Author: Floyd Hawkins

Xpeng transformed its annual AI Day event in Guangzhou into a showcase of breakthrough technologies, revealing plans and products that highlight the company’s vision for an AI-powered future in mobility and robotics. CEO He Xiaopeng took the stage to introduce the Kunpeng Super Electric System for extended-range hybrids, a new Turing AI chip, and innovative autonomous systems—signaling Xpeng’s ambitions to lead in both automotive technology and artificial intelligence. Kunpeng Super Electric System: Redefining Range for Hybrid EVs At the core of Xpeng’s latest offerings is the Kunpeng Super Electric System, an extended-range hybrid solution poised to challenge current industry limits…

Despite an expanding range of electric light commercial vehicle models on offer, diesel engines remain the dominant choice among EU buyers. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), electric van registrations in the European Union dropped in the first nine months of 2024. Out of 1,170,310 vans newly registered in the EU—an 8.5% year-over-year increase—diesel maintained a significant 85% market share. Even with the EU market growth, electric vans (ECVs) have lost traction, as ACEA reports a decline in their market share from 7.1% to 5.7% within the EU, and from 7.4% to 6.0% when considering the EU, EFTA…

Nissan’s Interstar van, now available in an electric variant, is set to hit dealerships this month with a range of up to 460 kilometers on a single charge. Built in collaboration with Renault, the Interstar shares a platform with the Renault Master E-Tech, first introduced by the French automaker last year. The electric Interstar offers two battery options: a 40 kWh version and an 87 kWh variant. The larger battery, supporting up to 130 kW of charging power, allows for a quick 30-minute recharge, adding up to 252 kilometers of range. Standard for both battery configurations is an 11 kW…

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated $44.8 million to fund eight projects focused on advancing battery recycling technologies, a key step in strengthening the domestic electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. The funding, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to reduce the cost of recycling EV batteries and components, thereby supporting the transition to cost-effective electric vehicles. The selected projects will promote the development of new technologies to enhance battery recycling processes and explore second-life applications for EV batteries. Among the funded projects is B2U Storage Solutions, which will receive $3.5 million to create a low-cost,…

UK battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations grew by 24.5% in October, with 29,802 BEVs registered, marking a positive shift in the UK’s electric vehicle market despite a decline in other vehicle types. Plug-in hybrid registrations fell 3.2%, totaling 13,832 vehicles, while diesel and petrol registrations continued to slide amid an industry-wide shift towards cleaner options. The BEV sector’s growth starkly contrasts with declines in combustion engine sales. Diesel registrations saw the largest decrease, falling 20.5% year-on-year to 8,961 units. Petrol registrations, though down by 14.2%, still accounted for the largest share, with 72,681 units, or 50.4% of the total market. Overall,…

Tesla’s Model S Plaid, known for its record-breaking acceleration, has been converted into a police cruiser for the first time, thanks to a specialized buildout by Tesla mod kit manufacturer Unplugged Performance. The modified Model S Plaid was revealed on the opening day of the SEMA automotive trade show in Las Vegas, marking the latest addition to Unplugged Performance’s lineup of Tesla vehicles adapted for law enforcement. The Model S Plaid, recognized as one of the world’s fastest production cars, accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds and reaches a top speed of 200 mph, with a…

Kia America presented two new electric vehicle (EV) concepts at the 2024 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Los Angeles, featuring off-road-ready designs aimed at outdoor use. Known as the EV9 ADVNTR and PV5 WKNDR, the concepts were created by the Kia Design Center America (KDCA) team in Irvine, California, and showcase ideas that blend functionality with sustainability. The EV9 ADVNTR concept, based on Kia’s three-row SUV, includes custom front and rear facias, reinforced rocker panels, and larger tires intended for off-road environments. The vehicle has a modified suspension that raises it by 3 inches over the standard model,…

Zero Motorcycles, a leader in premium electric motorcycles, introduced its All Access initiative at EICMA, aiming to attract a broader customer base with six new models priced under $10,000. This bold step into the affordable electric motorcycle market is supported by Zero’s collaboration with China-based Zongshen, enabling cost efficiencies on motor and battery components for the U.S.-based company. The first models in the All Access lineup are the Zero XE and Zero XB, which offer trail-ready features at notably accessible price points. The Zero XE, positioned as the brand’s first true trail bike, is equipped with a 4.3 kWh removable…

Ford  reported an 8.3% decline in electric vehicle (EV) sales in October compared to the same month last year, underscoring the challenges the automaker faces as it transitions to its next-generation EV lineup. The drop was led by a significant decline in sales of the F-150 Lightning, Ford’s flagship electric truck, which fell by 49.8%. This decrease follows the company’s recent announcement to temporarily halt production of the Lightning later this month, with a planned restart in early 2024. Despite the setbacks for the F-150 Lightning, Ford’s Mustang Mach-E posted a 21.3% increase in sales, totaling 3,313 units for the…

Joby Aviation has conducted its first demonstration of eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi technology in Japan, following a major $500 million investment from Toyota. The test flight, performed without a pilot onboard, took place at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Shizuoka, showcasing Joby’s progress in sustainable air mobility against the scenic backdrop of Mt. Fuji. Toyota has been a strategic partner for Joby since 2019, providing not only substantial funding but also technical support as the eVTOL company prepares for high-volume production in the United States. With Toyota’s engineers working alongside Joby’s team, the partnership aims to…

Amprius Technologies has shipped its A-Sample EV cells to the United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC), a collaboration among major automakers focused on advancing electric vehicle battery technology. The new SiMaxx cells achieve an energy density of 360 Wh/kg, surpassing the USABC’s target of 275 Wh/kg. This improvement could lead to longer driving ranges for electric vehicles without increasing battery size or weight. The cells also feature a power density of 1200 W/kg, enhancing energy delivery efficiency. A notable aspect of the A-Sample EV cells is their rapid charging capability, allowing them to reach 90% charge in approximately 15 minutes,…

Nissan announced that cumulative global production of its e-POWER vehicles exceeded 1.5 million units as of the end of October. Currently, e-POWER vehicles are available in 68 markets worldwide. e-POWER is a unique technology developed by Nissan, utilizing a small-capacity gasoline engine and lithium-ion battery to power an electric motor that drives the wheels. This configuration provides an electric vehicle driving experience characterized by responsive acceleration and quiet operation. The e-POWER system was first introduced in Japan in 2016 with the Note e-POWER. Since then, its availability has expanded to include the Kicks and X-Trail sport utility vehicles, as well…