Author: Floyd Hawkins

In a recent development, Tesla has raised the quarterly performance bonuses for numerous workers at its Gigafactory Shanghai, according to a report. As Tesla’s largest facility worldwide in terms of volume, the Gigafactory Shanghai employs a staggering workforce of 20,000 individuals and possesses the capacity to produce up to a million electric vehicles (EVs) annually. Employees based in Tesla China informed Reuters that they warmly welcomed this reward, especially since the company had previously reduced bonuses earlier this year following a safety incident that tragically claimed the life of a worker at the factory. Several workers disclosed that for Q2…

A leaked image of the forthcoming Tesla Cybertruck’s frame has sparked speculation that the highly anticipated all-electric pickup may not include a rear pass-through or midgate feature. The image, shared on the @TeslaPhx Twitter account, has raised questions among reservation holders and fans who have been eagerly awaiting details about the truck’s capabilities since its debut in 2019. While neither the Austin-based electric vehicle manufacturer nor its CEO Elon Musk have explicitly promised the inclusion of such a feature, enthusiasts have been hopeful about the possibility. However, it appears that both the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the GMC Sierra EV…

Luxury automobile manufacturer Porsche has announced a significant increase in its worldwide vehicle sales, marking a positive trend for the second quarter of 2023. The company delivered a remarkable 86,587 units during this period, representing a notable 11.8 percent year-over-year surge. Furthermore, Porsche’s sales for the first half of the year amounted to 167,354 cars, exhibiting a remarkable 14.7 percent rise compared to the previous year. Expressing satisfaction with the results, Porsche highlighted that sales growth was observed in all of its sales regions. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering the global challenges faced by the automotive industry. However, amidst…

Automotive supplier ZF has introduced the latest iteration of its electric axle drives, known as AxTrax 2, designed specifically for commercial vehicles. With production scheduled for 2024, these new drives are set to revolutionize the distribution and transportation industry, catering to vehicles ranging from distribution vans to 44-tonne trucks and trailers. The AxTrax 2 comes in two variants: the standard AxTrax 2 offers a continuous power output of 210 kW, while the AxTrax 2 dual, equipped with two integrated electric drives, delivers an impressive 380 kW of continuous power, making it ideal for heavy-duty trucks. By replacing conventional components such…

Porsche commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the introduction of the Vision 357 Speedster. This open electric sports car serves as the sister model to the closed Vision 357, which kick-started Porsche’s 75th anniversary celebrations. The name “357” pays homage to the iconic Porsche 356, the brand’s inaugural model series that obtained its operating license in the summer of 1948. While the Vision 357 aims to honor its predecessor, it embraces an electric powertrain. Underpinning the Vision 357 Speedster is the technology borrowed from the Porsche 718 GT4 e-Performance. The electric motor and battery system…

Chevrolet’s highly anticipated electric vehicle, the 2024 Blazer EV SS, will keep enthusiasts waiting a bit longer. Unveiled at CES 2022, the Blazer EV represents Chevy’s first foray into the world of high-performance electric cars. Scott Bell, Chevrolet’s Vice President, hails the Blazer SS as a true sports car at heart. Built on General Motors’ dedicated Ultium EV platform, this electric SUV boasts an impressive estimated range of 290 miles and delivers a jaw-dropping 557 horsepower and 648 lb-ft of torque through its all-wheel-drive system. Equipped with the exhilarating Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode, akin to the Hummer EV’s Watts…

Austin, Texas residents will soon witness a significant increase in the number of black and yellow Volkswagen ID. Buzz vehicles roaming their streets. Volkswagen, the renowned automaker, has chosen this vibrant city to launch its first autonomous vehicle test program in the United States, utilizing a fleet of ten state-of-the-art vehicles. Pablo Di Si, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to bring our exciting ID. Buzz vehicles to American roads. Expanding Volkswagen Group’s global autonomous driving vehicle program to the United States marks an important milestone for us.” Equipped with Volkswagen’s…

In a significant development for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Tesla has opened its second Supercharging station equipped with V4 stalls in Europe. This latest station, situated near an Ibis hotel in Clermont-Ferrand, France, boasts state-of-the-art facilities designed to cater to both Tesla and non-Tesla EVs. Featuring a total of 12 individual stalls, including a pull-through type specifically designed for larger vehicles or those with trailers, the new site promises enhanced convenience and accessibility for EV owners. Notably, this achievement follows Tesla’s inauguration of the first V4 Supercharging station in the Netherlands on March 15, 2023, as showcased in a…

In a significant development for the auto industry, the demand-supply dynamics of electric vehicles (EVs) have finally reached a turning point. Recent research conducted by Cox Automotive reveals that American car dealerships are now experiencing a higher availability of EVs compared to their gas-powered counterparts. During the second quarter of 2023, the average inventory supply of electric vehicles increased to 92 days, a substantial surge from a mere 36 days recorded a year ago. In contrast, the overall new vehicle supply across the industry stood at 51 days in the same quarter. The metric of “days’ supply” is utilized to…

Cadillac, the renowned luxury automobile manufacturer, has recently released its sales figures for the second quarter of 2023 in the United States. The report reveals a significant increase in vehicle deliveries, demonstrating the brand’s continued success in the market. With 38,877 units sold during this period, Cadillac experienced a remarkable 15 percent growth compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Additionally, the year-to-date sales surpassed expectations, reaching a total of 75,198 vehicles, reflecting a substantial 21 percent increase year-over-year. Notably, Cadillac’s all-electric car lineup has made considerable strides, with the Lyriq model spearheading the brand’s success in this…

