Author: Harding Greenwood

BMW Group, the German automaker comprising brands like BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce, has announced a robust increase in global sales, both in its conventional combustion-powered models and electric vehicles (BEVs), reaffirming its commitment to maintaining competitive pricing and steering clear of price wars. In the third quarter of this year, the BMW Group reported a noteworthy milestone, delivering a total of 621,699 vehicles. This figure represents a substantial 5.8% upswing compared to the same period in the previous year when deliveries stood at 587,744 units. These impressive results have extended over the broader January to September timeframe, marking a 5.1%…

Autonomous driving startup Pony.ai has announced a significant milestone with a $100 million investment from Saudi Arabia’s NEOM, a special economic zone. This collaboration marks the beginning of a strategic partnership that extends beyond financial support, as the two entities plan to develop, manufacture, and deliver autonomous driving services, advanced vehicles, and smart vehicle infrastructure. NEOM’s Executive Director of Land Mobility, Terry Wong, emphasized the importance of this investment in realizing NEOM’s ambitious vision for a smart, zero-emission, and autonomous multi-modal transport system. He stated, “With this investment, we are moving ever closer towards a new future for commuters and…

Kia’s popular vehicle model, the Soul, has faced multiple recalls in the United States this year. Unfortunately, the trend continues with the announcement of a new recall affecting 6,262 units of the 2015-2019 Soul EV models. According to Kia’s recall notice issued in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue revolves around the potential for the vehicle to move when left unattended without the parking brake manually engaged, even if it is placed in the “Park” position. This concern stems from the intermittent failure of the parking pawl responsible for engaging the parking gear due to…

Polestar has unveiled the results of its first-ever Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for the Polestar 4, shedding light on its remarkable environmental credentials. The report reveals that, at its launch, the Polestar 4 emits as little as 19.4 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, positioning it as the most eco-conscious vehicle in the Polestar lineup. The LCA takes into account all emissions generated during the vehicle’s production and component sourcing phases but does not consider emissions resulting from its usage or decommissioning. Notably, this figure reflects the emissions from the most efficient model in the Polestar 4 lineup. The Polestar 4 Long…

As the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris approach, Toyota has teamed up with GCK and B.E. Green to provide sustainable, emission-free transportation for the events. Ten used Iveco diesel coaches will be retrofitted with Toyota’s fuel cell technology to serve more than 5,000 visitors during the Games. Once the events conclude, the hydrogen-fueled coaches will be integrated into the fleet of B.E. Green, a French company specializing in CO2-neutral transportation. The retrofit involves replacing the conventional diesel engine and transmission at the front of the bus with a 370 kW electric motor, batteries, and Toyota’s fuel cell module…

California-based Phoenix Motorcars has entered into a partnership with Fermata Energy to integrate Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionality across its entire lineup of medium-duty EVs. This initiative spans all generations of Phoenix Motorcars’ electric school buses, shuttle buses, and trucks, dating back to the initial deliveries in 2014 up to the current models. Denton Peng, CEO of Phoenix Motorcars, expressed the company’s commitment to maximizing the benefits of electrification for fleets, stating, “At Phoenix, our goal is to enable fleets to derive the most benefit from their electrification efforts. The partnership with Fermata Energy brings V2G capabilities to our vehicles and is…

Tesla has officially confirmed that the first customer deliveries of its much-anticipated electric Cybertruck will commence on November 30. This revelation came during a call to unveil Tesla’s third-quarter financial results, putting to rest a four-year wait that has kept eager customers on the edge of their seats. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had previously hinted at Cybertruck deliveries beginning in the third quarter of this year, a goal that was not met. However, the latest disclosure from the automaker assures those who have reserved a Cybertruck – reportedly in the millions – that their wait is nearly over, and production…

Zeekr, an emerging player in the electric vehicle market, is catching attention with its 001 FR model, a sedan-shaped electric car equipped with four electric motors. While the capability of performing tank turns isn’t new—Rivian initially showcased this feature but later withdrew it due to concerns of potential trail damage—it’s rare to see a sedan executing such maneuvers. “Provided they have the quad motor hardware, there’s no reason why regular sedans can’t perform such stunts,” as demonstrated by Zeekr’s 001 FR. When it comes to performance metrics, Zeekr’s FR stands as a formidable rival to Tesla’s Model S Plaid. The…

Rivian, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has garnered significant acclaim for its R1T electric truck and R1S SUV from reviewers and enthusiasts alike. However, while these vehicles have received praise, their price tags, starting at $74,800, have raised questions about their affordability. Delving deeper into the equation, it becomes apparent that Rivian incurs a staggering $33,000 loss on each vehicle sold, making these EVs appear to be perpetual Cyber Monday deals. The substantial financial hit that Rivian takes on every EV sold, an amount equivalent to the starting price of a base ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Ford F-150, has accelerated…

