Author: James Bryant

Ford is implementing a series of price adjustments for its popular F-150 Lightning model in 2024, signaling changes in response to market dynamics and corporate strategies. Over its existence, the F-150 Lightning has undergone numerous price fluctuations. The base price, which started at $39,990 at launch, has seen fluctuations, reaching a high of $59,974 and later settling at $49,995 last year. The latest adjustments indicate a mix of increases and decreases across different trim levels. See also: Ford Adjusts F-150 Lightning Production Plans in Response to Shifting Market Demand Upon initial inspection, lower trim models are witnessing price hikes of…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng has rapidly expanded the coverage of its Navigation Guided Pilot (XNGP) assisted driving feature, reaching over 200 cities within a short span. This move follows the recent announcement of completing coverage in 52 cities just four days ago. Xpeng’s XNGP, comparable to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD), now spans 243 cities, adding 191 new cities to its coverage. The company aims for XNGP to offer driver assistance across various scenarios, including highways, city roads, internal campus roads, and parking lots. Initially introduced on highways as Highway NGP, Xpeng gradually extended its coverage to urban areas, known…

Ford’s ambitious shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is encountering hurdles, with reports indicating a significant portion of its U.S. dealership network opting out of the automaker’s aggressive EV push. As per recent information, approximately half of Ford’s dealerships have chosen to exclusively focus on combustion-powered and hybrid cars in 2024, marking a deviation from the anticipated support for the company’s “Model e” program. CEO Jim Farley had previously announced that Ford had secured commitments from about two-thirds of its dealerships for the Model e initiative. However, recent figures reveal that only 50% of Ford’s 3,100 dealerships have enrolled in the…

Volkswagen announced on Tuesday that it will cover the subsidies for buyers of its ID. all-electric vehicles, following the premature termination of a state scheme by the German government. The offer is applicable to private customers in Germany who placed orders for eligible vehicles from the ID. all-electric range before December 15, the automaker stated. Vehicles delivered and registered in the current year will receive the full subsidy, amounting to a maximum of 6,750 euros ($7,386). Those registered between January 1 and March 31 will receive a reduced subsidy of 4,500 euros, aligning with the revised state scheme before its…

Tesla has updated its website, indicating that as of December 31, 2023, the $7,500 federal tax credit will cease to apply to the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive and Model 3 Long Range variants. Previously, the company had communicated a reduction to $3,750 for these models starting January 1, 2024. This change in messaging has heightened urgency among potential buyers to place orders and take delivery before the year-end deadline. Earlier this year, Tesla faced uncertainty regarding federal subsidies as concerns were raised, particularly by Senator Joe Manchin, about the generosity of electric vehicle (EV) subsidies for cars equipped with batteries…

GreenPower Motor Company has commenced the rollout of its inaugural electric school buses manufactured at the newly established factory in West Virginia. The company’s Type A Nano BEAST (Battery Electric Automotive School Transportation) buses will be delivered to school districts in Cabell County, Clay County, Kanawha County, and Monongalia County in West Virginia. The Type A Nano BEAST, equipped with a 150 kW max electric motor and a LiFePo4 battery capacity of 118 kWh, marks itself as the only purpose-built Type A electric school bus currently available. With seating for up to 24 passengers, the bus offers a range of…

The global electric vehicle (EV) battery consumption witnessed a substantial surge from January to October, reaching 552.2 gigawatt-hours (GWh), marking a notable 44.0 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to data released by South Korean market research firm SNE Research. Leading the charge in the power battery market, CATL saw its installations rise to 203.8 GWh during the aforementioned period, reflecting a remarkable 51.1 percent growth from 134.9 GWh in the corresponding timeframe last year. Maintaining its dominance, CATL maintained its position as the world’s top battery supplier with a market share of 36.9 percent, being…

Renault’s enduring alliance partners, Nissan and Mitsubishi, have officially disclosed their plans to invest in the French automaker’s electric vehicle (EV) unit, Ampere, with a focus on developing EVs tailored for the European market. The joint announcement, made on Wednesday, signals a shift towards a more pragmatic and regionally centered collaboration between the three automakers. Nissan and Mitsubishi have committed investments of up to 600 million euros ($647.46 million) and 200 million euros in Ampere, an entity separated from Renault and slated for a public listing in the coming year. Nissan’s investment positions it as a “strategic investor” in Ampere,…

The European Union’s car market experienced substantial growth in October 2023, with new registrations soaring by 14.6% to reach 855,484 units, marking the fifteenth consecutive month of expansion. Prominent double-digit percentage increases were observed in key markets, including France (+21.9%), Italy (+20%), and Spain (+18.1%). However, the German car market reported a more modest year-on-year increase of 4.9%. Over the first ten months of 2023, new car registrations demonstrated a robust 16.7% increase, totaling nearly nine million units. Noteworthy growth was observed in all markets except for Hungary, with the four largest markets – Italy (+20.4%), Spain (+18.5%), France (+16.5%),…

Chinese premium electric car brand HiPhi, a product of Human Horizons, has introduced the HiPhi A, a high-performance electric hypercar with a formidable 960 kW power output. The unveiling took place at the Guangzhou Auto Show, offering a glimpse into the future of electric mobility. However, production is slated to commence after a period following the premiere. The HiPhi A boasts impressive performance metrics, with a claimed acceleration from 0 to 100 kph in just over two seconds and a top speed approaching 300 kph. This electric hypercar marks a significant milestone for HiPhi as it showcases the brand’s first…

