Author: Floyd Hawkins

Kia has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 EV9 Light, boasting a starting price of $54,900 in the United States. This bold pricing strategy positions the EV9 as one of the most competitively priced three-row electric crossovers on the market. Despite its affordability, the entry-level EV9 Light comes well-equipped with an array of desirable features. The exterior is adorned with LED lighting units, rain-sensing wipers, and stylish 19-inch alloy wheels. The convenience of a power liftgate and rear privacy glass further enhances the crossover’s appeal, as does an acoustic windshield that contributes to a quieter cabin. Stepping inside, occupants are greeted…

US battery-materials company Ascend Elements is teaming up with South Korean firms SK Ecoplant and its subsidiary TES to construct a cutting-edge battery recycling plant in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The ambitious project, with a budget of $65 million, is poised to play a pivotal role in the sustainable future of electric vehicle (EV) battery production. Scheduled to commence construction in November and anticipated for completion by January 2025, the recycling plant will possess the remarkable capacity to process up to 12,000 tons of black mass extracted from used EV batteries, a valuable resource originating from battery factories. Ascend Elements, a key…

Production of the highly anticipated MG Cyberster has commenced in China, with the first batch of vehicles making their way to Chinese dealerships just before the local pre-sales debut scheduled for September 26. This cutting-edge model is set to take the helm as MG’s flagship offering, and industry experts anticipate it could make a considerable impact in the burgeoning electric sports car market. Recent images, brought to light by Tycho de Feijter, provide an exciting glimpse of over a dozen Cyberster models, impeccably lined up and poised to hit the open road. One of these revealing photos captures an MG…

Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) pioneer, is reportedly contemplating the establishment of an EV manufacturing facility in Thailand. This revelation comes after Tesla CEO Elon Musk engaged in discussions with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during a recent meeting. Prime Minister Thavisin convened with several technology executives in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Subsequently, during a press briefing in Bangkok, he shared his expectations of substantial investments in Thailand by tech giants such as Tesla, Microsoft, and Google, with an estimated collective investment of $5 billion. See also: Tesla Explores Battery Storage Factory in…

Nissan announced on Monday its bold commitment to a fully electric future in Europe. The automaker stated that all new models introduced in the European market will be fully electric, with the aim of selling exclusively electric vehicles (EVs) in the region by 2030. Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, emphasized the company’s resolute stance, stating, “There is no turning back now.” Uchida further explained that Nissan’s decision to transition entirely to electric vehicles by 2030 in Europe is motivated by the belief that it is the right step for the company’s business, its customers, and the environment. See also: The US…

Audi has announced a substantial overhaul of its Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback models for 2024, ushering in critical enhancements in power, range, battery technology, and a suite of innovative features. These updates, which are set to be available for order in Europe starting this fall, are expected to reach the shores of the United States by late 2024. Power Boost and Acceleration A standout feature of the 2024 lineup is the introduction of a new permanently excited synchronous motor on the rear axle, replacing the rear motors on the Q4 40 e-tron and Q4 50 e-tron models. This…

Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited (Coke Canada Bottling) has officially unveiled its inaugural fleet of Volvo VNR Electric trucks. This pivotal moment marks the introduction of electric Class 8 trucks into the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing sector. These eco-friendly vehicles are set to revolutionize Coke Canada Bottling’s operations as they embark on a pilot program featuring six electric trucks, servicing the Red Fleet customer delivery routes across the Greater Montreal Area. The Volvo VNR Electric trucks, equipped with a six-battery configuration, boast an impressive single-charge range of up to 440 kilometers (275 miles). They are perfectly tailored for the company’s…

Chinese automaker BYD has outpaced industry leader Tesla, filing a remarkable 16 times as many patents over the past two decades. These patent filings, totaling over 13,000 between 2003 and 2022, underscore BYD’s emphasis on safeguarding its battery technology, a key asset in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. A recent report from Patent Result in Tokyo revealed that BYD’s patent applications have surged, with a substantial portion—more than half—pertaining to battery-related innovations. This strategic focus has allowed BYD to distinguish itself from other EV manufacturers, as it relies on in-house developed battery packs, negating the need for third-party suppliers. See…

Mullen has recently announced a significant milestone in its partnership with the New York Power Authority (NYPA). Following the successful completion of an electric van pilot program, NYPA has decided to incorporate Mullen’s Campus Delivery Cargo Vans into its operational fleet. This marks Mullen’s entry into the Northeastern market, with a focus on providing environmentally friendly solutions for campus transportation. The 60-day EV cargo van pilot, which commenced on July 6, 2023, and concluded in early September 2023, yielded positive results. Consequently, NYPA will introduce these initial pilot vehicles into its fleet operations at the St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power…

The Decathlon BTWIN LD 920E electric city bike has made its debut in several European Union countries, offering urban commuters an enticing option for eco-friendly transportation. This e-bike is available in two variants: a stepover model boasting a green frame and a step-through frame adorned in black. Cyclists in the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Spain can now acquire the LD 920E for €2,999.99, while Swedish riders will find it priced at 37,999 kr (approximately €3,199). Initially identified earlier this year under the moniker Elops LD 920 e-bike, the BTWIN LD 920E comes equipped with a mid-mounted 250W OWURU motor delivering…

