Author: Harding Greenwood

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…

In a surprising move, renowned automaker McLaren has ventured into the realm of electric scooters with the introduction of their latest creation, the Lavoie Series 1. Developed by Lavoie, a subsidiary of McLaren Applied, this cutting-edge scooter stands out from the competition due to its unique design and portability features. Designed by Ian Callum, the Lavoie Series 1 is a game-changer in the e-scooter market. The Lavoie Series 1 comes in two variants: the entry-level Series 1 and the flagship Series 1 MAX. The former is equipped with a 468 Wh battery pack, enabling riders to cover a distance of…

In a thought-provoking insight into the evolving landscape of automotive design, Kia’s Design Boss, Karim Habib, foresees a departure from the traditional SUV concept in the coming years. With the increasing prevalence of electric powertrains, designers are discovering newfound creative freedom, reimagining the potential of future vehicles. Kia, known for its bold and captivating styling, currently employs a design philosophy dubbed “Opposites United.” This innovative approach has given rise to visually stunning models like the Sportage, Sorento, EV6, EV9, and the awe-inspiring EV5 concept. While the EV9 represents the epitome of this philosophy, Habib believes that the era of the…

EverCharge, a California-based provider of EV charging solutions, has recently expressed its admiration for Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging connector, considering it superior to the Combined Charging System (CCS1). In a blog post, EverCharge highlighted several advantages of the NACS connector, including its lack of moving parts, smaller size, increased power, and overall improved charging experience. The company’s positive assessment of the NACS connector comes after Ford, General Motors, and Rivian announced their adoption of the standard. See also: Blink Charging Unveils New DC Fast-Charging Model Supporting Tesla’s NACS In contrast, EverCharge was highly critical of the CCS1,…

Bolt, the European ride-hailing competitor to Uber, is set to revolutionize the landscape of food and grocery deliveries with the introduction of autonomous delivery vehicles. Teaming up with Estonian company Starship Technologies, Bolt aims to streamline the process of autonomous deliveries and provide customers with quick and convenient service. The forthcoming autonomous delivery service will initially be launched in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, later this year. Bolt has developed small, six-wheeled robots in partnership with Starship Technologies to carry out the deliveries. The companies are determined to make the process as seamless as possible for customers. By simply tapping a button,…

In a significant development for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, LG Energy Solution (LGES) and Honda have commenced construction on their joint EV battery plant. The project reached a major milestone with the installation of the facility’s first steel beam in Jeffersonville, Ohio. The CEO of the newly formed LGES-Honda joint venture, Bob Lee, expressed the importance of this moment, stating, “There are many beginnings when you form a new company to build a new facility, but today is an important milestone for the LGES-Honda team, for the local community, and everyone working at the site to create our new…

Volkswagen Group’s CEO, Oliver Blume, has made a significant announcement regarding the company’s electric future, providing fresh insights into the much-anticipated next-generation SSP platform for electric vehicles. In a recent capital markets event, Blume boldly stated that the project is back on track and will be introduced as early as 2026, contradicting the previous projection of a potential delay until 2030. Under the previous leadership, Volkswagen Group had ambitiously aimed to develop a unified EV platform that would cater to vehicles of all sizes, from compact city cars to luxurious SUVs. Additionally, the company had promised to create cutting-edge software…

The U.S. Energy Department has made a historic move by committing to provide a loan of up to $9.2 billion to a joint venture between Ford Motor and South Korea’s SK Innovation. This loan, which marks the largest-ever award from the government’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) program, aims to support the construction of three battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky. The joint venture, known as BlueOval SK, will receive this conditional commitment for a low-cost government loan to bolster its operations. SK Innovation, a unit of South Korea’s SK, is partnering with Ford to build two battery manufacturing plants…

Honda has confirmed that their upcoming electric crossover, the Honda Prologue, will come equipped with Google built-in technology. While this announcement may not come as a surprise, considering Acura’s integration of Google in their ZDX model, what sets the Prologue apart is that Google built-in will be a standard feature rather than limited to a specific trim level. The integration of Google built-in in the Prologue means that drivers will enjoy a seamless and user-friendly experience on the vehicle’s 11.3-inch infotainment system. With Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play all built-in, users will have easy access to third-party apps…

