Author: Derick Munoz

Xpeng has announced the availability of its XNGP (Xpeng navigation guided pilot) feature on all roads across China, following the expansion of its Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) to more than 200 cities earlier last month. In a recent Weibo post, Xpeng stated, “Unlimited XNGP, available all over the country, on any road,” marking a significant milestone in its smart driving technology. See also: Everything You should know about City Navigation Guided Pilot (City NGP) from Xpeng The XNGP feature, similar to Tesla’s FSD (Full Self-Driving), aims to provide driver assistance in all scenarios, including highways, city roads, internal campus roads,…

Pompano Beach, Florida, has taken a significant step towards sustainability with the introduction of its first all-electric Mack LR waste truck. The new truck, delivered last week, promises cleaner and quieter streets for the city, marking a milestone in its commitment to environmental stewardship. The unveiling of the electric garbage truck, adorned in Coastal Waste & Recycling colors, took place at a local e-mobility event. The city sees this move as a pivotal moment in its sustainability efforts and a way to lead by example in driving positive change in the waste management industry. See also: Mack Introduces the Mack MD…

Volkswagen Group UK has announced a collaboration with Ecobat to recycle batteries from electric cars, extending their partnership that began in 2014. Under the agreement, Ecobat will collect electric car batteries from Volkswagen to recycle lithium-ion battery materials, as stated by the car manufacturer. This initiative aims to promote a circular energy economy and enhance sustainability efforts within the UK’s largest automotive group. See also: Ecobat Expands Global Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Footprint with New Facility in Arizona Ecobat currently operates two recycling plants, one in the UK and another in Germany, with a third plant under construction in Arizona, USA. In…

Polestar announced on Wednesday that it has secured a $950 million loan from a bank syndicate, a move that helped to fill a gap left by Volvo Cars’ decision to stop funding the company. The news sent Polestar’s New York-listed shares soaring by 18.5%. The company also revealed its forecast of double-digit gross profit margins by the end of 2024, a significant improvement from an expected flat outcome in 2023. This projection comes amid a cooling enthusiasm among investors for EV makers, as growth in EV sales has slowed and financial losses have mounted, particularly affecting startups. Price cuts by…

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has announced the release of lower-priced versions of its Han sedans and Tang SUVs, intensifying an ongoing and fierce price war in the world’s largest auto market, with discounts even more significant than those offered in 2023. The newly launched Han sedans, available as plug-in hybrids and pure EVs, along with the Tang hybrid SUV, will feature a starting price that is 10.35% to 14.3% lower than the previous versions. See also: BYD Introduces the SEAL U DM-i to European Markets at Geneva International Motor Show 2024 These releases follow BYD’s recent introduction of a new…

Addionics, an Israeli battery technology company, announced plans on Monday to construct a $400 million U.S. factory dedicated to producing copper anodes for electric vehicle batteries. The facility is slated to commence operations in 2027 with the goal of supplying enough anodes for approximately 1 million EVs annually. The manufacturing plant will be developed in three phases, with the first phase requiring an investment of $120 million. Addionics CEO Moshiel Biton revealed to Reuters that the company is currently in the process of conducting due diligence for up to $50 million in grants under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, primarily…

The highly anticipated Tesla Model 3 Performance, previously known as Project Highland, has been spotted without camouflage, indicating that its launch is nearing. Last October, Tesla unveiled the new Model 3 but initially released only the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and Long Range (LR) variants, leaving out the top-of-the-line Performance variant. Speculation arose among fans about whether the Performance model would be reintroduced or if it had been canceled. Recent leaks, including some from Tesla itself, suggested not only its return but also upgrades over its predecessor. See also: Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Sees Third Price Increase This Month While…

VinFast has requested India to lower import duties on its cars for about two years, allowing customers to familiarize themselves with its products while a local manufacturing plant comes online, an executive said on Sunday. VinFast has commenced the construction of a factory in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and aims to begin production by mid-next year, focusing initially on domestic sales before venturing into exports, VinFast’s India CEO Pham Sanh Chau told Reuters. See also: VinFast Officially Begins Construction of Electric Vehicle Facility in India’s Tamil Nadu Last month, VinFast and Tamil Nadu announced their agreement to pursue…

BYD is setting its sights high for 2024, aiming to achieve a sales target of 4 million units, up from 3.02 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold in 2023, as reported by local media outlet 36kr today. The company is expected to announce a sales target of 4 million units, with production capacity reaching 4.2 million at its production sites. The forecasted sales breakdown includes 2 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 2.2 million plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), with an emphasis on lower-priced models dominating sales. See also: BYD Launches Yangwang U9 Electric Supercar: Hits 0-100 km/h in 2.36 Seconds,…

Tesla has commenced sales of early Cybertruck units in the United States and is looking to expand its availability to Canada soon, according to Rohan Patel, Tesla’s Vice President of Public Policy and Business Development. In a post on X on Saturday, Patel expressed confidence that the Cybertruck would be sold in Canada, stating, “there’s no doubt” about its availability. He also mentioned that he hopes the necessary paperwork for its Canadian launch “can be wrapped up soon.” See also: Edmunds Test Reveals Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series Exceeds Range Estimates, Achieves 334 Miles https://twitter.com/rohanspatel/status/1761428680536969480 The announcement comes on the heels of…

Toyota has announced its most substantial discount yet on the hydrogen-powered 2023 Toyota Mirai, with a rebate of up to $40,000 off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). This discount, detailed in a bulletin sent to dealers today, presents an opportunity for buyers to acquire the Mirai at a significant discount, potentially making it more affordable than a Toyota Corolla. Effective immediately, the 2023 Toyota Mirai Limited models are eligible for a $40,000 APR Subvention Cash rebate when qualifying for promotional financing. With a sticker price of $67,095, this rebate represents a substantial 60% discount off the MSRP, potentially reducing…

In an era where some manufacturers are reevaluating their initial enthusiasm for electric vehicles (EVs), Japanese automakers are notably undeterred, proceeding with their plans as envisioned. While brands like Ford, GM, and Genesis are adjusting their EV strategies, and Chinese automakers like HiPhi are pausing EV production, Japanese automakers like Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Nissan, and Mazda maintain a cautious yet steady approach to EV transformation. See also: Toyota Teases Three-Row Battery Electric SUV for US Market Toyota, known for its skepticism toward rapid EV adoption, continues to focus on its successful hybrid-powered vehicles. Toyota’s Chief Financial Officer Yoichi Miyazaki reiterated the…