Author: Floyd Hawkins

BYD  has sent a delegation to the Mexican state of Jalisco to explore the possibility of constructing an electric vehicle (EV) plant there, Bloomberg reported on March 9. According to the report, BYD executives from China met with state officials last week, as well as with Chinese suppliers already established in Jalisco, such as Haitian, which manufactures machines for auto parts. Roberto Arechederra, Jalisco’s economic development secretary, stated that BYD conducted a detailed analysis of the educational centers in the area and the population size near the potential plant location. The construction of a Mexican plant could cost approximately $600…

Rivian is in discussions with the state of Illinois about a new incentive arrangement, following the unveiling of its upcoming R2 SUV earlier this week, now set to be built within the state. During the automaker’s unveiling of the highly anticipated R2 on Thursday, Rivian announced plans to produce the forthcoming SUV at its factory in Normal, Illinois, instead of at a future plant in Georgia. The company is also pausing construction on the new factory outside of Atlanta to focus on achieving profitability with the upcoming R2, R3, and R3X EVs. See also: Rivian R2’s Charge Port Location Sparks Debate…

ADS-TEC Energy, a provider of energy storage solutions, has secured a contract to supply its fast charging stations for the NXT 50five projects in the Netherlands. The NXT 50five projects, a joint venture between 50five and NXT Mobility, aim to install approximately 200 fast charging locations across the country over the next four years. The contract was awarded to NXT 50five following a competitive tender organized by the Metropolitan Region Amsterdam – Electric (MRA-E), with around three-quarters of the 74 municipalities in the north-west region participating in the tender. See also: Caverion to Partner with ADS-TEC for Expansion in Nordic Countries…

Mack Trucks has introduced a mobile off-grid charging system aimed at helping fleet managers assess the feasibility of integrating electric trucks into their operations. The announcement was made at the American Trucking Associations Technology and Maintenance Council Annual Meeting, where renderings of a Mack MD Electric truck equipped with a “renewable propane” powered generator and 120 kW charger were showcased. Ryan Saba, Mack Trucks’ energy solutions manager, explained that this system allows customers or dealers to charge trucks, whether for a demo unit or a multi-unit ride-and-drive event, without requiring charging infrastructure at their site. The goal is to provide…

An all-electric version of the Range Rover Sport is set to hit the market later this year, presenting a formidable rival to Porsche’s popular Cayenne SUV. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) reported its highest quarterly profit since 2017 in Q4, highlighting strong demand for its premium models. The Range Rover brand achieved record quarterly wholesale figures, with the highest-spec Range Rover SV already surpassing last year’s sales in the first three months of 2024. The Range Rover EV, described as the “most refined Range Rover ever created,” is generating significant interest, with over 16,000 potential buyers on the waitlist. JLR has…

Rivian R1S owners have received exclusive emails from the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, announcing priority delivery for the upcoming R2 model. The email states, “As an R1S owner, we’re excited to offer you priority delivery when you reserve your R2 so you can be among the first to experience our next adventure.” While the offer is currently limited to R1S owners, many in the Rivian community speculate that R1T owners may also receive similar priority for R2 deliveries. To qualify for this priority, Rivian owners must use the same email address they used to reserve their R1S and reside in…

Japan’s Nissan Motor is contemplating internalizing production of its ultra-compact electric vehicles (EVs), buoyed by the triumph of its Sakura model currently manufactured by its junior partner Mitsubishi Motors, according to five sources familiar with the matter. The automaker is weighing the possibility of transferring production to its facility on the southern island of Kyushu in the fiscal year starting April 2028, two of the sources revealed, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information. See also: Nissan Leaf Regains Eligibility for Federal Tax Credit, Starting at $24,400 Nissan’s Sakura emerged as Japan’s top-selling vehicle in the passenger EV…

Tesla is set to commence deliveries of its Model Y in Malaysia next week, marking a significant milestone more than eight months after the popular electric car went on sale in the Southeast Asian country. The company launched in Malaysia in mid-July 2023, opening its Design Studio to customers for the first time with the Model Y. According to the online configurator, the first deliveries were slated to start in early 2024. As per a report from local publication Soyacincau, the first Model Ys will indeed be handed over to customers next week, right on schedule. Interestingly, the Model Y…

Tesla owners who alleged the company falsely advertised estimated driving ranges for its electric vehicles have been instructed to pursue their claims through individual arbitrations rather than as a class action, a federal judge ruled on Thursday. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, determined that the drivers had agreed to an arbitration provision for dispute resolution with the automaker when purchasing their vehicles. See also: Tesla Boosts End-of-Quarter Offer with 10,000 Free Supercharging Miles The plaintiffs accused Tesla of fraudulently inducing consumers to purchase its cars by overstating the distance they could travel on a single charge. The…

Electric vehicle startup Rivian announced on March 7 that it would be pausing construction of its new factory in Georgia, a move aimed at saving approximately US$2.25 billion. The company also unveiled two new models, the R2 and the R3, with the R2 set to be produced at its existing plant in Normal, Illinois. The decision to delay construction at the Georgia site, located about 50 miles east of Atlanta, comes as the growth of electric vehicle sales has slowed in recent months, prompting automakers to reevaluate their plans. “Our Georgia site remains really important to us,” said Rivian CEO…

