Author: Derick Munoz

Volvo Car Group has become the first car manufacturer to introduce SunLike LEDs, supplied by Seoul Semiconductor, to its production vehicles with the Polestar 3 and the Volvo EX90. The new lighting addition is designed to enhance the connection with nature, both day and night, and enables a more natural colour expression beyond what’s achievable with LEDs used today in the automotive industry. The SunLike LEDs complement the panoramic roof and open cabin, and deliver low light reflection and a high colour index that expresses natural colours just as they are seen in nature. “By utilising the spectrum of light…

Kea Aerospace has just launched New Zealand’s first solar-powered electric, stratospheric aircraft called the Kea Atmos Mk1, and it’s taking climate change research to new heights. This innovative aircraft is designed to collect high-resolution aerial data, which can be used to monitor weather patterns, tree health, pollution, and much more. Kea Aerospace has been building and testing electric-powered aircraft for several years, and the Kea Atmos Mk1 is the culmination of their efforts to improve life on Earth. The Kea Atmos Mk1 is an uncrewed aircraft that boasts a 12.5-meter wingspan, can fly higher than most commercial airliners, and weighs…

Earlier this year, Tesla sparked an electric vehicle price war that sent shockwaves through the industry. The company has since cut prices five times, with analysts predicting that more reductions could be on the way. The Q1 financial results, set to be released later this month, will provide insight into Tesla’s long-term position. Tesla’s price cuts in January had a significant impact, with the company reducing prices globally by up to 20% depending on the model and configuration. This move led to several companies following suit to remain competitive in the space. However, as prices fell, so did margins. See…

The plummeting price of battery-grade lithium carbonate has prompted major refineries in China’s “lithium capital of Asia” to halt production in an attempt to stem the tide. With two out of four major producers in Jiangxi province reportedly idling their equipment, the future of lithium refinery plans is uncertain. The Yichun hub, one of the largest, is the source of lithium carbonate for Chinese battery stalwarts such as CATL and BYD. The price of lithium has dropped drastically this year, from a November peak of US$85,691 per ton of EV battery-grade lithium carbonate to the current US$32,535, due to softening…

Kia Motors, a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Group, recently shared its ambitious goals for the future at the company’s 2023 CEO Investor Day. The Korean automaker aims to generate gross revenue of 160 trillion Korean Won, equivalent to $122 billion, by 2030 and sell 4.3 million vehicles annually by the end of the decade. Kia’s aspirations are not limited to just revenue and vehicle sales, however. The company is also investing heavily in the development of autonomous driving technology and Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs) that are tailored to specific use cases with varying degrees of autonomy. By doing so,…

In a world where cars seem to be getting bigger by the year, it’s refreshing to see that not everyone is following suit. Meet the Ari Motors 902, a tiny electric van that’s designed specifically for light-duty urban cargo transportation in Europe. At just 2.95 meters (9.68 ft) long, 1.50 meters (4.92 ft) wide, and 1.5 meters (4.92 ft) tall, this diminutive German EV is approximately 80 percent the size of a Mazda Miata, but it packs a lot more cargo space with 766 liters (27 cubic feet). While it may technically be a van, it only has about as…

Tesla’s recent success in China continues to make headlines, and the latest data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) confirms that the EV manufacturer achieved near-record vehicle deliveries in the country in March 2023. According to the report, Tesla delivered a total of 76,663 vehicles in China in March, with 12,206 vehicles exported and the rest sold in the local market. The company’s Shanghai plant, which produces the popular Model 3 and Model Y, played a significant role in this achievement, with its second-quarter production cycle focused primarily on local deliveries. Although the plant exported 69.85% fewer vehicles in…

Tesla has just made Supercharger visits easier with its latest app update. The update now allows Tesla owners to see real-time Supercharger wait times, making it easier for them to choose a location that suits their needs. The app also displays the current price per kWh, which varies depending on the time of day. The Supercharger network is becoming increasingly congested, especially in areas where Tesla vehicles are more popular. In an effort to alleviate this issue, Tesla has expanded its Supercharger network through a consistent expansion of stations and stalls. Last year alone, Tesla expanded its number of Supercharger…

Electrify Canada, a subsidiary of Electrify America, and BMW Group Canada have partnered to offer BMW i7 luxury sedan owners three years of complimentary charging across the Electrify Canada network. This agreement will enable i7 owners to access charging, charging history, locate stations, or check the status of chargers through the Electrify Canada mobile app. Rob Barrosa, Vice President of Technology at Electrify Canada and Electrify America, expressed his excitement to continue their work with BMW and extend it to Canada to help even more customers feel confident in taking their EVs wherever they need to go. He believes that…

Tesla China has reportedly begun its push for vehicle deliveries in the second quarter, with a focus on exporting large batches of electric vehicles to foreign territories in the first half of the quarter. A drone operator, who has been documenting the development of Tesla China’s facilities for years, recently captured aerial footage showing numerous Tesla vehicles waiting to be exported at Shanghai Port. Interestingly, some of the vehicles appear to be right-hand drive models. Giga Shanghai, which serves as Tesla’s primary vehicle export hub, is critical to the company’s global operations. Typically, Tesla China allocates Giga Shanghai’s production to…

