Author: Derick Munoz

Rivian, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, may abandon its much-anticipated Tank Turn feature for the R1T and R1S models. Initially confirmed in December 2019, the feature has faced multiple delays since then. In a recent Instagram Q&A session on May 26, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe revealed that the company is now leaning towards not offering the feature at all. According to Scaringe, the decision is rooted in environmental considerations, as the Tank Turn feature has the potential to cause significant damage to trails and the surrounding ecosystem. Scaringe explained that while Rivian possesses the technical capability to implement Tank Turn,…

Natilus, a prominent developer of autonomous cargo aircraft, has recently forged a strategic partnership with ZeroAvia, a leading provider of hydrogen-electric powertrain solutions. The collaboration aims to incorporate ZeroAvia’s state-of-the-art ZA600 hydrogen-electric propulsion system into Natilus’ innovative Kona short-haul feeder unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The Kona drone, Natilus’ inaugural creation, features an autonomous blended-wing body (BWB) design that allows for enhanced payload capacity by utilizing additional space for hydrogen storage. To validate the performance of the BWB concept, Natilus conducted extensive wind-tunnel testing over a span of three years and subsequently completed flight tests using a quarter-scale prototype of the…

Nissan, the renowned automobile manufacturer, has recently launched a recall affecting 758 units of its popular electric vehicle, the Leaf, in the United States. This action has been prompted by a potential problem that could lead to premature failure of the brake lines, posing safety risks for the owners. As a result, Nissan will be requesting affected customers to bring their vehicles to authorized dealerships for free repairs. The issue initially came to light on January 13, 2023, when a diligent Nissan technician identified damage in the right-hand brake tube assembly during the assembly process. This discovery prompted immediate action,…

BMW has joined forces with AirConsole to incorporate gaming capabilities into the all-new i5 and its non-EV counterparts from the latest 5-Series lineup. While it may not rival the likes of Cyberpunk 2077 or Halo Infinite, the gaming experience in the i5 aims to provide entertainment and help occupants pass the time while the car is being recharged. The initial offering includes 15 games, with popular titles such as Go Kart Go, Golazo, Music Guess, and Overcooked among the options. BMW assures that the selection of games will continue to expand as new titles are added via over-the-air (OTA) updates.…

In an unexpected turn of events, the Volvo EX30 made a brief appearance on the automaker’s website, only to be swiftly removed. However, this fleeting glimpse allowed enthusiasts and automotive experts to catch a glimpse of the upcoming crossover, and a screenshot was captured for closer examination. Drawing inspiration from its flagship sibling, the EX90, the EX30 exhibits several design similarities while boasting a significantly smaller footprint. Notably, it is even more compact than the well-regarded XC40, serving as a point of reference for its diminutive size. Months prior to this leak, patent images had already provided a sneak peek…

Electric vehicle and hydrogen truck manufacturer Nikola has encountered yet another setback as its stock continues to decline. The company received a delisting notice from the Nasdaq stock exchange after its shares traded below $1 for 30 consecutive days. At present, the stock is valued at a mere 59 cents per share. Nikola now has a limited timeframe of 180 days to rectify the situation, a task that appears increasingly difficult. Nikola’s stock last sold for over $0.99 in the second week of April, shortly after the company issued a recall for a brake pedal defect that could potentially detach…

Volvo is gearing up for the highly anticipated debut of its smallest electric vehicle, the Volvo EX30, scheduled for June 7. As the reveal date approaches, the Swedish automaker is teasing eager customers with additional details about the upcoming EV. Anders Nyth, Volvo’s sustainability manager, has disclosed that the EX30 will come with two battery options right from the start. The first is a 51-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) pack, while the second is a larger 60-kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese (NMC) variant. The latter battery choice will provide a maximum driving range of 298 miles (480 kilometers), as reported by Autocar, though this figure…

Volvo Trucks, in a groundbreaking partnership with Holcim, a leading global building solutions provider, has achieved a significant milestone by securing a deal to sell 1,000 electric trucks by 2030. This agreement not only represents Volvo’s largest commercial order for electric vehicles to date but also underscores their commitment to sustainable transportation solutions. The initial delivery of 130 Volvo FH and Volvo FM electric trucks is scheduled for 2023 and 2024, targeting key markets in France, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK. While technical specifications are not explicitly mentioned, it is plausible that these truck models have been specifically designed for…

Dutch charging infrastructure specialist, Heliox, is set to introduce two new chargers in North America, a move that promises to revolutionize the region’s electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape. Partnering with Cummins, a renowned leader in the power industry, Heliox aims to leverage Cummins’ extensive sales and service network to make their cutting-edge chargers widely accessible. The first charger, known as Mobile 50, is a remarkable mobile DC charger with a power output of 50 kW. It boasts an innovative design and can be effortlessly connected to standard 480V AC wall sockets, making it remarkably versatile and suitable for various locations.…

General Motors has made an announcement regarding the estimated range rating for the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck, revealing a significant lead over its closest competitor in the electric pickup market. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the fleet-oriented Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck is expected to have an estimated range of 450 miles on a full charge. This figure surpasses the current longest-range electric pickup in America, the Rivian R1T in Quad Motor configuration with the Large battery, which has a range of 328 miles by over 100 miles. Furthermore, the Silverado EV Work Truck will have…

Albemarle, an American speciality chemicals company, has announced a significant expansion of its Kemerton lithium hydroxide plant in Western Australia. The plant’s production capacity will double from 50,000 tonnes per year to 100,000 tonnes per year, making Albemarle the largest lithium producer in Australia. The company expects the expansion to support the production of approximately 2.4 million electric vehicles per year and to create around 370 new jobs by 2026. See also: Albemarle Forecasts 40% Growth in China’s EV Market, Boosting Demand for Lithium The Kemerton plant, which has been under construction since 2019, will now have two additional processing…

German electric air taxi start-up Lilium has announced a significant capital increase of $250 million, bringing it one step closer to achieving its goal of revolutionizing the aviation industry. The company’s CEO, Klaus Roewe, says Lilium plans to use the funding to continue its development program and accelerate its mission to create the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet. See also: Lilium Air Mobility targets the production of 400 electric flying taxis per year The capital increase is expected to cover most of the estimated capital needed for Lilium’s first crewed test flight in the first half of next…