Author: James Bryant

The Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferry will make its debut in New Zealand, transporting staff to and from the country’s largest hydro power station, the Manapōuri Power Station. This marks the first time the electric vessel is delivered outside of Europe. The electric water taxi is set to go into operation in 2025. Meridian Energy, the operator of the power station, estimates that transporting staff and contractors by boat will remove the equivalent of 52 petrol cars from the road and save 240 tons of carbon emissions per year. The company aims to reduce its emissions by 50 per cent…

French energy company SMEG is accelerating the expansion of its fast-charging network in France through a strategic partnership with Dutch manufacturer EVBox. SMEG has placed an order for 300 fast-charging stations with a power range of 120 to 180 kW, which will be deployed at more than 100 commercial locations across the country. The EVBox Troniq Modular charging stations supplied by EVBox will be integrated into SMEG’s EVzen charging network. SMEG, short for Société Monégasque de l’Electricité et du Gaz (Monegasque Electricity and Gas Company), is part of the Engie Group and has a workforce of 155 employees. While SMEG…

Shares of Chinese power battery giant CATL, traded in Shenzhen, surged in early trading after Morgan Stanley upgraded its rating and price target. Morgan Stanley raised its target price on CATL by 14 percent to RMB 210, citing an inflection point in its fundamentals. “As the price war draws to a close, CATL is poised to increase cost efficiency through a new generation of large-scale production lines, which is expected to widen its advantage in terms of return on net assets,” said Morgan Stanley analyst Jack Lu’s team in a recent research note. The team highlighted multiple inflection points in…

Nissan has officially opened sales for the Ariya Nismo in Japan, following its unveiling of the spiced-up electric SUV back in January. The Ariya Nismo, touted as a flagship EV by Nissan, offers extra power and more aggressive styling compared to the standard model. Customers can choose between a 66 kWh or 91 kWh battery, matching the options available for the conventional Ariya. The Nismo versions are expected to deliver ranges fairly close to the 330 km and 438 km EPA-rated ranges of the standard Ariya. See also: Nissan Slashes Prices on 2024 Ariya Electric SUV to Boost Sales The…

BMW has unveiled a new strategy aimed at enticing electric vehicle (EV) owners, including those with Tesla models, to switch to its electric offerings. Dubbed the ‘2024 BEV Conquest Program,’ the initiative offers cash incentives to owners of select EV brands to make the switch to BMW’s electric models. Under this program, BMW is offering a US$1,000 incentive to owners of various EV brands, including Tesla, Audi e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQB, EQE, and EQS, Polestar, Porsche Taycan, Rivian, Lucid Air, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Volkswagen ID.4, to name a few. This regional offer is currently available only in the western states…

Tesla has upped the ante on its end-of-quarter delivery incentives, now offering 10,000 free Supercharging miles to Tesla owners who trade in for a new vehicle by the month’s end. It has become customary for Tesla to provide additional incentives to customers to encourage deliveries by the end of each quarter, commonly known as “end-of-quarter incentives.” These incentives often come in the form of direct discounts or complimentary features, such as a 3-month subscription to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving package or free Supercharging miles. See also: Tesla’s Supercharger Network Opening to Non-Tesla EVs Could Become a Billion-Dollar Business Recently, Tesla had been…

Bosch has revealed significant updates to its eBike’s smart system, introducing new features such as an automatic changing screen layout, enhanced fitness and health monitoring capabilities, and increased customization options. The latest updates allow users to access relevant riding data, including heart rate, performance metrics, and elevation graphs, directly on the bike’s smart screen and within the eBike Flow app’s ride screen. See also: Bosch Enhances E-Bike Security with Innovative Kiox Screen Lock Feature The new smart screen adapts automatically to the riding situation and can be synchronized with a user’s smartwatch or other health care wearables, providing a seamless experience.…

Samsung SDI is setting its sights on achieving an energy density of 900 watt hours per litre (Wh/L) with its solid-state batteries, with plans underway for mass production to commence in 2027. This announcement marks a significant step for the South Korean battery manufacturer, which has so far refrained from making definitive statements regarding series production readiness. In a press release for InterBattery 2024, scheduled to begin on March 6 in Seoul, Samsung SDI explicitly refers to an “all solid-state battery,” distinguishing it from battery cells with semi-solid electrolytes, which are sometimes also referred to as solid-state batteries. While Samsung…

Ford Motor Company reported a notable increase in its U.S. vehicle sales in February, with 165,693 vehicles sold, representing over 9% growth compared to the same period last year. The year-to-date sales also showed a positive trend, reaching 311,325 units, up 7% year-over-year. These figures come as a positive surprise for a company that some believed was experiencing an “EV slowdown.” See also: Ford Mustang Mach-E Offers Up to $18,500 Discounts in the US, But Availability Limited Of particular interest is Ford’s performance in the electric vehicle (EV) segment, where the company saw significant growth last month. Ford’s all-electric vehicle sales…

The Canadian province of Alberta has announced a new $200 annual tax on electric vehicle (EV) owners, aiming to generate funds for road improvements. The tax, set to be implemented by January 1, 2025, is intended to offset the additional wear and tear on provincial roads caused by EVs and their added weight. The government’s fiscal 2024-25 budget outlines the rationale behind the tax, noting that it roughly equals the average amount in fuel taxes paid annually by owners of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. See also: Tesla Executive Aims for Cybertruck Sales in Canada Soon The tax is expected to…

