Author: Floyd Hawkins

In a significant development within the emerging air taxi sector, Archer Aviation, Boeing, and Wisk have recently come to a comprehensive agreement to resolve ongoing litigation and embark on a collaborative journey in advancing autonomous technology for their respective aircraft. This strategic partnership, unveiled on Thursday, marks a significant step forward for these industry leaders as they collectively strive to reshape urban air mobility. Archer Aviation, a notable air taxi manufacturer, concurrently announced the successful conclusion of a substantial equity investment round, securing a total of $215 million in funding. This investment round encompassed contributions from key stakeholders such as…

Cornwall-based startup Cornish Lithium has successfully raised £53.6 million ($67 million) in funding, marking a significant step toward establishing its inaugural lithium mine in Britain. The funding initiative, part of a larger funding round that could reach £168 million, is led by the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB), with participation from the Energy & Minerals Group (EMG) and TechMet. The funding is set to propel Cornish Lithium’s ambitious project, aiming to extract lithium from both geothermal waters and hard rock sources. TechMet, Cornish Lithium’s largest shareholder, contributes £5.6 million, bringing its total investment to £30 million. Meanwhile, UKIB and EMG each…

MG Motor has introduced a groundbreaking addition to its electric vehicle lineup, showcasing the new Extended Range variant for the MG4 model. With a remarkable range exceeding 500 kilometres according to the WLTP standard, the MG4 Extended Range is at the forefront of electric car technology. Although currently exclusively available in the United Kingdom, plans are in place to potentially roll out this impressive model across other European markets. Rumors that had been circulating prior to this announcement have proven accurate. The extended range is made possible by the integration of a larger battery boasting a 77 kWh capacity, propelling…

In the ongoing saga of Tesla’s highly anticipated Cybertruck, enthusiasts and reservation holders find themselves eagerly awaiting the moment they can finally experience the electric vehicle (EV) up close or, better yet, in their own driveways. The latest developments suggest that this moment might be drawing nearer, as signs of activity at the Gigafactory Texas come to light. Captured by Twitter user Jeff Roberts, new drone footage offers a compelling aerial view of the expansive Gigafactory Texas on a sunlit day. The footage portrays a landscape populated by hundreds of parked Model Ys, bustling access roads with trailers in motion,…

Nikola Corporation, the innovative electric and hydrogen truck manufacturer, has shared updates on its recent developments, showcasing both advancements and challenges in its pursuit of sustainable transportation solutions. During the second quarter of 2023, Nikola’s all-electric Class 8 truck model, the Nikola Tre, demonstrated moderate progress. Wholesale figures showed 45 units sold, complemented by 66 retail deliveries. However, production saw a decline, with only 33 units manufactured – a decrease from the 63 units in the previous quarter and 50 units in the same period last year. This production slowdown was attributed to a temporary pause in production operations. The…

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has offered a sneak peek into their latest innovation: the plug-in hybrid California concept camper. Set to make its grand debut at the upcoming Caravan Salon show in Düsseldorf, Germany on August 25, this new concept marks a significant step towards eco-friendly and innovative camping solutions. The anticipated production version is slated to hit the market in 2024, catering to enthusiasts of both cutting-edge technology and outdoor adventures. Based on the elongated variant of the Multivan, the California concept leverages this platform as its foundation. Noteworthy features include a pop-up roof, which provides an additional 6.5 feet…

In a notable upswing, Rivian, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, exceeded projections in the second quarter, outperforming Wall Street estimates with amplified EV sales, minimized losses, streamlined costs, and fortified supply chain operations. Rivian’s confident stance emerged in its Q2 earnings report, released post-market closure on Tuesday. The company even heightened its annual production forecast from 50,000 to 52,000 vehicles. While still substantial, Rivian now envisions an adjusted yearly loss of $4.2 billion, a figure showing improvement from initial expectations. The Q2 earnings disclosure unveiled a revenue of $1.12 billion, an impressive tripling from the corresponding period last year. This…

Tesla appears to be in the process of a significant expansion at its Fremont factory, according to a recent filing on the City of Fremont website. The company’s commitment to ramping up production is evident through its latest move, which involves the installation of a new permanent tent structure. The filing, categorized under building permits, details the project as the “Installation of permanent tent at road – light tunnel structure, electrical and controls,” with an estimated project cost of $750,000. The submitted documents also outline the incorporation of various light fixtures, switches, receptacles, and multiple circuit breakers within the tent…

Faraday Future Intelligent Electric has recently announced a positive development by securing new funding, a move that sets the stage for the upcoming delivery commencement of its FF 91 2.0 Futurist Alliance vehicle. The company’s latest financial step comes in collaboration with Streeterville Capital, LLC, underlining its dedication to advancing electric mobility. In a notable financial move, Faraday Future issued $16.5 million in aggregate principal via unsecured convertible senior promissory notes. This initiative was completed jointly with investment firm Streeterville Capital, LLC, which holds a vested interest in fostering innovation within the electric vehicle sector. The funding effort also included…

In a strategic move to enhance the electric vehicle (EV) ownership experience for its customers, Mercedes-Benz in the UK has forged a partnership with Ohme, a pioneering smart charging company. As part of this collaboration, Ohme has been designated as the official home charging partner for Mercedes-Benz EV owners. Under the terms of the agreement, Mercedes-Benz will endorse Ohme’s innovative charging solutions, directing customers seeking home charging options towards Ohme’s offerings. To provide potential buyers with a firsthand experience, Mercedes-Benz showrooms will feature the Ohme Home Pro charger for viewing. Jason Allbutt, Head of Product and Planning at Mercedes-Benz, expressed…