Tesla has just made a surprise addition to its lineup, quietly announcing a new version of the Model Y on its website for US customers. Unlike the previously available Model Y Long Range and Model Y Performance, this new variant is simply called “Model Y” and comes with a lower price tag, starting at $49,990 before subsidies. What’s more, the new model qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit. The new Model Y comes with impressive specs, including a 0-60 mph time of 5 seconds, a top speed of 135 mph, and an estimated EPA range of 269 to 279…

Rivian has achieved a lot in a short amount of time. The company has already beaten both Tesla and Ford to the punch with their electric truck, the award-winning Rivian R1T, and secured a landmark deal with Amazon to build electric delivery vans. And their R1S was once considered the best three-row electric vehicle on the market. But despite all this success, it seems Rivian is not content to rest on its laurels. In a recent interview with tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee on his “WVFRM” podcast, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe spoke about the company’s plans for the future. Brownlee asked…

Volkswagen’s highly anticipated flagship electric vehicle, the ID.7, is nearing the end of its testing phase. Ahead of its world premiere on April 17, Volkswagen has released photos of the final test drives in Alicante, Spain, and shared more details about the car’s drive, chassis, and comfort features. The ID.7 will feature a new electric drive, the APP550, which has been specially developed to significantly increase efficiency and power. VW Group Components has been manufacturing the drive unit in Kassel since mid-March. The motor variant used in most MEB models produces 150 kW and 310 Nm, while the APP550 is…

Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, has released its sales figures for Q1 2023. The Company delivered approximately 12,000 vehicles globally during this period, marking an increase of almost 26% compared to the same quarter in the previous year. Polestar had set a record in 2022 by selling over 51,000 units. The Q1 2023 performance can be attributed to seasonal demand, as well as the popularity of the Polestar 2 model. Polestar predicts that its global volumes will increase by nearly 60% YoY in 2023, with sales of approximately 80,000 cars, mainly driven by the Polestar 2 model. Polestar…

Fisker, the American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced that its upcoming Ocean SUV has completed and passed all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) testing required for self-certification by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The vehicle has also achieved a 5-star rating for the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The tests were conducted by an internationally recognized agency, and Fisker is confident that if the NHTSA selects the Ocean for further testing, it will receive an official 5-star rating. According to Chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker, the company engineered the Ocean’s structure to achieve a 5-star…

Westway Coaches, one of the leading coach companies in the UK, has partnered with British electric drive specialist Equipmake to accelerate the electrification process of its fleet. The plan is to retrofit a proportion of its existing diesel coaches with Equipmake’s state-of-the-art drivetrain technology, which comprises a 545 kWh battery pack, an electric motor, an inverter, and an efficiency-maximising HVAC system. Equipmake’s CEP Ian Foley highlights that repowering is an important and cost-effective technology that bridges the gap between diesel and a new electric coach fleet. It upcycles a perfectly good vehicle in the most cost-effective way, making sense for…

Hyundai has once again proven its mettle in the electric vehicle market by winning multiple awards at the 2023 New York Auto Show. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 was named the World Design Car, World Electric Vehicle, and eventually the 2023 World Car of the Year. Meanwhile, the Kia EV6 GT received the title of 2023 World Performance Car. Competing against the BMW iX1/X1 duo and the Kia Niro, the Ioniq 6’s design stood out from the crowd, beating Lucid Air and Range Rover to take home the World Design award. The Ioniq 6 also won the World Electric Vehicle award,…

Tesla is gearing up for the production of its highly anticipated Cybertruck, and recently, the electric vehicle manufacturer was spotted testing the truck’s suspension at its Fremont factory test track. This footage marks some of the most comprehensive testing of the vehicle to date. With a fleet of Cybertruck beta prototypes currently undergoing extensive testing, the latest testing footage shows the truck going through suspension tests or more general vibration and shock testing. These tests are vital for ensuring the safety of the vehicle and its components and guaranteeing the longevity of the truck. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvy19pEVs1M Tesla has always aimed for…

Uganda’s boda-boda riders, who are known for their motorbike taxi services, will soon be making the switch from internal combustion engines to purely electric vehicles. According to an agreement signed between the Ugandan government and African eMobility start-up Spiro, 140,000 motorbike taxis in Kampala will be replaced by electric vehicles within the next five years. The deal will enable verified boda-boda drivers to exchange their current vehicles for electric ones free of charge, and Spiro will generate revenue from the exchange of batteries at its stations. The Bloomberg news agency reported that the planned number of electric Spiro machines would…

Arriva, one of the leading bus operators in London, has announced its plan to introduce 50 battery-electric double-deckers into its fleet this year. The new buses, known as the StreetDeck Electroliner BEV, are manufactured by the Northern Irish company Wrightbus and will be deployed on London’s roads between May and September 2023. In addition to the depot in Brixton, Arriva has partnered with the company Zenobe to build appropriate infrastructure for electric buses at depots in the boroughs of Enfield and Thornton Heath. Intelligent load management will also be integrated into the new buses to ensure their availability and minimise…