Author: Harding Greenwood

Germany has officially surpassed one million electrically-powered passenger cars on the road, according to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). The official figures released by the KBA state that as of 1 January 2023, there were 1,013,009 electric cars registered in Germany, representing a 63.8% increase compared to the previous year. Although the one million mark was not a surprise, the fact that it was reached at the turn of the year is an important milestone for the country’s transition to electric mobility. EVs now account for around two per cent of the total stock of approximately 48.8 million passenger…

Porsche Netherlands has created a modern reincarnation of the Renndienst vans that supported Porsche’s racing teams in the past, based on the fully electric VW ID. Buzz. As part of the celebrations for the automaker’s 75th anniversary, Porsche Netherlands has produced eight examples of the new Renndienst that will be exhibited in Dutch Porsche Centers. The new Renndienst vans are painted in the signature Burgundy Red shade with white Porsche and Renndienst graphics on the doors and rear side windows, reminiscent of their T1 and T2 predecessors. Porsche Netherlands has also photographed the ID. Buzz Renndienst together with a Taycan…

Buick’s Ultium-based electric vehicle, the Electra E5, is set to make waves in China with its impressive tech-heavy interior. After releasing official exterior photos in December 2022, the brand has now revealed the EV’s sleek and futuristic cabin. The Electra E5 boasts an Eyemax 30-inch 6K curved OLED display that reflects one billion colors, a new Virtual Cockpit System, a 12.6-inch color head-up display, 121-color surround ambient lighting, and more. The latest Buick eConnect connectivity system is also included, providing customers access to an array of multimedia content through built-in apps. Upgraded intelligent voice commands, customized configurations, and individual recommendations…

Fisker, the California-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is gearing up for the launch of its first model, the Fisker Ocean, in over 20 countries by the end of 2023. Homologation testing in Europe and the US is set to be completed in March, with sales expected to commence once the regulatory approval process is finalized. The Fisker Ocean will first be available in the US, Canada, Austria, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and France, followed by the UK (right-hand drive), Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, and India (also right-hand drive) in 2023. Additional countries, including China, are expected to follow in 2024. See…

Electric vehicle startup Fisker has revealed its Q4 2022 results, reporting that it spent less money than expected and remains on track to begin deliveries of its Ocean SUV in the spring of 2023. The company expects to build over 40,000 vehicles in 2023, and has already built 56 Oceans at its manufacturing partner Magna International’s contract-manufacturing facility in Austria. The company has been refining the manufacturing process and testing additional features, working through regulatory approval processes in the US, Canada, and Europe. CEO Henrik Fisker said that early testing has shown the Ocean has more range than expected, with…

Eaton has announced the launch of its latest product for the electric vehicle (EV) market – a 3-in-1 vent valve designed to simplify the assembly process of EV batteries. This new technology combines three functions – a mechanism to check the tightness of the battery housing, passive and active venting to relieve excess pressure, and a leak-check feature. What’s more, the valve has been designed to be flexibly installed using a spring-based actuation technology, which allows Eaton to accommodate different opening pressure requirements with the same valve design. See also: Ford will introduce seven new electric vehicles in Europe by…

Arcimoto, the electric vehicle (EV) maker, has announced that it will resume production at its factory in Eugene, Oregon in March 2023. The factory had been shut down in January after the company filed for bankruptcy. However, in a press release issued by the company on Tuesday, they declared that they will start producing and delivering their Fun Utility Vehicle (FUV) and Deliverator three-wheeled EVs next month. Interestingly, the press release made no mention of the factory shutdown or any update on the company’s financial situation. In a regulatory filing last month, Arcimoto disclosed that it was selling $12 million…

Kempower has announced a major agreement to provide High Powered Charging (HPC) systems for a nationwide customer in the United Kingdom. The order, worth over EUR 5 million, will see Kempower supply its innovative Kempower Satellite and Kempower Power Unit charging systems to the UK in the 2nd quarter of 2023. The selection of Kempower was based on the company’s dynamic power sharing capabilities, as well as its reputation for providing a seamless charging experience. The company’s experience in developing HPC for retail in Finland was also cited as a factor in the decision to partner with Kempower. The deployment…

Stellantis, the parent company of Ram Trucks, has recently teased its upcoming fully electric van, the ProMaster EV, which is set to debut in the first half of 2023. The ProMaster EV will compete directly with the Ford E-Transit and is poised to become a major player in the rapidly growing electric commercial vehicle market. The teaser photo included in the Stellantis financial results presentation shows the front end of the van, based on the high-roof model, and features an illuminated RAM emblem on the front grille. While we don’t have many details about the ProMaster EV’s design, it’s likely…

Mercedes has announced a recall of three EQS all-electric sedans due to a rearview mirror problem. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the mirror was insufficiently attached to the windshield, which means it could fall off completely. While this might seem like a small issue, it has wide-ranging impacts on the car’s safety systems. The rearview mirror housing also contains a camera, which means that if the mirror falls off, the EQS could lose access to several advanced driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, brake assists with pedestrian detection, lane…

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved two loans totaling €80 million to support the development of charging and hydrogen filling stations in Greece and Spain. The funding will be divided between Greek oil company Motor Oil and Spanish charging infrastructure firm Zunder. Motor Oil will receive €40 million over ten years to build 3,000 charging stations and an unspecified number of hydrogen filling stations across Greece, including an entire infrastructure for the hydrogen business. The loan aligns with the company’s goal of becoming the largest producer of renewable energy in Greece. However, details on the charging stations are not…

Hamburg’s municipal cleaning company has recently put the all-electric eEconic into operation, in a bid to reduce emissions and contribute to the city’s climate neutrality goal. At a press conference, the Environmental State Councilor Michael Pollmann, along with SRH Managing Director Professor Rüdiger Siechau and Franziska Cusumano, Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks & Custom Tailored Trucks, handed the key over to “Kolonne 11” of the city cleaning department. The eEconic, produced by Mercedes-Benz, is a locally CO2-neutral vehicle that offers a pleasant and quiet driving experience. The vehicle has been in series production since last year and is characterized by…