Author: Derick Munoz
Derick Munoz is an EV journalist at EVMagz.com, focusing on the business and regulatory side of the electric mobility transition, including automaker strategy, clean transport policy, investment trends, and the expansion of EV infrastructure across major global markets.
Nio’s ET5 sedan is set to make its first appearance in the United Kingdom as it participates in the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed later this month. The announcement was made by Afonso, an Evangelist at Nio, who shared the news on Twitter. According to Matt Galvin, the managing director of Nio UK, the UK debut of the ET5 at Goodwood holds significance for the brand’s story and growth. The Nio ET5 initially premiered at the Nio Day 2021 event on December 18, 2021, and deliveries began in China on September 30, 2022. Following its success, Nio launched the ET5…
Elon Musk Foresees Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Software Reaching Level 4 or Even Level 5 Autonomy This Year
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has made bold predictions about achieving fully autonomous driving in the past, but they have often fallen short of reality. Despite this track record, Musk remains determined to forecast when Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software will live up to its name and operate without any human intervention. During his speech at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 6, Musk expressed that Tesla’s FSD is nearing a stage where it can function without human supervision, possibly reaching Level 4 or even Level 5 autonomy before the year’s end. According to AFP, Musk…
Mercedes-Benz Becomes First German Automaker to Integrate NACS Charging Standard in North American Electric Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz has made a groundbreaking announcement today, revealing its plans to incorporate the North American Charging Standard (NACS) into its electric vehicle lineup in North America starting from 2025. This move positions the company as the first German original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to commit to implementing the NACS charging inlet in its new electric vehicles. Earlier this year, reports suggested that Mercedes-Benz was considering a switch to the NACS, but it was not official at the time. Now, the company has confirmed its intention to adopt this charging standard, marking a significant milestone in the electric vehicle industry. Prior to…
In a groundbreaking achievement, the Tesla Model Y has emerged as a top-selling car in multiple countries, solidifying Tesla’s ambition to conquer the global automotive market. With its exceptional performance and widespread appeal, the Model Y has garnered unprecedented success, notably in Iceland, Australia, and China. Iceland, known for its preference for Toyota vehicles, witnessed a seismic shift in its car market as the Tesla Model Y shattered a 35-year-old record. Within the first six months of 2023, the Model Y secured the title of Iceland’s best-selling car, propelling Tesla to new heights of popularity. The locals, captivated by the…
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 Embraces Subscription Services and Digitalization as the Automotive Industry Transitions to the Electric Era
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 Completes Acquisition of BEV and FCEV Truck Venture with Nikola, Renames It EVCO
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 Achieves Record-Breaking Electric Vehicle Production and Deliveries in Q2 2023
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…
Audi Announces Leadership Change: Gernot Döllner to Spearhead Electric Transition as CEO
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…
ZF Unveils Cutting-Edge 800-Volt Electric Vehicle Technologies in Porsche Taycan-Based Concept Car
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…