Author: Floyd Hawkins

Tesla held its much-anticipated “We, Robot” event, showcasing not only its futuristic Robotaxi but also unveiling a surprise addition: the Robovan, a multi-purpose autonomous electric vehicle. Designed for both passenger transportation and cargo hauling, the Robovan can seat up to 20 passengers, making it ideal for shuttles and logistics. Although the passenger version revealed at the event had only 14 seats, Tesla has promised versatility, with a cargo configuration yet to be displayed. Attendees were given a first look at the interior, but further details on the Robovan’s performance and features remain limited. The event’s main focus was Tesla’s Robotaxi,…

Skoda Motorsport has introduced the Enyaq RS Race concept, a high-performance electric crossover coupe designed for track readiness. This fully electric model showcases a series of enhancements aimed at reducing weight and improving competitive performance. The motorsport focus of the Enyaq RS Race concept is evident in its aggressive styling, featuring enhanced bumpers and an aerodynamic body kit, complemented by a minimalist grille and darkened headlights. Additional design modifications include a ventilated hood and extended fenders, as well as small winglets on the roof to channel airflow toward a substantial rear wing. The vehicle is also equipped with aerodynamically optimized…

Sales of Tesla’s China-made electric vehicles (EVs) rose 19.2% year-on-year in September, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). The increase reflects growing demand for the automaker’s locally produced Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, which saw a 1.9% rise in deliveries from August. Tesla’s September performance contributed to a 12% growth in China-made EV sales for the third quarter, marking its first quarterly increase of the year. The company has extended various consumer incentives in the competitive Chinese market, including zero-interest financing for certain models through October. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Chinese competitor, BYD, achieved a 45.56% increase…

Volkswagen subsidiary Elli has unveiled the Elli Charger 2, a new smart wallbox for the European market designed to integrate with home photovoltaic (PV) systems for surplus energy charging. The Elli Charger 2 also supports dynamic electricity tariffs, offering customers the ability to optimize charging costs by selecting the cheapest energy periods. The charger is part of Volkswagen’s broader ‘Smart Charging’ initiative, which was first introduced in June 2024. Available in four versions—’Connect 11,’ ‘Connect 22,’ ‘Pro 22,’ and ‘Pro 22 (legally compliant)’—the Elli Charger 2 is compatible with any electric vehicle featuring a Type 2 charging connector. It provides…

Geely’s high-end electric vehicle (NEV) brand, Zeekr, has quickly gained traction with its 7X electric crossover, securing 20,000 firm orders just 18 days after its market debut on September 20. The brand has set an ambitious goal of delivering 10,000 units in the first month of sales. The Zeekr 7X received strong initial interest, with 6,000 firm orders placed within 24 hours of its launch. By October 7, the company had delivered 5,000 vehicles to customers. The rapid sales momentum positions the 7X as a significant player in China’s electric SUV market, although it still lags behind the Tesla Model…

The U.S. Department of Justice has challenged bankrupt electric vehicle maker Fisker’s plan to shift the cost of vehicle recalls to customers, deeming it illegal, according to a court filing on Monday. Fisker, which filed for bankruptcy protection in June, has been struggling to restructure its debt and salvage its operations while managing multiple vehicle recalls related to defective door handles, faulty software, and noncompliance with safety standards. As part of its bankruptcy plan, Fisker is required to fix defective and noncompliant vehicles “without charge” when the vehicle is brought in for repairs, as stipulated by the filing. The Justice…

Arriva, a British transport company, will begin operating 82 fully electric buses in Budapest by the end of 2025, marking the city’s first electric bus fleet. An additional 21 buses could be added under an optional agreement. The move comes after Arriva secured two twelve-year contracts from the Budapest transport company BKK, becoming the first operator to manage an electric bus fleet in the Hungarian capital. The fleet will consist of 58 solo buses and 24 articulated buses, all of which will be low-floor vehicles. The electrification of Arriva’s Andor depot has already been completed, enabling the facility to charge…

Public transport operator Go-Ahead London has placed an order for 32 electric buses from Alexander Dennis (ADL) to enhance its zero-emission fleet in the British capital. The order, announced for early 2025, includes the Enviro100EV, the smallest electric model in ADL’s lineup, designed for navigating narrow streets and housing estates across Transport for London (TfL) routes. The 8.5-meter-long Enviro100EV electric buses can accommodate up to 41 passengers. Equipped with 354 kWh batteries from Impact Clean Power Technology, these buses are capable of covering up to 450 kilometers on a single charge, ensuring a long operating life without the need for…

Britain’s electric vehicle (EV) market is projected to fall short of 2024 targets set by the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, a leading trade body warned on Friday. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) urged the newly formed Labour government to implement incentives for private buyers to accelerate the transition to EVs. The appeal came in an open letter to finance minister Rachel Reeves ahead of the upcoming autumn budget on Oct. 30, signed by SMMT CEO Mike Hawes and the UK heads of several automakers. The ZEV mandate, introduced by the former Conservative government, mandates that at least…

Tesla is reportedly working on four new versions of its in-house 4680 battery to power its upcoming Cybertruck, robotaxi, and other electric vehicles, according to a report from The Information, citing sources familiar with the plans. While Tesla has traditionally relied on battery suppliers like Panasonic Energy and LG Energy, the company has been making efforts to increase domestic production of its 4680 battery cells to reduce costs and improve margins. However, Tesla has encountered significant challenges in developing the 4680 battery. The company has been losing 70% to 80% of the cathodes, a crucial battery component that helps generate…

