Author: Floyd Hawkins

Xiaomi has bolstered its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in China through partnerships with Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto, granting its users access to approximately 30,000 charging stations nationwide. The collaboration with Nio provides Xiaomi EV users access to around 14,000 chargers, now integrated into Xiaomi’s charging map and operable via its app, which displays real-time charger availability. Similarly, agreements with Xpeng and Li Auto have added more than 9,000 and 6,000 charging stations to Xiaomi’s network, respectively. Xiaomi began delivering its first EV, the SU7 sedan, in April 2024, surpassing 130,000 units delivered by year-end. The company is also…

A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1, resulting in one fatality and seven injuries. Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, including whether it was an act of terrorism. The explosion occurred early Wednesday morning, hours after a separate truck attack in New Orleans killed 15 people. Witnesses captured videos of the Cybertruck engulfed in flames outside the hotel, which is part of the Trump Organization, owned by President-elect Donald Trump. 🚨 #BREAKING: The Cybertruck explosion outside of Trump Tower in Las Vegas is now being investigated as a possible ACT…

The American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) has been awarded a $144 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a cutting-edge lithium-ion battery recycling facility capable of processing up to 100,000 tonnes of battery materials annually. The project marks a significant step forward in strengthening the domestic supply chain for critical battery-grade metals. The new facility will boast a processing capacity five times larger than ABTC’s existing plant in Reno, Nevada. It is designed to handle a wide range of input materials, including production waste and end-of-life battery components, and will produce battery-grade nickel, cobalt, manganese, and…

Polish public transport operator Tyskie Linie Trolejbusowe (TLT Tychy) has placed an order for 18 Trollino 12 trolleybuses from Solaris, with delivery scheduled to be completed by early 2026. This deal strengthens the long-standing collaboration between the two companies. The Trollino 12 is part of Solaris’ low-floor trolleybus range, which also includes the Trollino 18 and Trollino 24 models. While specific configurations for TLT Tychy’s order have not been disclosed, the trolleybuses will feature onboard batteries, enabling operation in areas without overhead lines. These vehicles can charge via the overhead line network or dedicated depot charging stations, enhancing their operational…

Illinois has been awarded $19.9 million under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to deploy 70 electric school buses and expand charging infrastructure across nine school districts, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced Friday. The funding comes from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program. The grant will facilitate the replacement of retired internal combustion engine (ICE) school buses with electric models, along with workforce training and support for clean energy programming. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker highlighted the initiative’s environmental and health benefits. “Through this program, we are reducing emissions and improving air quality for students…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Friday unveiled a proposal aimed at expediting the review process for automaker petitions to deploy self-driving vehicles without traditional human controls, such as steering wheels and brake pedals. NHTSA holds the authority to grant exemptions for up to 2,500 vehicles per manufacturer to operate on U.S. roads without meeting existing human control requirements. However, automakers have criticized the agency for years of inaction on pending petitions. Efforts in Congress to relax restrictions on deploying fully autonomous vehicles have also stalled. Automakers have expressed growing frustration with regulatory delays. While fully self-driving vehicles…

Cadillac has revealed the pricing details for its upcoming 2026 Vistiq electric SUV, which is set to become the smaller sibling to the Escalade IQ. The base Luxury trim starts at $78,790, including the destination fee, while higher trims, such as the Sport, Premium, and Platinum models, are priced from $79,290 to $97,890. Options and higher trims could push the price over $100,000. The Vistiq is positioned between Cadillac’s Lyriq and Escalade IQ in the brand’s expanding EV lineup. Powered by a 102 kWh battery, it offers an estimated range of 300 miles and delivers up to 615 hp and…

Lancia has confirmed that its next new model will be named Gamma, reviving a nameplate from the brand’s history as part of its broader comeback plans. The upcoming Gamma will share a platform with the newly revealed DS No8 and is set for production in 2026 at Lancia’s Melfi, Italy plant. However, despite the brand’s revitalization efforts, Lancia has no plans to re-enter the U.S. market in the near future. The original Lancia Gamma was a flagship model produced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, available as either a two-door coupe or a fastback sedan. It featured a flat…

Solaris has delivered the first of 50 newly ordered electric articulated buses to Berlin’s public transport operator, BVG. The Urbino 18 electric, featuring a battery capacity of around 700 kWh and 41 seats, marks the beginning of an order placed by Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) at the end of 2023. The first unit was handed over exactly one year later, with the full order expected to be completed by 2025. A unique feature of the first bus is its battery passport, a digital document providing detailed information about the battery’s origin and composition. Solaris states that all 49 remaining buses for…

ExxonMobil’s subsidiary Esso has received approval from Germany’s State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG) to explore lithium in Lower Saxony. The permit, covering four areas across 1,443 square kilometers, will be valid for an initial five-year period, starting January 1, 2025. However, Esso must first obtain approval for its operating plans under mining law before commencing any excavation. The timeline for this approval remains uncertain. Lithium, a critical component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and energy storage systems, will be the focus of the exploration. LBEG President Carsten Mühlenmeier stated, “In order to phase out fossil fuels, we…

Amazon has officially reached a significant milestone in its transition to electric vehicles, incorporating 20,000 Rivian EDVs (electric delivery vans) into its fleet. This achievement marks one-fifth of the company’s goal to have 100,000 all-electric delivery vehicles on the road by 2030, as part of its Climate Pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Since the first Rivian EDV hit the road in 2022, Amazon has expanded its fleet to cover locations nationwide, from Anaheim to Boston, and even to Europe, where more than 300 of the vans are now operating in Germany. By 2024, Amazon used these electric…

Shaquille O’Neal, standing at an impressive 7 feet 1 inch tall, has taken customization to new heights with a unique Lucid Air luxury electric vehicle designed specifically for him. Known for his larger-than-life presence, Shaq required a vehicle that could comfortably accommodate his size, and the standard four-door Lucid Air was not up to the task. So, he turned to West Coast Customs, a renowned customization shop famous for its celebrity designs, to transform the luxury sedan into a sleek two-door coupe. The custom Lucid Air, which Shaq shared on Instagram with the caption, “When you’re 7’1”, you’ve got to…