Author: Floyd Hawkins

Mercedes-Benz will postpone its planned expansion of battery cell capacity as it monitors electric vehicle (EV) demand, a strategy shift prompted by lower-than-expected sales projections, the company’s technology chief revealed on Monday. Originally aiming for over 200 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery cell capacity by 2030, Mercedes-Benz now reassesses its timeline due to revised forecasts indicating electrified vehicles, including hybrids, will not comprise up to 50% of its total sales until 2030, five years later than previously anticipated. Markus Schaefer, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Mercedes-Benz, acknowledged the evolving strategy, stating, “Is the 200 gigawatt hour capacity still necessary? It’s…

Spanish construction and energy group Acciona unveiled its latest initiative aimed at overcoming key barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Europe, launching the NanoCar Silence S04 on Monday. The electric car, tailored for urban commuting, introduces a novel subscription-based battery exchange service to enhance affordability and convenience. Designed to accommodate one or two lithium-ion batteries, the NanoCar Silence S04 allows drivers to own the vehicle while subscribing to battery services. This approach, according to developers, positions the NanoCar as one of the most economical options in the EV market. Under the subscription model, drivers can swap depleted batteries for…

Tesla has marked a significant milestone with its Cybertruck becoming the best-selling electric pickup truck in the United States, as confirmed by recent reports. The company reported delivering a total of approximately 443,956 vehicles in the second quarter of 2024, with a notable portion attributed to its Model Y and Model 3 units. Specific figures for the Cybertruck were not disclosed by Tesla, but official sources affirmed its leading status in the electric pickup segment. See also: Tesla Begins Deliveries of Rare Cybertruck Foundation Series with Tactical Grey Interior Wes, Tesla’s lead engineer for the Cybertruck, expressed jubilation over the achievement…

Hydrovolt, a joint venture between Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt and Norwegian aluminium producer Norsk Hydro, has announced plans to establish a recycling facility in Hordain, northern France. This decision marks a significant move aimed at bolstering Hydrovolt’s presence in Europe’s burgeoning battery recycling sector. Located strategically near other key players in the region’s battery industry, including ProLogium and Renault partner Verkor in Dunkirk, Hydrovolt’s new facility in Hordain is set to serve as a collection point for discharging and dismantling electric vehicle and industrial batteries. Operations are slated to commence in 2025, pending necessary approvals, leveraging existing infrastructure spanning approximately…

Tesla has introduced a special discount program just in time for Independence Day, offering $1,000 off the purchase price of Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y to active military members, veterans, retirees, and their spouses. The initiative aims to recognize and honor those who have served the country. “To honor those who have served our country, we’re offering members of the U.S. military $1,000 off the purchase price of Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X,” Tesla announced in a statement. “This offer is available to military veterans, retirees, active duty members and their spouses.…

Kia Motors America has achieved record-breaking sales figures in the first half of 2024, underscoring its growing influence in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Doubling its EV sales compared to previous periods, Kia sold an impressive 29,392 electric cars in the US, marking a significant milestone for the automaker. The success has been largely attributed to Kia’s popular models such as the three-row EV9 and the sleek EV6, which have captured the attention of American buyers seeking affordability and extended range. Reflecting on this achievement, a Kia spokesperson stated, “We are thrilled to see such robust demand for our EV…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Zeekr has introduced its latest offering, the 2025 Zeekr X, in China, marking a significant expansion in its lineup of electric SUVs. The new model is available in three trims, including a 5-seater sports trim with all-wheel drive (AWD), and two 4-seater configurations with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and AWD, priced between 200,000 and 220,000 yuan (approximately $27,500 to $30,200 USD). Positioned as a compact SUV, the 2025 Zeekr X measures 4450/1836/1572mm, with a wheelbase of 2750 mm. It features a facelift design maintaining the aesthetic appeal of its predecessor, offering seven exterior body colors, including a…

Finnish charging infrastructure service provider Virta has announced a partnership with Gentari, a subsidiary of Malaysian Petronas Group, to bolster the electric vehicle (EV) charging network across Southeast Asia. Under the agreement, Gentari Green Mobility, through its partnership with Virta, will leverage Virta’s digital platform services and industry expertise to enhance the development and operation of EV charging infrastructure in the region. The collaboration also aims to ensure interoperability of charging stations with third-party companies. Southeast Asia has witnessed significant growth in EV registrations, prompting increased demand for fast chargers. Virta anticipates faster market development in the region compared to…

Luxembourg’s National Railway Company CFL is embarking on a 692 million euro investment to replace its entire diesel bus fleet with electric buses by 2030. This initiative, recently greenlit by the country’s parliament, underscores CFL’s commitment to sustainable public transportation. The transition will see all 80 diesel-powered buses currently in operation phased out over the next decade. The investment covers not only the acquisition of electric buses but also the development of essential charging infrastructure. Additionally, CFL employees will benefit from a 1.50 per cent annual salary increase as part of the investment plan. To kickstart the transformation, CFL plans…

General Motors (GM) has announced a new recall affecting the Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV models due to potential issues with the installation of battery fire detection software. This recall adds to a series of recalls impacting the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, which previously underwent extensive recalls from 2020 to 2022 to replace faulty battery packs. According to GM’s latest recall bulletin, certain units of the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV may have improperly installed diagnostic software designed to detect defective battery modules requiring replacement. See also: GM Claims Next-Gen Chevrolet Bolt to Be the Most Affordable EV…

