Author: Harding Greenwood

In a move that challenges convention, Bobby Singh and Phil Wagenheim have collaborated to establish a groundbreaking venture, Sacrilege Motors, aimed at transforming cherished Porsche 911s into all-electric marvels. The name of their enterprise, chosen purposefully, encapsulates their audacious approach towards these revered automobiles. Presenting their inaugural creation to the world, Sacrilege Motors has crafted an all-black, all-electric rendition of a 1992 Porsche 911. Remarkably, this initial masterpiece is none other than a rare 1-of-250 model, the 911 America Roadster. Yet, the audacious venture’s name belies its founders’ deep respect for Porsche tradition. Despite the profound powertrain metamorphosis, Singh and…

In an ambitious move, British startup McMurtry Automotive contemplates a road-legal version of its remarkable Speirling prototype, renowned for its staggering acceleration and downforce capabilities. Despite technical feasibility, the innovative fan system proves to be a regulatory hurdle. The automotive world has been captivated by the McMurtry Speirling, a unique all-electric single-seater prototype that astonished enthusiasts by sprinting from 0 to 60 miles per hour in an astounding 1.5 seconds. This remarkable feat is attributed to its potent 1,000-horsepower electric powertrain and a distinctive fan system, which employs an unconventional approach to enhance downforce, significantly outperforming conventional track cars. A…

In a recent development, Cruise, the autonomous vehicle company, has commenced trials of its self-driving cars in Atlanta, marking a significant step forward in its endeavor to launch a comprehensive robotaxi service in various urban centers. This move confirms earlier reports from TechCrunch that Atlanta would be the next city to witness Cruise’s autonomous vehicles navigating public roads. While the company’s statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, was relatively succinct, it firmly indicated further details would follow, leaving eager observers awaiting additional information. This announcement closely follows Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt’s revelation just a week ago that the company…

In a latest promotional video, General Motors (GM) proudly presents its debutant, the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV). This innovative offering merges instantaneous torque, a discreet demeanour, and impressive performance, aligning perfectly with the demands of law enforcement agencies. The Chevrolet Blazer, arguably GM’s most renowned SUV nameplate, is stepping into the electric era. After providing a glimpse of the electric SUV at CES 2022, GM officially introduced the Chevy Blazer EV in July last year. However, despite sharing GM’s updated design philosophy with its petrol counterpart, the electric Blazer diverges significantly from the traditional path. See…

In a recent development, Liao Jie, the former director of smart driving research and development at Chinese chip startup Horizon Robotics, has taken on a significant role at BYD as the head of the company’s smart driving Shanghai team. This transition marks a notable move within the tech industry. Liao began his journey at Horizon Robotics back in May 2016, where he initially served as a senior R&D engineer. His dedication and contributions led to his promotion as the director of smart driving R&D in December 2017. During his tenure at Horizon Robotics, he played a pivotal role in spearheading…

In a remarkable display of growth, Volvo Cars USA witnessed a significant 57 percent year-over-year increase in car sales during the month of July, reaching an impressive total of 10,785 units. Over the span of the first seven months of the year, sales soared to 70,535 units, reflecting a substantial 23 percent year-over-year upswing. Notably, Volvo’s plug-in electric car segment demonstrated exceptional performance, with 3,132 rechargeable vehicles sold in July alone, marking a remarkable 226 percent year-over-year increase. These figures, however, should be considered in the context of a relatively low base from July 2022 when only a modest number…

In response to the growing number of accidents involving electric bicycles, California is considering a new approach to regulate e-bike riders. Assembly Bill 530, introduced by California State Assembly member Tasha Boerner, proposes the implementation of licensing requirements for e-bike riders without a valid car license. Electric bicycles, being faster and heavier than regular non-electric bikes, have raised concerns over safety as their popularity surges. Accidents involving e-bikes, particularly in beach cities like Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, have become a cause for alarm among citizens and authorities. The bill’s provisions entail that individuals under the age of 12 will…

A team of researchers from Germany has successfully jailbroken a Tesla Model 3, granting unrestricted access to in-car features that are typically available as paid upgrades. The group of white hat hackers, consisting of three students from Technische Universität Berlin in Germany, disclosed that they found a method to hack into the hardware powering the Tesla Model 3’s infotainment system, effectively jailbreaking the vehicle. According to one of the students, the attack required physical access to the car, a scenario in which their jailbreak could prove beneficial. For instance, it could cater to owners who prefer not to pay extra…

In the first half of 2023, the global electric vehicle (EV) battery consumption witnessed remarkable growth, reaching 304.3 GWh, a substantial 50.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to data released on August 3 by South Korean market researcher SNE Research. Leading the pack, CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited) emerged as the dominant player in the global market, with battery installations amounting to 112.0 GWh from January to June. This marked a substantial 56.2 percent surge from the 71.7 GWh reported in the corresponding period in the previous year. With an impressive 36.8 percent share,…

In July, China’s BYD solidified its position as the leader in China-made electric vehicle (EV) sales, outpacing its U.S. rival, Tesla, as customers opted for its more affordable EV models. Industry data revealed that Tesla’s sales of China-made vehicles experienced a notable 31% decline from June, attributed to the company idling some production lines in preparation for the launch of a revamped Model 3. According to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), Tesla sold 64,285 China-made EVs in July, a significant 128% increase compared to 28,217 units sold in the same period last year. The previous year’s production…

Fisker, an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, recently introduced its latest offering, the Alaska pickup truck. This launch comes shortly after the company commenced deliveries of its flagship SUV, as it grapples with ongoing supply chain issues. Fisker is positioning itself in the competitive EV market by offering lower-priced vehicles with a focus on high-design sensibility. Scheduled for production in early 2025, the Alaska will enter the fast-growing electric pickup segment, where it will compete with established players such as Ford’s F-150 Lightning, Tesla’s Cybertruck, and Rivian’s  R1T. See also: Fisker Unveils “Ronin”: An Electric Convertible Boasting a Remarkable 600-Mile Range…

As tourists flocked to American roads during the July 4 weekend, an estimated 43.2 million people embarked on road trips, marking 14 percent of the country’s population, according to projections by the American Automobile Association (AAA). Amidst this surge in travel, an interesting question arises: Could these vacationers have made their summer road trips in electric vehicles (EVs)? JD Power, a market research firm, highlights that the feasibility of such road trips in EVs depends on the route chosen due to varying charger frequency across different states. While states like California boast an average distance of just 10 miles between…