Author: James Bryant

Apple’s Project Titan has been one of the most secretive endeavors in the automotive industry. The company has been working on this project for many years, with its ups and downs. Although it was reportedly almost scrapped at one point, it is now back to full speed. Thanks to regulatory filings and other public information, we get glimpses of what’s happening behind the scenes. Recently, macReports reached out to the DMV in California and pulled public records of autonomous vehicle testing, giving us a better understanding of the project’s progress. In California, every driver and vehicle involved in autonomous technology…

Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL) is set to begin mass production and delivery of batteries based on its new materials technology, M3P. This technology is expected to outperform nickel and cobalt-based batteries and is cheaper to produce. CATL’s chairman, Zeng Yuqun, said that M3P batteries will have a greater energy density and will perform better than lithium-ion phosphate batteries, which is currently a market CATL dominates. Speaking at an online investor briefing, Zeng said that CATL had been struggling to come up with a technologically feasible and competitive product based on solid-state batteries, a competing technology…

Amprius Technologies, a California-based company that emerged from a research project at Stanford University, announced today that an independent test lab has verified the performance of its high-energy, high-power lithium-ion battery with a silicon anode platform. The battery, which boasts a capacity of 500 Wh/kg and 1300 Wh/L, was tested by Mobile Power Solutions in Beaverton, Oregon. The lab assessed the battery’s compliance, safety, and performance and found that its cell model provides over 504 Wh/kg and over 1321 Wh/L at 25C. In simpler terms, Amprius’ battery cell has a runtime that is 200% longer than graphite cells, despite…

Gogoro, the leading company in battery swapping technology for light electric vehicles, has expanded its operations to Singapore in a partnership with Cycle & Carriage Singapore (C&C) and food delivery service foodpanda. The pilot, which uses Gogoro 2 electric scooters, will offer insights to accelerate the adoption of sustainable mobility in Singapore. Gogoro’s battery-swapping architecture enables riders to swap batteries in a matter of seconds instead of spending hours charging them, making them ideal for commercial use such as delivery scooters. “Enabling these delivery riders to adopt smart sustainable electric transportation can have an accelerated impact on a city,” said…

Stellantis, the multinational automotive manufacturer, is once again inviting high school students in grades 10-12 to unleash their creativity and take part in the 11th annual Drive for Design contest. This year’s challenge is to sketch their vision for a Ram EV pickup truck, with entries due by April 21, 2023. The Grand Prize winner will get the chance to work as an intern in the Ram Truck Exterior Design Studio during the summer, as well as receiving a Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 tablet worth over $2,400. Additionally, the winning sketch will be shared across Stellantis’ social media platforms. Two…

Rivian, the American EV manufacturer, has released a new over-the-air (OTA) software update for its all-electric R1T pickup and R1S SUV, offering several improvements to its customers. One of the key features of this update is the integration of Tesla Supercharger locations that feature the Magic Dock CCS connector. With the new software update, Rivian owners can now select Supercharger locations with Magic Dock connectors using the Navigation app’s charger filters or the Rivian mobile app (version 1.12 or later). However, to charge at these locations, owners must still download the Tesla mobile app. See also: Tesla’s Magic Dock Adapter…

Tesla’s commitment to innovation and efficiency has once again been demonstrated with the recent delivery of the world’s largest casting press to its Gigafactory Texas. The 9,000-ton Giga Press is expected to be used for the production of the highly anticipated Cybertruck, which is set to revolutionize the electric pickup truck market. Tesla’s partnership with Idra, the manufacturer of the large casting press, has been a fruitful one. The automaker has successfully integrated large cast parts into the Model Y, replacing 70 different parts with a single rear body piece, and the front underbody will also follow suit. This has…

InstaVolt, the UK-based electric vehicle (EV) charging network, has expanded its rapid charging hub in Banbury, Oxfordshire. With 32 chargers, the site is now one of the largest charging hubs in the UK, doubling its charging capacity. The Banbury hub is situated on the M40, one of the UK’s busiest motorways, making it an ideal location for EV drivers to recharge their vehicles. As part of the expansion, InstaVolt installed 16 new 120 kW chargers alongside its existing array of eight 125 kW rapid chargers and eight 150 kW Alpitronic chargers. The Banbury hub now includes twelve wider access bays…

DAF Trucks, a Dutch manufacturer, has been awarded a contract by the British truck rental company Asset Alliance to supply at least 75 electric trucks in the UK. This forms part of a larger order for 1,500 new trucks, with deliveries set to begin this year. The electric trucks, from DAF’s latest generation XF, XG and XG+ vehicles, boast ranges of up to 500 km, and production is due to commence in the spring of 2023. The XD Electric is designed for heavy distribution transport and has e-drives producing between 170 and 350 kW, and a range of battery packs…

Swiss eMobility specialist Designwerk has announced the launch of its latest battery systems for electric vehicles (EVs). The new range includes four models with varying capacities, including two new battery systems with capacities of 125 and 250 kilowatt hours (kWh), and voltage options of 400 or 800 volts maximum each. One of the most significant additions to the new range is a battery system with a gross capacity of 254.2 kWh, which Designwerk claims is one of the largest EV systems available. The company has also revealed impressive energy density specifications, including a gravimetric energy density of 181 Wh/kg and…

