Author: Derick Munoz

General Motors (GM) is expanding its electric vehicle lineup with the highly anticipated release of the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV. First announced at the automaker’s CES presentation in January 2022, the mid-size electric crossover has been teased for months, leaving fans eager for a glimpse of the vehicle without its camouflage. Finally, in July 2022, the Blazer EV was officially unveiled in four trims (1LT, 2LT, RS, and SS), as well as a Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) edition. Based on GM’s Ultium platform, the Blazer EV boasts estimated ranges between 247 miles for the 1LT trim to 320 miles for…

Stellantis has announced its plan to invest $155 million in three plants located in Kokomo, Indiana. The investment will be used to produce electric drive modules (EDM) that will help power the company’s future electric vehicles assembled in North America. The move is a step towards achieving the goal of 50% battery-electric sales in the U.S. by 2030. The Kokomo-built EDM will be integrated into vehicles designed on the STLA Large and STLA Frame platforms. The EDM will offer an all-in-one solution for electric-vehicle powertrains, comprising three main components: the electric motor, power electronics, and transmission. These components will be…

Tevva, a British electric vehicle manufacturer, has teamed up with Ecobat, the world’s largest battery recycler, to manage the lifecycle of its lithium-ion batteries. The strategic partnership will involve the repair, repurposing and recycling of Tevva’s batteries, with a 12-month pilot phase for first-life battery management. The partnership could expand to include additional energy storage and recycling solutions. Ecobat will ensure that Tevva’s lithium-ion batteries are handled, diagnosed and repaired using the most effective and environmentally friendly methods available. This partnership shows Tevva’s dedication to providing its customers with the best possible service while minimising the impact on the environment.…

Matt Farah, host of The Smoking Tire, and his wife have been the proud owners of a Ford Mustang Mach-E for the past two years. Despite its controversial Mustang branding, the Farahs have grown to love their electric crossover, which they recently took on an eight-hour road trip to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. According to Farah, the Mach-E’s design has held up remarkably well over the past two years, with only one noticeable area of wear and tear on the interior. But what about its performance? Farah notes that after driving the Mach-E as a press car in early…

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has announced that it will participate in an innovative electric truck program being developed by Duke Energy and Electrada. The program will take place at a state-of-the-art microgrid-integrated fleet electrification center located in North Carolina. Duke Energy, one of the largest energy holding companies in the US, is constructing the facility to develop, test and deploy light, medium, and heavy-duty commercial electric vehicle fleets. The center, which will be located at Duke Energy’s Mount Holly Technology and Innovation Center, will feature a commercial-grade fleet charging depot that is integrated with energy storage, solar power, and…

The Canadian government is making strides towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable transportation by investing $18.5 million in new electric vehicle (EV) chargers in British Columbia. Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) will fund the installation of 2,416 new EV chargers across the province, consisting of 2,296 Level 2 chargers and 120 DC fast charging stations in public, workplace, and multi-unit residential building settings. Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced the investment in Vancouver, where 1,880 of the EV chargers will be built. The remaining chargers will be installed throughout the province in 23…

Ionity has opened two new charging parks in France and Italy, located on key travel routes connecting northern and southern Europe. The dual charging parks in Mornas, France, are Ionity’s largest charging parks to date, with fast charging of up to 350 kW and the capacity to serve up to 16 electric vehicles simultaneously. The charging parks are situated on France’s busy “sunshine highway” connecting Lyon with Marseille and Nice on the Mediterranean coast. In addition to this, the new French stations will feature architectural elements like weather protection blinds and solar panels on the roofs, addressing a previous criticism…

French car parts manufacturer Valeo is set to witness strong sales growth this year as the automotive industry faces the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, chip shortages, and geopolitical tensions. The group is expecting sales between 22 billion and 23 billion euros, which is a significant increase from the 20.04 billion euros recorded in 2022. Valeo’s impressive 2022 performance was due to its record 2022 orders, with a total intake of 32.6 billion euros. The demand for electric vehicle components and Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology played a critical role in achieving the company’s success. See also: 2022 Valeo…

GreenPower has announced that it is now a qualified manufacturer for the commercial clean vehicle credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. This means that businesses and tax-exempt organizations that purchase GreenPower’s all-electric commercial vehicle models weighing greater than 14,000 pounds GVWR can receive up to $40,000 in tax credits, while vehicles weighing less than 14,000 pounds GVWR are eligible for up to $7,500 in tax credits. The commercial clean vehicle credit was introduced on January 1, 2023, to incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles and support domestic production. As a qualified U.S. manufacturer, GreenPower can proudly provide cleaner and safer…

An up-and-coming Chinese power battery maker, Hina Battery, has taken the automotive world by surprise by starting to incorporate sodium-ion batteries in passenger cars, potentially marking the beginning of a new era in the battery industry and in the market for affordable passenger electric vehicles (EVs). At the beginning of the year, Hina Battery unveiled three sodium-ion battery cell products, followed by the announcement of a partnership with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp (JAC), making one of its models the first to carry sodium-ion batteries. Sehol, a joint venture brand between JAC and Volkswagen Anhui, worked alongside Hina Battery to…

