Author: Jonathan Collins

The Croatian electric vehicle manufacturer Rimac has raised skepticism over reports that the new Chinese YangWang U9 Track Edition could deliver a combined 2,977 horsepower, a figure that would surpass the Rimac Nevera R by nearly 900 hp. Mate Rimac, founder of Rimac Automobili, commented on the Apex Automotor Facebook group that “most Chinese EVs use LFP cells, I doubt that any of them can deliver 20+C discharge rates (even for 1 second) that would be needed to deliver 2+ Megawatts of power.” The Nevera R, Rimac added, uses “the latest and greatest in performance battery cell technology,” with the…

Canadian electric snowmobile and jet ski manufacturer Taiga Motors has partnered with Aqua SuperPower, a fast-charging network for electric boats, to provide extended charging solutions for its customers, including home, onboard, and fleet operations. Taiga Motors, known for its fully electric snowmobiles and the Orca Performance electric jet ski, said the partnership would support high-volume use cases where charging infrastructure is critical. The Orca jet ski reaches speeds up to 100 kph and can operate for up to two hours on a single charge using a 120 kW system. “Scalable infrastructure is key to unlocking the full potential of electrification,”…

Nissan has lowered prices for its Ariya electric SUV in the UK by more than £6,000 ($8,100) following the introduction of a new base model and adjustments to qualify for government EV incentives. The move comes as the automaker prepares to expand its electric vehicle lineup, including the next-generation LEAF and future EVs like the electric Juke. The new entry-level Ariya Shiro starts at £33,500 ($45,500) including the £1,500 ($2,000) Electric Car Grant, compared with £39,645 ($53,800) for the previous base model. The variant features a smaller 63 kWh battery with a WLTP-rated range of 251 miles (400 km). Meanwhile,…

Swedish electric performance carmaker Polestar has opened its 14th retail Space in the UK, located in Aylesford, Maidstone, as part of its strategy to expand access to electric vehicles (EVs) across the country. The new showroom offers customers in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and Essex a premium environment to explore the brand’s electric lineup, including the Polestar 2 fastback, Polestar 3 SUV, and Polestar 4 SUV coupé. The Maidstone location, situated at Lipscomb Cars Ltd, Performance House, Forstal Road, benefits from the town’s growing EV infrastructure, which includes 29 public charging points, 21 of them rapid chargers. Local council initiatives, such…

The Genesis G70 sedan, currently the South Korean luxury brand’s most affordable model starting at $42,500, could be discontinued after the 2027 model year as the automaker pivots toward SUVs and electric vehicles, according to a new report from Automotive News. Although the G70 was Genesis’ third-best-selling vehicle last year, the brand is gradually reducing its sedan offerings as consumer demand continues to favor larger vehicles and EVs. The report said industry analysts do not expect the G70 to see a second generation, and the phase-out is anticipated to be global. Genesis has not officially confirmed the discontinuation. “We have…

McKinstry, a U.S.-based design, construction, and building operations firm, has marked a milestone in its decarbonization strategy by adding its 100th all-electric Chevrolet Silverado work truck to its fleet. The move is part of the company’s broader goal to operate an emissions-free service fleet. “McKinstry is putting EVs into action,” said Joseph Hagar, president and chief financial officer of McKinstry. “Each EV advances innovation on our job sites. These are more than trucks, SUVs and vans — they’re mobile workstations driving real impact.” The company now operates 114 battery-electric vehicles, including Chevrolet Silverado EVs, Blazer EVs, Equinox EVs, and BrightDrop…

UK battery-electric van (BEV) registrations surged 72.6% in July compared with the same month a year earlier, reaching 2,442 units and marking the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year growth, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said on Tuesday. The rise comes amid growing model availability, with more than 40 BEV van variants now on sale across the market, spanning payloads from small urban runabouts to heavy-duty large vans, and price points designed to appeal to both small businesses and large fleet operators. Manufacturers are investing heavily in zero-emission light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to comply with the UK government’s…

Tesla’s customer loyalty in the United States dropped sharply after CEO Elon Musk publicly backed then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, before recovering following the pair’s split, according to new data from S&P Global Mobility. The market research firm analysed vehicle registration data from all 50 U.S. states, showing that in June 2024, 73% of Tesla drivers who bought a new car chose another Tesla. The turning point came a month later, when Musk declared he “fully supported” Trump shortly after an assassination attempt on the Republican candidate in Pennsylvania. Musk’s endorsement surprised many, as he had previously voted for Barack Obama…

Dongfeng Motor’s new energy vehicle brand Voyah has opened pre-sales for the updated Zhiyin SUV, priced at 220,000 yuan ($30,630) and aimed at competing with Tesla’s Model Y in China’s premium electric SUV segment. The latest Zhiyin model incorporates Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 4 smart driving assistance system and HarmonySpace 5 cabin technology. It is larger than the previous version, measuring 4,810 mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,925 mm. The SUV is available in single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations, with the rear-wheel drive producing 230 kW (313 hp) and the front motor in the AWD version…

Lightship, a U.S. startup aiming to bring electric power to the recreational vehicle industry, said on Tuesday it has begun production of its first battery-powered travel trailer, the AE.1 Cosmos Edition, at its plant in Colorado. The move marks a key milestone for the company, which was founded in 2020 by former Tesla employees Ben Parker and Toby Kraus. The Cosmos Edition, first made available for sale late last year, is now sold out, the company said, with the first customer deliveries expected by the end of summer. The launch comes after Lightship secured $34 million in Series B funding…

General Motors is renewing its efforts in autonomous driving, shifting its focus from its defunct Cruise robotaxi division to developing advanced driver-assistance systems for private vehicles. The strategy is being shaped with input from Sterling Anderson, the former head of Tesla’s Autopilot programme, who joined GM as chief product officer earlier this year. The U.S. automaker was once regarded as a leader in self-driving technology, having launched Cruise in 2016 with backing from Microsoft and Honda. However, a series of incidents in San Francisco in 2023, including a collision that left a pedestrian seriously injured, damaged the programme’s reputation. California…

Vauxhall has confirmed that its entire range of electric cars is now eligible for the UK government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG), giving buyers a £1,500 reduction on list prices. The offer covers the electric versions of the Corsa, Mokka, Frontera, Astra, Astra Sports Tourer, Grandland and Combo Life, and can be combined with existing manufacturer incentives. In addition to the grant, Vauxhall is offering 0% PCP finance on most electric models, with a manufacturer deposit contribution of up to £1,500 on Corsa Electric and Mokka Electric, and £500 on Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer Electric. The scheme requires a…