Author: Harding Greenwood

General Motors’ (GM.N) robotaxi unit, Cruise, announced on Tuesday that it has appointed Marc Whitten, a former founding engineer of Xbox, as its new CEO, effective July 16. This move comes as the U.S. automaker’s self-driving vehicle company grapples with regulatory scrutiny and operational challenges. Cruise has been led by two co-presidents since former CEO Kyle Vogt resigned last year following an incident involving one of its driverless vehicles in California. Both co-presidents will continue in their roles at Cruise. See also: California Regulator Fines GM’s Cruise for Delayed Accident Disclosure Whitten, who played a crucial role in the development of…

Chinese executives have been meeting with top Malaysian officials to seek assurances that they can avoid U.S. tariffs if they relocate their battery, medical devices, and semiconductor manufacturing to Malaysia, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. The companies have requested Malaysian ministers and senior government officials to lobby against the U.S. imposing tariffs on products made or assembled in Malaysia by Chinese groups, according to three people familiar with the matter. See also: U.S. Special Tariffs on Chinese EVs Set to Take Effect in August 2024 These efforts follow the Biden administration’s announcement last month of significant tariff increases on a…

Berkshire Hathaway, led by renowned US investor Warren Buffett, has continued to trim its holdings in Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, reducing its latest stake to less than 6 percent. According to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Berkshire further reduced its holdings in BYD H-shares on June 19, dropping its stake from 6.18 percent to 5.99 percent. The company sold 2,017,500 BYD shares in its latest move at an average price of HK$234.57, cashing out HK$470 million ($60 million). See also: BYD Expands Car Insurance Business in China, Targeting 7 Major Provinces This marks the second time this…

Tesla announced on Tuesday that it is recalling most Cybertrucks in the United States due to problems with their windshield wipers and exterior trim. The recall affects more than 11,000 vehicles and represents another setback for the futuristic truck, whose mass production is slated to begin next year. Tesla has not disclosed how many Cybertrucks it has delivered to consumers in its quarterly deliveries and production report. See also: Tesla Introduces Customization Options for Cybertruck Interior and Wheels The Blade Runner-inspired truck, which Tesla began delivering in November 2023 after years of delay and production challenges, is now facing issues with…

Volvo’s electric trucks have achieved a remarkable milestone, collectively covering over 80 million kilometers since their introduction in 2019. These trucks, which have significantly reduced CO2 emissions and improved driver working conditions, are proving to be a sustainable alternative in the transport sector. Data monitoring Volvo’s fleet of electric trucks reveals the extent of their impact, with the equivalent diesel-powered trucks needing over 25 million liters of diesel to cover the same distance. This has resulted in a reduction of 68,000 tons of tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions. “I am happy to see how transport companies are embracing the benefits of…

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N made a spectacular performance at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, setting new records in the Electric Modified and Production SUV/Crossover categories. The automaker also announced its intention to launch more special EV models and participate in high-profile motorsport events. Hyundai entered the iconic 12.42-mile (20 km) climb with two Ioniq 5 N TA Spec (Time Attack) models and one production-spec Ioniq 5 N. The specially prepared TA Spec models proved significantly faster than their road-legal counterpart, with the TA Spec driven by WRC driver Dani Sordo clocking 9:30.852, setting a new record in…

British parcel delivery service Evri plans to triple the number of electric bikes in its fleet and increase electric vehicles by roughly 50% as part of a sustainability drive, with ambitions to become a net-zero company by 2025. Evri announced a 19 million pound investment in sustainability to reduce emissions. The company currently operates 33 electric cargo bikes, which will increase to 99 by next year and aims to have 3,000 by 2035. Active in London, Bristol, Oxford, and Cambridge, Evri delivers 1.5 million parcels with electric vehicles per year and aims to increase this to around four million by…

China and the European Union have agreed to commence negotiations regarding proposed tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) imported into the European market, senior officials confirmed on Saturday. Germany’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck, informed by EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, announced the development following discussions between China’s commerce ministry and the European Commission. “This is new and surprising in that it has not been possible to enter into a concrete negotiation timetable in the last few weeks,” Habeck said during his visit to Shanghai. He described the move as a significant initial step, emphasizing the need for further dialogue despite early…

The Tesla Cybertruck, boasting an 800V powertrain architecture, recently underwent a comprehensive charging speed test that revealed significant challenges. Unlike Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) on similar platforms that achieve ultrafast charging times of under 20 minutes, the Cybertruck’s performance fell short of expectations. During a walkthrough, Tesla’s engineering chief Lars Moravy suggested that the Cybertruck could charge to 80% in less than 20 minutes on suitable stations. However, recent tests have shown otherwise. See also: Tesla Cybertruck Owner Claims Company Refuses Return or Resale The test, conducted on a regular V3 Tesla Supercharger station with a 250kW output, demonstrated that the…

Toyota Motor North America and local energy utility Pepco have embarked on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) research for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Maryland, using a Toyota bZ4X as the test vehicle. The V2G research will be conducted at Pepco’s Watershed Sustainability Center, situated at the company’s Rockville Service Center in Montgomery County, Maryland. The project will utilize a bidirectional charger to explore bidirectional charging capabilities, enabling electric vehicle owners to balance the grid and/or their homes when energy is required, such as during blackouts or periods of high demand. See also: Toyota Initiates Demonstrations of Hydrogen-Powered Fuel Cell Hilux Prototypes Toyota stated…