Antonio Felix da Costa dominated the Formula E race weekend in Portland, securing victories in both rounds and tightening the championship standings ahead of the final races in London. Driving for Porsche, da Costa’s triumph not only marked a double win at the permanent track in Portland but also extended his winning streak to three consecutive races, a feat last achieved in 2020 when he drove for DS. The first race on Saturday initially saw Jaguar’s Mitch Evans cross the finish line first, but a time penalty for a collision relegated him to eighth place, handing da Costa the win.…

Nio reported impressive delivery figures for June, marking a second consecutive record-breaking month with 21,209 vehicles delivered, up 98.09 percent from the same period last year and 3.24 percent from May. The company’s strong performance in June is attributed to enhancements made to its BaaS battery rental service in March and a broader recovery in China’s EV sector. See also: Nio CEO Confirms Dedicated Battery Swap Stations for New Firefly Brand In Q2, Nio delivered a total of 57,373 vehicles, surpassing its previous record set in Q3 2023 by 143.93 percent year-on-year. This exceeded the upper end of its guidance range…

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, a top-selling electric SUV, is gaining traction in the US market with attractive lease incentives, challenging the affordability of traditional gasoline vehicles. With over 34,000 units delivered last year, the Ioniq 5 secured its position as the sixth best-selling EV in the country. Sales momentum for the 2024 model has continued to climb in 2024, following record-breaking performances in March and May. Nearly 15,000 units have been sold in the first five months of the year, highlighting its growing appeal among consumers. See also: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Sets New Pikes Peak Records in Electric Modified and Production…

Ford expects to launch a $30,000 all-electric vehicle that it aims to make profitable within approximately two and a half years, CEO Jim Farley announced during the Aspen Ideas Festival on Friday. Details on the vehicle, being developed by a dedicated Ford “skunkworks” team, were sparse as Farley highlighted anticipated competition from Chinese automakers like BYD and an upcoming entry-level electric car from Tesla. See also: Ford CEO Jim Farley Urges United States to Embrace Electric Vehicles Ford’s strategy prioritizes smaller electric vehicles over larger SUVs and trucks, traditionally lucrative segments for the company fueled by internal combustion engines, which Farley…

LG Energy Solution (LGES) is reorienting its operations at its new $5.5 billion plant in Arizona, pausing construction of its energy storage system (ESS) battery production to concentrate on manufacturing 46-series cylindrical cells. This strategic pivot reflects the heightened demand in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, particularly for Tesla’s groundbreaking 4680 batteries. “We are adjusting the pace of planned investment execution efficiently and flexibly according to market conditions, and focusing on optimizing our operations. Temporarily suspending the construction of the Arizona ESS battery facility is part of such efforts,” commented LGES. LGES aims to commence production of 4680 cells at…

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has launched the ID. Buzz LWB (long wheelbase) in the UK, expanding its electric vehicle offerings with enhanced features tailored for British consumers. Priced starting at £59,545, the ID. Buzz LWB extends its wheelbase to 3,239 mm, accommodating up to seven seats and featuring wider sliding rear doors for improved passenger access. See also: Volkswagen Plans Entry-Level ID. Buzz with Smaller Battery Designed to meet diverse lifestyle needs, the ID. Buzz LWB offers a spacious interior with configurations providing up to 1,340 litres of luggage space in the five-seat layout, expandable to 2,469 litres with the rear seats…

Honda Motor Co. has revealed lease pricing details for its upcoming CR-V e:FCEV, a groundbreaking fuel cell plug-in hybrid that combines electric and hydrogen power, aiming to mitigate infrastructure challenges with dual-energy versatility. Unveiled earlier this year, the CR-V e:FCEV features a 17.7kWh battery providing up to 29 miles of electric range, complemented by a 241-mile hydrogen tank for extended travel, showcasing Honda’s strategy to integrate alternative energy sources into a single vehicle. See also: Honda Starts Production of CR-V e:FCEV, a Fuel Cell Plug-in EV, in Ohio Honda’s lease options for the CR-V e:FCEV include three tiers tailored to various…

New car registrations in the European Union declined by 3% in May 2024 compared to the same month last year, impacted primarily by decreases in major markets like Italy (-6.6%), Germany (-4.3%), and France (-2.9%). Spain, however, saw a modest increase of 3.4%. Despite this monthly decline, the year-to-date figures show a positive trend for the EU car market. Registrations for the first five months of 2024 increased by 4.6% compared to the same period in 2023, totaling 4.6 million units. Spain led this growth with a robust 6.8% rise, followed closely by Germany (+5.2%), France (+4.9%), and Italy (+3.4%).…

Ram, the American truck brand, is gearing up to introduce a new compact electric commercial van tailored for the U.S. market. While not explicitly replacing the ProMaster City, this new model is poised to fill the gap left by its predecessor, according to Chrysler and Ram chief executive Chris Feuell’s remarks at the brand’s recent Investor Day. Speculations suggest that Ram’s new electric van could draw inspiration from Fiat’s European offerings, particularly the Fiat Scudo and E-Scudo models. In Europe, the E-Scudo features battery options including 50 kWh and 75 kWh, offering a range of up to 205 miles (330…

Rivian’s recent partnership with Volkswagen, involving a significant $5 billion investment, has unveiled glimpses of the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer’s future plans, including previously undisclosed vehicle models. In a shareholder letter posted on Rivian’s website, the company outlined its financial strategy following Volkswagen’s investment, aimed at leveraging Rivian’s advanced electrical and electronic architecture expertise. This partnership is seen as crucial for Rivian’s efforts to reduce costs and achieve profitability from its vehicle sales, while also addressing Volkswagen’s software challenges in its EV projects. See also: Volkswagen and Rivian to Form Joint Venture with Potential $5 Billion Investment The letter featured a…