Author: Ivan Popov

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer Leapmotor, supported by Stellantis NV, achieved a significant milestone in August with record vehicle deliveries, largely attributed to the success of its new C16 model. Leapmotor delivered 30,305 vehicles last month, marking the first instance in the company’s history of surpassing 30,000 deliveries in a single month. This represents a substantial 113.57 percent increase from 14,190 vehicles delivered in August of the previous year and a 37.17 percent rise from 22,093 units in July. The new C16 SUV played a major role in this achievement, contributing over 8,000 units to the total, according to…

Wallbox has received a $45 million investment aimed at ramping up production and increasing sales, particularly in the North American market. The majority of the investment, $35 million, comes from Wallbox’s existing partner, Generac Power Systems. This marks Generac’s second minority investment in Wallbox. Generac, a global designer and manufacturer of energy technology solutions and power products, enhances Wallbox’s capability to manufacture and sell its chargers. The company announced in May the launch of the next generation of its Supernova DC fast charging station, the Supernova 220, which will debut in European markets with a 220 kW output capacity. In…

A Tesla driver involved in a fatal crash with a motorcyclist in Seattle in April was distracted while using the vehicle’s automated driving system, according to Washington authorities. The crash resulted in the motorcyclist’s death at the scene. Washington State Patrol investigators determined the use of the Tesla Model S’ driver-assist system by analyzing data from the vehicle’s event data recorder. “The investigation is still ongoing in this case,” said Capt. Deion Glover in an email to the Associated Press, adding that the Snohomish County Prosecutor will decide if charges will be filed. https://evmagz.com/tesla-model-s-plaid-sets-new-record-with-8-56-second-quarter-mile-run/ Following the crash, the Tesla driver…

Chinese automaker Xpeng is preparing to launch a self-driving taxi within the next two years, with plans to debut the vehicle in 2026. Unlike Tesla, which aims to handle both the development and operation of its robotaxis, Xpeng intends to focus solely on vehicle development and will collaborate with partners for operation. He Xiaopeng, CEO of Xpeng, outlined the company’s strategy in a LinkedIn post, stating, “Regarding Robotaxi, Tesla aims to handle everything from the vehicle to operations, which differs from our approach. XPENG’s Robotaxi will follow a set pace and launch a highly competitive Robotaxi in 2026. Moreover, we…

Mitsubishi Motors has signed a nondisclosure agreement with Honda and Nissan, marking the beginning of discussions to join their automotive alliance. The collaboration will focus on software development and may extend to vehicle development. According to the Japanese business publication Nikkei, Mitsubishi is set to become a part of the alliance announced in March between Nissan and Honda. The primary goal of the partnership is to jointly develop software to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness in the electromobility sector. https://evmagz.com/mitsubishi-secures-order-for-3000-minicab-ev-units-from-japan-post/ Nissan currently holds a 34.01% stake in Mitsubishi. With the NDA in place, Mitsubishi is now negotiating with both Honda…

Opel has unveiled updated pricing for the revised Zafira Electric, with the base model now starting at €47,550 in Germany, a reduction of over €15,000 from previous prices. The revised pricing reflects changes in the standard equipment of the vehicle. Originally presented in December 2023, the updated Zafira Electric features Opel’s new ‘Vizor’ design, part of a broader initiative by the Stellantis Group that includes the introduction of twelve new light commercial vehicles. The Zafira Electric, along with the Combo Electric, is part of this initiative. https://evmagz.com/opel-launches-frontera-electric-across-europe-starting-at-e28990-in-germany/ The vehicle is based on the EMP2 platform, a legacy from the PSA…

Porsche has released the first images of the camouflaged prototypes for its all-electric Cayenne, marking a significant milestone in the vehicle’s development. The German automaker confirmed that the new electric Cayenne will not be the sole variant offered in the model lineup. The all-electric Cayenne, part of its fourth generation, will utilize a “comprehensive further development” of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) with an 800-volt architecture. Porsche plans to debut this platform with the new Macan, which will be exclusively electric in Europe. The PPE aims to enhance high-voltage systems, powertrain, and chassis technologies. “The flexibility of the PPE architecture…

Tesla’s Cybertruck, a vehicle that has sparked both admiration and criticism, is proving to be a commercial success. Contrary to claims that the all-electric pickup truck is a failure, recent sales data indicates otherwise. In May, the Cybertruck registered 3,907 units, making it the fifth best-selling electric vehicle in the United States for the month, according to S&P Global Mobility. This performance is notable given that the Cybertruck is still in its limited edition Foundation Series, priced at over $100,000. Tom Libby, associate director of industry analysis at S&P Global Mobility, expressed surprise at the Cybertruck’s rapid ascent in the…

BYD executive Lu Tian today unveiled a video on Weibo showcasing the upcoming hybrid SUV, Song L DM-i, suggesting its launch may be on the horizon. Lu Tian, general manager of BYD’s Dynasty lineup sales division, highlighted distinct features of the Song L DM-i, contrasting it with the previously launched Song L battery electric vehicle (BEV) and the Sea Lion 07 EV under BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 Evo platform. The Song L DM-i, positioned as a mid-size SUV, is anticipated to integrate BYD’s DM 5.0 hybrid system, akin to the Qin L DM-i hybrid sedan. This technology promises improved fuel efficiency…

Hyundai Motor Company is set to introduce a new electric micro SUV tailored specifically for the Indian market, aiming for a 2026 launch as part of its strategy to expand its electric vehicle (EV) lineup. According to a report by Autocar Professional, the South Korean automaker is developing the EV codenamed ‘HE1i’ to directly compete with Tata’s Punch.ev in India. Unlike its existing models like the Inster (Casper EV), Hyundai will differentiate the HE1i by catering to local customer preferences rather than deriving it from petrol-powered or other electric vehicle platforms. The HE1i will be built on Hyundai’s born-electric car…

Samsung SDI  has clinched a significant deal worth 1 trillion won ($726 million) to supply batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) to NextEra Energy Inc., a major US clean energy company. Under the deal, Samsung SDI will provide 6.3 gigawatt hours (GWh) of ESS batteries, marking approximately 11.5% of the total ESG capacity in North America last year. This agreement is poised to bolster Samsung SDI’s position in the ESS market, which has seen a surge in demand amidst global efforts to expand solar power installations. The news has already buoyed Samsung SDI’s stock prices, rising by as much as…

Delhi-based MegaCabs, a prominent player in India’s taxi service sector, is set to bolster its fleet with 2,000 electric vehicles (EVs) across key metro cities including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Goa, according to a recent announcement. “We are deploying these 2,000 electric vehicles in strategic locations such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Goa,” said Kunal Lalani, Founder of MegaCabs Limited. Partnering with Gurugram-based XPulse, MegaCabs aims to ensure its EV fleet remains fully operational with dedicated charging hubs and public charging stations strategically located in these urban centers and tourist hotspots. “Our advanced charging infrastructure will ensure that MegaCabs’ EV…