Author: Jackson Han

Nio is set to launch its Banyan 3.1.0 system in January 2025, introducing new smart driving features powered by an end-to-end artificial intelligence (AI) large model architecture. According to a report by local media outlet AutoPix, the upcoming system will mark a significant step forward for the Chinese automaker, which currently offers eight models in China—ranging from the ES8 to the ET5 Touring—all based on the NT 2.0 technology platform. The Banyan 3.1.0 system follows the earlier launch of Banyan 3.0.0, which focused on enhancing the smart cockpit, smart chassis, and incorporating AI technologies. “Nio’s smart driving team is expediting…

Polestar has expanded the Polestar 3 lineup with the introduction of a new entry-level Long Range Single Motor variant, which is now being produced at the company’s Charleston, South Carolina facility. Starting at $67,500 before the $1,400 destination fee, this new version offers a more affordable option compared to the dual-motor all-wheel drive model, which is priced $5,900 higher. The Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor offers an impressive EPA-estimated range of up to 350 miles (563 km), surpassing the dual-motor variant by 35 miles (56 km). However, the tradeoff comes with a rear-mounted motor delivering 295 hp (220 kW…

The European Commission has called for an additional €1 billion in EU funds to bolster electric vehicle (EV) battery cell manufacturing, as the sector faces mounting pressure. This proposal is part of a broader €4.6 billion allocation from the EU’s Innovation Fund aimed at supporting net-zero technologies and renewable hydrogen projects within the bloc. The call for additional funds comes as European EV manufacturers grapple with heightened competition, particularly from Asia, and slower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles. These challenges have affected job stability across the region. EU Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra emphasized the need for investment in critical sectors, stating, “As…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) set a new monthly delivery record in November, reaching 30,895 units, driven by strong sales of its recently launched P7+ sedan and Mona M03 model. The latest figures represent a 54.16% increase from 20,041 deliveries in the same month last year and a 29.18% rise from October’s 23,917 units. It marks the first time Xpeng has surpassed the 30,000 mark and the third consecutive month of record-breaking deliveries. “The Mona M03 continued to deliver more than 10,000 units in November, while the P7+ accumulated over 7,000 deliveries just 23 days after its launch,”…

Chinese battery giant CATL has unveiled a new lineup of batteries under its Tectrans brand, designed specifically for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Announced on November 25, the new series includes supercharging, long-life, long-range, and durable versions, further broadening the Tectrans product range initially launched in July. The Tectrans batteries address critical issues in heavy commercial vehicle electrification, including limited range, prolonged charging times, and battery lifespan degradation. CATL claims its supercharging-enabled batteries feature a peak 4 C charging rate, enabling 70% charge in just 15 minutes. With a capacity of 600 kWh and a range of up to 500 kilometers, these…

Volkswagen, Northvolt’s largest shareholder, has significantly written down the value of its 21% stake in the Swedish battery cell manufacturer following the company’s recent bankruptcy protection filing in the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter. The writedowns reflect Northvolt’s repeated struggles to meet production targets and a weaker-than-anticipated surge in electric vehicle demand in Europe. These adjustments at Volkswagen have occurred throughout 2024, though the company has not disclosed the current valuation of its stake. At the end of 2023, Volkswagen valued its holding at €693 million ($726 million), marking a nearly 25% decline from the previous…

SAIC Motor, one of China’s leading automakers, has announced plans to begin mass production of its second-generation solid-state battery (SSB) in 2026. The company revealed that the battery will feature an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, placing it among the highest-performing solutions in the market. This move aligns SAIC with other major Chinese firms such as Chery, GAC, CATL, BYD, and GWM, all competing to bring advanced solid-state batteries to the automotive sector. In April 2024, SAIC-backed IM Motors introduced the IM L6 electric car, equipped with a semi-solid-state Lightyear battery. The battery, boasting a 900V high-voltage system and a…

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is providing a RMB 10,000 ($1,380) discount on two variants of its Model Y in China until December 31, as speculation grows about a potential update to the popular crossover. The discount applies to the entry-level rear-wheel-drive and long-range all-wheel-drive versions but excludes the higher-priced all-wheel-drive Performance model. The offer covers customized, stock, and showroom vehicles, but not test drive or official used cars. Customers must finalize their purchase and take delivery by December 31 to benefit from the discount. This promotion comes as Tesla extends its 5-year, 0% interest financing program for all Model 3 and…

Volkswagen announced that its highly anticipated ID.2, the brand’s most affordable electric vehicle, remains on schedule to debut in late 2025. The compact EV, priced below $27,000 (€25,000), is expected to redefine the German automaker’s electric lineup, providing a new benchmark in affordability and design. Unveiled as the ID.2all concept earlier this year, the model emphasizes advanced technology and design inspired by Volkswagen’s iconic past, such as the Golf and Beetle. The company’s design chief, Andreas Mindt, has promised a production model that builds on the concept’s appeal, blending modern aesthetics with heritage elements. Mindt hinted that features like “Classic”…

China’s electric vehicle (EV) leader, BYD, is continuing its aggressive international expansion, with plans to build a new manufacturing plant in Cambodia. The facility will be strategically located alongside newly opened plants from Ford and Toyota, further solidifying Southeast Asia as a critical region for EV production. BYD’s remarkable growth shows no signs of slowing down. In October, the company surpassed a milestone by selling over 500,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in a single month, marking its fifth consecutive record-setting sales month. This achievement highlights BYD’s growing dominance in the EV market, as it continues to look beyond China’s increasingly…

