Author: Ivan Popov

Chinese battery maker BYD’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries will be featured in an upcoming hybrid model from German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz, marking a significant expansion of BYD’s presence in the electric vehicle market. The model in question is a hybrid variant of the Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV, which has been included in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s (MIIT) latest catalog of approved models for public comment. This catalog is a crucial step before a vehicle can be sold in China, and the public can provide feedback on the model between May 12 and May 17. The Mercedes-Benz GLC…

The excitement of receiving a Tesla Cybertruck turned into a nightmare for one new owner when the truck broke down just 35 miles (56 km) into its first journey. The delivery experience was reportedly sub-par, and the owner claimed that Tesla initially refused to cover the issue. The owner, who posted his experience on a Tesla forum under the username Cybeast, titled his thread “35 Miles Until Cybercrap.” He described picking up the truck in Pensacola, Florida, only to find it dirty both inside and out, with the battery at only 47% charge. This led to his frustration, as he…

In a recent report by Tesla-focused analyst Troy Teslike, it was revealed that Tesla experienced a 9% decline in global electric vehicle deliveries in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year. This trend, combined with other data, suggests a potential stagnation or even a decline in growth for the company this year. According to Teslike, Tesla delivered 36,065 fewer electric vehicles in Q1 2024 than in Q1 2023. The analyst predicts an even steeper drop in Q2, estimating around 48,000 fewer deliveries, based on a forecast of 418,000 units. “The third quarter’s year-over-year growth is…

Tesla, after experiencing a challenging quarter and anticipating a tough road ahead, has initiated what CEO Elon Musk describes as “absolutely hardcore” headcount and cost reductions. As part of these measures, the company has reduced the team responsible for its Supercharger network, a move that has raised concerns among laid-off workers regarding its impact on users. The Supercharger network, known for being America’s most reliable charging network, allows non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) to use its stations. However, the reduction in staff has left remaining employees feeling overworked and concerned about maintaining the network’s quality of service. An anonymous former employee,…

Fisker’s Austrian division, Fisker GmbH, has filed for bankruptcy protection, highlighting the challenges faced by the cash-strapped electric vehicle (EV) startup. The move comes after discussions with a major automaker for a potential investment fell through, prompting Fisker to explore strategic alternatives. The restructuring process initiated by Fisker GmbH does not involve other divisions of the company, which will continue to operate normally. Fisker has been under financial strain since February when it first raised concerns about its financial viability. The company is contending with intense competition and reduced consumer spending amid challenging economic conditions. In an email statement, a…

Toronto-based self-driving technology company Waabi has inaugurated a new autonomous trucking terminal in Texas, marking a significant step towards its goal of implementing driverless operations in the state. The terminal, strategically located in Lancaster, a city in the southern suburbs of Dallas, spans an expansive eight acres and has been custom-built to cater specifically to autonomous trucks. The facility boasts several key features designed to support autonomous trucking operations, including a spacious area dedicated to trailer parking, a 24,700 square-foot office and maintenance shop, high-speed data offload capabilities, a fuel station, weighing scales, as well as pre-trip and post-trip inspection…

Volvo Cars, the Sweden-based automaker majority-owned by China’s Geely Holding, announced a substantial 27% increase in sales for April compared to the previous year, with a total of 65,838 cars sold. The surge was predominantly driven by the growing demand for electric and hybrid vehicles in key markets. In a statement released on Monday, Volvo Cars highlighted the remarkable growth in sales of fully electric cars, which soared by 94% in April, constituting 26% of the total global sales volume for the month. The European market emerged as Volvo Cars’ stronghold, experiencing a significant 65% spike in sales, with 34,238…

Mini has initiated a recall of more than 100 units of the 2021-2023 Cooper SE model due to a potential issue with the high-voltage battery housing, which may allow water ingress. The company announced that during the assembly of the high-voltage battery housings, there may have been insufficient sealing compound between the two housing halves, leading to the possibility of water entering the high-voltage battery. According to Mini, if water does enter the battery, an isolation fault will be triggered, and a warning message will be displayed. As more water leaks into the battery, there is a risk of multiple…

Joby Aviation has announced the completion of testing for its pre-production aircraft. The company is now set to pursue airworthiness certification using its production-intent eVTOL prototypes. Joby Aviation has emerged as a prominent player in the advanced air mobility (AAM) market, with its pioneering efforts in eVTOL technology. The company achieved a major milestone in October 2023, conducting its first flight with a pilot onboard, followed by a live demonstration in New York City. It is on track to commence full-fledged air taxi operations by 2025. Following substantial initial funding and a grant in California, Joby has been actively establishing…

The BT Group (British Telecommunications) has achieved a milestone by installing its first electric vehicle (EV) charging station powered from a street cabinet. The company aims to install 600 such locations on a trial basis as part of its efforts to drive innovation and support the transition to electrification in the UK. Located in East Lothian, Scotland, BT’s first EV charger is already operational, with plans to focus on West Yorkshire for the next installation. The charger, featuring two charging points, requires EV drivers to download a trial app from the App Store or Google Play Store. Charging is free…