NIO has announced that its inaugural in-house chip, the LiDAR main control chip known as “Yangjian,” is set to enter mass production next month. This strategic move aims to drive down the costs associated with a critical component, thereby enhancing the company’s competitive edge. NIO’s founder, chairman, and CEO, William Li, made this pivotal announcement during the NIO IN 2023 innovation day event. The name “Yangjian” draws inspiration from Yang Jian, a character featured in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) novel titled “Fengshen Yanyi” or “The Investiture of the Gods.” This choice of nomenclature holds significance as Yang Jian, much like…

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast has revealed its second-quarter financial results, marking its performance since its debut on the Nasdaq stock exchange last month. The company, which enjoys the backing of Vietnam’s largest conglomerate, Vingroup, has seen a substantial increase in revenue, largely driven by domestic sales. VinFast’s remarkable journey on the stock market garnered it a valuation of approximately $85 billion, surpassing that of established U.S. automaker Ford. However, the company’s shares have experienced a 54% decrease in value since trading began on August 15, following its merger with a blank-check company. In the second quarter, VinFast’s revenue…

Saudi Arabia has initiated preliminary discussions with U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla to explore the possibility of establishing a manufacturing facility within the kingdom, according to sources familiar with the matter, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. These talks coincide with other notable interactions involving Tesla, as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan personally invited Tesla CEO Elon Musk to consider constructing a vehicle production plant in Turkey, as communicated by Turkey’s communications directorate. Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla, is set to hold a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to California on Monday. These engagements…

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Vinfast has announced a substantial surge in vehicle deliveries during the second quarter of this year. The company reported delivering 9,535 vehicles during this period, marking a remarkable more than fivefold increase compared to the first quarter. In total, Vinfast has recorded 11,315 deliveries for the first half of this year. Despite an impressive debut on Wall Street in August, where its shares more than tripled in value, Vinfast has faced notable volatility in the stock market. This turbulence is primarily attributed to its limited number of publicly available shares. Since its initial public offering,…

In a recent interview with Fox, Ford CEO Jim Farley touched upon a growing concern among consumers regarding electric vehicles (EVs). Farley highlighted what he called “charging anxiety,” distinguishing it from the more commonly known “range anxiety.” While the distinction between the two remains somewhat unclear, both pertain to the added time required for road trips due to charging stops. Addressing the issue, Farley emphasized that EVs with extended ranges, such as those reaching 1,610 kilometers, could alleviate both forms of anxiety. Additionally, he underscored the need for ubiquitous fast charging infrastructure to ensure that EV owners can swiftly recharge…

Lucid Motors, the electric vehicle manufacturer, finds itself entangled in a legal dispute in Germany, triggered by the absence of a promised software feature in its Lucid Air Dream Edition Range. Notably, this case has attracted attention due to the involvement of Christoph Lindner, often referred to as the “Tesla Attorney,” representing the aggrieved customer. The concerned individual had invested €218,000 in the electric sedan with high expectations, only to discover that the touted DreamDrive Pro software was conspicuously missing. Lucid had marketed DreamDrive Pro as the “most comprehensive advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) available in an electric vehicle,” promising…

Tesla has introduced the third iteration of its Powerwall home energy storage system. This latest version, known as the Powerwall 3, boasts a range of improvements and a notable feature: flood resistance. While the Powerwall 3 maintains the same energy capacity as its predecessor, the Powerwall 2, at 13.5 kilowatt-hours, it significantly raises the bar in terms of continuous power output. With an impressive 11.5 kilowatts of continuous power for both on-grid and backup use, the Powerwall 3 surpasses the Powerwall 2 (with an inverter) in this regard. What sets the Powerwall 3 apart is its flood resistance capability, which…

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has revised its projections for the fossil fuel industry, anticipating a decline in demand for oil, gas, and coal before the year 2030. This update, funded by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, represents a significant shift from the agency’s previous prediction of a peak in fossil fuel output by 2030. IEA Director Fatih Birol stated in an op-ed for the Financial Times that even without new climate policies, current government efforts and global events have accelerated the decline in fossil fuel demand. He emphasized that “this is the first time that a peak…

Vitesco Technologies, a German powertrain supplier, has introduced a cutting-edge power module produced through the transfer molding process. This innovative power module is slated for delivery to a major global car manufacturer by mid-2025. Comprising three overmold half-bridges, the new power module is set to become the cornerstone of power electronics systems designed to control drive energy and recuperation in electric vehicles. Vitesco Technologies emphasizes that these overmold power modules leverage state-of-the-art silicon carbide (SiC) chip technology combined with overmolding, resulting in a remarkably robust product characterized by increased power density, cost-efficiency, and reduced weight. Thomas Stierle, a board member…

Lotus, the renowned British automotive manufacturer, has recently unveiled its latest all-electric vehicle, known as the “Emeya.” In a move akin to its previously revealed “Eletre,” referred to as a “hyper SUV,” Lotus is branding the Emeya as a “hyper GT,” representing a four-door coupe-style sedan. The flagship Emeya variant offers remarkable performance figures, with an all-wheel-drive configuration delivering up to 675 kW of power and a torque of up to 985 Nm. Lotus claims a top speed for the Emeya exceeding 250 kph, and it can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in less than 2.8 seconds. Equipped with…