Author: Floyd Hawkins

Xpeng has surprised the market by revealing the name and official image of its first model from the sub-brand codenamed Mona, ahead of its scheduled launch later this month. The first vehicle in the Mona lineup will be called the Xpeng M03, as announced by the company on Weibo today. Interestingly, the model retains the Xpeng brand name, which has caused some confusion among industry observers. The official image released by Xpeng showcases the M03 as a compact electric sedan, adding to the anticipation surrounding its launch. Xpeng’s acquisition of Didi Global’s electric vehicle business in August 2023 paved the…

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, reiterated the company’s stance that there will be no debut of the refreshed Model Y “Juniper” this year, echoing a statement made by the company a few months prior. In February, Tesla informed its sales advisors in North America that a Model Y refresh would not be hitting the market in 2024, sparking speculation about its potential launch in other regions, akin to the Model 3 refresh. Musk has now reaffirmed this position, stating definitively that a Model Y refresh will not be introduced this year, seemingly across all markets. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1799631104389107774 Taking to X…

Morocco is set to become home to its first electric vehicle (EV) battery gigafactory, courtesy of Gotion High-tech, a Chinese battery giant backed by Volkswagen. The project, with an estimated total cost of 12.8 billion dirhams ($1.3 billion), marks a significant milestone in Morocco’s bid to enhance its position in the EV market. According to a Reuters report, the Moroccan government has inked an investment agreement with Gotion for the gigafactory, which will initially boast a battery capacity of 20 GWh. However, plans are in place to ramp up the facility’s capacity to 100 GWh, with a potential total investment…

Xiaomi’s foray into the electric vehicle market has seen tremendous success with its SU7 model, leading to a surge in demand. To meet this demand, the company is now hiring a significant number of workers at its factory, offering competitive salaries and bonuses. According to a report by Sina Tech, Xiaomi’s car factory is actively recruiting workers, offering monthly salaries of up to RMB 10,000 ($1,380) along with a year-end bonus equivalent to one month’s salary. Human resource service providers are aiding Xiaomi in this hiring spree to meet the annual delivery targets for Xiaomi EV. The factory workers, essential…

Polish charging infrastructure provider Ekoenergetyka has unveiled a new production line at its headquarters in Zielona Góra, aimed at doubling its production speed for electric vehicle chargers. The company expects to increase production from 50 chargers per eight-hour shift initially to 90 units by early 2025. Ekoenergetyka’s strategic move to expand its production capacities comes in response to the high demand for chargers, partly driven by the European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). The regulation mandates minimum requirements for publicly accessible charging infrastructure, creating a surge in demand for charging solutions. The company’s expansion is supported by Enterprise Investors,…

Iveco Group and Foton have entered into a partnership agreement to explore various EV-related collaborations. The deal aims to tap into joint business opportunities and expand their offerings in the commercial vehicle sector. Iveco Group, renowned for its commercial and specialty vehicles, is keen on enhancing its portfolio by introducing chassis cab and panel van pure electric models with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 3.5 tonnes or lower. This expansion aligns with the company’s broader electrification strategy to cater to the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment. See also: Hyundai and Iveco Deepen Partnership for Heavy-Duty Electric Commercial Vehicles Foton, a…

The Vienna Chamber of Commerce has rolled out the ambitious “Zero Emission Transport” pilot project, aiming to test emission-free commercial transport in two districts of Vienna over the next three years. The initiative, which has kicked off with 32 participating companies, marks a significant step towards reducing carbon footprints in urban delivery traffic. Participating companies have pledged to conduct their operations in Vienna’s first and second districts without tailpipe emissions. While some companies already operate emission-free, others are working towards achieving emission-free status for their entire fleet by the end of the pilot project. Walter Ruck, President of the Vienna…

Dacia has officially opened the order books for its highly anticipated Spring electric SUV in the UK. Customers can secure their Spring online or through an official retailer, with deliveries set to commence later this year. Priced at £14,995 on-the-road, or available from just £169 per month on a 3.9% APR representative, four-year Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) deal with a customer deposit of £2,325, the Spring offers an enticing entry point into the world of electric vehicles. With a compact 26.8 kWh battery, the Spring boasts a usable range of up to 140 miles on the WLTP mixed cycle or…

Tesla has commenced the release of its latest software update, version 2024.20, introducing several improvements to its vehicles’ functionalities, including adaptive headlights, air conditioning (AC) enhancements, and a new gaming feature. One of the key updates is the enhancement of the adaptive headlight feature for vehicles equipped with matrix LED headlights. Tesla states that the headlights will now adapt to curves in the road, providing improved visibility and safety. Additionally, the headlights will illuminate more brightly when driving on highways. See also: Tesla Showcases Customer Experiences with Full Self-Driving in Latest Update https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1797727279553925175 Regarding the AC system, Tesla has improved the…

Nissan has commenced public road demonstrations of its latest prototype equipped with in-house-developed autonomous drive technologies in Japan, marking a significant step towards its goal of launching autonomous mobility services by fiscal year 2027. The prototype, based on the Nissan LEAF, boasts an impressive array of sensors, including 14 cameras, 10 radars, and 6 LIDAR sensors. This advanced sensor suite, particularly the roof-mounted sensors, expands the vehicle’s detection capabilities, enhancing its ability to accurately perceive its surroundings and navigate complex scenarios. See also: Nissan Set to Unveil Affordable Micra EV as Part of Electric Car Push During the demonstrations around Yokohama,…

