Author: Floyd Hawkins

Kia has recently disclosed the pricing details for its upcoming 2025 EV5 in China, positioning it as a formidable contender against the Tesla Model Y. Launched last Friday, the entry-level EV5 model, dubbed the 530 series, comes in three grades: the 530 Light, the 530 Air, and the 530 Land. Remarkably, the base model starts at a competitive 149,800 yuan (~$20,900), nearly half the price of the Tesla Model Y’s base RWD model, which begins at 266,400 yuan (~$37,000). The entry-level EV5 is equipped with BYD’s LFP Blade battery boasting a 64.2 kWh capacity, a 160 kW (215 hp) and…

New York State is gearing up to become the latest battleground for autonomous vehicles (AVs) as Waymo announces plans to commence testing in Buffalo. The revelation has stirred an intense response from the Teamsters union, signaling its intent to lobby legislators against permitting what it deems “unsafe robotaxis” on the streets. The Teamsters, actively involved in opposing driverless testing of trucks in California, now turns its attention to the potential deployment of AVs on the other side of the United States. Waymo’s Nov. 6 blog post disclosed the company’s intention to conduct testing in regions with different driving cultures and…

Despite a recent economic downturn and a global slowdown in electric vehicle demand, South Korea’s three major battery companies have collectively invested over 16 trillion won (US$12.34 billion) this year, doubling last year’s figure. The substantial surge in investments, confirmed by industry sources on November 19, reflects a resilient commitment to long-term perspectives on electric vehicles, even in the face of temporary market challenges. LG Energy Solution emerged as the leader in investment during the third quarter, contributing 7.65 trillion won, followed by SK On with 6.66 trillion won and Samsung SDI with 2.44 trillion won. Notably, SK On experienced…

Tesla is making strides in the expansion of its V4 Supercharger network across the United States, following its earlier debut in Europe this year. Recent sightings indicate that V4 Superchargers are now becoming increasingly available in various states, with reports of installations in Oregon, Nevada, and Alabama. Notably, a new V4 Supercharger was recently spotted in Atlanta, Georgia, as highlighted by YouTuber Kim Java. The V4 Superchargers have garnered attention for their enhanced design, featuring an integrated Magic Dock (or CCS-1 adapter), a digital credit card reader, and a compact display. In addition to a sleeker and more streamlined structure,…

Fisker, the California-based automaker, has announced that its upcoming sub-$30,000 electric vehicle, the Pear EV, is set to feature a cutting-edge digital see-through A-pillar designed to improve visibility and safety. Scheduled for production in Ohio starting July 2025, the system utilizes a surround-view camera setup to capture obscured areas during left-hand turns, providing a live image feed to an interior display. While no visuals of the feature in action were released, Fisker plans to showcase the innovation on a production-intent model at its flagship Lounge at The Grove in Los Angeles. The Pear EV, along with the Alaska pickup prototype,…

ChargeZone, an EV charging company, has introduced the country’s inaugural “SuperCharging Network.” Set to roll out this month, the network will feature the first charging stations, boasting capacities of 180 kW and 360 kW, equipped with two and four charging points, respectively. ChargeZone’s charging points are designed to deliver 60 kW at 200 amps for each charge point in the 360 kW stations, and the company underscores the capability of at least one charge point to provide 400/500 A DC current—an innovative feature in the Indian market. A distinguishing factor in ChargeZone’s approach is the incorporation of liquid cooling technology…

Tenet announced the successful conclusion of a funding round exceeding $30 million, comprising over $10 million in Series A investment and a $20 million warehouse debt facility. Nyca Partners, a venture capital firm, led the Series A funding round, which aims to facilitate the expansion of Tenet’s electric vehicle (EV) financing product. The funds will also be utilized to scale TenetConnect, the company’s recently launched digital renewable energy platform designed to reduce EV charging costs on owners’ utility bills. Assurant Ventures and Giant Ventures, alongside new and existing investors, participated in the Series A funding. Silicon Valley Bank provided a…

Quantron AG and Oilinvest Group, through their subsidiaries operating under the Tamoil and HEM brands, have entered into a strategic joint venture named “Hemtron.” The venture aims to establish a comprehensive network of hydrogen (H2) filling stations across Europe, providing a foundation for the growing demand for zero-emission fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Oilinvest subsidiaries, which oversee approximately 2,450 petrol stations under the Tamoil brand in Europe, including Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland, will collaborate with Quantron to set up H2 filling stations. In Germany, the Group operates petrol stations under its HEM brand. The partners plan to develop…

Propel Bikes and Vela Bikes have joined forces to establish Bloom, a collaborative venture focused on strengthening e-bike manufacturing in the United States. Based in Detroit, this strategic move signals a departure from the industry’s reliance on international manufacturing, emphasizing local production, assembly, delivery, and servicing of light electric vehicles. The founding of Bloom is a response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly disruptions in the global supply chain that impacted overseas manufacturing. By introducing domestic contract manufacturing, Bloom seeks to empower partner brands with increased control over their supply chains and shorter production windows. This shift…

Luxeed, the electric vehicle (EV) brand jointly developed by Huawei and Chery, has reported significant pre-order interest for its inaugural model, the Luxeed S7. As of today, the Luxeed S7 has amassed over 10,000 pre-orders, according to an announcement made by Luxeed on Weibo. The Luxeed S7, a mid-to-large size all-electric sedan, was officially introduced at a launch event on November 9, with the official market launch scheduled for November 28. Positioned as the electrified equivalent of BMW, Luxeed’s collaboration with Huawei underscores the tech giant’s foray into the burgeoning EV market. The Luxeed S7, the first sedan jointly produced…

In a distinctive move, Tesla introduces “Giga Sounds,” a musical endeavor integrating sounds sourced from its factories into a captivating composition. The auditory experience, comprising alarms, car honks, human voices, and industrial sounds, creates an intriguing fusion that, when listened to without context, could easily be mistaken for synthesized music rather than an amalgamation of manufacturing noises. The origin of the audio remains unclear, with no confirmation on whether it stems from a specific Tesla factory or combines sounds from multiple plants. The uncertainty adds an air of mystery to the project, leaving enthusiasts curious about the unique sonic elements…

Pepper Motion has officially announced its strategic move to establish a significant manufacturing facility in India, confirming previous reports. The German company is set to undertake a fully integrated vertical production in Andhra Pradesh, converting diesel buses and trucks to electric and manufacturing new electric vehicles and batteries. News of Pepper Motion’s investment initially surfaced on social media, with reports indicating that Andhra Pradesh had greenlit an investment of 46.4 billion rupees (approximately 525 million euros) for an industrial complex in Punganur. The proposed facility is expected to generate around 8,000 jobs, focusing on the conversion and assembly of electric…