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.
Tesla’s ambitious plan for Gigafactory Mexico is taking shape, as the company gears up to start construction on a massive site spanning almost 4,200 acres in an industrial zone in Nuevo Leon. The news was confirmed by Jesus Nava, the mayor of Santa Catarina, who also revealed that Tesla is acquiring the site from private owners and construction will begin in just three months. What’s notable about this latest development is the sheer size of the complex. The Giga Mexico site will be more than double the size of Mexico City’s International Airport and substantially larger than the Gigafactory Texas…
Tesla may be working on a wireless home charging solution, according to a quick image displayed during the company’s Investor Day. The image showed a red Tesla Model S parked over what looked like a wireless charging pad, prompting speculations about a potential wireless charging system for residential customers. Tesla’s Head of Global Charging Infrastructure, Rebecca Tinucci, highlighted the company’s work on expanding its rapid charging infrastructure, including innovations such as prefabricated Superchargers. Tinucci noted that amidst all the hard work, the company still doesn’t “forget to do cool s***,” and displayed a themed Tesla Supercharger modeled after a drive-in…
Germany and Italy Rally Against EU’s Proposed Ban on Combustion Engines, Push for Synthetic Fuel Alternatives
The future of combustion-powered cars in Europe is in doubt after Germany and Italy threatened to block the European Union’s 2022 vote to ban the sales of emissions-producing vehicles in 2035. The two countries are calling for allowances to be made for vehicles that use synthetic fuels, which are climate-neutral. They are not alone in their opposition, as both Poland and Hungary are also against the existing plan that requires automakers to sell only zero-emissions vehicles in Europe by the middle of the next decade. The plan was expected to be signed off by the European Council without incident next…
Tesla’s much-anticipated Cybertruck has been making headlines since its debut in 2019, and with pre-production beta units now making their way to Gigafactory Texas, the hype is only increasing. Ahead of Investor Day, admitted patrons have been treated to a first-hand look at the all-electric pickup truck and its interior, and it’s safe to say that the Cybertruck is living up to its reputation. While several Cybertruck units have been spotted over the past few months, the latest pre-production beta build is by far the most impressive. Attendees have shared images showcasing a sleek and modern interior design, complete with…
First Look: 2024 Chevy Blazer EV Spotted Undisguised for the First Time Ahead of Sales Debut
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 to Invest $155 Million in Indiana Plants to Produce Electric Drive Modules
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, Duke Energy, and Electrada Collaborate on Electric Truck Program in North Carolina
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…
Valeo Forecasts Strong Sales Growth Amidst Record Orders for Electric Vehicle Components and ADAS Technology
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…