The Metorbike, an innovative electric moped, is capturing attention with its distinctive blend of styles and features. Crafted by two engineers in Hamburg, Germany, this city runabout showcases a unique fusion of a Puch AX 40 frame, elements of an ultramodern café racer, and an electric motor. Its striking design incorporates modern touches such as a digital dashboard, compact integrated taillights and turn signals, a wooden tail piece, and hand-sewn saddle and grips. What sets the Metorbike apart is its ability to simulate engine sounds, addressing a common criticism of electric motorcycles. Equipped with a controller area network (CAN) sound…

Kia has commenced the delivery of its flagship electric SUV, the EV9, as part of its expansion strategy in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The EV9, which received accolades for its design and features following its official unveiling in March, is built on Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform, also utilized in the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 models. Serving as Kia’s second dedicated electric model after the EV6 crossover, the EV9 signifies the automaker’s transition from offering affordable vehicles to producing powerful and stylish EVs. Kia’s foray into the SUV segment aims to provide consumers with a genuine SUV experience.…

Hyundai Motor Group’s electric vehicles (EVs) are facing a design issue related to regenerative braking, potentially compromising safety on the road. Recent research suggests that these vehicles may slow down quickly without adequately warning other drivers. The concern about vehicles decelerating without the driver pressing the brake pedal has been acknowledged in the past. However, it was most recently brought to attention by Technology Connections, a YouTube channel. The channel highlighted the brake lights of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which failed to illuminate while the vehicle was slowing down in one-pedal driving mode. Despite the absence of foot pressure on…

Volkswagen has revealed the key details of its upcoming savings program for its core brand, VW, aimed at enhancing profitability and generating funds for investments in the transition to e-mobility. The primary objective is for the brand to achieve a return on investment of 6.5% by 2026. The savings program, titled “Accelerate Forward | Road to 6.5,” reflects the target return set by Volkswagen. Additionally, the core brand aims to improve its balance sheets by approximately ten billion euros by 2026, primarily through enhanced efficiency and cost-cutting measures. This information had previously surfaced a few weeks ago when Handelsblatt, a…

Italian car-sharing provider Enjoy has made a significant move by adding 100 electric cars to its fleet in Rome. This marks a notable shift for the company, as it previously only offered combustion engine models in the Italian capital, while electric vehicles had already been integrated into their fleets in other cities. The newly introduced electric cars, provided by the Italian start-up XEV, are the XEV Yoyo model. These vehicles boast a range of approximately 150 kilometers and have a speed limit of 80 km/h. They can be charged at regular charging stations or utilize a swappable battery. Notably, certain…

In a notable meeting held in Rome on Thursday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni engaged in a productive discussion covering a wide range of topics. The encounter followed Musk’s brief meeting with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani earlier in the day. According to a government source, the meeting between Musk and Meloni was characterized by a cordial atmosphere, with both individuals exhibiting a positive rapport. A video recording of the encounter showcased the CEO and the Prime Minister conversing amiably, exuding a sense of comfort and ease. In a tweet, Prime Minister Meloni expressed her warm…

Kia Motors, a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Group, is gearing up to launch its highly anticipated electric vehicle (EV), codenamed “GT1,” which will be built on Hyundai’s next-generation “eM” platform. Set to be a long-range, high-performance machine, the GT1 signifies Hyundai’s commitment to becoming one of the leading global EV manufacturers by the end of the decade. Hyundai’s success in the EV market can be attributed, in part, to its first dedicated EV platform called E-GMP, which forms the foundation for its current lineup of electric cars. This lineup includes popular models like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 SUV, IONIQ…

XPeng, a prominent Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has introduced its Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), known as City NGP (Navigation Guided Pilot), in Beijing. This move makes XPeng the first company to launch such a feature in the Chinese capital city. Currently, the City NGP feature is available for public testing on Beijing’s ring roads and major highways. XPeng has plans to extend access to general users of the Max version of its flagship G9 and P7i models through a system update. The company has also announced that XPeng P5’s P-version models can utilize the City NGP feature in Beijing…