Mazda Motor Corporation, the Japanese automaker with over a century of experience in autos, has announced significant changes to its leadership team as it looks to transition to electric powertrains by the end of the decade. The most prominent change sees current Representative Director President and CEO Akira Marumoto stepping down to become a senior advisor, making way for Masahiro Moro, a veteran of the company for 40 years. Moro has played a key role in Mazda’s success in North America, where 36% of the company’s sales come from. He helped reform Mazda’s US dealer network and rebuild its profitability…

Zipline, a California-based startup, has unveiled its latest autonomous drone platform designed to provide efficient and accurate everyday delivery to homes across the United States, including in busy residential areas. Dubbed Platform 2 or P2 Zip, the new drone uses a tether to deliver goods down to customers at a target location as small as a patio table or porch steps. The new design can carry between 6 and 8 pounds of goods and features propellers that enable it to hover and remain stable even in wind or rain. The new platform can complete 10-mile deliveries in around 10 minutes,…

Swedish electric motorcycle manufacturer RGNT made headlines in February 2023 when it announced its plans to attempt a world speed record on ice. The company developed a modified version of its RGNT No.1 Classic SE, called Project Aurora, for the task. The bike was equipped with a special aerodynamic fairing and spiked tires to ensure optimal performance on the ice. The RGNT team headed to the SMA Svenska Motorsport Alliansen Speed Weekend in Årsunda, Sweden, on February 24-25, 2023, for the sanctioned and licensed event. The team’s objective was clear – to break the existing world record and set a…

Electric bicycles have come a long way since their inception, and the latest crop of performance-oriented e-bikes has broken the traditional mold of simply strapping an electric motor onto the back wheel or crankset of a regular bicycle. These purpose-built machines are designed to take you beyond your neighborhood or town and have even been touted as capable of replacing your car on a daily basis. One of the newest entries into the market is the Eunorau Flash, which is a highly versatile electric bike that can be configured in a multitude of ways to suit your needs. It has…

Tesla has always been known for its innovative approach to sustainability, and it’s now launching a new feature that could revolutionize the way we charge our electric vehicles (EVs). The automaker is developing a tool that allows homeowners with rooftop solar panels to use excess solar energy to charge their Tesla vehicles. The new feature was revealed through an update to the Tesla mobile app, which included code indicating that the company is working on optimizing charging for solar-powered homes. The code reads, “Plug in your vehicle at home during the day to charge using the excess clean energy generated…

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has criticized Tesla’s Autopilot driver-assist package, stating that the term ‘Autopilot’ is misleading to drivers who are still required to keep their hands on the steering wheel. Buttigieg’s department is currently investigating Tesla’s driver’s assist package, particularly Autopilot’s connection to multiple collision and sudden-braking incidents. However, the investigation does not include marketing. See also: Tesla FSD Beta Update to Include Option to Disable Steering Wheel Alerts In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Buttigieg stated, “I wouldn’t call something ‘Autopilot’ if the manual explicitly says that you have to have your hands on the wheel and…

Kia has entered the burgeoning electric crossover market with its latest offering, the all-new EV9. While most electric crossovers come with two rows of seats, the EV9 boasts a rare third-row option, making it one of the few EVs to offer this feature. The EV9 was previewed as a concept in 2021 and the production model stays true to the original design. Kia’s Opposites United design philosophy is evident in the vehicle’s upscale look, which draws inspiration from the electric Telluride. The crossover sports a bold, modern aesthetic with a “digital tiger face” front end that features vertical headlights and…

Panasonic and LG Energy Solution will reportedly supply the 4680 cells for the Tesla Cybertruck, according to an agency report citing insider sources. The move was not initially planned, as Tesla is said to have failed to reach its targeted energy density with its first-generation 4680 cells. While Tesla was able to dry-coat the anode, it is reportedly experiencing issues with the dry-coating of the cathode. The company plans to use a cathode with more than 90% nickel in the next generation of 4680 cells and has signed a deal with South Korean battery material manufacturer L&F to achieve this.…

Since hitting the road in February 2022, the Ford E-Transit has clocked up an impressive 12 million miles across the US and Canada. The numbers provided by Ford reveal the extent to which the electric van has saved on fuel costs and reduced carbon emissions. Although transitioning all gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) is the ultimate goal, the larger the vehicle and the further it travels, the more significant the impact. If all commercial vehicles, semi-trucks, vans, etc. were switched to EVs, it would result in massive savings on fuel costs and have an even more substantial positive impact…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it is investigating the Tesla Model Y over a potential issue after two vehicles had their steering wheels fall off while driving. This development marks yet another potential setback for the electric car maker, which has already been hit by multiple recalls in the past year. According to a report released by the NHTSA, both incidents of steering wheel detachment occurred on 2023 Model Y vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has confirmed that both affected vehicles were delivered to the owners missing the retaining bolt (P/N1036655-00-A), which attaches…