Author: Harding Greenwood

EVgo has announced plans to deploy North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors on its DC fast charging network in North America. This move is aimed at serving both CCS and NACS electric vehicles, with a focus on markets with high NACS vehicle penetration, particularly areas with a significant number of Tesla drivers. The deployment of NACS connectors is part of EVgo’s strategy to maximize charger utilization. The company reported a significant increase in overall utilization on its network in Q1 2024, reaching approximately 19%, up from approximately 9% year-over-year. Badar Khan, CEO of EVgo, highlighted the company’s commitment to expanding…

Rivian’s R1T and R1S vehicles are not your typical pickup truck and mid-size SUV. Beyond their powerful electric powertrains, these vehicles boast unique aesthetics and innovative features like the R1T’s gear tunnel and the R1S’s split tailgate. While these models currently lack the YouTube app or Google Cast in their infotainment systems, Rivian has announced that both features will soon be available. In the upcoming months, Rivian will introduce a downloadable YouTube application and enable Google Cast functionality. This update will allow users to watch YouTube videos directly through the 15.0-inch touchscreen display in the R1T and R1S, by casting…

Innovation Automotive, the UK’s multi-brand EV distributor, is set to reveal the impressive Skywell BE11 electric SUV at the upcoming Everything Electric Show in Harrogate. This unveiling marks the first time a Skywell vehicle will be showcased in the UK, marking a significant moment for both the brand and Innovation Automotive. The Skywell BE11 boasts a striking exterior design, featuring ‘razor’ LED front headlights, ‘Lynx’ two-tone 19″ alloy wheels, and Skywell-embossed full-width rear lights. Inside, the vehicle offers sumptuous leather-style seats, contrasting wood-style veneer, and piano black paneling, creating a premium and contemporary feel. The interior is equipped with a…

Kia has officially unveiled the facelifted version of its popular EV6 electric crossover in South Korea, showcasing a range of stylish updates and a new battery option. The new EV6 features a refreshed exterior design, with angular LED daytime running lights and headlamps that give it a more striking appearance reminiscent of Kia’s EV3 and EV4 Concepts. Notable changes to the front fascia include a redesigned bumper and lower grille area, enhancing the EV6’s overall aesthetic. The rear of the vehicle maintains its distinctive look with a signature single LED light bar spanning the width of the car. Additionally, new…

Decathlon has unveiled its latest addition to the Riverside range with the introduction of the ETR920 e-bike, currently available exclusively in Germany. This new model is marketed as an SUV trekking electric bicycle, featuring a Bosch Performance Line motor, known for its reliability and power, delivering 250W and 75Nm of torque. The ETR920 boasts an “almost invisible” 545Wh Bosch PowerPack battery, offering riders an impressive 110km (approximately 68 miles) assistance range. The bike is equipped with a Bosch Smart system, allowing users to connect their smartphones via the eBike Flow app for convenient controls and journey information. Real-time data such…

Fisker has encountered challenges, revealing its inability to complete its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter by May 10 due to identified material weaknesses in its financial reporting control environment. In a new SEC filing, Fisker stated, “management identified certain material weaknesses, including that the Company did not design and maintain an effective control environment commensurate with its financial reporting requirements.” The company added that it is “unable to provide an estimate” for the timing of the filing. Fisker also disclosed that its independent auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), declined re-appointment for the fiscal year 2024 audit. Fisker is…

China’s presence in the electric vehicle (EV) market in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Thailand and Indonesia, has witnessed remarkable growth in recent times, according to a report titled “Factors and Implications of Chinese Electric Vehicles’ Preoccupation of the Southeast Asian Market,” released by the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) on May 8. Chinese companies have emerged as dominant players in Southeast Asia, ranking first or second in terms of sales volume in 2023 in countries like Thailand (76 percent), Malaysia (44 percent), Singapore (34 percent), and Indonesia (42 percent). This surge in market share is notable,…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, has officially listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), joining a wave of Chinese EV makers going public in the US. Trading under the ticker symbol ZK, Zeekr’s IPO was originally planned to issue 17.5 million ADSs (American depositary shares) with a price range of $18 to $21 per ADS, aiming to raise up to $367.5 million. However, Zeekr priced its IPO at the upper end of the range at $21 per ADS, with each ADS representing 10 ordinary shares. Due to oversubscription, the company expanded its IPO…

Dongfeng Motor’s premium electric off-road brand, M Hero, is gearing up to export its first model, the M-917, to the Middle East, as part of its strategy to expand its international footprint. The brand announced yesterday that the M-917, already launched in Switzerland, will soon make its way to the Middle East. Prototypes of the M-917 are currently undergoing testing in the United Arab Emirates, marking the model’s debut in the region. The vehicle has already passed EU ECE and Middle East GSO vehicle certifications and is undergoing extensive road testing in target markets worldwide to ensure its adaptability and…

Electronics company Keysight Technologies and automotive group ETAS have joined forces to develop a new cybersecurity solution for automakers. The partnership involves integrating ETAS’s CycurFUZZ, a smart automotive fuzzer tool, into Keysight’s Automotive Cybersecurity Test Platform. This collaboration aims to provide automakers with a comprehensive testing solution to identify and mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities in vehicle software. Fuzzer tools like CycurFUZZ work by injecting invalid inputs into devices to uncover potential vulnerabilities. By integrating this tool into Keysight’s platform, automakers can conduct rapid and autonomous testing of their vehicle software, helping them to enhance software quality and strengthen cyber resilience. ETAS’…

Formula E is gearing up for changes in 2024, including a new safety car support. Porsche’s latest Taycan Turbo GT will take on safety car duties starting at the upcoming double header in Berlin, boasting more than twice the horsepower of the single-seat racers. The Turbo GT, the flagship of the Taycan range, surpasses the previous safety car, the Turbo S, which generated up to 751 hp (761 PS / 560 kW) during overboost. The Turbo S has since been upgraded to 764 hp (775 PS / 570 kW) in normal driving, with overboost temporarily providing 939 hp (952 PS…

Rivian announced plans to ramp up production at its Normal, Illinois plant to manufacture up to 155,000 R2 SUVs annually, as part of its strategy to expand its sales and market reach. During its first-quarter earnings report, Rivian revealed that upgrades to its Illinois factory would increase total production capacity to 215,000 units. This includes not only the upcoming R2 SUV but also its current lineup, which comprises the R1T pickup truck, the R1S SUV, and a commercial delivery van used by Amazon among other commercial customers. The R2 SUV, unveiled in March, is seen as pivotal to Rivian’s future…