BYD Auto Japan has unveiled the refreshed Atto 3, a midsize electric sport utility vehicle, and is preparing to open a new showroom in Tokyo. This showroom marks the company’s 22nd in Japan and fourth in Tokyo, emphasizing its commitment to environmentally friendly mobility. At a press conference in Tokyo, Atsuki Tofukuji, President of BYD Auto Japan, expressed satisfaction with the brand’s showroom expansion, stating, “Our showroom network has grown steadily, and we are committed to providing more opportunities for customers to interact with our products.” See also: BYD Secures Over 20% of Japan’s EV Imports Last Year, Signifying Rapid Market…

Chery’s new electric vehicle (EV) brand, iCAR, has introduced its first model, the iCAR 03 electric SUV, aimed at capturing a younger demographic. The launch follows the brand’s debut in April 2023. Unveiled on February 28, the iCAR 03 is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) with a distinct boxy design, positioned as a vehicle tailored for young consumers. Available in six variants, including three single-motor and three dual-motor options, the iCAR 03 is priced starting from RMB 109,800 ($15,260) and goes up to RMB 169,800. The SUV measures 4,406 mm in length, 1,910 mm in width, and 1,715 mm in…

Stellantis has announced the initiation of a €3 billion share buyback program, with the first tranche being executed through an agreement with an investment firm. The agreement, covering a maximum amount of €1 billion, signifies a significant financial move for the global automaker. The investment firm will make trading decisions independently, ensuring an impartial process. The first tranche of the program is scheduled to commence on February 28, 2024, and conclude no later than June 5, 2024. As part of the program, Stellantis plans to cancel most of the common shares acquired, aiming to optimize its capital structure. However, the…

Electric vehicle giant Tesla has announced the rollout of its new “Charge on Solar” function in several European countries and other select markets. This feature, available via a software update for the Tesla app, allows Tesla vehicles to charge using only excess solar energy produced by a Tesla solar system. To utilize this feature, customers must have a Tesla vehicle (all models are supported), a Tesla Powerwall as a home storage unit, and a Tesla Wall Connector as a wall box charging station, in addition to a photovoltaic system on their roof. Tesla has specified that its surplus charging function…

Hyundai Motor Group has announced plans to accelerate production at its new electric car plant in Bryan County, Georgia, with operations now set to commence in the fourth quarter of 2024, ahead of the initially scheduled first half of 2025. The facility, located in Bryan County, is expected to manufacture up to 300,000 electric vehicles and batteries annually for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands. The decision to expedite construction, which began in October 2022, was motivated by changes in US electric car subsidies. See also: Hyundai and Kia Partner with Top South Korean University for Next-Gen Autonomous Driving Sensor Although the…

Vauxhall has introduced the special edition Corsa Electric #YES, featuring sporty styling and an exclusive Record Red paint finish, paired with a fully electric 136PS powertrain. Priced at £26,895, the Corsa Electric YES Edition significantly reduces the entry point to the Corsa Electric line-up by £5,550. Building on Vauxhall’s vibrant advertising campaign for the New Corsa, which emphasizes simplicity, excitement, and electric mobility, the Corsa Electric YES Edition brings this campaign to life. See also: Vauxhall Launches Orders for Astra Sports Tourer Electric, Priced at £39,995 This special edition of the UK’s best-selling supermini for the past three years features eye-catching…

Hyundai is accelerating towards an electrified future, leaving behind the roar of internal combustion engines in favor of the silent speed of electric motors. The latest casualty of this electric revolution is the i30 N and i20 N, two beloved models that have been discontinued in Europe to make way for Hyundai’s electric ambitions. The all-electric Ioniq 5 N has quickly become the star of Hyundai’s lineup, winning over testers and enthusiasts alike with its thrilling performance. In Europe, it now stands alone as the sole full N car, carrying the torch for Hyundai’s high-performance division. See also: Watch the Drift…

In the quest to democratize electric vehicles (EVs), affordability is a key factor. In countries like China, where EVs have seen widespread adoption, low raw material prices play a crucial role. However, in the United States, the path to electrification is more intricate, with the impact of decreasing raw material prices expected to be felt significantly by the end of the decade, according to new research by the International Council On Clean Transportation (ICCT). EV batteries, a critical component of electric vehicles, require minerals such as lithium, nickel, manganese, and graphite. The demand for these minerals has surged in recent…

Volvo Cars intends to decrease its stake in the electric car brand Polestar to 18% by selling shares worth 9.5 billion crowns (approximately 850 million euros) to its shareholders. The transaction, expected to be finalized this spring, marks Volvo’s strategic shift to focus on its core development while maintaining operational ties with Polestar. The decision to reduce its financial involvement in Polestar, a joint venture with Geely, was announced earlier this month. Volvo Cars plans to sell 62.7% of its shares in Polestar to its shareholders, leaving it with an 18% stake post-transaction, down from its current 48%. See also: Polestar…

The recent imposition of tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China to the United States aims to prevent a flood of inexpensive imports that could threaten domestic jobs in the auto industry. However, Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis, has expressed a lack of concern regarding the Biden administration’s moves to protect Western carmakers from their Far Eastern rivals. Tavares stated, “I’m not asking for any kind of protection because we are a global company, so I will not be protected everywhere.” He emphasized that Stellantis must compete globally, including against Chinese automakers in various regions such as Latin…