Author: Floyd Hawkins

In a recent federal report released on Wednesday, U.S. government agencies are striving to purchase 9,500 electric vehicles (EVs) in the 2023 budget year, a significant increase from the prior year. However, they are encountering obstacles due to supply issues and inflated costs. The Government Accountability Office disclosed that 26 agencies with approved EV acquisition plans have projected a budget of over $470 million for vehicle purchases, in addition to almost $300 million for designing and installing necessary infrastructure and other expenses. The estimated cost of procuring these EVs is almost $200 million higher than acquiring the least expensive gasoline-powered…

Lion Electric, a manufacturer of electric utility vehicles in North America, has successfully raised $142 million in funding to support its ambitious expansion plans across Canada and the United States. The financing endeavors encompass a range of transactions, including the issuance of $74 million in senior unsecured convertible debentures to a group of investors. Notable subscribers in this group include Investissement Québec, Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec, and Fondaction. Additionally, Lion Electric has issued $90 million Canadian dollars (equivalent to $68 million US dollars) in senior secured non-convertible debentures to prominent subscribers like Mach Group and the Mirella…

German automaker Volkswagen Group is ramping up its efforts to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in order to expand its footprint in the Chinese market. Ralf Brandstatter, Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, expressed their commitment to strengthening their market position and preparing their business for the future through the e-offensive and the development of local technological capabilities. Stefan Mecha, Head of Group Sales for Volkswagen Group China and CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand for China, acknowledged the success achieved in the first half of 2023, despite a fierce price war in the market. Mecha highlighted the significant…

In a groundbreaking achievement, global sales of plug-in electric cars surpassed one million units in May, marking the fifth time in history that such a milestone has been reached. Data from EV-Volumes, provided by Jose Pontes, reveals that a staggering 1,057,509 new passenger plug-in electric cars were registered worldwide during the month. This figure represents an impressive 50 percent increase compared to the same period last year and accounts for approximately 16 percent of the total market share. Of the total volume, all-electric cars constituted a significant portion, with over 720,000 units sold, representing approximately 70 percent of the total…

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…