Author: Floyd Hawkins

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Zeekr has unveiled the Zeekr 7X family SUV in Europe, marking its third offering on the continent following the Zeekr 001 shooting brake and the Zeekr X compact SUV. Pre-sales for the model have officially begun in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway, with customer deliveries expected in the summer of 2025. The Zeekr 7X starts at 52,990 euros ($55,710) in the Netherlands, 529,000 Swedish kronor ($48,240) in Sweden, and 539,900 Norwegian kronor ($48,360) in Norway. The model, launched in China in September 2023, offers three variants and is the second mainstream EV model from Zeekr…

Blink Charging has announced new agreements and projects in the UK, including a partnership with Power Design, an expansion of charging stations in Norfolk County, and a contract with the NHS. Under the agreement with Power Design, Blink Charging will supply 429 EV chargers, totaling 723 charging plugs, for Power Design’s projects across the UK. These chargers are intended for use by residents living and working in the development areas. Mike Battaglia, President and CEO-Elect of Blink Charging, noted that contractors like Power Design are contributing to the accessibility and adoption of electric vehicle (EV) technology. Blink Charging is continuing…

Mining giant Rio Tinto has announced a $2.5 billion investment to expand its Rincon lithium project in Argentina, with plans to produce up to 60,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually. The expansion, pending regulatory approval, is expected to commence in mid-2025, with production slated for 2028. Located in Argentina’s renowned “lithium triangle,” the Rincon mine will feature a two-phase production strategy. A starter plant will initially yield 3,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually, while an expansion facility will add another 57,000 tonnes. The company aims to reach full operational capacity three years after production begins. The project employs direct…

Lucid Motors (LCID) is exploring new partnerships with other automakers to share its advanced electric vehicle (EV) technology, according to CEO Peter Rawlinson. Following a record-breaking third quarter in 2024, the company is seeking to play a larger role in the growing EV market. Lucid delivered more than 7,100 vehicles in the first nine months of 2024, surpassing the previous year’s total of 6,001 vehicles. With the launch of its first electric SUV, the Gravity, the company expects to maintain this momentum. Lucid has already established a technology partnership with Aston Martin, where it will supply its proprietary EV powertrain…

BYD has announced that the SEALION 7, a new electric SUV, will be available in the UK starting from £44,990 in Q1 2025. The vehicle is the latest addition to BYD’s growing European portfolio, joining other models in the Ocean Series. The SEALION 7 offers a range of advanced features, including rapid charging capabilities, a spacious interior, and cutting-edge EV technology. As the seventh pure-electric model from BYD in Europe, the SEALION 7 is built for tech-savvy families seeking both performance and sustainability. It boasts a WLTP range of up to 312 miles, a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 4.5…

BMW has unveiled a new wind tunnel at its Research and Innovation Center (FIZ) in Munich, marking a significant upgrade from its previous facility. The new structure, part of the Aeroacoustics and Electric Drive Center (AEC), is described as the world’s largest vertical acoustic wind tunnel, with a length of 100 meters, a width of 25 meters, and a height of 45 meters. It is also noted for its exceptional quietness, with background noise at 54.3 dB (A) at a speed of 140 kph, comparable to a quiet conversation or air conditioning system. The wind tunnel is powered by a…

Audi has announced the closure of its Brussels plant on February 28, 2025, following unsuccessful attempts to sell the factory. The site, which currently produces the Q8 E-tron electric SUV, faces shutdown as production shifts to other facilities, with the model’s successor reportedly moving to Mexico. Audi’s head of production, Gerd Walker, described the decision as “painful,” adding, “Personally, it was the toughest decision I have ever had to make in my professional career.” Efforts to find a buyer, including discussions with several automakers, were unsuccessful. Belgian media suggested that Nio was a potential suitor, but the Chinese EV maker’s…

Avatr Technology, the electric vehicle (EV) company backed by Changan Automobile, CATL, and Huawei, has signed a new agreement with Huawei to enhance their collaboration, unveiling a novel partnership model. The agreement, signed at Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen on December 12, signifies an evolution in their strategic relationship to foster innovation in product development, marketing, and ecological services for future car models, the companies announced. This new phase builds upon a partnership established in January 2019 and expands Huawei’s role in Avatr’s operations. While detailed specifics of the partnership remain undisclosed, it marks the first time in years that Huawei’s…

Volkswagen (VW) has been considering closing its factories in Germany as part of efforts to reduce costs and secure its financial position. However, recent developments indicate the company’s supervisory board is now exploring options to keep the plants open, a move likely to be welcomed by employees and local labor unions. Closing factories in Germany would be a historic first for VW, marking the company’s first potential move of this scale. The company faces intensifying competition, particularly from new Chinese automakers entering the European market. VW’s brand head, Thomas Schäfer, has stated that simply cutting costs is not a viable…

General Motors (GM) and LG Energy Solution (LGES) have reinforced their long-standing partnership with a new agreement focused on the development of prismatic battery cells. This collaboration, extending their 14-year relationship, will play a crucial role in advancing GM’s electric vehicle (EV) portfolio. “Together with LG Energy Solution, we’ve built Ultium Cells into one of the largest battery cell manufacturers in North America, creating thousands of advanced technology jobs in the U.S. and powering our diverse EV portfolio,” said Kurt Kelty, GM’s vice president of battery cell and pack. The new focus on prismatic cells is a strategic move to…

Toyota is wrapping up the year with its “Toyotathon” sales event, offering impressive discounts and incentives on the 2024 and 2025 bZ4X models until January 6, 2025. Notably, Toyota has extended similar deals to both model years, despite the 2025 bZ4X’s yet-to-be-released details. According to CarsDirect, lease incentives on the bZ4X can reach up to $10,000, with some areas offering a 0% money factor (0.00001) for leasing. However, these deals are location-dependent, with cities such as Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, and San Francisco seeing the most favorable incentives. Areas like Cincinnati and Gulf Coast states may see…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD is on track to reach 4.25 million units in sales by the end of 2024, with an estimated 500,000 units expected to be sold in December. This forecast was shared by Lian Yubo, BYD’s chief scientist, during a speech at a wealth management forum organized by Caijing Magazine today. In November, BYD sold 506,804 NEVs, marking its second consecutive month with sales exceeding 500,000 units. As of November, the company’s cumulative sales reached approximately 3.76 million units, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 40.02%. Lian also noted that BYD’s total NEV sales have surpassed…