While some automakers are still rolling out their 2024 electric vehicles, Audi is already pushing ahead with a mid-model refresh of its Q4 50 e-tron, now dubbed the Q4 55 e-tron. This refresh brings several significant improvements to performance, handling, and charging speeds. The Audi Q4 e-tron is part of Audi’s strategy to electrify its entire portfolio, blending existing combustion models with new bespoke EVs. Launched in 2021, the Q4 e-tron is now entering its third model year, with the latest refresh adding to its appeal. See also: Audi Considers Mexico and China for Q8 e-tron Production Amid Structural Changes Originally…

After much anticipation and development, Audi AG is gearing up for the world premiere of the Q6 e-tron, its first electric vehicle (EV) based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) developed in collaboration with Porsche. The Q6 marks the latest Audi model to transition to an all-electric platform, signaling the brand’s commitment to sustainable mobility. The Q6 e-tron represents a significant departure from its combustion predecessor, with a bespoke design tailored for electric performance. Built on the PPE platform, which will also underpin Porsche’s all-electric Macan, the Q6 promises to deliver a driving experience that combines Audi’s renowned craftsmanship with…

Solaris revealed the latest iteration of its 12-meter city bus, the Solaris Urbino 12, at the VDV Mobility Move electric bus conference in Berlin. The updated model boasts a revamped drive design, improved batteries, and increased seating capacity. Gone is the motor tower, replaced by a “modular drivetrain” with components strategically placed on the roof and at the rear of the bus. This redesign allows for better arrangement of elements on the roof and enables upgrades to the passenger compartment. As a result, the new Urbino 12 electric bus now offers seating for up to 41 passengers, seven more than…

Volta Trucks is set to restart production of its electric trucks in Austria from May, following the takeover of the insolvent truck manufacturer by Luxor Capital at the end of 2023. Contract manufacturer Steyr Automotive has announced the signing of an initial agreement to continue the production of Volta’s trucks. While no specific details were provided in the brief official announcement, ORF Upper Austria reports that production is scheduled to resume in May. The plan is to manufacture 500 electric trucks in Steyr this year and ramp up production to 2,000 units next year. Additionally, a new subsidiary of Steyr…

Ford Transit, America’s No. 1 best-selling commercial van, marks its 10th year of U.S. production and sales with updates to the E-Transit range and new integrated solutions aimed at easing the transition to electric and maximizing benefits for commercial customers. “We’ve assembled more than 1.2 million Transit vans in the last 10 years, and 99% of Transit vans are still on the road, working hard for customers today,” said Tim Baughman, Ford Pro general manager. Credit: FordTransit became America’s bestselling commercial van in late 2014, just six months after production began, and has maintained its leading position. Ford has continuously…

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has introduced a new dealer certification program aimed at providing a “world-class” experience for buyers of its electric trucks. The Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) Dealer Certification Program is not just a mere badge for dealerships but a strategic move by DTNA to ensure quality control at its Freightliner dealerships. DTNA’s heavy-duty Freightliner eCascadia and medium-duty eM2 trucks have already been put to use in over 50 fleets across the US, accumulating more than 4 million electric miles. This makes the timing of the dealership certification program particularly relevant. See also: Daimler Truck Mexico Delivers First Electric Freightliner…

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has been crowned the most fuel-efficient vehicle among 2024 models sold in the U.S. market, according to Fuel Economy, a fuel-saving information site jointly operated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Ioniq 6 Long Range Rear Wheel Drive model, equipped with 18-inch wheels, achieved an impressive combined fuel efficiency rating of 140 MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent). This marks the second consecutive year that the Ioniq 6 has received recognition from the EPA as the most efficient electric vehicle, following the certification of the 2023 model last year. See…

Volchar, a player in the electric vehicle (EV) charging market, has unveiled its latest offering: a 9.6 kilowatt (kW), 240V outlet designed for residential use. This new charger boasts UV resistance and carries a NEMA 4 rating, providing maximum protection against harsh weather conditions. The charger is designed for universal EV compatibility in the US, catering to a wide range of EV models, with the notable exception of Tesla vehicles. Despite this limitation, Volchar is confident that its durable, waterproof, and compact chargers will make a significant impact in the market. This latest model is specifically tailored for home use,…

Tesla has made its Supercharger network in the US accessible to non-Tesla vehicles using CCS to NACS adapters. This move follows the industry’s shift to the Tesla-developed NACS connector in North America over the past few months, with Ford being the first company to start shipping adapters for its existing models. Ford owners can now obtain a free adapter to access Superchargers. However, there’s a catch: Supercharging rates for non-Tesla vehicles are approximately 30-35% higher than for Tesla vehicles. Pricing is dynamic and varies based on location, time of day, and load, making it challenging to provide exact numbers, but…

Young urban air mobility (UAM) developer Doroni Aerospace has emerged from the shadows of the eVTOL startup world, revealing its flagship aircraft, the H1-X, during a livestream event. The two-seat eVTOL is nearing market readiness, boasting impressive specifications. Founded in 2016 by Doron Merdinger, an entrepreneur with 25 years of design and manufacturing experience, Doroni Aerospace aims to democratize flight in the growing eVTOL sector. See also: Volocopter Receives Production Approval Extension for VoloCity eVTOL The H1-X represents the culmination of Doroni’s efforts, designed as a two-seat personal aircraft rather than a larger cabin for air taxi services. It features a…