Author: Floyd Hawkins

The first Audi Q6L e-tron has rolled off the production line at a new state-of-the-art facility in Changchun, China, operated jointly by Audi and FAW. The plant, part of the Audi FAW NEV Company, is dedicated solely to manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) based on Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE). The Q6L e-tron, a long-wheelbase variant of the Q6 e-tron produced in Ingolstadt, marks the debut model from the factory, with a locally tailored A6L e-tron expected to follow. Audi has designed the Q6L e-tron specifically for the Chinese market, incorporating market-specific features and innovations beyond the traditional extended wheelbase. The…

Orense-based logistics provider Planway Logística has expanded its fleet with 22 Fuso eCanter electric trucks, which will be deployed as part of Correos, Spain’s national postal service. The addition demonstrates the growing adoption of zero-emission vehicles in urban logistics. Daimler Truck revealed that Planway Logística opted for the largest variant of the eCanter, with a gross vehicle weight of 8.55 tonnes and a wheelbase of 4.45 meters. This configuration is the highest available among the eCanter’s five weight classes (3.5 to 8.55 tonnes) and six wheelbase options (2.50 to 4.75 meters). The trucks are equipped with the L battery pack,…

Norge Mining has acquired the Skaland graphite plant in Norway from Australian mining company Mineral Commodities (MRC) for $11.75 million (€11.2 million), a move expected to rescue the plant from potential insolvency. The purchase marks a strategic shift for Norge Mining, primarily known for phosphate mining projects in southern Norway, as Skaland becomes its first operational mine. Graphite, a critical material in battery production for electric vehicles, requires high-purity levels of 99.9% to be suitable for battery anodes. While Skaland has achieved a purity level of 94%, ongoing laboratory tests suggest it could reach 99% with further refinement. Norge Mining…

Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has outlined plans to boost the domestic electric vehicle (EV) market with tax incentives exclusively benefiting electric cars “made in Germany.” The proposal, part of the SPD’s newly unveiled election manifesto, aims to stimulate sales while emphasizing local production. According to reports by Handelsblatt and Reuters, the initiative includes a temporary tax deduction for German-produced EVs, offering buyers a direct subsidy via tax declarations. The manifesto calls for EU Commission collaboration to either implement similar measures across Europe or approve Germany’s national program. Additional proposals include extending the motor vehicle tax exemption for electric cars…

Ford has unveiled a new version of its E-Transit electric van in Germany, featuring an upgraded 89 kWh battery that delivers a range of up to 402 kilometers (WLTP). This marks a 27% increase over the standard model’s 316 km range, aiming to meet the demands of a competitive market where rivals like the Renault Master E-Tech, Mercedes eSprinter, and Stellantis models now offer ranges of 400 km or more. The new long-range E-Transit is priced from €64,590 net for the chassis variant and €65,990 net for the panel van, approximately €4,000 above the entry-level model with a smaller battery.…

SAIC Motor’s MG brand is set to debut its first model featuring a semi-solid state battery in 2025, marking a shift in its electrification strategy. Zhou Yu, General Manager of the MG brand division, shared the update on Weibo, asserting the battery technology would be standard and cost-effective. He also announced plans to roll out MG’s DMH plug-in hybrid powertrain system in the same year. “MG’s first new car in 2025 will have a semi-solid state battery as standard, and it won’t be expensive,” Zhou stated. The brand’s 2025 lineup will include two all-new models and two facelifted versions, according…

Xiaodi Hou, co-founder and former CEO of autonomous trucking firm TuSimple, has intensified his campaign to overhaul the company’s leadership ahead of a critical shareholder meeting on Friday. The meeting will determine the composition of TuSimple’s board of directors, but Hou is already signaling he may take the fight beyond the event. In recent weeks, Hou has filed legal actions against TuSimple, seeking control of his voting rights, urging the company to liquidate its assets and return cash to shareholders, and attempting to block the transfer of funds to China. His latest move involves a written consent solicitation to remove…

BYD has established a new division aimed at accelerating its investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and large models, focusing on enhancing vehicle intelligence. According to local media reports, the company has launched an advanced technology research and development (R&D) center, which includes divisions dedicated to AI, AI supercomputing, and big data platforms. The new R&D center, which opened in September, is designed to drive advancements in AI algorithms, AI infrastructure, and large models. Its primary goal is to provide technical support for BYD’s smart driving, smart cockpit, and Dual Mode businesses. Currently employing approximately 500 people, the center plans to…

Tesla’s Cybertruck is beginning to capitalize on its 800V architecture with the introduction of upgraded 325 kW charging at select V4 Supercharger locations in the United States. According to Tesla Charging, 19 sites now offer these enhanced speeds, marking a significant improvement over the previous 250 kW peak available at V3 and earlier V4 Superchargers. The rollout is expected to expand further next year, alongside the deployment of new Supercharger hardware. While the 325 kW peak is a step forward, early user experiences suggest Tesla’s Cybertruck still has room for optimization. The vehicle’s charging curve, influenced by the 4680 battery…

Indonesia will offer tax incentives to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, including China’s BYD and GAC Aion, as well as French company Citroen, in a bid to strengthen its domestic EV production and sales. The incentives, which will take effect in January 2025, will include exemptions from import taxes and a reduced 15% rate on the local luxury sales tax (PPnBM), according to Indonesia’s Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. The move is part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to establish itself as a production hub for electric vehicles in Southeast Asia. “This is in line with the government’s efforts to make…

Tesla has begun rolling out its latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised software update, v13.2.1, to customers with the company’s Hardware 4 (HW4) computers this week. The expanded rollout follows an initial deployment of the version earlier this month, with a broader distribution now underway for those using the latest AI4 technology. Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s Autopilot program lead, confirmed the update via X on Monday, noting that FSD Supervised v13.2.1 is now available for a wider range of AI4-equipped vehicles. Additionally, customers with older Hardware 3 (HW3) units can expect a new version of the software, v12.6, by the end of…

New England energy company Avangrid has announced plans to purchase 130 diesel-electric hybrid bucket trucks as part of its broader strategy to transition its utility service fleets to more sustainable alternatives. The move aligns with Avangrid’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions while maintaining operational reliability during emergencies. The hybrid trucks, based on a Freightliner M2 chassis with a Tier 4 Final diesel powertrain, utilize a large onboard battery to power and control the Altec-manufactured bucket arm. This innovative design allows operators to work without idling the diesel engine, significantly cutting emissions in residential and work areas. Additionally, the trucks can…