Kia America has reached a significant milestone in the electric vehicle (EV) market, selling over 7,000 EVs in May. This achievement marks a notable increase in EV sales for the automaker. In total, Kia America sold 75,156 vehicles in the United States in May, reflecting a 5.1% year-over-year increase. The surge in EV sales was driven by the strong performance of Kia’s all-electric models, including the EV6, EV9, and Niro EV. The EV6 saw a 19% increase in sales from the previous month, with 2,660 units sold. The EV9 also performed well, setting a new record with 2,187 units sold.…

Skywell, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced the launch of its BE11 electric SUV in the UK. The model is set to be available for pre-order starting in August 2024, with deliveries expected to begin in September. While pricing details for the BE11 have not yet been disclosed, Skywell will not directly sell the vehicles. Instead, Innovation Automotive, described as the UK’s first multi-brand electric vehicle company, will handle the marketing of Skywell vehicles along with EVs from Seres. The BE11 boasts dimensions of 4,720 mm in length, 1,908 mm in width, and a height of 1,696 mm. It…

Solithor, a Belgian solid-state battery developer founded in 2022, has announced a significant milestone in the advancement of its first-generation pouch cell technology. The company claims to have achieved 500 complete charge/discharge cycles with less than seven per cent capacity loss, surpassing industry standards for this development phase. “We are proud to announce that our first-generation pouch cell has achieved 500 complete charge/discharge cycles with less than seven per cent capacity loss,” said Fanny Bardé, Chief Technology Officer of Solithor. “This is a crucial stepping stone as it proves the durability of our product and the stability of our chemistry…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has embarked on a comprehensive training campaign, educating both its own employees and those of authorized dealers in electrification and digitalization. This initiative has seen the participation of 20,000 individuals so far. As a result of the training program, 95% of technicians at JLR’s global trading partners are now equipped to handle electric vehicles, totaling over 10,000 trained individuals. Additionally, more than 2,400 production employees from JLR’s UK facilities have undergone training, along with almost 3,000 engineers in electrification and approximately 2,500 in data and digital technology. Furthermore, over 4,200 apprentices and trainees from JLR and…

BMW has announced the market launch of the new BMW 5 Series Touring and its all-electric counterpart, the i5 Touring. The i5 Touring has already been delivered to customers in Europe and Japan, featuring two variants: the i5 eDrive40 Touring and the i5 M60 xDrive Touring. The i5 eDrive40 Touring is equipped with a rear-axle electric motor delivering 250 kW, while the i5 M60 xDrive Touring, as the top model of the 5 Series, offers significantly more power at 442 kW, thanks to a second motor and all-wheel drive. Both variants feature a battery with a net energy content of…

Lilium, a developer of eVTOL jets, has announced a strategic partnership that will bring advanced air mobility operations to the South of France, potentially paving the way for the region to become the first in Europe to offer regional eVTOL travel. The partnership, forged with Italian vertiport network operator UrbanV and Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur (ACA), aims to establish a vertiport network across the French Riviera. The South of France, a popular tourist destination attracting 11 million visitors annually, is set to benefit from the new partnership. Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Board for Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur,…

Volkswagen has offered a glimpse into the design of its upcoming seventh generation of BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Transporter van, showcasing a “near-production concept vehicle” that embodies the iconic Bulli family of vans, reminiscent of the original VW Microbus. The ID BUZZ, currently in production, also belongs to the Bulli family. The new Transporter, available for pre-sales in Europe starting at €36,780, is set to hit the market in the first quarter of 2025. While Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has primarily focused on design details, technical specifications remain limited. Albert Kirzinger, chief designer of Volkswagen…

In its latest software update, Tesla has introduced significant improvements to both its Autopilot system and cabin comfort features. Rolling out with the 2024.20 Software Update, these changes aim to enhance safety and convenience for Tesla owners. One of the key updates involves Tesla’s Autopilot “dog house,” more commonly known as “Autopilot Jail,” which penalizes users for misusing the system. With the removal of the Steering Wheel Nag, which reminds drivers to keep their hands on the wheel, Tesla is refining how penalties will be applied for those who do not comply with the requirement to pay attention while using…

Prologis, in partnership with Maersk’s Performance Team, has announced the launch of a cutting-edge heavy-duty electric vehicle (EV) charging depot in Southern California. Located near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, this facility is set to be powered by the nation’s largest EV truck microgrid. Situated conveniently off the Harbor (110) Freeway in Los Angeles on Denker Avenue, the Denker charging depot boasts the capability to charge up to 96 EV trucks simultaneously. Remarkably, this impressive facility was constructed in just five months, showcasing the efficiency and dedication of the Prologis and Performance Team collaboration. Performance Team will…

In a recent announcement, the U.S. government unveiled plans to significantly increase import duties on electric vehicles (EVs) and other goods from China, sparking escalating trade tensions between the two economic giants. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative revealed that the tariff hikes are scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2024. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai outlined the timeline, stating that a 30-day public comment period would commence, concluding on June 28. During this period, feedback on the potential impact of the proposed tariff increases on the U.S. economy will be solicited and analyzed. Subsequently, the new tariffs…