Author: James Bryant

In June, the Netherlands experienced a remarkable surge in new passenger car registrations, with a year-over-year increase of 38 percent, reaching a total of 41,366 units. However, this impressive growth rate pales in comparison to the soaring sales of plug-in cars, which saw an astounding 86 percent surge compared to the previous year. According to EV Volumes’ data, shared by Jose Pontes, the country registered a staggering 18,792 new plug-in cars last month, making up an impressive 45 percent share of all new passenger cars. With the continuous upward trajectory, there is a strong possibility that plug-in car sales will…

WAE Technologies, a UK-based engineering company, is revolutionizing the electric vehicle (EV) charging experience with their groundbreaking software called Elysia. As the market sees an influx of EV models, the demand for faster charging times becomes increasingly evident, and Elysia aims to address this crucial need. According to WAE Technologies, Elysia boasts a suite of battery management algorithms that promise to provide a staggering 25% faster EV charging time. This translates to saving EV owners approximately 10 minutes when using a fast charger. The significance of this improvement is especially pronounced during peak travel times like holidays or the summer…

Blue Bird has unveiled its latest electric school bus, the next-generation Vision, at the renowned STN Expo West in North America. This milestone launch signifies the ongoing partnership between Blue Bird and Accelera by Cummins, the zero-emissions technology division of Cummins. The Type C electric school bus features an advanced powertrain platform and an upgraded battery with an impressive 196kWh capacity, representing a significant increase compared to its predecessor. The Vision electric bus boasts a range of up to 130 miles on a single charge and supports fast-charging at 80kW, allowing for a quick full recharge in only three hours.…

Leading Canadian-based automotive firm, Magna International, is set to make a significant mark on Tennessee’s thriving automotive industry with its latest announcement. The company revealed plans to invest a staggering $790 million in constructing three cutting-edge manufacturing facilities within the state. Magna’s ambitious project aims to have all three plants fully operational by 2025. The first of these facilities will be established in Lawrenceburg, a quaint town nestled between Memphis and Chattanooga. The other two plants will be strategically located within Ford’s Tennessee manufacturing campus, aptly named Blue Oval City, situated northeast of Memphis. Magna International has a diverse presence…

The Swedish Land and Environment Court has granted Volvo Cars and Northvolt the necessary approval to proceed with their collaborative battery cell factory project in Gothenburg, originally announced in the previous year. The establishment of Novo Energy, their joint venture, will now initiate construction later this year. Anticipated to have an annual capacity of up to 50 GWh, the factory is projected to commence operations in 2026 and provide employment opportunities for over 3,000 individuals. Novo Energy’s Gothenburg-based gigafactory will be the second battery cell production facility for Northvolt in Sweden, with their existing facility located in Skellefteå. Adrian Clarke,…

Sightings of Tesla’s Cybertruck prototype have become a common occurrence, yet they continue to spark a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and curiosity among fans each time. Just a day prior to Tesla’s unveiling of a picture showcasing the first production Cybertruck at Gigafactory Texas, a keen-eyed Twitter user stumbled upon a camouflaged Cybertruck on 280 between Alpine Road and Page Hill Road, near Palo Alto in California. In a short video captured by the observer, not much can be deciphered apart from a fleeting glimpse of the electric truck effortlessly overtaking another vehicle on the highway. It is no surprise…

In a surprising comeback, the renowned Triumph Motor Company has unveiled its latest creation after a four-decade hiatus from car manufacturing. Introducing the Triumph TR25, an awe-inspiring electric concept vehicle, the Makkina design house pays homage to the iconic Triumph TR2 MCV575 “Jabbeke” that made history in 1953. Drawing inspiration from the TR2’s timeless design, the TR25 incorporates several distinctive styling cues. Notably, the front fascia boasts two headlights, with a prominent number 25 showcased in the center to commemorate Makkina’s 25th anniversary. While the concept maintains the minimalist essence of its predecessor, its exterior adopts a more angular aesthetic,…

In an effort to expand its operations, Tesla has revealed plans to increase its production capacity for both electric cars and batteries at its factory in Grünheide, Germany. The Brandenburg Ministry of the Environment has announced that public participation in the approval process for the Tesla factory expansion will commence on July 19, 2023. Earlier this year, Tesla submitted its initial application for expanding the Grünheide plant. It was already known that the company intended to raise its production capacity from the current 500,000 units to one million electric cars annually in the future. However, the recent statement by the…

In the world of drag racing, the Tesla Model S Plaid has often dominated the track against high-priced supercars. However, a thrilling twist in the battle between electric and gasoline-powered vehicles emerged as the Rivian R1T electric pickup challenged the Ford Explorer ST SUV in an exhilarating speed duel, captured in an embedded video at the top of this page. What makes this showdown even more captivating is that both contenders hail from the same state, with Rivian assembling its cutting-edge vehicles in Normal, Illinois, while the Explorer is proudly made in Chicago. With both boasting all-wheel drive capabilities (optional…

Dacia, renowned for its affordability, plans to revamp the Dacia Spring, one of Europe’s most cost-effective electric vehicles (EVs), in 2024. This strategic move aims to attract more customers in an increasingly crowded EV market. The Dacia Spring, manufactured in China and imported to Europe, initially debuted in the European market in 2021 as the most affordable new EV on sale. With a compact size, seating capacity for four individuals, and a length of just 147.2 inches (3,740 millimeters), the baby SUV garnered attention. Its starting price of approximately $22,700 (20,800 Euro) made it an enticing option, especially with incentives…

In a move aimed at bolstering its customer service capabilities, Rivian has commenced the utilization of its large commercial vans, initially built for Amazon, as mobile service vehicles. These vans, known as Rivian Service Vans, offer superior cargo capacity of 500 cubic feet, making them more suitable for the task compared to the R1T pickup trucks that were previously utilized for light service jobs in the field. The advantage of the Rivian Service Van lies in its ability to handle heavier and bulkier hardware, while also offering customization options to accommodate various mobile service requirements, such as wheel and tire…

In a move aimed at reducing costs and expediting the development of electric vehicles (EVs), luxury British carmaker Aston Martin has announced plans to obtain a selection of parts from its major shareholder, Geely. This revelation comes hot on the heels of Aston Martin’s substantial $450 million supply deal with EV manufacturer Lucid, wherein the company secured access to Lucid electric motors and battery packs. Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin’s development chief, disclosed that key components to be sourced from Geely include seats and HVAC systems. By leveraging its relationship with Geely, Aston Martin anticipates streamlining its supplier list by up…