Author: Harding Greenwood

Renowned entrepreneur and Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk is set to embark on a highly anticipated trip to China, marking his first visit to the country in three years. According to three individuals familiar with the matter, Musk’s visit will involve meetings with senior Chinese officials and a tour of Tesla’s prominent manufacturing plant in Shanghai. While details regarding the specific agenda of Musk’s meetings remain undisclosed, the trip signifies Tesla’s dedication to strengthening its presence in China, the automaker’s second-largest market after the United States. Musk’s visit to the Shanghai plant holds particular significance, as it stands as Tesla’s…

Sakuu, a California-based developer specializing in 3D-printed solid-state batteries, has introduced a commercially available lithium metal cell chemistry that can now be licensed by battery manufacturers. The company’s battery pilot plant in Silicon Valley is offering sample 5 Ah pouch cells to interested parties. Founded in 2016, Sakuu claims that their newly developed cell chemistry, called Cypress, delivers high performance with an 8C pulse discharge and 3C continuous discharge, along with an energy density exceeding 750 Wh/l. Lithium metal battery chemistry, according to Sakuu, offers superior energy density and additional performance advantages. However, its high reactivity has posed significant challenges…

Photos posted on Twitter by users @BLKMDL3 and @klwtts indicate that Tesla has started shipping Model Y vehicles equipped with its latest Hardware 4 computer from the Fremont, California factory. These images reveal the presence of upgraded front-facing and side-mounted cameras, which were previously seen on Model S and Model X vehicles. While some vehicles on the lots still possess the previous generation Hardware 3 computer, it appears that Tesla is gradually transitioning to the HW4 for all its production vehicles. https://twitter.com/BLKMDL3/status/1661794003690606592 https://twitter.com/klwtts/status/1661810409949777925 Earlier this year, Tesla introduced the first Model X SUVs in the United States equipped with its…

In a groundbreaking move, Ford Motor Co has announced a partnership with Tesla Inc that will grant Ford electric vehicle (EV) owners access to Tesla’s extensive network of over 12,000 Superchargers in North America. This collaboration marks Ford as the first major automaker to embrace Tesla’s proprietary charging standard, providing them access to the largest network of high-speed Superchargers in the United States. The availability of charging stations has long been regarded as a significant obstacle to widespread electric vehicle adoption, as experts and analysts have emphasized. Recognizing this challenge, Tesla had previously declared its intention to open its charging…

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast has announced the recall of its first shipment of vehicles to the United States in response to a safety warning issued by U.S. authorities. The recall was prompted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlighting a software error in the dashboard display of 999 VinFast VF 8 vehicles. This error prevents crucial safety information from being shown, potentially increasing the risk of accidents. VinFast acknowledged that out of the 999 affected units, more than 700 are still in the company’s possession and have not yet been delivered to customers or fleet…

In the realm of electric vehicles (EVs), a new kind of competition is emerging, but it’s not the anticipated “battery war.” Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, recently expressed his reservations about the current fascination with mega battery packs and extended driving ranges. During Ford’s Capital Markets Day event, he revealed the company’s strategy of prioritizing cost savings by keeping battery packs as small as possible. While Ford acknowledges the importance of competitive ranges, evidenced by their promise of a three-row electric SUV capable of traveling 350 miles, the company isn’t aiming to chase ranges exceeding 500 miles. Farley’s comments seemingly took…

Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution have announced their plans to construct a $4.3 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in the United States. This strategic move aims to capitalize on tax credits and comply with new U.S. sourcing requirements for EV battery components and critical minerals. The establishment of the battery plant is particularly significant as it enables buyers of Hyundai and Kia vehicles to qualify for up to $7,500 in tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. Presently, vehicles from Hyundai Motor and its sister company, Kia, do not meet the eligibility criteria for these tax credits.…

Blue Bird, a long-standing manufacturer of school buses, has recently inaugurated its “Electric Vehicle Build-Up Center” at its main manufacturing plant in Fort Valley, Georgia. This new facility, covering 40,000 square feet, will play a crucial role in helping the company achieve its target of producing 5,000 electric school buses annually. With its headquarters based in Georgia for the past 91 years, Blue Bird has a strong presence in the state. The Electric Vehicle Build-Up Center will focus on assembling electric versions of Blue Bird’s popular “Vision” and “All American” model buses, capable of accommodating 77 and 84 passengers respectively.…

Opel has recently unveiled the facelifted version of its popular subcompact hatchback, the Corsa, in Europe. The updated model, known as the 2024 Opel Corsa Electric, includes significant enhancements both inside and out, and features an all-electric variant. One of the most notable changes is the adoption of Opel’s latest design language, which gives the Corsa Electric a resemblance to the smaller Astra Electric model. The front end now showcases Opel’s signature Vizor brand face, seamlessly integrating the grille, LED headlights, and Opel Blitz emblem into a single element. The LED headlights and front bumper have also been redesigned, contributing…

Tesla’s new Model Y, equipped with BYD batteries at Gigafactory Berlin, is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) market with its significantly faster charging capabilities compared to its predecessor. In a surprising turn of events, Tesla and BYD, once regarded as competitors, have formed an unlikely partnership in recent times. There was a time when they didn’t take each other seriously, as evidenced by Elon Musk’s infamous laughter at BYD’s electric vehicles during an interview. However, both companies have since established themselves as major players in the EV industry. Last year, Tesla began procuring battery cells from BYD, with…

