Author: Floyd Hawkins

China’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery producer, CATL, is setting its sights on a new frontier: green energy power grids. The company, a key supplier to Tesla, plans to develop and manage zero-carbon grids tailored for industries such as mining, urban infrastructure, and data centers. CATL founder Robin Zeng emphasized the immense potential of this market, suggesting it could be “ten times larger” than the demand for EV batteries. The firm currently commands 37% of the global EV battery market, positioning it as a dominant force in the industry. This expansion marks a significant strategic shift as CATL aims to…

Volkswagen Group is reevaluating its direct-to-customer sales approach, citing challenges posed by the automotive market’s transition to electric mobility. The German automaker recently announced a joint review with its retail and wholesale partners in select European markets to assess its current sales models and determine the best path forward. In a statement, Volkswagen reiterated its commitment to the direct-to-customer model as a long-term goal but acknowledged that adjustments may be needed. “Due to the slower transition to electric mobility across the industry, two sales models for private customers would need to be operated in parallel longer than originally anticipated: The…

FedEx has introduced Mercedes-Benz eVito 112 panel vans in Singapore, marking the first deployment of these custom-built electric vehicles (EVs) for last-mile logistics. The move aligns with the company’s commitment to purchasing only electric vehicles by 2030 and achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2040. The eVito panel vans offer a load capacity of 923 kilograms and an estimated range of 321 kilometers per charge, likely powered by the 60 kWh battery that Mercedes has used in the eVito since 2021. These EVs are replacing 31 diesel-powered Vito 114 CDI vans, a transition FedEx estimates will eliminate approximately 148 metric tons of…

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast reported a net loss of $550 million for the third quarter, down from a year earlier, as lower material costs and increased production volumes helped offset losses. The Haiphong-based automaker delivered 44,773 vehicles in the first nine months of 2024, representing 55% of its annual delivery target of 80,000 vehicles. Approximately 20% of these deliveries were to related parties, the company stated. “The momentum in Q3 has continued into Q4,” said VinFast Chairwoman Thuy Le. “We expect to finish 2024 on a strong note and meet our 80,000 vehicle delivery target.” The company reported…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Monday that it will uphold its April ruling requiring advanced automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems in nearly all new cars and trucks by 2029, rejecting industry calls to reconsider. The rule mandates that vehicles must be capable of stopping to avoid collisions at speeds of up to 62 miles per hour (100 kph). The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing major automakers including General Motors, Toyota Motor, and Volkswagen, had criticized the requirement as technologically unfeasible and requested a review. NHTSA dismissed the request but clarified technical standards and corrected a…

Jeep is offering an attractive 0% APR financing deal for up to 72 months on its fully electric Wagoneer S SUV, with the promotion running through December 2, 2024. The offer, aimed at bolstering EV adoption, is available to buyers in the Central, Southern, and Northeastern US, with indications it may also extend to the West Coast. The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV combines off-road prowess with advanced electric performance. Equipped with a dual-motor setup delivering up to 600 horsepower, the SUV boasts a range exceeding 300 miles on a full charge. Its acceleration matches its power, with an estimated…

Renault Trucks has revealed plans for a new version of its E-Tech T electric truck, offering a range of up to 600 kilometers per charge. The French manufacturer aims to open orders for the vehicle in late 2025, with production set for 2026. This announcement follows a similar move by sister company Volvo Trucks, which plans to launch an electric truck with the same range in 2025. The new E-Tech T model represents an evolution in Renault’s electric transport ambitions. “The advent of this electric truck will boost the transition to electric mobility,” said Emmanuel Duperray, Senior Vice President of…

Samsung SDI is expanding its presence in the electric vehicle (EV) battery market by increasing the production of high-performance batteries and diversifying its customer base. The company plans to begin mass production of 46mm diameter batteries in early 2025, offering enhanced energy capacity and output as part of its strategy to strengthen its market position. As of November 25, Samsung SDI has been selected to supply batteries for two Audi EV models, the e-tron 50 quattro and the Sportback 50 quattro, which previously used batteries from LG Energy Solution. This change means that nine out of Audi’s 14 domestic EV…

Kia has unveiled the highly anticipated EV9 GT for the first time at the LA Auto Show, showcasing a sportier, more powerful version of its EV9 electric SUV. The EV9 GT takes the already impressive EV9 and enhances it with a boosted 374 kW output, a new electric all-wheel-drive system, and a fresh chassis design, offering a thrilling combination of performance and utility. Enhanced Power and Performance The EV9 GT stands apart from the standard EV9, which offers an output of 283 kW with an all-wheel-drive setup. The GT model introduces substantial upgrades, particularly in its drivetrain. The GT uses…

Robert Bosch, the world’s largest car parts supplier, will reduce the working hours and pay of approximately 10,000 employees in Germany, as the country’s auto industry faces mounting pressures from weak demand and competition from lower-cost Chinese rivals. This move, announced on Saturday, follows a series of measures to address financial constraints, including a plan disclosed on Friday to eliminate up to 5,550 jobs. The latest adjustments will see employees on 38- or 40-hour contracts at various German sites having their weekly hours reduced to 35, confirmed a Bosch spokesperson, corroborating a report by dpa news agency. This step builds…

Tesla has disputed findings from a recent analysis of U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data that named the company as having the highest fatality crash rate among automakers. The report, which examined accidents involving 2018-2022 model year vehicles resulting in at least one fatality, ranked Tesla’s popular Model Y with a crash fatality rate nearly four times the national average. Fatal accidents are tragic – we aim to avoid them, safety 1st. This math is incorrect – crash test data is real; Teslas are among the safest cars. Maybe a bad denominator in the per mile calc, by end…

Tesla has begun rolling out its Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) software to Cybertruck owners in Canada, marking a significant milestone for the electric automaker. The update, version v12.5.5.3, follows the initial U.S. launch of FSD Supervised for Cybertrucks in September, which had been eagerly awaited after months of development. Install complete! FSD is here for Cybertruck Canada!! pic.twitter.com/nXMnxnVVxr — Dare W (@darewecan) November 24, 2024 Over the weekend, Canadian Cybertruck owners, including X user Dare W, reported receiving the update, sharing screenshots of release notes and videos showcasing early system performance. This rollout coincides with Tesla’s recent introduction of the…