Author: Harding Greenwood

Lucid unveiled details of its new Gravity SUV, highlighting an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 450 miles, made possible by Panasonic Energy’s advanced lithium-ion battery cells. The luxury electric SUV is described by Lucid as offering a unique blend of performance, efficiency, and spaciousness. The Gravity Grand Touring model will feature Panasonic’s high-energy-density 2170 cylindrical battery cells, with an energy density exceeding 800 Wh/L. These batteries enable a compact design, reducing the battery pack size by up to 40% while maintaining long range and expanding interior space. With up to 120 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the Gravity positions…

The U.S. Department of Defense on Monday added CATL, the world’s largest EV battery manufacturer, to its list of “Chinese Military Companies,” citing concerns about China’s Military-Civil Fusion strategy. The designation, which restricts CATL from conducting business with the U.S. Defense Department, has sparked controversy and prompted a strong response from the battery giant. CATL, a key supplier for global automakers such as Tesla, BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, and Toyota, issued a statement denying any involvement in military-related activities. “CATL has never engaged in any military-related business or activities,” the company said, describing the designation as a mistake. The company added…

Tesla’s Supercharger network will soon expand to accommodate another major automaker, with Volkswagen slated to gain access later this year, marking the latest development in Tesla’s push to integrate its charging infrastructure with non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs). Volkswagen is expected to officially connect to the Supercharger network in June or July when the company begins shipping adapters compatible with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), according to Mark Gillies, Director of Public Relations for Volkswagen Group of America. “We get access to the network in June/July, when we have an official VW adapter,” Gillies said in a statement to PCMag…

BYD has officially started pre-sales for the Seal 05 DM-i hybrid sedan, a new addition to its Seal family. The vehicle, equipped with BYD’s fifth-generation DM (Dual Mode) technology, offers ultra-low fuel consumption and a long driving range. The starting price for the Seal 05 DM-i is RMB 89,800 ($12,250), with additional variants priced at RMB 99,800 and RMB 109,800. The Seal 05 DM-i will complement BYD’s Ocean lineup in the family sedan market and is designed to meet the needs of different customers. According to Zhang Zhuo, General Manager of the Ocean lineup, the model will complete the Seal…

Pebble, a startup founded by Bingrui Yang to revolutionize the RV industry with electrification and automation, unveiled its production-ready all-electric travel trailer, the Pebble Flow, at CES 2025. The 25-foot travel trailer, priced at $109,500, will be built at Pebble’s new factory in Fremont, California. It is designed for up to four people and comes with a 45 kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery, 1 kW of rooftop solar, AC and DC charging, and regenerative charging while towing. Pebble is offering several versions of the Pebble Flow, including a limited-edition Founders Edition priced at $175,000 with all upgrades and a custom color.…

Hyundai Motor is considering an entry into India’s burgeoning last-mile mobility segment with plans to introduce an electric three-wheeler, according to a report by Autocar Professional. India, Hyundai’s third-largest global market, is a key focus as the automaker accelerates its EV strategy with locally produced models and potential expansions into commercial vehicle categories. The South Korean automaker is reportedly in discussions with TVS Motor to establish a joint venture for outsourcing the electric three-wheeler. Hyundai plans to design and engineer the vehicle in-house, potentially sharing its micro-mobility platform with TVS Motor. The collaboration may extend to developing a quadricycle, with…

Luxury electric vehicle startup Lucid has reported a record number of electric vehicle (EV) production and deliveries for the fourth quarter (Q4) and the full year of 2024. In Q4, the company produced 3,386 vehicles and delivered 3,099 units. For the full year, Lucid produced 9,029 vehicles and delivered 10,241, achieving its target of approximately 9,000 units for the year. This marks a 7% increase in production compared to 2023, when Lucid produced 8,428 units. Deliveries saw a more significant increase, rising by 70% from 6,001 in 2023. Lucid’s fourth-quarter results were particularly strong as the company ramped up production…

Halifax-based Dalhousie University researchers, led by Jeff Dahn and supported by Tesla, have reported breakthroughs in lithium-ion battery durability. A novel single-crystal electrode technology demonstrates the potential to increase battery life eightfold compared to conventional lithium-ion cells, with applications extending beyond electric vehicles. The team’s findings reveal that a single-crystal lithium-ion battery cell endured over 20,000 charging cycles before its capacity fell to 80%—a stark contrast to the 2,400 cycles achieved by a polycrystalline counterpart. This durability equates to roughly eight million kilometers of driving in an electric vehicle. However, the significance of the research lies in the analysis method…

Honda is considering integrating Huawei’s smart driving technology into its Ye electric vehicle (EV) brand, according to a report by Chinese media outlet 36kr, citing multiple sources. This partnership could see Honda offering Ye models with both its proprietary Sensing 360+ system and Huawei’s advanced smart driving solutions. The Ye brand, unveiled in April 2024, marks Honda’s third EV initiative in China, following the e:N and Lingxi brands. Aimed at catering to Chinese customers, the Ye lineup is built on Honda’s all-electric Architecture W platform. However, the anticipated launch of its flagship models—the Ye P7 and Ye S7—has been delayed…

Volkswagen has unveiled an enticing lease deal for its 2024 ID.4 Standard, advertising $999 down and $149 per month for 24 months. This translates to an average monthly lease cost of $184 plus tax and license, making it one of the most affordable electric vehicle lease offers available in January 2024. The ID.4 Standard features a 62kWh battery and a single rear-wheel-drive motor, providing an estimated range of 206 miles on a full charge. It achieves 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds. For those seeking enhanced range or performance, higher trims such as the ID.4 Pro RWD (291 miles, 0-60 mph…

