Author: Derick Munoz

In a recent development, Rivian, the innovative electric vehicle manufacturer, has decided to disable the driver-facing camera in its R1T and R1S models. The camera, which was initially intended for driver-monitoring purposes when utilizing the Driver+ driver-assist technologies, has proven incapable of accurately detecting whether the driver is paying attention. Rather than formally announcing the removal of the camera from production, Rivian discreetly mentioned its deactivation in the release notes accompanying the latest 2023.22.00 software update. The company reassured users that disabling the camera would have no impact on the safety or functionality of the R1T and R1S vehicles. To…

Texas has made a significant move in the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry by announcing its requirement of Tesla’s NACS connector on charging stations throughout the state. This decision has given a boost to the NACS connector’s bid to become the standard for charging in North America. The Texas Department of Transportation confirmed the news, stating that both NACS and CCS connectors would be mandated at charging stations in the state. This requirement comes as a result of Ford, GM, and Rivian adopting the NACS connector, leading to a change in the rollout plan’s initial phase. The department clarified that…

Toyota Motor Europe’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Harrison, has shed light on the automaker’s timeline for transitioning to a fully electric vehicle (EV) lineup. While Toyota has long been recognized for its pioneering role in hybrid technology, it has lagged behind in the fully electric vehicle sector. However, with the appointment of new CEO Koji Sato, the company has ramped up its efforts in the EV space, making a series of recent announcements. Toyota has acknowledged the importance of incorporating fully electric models into its portfolio, alongside its hybrid strategy that includes plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and fuel cell electric…

Canada’s Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO) has made a significant investment of $400 million in Northvolt, a leading battery producer based in Sweden. This investment will support Northvolt in expanding its production of lithium-ion batteries as the company prepares for a potential initial public offering (IPO). Rossitsa Stoyanova, IMCO’s Chief Investment Officer, expressed the organization’s confidence in the investment, stating, “Northvolt really fits with a lot of the trends we are trying to invest in,” in an interview with Reuters. She referred to themes including the transition to a lower-carbon economy and the restructuring of global supply chains. IMCO’s…

Alpine, the French automaker known for its sporty and iconic A110 model, has recently revealed its plans to proceed with the development of an electric successor to the A110. This decision comes after the news that Alpine and Lotus would not be collaborating on the project as initially anticipated. While the announcement of the separation was made last month, Alpine had remained tight-lipped about the specifics, stating only that it was a mutual decision reached amicably. However, Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo has shed some light on the situation, disclosing that Alpine has opted to create its own platform…

Aehra, the Italian luxury electric car brand, has taken the automotive industry by storm once again with the grand unveiling of its highly anticipated second model, the Aehra Sedan. Building on the success of their previously introduced SUV, Aehra has managed to seamlessly blend the essence of their SUV’s design language with the sedan, creating a harmonious and visually captivating lineup. The Aehra Sedan boasts a striking and aerodynamic body, distinguished by its sleek, flat front and elegantly curved roof arch. This design approach, which garnered much attention for the SUV, has been artfully translated to the sedan model, albeit…

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has announced its ambitious plan to significantly increase its electric bus fleet by purchasing 22 new electric buses. The decision comes as part of the CTA’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable transportation and reduce harmful emissions in the city. The Chicago Transit Board has authorized the exercise of a contract option, valued at $26.2 million, to procure additional standard 40-foot electric buses. The original contract, awarded to Proterra in 2018 through a competitive procurement process, included an initial order of 23 electric buses and an option to purchase up to 25 more. Having already received the…

California-based battery developer OneD Battery Sciences has formed a strategic alliance with German battery manufacturer Customcells, with the aim of collaborating on the development and delivery of prototype cells for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to a global automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM). As part of this partnership, OneD is also establishing a presence in Europe. While the specifics of the initial joint project have not been disclosed, Customcells has stated that it will support OneD in scaling up the industrialization of cells using Sinanode technology. OneD, on the other hand, will leverage Customcells’ expertise in automotive applications, although the exact…

The world-renowned Monza circuit, known for hosting Formula One’s Italian Grand Prix, witnessed a groundbreaking event from June 16 to 18. In a departure from tradition, driverless cars took center stage as the Indy Autonomous Challenge held its inaugural race in Europe. This competition showcased teams from prestigious technology universities worldwide, showcasing their prowess in autonomous vehicle technology. The event coincided with the Milano Monza Motor Show – MIMO, further enhancing its significance. Paul Mitchell, the CEO of the Indy Autonomous Challenge, emphasized the competition’s objective of pushing the limits of autonomous vehicle technology and demonstrating their remarkable capabilities. Speaking…

Li Auto, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, achieved a significant milestone as its Li L7 model recorded its highest single-day sales to date. Li Xiang, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Li Auto, took to social media platform Weibo to announce the accomplishment. He stated, “Yesterday was our first tech day, and today is also a historic moment—the first time that the Li L7 has sold more than 1,000 units on a single day with no new model launch.” Li Auto’s achievement comes on the heels of the company’s inaugural Family Tech Day event held on June 17. During…

Rivian, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is reportedly in talks to acquire A Better Route Planner (ABRP), an innovative and widely popular EV route planning service. ABRP, often hailed as the ABBA of the electric car world, was developed by a group of Swedish EV owners in 2018, aiming to simplify and optimize route planning for EVs. Unlike traditional navigation systems, ABRP takes into account specific EV models and calculates remaining battery status upon arrival, while also identifying optimal charging stations along the route based on the vehicle’s range. This user-friendly software revolutionizes the planning process for EV drivers, ensuring…

Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has at last commenced the shipment of its much-anticipated manual Tonneau covers for the R1T pickup truck. This development comes after a substantial delay and a series of issues encountered with the original automatic Tonneau covers provided in early R1T models. In an effort to address these problems, Rivian temporarily removed the option to order the cover from their website and assured affected customers that a solution would be found. After several months of waiting, Rivian presented two choices to customers: they could opt for the manual cover, priced at $1,800, or receive no cover…