Polish electric bus manufacturer ARP E-Vehicles has recently announced a collaboration with Canadian fuel cell specialist Loop Energy. The partnership aims to integrate Loop Energy’s T605 fuel cell system into ARP E-Vehicles’ upcoming hydrogen-electric bus platform. This new venture specifically targets the municipal transit service market in Europe. Under the terms of the supply agreement, Loop Energy will provide ARP E-Vehicles with its 60 kW fuel cell system, which will be seamlessly incorporated into the design of ARP E-Vehicles’ new 12-meter hydrogen-electric bus. The first delivery of the T605 60 kW fuel cell unit is anticipated in the fourth quarter…

In a strategic move aimed at strengthening its communications efforts, electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has hired Sarah O’Brien as the company’s new Chief Communications Officer. O’Brien, who previously held prominent roles at Tesla and Apple during critical periods in their histories, brings a wealth of experience to her new position. During her tenure at Tesla, O’Brien served as Vice President of Communications from September 2016 to August 2017, a pivotal time for the company as it launched the highly anticipated Model 3, Solar Roof, and Tesla Semi Truck. However, her stint at Tesla was short-lived, reportedly due to the tumultuous…

Finnish electric motorcycle manufacturer Verge Motorcycles has recently announced its decision to join Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) network, becoming the first electric motorcycle maker to do so. This move follows a series of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers embracing Tesla’s charging connector, solidifying it as the standard for EV charging in the United States. Verge Motorcycles is set to enter the US market later this year, and the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Marko Lehtimäki, draws parallels between Verge and Tesla’s charging network, stating, “We have been following with interest the discussion about the future of the charging infrastructure and…

Halo.Car, a startup revolutionizing the car rental industry with its remote operator model, has unveiled driverless operations in Las Vegas. This innovative approach to driverless operations sets Halo apart from autonomous vehicle companies like Cruise or Waymo, as their vehicles are not self-driving. Instead, Halo’s fleet is equipped with a comprehensive suite of cameras, modems, antennas, and other components that transmit data to remote pilots situated at the Halo operations center. These remote pilots utilize the streamed video and sensor data to navigate the vehicles from a distance. Once a remote driver completes a car delivery, they hand over control…

Lordstown Motors, the electric vehicle manufacturer based in Ohio, finds itself entangled in a contentious dispute with Foxconn after accidentally selling a majority of its shares to the Taiwanese electronics company at a significantly reduced price. This revelation comes on the heels of Lordstown’s recent decision to file for bankruptcy, further exacerbating its already tumultuous situation. Initially, Lordstown sold a 10 percent stake in the company to Foxconn in 2021, hoping to bolster its position in the electric vehicle market. However, as a series of scandals unfolded, the once-promising deal soured. Reports indicate that the head of a Foxconn subsidiary…

Move over, electric Vespa. Get nervous, NIU. There’s a new player in town: the CSC ES5 electric scooter. With enhanced performance and a more affordable price tag, this seated electric scooter is poised to disrupt the market. Headquartered in southern California, CSC Motorcycles has a track record of producing electric motorcycles and scooters. Having established a reputation in the gasoline-powered motorbike industry, the company expanded its lineup to include electric vehicles in 2018. Over the past five years, CSC Motorcycles has introduced four distinct models catering to various commuting and riding needs. The CSC ES5 is the latest addition to…

Finnish company Kempower is making strides in expanding its operations with the establishment of a new factory in Lahti, Finland. This move is set to double Kempower’s production capacity in Europe and will be complemented by the setup of a research center at LUT University in Lahti. With a letter of intent signed for the lease of premises spanning approximately 10,000 square meters, Kempower plans to gradually open the plant throughout 2024. Alongside production, the facility will also house research, development, and office spaces, creating a comprehensive hub for the company. The construction of the new factory and R&D center…

Guangzhou-based mobile transportation technology and service company, Ontime, announced its plans to accelerate the application of commercialized autonomous driving products following the successful completion of its second round of financing. The company raised an impressive 842 million yuan ($117.29 million) in a recent funding round, with participation from various industry funds and financial investors. Remarkably, this marks the first financing achievement of a domestic mobile transportation company in 2023. Ontime, an affiliate of Chinese automobile company GAC Group, also disclosed its intentions to build a comprehensive open autonomous driving operation technology system, as stated in an official company announcement. This…

In a transformative shift for the automotive industry, the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) is not only altering propulsion systems but also influencing brand preferences among buyers. Recent research indicates that an astounding 85 percent of customers are open to purchasing from automakers they have not previously owned vehicles from. This shift in consumer behavior is further substantiated by data from the first quarter of 2023, which reveals that EV buyers opted for a different brand for their new electric vehicle in 63 percent of cases. Comparatively, only 51 percent of trade-ins involved different brands across the entire automotive…

In a significant step t owards achieving its green development goals, the Rwandan government has announced plans to introduce 200 electric buses in the capital city of Kigali. Spearheaded by Vivo Energy and the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), the ambitious project aims to transform public transportation while setting an inspiring example for other African cities to follow. Collaborating closely with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the City of Kigali, Vivo Energy has successfully completed a comprehensive feasibility study on the electrification of Kigali’s public bus fleet. Although specific details regarding the bus manufacturer and delivery timeline are yet to…