Author: Floyd Hawkins

In a surprising turn of events, Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles were recently captured in a photoshoot scenario at a Tesla Supercharger station. This unexpected rendezvous has ignited speculation about the possibility of these Korean automakers making a significant move towards adopting Tesla’s NACS charging connector, a development that could reshape the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape. The NACS (North American Charging Standard) connector has been gaining traction in the automotive industry since Ford’s groundbreaking announcement in May to embrace this technology. Subsequently, General Motors and a host of other manufacturers followed suit, signaling a collective shift towards the NACS…

Volvo Cars and Northvolt, in a joint venture announced in February 2022, have reached a significant milestone in their plan to establish a battery cell factory in Sweden. This ambitious project recently received building permission from the Swedish Land and Environment Court, and in August, the city planning committee in Gothenburg granted building permits for the initial construction phase. The factory, set to be operated by the Volvo-Northvolt joint venture known as Novo Energy, officially initiated its construction process with a groundbreaking ceremony. While the construction work will officially commence on October 1st, preliminary preparations are already underway, focusing on…

American Honda has announced a strategic partnership with Electrify America and EVgo to establish a comprehensive nationwide charging network for future Honda and Acura electric vehicle (EV) owners. While Honda and Acura currently do not have a fully electric vehicle in their US portfolio, this is set to change in 2024 with the introduction of the Honda Prologue EV and the 2024 Acura ZDX electric SUVs. As part of this collaboration, Honda anticipates that its commitment to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) in partnership with Tesla, combined with agreements with Electrify America and EVgo, will make 100,000 DC fast…

European Union (EU) is launching an investigation into whether electric vehicles (EVs) manufactured by Chinese automakers benefit from unfair subsidies. This inquiry comes amid fears that China’s early lead in EV production may give its automakers a competitive edge over their European counterparts. Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU’s executive vice president, emphasized that the investigation is not limited solely to vehicles produced by Chinese companies. He stated, “Strictly speaking, it’s not limited only to Chinese brand electric vehicles; it can also include other producers’ vehicles if they are receiving production-side subsidies.” This statement raises questions about the potential impact on nominally…

Kia has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 EV9 Light, boasting a starting price of $54,900 in the United States. This bold pricing strategy positions the EV9 as one of the most competitively priced three-row electric crossovers on the market. Despite its affordability, the entry-level EV9 Light comes well-equipped with an array of desirable features. The exterior is adorned with LED lighting units, rain-sensing wipers, and stylish 19-inch alloy wheels. The convenience of a power liftgate and rear privacy glass further enhances the crossover’s appeal, as does an acoustic windshield that contributes to a quieter cabin. Stepping inside, occupants are greeted…

US battery-materials company Ascend Elements is teaming up with South Korean firms SK Ecoplant and its subsidiary TES to construct a cutting-edge battery recycling plant in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The ambitious project, with a budget of $65 million, is poised to play a pivotal role in the sustainable future of electric vehicle (EV) battery production. Scheduled to commence construction in November and anticipated for completion by January 2025, the recycling plant will possess the remarkable capacity to process up to 12,000 tons of black mass extracted from used EV batteries, a valuable resource originating from battery factories. Ascend Elements, a key…

Production of the highly anticipated MG Cyberster has commenced in China, with the first batch of vehicles making their way to Chinese dealerships just before the local pre-sales debut scheduled for September 26. This cutting-edge model is set to take the helm as MG’s flagship offering, and industry experts anticipate it could make a considerable impact in the burgeoning electric sports car market. Recent images, brought to light by Tycho de Feijter, provide an exciting glimpse of over a dozen Cyberster models, impeccably lined up and poised to hit the open road. One of these revealing photos captures an MG…

Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) pioneer, is reportedly contemplating the establishment of an EV manufacturing facility in Thailand. This revelation comes after Tesla CEO Elon Musk engaged in discussions with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during a recent meeting. Prime Minister Thavisin convened with several technology executives in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Subsequently, during a press briefing in Bangkok, he shared his expectations of substantial investments in Thailand by tech giants such as Tesla, Microsoft, and Google, with an estimated collective investment of $5 billion. See also: Tesla Explores Battery Storage Factory in…

Nissan announced on Monday its bold commitment to a fully electric future in Europe. The automaker stated that all new models introduced in the European market will be fully electric, with the aim of selling exclusively electric vehicles (EVs) in the region by 2030. Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, emphasized the company’s resolute stance, stating, “There is no turning back now.” Uchida further explained that Nissan’s decision to transition entirely to electric vehicles by 2030 in Europe is motivated by the belief that it is the right step for the company’s business, its customers, and the environment. See also: The US…

Audi has announced a substantial overhaul of its Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback models for 2024, ushering in critical enhancements in power, range, battery technology, and a suite of innovative features. These updates, which are set to be available for order in Europe starting this fall, are expected to reach the shores of the United States by late 2024. Power Boost and Acceleration A standout feature of the 2024 lineup is the introduction of a new permanently excited synchronous motor on the rear axle, replacing the rear motors on the Q4 40 e-tron and Q4 50 e-tron models. This…

Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited (Coke Canada Bottling) has officially unveiled its inaugural fleet of Volvo VNR Electric trucks. This pivotal moment marks the introduction of electric Class 8 trucks into the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing sector. These eco-friendly vehicles are set to revolutionize Coke Canada Bottling’s operations as they embark on a pilot program featuring six electric trucks, servicing the Red Fleet customer delivery routes across the Greater Montreal Area. The Volvo VNR Electric trucks, equipped with a six-battery configuration, boast an impressive single-charge range of up to 440 kilometers (275 miles). They are perfectly tailored for the company’s…

Chinese automaker BYD has outpaced industry leader Tesla, filing a remarkable 16 times as many patents over the past two decades. These patent filings, totaling over 13,000 between 2003 and 2022, underscore BYD’s emphasis on safeguarding its battery technology, a key asset in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. A recent report from Patent Result in Tokyo revealed that BYD’s patent applications have surged, with a substantial portion—more than half—pertaining to battery-related innovations. This strategic focus has allowed BYD to distinguish itself from other EV manufacturers, as it relies on in-house developed battery packs, negating the need for third-party suppliers. See…