Author: Floyd Hawkins

Protests against tech billionaire and U.S. government advisor Elon Musk have intensified across the United States and are now spreading to Europe, with demonstrations targeting both Musk’s political influence and his electric vehicle company, Tesla. In the U.S., demonstrations have been staged outside Tesla stores in multiple cities, including New York, Florida, Arizona, and Boston, as well as in Republican-led states like Kentucky, Missouri, and Nebraska. Protesters carried signs with slogans such as “Stop the Steal,” “No Dictators in the USA,” and “Elon must go.” The backlash follows mass layoffs at U.S. government agencies, reportedly initiated under Musk’s advisement. See…

U.S. President Donald Trump is implementing a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada starting Tuesday, while also doubling tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%, a move expected to have significant implications for industries including automotive manufacturing. Trump, who has made tariffs a key part of his economic policy, initially imposed duties of 10% on Chinese goods and 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico in January, granting the two neighboring countries a temporary 30-day reprieve. With that grace period now expired, the higher tariffs take effect, adding to existing trade tensions. See also: Trump Signals April 2 Start…

German start-up Circunomics has established its first international office in Detroit, marking a key step in its expansion strategy. The Mainz-based company specializes in battery lifecycle management, offering a digital marketplace for first and second-life battery applications, including repurposing automotive batteries for stationary energy storage. Circunomics sees the U.S. automotive and battery market as a critical growth opportunity, citing an expected surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales beyond 1.3 million units in 2024. Despite the Trump administration’s limited support for EVs, demand for battery recycling and reuse is projected to grow, fueled by restrictions on battery materials sourced from China.…

The launch of the Dodge Charger Daytona has been met with steep dealer discounts exceeding $12,000, suggesting tepid demand for the electric muscle car. In response, Dodge is emphasizing its status as the “world’s only all-wheel-drive muscle car” as a key selling point. Unlike the previous-generation Challenger, which offered all-wheel drive as an option, every Charger Daytona model comes standard with the feature. This includes the upcoming Sixpack variants, which will feature a twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six engine producing up to 550 horsepower. See also: Jeep and Dodge’s First All-Electric Models Arrive at U.S. Dealerships Amid Delays https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6al16Gb8G68 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2IRw3OLJOo Dodge…

Feng Xingya, chairman and general manager of Chinese automaker GAC Group, has urged policymakers to enhance support for the battery swap business model, highlighting its role in addressing electric vehicle (EV) charging challenges and advancing China’s carbon neutrality goals. Feng’s proposal comes ahead of China’s annual legislative and political advisory meetings, known as the “two sessions,” set to begin on Tuesday. In an article published by GAC, he emphasized the need for stronger policies to tackle the high construction costs, fragmented infrastructure rollout, and lack of uniform battery standards that have slowed the adoption of battery swap technology. See also:…

Tadano has introduced its first fully electric rough-terrain crane, the eGR-1000XLL-1 EVOLT, marking a milestone in heavy lifting technology. The 100-ton capacity crane, which debuted at last year’s ConExpo, is powered by six lithium-ion battery packs, providing up to 226 kWh of energy. According to the company, this allows for up to seven hours of continuous operation in a stationary position or five hours of lifting combined with 5.5 miles of driving. Charging is facilitated through a standard CCS/J1772 DC fast charger with speeds of up to 150 kW, enabling a full charge in under two hours. Alternatively, an 80A…

British self-driving technology startup Wayve announced plans to establish a new testing and development hub in Germany, deploying a fleet of test vehicles in the Stuttgart region. The expansion marks a strategic move into Europe’s largest automotive market as the company works to refine its “Embodied AI” system, which learns from and adapts to human driving behavior. See also: Wayve Expands Autonomous Vehicle Testing to San Francisco with Self-Learning AI Software The new hub will focus on advancing features such as lane change assistance, a key component in enhancing driver-assist and autonomous capabilities. Founded in 2017, Wayve currently operates in…

A $400 million U.S. government contract for “armored Tesla” vehicles, recently put on hold, is facing scrutiny over how it was initiated and expanded after the 2024 election, new reports suggest. Earlier this month, a procurement forecast from the U.S. State Department for the 2025 budget included a line item for “Armored Teslas” worth $400 million. See also: U.S. Department of State Set to Award Tesla $400 Million Armored Vehicle Contract The listing was added after the election but before the new administration took office in January. However, after public attention, the State Department removed “Tesla” from the entry, replacing…

Portugal is set to overhaul its electric vehicle (EV) charging regulations, paving the way for Tesla to expand its Supercharger network in the country after a years-long hiatus. The proposed legislation, introduced by Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro, aims to simplify and liberalize the EV charging sector, removing barriers that have required stations to be linked to a state-run app. Amaro said the existing framework was a remnant of past monopoly laws and emphasized that charging an EV should be as seamless as refueling a gasoline vehicle. See also: China’s CALB Breaks Ground on €2 Billion Battery Plant…

A Florida appeals court ruled on Wednesday that Tesla will not face punitive damages in a wrongful death lawsuit accusing the company of overstating the capabilities of its Autopilot system. The decision marks a legal victory for the electric vehicle maker, reducing its potential financial liability in the case. The 4th District Court of Appeal in Palm Beach overturned a lower court’s ruling that allowed a jury to consider punitive damages in the lawsuit filed by the estate of Jeremy Banner, who died in a 2019 crash involving a Tesla Model 3. Punitive damages, meant to penalize gross negligence or…

Harworth Group has partnered with Zest to introduce ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at Riverdale Park in Doncaster, the companies announced on Tuesday. The initiative aims to enhance charging infrastructure for local residents and businesses. Located on Argo Drive, off Wheatley Hall Road, the newly installed four ultra-rapid charging spaces provide drivers with access to up to 80% charge in as little as 20 minutes. See also: Newport City Council Partners with Zest to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure The chargers are positioned near residential areas and commercial establishments, including Wheatley Centre Shopping Park and Costa Coffee on Argo Drive.…

BYD has released additional images of its upcoming all-electric sedan, the Qin L EV, as it nears its official debut. The Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer shared six new images of the mid-sized sedan on Weibo, highlighting exterior details from multiple angles. BYD describes the Qin L EV as a smart driving-era vehicle designed for younger consumers. See also: BYD Teases Upcoming Qin L EV as It Expands Electric Sedan Lineup Lu Tian, general manager of sales for BYD’s Dynasty series, also posted the images, emphasizing that the model aims to attract a younger demographic. The Qin L EV’s…