Chinese automaker Xpeng has officially revealed details about its latest electric vehicle, the Xpeng X9, confirming prior leaks. The electric van will be available in three variants, two featuring a 235 kW electric motor in the front, and an all-wheel-drive version with an additional 135 kW electric motor in the rear. The variants with a single electric motor will utilize LFP cells from Eve Energy, boasting capacities of 84.5 kWh and 101.5 kWh. The front-wheel-drive model and the all-wheel-drive variant will use NMC cells from CALB, offering a 101.5 kWh capacity. Built on the SEPA 2.0 architecture with rear-axle steering…

Bonnet, the largest charging app in the UK and Europe, has introduced its new ‘Boost’ premium features, designed to provide users with potential savings of up to £227 annually. Following a successful Premium Beta trial conducted since August 2023, Bonnet has leveraged valuable insights gathered during this period to enhance its Boost subscription program, with thousands of drivers already enrolled. The Boost subscription offers two tiers: the ‘Light Boost’ subscription, priced at £2 per month, and the ‘Turbo Boost’ subscription, available at £8 per month. Customers opting for the Light Boost subscription will enjoy a 10% discount on all Bonnet…

Tesla has introduced a promotional offer for buyers of its Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV in North America. The electric car manufacturer revealed that customers purchasing these models can avail six months of complimentary Supercharging by utilizing a valid referral link and completing their vehicle delivery before December 31. This move is in line with Tesla’s strategy of providing additional incentives to stimulate sales, particularly towards the end of the year or specific quarter closes. Last December, the company offered discounts of up to $7,500 on inventory Model 3 and Model Y units and provided up to 10,000…

Human Horizons, the Chinese premium electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, renowned for its HiPhi brand, is reportedly in negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), for a potential investment of at least $250 million. This strategic move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to strengthen its domestic auto industry by supporting local carmakers. Citing individuals familiar with the matter, a report by Bloomberg on November 7 revealed that discussions are underway, with the PIF considering a stake in the Shanghai-based company valuing it at approximately $3 billion. An agreement could materialize as early as this year. Human…

China’s lithium battery industry is set to grapple with overcapacity issues through 2024, leading to a further decline in power battery prices in the coming year, according to a report released by market research firm TrendForce. Despite a positive outlook for China’s lithium battery exports in 2024, the ongoing expansion of production capacity throughout this year will contribute to a persistent overcapacity situation, the report highlighted. In October, China’s average power battery cell prices continued to experience a downward trend, although the rate of decline was somewhat moderated compared to previous months, the report noted. Specifically, power cells for electric…

Hyundai has expanded its Australian line-up with a new entry-level version of the Ioniq 6, aiming to compete with the Tesla Model 3 in the region. Priced at AU$65,500 ($42,123) plus on-road costs, the base model features a smaller battery and reduced power, offering a more affordable starting point for consumers. This development aligns with a series of changes introduced for the 2024 model year. Equipped with a 53 kWh battery pack and a 111 kW (149 hp) rear axle motor, the base model claims a range of 429 km (266 miles) per charge with standard 18-inch wheels. Charging times…

Honda, a prominent player in the automotive and motorcycle industry, has taken a cue from its counterparts by introducing its very first electric bicycle, the Honda e-MTB Concept. This innovative e-bike made its debut at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, where it shared the spotlight with other groundbreaking revelations from leading Japanese motorcycle companies and automakers. The Honda e-MTB Concept stands out as a departure from the usual futuristic and sometimes far-fetched e-bike concepts. Rather, it boasts a design that appears ready for production, signaling an encouraging trend in the world of e-bike concepts. This development hints that some…

In the ever-evolving landscape of electric bikes, manufacturers are continuously pushing the boundaries of range and performance. Chinese e-mobility brand Fiido has just introduced its latest creation, the Fiido Titan, a robust, all-terrain electric bicycle that redefines the limits of endurance. This trailblazing e-bike is equipped with not one, not two, but three batteries, boasting a remarkable claimed range of up to 400 kilometers on a single charge. Fiido, renowned for its budget-friendly yet dependable two-wheelers, takes a departure from its typical offerings with the Titan. This fat-tire e-bike, designed to tackle various terrains, combines elements of a commuter bike…

Volkswagen, a key player in the automotive industry, has postponed its decision regarding the construction of its fourth battery plant in an eastern European location due to diminishing demand for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). This decision follows Volkswagen’s earlier announcement of remarkable BEV sales growth in the first nine months of 2023, alongside shrinking order banks, reflecting a broader trend of sluggish demand impacting multiple automakers. In a statement released by Skoda, Volkswagen Group’s CEO, Oliver Blume, cited market conditions, particularly the sluggish progress of the BEV market in Europe, as the primary reason for deferring the decision. He emphasized…

Ghana is set to open its inaugural lithium mine, as Barari DV Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium, secures a 15-year mining lease agreement with special provisions for state revenue. The deal marks a policy shift in the country’s resource management, increasing both the state’s stake and royalty fees in the mining project. Scheduled to commence operations in Q2 2025, the mine aims to reach a full production capacity of 365,000 tonnes of lithium per year by 2026. The Ghanaian government has renegotiated the royalty rate from a standard 5% to an elevated 10%, while the state’s “free carried…