The traditional landscape of vehicle ownership is undergoing a rapid transformation as an increasing number of buyers are gravitating towards monthly payment schemes. Recent studies indicate that in 2022, a staggering 60% of buyers opted for financing their cars. Moreover, an impressive 80% of these buyers revealed that the availability of monthly payment options would significantly enhance their likelihood of purchasing an electric vehicle (EV). Fresh data from JATO Dynamics sheds light on the primary factors influencing customers’ preference for financing. Affordability emerged as the most crucial consideration for 31% of respondents who favored monthly installments over a substantial upfront…

Volvo is preparing to introduce a new electric vehicle called the EX30, adding to its lineup of eco-friendly cars. Positioned as a compact crossover, the EX30 is expected to be Volvo’s most affordable electric vehicle, sitting below the C40 and XC40 Recharge models. The Swedish automaker has already released a teaser image of the EX30, and patent images of the final product have also surfaced online. As we await its imminent debut, let’s delve into what else we can expect from this new offering. Volvo is known for its impeccable design, and the EX30 continues this tradition. Unlike other automakers…

Tesla’s Cybertruck, the highly anticipated electric pickup truck, is set to enter production soon. However, despite this milestone, Tesla has yet to update the pricing for the Cybertruck. This lack of update has left many curious about the current cost of the vehicle. Back in 2019, when Tesla first unveiled the Cybertruck, they presented three different configurations with their respective specifications and pricing. The base model was a Single Motor RWD version, boasting a range of 250+ miles, a 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.5 seconds, a top speed of 110 mph, and a starting price of $39,900. The Dual Motor…

The State of Texas is making headlines with a controversial move that has both EV owners and critics up in arms. The Texas state house recently voted in favor of a new bill that will levy a $200 tax on electric vehicle (EV) owners. While the government claims that this tax is necessary to raise funds for infrastructure improvements, critics argue that it is an unfair penalty on EV owners. For years, gas tax has been the primary way that states like Texas have funded their highway infrastructure projects. With the rise of EVs, however, the situation has become more…

The City of Chicago has launched a new initiative called ‘Chicago Electric’ to transition the city’s municipal fleet to electric vehicles by 2035. The move will require an investment of over $42M over five years and is part of the city’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices. Chicago maintains a fleet of 11,246 light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles that employees use for waste management and recycling, emergency services, and operational services. The implementation of Chicago Electric is already underway, with the city planning to install over 190 charging stations citywide at municipal facilities. See also: New York…

BYD, the Chinese automaker, is making waves in the electric car market as it continues to double its plug-in electric car sales globally. In April, the company reported a significant increase in sales, which brought it closer to breaking its all-time monthly record. The majority of BYD’s sales are in China, with only a few percent exported. Although the company had an excellent sales performance in March, it did have to offer discounts on some of its models, such as the Seal, Song Plus, Yuan Plus, and Dolphin, in the past two months. Interestingly, BYD had initially stated that it…

In a landmark move towards sustainable transport and achieving net zero by 2060, Nigerian energy company Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL) has partnered with China’s bus builder Yutong to bring 12,000 electric buses to Nigerian roads over the next seven years. The partnership also includes plans to build the necessary infrastructure and a local assembly plant for electric buses. This marks Yutong’s first delivery of electric mass transit buses in sub-Saharan Africa, and the first step towards the large-scale deployment of an electric-powered public road transport system in Nigeria. See also: Nigerian Entrepreneur Turns ICE Mini-buses into Electric Vehicles The…

Vietnam’s VinFast, the electric car maker, is set to receive up to $2.5 billion in fresh funding from parent company Vingroup and its chairman Pham Nhat Vuong. The new capital will fuel VinFast’s global expansion, with a focus on entering the European market this year, targeting Germany, France, and the Netherlands. See also: VinFast Struggles as Founder Pham Nhat Vuong Refrains from Personal Investment The company has already exported nearly 3,000 electric cars to the US and Canada, demonstrating “remarkable progress in the global market,” according to a company spokesperson. The funding will provide VinFast with additional resources to accelerate…

Collins Bus has recently made an exciting announcement, revealing that their zero-emissions Ford E-Transit Type A School Bus is now open for orders as of Monday, May 1st. What makes the E-Transit particularly remarkable is that it is the first Type A School Bus to run on an electric powertrain from a full-line automaker. The grand introduction of this groundbreaking vehicle took place at NTEA’s Work Truck Week in Indianapolis, Indiana, back in March 2023. Ford Pro, the driving force behind this innovation, has designed the Type A school bus package to feature a fully electric powertrain, boasting a 68…

Automobili Pininfarina, the luxury electric car manufacturer, has reached a new milestone in its growth by crafting the first Battista pure-electric hyper GT for a Canadian client. The exclusive vehicle was presented at an event in Toronto by retail partner Grand Touring Automobiles, marking a significant moment for the company. The CEO of Automobili Pininfarina, Paolo Dellachà, was present at the event to showcase the stunning Verde Piemonte Battista in the Toronto retail space. Grand Touring Automobiles is the exclusive representative of Automobili Pininfarina in Canada, with locations in Calgary, Toronto, Vaughan, and Oakville. The first Battista in Canada is…