Author: Floyd Hawkins

German automaker Volkswagen is gearing up to showcase a new electric model during its presentation on March 15. The announcement was made by the company’s CEO, Thomas Schäfer, who stated that the brand has been working hard on its products and will introduce a new design language for its future models as well. Volkswagen’s livestream event on March 15 at 6:20 pm CET will provide a glimpse into the new electric model, which is expected to be the ID.2 EV hatchback. The company has been promoting the event with the hashtag #VWforthepeople. See also: Fisker’s First Electric Vehicle, the Ocean,…

Porsche, the renowned German automaker, has officially confirmed the launch of an all-electric Cayenne SUV, which is expected to debut in 2026. The announcement was made at the company’s annual general meeting, where the automaker also revealed details about its K1 flagship EV SUV. Porsche has been making strides in the electric vehicle market, with the all-electric Macan set to start deliveries in 2024 and the all-electric 718 sports cars planned for the middle of the decade. The automaker is now looking further ahead, with plans to bring two new battery-electric luxury SUVs to the market. The Cayenne EV will…

German automaker Volkswagen has announced that it has selected St. Thomas, Ontario, as the site for its first North American EV battery cell plant. This move comes after the company revealed plans to produce electric SUVs and pickups in South Carolina. The initiatives are part of Volkswagen’s broader North American EV strategy. After the US passed the Inflation Reduction Act last August, Volkswagen joined several other global automakers in looking to build and assemble EVs in the country to take advantage of the new tax credits. The company also signed a memorandum of understanding with fellow German automaker Mercedes-Benz to…

Amprius Technologies, based in Fremont, is set to construct a new battery-making facility in Brighton, Colorado. The move comes as the company seeks to expand the production of its proprietary silicon anode lithium-ion battery cells that offer greater energy density than conventional graphite cells. The new facility will be built in phases, with an initial output capacity of 500 megawatt-hours, and is expected to become operational in 2025. When completed, the factory will cover a footprint of 775,000 square feet, with a potential output of 5 gigawatt-hours per year. See also: Solid Power will send a pre-production solid-state battery to…

Hyundai has high hopes for its newly released Kona electric model, which the South Korean automaker expects to outsell its gas-powered and hybrid counterparts. The first electric version of the Hyundai Kona was launched in 2018, a year after the gas-powered version was introduced in Korea and North America. The Kona compact SUV, which Hyundai refers to as a “lifestyle SUV,” was designed to cater to the growing demand for smaller B-segment Sport Utility Vehicles while expanding its options in the segment. Last year, the subcompact SUV was given a sporty redesign and a more aerodynamic front fascia, resulting in…

Elon Musk recently made a statement about Tesla’s upcoming car, stating that it will operate “almost entirely in autonomous mode.” However, despite the automaker’s promise to make all its cars produced since 2016 autonomous, it has yet to deliver. At Tesla’s Investor Day last week, the company announced plans to create a new vehicle platform that would be more efficient to manufacture. Unfortunately, there was little information about the vehicle models that would be based on this new platform, which left many people disappointed. During a brief appearance at a Morgan Stanley conference, Musk commented that Tesla’s next-gen platform would…

Hyundai has just unveiled its all-electric Kona, the latest addition to its popular SUV lineup. The second-generation Kona promises to take on the B-SUV segment competitors with its larger size, greater driving range, and advanced technology features. One of the most important features for electric vehicle (EV) owners is driving range, and the new Kona delivers with a range of up to 490km (WLTP) thanks to its larger 65.4 kWh battery. The electric motor powering the front wheels has been upgraded to 160kW (214hp), 10kW more than the previous model, but interestingly, the torque figure has been reduced from the…

ASOS, the global online fashion destination, has been selected as one of six companies to take part in a trial that will convert 260 employee commutes to electric bus trips for a period of 30 days. The initiative, launched by smart commuter bus service provider Zeelo, forms part of a wider 100% electric commuter service designed to encourage clients to switch to electric vehicles (EVs). The trial will enable Zeelo’s bus operator partners across the country to evaluate the ease-of-use of driving and charging EVs for regular passenger transport. ASOS signed up to Zeelo’s smart commuter bus service in 2022…

UK energy provider, Ovo Energy, has just released a new smart-charging product that enables customers to charge their electric cars during off-peak hours, when energy prices are the cheapest. Partnering with Kaluza, an intelligent grid technology provider, Ovo Energy’s latest product should help customers save up to £350 a year. To be eligible for the scheme, customers must connect their electric car or EV charger with an Ovo Energy account. Using the mobile app, they can select the time when the car needs to be charged, and Kaluza’s technology will automatically begin charging when the energy rates are at their…

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GEOD) in Nevada has unanimously approved a $330 million tax abatement over 20 years for Tesla, allowing the automaker to continue investing in the state. Tesla already has plans to spend another $3.6 billion in Nevada as it adds two new factories to its complex, which will manufacture both the Tesla Semi and new 4680 battery cells. The abatement package provides a 100 percent reduction in property taxes and Modified Business tax for a decade, and a 20-year reduction in the Sales and Use Tax rate, effectively dropping it from 7.6 percent down to…

Lucid Motors, the US-based electric car manufacturer, has appointed a new European head and is expanding its global reach with the opening of its first retail studio in Norway. Michael van der Sande, a seasoned veteran of the automotive industry with experience at Jaguar Land Rover and Tesla, has been appointed Managing Director for Europe and will be based in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, the company’s fourth European retail outlet, located in Oslo, underpins its commitment to global expansion and will showcase the company’s Air electric luxury sedan. Van der Sande’s appointment and the opening of the Oslo studio come after Lucid…

In recent years, China has been a major player in the electric bicycle market, producing a range of innovative and affordable models. Among these, the Engwe brand has gained popularity in Europe and the United States for its balance of performance, style, and affordability, making it an excellent choice for beginners interested in the e-bike lifestyle. The Engwe P26 is the latest addition to the Engwe line, and it offers a versatile and practical option for commuters and trail riders alike. With its hardtail frame and sloping top-tube, it has the classic look of a hardtail mountain bike but is…