In a recent Twitter leak, user @ray4tesla unveiled a video taken inside Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory, showcasing several Cybertruck pre-production units with their front trunks open and inner linings installed. This sneak peek gives enthusiasts a first look at the true size of the all-electric pickup truck’s front storage area. The eight-second vertical video also briefly reveals the Cybertruck’s suspension in what appears to be its lowest ride height setting, adding to the excitement surrounding the upcoming vehicle’s capabilities. While previous spy shots of the yet-to-be-finalized electric truck hinted at a spacious front trunk, they featured initial prototypes without the final…

In response to safety concerns, Tesla has issued a recall for a total of 271 Model S and Model X vehicles in China. The recall comes after the discovery of potential issues with seat belts and front camera positioning, raising safety risks for passengers and drivers. The affected vehicles consist of 233 Model S and Model X units that were produced between the 5th of February and the 16th of May, 2023. An additional 37 vehicles, produced between the 17th of January and the 11th of July, 2023, are also part of the recall. The seat belt issue in the…

In a bid to ramp up its commitment to electrification, BMW has announced that it is increasing its investments in electric vehicles (EVs) faster than originally planned. However, the company has refrained from setting a definitive end date for the production of combustion engine cars, citing continued strong demand in major markets like China and the United States. The automaker is on the verge of achieving its goal of reaching 15% sales from battery-electric vehicles this year, outpacing its competitors Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, both of whom have seen battery-electric cars comprise approximately 11% of their sales. CEO Oliver Zipse, a…

Archer Aviation, an innovative electric aircraft startup based in California, has made significant strides in the aerospace industry by entering into contracts worth up to $142 million with the US Air Force. The contracts are a testament to Archer’s pioneering electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL), which is touted to bring about a transformative shift in military aviation. Under the agreement, Archer will supply up to six units of its Midnight eVTOL aircraft, along with sharing valuable flight test data and certification-related test reports. Additionally, the contracts encompass provisions for pilot training and the development of essential maintenance and…

As U.S. electric vehicle startups gear up to release their quarterly results, industry analysts and investors are bracing for the impact of Tesla’s price war and closely monitoring how these companies are navigating funding concerns in a competitive market. Even Tesla, the dominant player in the electric vehicle sector, has warned of “turbulent times,” while established automakers like Ford Motor are grappling with losses in their electric vehicle ventures. The financial pressure has already taken its toll on the electric truck manufacturer, Lordstown Motors, which filed for bankruptcy in June. For companies such as Lucid and Nikola, another quarter of…

Fisker has wasted no time in accepting reservations for its groundbreaking Ronin convertible and Alaska pickup trucks. Both vehicles were revealed at the highly anticipated Product Vision Day 2023 event. The Ronin, proudly touted as the world’s first-ever four-door convertible, boasts distinctive features such as Mazda RX-8-inspired half-doors for rear passengers, a lightweight carbon fiber hardtop, and innovative active aero flaps. Set to enter limited production by late 2025, the Ronin is equipped with a cutting-edge cell-to-chassis battery and an impressive tri-motor setup, generating a staggering output of over 1,000 horsepower. Enthusiasts can secure their reservation for the hand-built Ronin…

Aiways, the Chinese electric car manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Hugo Zhu as its new CEO, signalling a strategic shift back to focusing on overseas markets. The decision follows a series of discussions and closed-door meetings involving executives and investors over several weeks. Zhu’s primary objective as the new CEO will be to streamline the company’s organizational structure, although specific details about the planned changes have not been disclosed by Aiways. Reports suggest that the reorganization will aim to foster better communication and efficiency within the company, empowering employees to take on increased responsibilities and creating a more adaptive…

Fisker, a California-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has unveiled its latest creation, the PEAR, showcasing Tesla-like ambitions despite its current workforce of around 1,000 employees and the absence of a US factory. During the introductory speech at the Product Vision Day 2023, the founder and CEO expressed plans to scale production to “millions of vehicles per year,” instilling confidence in the potential of the new model. The PEAR has been designed to cater to the lifestyles of today and tomorrow, with a specific focus on young individuals residing in urban areas. The crossover is smaller than its sibling, the Ocean,…

Ford has made significant changes to its electric car strategy for the Chinese market, resulting in the integration of its subsidiary, Ford Electric Mach Technologies (FMeT), into Changan Ford, the company’s general joint venture with Changan Automobile. FMeT, which was established less than a year ago, was responsible for developing electric vehicles and distributing the Chinese version of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. However, the move to integrate FMeT is seen as a response to the electric model’s underwhelming sales performance in China. As of 1st August 2023, Changan Ford will take over the distribution of the Mustang Mach-E electric model,…

Xpeng, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, confirmed the departure of its Vice President of Autonomous Driving, Wu Xinzhou, after earlier rumors sent the company’s Hong Kong-traded stock into a downward spiral. In a statement, Xpeng stated that Wu tendered his resignation for personal and family reasons. Taking over Wu’s responsibilities will be Li Liyun, the current senior director of the autonomous driving team, who had been leading the XNGP (Navigation Guided Pilot) program team and preparing for this transition for some time, according to the company. Xpeng’s Chairman and CEO, He Xiaopeng, revealed in a Weibo post that Wu…