Author: Floyd Hawkins

Einride, a Swedish service provider specializing in electric transport, has unveiled its first “Smartcharger Station” in the US, in collaboration with infrastructure partner Voltera. Located in Lynwood, California, the facility is touted as North America’s largest operational charging station for heavy-duty electric trucks. Situated near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, crucial freight routes in California, the Lynwood charging park is strategically positioned. The ports handle a significant portion of international container shipping trade in the US, with Einride noting that 29% of this trade passes through Los Angeles and Long Beach. The charging park features 65 chargers,…

Cupra, the performance-focused brand of Seat, is gearing up to introduce a purely electric version of its Formentor model, slated for launch “towards the end of the decade.” The electric Formentor is expected to utilize the Volkswagen Group’s upcoming SSP platform, representing a significant step in Cupra’s electrification strategy. Seat boss Wayne Griffiths confirmed the plans for the electric Formentor during the brand’s annual press conference, indicating that it will play a key role in Cupra’s expansion into the USA market. The move aligns with Cupra’s ambition to offer only electric vehicles from 2030. The manufacturer’s official press release mentions…

General Motors (GM) has initiated a refund program for customers who purchased the Chevrolet Blazer EV before a recent price reduction, according to a report by Edmunds. The initiative comes in the form of checks being sent to affected customers, with reimbursements reflecting the difference between the original purchase price and the new, reduced price. An Edmunds spokesperson stated that their Blazer EV RS AWD, originally purchased for $60,215, now qualifies for a refund of $5,620 after the base price was slashed to $54,595. Customers who bought the Blazer LT AWD are eligible for up to $6,520 in refunds due…

Octopus Energy has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to integrate electric cars into the UK’s energy system, aiming to transform the country’s energy landscape. The company’s innovative approach involves utilizing electric vehicles (EVs) to balance power within the National Grid’s system. Building on a successful seven-month trial with National Grid ESO, Octopus Energy’s customers have been using their electric cars to help balance the grid, benefiting from reduced charging rates. This initiative not only benefits individual customers but also contributes to reducing system balancing costs for all energy bill payers. According to Octopus Energy, the trial has demonstrated the potential…

Portuguese charging station manufacturer i-charging has announced an upgrade to its Blueberry Cluster and Blueberry Plus charging stations, increasing the maximum charging power from 600 kW to 900 kW. The upgraded stations allow dynamic power sharing among up to four vehicles charging simultaneously and are already available for deployment. In a statement, i-charging explained that both versions of the Blueberry family can now be configured with up to 900 kW total power in 50 kW increments. The Blueberry Plus enables parallel charging for two vehicles, dynamically sharing the power, while the Blueberry Cluster can distribute power among up to four…

A Canadian man residing in China was arrested in New York this week for allegedly attempting to sell Tesla trade secrets to undercover law enforcement officers. Klaus Pflugbeil, 58, was apprehended in Long Island, while his business associate, Chinese national Yilong Shao, remains at large. Pflugbeil and Shao are accused of establishing a company in China, with offices later expanding to Canada, Germany, and Brazil, allegedly using stolen information to facilitate the production of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). The men are believed to have obtained the information during their employment with a Canadian manufacturer specializing in automated precision dispensing…

Hyundai has taken the lead in the electric vehicle (EV) market with its IONIQ 6 sedan, offering fast charging in under 20 minutes, over 350 miles of range, and an affordable starting price. According to a recent report, the IONIQ 6 is the only EV currently meeting these criteria, making it a strong contender in the increasingly competitive EV landscape. Launched in South Korea in late 2022 and introduced in the US in March 2023, the IONIQ 6 is based on Hyundai’s E-GMP dedicated EV platform, which also underpins the IONIQ 5. With up to 361 miles of driving range…

Lincoln, the premium brand under the Ford umbrella, has pivoted its strategy away from electric vehicles (EVs) toward prioritizing technological advancements in its vehicles. This decision comes in response to a recent slowdown in demand for Ford’s electric lineup. Lincoln showcased the Star SUV concept at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show, but the brand has since shifted its focus away from EVs. Lincoln President Dianne Craig explained, “We’re listening to what customers really need. Navigator customers tend to tow more, so (battery power) doesn’t make as much sense.” The brand is now concentrating on integrating high-tech features to enhance the…

Ford has postponed plans for a three-row electric SUV to prioritize the development of a more affordable electric vehicle (EV) priced at around $25,000. This strategic shift is driven by the perceived threat posed by Chinese automakers, particularly BYD, and aims to address the growing demand for affordable electric transportation options. According to a report by Bloomberg, the development of the affordable EV is led by a small team of fewer than 100 individuals based in Irvine, California. Alan Clarke, known for his prior engineering leadership on Tesla’s Model Y, is spearheading this initiative. The team’s primary focus is on…

Tesla is reportedly set to increase the price of its popular Model Y crossover in China, a move that deviates from the ongoing price competition in the market. According to a report from local media outlet Cailian, Tesla will raise prices in China on April 1, with the Model Y’s price set to increase by RMB 5,000 yuan ($700), citing sources within Tesla China. The current RMB 8,000 insurance subsidy and up to RMB 10,000 reduction in paint costs for stock vehicles will expire on March 31, the report noted. This impending price hike means that the actual cost for…

Shares of American electric vehicle startup Canoo are soaring after its Oklahoma City facility received approval as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). This approval is expected to enhance Canoo’s profitability as it expands its production capacity. Earlier this month, Canoo undertook a reverse stock split to maintain its listing on the NASDAQ, and now, with the approval of its OKC EV facility as an FTZ, its stock is experiencing a significant surge. Canoo announced on Monday that the US Department of Commerce has approved the plant as an FTZ, leading to a surge in its stock price. This approval is…

Sam Bird, who recently left Jaguar TCS, secured a thrilling victory for NEOM McLaren in the FIA ABB Formula E championship in São Paulo, overtaking former teammate and 2023 race winner Mitch Evans on the final lap. The win at the Anhembi Sambadrome circuit was Bird’s 12th overall in the all-electric series and his first since the 2021 New York City race. This victory marked the fourth different winner in as many events this year. https://twitter.com/FIAFormulaE/status/1769060486249689150 With a bold maneuver on the 10th turn, Bird crossed the finish line 0.564 seconds ahead of Evans. Nissan’s Oliver Rowland took third place,…