Author: Jackson Han

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has emphasized the seriousness of the Biden administration’s investigation into the security threat posed by Chinese connected vehicles, stating that a ban on these cars in the United States is a real possibility. Raimondo highlighted that such extreme action could be taken if the probe, initiated in February, concludes that Chinese connected vehicles pose a national security risk. She also mentioned the potential for allowing Chinese cars into the U.S. market but with restrictions in place. However, Raimondo noted that there is still much evaluation and analysis to be done before a decision is made regarding…

BYD’s ultra-luxury brand, Yangwang, will unveil its electric supercar, the U9, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, marking the vehicle’s debut in an overseas market. The U9 will be showcased at the prestigious motorsports festival, held in Goodwood, England, from July 11-14. Two U9s departed for the UK on May 7, beginning their journey to the event, according to Hu Xiaoqing, general manager of Yangwang sales division, who shared the news on Weibo. “We are very much looking forward to meeting supercar enthusiasts around the world at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July,” Hu stated. The Goodwood Festival…

Nio  is set to officially unveil its sub-brand, Onvo (known as Ledao in China), on May 15, with its inaugural model poised to compete directly with Tesla’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) Model Y. Onvo’s first offering, the Onvo L60, will enter the market targeting the smart, family-centric pure-play EV segment in the RMB 250,000 ($34,600) class, Nio announced. The company aims to redefine the standard for family cars with the Onvo L60, setting a new benchmark for the segment. The Model Y, a popular SUV in China, currently enjoys robust sales of tens of thousands of units monthly, with a starting price…

BMW’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, cautioned on Wednesday against imposing EU import duties on electric vehicles (EVs) from Chinese automakers, citing potential risks to the bloc’s Green Deal industrial plan and German automakers that rely on imports from China. The European Commission, responsible for trade policy in the EU, initiated an investigation in October into whether fully-electric cars manufactured in China were benefiting from distortive subsidies and warranted additional tariffs. Zipse expressed concerns, stating, “You could very quickly shoot yourself in the foot.” He emphasized that BMW, like its German competitors Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, imports Chinese-made vehicles into Europe and that…

Shenzhen, the renowned hub of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD, has achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the first city in China to surpass the number of supercharging plugs compared to traditional gas pumps. With direct government subsidies of “at least” $3.7 billion, as reported by Electrek in April, BYD has aggressively expanded its EV business, offering competitively priced vehicles that now require efficient fast-charging solutions. In response, Shenzhen, BYD’s hometown, has embraced the challenge, aiming to have as many supercharging stations as gas stations by 2025. In June 2023, Shenzhen unveiled its first fully liquid-cooled supercharging prototype station, a…

The Tesla Model 3 Highland has emerged as the leader in electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging capabilities, according to recent analysis by independent automotive research firm AMCI Testing. The analysis, known as “MP6,” aims to determine which EV models can add the most range within a six-minute window, equivalent to the duration of a typical gas station stop. AMCI Testing noted that the Model 3 Highland significantly outperformed previous top performers, particularly the Toyota bZ4X, which had previously held the top spot. The Tesla Model 3 Highland’s performance was attributed to its native Supercharger network, which delivered a maximum rate of…

The mass-market sub-brand of Nio, Onvo (known as Ledao in China), has launched its official website, offering a glimpse into its upcoming offerings. The website, onvo.cn, currently features minimal content, with a message in the center stating, “First model L60, stay tuned.” Apart from this, the site displays Onvo’s name in both English and Chinese, a logo, and a website filing number, providing limited information about the brand’s upcoming plans. This move comes after a previously leaked page hinted at more detailed content, which has since been reduced on the live site. Nio had briefly displayed similar information on its…

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has been awarded the Top Safety Pick+ status for 2024 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), highlighting its strong safety performance. The model excelled in rear-passenger protection during the revised moderate overlap front test. In comparison, Hyundai’s Santa Fe and Sonata secured the Top Safety Pick award, with slightly lower performance in the same evaluation. According to IIHS reports, the Ioniq 5 showed superior rear-passenger safety measures, with the dummy’s head maintaining a safe distance from the front seatback, indicating a low risk of head, neck, or chest injuries. In contrast, the Santa Fe…

FreeWire Technologies has announced plans to close its corporate headquarters in Newark, California, and lay off nearly all of its employees. The company, known for its innovative battery-based DC fast charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), had garnered significant attention recently for its technology and partnerships. FreeWire’s unique approach involves using batteries to store energy, allowing for fast charging without the need for expensive utility buildouts. This method has enabled them to provide a 200 kW DC fast charging experience at a fraction of the cost of traditional infrastructure, garnering praise from the Biden-Harris Administration and securing deals with major…

At the recent Paris Intermat show, German equipment manufacturer Kramer showcased its latest environmentally friendly offerings – the 5065e electric wheel loader and 1445e electric telehandler. Designed for noise-sensitive areas like city centers, cemeteries, golf courses, hotels, and suburban parks, Kramer’s electric wheel loader and telehandler operate quietly and emit zero harmful diesel particulate matter and other forms of air pollution. Christian Stryffeler, Kramer’s Managing Director, emphasized the company’s commitment to promoting its new electric vehicles (EVs) in the French market. “That’s why Intermat is an important platform for us,” Stryffeler stated. “We are also looking forward to showcasing our…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng has introduced its latest model, the G6 electric SUV, to the European market, marking its third offering in the region. The G6 is now available for order in the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, offering a compelling alternative to other electric SUVs, including the Tesla Model Y, at a more affordable price point. In the Netherlands, the Xpeng G6 starts at 42,990 euros, making it a more cost-effective option compared to the Tesla Model Y, which starts at 45,990 euros for the rear-wheel-drive version with a small battery. The price difference extends to other variants…

Tesla has disclosed that the Cybertruck’s front trunk, or ‘frunk,’ incorporates a ‘learning algorithm,’ shedding light on the reasons behind some of the inconsistent results observed in finger-pinching tests. Concerns have been raised regarding the sharp corners of the Cybertruck posing a potential hazard for users and pedestrians. The Cybertruck has garnered attention through numerous videos showing individuals using the frunk to cut vegetables and fruits. In a recent update, Tesla has improved the frunk’s object detection system. According to the automaker’s release notes: “The powered frunk can better detect obstructions just before it finishes closing.” Cybertruck owners who received…