Autonomous driving startup Pony AI has announced plans to introduce an in-airport robotaxi commuting service for staff at Hong Kong International Airport, expanding its footprint in the autonomous vehicle sector. The company aims to broaden its robotaxi service to downtown Hong Kong after initially rolling it out at the airport. The move follows the Airport Authority Hong Kong’s recent demonstration of several driverless vehicles, many of which are already or will soon be deployed at the airport. Pony AI’s sixth-generation robotaxi was part of the demonstration. Pony AI emphasized that its entry into Hong Kong International Airport highlights the vehicle’s…

Chinese battery manufacturer Farasis Energy has announced significant progress in its development of solid-state battery technology. Its third-generation cells, featuring a fully solid electrolyte for the first time, are undergoing automotive-grade certification and development, with scaling targeted for 2025. Farasis previously introduced its first-generation semi-solid cells, using a “gel-first technology,” in 2022. These cells are already in use by automakers like Dongfeng, GAC, Geely, and several international clients. The second-generation cells, employing a new oxide/polymer electrolyte coating, achieve an energy density of 330 Wh/kg and offer a lifespan exceeding 4,000 cycles. The third-generation solid-state batteries include a highly conductive solid…

Alexander Reinhardt has been named Chief Executive Officer of Ubitricity, a Berlin-based Shell subsidiary specializing in public EV charging infrastructure. Reinhardt, who previously served as Chief Operating Officer, officially assumed the CEO role at the beginning of the year, succeeding Daniel Kunkel, who led the company for three years. Reinhardt has been a pivotal figure at Ubitricity since joining in 2014 as a project manager. Over the years, he played a significant role in transitioning the company from a startup to a Shell acquisition in 2021. During his tenure as COO, Reinhardt helped expand Ubitricity’s operations across four key markets:…

A significant data breach at Volkswagen’s software subsidiary, Cariad, has exposed the location data and personal information of approximately 800,000 electric vehicles. According to a report by Der Spiegel, in collaboration with the Chaos Computer Club (CCC), several terabytes of sensitive data were stored unprotected on an Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud storage facility. The data, which includes precise location details, battery charge levels, and vehicle status, was accessible online for several months before being discovered by a whistleblower. The leak affected several Volkswagen brands, with around 460,000 vehicles’ precise location data viewable. In addition, information such as vehicle ownership…

Avatr Technology sold 11,067 vehicles in December 2024, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 81.25% compared to 6,106 units in the same month of 2023, but a slight decline of 4.42% from the 11,579 units sold in November, according to the company’s latest data. This marks the third consecutive month in which the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, backed by Changan Automobile, CATL, and Huawei, exceeded 10,000 units in monthly sales. For the full year, Avatr’s 2024 sales reached 73,606 units, representing a 132.47% increase from the previous year. The company’s product lineup includes the Avatr 07, 11, and 011 SUVs, as…

South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia marked a strong performance in the U.S. market in 2024, setting new sales records. Both companies are poised for further growth in 2025, driven by new electric vehicle (EV) offerings and expanding production capabilities. Kia, continuing its upward trajectory, posted its seventh consecutive year of sales growth, with nearly 797,000 vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2024. This represents the company’s second straight year of breaking its annual sales record. “This accomplishment validates that our strategy is working to further elevate the Kia brand,” said Sean Yoon, CEO of Kia North America. Kia’s growing…

Kia enjoyed a standout year in 2024, marking its second consecutive year of global record vehicle sales. The automaker moved 3.1 million units worldwide, up 0.1% from the previous year, despite a small increase of just 2,073 units. This growth was particularly evident in the United States, where Kia recorded its highest-ever annual retail sales and its seventh consecutive year of growth. In total, the company sold 796,488 passenger vehicles in the U.S., a 1.8% increase from 2023. On the electric vehicle front, Kia saw impressive results, with a 74% increase in overall EV sales compared to the previous year.…

Norway’s dominance of the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to set a global benchmark, with 88.9 percent of all new cars registered in 2024 being electric, according to the Norwegian Road Information Authority (OFV). While this marks a notable year-on-year increase of 9.4 percent, the share of EVs dipped slightly below the average in December, with electric vehicles accounting for 85.5 percent of the market. In December 2024, 11,668 new EVs were registered, reflecting a 30.3 percent increase compared to December 2023. However, the proportion of emission-free vehicles fell short of previous months’ exceptional figures. Notably, November 2024 saw an…

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD set a new sales record in December, surpassing 4 million units in annual sales for the first time. The company sold 514,809 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in December, marking the third instance it has exceeded the 500,000 mark and the seventh consecutive month of record sales, according to data released by BYD. This December’s figure represents a 50.95% year-on-year increase from 341,043 units in the same month last year and a 1.58% increase from the previous month’s sales of 506,804 units. In 2024, BYD’s total NEV sales reached 4,272,145 units, reflecting a 41.26% year-on-year increase.…

Dutch fuel cell specialist zepp.solutions and the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) have partnered to develop a liquid hydrogen fuel cell system aimed at achieving a manned flight by 2026. The collaboration centers on adapting the Pipistrel Velis Electro, an electric research aircraft, to operate using hydrogen power. The project marks a key step in NLR’s Climate Neutral Aviation program, which seeks to advance sustainable aviation technologies. Zepp.solutions will design and integrate the hydrogen fuel cell system into the aircraft, with installation space allocated under the cockpit for the new system. The initiative is part of the Dutch government’s Aviation in…