Author: Harding Greenwood

Samsung is gearing up for a major shift in its production strategy as it seeks to tap into the rapidly growing market for electric vehicle components. According to the CEO of its Electro-Mechanics division, the company is preparing to pivot away from its traditional focus on smartphones and PCs and instead focus on the rising demand for automotive and automobile technologies. Samsung is already a major supplier of EV batteries to a number of leading automakers, including General Motors, Volkswagen, BMW, and Volvo. However, the company is now looking to vastly expand its production capacity and develop its own offerings…

Audi and Porsche are set to take their electrification strategy to new heights with their latest big push towards electric vehicles. This effort will be powered by the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), which will serve as the architecture for several upcoming models from both carmakers. According to Porsche, the PPE platform was developed collaboratively and shares similarities with Volkswagen’s MQB and MEB platforms. The MQB platform has already underpinned over 32 million vehicles and has proven to be highly flexible, delivering economies of scale and reduced component costs. The PPE platform is expected to follow suit and enable Porsche to…

Over the past few years, last-mile mobility has become a crucial part of urban living, with an increasing number of cities in Europe and Asia encouraging citizens to reduce their dependence on cars. This shift has led to a surge in popularity of lightweight electric two-wheelers such as scooters and small motorbikes. In India, Yulu, a shared electric mobility startup, has partnered with Bajaj Auto, one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the country, to expand their operations. The collaboration has resulted in the launch of two new electric scooters – the Miracle GR and DeX GR – specifically designed…

The Togg T10X, a vehicle developed and manufactured entirely in Turkey, is now available for pre-order starting on March 16th. The starting price for this innovative car is set at 953,000 Turkish Liras, which is approximately $50,200. The vehicle, which has been in development for five years, will be exclusively built in Turkey and priced from 953,000 Turkish Liras (~$50,200). Described by Togg as a ‘smart device’, the T10X will initially be sold with a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering 218 hp and the option between two battery packs offering up to 523 km (325 miles) of range. Customers who…

Electric vehicle (EV) startup Arrival has announced securing a $300 million equity financing line from Westwood Capital, according to a statement released on Monday. The funds will help the British firm achieve its goal of commencing US production of its van in late 2024 and tackle the cash crunch it has been facing for the past few months. The Arrival team had previously expressed concerns about not having enough money to last through 2023, warning of a potential cash shortfall. With the new infusion of funds, the company hopes to reach a target quarterly cash-burn rate of $35 million by…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has installed its first V4 Supercharger in Europe, specifically in the city of Harderwijk in the Netherlands. The station is expected to open later this month, and EV enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating how fast it can charge. Tesla had previously announced plans to install its next-generation Superchargers in the United States, but surprised everyone at an Investor Day event by revealing that the first V4 Supercharger was to be installed in Europe, and that the company had already begun the installation process. The new V4 Supercharger units are larger than their V3 counterparts, as observed during…

Tesla’s Model S Plaid has finally delivered on its promise to reach a top speed of 200 mph, thanks to its new ceramic brakes. When the flagship electric vehicle was first introduced, the automaker pledged to achieve the top speed milestone. However, the initial deliveries showed that the vehicle could only hit a maximum speed of 163 mph. Last year, Tesla launched a new “Track Mode” for the Model S Plaid, which pushed the top speed to 175 mph. At that time, it became apparent that the brakes were the limiting factor. The automaker did not want to unlock higher…

The US and the European Union (EU) have expressed their desire to enter into negotiations on critical minerals required for the production of electric car batteries. This announcement was made following a meeting between US President Joe Biden and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the White House. The proposed agreement aims to make electric vehicles manufactured in the EU eligible for tax credits in the US, which are currently only granted to cars built in North America. In addition, the agreement would ensure the security of supply chains for battery production in the EU and facilitate access…

Zero Motorcycles has recently unveiled its latest collaboration with HUGE Design, the SR-X concept bike, on February 21, 2023. If the name of the design firm rings a bell, it may be due to its previous creation, the SM concept, which served as the foundation for the production FXE. The question on everyone’s mind is whether the SR-X concept bike will inspire a comparable production model. Although we can hope for it, it is premature to speculate. Instead, let us examine the concept bike and its features. According to Bill Webb, the leader of HUGE Design, the SR-X concept bike…

Tesla’s largest car manufacturing plant, Giga Mexico, is set to begin construction soon. The plans for the facility were only recently announced, yet it seems that work may start before the end of this month, according to the Governor of the Mexican State of Nuevo Leon, Samuel Garcia. Garcia notes that Tesla is awaiting final permits for construction, a surprisingly quick process for a project of this magnitude. However, even more impressive is Governor Garcia’s claim that the plant could be operational as early as 2024, a feat that would require exceptional efficiency given the myriad delays that often plague…

