Author: James Bryant

n a significant industry development, ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, has announced its adoption of Tesla’s NACS connector. The decision to offer this connector option on both new and existing charging stations underscores ChargePoint’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the expanding EV market. The NACS connector gained widespread acceptance after Ford and GM/Rivian recently declared their adoption of the proprietary Tesla connector, prompting a wave of announcements from other charging station manufacturers and operators committing to offer NACS connectors. Until now, ChargePoint was notably absent from the list of…

Lotus, the renowned British automotive manufacturer, has officially opened the order books for its groundbreaking all-electric SUV, the Lotus Eletre, in the United Kingdom and Europe. The company, acclaimed for its engineering prowess and high-performance vehicles, has positioned the Eletre as its first mass-market electric offering, following the success of its limited-run Evija hypercar. Alongside the availability announcement, Lotus has revealed comprehensive pricing details for its key European markets. The Lotus Eletre has been aptly described as a “technical tour de force,” earning praise for its cutting-edge design and exceptional capabilities. This remarkable SUV will be offered in three configurations:…

In a recent interview with AutoCar, Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark revealed exciting details about the luxury automaker’s inaugural all-electric vehicle (EV). The highly anticipated EV will boast partial hands-off driving capabilities on motorways right from the start, with full autonomous driving potentially being added later through convenient over-the-air software updates. Hallmark also confirmed that Bentley will be utilizing Mobileye’s cutting-edge SuperVision technology for their EV. This advanced system incorporates an impressive array of 11 cameras and will also be employed in the upcoming Porsche Macan EV, showcasing the strong partnership between the two esteemed brands. See also: Bentley Launch Quality…

Opel, a German automaker, continues to push the boundaries of electric vehicle (EV) design with the introduction of the one-off prototype, the Rocks e-Xtreme. This radical electric buggy is a result of Opel’s promise to build the project of the winner of the #OpelDesignHack contest, design student Lukas Wenzhöfer. Transforming the existing Rocks-e micro EV into an all-terrain fun vehicle, Opel aims to showcase the limitless potential of electromobility. The Rocks e-Xtreme is a departure from the regular production vehicles, highlighting Opel’s commitment to innovation and unique design. Wenzhöfer’s vision was to create an extreme version of the Rocks-e, a…

In a groundbreaking patent recently obtained by our sources, Tesla has unveiled never-before-seen details about the highly anticipated Cybertruck’s tailgate. This patent sheds light on a remarkable power tailgate mechanism that will revolutionize the way drivers interact with the rear door panels of this all-electric pickup truck. According to the patent, the Tesla Cybertruck will feature an advanced button or switch system that enables seamless opening and closing of the tailgate. This cutting-edge technology will grant Cybertruck owners unprecedented control over their vehicle’s rear section, with the ability to manipulate the tailgate via a smartphone or a wireless key fob.…

Fortescue Metals Group, the Australian mining company, is set to bolster its UK manufacturing capabilities by establishing a new battery and electric powertrain production facility in Banbury, Oxfordshire. This expansion marks a significant step for Fortescue as it seeks to delve deeper into the off-road sector, specifically focusing on electric and zero-emission powertrain systems for trucks and trains. Spanning over 13,500 square meters, the state-of-the-art factory will house automated battery module and pack assembly, along with power conversion and power system assembly. Additionally, the facility will provide comprehensive production support for trucks and trains. Fortescue anticipates that this venture will…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup XPeng has taken a significant step in addressing the challenge of providing a localized infotainment system for its entry into the European market. The company has chosen to collaborate with ACCESS Twine for Car (Twine4Car), a supplier that offers a proven solution to meet the needs of local consumers. XPeng plans to equip its new range of electric vehicles, including the highly anticipated XPeng P7 sedan, with the ACCESS Twine4Car in-car infotainment solution. The European deliveries of the P7 sedan are scheduled to commence this summer, marking the initial implementation of this collaboration. Moreover, existing…

Europe’s ambition to become a leading force in global battery production is under threat due to various challenges, including limited access to raw materials, increasing costs, and intense competition, according to a report released by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) on Monday. The report emphasized that the European Union’s (EU) efforts to achieve its climate goals heavily rely on the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), which in turn depend on batteries containing a mix of essential metals such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium. The ECA, an independent external auditor of the EU, revealed that nearly one in every…

DHL Express, a leading logistics company, has recently expanded its electric vehicle fleet in Indonesia with the addition of 24 electric transporter vans. These new vans will be deployed in the bustling capital city of Jakarta as well as in Bandung, a major city in West Java province. Furthermore, DHL Express aims to electrify its delivery fleet beyond this initial deployment. While this is not the first foray into electric vehicles for DHL Express in Indonesia, as they had previously operated four electric vans and six electric bikes in Jakarta and Surabaya, the introduction of the 24 electric transporters marks…

Lightning eMotors, a provider of zero-emission medium-duty commercial vehicles and EV technology for fleets, has announced the production launch of its latest generation Lightning ZEV4™ work trucks. This follows the company’s recent efforts to meet the growing demand for Class 4 school buses and shuttle buses on the same platform. The Lightning ZEV4 is a versatile model that caters to various vehicle applications, including box trucks, stake bed trucks, utility trucks, dump bed trucks, and daily work/landscaping trucks, in addition to cargo delivery vehicles, shuttle buses, and school buses. According to Lightning eMotors CEO Tim Reeser, their success in the…

Fortum, a Finnish energy company, has joined forces with Terrafame, a mining company, in an innovative initiative aimed at recycling battery materials. The collaboration involves the utilization of raw recycled materials from Fortum to manufacture battery chemicals, which will subsequently be employed in the production of new batteries. Under the terms of the agreement, Fortum will provide Terrafame with nickel and cobalt extracted from the black battery mass of electric vehicles. These valuable metals will be obtained from discarded batteries sourced from Fortum’s recycling facility located in Harjavalta. Terrafame will then employ these recycled raw materials to create battery chemicals…

In a remarkable display of growth and infrastructure development, the Tesla Supercharging network has reached new milestones across Europe, North America, and China. With over 5,000 fast-charging stations globally, Tesla continues to solidify its position as a leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. As of June 16, 2023, Europe boasts more than 1,000 Tesla Supercharging stations, providing EV owners with convenient and efficient charging options throughout the continent. Meanwhile, in North America, the number of Supercharging stations recently crossed the 2,000 mark on June 3, 2023, ensuring widespread accessibility for Tesla drivers across the region. https://twitter.com/teslaeurope/status/1669639964601057280 Although the exact…