Chery has announced the construction of the world’s first GWh-level all-solid-state battery production line in Wuhu, Anhui Province. Equipment for the facility was delivered to the site on November 18, marking a major step in the development of the project within the Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone, as reported by Anhui Daily. The production line is part of a larger project covering 150 mu (100,000 square meters) and is a collaboration between Anhui Anwa New Energy Co., Ltd. and the Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone. Anhui Anwa, founded in 2020 and controlled by Chery Holdings, also includes investors…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng dismissed concerns that U.S. restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports could disrupt its development of self-designed artificial intelligence chips. Vice President Charles Zhang assured on a post-earnings call that the mass production of Xpeng’s Turing system-on-chip (SOC) is “progressing well” with no reported impact from recent U.S. curbs. The U.S. Department of Commerce recently directed Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to halt shipments of advanced AI chips to Chinese firms, raising fears of potential repercussions. However, Zhang noted that Xpeng’s autonomous driving chip development remains unaffected. The Turing AI chip, unveiled on Nov. 6, supports…

BYD is reportedly advancing its efforts to develop an in-house smart driving chip, following similar moves by competitors like Nio and Xpeng. The chip is expected to feature a computing power of 80 TOPS (Tera Operations per Second) and is planned for integration into BYD models priced between RMB 80,000 ($11,060) and RMB 300,000. The development is led by BYD Semiconductor with technical support from select suppliers, according to a report by Chinese media outlet 36kr. This initiative aligns with BYD’s broader strategy to enhance vehicle intelligence across its lineup, including the introduction of intelligent driving systems in more affordable…

China has called on Germany to help mediate a dispute with the European Union over electric vehicle (EV) tariffs. Last month, the EU decided to raise tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China by as much as 45.3%. Beijing views Germany, its largest trading partner in Europe, as a key player in resolving the issue. During a meeting at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, China’s President Xi Jinping told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Beijing would continue to offer “broad market opportunities for German companies” in exchange for Germany’s support. “China regards Germany as an important…

Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn has extended its emission-free delivery service to cover all shops within Amsterdam’s city centre ring road. The company has increased its fleet of electric trucks and enhanced its charging infrastructure at the Home Shop Center (HSC) Amsterdam depot to support this expansion. The move builds on over a year of electric deliveries within the city. With this extension, Albert Heijn now delivers to a larger area, eight times the size of its original ‘zero-emission zone’ (ZE). The company currently delivers 10,000 customer orders per week to 82 shops within the city centre ring road using…

China’s push to diversify electric vehicle (EV) battery chemistries has reached a new milestone with sodium-ion technology, which could address limitations of lithium-ion batteries, particularly under extreme weather conditions. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL), the world’s largest battery maker, has announced breakthroughs in sodium-ion batteries, including the ability to perform reliably at temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Sodium-ion batteries operate similarly to lithium-ion cells, with ions shuttling between electrodes during charge and discharge cycles. However, sodium-ion technology offers potential advantages, including reduced thermal runaway risks, lower raw material costs, and enhanced resilience to temperature fluctuations. CATL’s second-generation…

Gotion High-tech, the Chinese battery giant backed by Volkswagen, has secured a significant investment for its battery production project in Morocco. On November 13, Gotion signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CDG Group, Morocco’s largest public financial investment institution, which plans to invest 300 million euros ($280 million) into the first phase of Gotion’s Moroccan project. The initial phase of the project will focus on the production of power batteries, energy storage batteries, and the manufacturing of cathode and anode materials. This phase is expected to create over 2,000 local jobs, Gotion announced. The collaboration with CDG will support…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, has confirmed its acquisition of a controlling 51% stake in Lynk & Co, marking a significant shift in the ownership structure of the electric vehicle brand. The deal, valued at approximately $2.5 billion, will see Zeekr purchase a 20% stake in Lynk & Co from Geely Holding for RMB 3.6 billion ($500 million) and a 30% stake from Volvo Cars for RMB 5.4 billion. Lynk & Co, founded in 2017 as a joint venture between Geely Auto and Volvo Cars, has undergone significant changes in its ownership as part…

Xiaomi EV, the automotive arm of Chinese tech giant Xiaomi Corp, celebrated a milestone as the 100,000th unit of its inaugural electric vehicle, the SU7, rolled off the production line. The achievement comes only 230 days after the launch of the SU7, signaling rapid production progress for the company’s new venture into the electric vehicle (EV) market. Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun announced the milestone on social media platform Weibo, remarking, “As a newcomer to the auto industry, this speed is already remarkable.” Lei shared that he visited the Xiaomi EV plant early in the day and spent some…

Tesla announced on Wednesday a recall of 2,431 of its recently launched Cybertruck electric pickups in the United States, citing a potential loss of drive power as the reason for the recall. This issue marks the sixth Cybertruck recall in 2023, and follows a similar move last month when Tesla recalled over 27,000 Cybertrucks due to delayed rear-view camera images that posed risks to driver visibility. According to Tesla’s filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Cybertrucks manufactured between Nov. 6, 2023, and July 30, 2024, could experience a fault in the drive inverter. This fault may prevent…