5 commercial truck cab chassis boasts a range of innovative features desired in GVWR Class 5. It also offers various configurations from 19,500 lbs. up through 26,000…

The global automotive industry is going through a major transition, with electric and electrified vehicles gaining ground and slowly replacing traditional gas and diesel-powered cars. While individual countries and brands have their own sales records, the big picture can only be seen through global sales figures. And there is one country leading the way – China. China has the world’s largest automotive industry, with a huge population hungry for cars. It is no surprise that the country is selling the most vehicles in the world. However, it is the electric car transition that sets China apart, with unrelenting growth making…

Lordstown Motors, the electric vehicle startup, is facing a critical situation as its funding deal with Foxconn hangs in the balance. The company disclosed on Monday that if the deal doesn’t materialize, it may be forced into bankruptcy. The news sent shockwaves through the market, causing Lordstown’s shares to plummet by over 23% on the same day. According to a regulatory filing made by Lordstown on Monday, Foxconn sent a letter on April 21, alleging that the startup had breached their investment deal. The breach was triggered by Lordstown’s stock falling below $1 per share for 30 consecutive trading days,…

The increasing number of electric vehicles on the roads may be seen as a positive step towards protecting the environment, but it has raised concerns among firefighters. While electric vehicles are less prone to catching fire than traditional gasoline-powered cars, lithium-ion battery incidents can be more dangerous and challenging to put out, particularly in enclosed spaces like underground or multi-storey car parks where larger fire engines cannot access. Once the battery pack is compromised due to an accident or external fire, containing the resulting blaze can be problematic because the energy stored within the cells is released, causing a phenomenon…

Hertz, the renowned car rental company, concluded the initial quarter of the year with a fleet of 50,000 electric vehicles (EVs), constituting approximately 10 percent of their total car inventory. This figure is expected to witness a substantial surge in the upcoming quarters as Hertz has placed orders for hundreds of thousands of EVs from reputable manufacturers like Tesla, Polestar, and General Motors. Towards the end of 2021, Hertz made a significant investment in 100,000 Tesla vehicles, intending for them to comprise 20 percent of their overall fleet by the conclusion of 2022. However, as the latest data demonstrates, the…

Consumers possess a clear understanding that owning a vehicle entails more than just the initial purchase price. They are well aware of the total cost of ownership, which encompasses various expenses such as fuel, maintenance, insurance, and the vehicle’s depreciation. Keeping this in mind, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) has recently announced the winners of its 2023 model-year brand and category awards, specifically recognizing vehicles with the lowest projected ownership costs over a five-year period. Janice Yoell, senior manager of valuations for Kelley Blue Book, emphasized the significance of long-term costs for consumers. “Incredible variations in ownership costs exist between different…

The 2023 Kia EV6 has captivated the electric car community with its remarkable performance and an array of standout features. In a highly competitive market flooded with electric SUVs, the EV6 manages to shine brightly, offering a well-rounded driving experience that justifies its relatively higher price tag of US$48,700. Let’s delve into the four key features that truly set the Kia EV6 apart from its rivals. Onboard Power Generator: Harnessing Power for On-the-Go Convenience One of the often overlooked advantages of a high-output battery in an electric vehicle is the ability to utilize that power for various devices while on…