Author: Jackson Han

Baidu’s autonomous vehicle service, Apollo Go, has received approval to conduct robotaxi trials in Hong Kong, marking a significant expansion outside mainland China. The Hong Kong Transport Department issued the first pilot license for an autonomous vehicle on December 8, 2024, allowing Apollo Go to operate 10 robotaxis on North Lantau Island. Although the statement did not directly name Baidu, the license was granted to Baidu Apollo International Ltd., the operator of the Apollo Go platform. The license, valid until December 8, 2029, permits the operation of one autonomous private vehicle at a time on designated roads. During the trial…

BYD has launched its new car carrier, the BYD Changzhou, marking an important step in expanding its transportation capabilities for the export of new energy vehicles (NEVs). The vessel, which is BYD’s second ro-ro ship, began operations after its delivery, as announced by Wang Junbao, general manager of BYD Corporate Division, on Weibo. The BYD Changzhou, which departed from the ports of Lianyungang and Taicang in Jiangsu province, is on its way to Europe, carrying nearly 5,000 BYD NEVs. Wang highlighted the environmental benefits of the vessel, stating that it would contribute to cooling the planet by 1°C, though no…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) and BYD maintained their positions as the world’s largest EV battery manufacturers during the January-October 2024 period, as global electric vehicle battery installations surged by 25% year-on-year to 686.7 GWh, according to data released by South Korean market research firm SNE Research. CATL, the industry leader, reported a remarkable 28.3% increase in battery installations, reaching 252.8 GWh during the period. This solidified its dominance with a 36.8% global market share, up from 35.9% in the same period last year. The Chinese battery giant remains the only supplier to hold more than 30% of the…

Tesla has ramped up its marketing efforts in China as it aims to capitalize on the year-end car-buying season. Vice President of External Affairs, Grace Tao, has made multiple public statements highlighting the safety features of Tesla vehicles, with an assertive tone that reflects the company’s focus on building consumer confidence in its products. In a recent Weibo post, Tao emphasized that the Model 3 had received the highest 5-star ratings for both the China Electric Vehicle Fire Safety Index and the automotive fire safety certification. She pointed out that Tesla has never issued a global recall due to fire…

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…