Electric vehicle (EV) ownership in the United Kingdom has witnessed a surge in recent years, driven by promises of lower running costs and environmental benefits. However, many EV drivers are now grappling with unexpectedly high insurance expenses, raising concerns about the affordability of electric mobility. These soaring insurance costs cannot be attributed solely to increased energy prices, which have made charging EVs more expensive than in the past. Rather, the primary issue lies in shocking spikes in insurance premiums, especially for UK-based electric car owners. Some individuals have reported that their insurance premiums have surged more than threefold, while others…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup, Leapmotor, has shown noteworthy growth in its recent delivery figures, particularly in September, reinforcing its positive performance throughout the third quarter. As per the company’s official data, Leapmotor achieved a significant milestone by delivering 15,800 vehicles in September. This represented a notable 43.13 percent year-on-year increase and a substantial 11.35 percent uptick compared to the previous month, August. Zooming out to the third quarter, Leapmotor reported a commendable total of 44,325 vehicle deliveries, showcasing a robust 24.48 percent year-on-year growth and a substantial 30.39 percent surge from the second quarter. Year-to-date figures show that Leapmotor…

The city of Kristianstad in Sweden is set to welcome a fleet of 23 electric buses. VR Kristianstad, the local transport company, has placed an order with the Polish manufacturer Solaris, marking a pivotal moment in the city’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. The order comprises 20 Urbino 15 Electric buses and three Urbino 12 Electric buses, signifying a substantial commitment to electrifying the city’s public transport system. Scheduled for delivery in July 2024, this acquisition also marks a notable milestone as it introduces Solaris electric buses to the southern Swedish city for the first time. See also: Solaris…

Nio has exceeded the milestone of 1,900 battery swap stations across China. The company also witnessed an unprecedented surge in services on the eve of a major holiday. On the recent day preceding a significant holiday, Nio inaugurated nine new battery swap stations in China, elevating the total count to an impressive 1,904 facilities. Notably, 560 of these stations are strategically positioned along highways, as indicated by the company’s charging map data. During the current month, Nio has been on an expansion spree, adding 130 new battery swap stations in China, with a notable century of them being introduced in…

Terra Motors, a prominent Japanese EV manufacturer, has announced its intention to invest over 10 billion yen (approximately 63.5 million euros) in the development of a robust fast-charging network in Tokyo. This ambitious initiative, as reported by nippon.com, seeks to primarily deploy 150-kilowatt (kW) chargers at commercial and public locations, as well as within the car parks of local authorities across the metropolis. Terra Motors’ vision extends beyond Tokyo, with plans to establish similar fast-charging stations in urban areas of Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka prefectures in the near future. See also: Japan Aims to Double EV Charging Stations to 300,000…

British electric vehicle supplier Bedeo has introduced a new service aimed at converting thousands of diesel vans into electric hybrids, with an initial focus on the French market. This strategic move comes as France extends enticing government subsidies for retrofitting fossil-fuel vehicles, aligning with its commitment to greener transportation alternatives. France’s generous subsidy program offers a significant 9,000-euro ($9,509) incentive for companies involved in electric vehicle retrofitting. However, it’s essential to note that each retrofitted model must successfully pass government vehicle tests, ensuring the highest standards of safety and performance. See also: Hyundai Mobis Develops Electric In-Wheel System for Direct…

The residents of Straßkirchen have overwhelmingly voted in favor of the construction of the new BMW Group facility, which is set to become a crucial component of BMW’s electric vehicle production network. The referendum saw over 75 percent of voters support the council’s motion for a “Yes to a BMW assembly plant for high-voltage batteries.” With approximately 77 percent voter turnout, this decision paves the way for BMW to assemble 600,000 high-voltage batteries annually for its electric cars, supplying its key car plants in Munich, Dingolfing, and Regensburg. The significance of the proposed plant in Straßkirchen cannot be overstated, as…

Edinburgh Airport has taken steps to enhance its commitment to sustainability by introducing 40 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across its parking areas. This initiative aims to provide travelers with convenient charging options and aligns with the airport’s sustainability strategy. Among the newly installed chargers, five are available at the FastPark valet parking facility, allowing passengers to charge their vehicles while they travel and return to a fully charged car upon their return. See also: Stuttgart Airport to Electrify Handling Fleet with €5.8m Government-Funded Project Additionally, the airport has positioned fifteen 22kW chargers near the Terminal Parking area, with a maximum…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has unveiled its latest addition to the Mexican market, the BYD Dolphin. This compact electric vehicle marks BYD’s fourth model in Mexico, following the successful launches of the Han, Tang, and Yuan Plus. The official launch event took place on September 20, 2023, and the BYD Dolphin comes with an enticing starting price of 535,990 Mexican pesos (approximately $31,250). Originally introduced in China on August 29, 2021, the BYD Dolphin has already gained traction in its home market. In China, it offers three versions with varying starting prices, ranging from RMB 116,800 (about $16,000)…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers have been making significant strides globally, with estimates suggesting that they will account for 60 percent of global EV sales this year. However, despite their global success, Chinese EVs remain conspicuously absent from the American market, and several factors are contributing to this absence. One prominent barrier is the 27.5 percent tariff on vehicles produced in China, which was implemented during the tenure of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Although this tariff was enacted under unusual circumstances, it continues to affect Chinese brands’ ability to compete effectively in the American market. The current Biden administration…

General Motors (GM) has announced a temporary shutdown of the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, from October through spring 2024. The decision to halt production is attributed to delays in the delivery of Ultium battery modules crucial for powering the BrightDrop Zevo 600 and Zevo 410 electric vans manufactured at the facility. GM spokesperson Maria Violette explained the situation, stating, “CAMI Assembly will take downtime beginning in October, due to previously announced delays in battery-module supply.” She further added, “Vehicle production is expected to resume in the spring of 2024, supported by the launch of CAMI’s new battery-module line,…