Author: Floyd Hawkins

Volvo has initiated the prototype production of its forthcoming luxury electric sedan, tentatively named the ES90, also known internally as the V551. The leak, originating from Volvo’s internal board, featured an image of the V551 team alongside a prominently displayed “CONFIDENTIAL TOP SECRET” sign underlining the significance of the project, with a banner reading “Volvo Cars V551 First VP Car Celebration.” Initial reports by Swedish outlet TeknikensVärld divulged notable technical specifications, including a 111 kWh battery (with 107 kWh usable), an estimated range of 600 km (372 miles), a 3100mm wheelbase, a curb weight of 2600 kg (approximately 5700 lbs),…

General Motors (GM) has announced a further nine-month delay in the start of production for its electric vehicle (EV) drive unit at the Toledo plant. This decision follows GM’s previous postponement of production for the Silverado EV and the GMC Sierra EV. Surprisingly, workers at the plant seem receptive to the delay. On Wednesday, GM informed Toledo plant employees about the extended timeline, aligning the start of production more closely with the Orion Assembly plant’s commencement of work on the Silverado and Sierra EVs. See also: General Motors to Shift Focus to Larger Bolt EUV Amid Strong Sales Performance Formerly…

Volvo’s highly anticipated electric SUV, the EX30, is experiencing a delay in its launch in China, with the expected rollout now pushed back to 2024. Originally slated to hit the Chinese market by the end of this year, the electric vehicle (EV) will now open orders in January, leading to a shift in its anticipated delivery timeline. The postponement has prompted the removal of the EX30 from consideration in the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year (NACTOY) awards. Reservations for the compact electric crossover are now expected to commence after the new year, causing it to miss…

The opening of the initial electric vehicle (EV) charging station, part of President Joe Biden’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, has been announced in Ohio. The station, situated at a Pilot Travel Center in Madison County, west of Columbus, was installed by EVgo and features four charging stalls capable of delivering up to 350 kW for a single EV or 175 kW when four EVs are charging simultaneously. See also: Biden-Harris Launch $2.5B Program to Expand EV Charging and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Ohio is anticipated to receive up to $140 million in NEVI funds over a five-year period, with…

Tesla’s much-anticipated Cybertruck appears to be delivering on its claim to navigate water with a feature aptly named “Wade Mode.” The electric vehicle manufacturer asserts that this mode “pressurizes the battery pack,” allowing the pickup truck to traverse through water. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has previously made unconventional claims about the ability of Tesla vehicles to float, even suggesting they could serve as makeshift boats. While such statements were not taken seriously in the past, the Cybertruck’s off-road focus seems to lend some credibility to Musk’s assertions. Last year, Musk declared that the Cybertruck would be “waterproof enough” to briefly…

Luxury automaker Genesis has introduced an entry-level Advanced trim for its all-electric 2024 Genesis Electrified G80 sedan, offering consumers a more affordable option. Priced at $75,570, the Advanced trim is $5,380 cheaper than the previous model, providing an enticing proposition for prospective buyers. Genesis initially launched the Electrified G80 in 2021, marking the brand’s foray into the all-electric segment. The 2023 model, starting at $80,900, featured a 282-mile range, a premium interior, and an array of features. Responding to market dynamics, the addition of the new Advanced trim aims to broaden the model’s appeal with a more accessible starting point.…

A recent study based on EV-Volumes data, shared by researcher Jose Pontes, reveals that global registrations of plug-in electric cars in October approached 1.3 million units, closely trailing the September record. The report indicates that 1,279,000 new passenger plug-in electric cars were registered globally in October, marking a 37% increase compared to the previous year and falling just short of the September figure by approximately 12,000 units. The study highlights the growing popularity of rechargeable cars, constituting 17% of total global car registrations, with all-electric cars accounting for 12% and plug-in hybrids representing 5%. Notably, the year-over-year growth rates are…

In response to customer feedback regarding the perceived lackluster nature of Tesla’s 2023 Holiday Update, the electric vehicle manufacturer has addressed concerns by introducing additional features to enhance user experience. The initial release notes for version 2023.44.25 primarily highlighted quality-of-life improvements, prompting some Tesla owners to express dissatisfaction on social media. Tesla’s official software tracker, Teslascope, clarified that the initially disclosed release notes did not encompass specific changes for vehicles running Full Self-Driving Beta. Furthermore, Teslascope suggested that more features might be forthcoming, alleviating concerns raised by Tesla enthusiasts. Acknowledging customer discontent, Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to a post…

A coalition of industry groups, including the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, has called on the U.S. Transportation Department to provide robust support for the development of autonomous vehicles (AVs). In a letter addressed to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the groups emphasized the critical juncture at which the AV industry currently finds itself, asserting that strong leadership from the department is essential. The letter highlighted the importance of the U.S. maintaining its competitive edge in the AV sector, especially in the face of aggressive investments and technological advancements by countries like…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng is currently offering a time-limited promotion on its flagship sedan, the P7i, following the recent introduction of more affordable variants. The company has announced a reduction of up to RMB 26,000 ($3,630) on all versions of the P7i, effectively lowering the starting price of the Max version to RMB 224,900. Customers opting for P7i versions with a range of 702 km and 610 km are eligible for various discounts, including a RMB 10,000 cash subsidy (or a 24-period 0 percent interest loan), a RMB 5,000 insurance subsidy, and a complimentary Dynaudio stereo valued at RMB…

General Motors (GM) has announced plans to discontinue the smaller Chevrolet Bolt EV in favor of its larger counterpart, the Bolt EUV, due to the overwhelming popularity of the crossover model. Despite the success of the Bolt EV in achieving its best sales year to date, GM officials confirmed that the upcoming next-generation Bolt, set to debut in 2025, will exclusively feature the larger EUV variant. A GM spokesperson acknowledged the enthusiasm surrounding the upcoming release, stating, “We are glad to see the enthusiasm surrounding the upcoming Chevrolet Bolt. We will share details as we get closer to its launch…

Brazilian company Moya Aero has achieved a significant milestone with the successful maiden flight of its electric vertical landing and takeoff vehicle (eVTOL), marking the commencement of the flight testing phase. The event took place over the SDA4 airfield near São José dos Campos, Brazil, signaling a crucial step before the eVTOLs are slated to enter service in 2026. Designed as high-capacity, autonomous cargo drones, Moya Aero’s eVTOLs have a payload capacity of up to 440 pounds and a travel range of 68 miles. The electric vehicles aim to address logistical challenges and provide access to hard-to-reach locations, offering potential…