Volkswagen has announced significant upgrades to its ID.3 electric vehicle lineup, including a new model variant and enhancements to software, interior, and charging capabilities. The latest updates to the ID.3 follow a slight facelift in spring 2023 and are described by Volkswagen as an “extensive upgrade.” One notable change is the introduction of the ID.3 Pro S, which now boasts increased power, up from 150 to 170 kW. This model is standard in the German market, while customers in other markets can opt for a function-on-demand upgrade to achieve the higher power output. The ID.3 Pro S retains the same…

Mazda has unveiled its latest electric saloon, the Mazda EZ-6, at Auto China in Beijing, developed in collaboration with partner Changan and designed specifically for the Chinese market. The Mazda EZ-6 is positioned as the successor to the previous combustion-powered Mazda6 saloon, now featuring an electric drive system, though not exclusively electric. Mazda will offer the EZ-6 as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) with an expected range of around 600 kilometres, as well as a plug-in hybrid variant. Technical specifications for both versions have not yet been released, but reports suggest that the plug-in hybrid model may function more as…

Polestar, the Sweden-based electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced a significant achievement in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nine percent per car sold in 2023. This reduction, equivalent to an average of 3.4 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions per car, was made possible through various initiatives focused on renewable power, efficient batteries, and cleaner materials. The company’s efforts align with its goal to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2040. Polestar credits the reduction to three key areas of focus in its production process: the use of materials with lower climate impacts, the use of renewable electricity…

Nissan, in a bid to bolster its electric vehicle (EV) sales, is gearing up to unveil a new Micra EV later this year, targeting cost-conscious consumers with its latest addition to the electric car market. The upcoming Micra EV has been long anticipated, initially teased as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance’s roadmap for electric mobility. Nissan’s move to introduce an entry-level EV aligns with the alliance’s ambitious investment of 23 billion euros ($24.5 billion) over five years to spearhead its EV initiatives. “This all-new model will be designed by Nissan and engineered and manufactured by Renault using our new common…

Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) has delivered the first Volvo L25 Electric wheel loader to a customer in Australia. The machine was handed over to Allworks WA Pty Ltd, marking a pivotal moment in the electrification of commercial job sites. Melker Jernberg, Head of Volvo Construction Equipment, personally delivered the L25 Electric to Allworks, alongside CJD Equipment, the brand’s dealer. “We are proud to demonstrate that sustainable solutions are not just a promise for tomorrow, but a real innovation for today,” stated Bertrand Collette, Head of Market Area Oceania at Volvo CE. He emphasized that these electric solutions, proven in other…

LG Energy Solution’s ambitious project to construct a major battery manufacturing complex in Arizona is progressing smoothly, with completion expected within two years. The company provided updates on its USD 5.5 billion facility during a stakeholder meeting at Combs High School near Queen Creek, where the complex is situated. The complex comprises two manufacturing facilities, marking LG Energy Solution’s first stand-alone cylindrical and ESS (Energy Storage System) battery plants in North America. The cylindrical battery plant, named LG Energy Solution Arizona, will produce 46-Series batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), showcasing the company’s technological prowess in EV battery applications. As LG…

Fisker, once a beacon of hope in the world of automotive startups, now faces a bleak future, leaving owners of its vehicles in a state of uncertainty and financial loss. One such case is Edmunds, which purchased a Fisker Ocean Extreme in January for its long-term test fleet, paying a hefty $69,012 for the fully loaded electric vehicle. Just two months later, the value of their investment has plummeted, thanks in part to Fisker’s decision to slash prices by nearly 40 percent. The drastic price cut has thrown the resale value of existing Fisker vehicles into disarray. Why would anyone…

SK On has announced a partnership with Ferrari to advance innovations in battery cell technology. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two companies aims to explore new possibilities and potential solutions to enhance cell technology, though specific details about the technologies or formats involved were not disclosed. SK On has been Ferrari’s exclusive battery partner since 2019, supplying battery cells for Ferrari’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). These batteries have been used in models such as the SF90 Stradale supercar, SF90 Spider convertible, 296 GTB, and 296 GTS. The MoU signifies a deeper collaboration between the two companies…

Nissan has revealed its new strategic plan, “The Arc,” with ambitious goals to achieve cost parity between electric vehicles (EVs) and combustion engines by 2030 and increase sales of electric cars by one million vehicles over the next three years. As part of the plan, Nissan aims to reduce the cost of its next generation of electric cars by 30 per cent compared to the current Ariya model and achieve cost parity between EVs and combustion engines by the end of the decade. This cost reduction will be facilitated by introducing modular production, which is expected to reduce production time…

Tesla has expanded its owner referral program rewards by adding free premium connectivity, as the company ramps up incentives at the end of the quarter. The automaker overhauled its owner referral program last year, shifting to a credit-based system where owners earn credits for referring new buyers. These credits can be redeemed for various rewards, including accessories, free Supercharging miles, or raffle entries. Previously, new buyers using a referral code received 3 months of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) Capability package. Now, Tesla has updated its program to include a new perk for buyers: 1 year of premium connectivity. While all…