Tesla has announced a recall of 3,470 Model Y vehicles in the US due to concerns over the security of the bolts that fasten the second-row seatback frames. According to a filing that was made public on Saturday, the bolts may not have been tightly secured, which could pose risks to passengers in the event of a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has warned that a loose seat frame bolt may reduce the effectiveness of the seat belt system, potentially increasing the risk of injury. Tesla has informed the NHTSA that it has identified five warranty claims…

Electric vehicle manufacturers, including Tesla, may face hurdles in opening new company-owned stores in Mississippi. The Senate has approved House Bill 401 by a vote of 38-14 following a heated two-hour debate among lawmakers. The controversial bill mandates EV makers to sell their vehicles through franchised dealerships, instead of their usual practice of using company-owned stores. The bill’s approval has raised concerns that the state could potentially miss out on substantial investments from EV makers like Rivian and Lucid. In a statement to WJTV 21 News, State Senator Jeremy England expressed his opposition to the bill, calling it “bad policy.”…

Germany has officially surpassed one million electrically-powered passenger cars on the road, according to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). The official figures released by the KBA state that as of 1 January 2023, there were 1,013,009 electric cars registered in Germany, representing a 63.8% increase compared to the previous year. Although the one million mark was not a surprise, the fact that it was reached at the turn of the year is an important milestone for the country’s transition to electric mobility. EVs now account for around two per cent of the total stock of approximately 48.8 million passenger…

Porsche Netherlands has created a modern reincarnation of the Renndienst vans that supported Porsche’s racing teams in the past, based on the fully electric VW ID. Buzz. As part of the celebrations for the automaker’s 75th anniversary, Porsche Netherlands has produced eight examples of the new Renndienst that will be exhibited in Dutch Porsche Centers. The new Renndienst vans are painted in the signature Burgundy Red shade with white Porsche and Renndienst graphics on the doors and rear side windows, reminiscent of their T1 and T2 predecessors. Porsche Netherlands has also photographed the ID. Buzz Renndienst together with a Taycan…

Buick’s Ultium-based electric vehicle, the Electra E5, is set to make waves in China with its impressive tech-heavy interior. After releasing official exterior photos in December 2022, the brand has now revealed the EV’s sleek and futuristic cabin. The Electra E5 boasts an Eyemax 30-inch 6K curved OLED display that reflects one billion colors, a new Virtual Cockpit System, a 12.6-inch color head-up display, 121-color surround ambient lighting, and more. The latest Buick eConnect connectivity system is also included, providing customers access to an array of multimedia content through built-in apps. Upgraded intelligent voice commands, customized configurations, and individual recommendations…

Fisker, the California-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is gearing up for the launch of its first model, the Fisker Ocean, in over 20 countries by the end of 2023. Homologation testing in Europe and the US is set to be completed in March, with sales expected to commence once the regulatory approval process is finalized. The Fisker Ocean will first be available in the US, Canada, Austria, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and France, followed by the UK (right-hand drive), Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, and India (also right-hand drive) in 2023. Additional countries, including China, are expected to follow in 2024. See…

Electric vehicle startup Fisker has revealed its Q4 2022 results, reporting that it spent less money than expected and remains on track to begin deliveries of its Ocean SUV in the spring of 2023. The company expects to build over 40,000 vehicles in 2023, and has already built 56 Oceans at its manufacturing partner Magna International’s contract-manufacturing facility in Austria. The company has been refining the manufacturing process and testing additional features, working through regulatory approval processes in the US, Canada, and Europe. CEO Henrik Fisker said that early testing has shown the Ocean has more range than expected, with…

Eaton has announced the launch of its latest product for the electric vehicle (EV) market – a 3-in-1 vent valve designed to simplify the assembly process of EV batteries. This new technology combines three functions – a mechanism to check the tightness of the battery housing, passive and active venting to relieve excess pressure, and a leak-check feature. What’s more, the valve has been designed to be flexibly installed using a spring-based actuation technology, which allows Eaton to accommodate different opening pressure requirements with the same valve design. See also: Ford will introduce seven new electric vehicles in Europe by…

Arcimoto, the electric vehicle (EV) maker, has announced that it will resume production at its factory in Eugene, Oregon in March 2023. The factory had been shut down in January after the company filed for bankruptcy. However, in a press release issued by the company on Tuesday, they declared that they will start producing and delivering their Fun Utility Vehicle (FUV) and Deliverator three-wheeled EVs next month. Interestingly, the press release made no mention of the factory shutdown or any update on the company’s financial situation. In a regulatory filing last month, Arcimoto disclosed that it was selling $12 million…

Kempower has announced a major agreement to provide High Powered Charging (HPC) systems for a nationwide customer in the United Kingdom. The order, worth over EUR 5 million, will see Kempower supply its innovative Kempower Satellite and Kempower Power Unit charging systems to the UK in the 2nd quarter of 2023. The selection of Kempower was based on the company’s dynamic power sharing capabilities, as well as its reputation for providing a seamless charging experience. The company’s experience in developing HPC for retail in Finland was also cited as a factor in the decision to partner with Kempower. The deployment…