Author: Harding Greenwood

In a bold move to challenge Tesla’s dominance in the electric-vehicle (EV) industry, Ford has intensified a price war by significantly reducing the prices of its F-150 Lightning trucks. The price cuts, which include a substantial 17% reduction for the base model, aim to bolster Ford’s market share in the highly competitive EV market. Previously, Ford had raised prices for the Lightning earlier this year. However, thanks to improvements in scale and lower battery raw material costs, the automaker now finds itself in a position to slash prices. Ford’s EV sales for the quarter ending in June experienced a 2.8%…

HoloMatic, a Chinese self-driving startup, has successfully concluded a new funding round, securing RMB 300 million ($41.8 million) in Series C3 funding. This latest round brings the total amount raised in Series C to over RMB 1 billion ($140 million), according to an official press release. The financing was co-led by Guangdong Technology Financial Group and GAC Capital, a subsidiary of GAC Group. GAC’s continued support for HoloMatic signifies their confidence in the startup, following a strategic cooperation agreement signed between the two companies in 2021. GAC has already invested a total of nearly RMB 400 million in HoloMatic. The…

Lucid Group, the luxury electric-vehicle manufacturer backed by Saudi Arabia, experienced a decline in production during the second quarter of the year, resulting in a 12% drop in the company’s shares on Wednesday. While deliveries remained stagnant, the supply chain challenges and an ongoing price war initiated by Tesla in January intensified the competition for Lucid. For the period ending June 30, Lucid delivered 1,404 vehicles, a minor decrease from the 1,406 deliveries in the previous quarter. Sequentially, production also fell by 6% to 2,173 vehicles. The company had previously revised its 2023 production forecast and reported lower-than-expected first-quarter revenue…

California-based GaN semiconductor manufacturer, NexGen Power Systems, has announced that it has been awarded funding by the US Department of Energy for its collaborative project with General Motors. The project aims to advance the development of electric drive systems, with a focus on improving efficiency, performance, and sustainability in electric vehicles. NexGen will leverage its Vertical GaN semiconductors to drive innovation in power electronics design, motor integration, thermal management, and system-level optimization. In a recent update shared in February 2023, NexGen unveiled the availability of engineering samples for its 700V and 1200V semiconductors. Notably, the company’s current generation 1200V, 1…

CATL, the world’s leading manufacturer of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, has announced a significant breakthrough in battery technology that promises to enhance charging efficiency, particularly in frigid temperatures. During a forum in Shanghai, CATL’s chief scientist, Wu Kai, unveiled the company’s latest electrolyte, which has shown a remarkable 50% improvement in efficiency at -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). Even under normal temperature conditions, the charging efficiency has increased by 43%. Although Wu did not disclose specific details about the development process of the new electrolyte, he emphasized that CATL is now capable of mass-producing EV batteries that can be…

Polestar, the renowned electric vehicle manufacturer, proudly announced its exceptional performance in global electric car deliveries during the second quarter of 2023. The company reported an impressive figure of approximately 15,800 units, marking a remarkable 36 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This outstanding achievement secures the second-best quarter ever recorded by Polestar. The driving force behind this success can be attributed to the robust sales witnessed in the month of June, which experienced a remarkable year-over-year growth of 73 percent. Although an exact number was not provided, Polestar acknowledged that the substantial surge in deliveries during…

In the realm of electric vehicles (EVs), car manufacturers and EV charging companies are increasingly committing to adopting Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug. However, Lucid chief executive, Peter Rawlinson, has expressed reservations about the exaggerated excitement surrounding this development. Having previously worked at Tesla as the chief engineer of the Model S, Rawlinson was intimately involved in the design of the company’s charging plug. While he does acknowledge that Lucid might eventually transition to the NACS plug, he emphasizes the importance of waiting for official standardization by SAE International before making any decisive moves. Rawlinson, in an interview…

In a recent development, Toyota Motor North America has introduced significant leadership changes as part of its ongoing efforts to transition towards electrification. The Japanese automaker has unveiled a new position titled “Senior Vice President of Electric Vehicle Supply,” aimed at spearheading the company’s electric vehicle (EV) supply and production strategy in North America. Susan Elkington, previously the President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), has been appointed to this critical role. As the Senior VP of Electric Vehicle Supply, Elkington will assume responsibility for expediting Toyota’s electrified transformation, with a specific focus on battery and electric vehicle production as…

Gogoro, the leading provider of battery-swapping electric scooters, has announced a significant partnership with the Maharashtra government to introduce its battery standard, battery-swapping stations, and electric scooters across the state. With motorcycles and scooters outnumbering cars in India by approximately 4 to 1, focusing on electrifying two-wheelers is a logical step in the effort to promote sustainable transportation in the world’s most populous country. Maharashtra, the largest state in India and home to Mumbai, the financial capital and most populous city, has joined forces with Gogoro to embark on an “Ultra Mega Project” agreement. This collaboration aims to manufacture electric…

CATL is poised to extend its influence in the market by introducing its successful battery recycling program to new continents beyond China. The company is currently engaged in discussions with a potential partner to establish multiple battery recycling facilities across Europe, and there are indications that a similar venture may soon be undertaken in North America. As the largest battery manufacturer in the world, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., better known as CATL, has firmly established its position in the EV battery industry. Its reign was further solidified in February when it secured the largest market share for the sixth…

Nio, a prominent electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer listed on the NYSE, has initiated customer deliveries of its latest ES8 model in China. The company had only recently started accepting orders for its flagship SUV, and the official commencement of deliveries was announced by Nio on the popular social media platform Weibo. As of now, Nio has not disclosed specific details regarding the number of initial deliveries for the new ES8. The highly anticipated model was unveiled by the EV maker on Nio Day 2022, which took place on December 24, 2022. The new ES8 represents Nio’s first production vehicle to…

Las Vegas, known for its glitz and glamour, has become a hub for autonomous vehicle experimentation, and Zoox is now making its mark in the bustling city. The autonomous vehicle developer, which recently celebrated nearly a decade since its inception, has expanded its operations to Nevada, specifically in Las Vegas. This move marks a significant milestone for Zoox as it becomes the first company to introduce purpose-built robotaxis on public roads in the Silver State. Zoox, led by CEO Aicha Evans, has been at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology and has gained attention for its unique design approach. Unlike…