Sixt, a leading car rental company, is expanding its cooperation with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD in Australia. The German company plans to add at least 500 BYD EVs to its rental car fleet in Australia over the next twelve months. Sixt already runs one of the country’s largest electric car fleets and works with BYD in other continents. The new partnership with BYD will accelerate Sixt’s plans to convert half of its 16,000-strong rental fleets to electric vehicles in the coming years. In 2021, Sixt announced its expansion in Australia through a franchise with the National Roads &…

Tesla, the innovative electric vehicle and clean energy company, has announced its Manufacturing Development Program (MDP) aimed at high school graduates. The program offers participants an opportunity to kickstart their careers at Tesla by providing them with the necessary resources, coursework, and experience. The program is open to students residing in California, Nevada, New York, and Texas, where the company has major facilities. The MDP program is quite comprehensive, as it offers students the chance to gain financial resources, training, and experience required to qualify for a job at the company. Tesla stated that the application process for the program…

A team of researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has discovered a new class of electrolyte materials that could significantly improve the conductivity of solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries, which do not contain any liquid, are seen as the next frontier for battery technology, as they are more stable and safer than traditional liquid-based batteries. However, the slow diffusion of lithium ions through solid materials has been a major obstacle to their development. The new class of electrolyte materials, which the TUM team discovered, is a crystalline powder that contains phosphorus, aluminum, and a high proportion of lithium. The…

Tesla’s recent decision to slash prices on its electric vehicles has caused shockwaves in the automotive industry. Thanks to the federal government’s US$7,500 subsidy for new EVs, the price of Tesla’s Model 3 has been reduced by up to 31%, making it more affordable than ever. Even without the subsidy, the Model 3 is now cheaper than the average new vehicle sold in the US, at a price point that is US$4,930 lower than the current average. The price war that Tesla has started has had a significant impact on the overall new car market, not just the electric vehicle…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has revealed plans to establish three new engineering hubs in Europe, located in Germany, Italy, and Spain. The hubs will create approximately 100 engineering jobs to develop next-generation autonomous technologies, such as driver assistance systems and artificial intelligence (AI), for JLR’s luxury vehicles. The move is part of JLR’s “multi-year strategic partnership” with Nvidia, a Silicon Valley-based AI company, which the automotive giant announced in 2020. JLR’s engineering hubs will work towards developing computer brains and nervous systems for Jaguars and Land Rovers that incorporate self-driving systems. The hubs in Munich, Bologna, and Madrid were chosen…

The United Kingdom is determined to make a significant contribution to the global fight against climate change. As part of its efforts to decarbonize the transportation sector, the country has set ambitious targets for the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). To achieve this, the government has been investing heavily in EV infrastructure, and today it announced a £56 million expansion of the charging infrastructure. The funding will help add 2,400 charge points across the country, with sixteen local authorities joining the effort for the first time. The Department for Transport has stated that the 2,400 charge points are expected to…

Nikola has announced the fourth location of its HYLA brand’s hydrogen station network in California. This move marks a significant step towards scaling its long-term hydrogen distribution solutions to meet market demand and decarbonize the heavy-duty transport sector. The new refueling station and logistics infrastructure will be built in West Sacramento, California. This location will further support Nikola’s truck demand, including third-party heavy-duty hydrogen electric vehicles, and underpin the company’s integrated energy and zero-emissions truck portfolio. See also: Nikola Corp Separates Hydrogen Business to Focus on Electric Truck Production Nikola aims to have 60 HYLA brand stations in place across…

Xpeng is set to launch its G9 SUV in Europe. However, the version of the G9 that will be sold in the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway will have two fewer sensors than the Chinese version, one of which is the vehicle’s 3D lidar. According to Xpeng’s head of product planning for Europe, Martin Stegelmeier, this is due to the cost of the technology. While Xpeng aims to be at the forefront of ADAS for European carmakers, the company is also mindful of offering a competitive price. As a newcomer to the automotive industry, Xpeng is focused on making its…

Nuvve Holding Corp. and Circle K AS, a subsidiary of Alimentation Couche-Tard, have announced an exciting new partnership to bring grid services to electric vehicle fast chargers in Norway and Denmark. This marks the first time that fast chargers will be utilized for frequency regulation services. The partnership aims to monetize Circle K’s EV charging assets and generate grid services revenues for both companies in 2023. Nuvve’s V1G unidirectional smart charging technology will manage an initial 40 megawatts of fast chargers and stationary storage for Circle K through its GIVe platform, set to launch in early 2023. The Alpitronic Hyperchargers…

Nissan is taking a smart and gradual approach to the electrification of its future vehicles. The Japanese automaker plans to introduce electric versions of its popular Juke, Rogue, and Rogue Sport models in 2025 to make them more familiar to consumers. The decision to electrify existing models is based on the success of Nissan’s e-Power hybrid powertrain, which helped boost Qashqai (Rogue Sport in America) sales significantly last year. Unlike typical plug-in hybrids, the Qashqai e-Power hybrid uses an internal combustion engine (ICE) to power the battery, which, in turn, powers the electric motor. This unique hybrid system is also…