Logistics service provider Dachser is increasing its fleet with 15 electric trucks from Renault Trucks. These all-electric vehicles will be utilized for local and long-distance transport routes on a daily basis at seven Dachser locations in Germany. Five Renault Trucks E-Tech D electric trucks are already operational for Dachser, with an additional seven vehicles of this type and three E-Tech T tractor units currently being delivered. The E-Tech D is a 16-tonne electric truck with a payload of up to 8.75 tonnes and offers various battery configurations ranging from 200 to 565 kWh. The larger battery option provides a range…

Mercedes-Benz is recalling more than 2,000 EQ series electric vehicles (EVs) in China, adding to the challenges faced by the already struggling EV market. According to an announcement on China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) website, the recall affects a total of 2,380 EQ series EVs in China, including 39 imported EQS SUVs and 2,341 locally produced EQE SUVs. The recall, which began on June 21, 2024, is due to a risk of the vehicles losing power while driving. This is caused by a software deviation in the high-voltage battery management system, which prevents it from processing diagnostic requests…

California’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has fined General Motors’ Cruise unit the maximum penalty for failing to promptly provide complete information about an accident involving one of its self-driving vehicles last year. Cruise will pay $112,500, the maximum allowable by the CPUC, which amounts to a $7,500 fine for each of the 15 days it withheld information about the incident. See also: GM to Infuse $850 Million into Cruise for Resumed Self-Driving Tests The incident has intensified scrutiny on self-driving vehicle companies like Alphabet’s Waymo and Amazon’s Zoox due to safety concerns following multiple crashes involving their vehicles. As part of…

Swedish electric vehicle manufacturer Polestar has announced a significant executive shake-up, with Chairman Håkan Samuelsson retiring from the company. Samuelsson, a former CEO of Volvo Cars, has been instrumental in guiding Polestar from its inception as an independent entity to its successful initial public offering (IPO) in June 2022. His retirement, announced on June 18, 2024, will take effect following Polestar’s annual shareholder meeting, the date of which has yet to be confirmed. In a statement, Samuelsson expressed pride in Polestar’s achievements, stating, “I am extremely proud of what Polestar has achieved in such a short time. Polestar combines design,…

LG Electronics announced a new business agreement with ChargePoint, the leading electric vehicle (EV) charging operator in North America, to expand its EV charging business. ChargePoint, known as the No. 1 CPO (Charging Point Operator) in North America, operates EV charging stations across the US and Canada, as well as in 16 European countries and India. The agreement aims to leverage ChargePoint’s extensive charging infrastructure with LG Electronics’ US-produced chargers, starting from January. This collaboration includes integrating ChargePoint’s charging management software, which has received security certification from the US federal government, with LG Electronics’ chargers. See also: LG Electronics to Enter…

BMW’s renowned M division is on the brink of a groundbreaking achievement as it prepares to unveil its first-ever all-electric performance sedan, a concept that was once considered beyond the pale but is now set to redefine automotive excellence. Frank van Meel, the head of BMW’s M division, has teased extraordinary features for this upcoming electric vehicle (EV), hinting at a game-changing addition to the brand’s lineup. The EV, based on BMW’s cutting-edge Neue Klasse platform, is scheduled for release in 2026 or 2027 and will stand alongside the traditional combustion-powered M3. Van Meel has divulged that the quad-motor configuration…

Chemical giant BASF and recycling specialist WHW Recycling have joined forces in a new partnership focused on processing cathode and anode waste to create new raw materials, aiming to enhance the sustainability of battery cell production in Europe. The agreement enables WHW Recycling to complement BASF’s processes by processing cathode and anode foil waste from battery cell production. This collaboration will expand BASF’s recycling service offering for its customers, contributing to a more sustainable battery supply chain. Starting from the end of this year, WHW Recycling’s two new separation plants in Baudenbach, Germany, will process and separate cathode and anode…

OVAG Oberbergische Verkehrsgesellschaft, a German public transport operator, has announced plans to put 15 hydrogen buses into operation next year. The vehicles, sourced from Solaris, a Polish manufacturer, will be part of OVAG’s efforts to transition to more sustainable public transport solutions. The order includes 15 Urbino 12 Hydrogen buses from Solaris, featuring a fuel cell drive with an output of 70 kW, supplemented by a battery for higher power demands. Solaris also offers an articulated bus version, the Urbino 18 Hydrogen, and both variants are available with battery-electric drives. The delivery of the first five hydrogen buses is scheduled…

Swedish electric-vehicle manufacturer Polestar announced its plans to venture into seven new markets next year, including France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Thailand, and Brazil. This strategic move comes as the company seeks to broaden its customer base and boost sales. The decision follows a challenging period for Polestar, with deliveries dropping by 40% in the first quarter of this year. Expanding into untapped markets could not only help Polestar regain momentum but also strengthen its position in negotiations with suppliers. See also: Polestar Integrates with Nio’s Charging Network in China, Enhancing EV Charging Options The global electric vehicle market has…

Asahi Kasei, the Japanese technology company, has achieved a significant milestone in lithium-ion battery technology with the successful proof of concept for a new type of electrolyte boasting high ionic conductivity. The company anticipates commercial availability of this product as early as 2025. The new electrolyte is poised to revolutionize battery performance, particularly in challenging temperature conditions. Asahi Kasei reports that batteries using this electrolyte can deliver higher performance at low temperatures and offer an improved service life at high temperatures. Moreover, this breakthrough could lead to a reduction in the size of battery packs, as fewer cells would be…