Tier Mobility and Dott have officially completed their merger, resulting in the discontinuation of the Tier brand in favor of Dott. Users of the Tier service will now be redirected to the Dott app, which will offer access to a combined fleet of 250,000 e-scooters and e-bikes across 427 cities in 21 countries. The merger, initially announced in January 2024, was expected to retain both the Tier and Dott brands. However, recent communications from Dott confirmed a shift in strategy, stating, “Tier becomes Dott.” The company emphasized excitement over the consolidation, highlighting the benefits of operating under a unified brand…

Tesla reported a smaller-than-expected increase in third-quarter deliveries, with figures showing a rise to 462,890 vehicles, up 6.4% from a year earlier. This fell short of the 469,828 deliveries anticipated by analysts, leading to a decline in Tesla’s shares of more than 6% as the company faces mounting competition and a potential first-ever decline in annual deliveries after years of rapid growth. The world’s most valuable automaker has been struggling to attract customers to its aging electric vehicle lineup, despite implementing price cuts and extending incentives, such as zero-interest financing and insurance offers, particularly in China, which accounts for one-third…

Zeekr’s Chief Marketing Officer, Guan Haitao, has hinted that the highly-anticipated Zeekr Mix electric MPV will soon debut in the Chinese market, potentially as early as October 2024. This new family-oriented vehicle is expected to contribute to Zeekr’s ambitious sales target of 230,000 units for 2024. Guan shared several official images of the Zeekr Mix on Weibo, China’s popular social media platform, while engaging followers with the question of where the car should be launched. He further commented, “Yes, Mix is finally coming,” indicating that the MPV’s market release is imminent. The Zeekr Mix is built on the brand’s SEA…

The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Tuesday that over $2 billion in consumer electric vehicle (EV) tax credit payments have been issued since January 1, covering more than 300,000 vehicles. This comes as part of a new initiative allowing consumers to receive tax credits directly at the point of sale, significantly reducing the upfront cost of EVs. The credits, introduced under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, offer up to $7,500 for new electric vehicles and up to $4,000 for used models. “These savings are giving consumers new choices and helping automakers and dealers to attract new customers and grow their…

A new study from Juniper Research predicts that global Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) revenue will surge to $6 billion by 2030, a significant increase from just $31 million in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 187%. This growth is primarily attributed to Urban Air Mobility (UAM) services, which provide innovative transportation solutions to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions in densely populated urban areas. The research emphasizes that building public trust is crucial for realizing this revenue potential. The integration of AI-driven systems in AAM vehicles is expected to enhance safety through real-time collision detection, ensuring safe…

Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis, is scheduled to speak before an Italian parliamentary committee on October 11, focusing on the future of the carmaker’s production operations in Italy. This announcement comes after Stellantis expressed concerns over weak demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and extended the suspension of production for its Fiat 500 electric city car until November 1. The Fiat 500 is manufactured at Stellantis’ historic Mirafiori plant in Turin, northern Italy. Initially, production was halted until October 11, but the company indicated that the ongoing lack of orders necessitated a further delay. In its statement, Stellantis emphasized the…

Chinese automaker Changan is set to launch its first all-electric model, the Deepal S07, in Europe by the fourth quarter of 2024. Initially targeting Norway, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, Changan plans to expand its reach across several other European countries by 2028. Changan has already established subsidiaries in Germany and the Netherlands in preparation for its entry. Following the initial launch, the Deepal S07 will be available in Switzerland, Sweden, and Finland by early 2025, the UK in July 2025, and Spain and Italy in 2026. Changan aims to be present in all major European markets within four years.…

Skoda has officially presented the Elroq, its second electric vehicle following the Enyaq. Though the Elroq is notably shorter than its predecessor, it is priced comparably to the ID.3, especially after recent price reductions. Set to hit the market in the first quarter of 2025, the Elroq promises to deliver more value for money than its Volkswagen counterpart. The debate surrounding electric vehicle pricing has intensified, particularly with the influx of Chinese manufacturers in Europe. Despite a high starting price of €48,900 for its cheapest electric model, the Enyaq has seen success thanks to Skoda’s reputation for good value within…

Hyundai Motor and Kia Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia’s Misk Foundation to foster talent development and leadership skills in the Kingdom. The collaboration aims to nurture young leaders through innovative initiatives designed to prepare them for future challenges in a rapidly changing global landscape. Jae-Yong Lee, an executive at Hyundai Motor, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We’re thrilled to partner with Misk Foundation, a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship for Saudi future leaders. We aim to create synergies to empower the next generation of leaders. This collaborative effort will contribute to the development…

Automaker Polestar is collaborating with Infosys to create a global technology hub in Bengaluru, India. This strategic partnership aims to leverage Infosys’ existing development center to enhance Polestar’s capabilities in electric vehicle (EV) software development, focusing on key areas such as in-car infotainment, advanced driver assistance systems, and telematics. The newly established hub will also play a crucial role in supporting Polestar’s product management and customer engagement initiatives, while accelerating the delivery of direct-to-consumer digital services through cloud-native development, testing, and data engineering. This collaboration, disclosed in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange, underscores Infosys’ expanding interest in the…