Author: Jonathan Collins

Tesla has rolled out a new update to its mobile app, introducing additional offline functionalities and enhanced Powerwall tracking features. The latest version of the app is now available on Apple’s App Store, with several useful improvements for Tesla owners. According to the release notes, the update allows specific vehicle commands to be executed offline when the user is near their Tesla. While it’s not yet clear which commands work without an internet connection, it could provide added convenience. For those in close proximity to their vehicle, basic functions like unlocking the doors and accessing the trunk or frunk could…

Volkswagen remains committed to electric vehicles (EVs) as the future of the automotive industry, despite a recent decline in demand in some global markets. The German automaker has steadily increased its investment in EVs, introducing several zero-emission models over the past decade. However, it continues to offer internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to meet ongoing customer demand. “The ICE market globally is still that big that we can’t put an end date to ICE development today,” said Martin Sander, VW’s head of sales and marketing, while speaking at the Paris Motor Show. “Of course, sooner or later, there will be…

Tesla has announced the official launch of the Cybertruck in Canada, marking the all-electric pickup’s availability in its third North American country. Deliveries for the Cybertruck initially began in the United States last November, with the vehicle making its debut in Mexico just last month. During the launch in Mexico, Siddhant Awasthi, the Vehicle Program Manager, confirmed on X that the Cybertruck would arrive in Canada by late October. Tesla has now met this timeline, officially offering the Cybertruck for sale in Canada. https://twitter.com/cybertruck/status/1846983831150080247 The pricing for the Cybertruck in Canada has been set at CAD 168,740, which translates to…

Ampere, Renault’s electric car subsidiary, has announced its acquisition of a 40% stake in E2-CAD, a company specializing in embedded electronics. The partnership will focus on power electronics, a critical component in the cost structure of electric powertrains. While the press release provides limited details, it highlights Ampere’s strategic goal of gaining greater control over the embedded electronics value chain. By collaborating with E2-CAD, Ampere aims to strengthen its expertise in this field and enhance its electric vehicle development. Philippe Brunet, Senior Vice President of Powertrain and EV Engineering at Ampere, stated, “We have been working with E2-CAD on key…

ChargePoint has introduced an economical EV charging solution designed specifically for fleets, allowing operators to transition to electric vehicles without incurring excessive costs. The new CPF50 Level 2 charger is priced at $699, making it a viable option for both small businesses beginning their electrification journey and larger fleets seeking to reduce their total cost of ownership. The CPF50 charger can be integrated with ChargePoint’s fleet management software, which provides operators with real-time insights into vehicle readiness, power usage, and the status of charging stations. This software also includes energy management features aimed at lowering fuel costs, managing access control,…

Italian electric motorbike manufacturer Energica, part of the US group Ideanomics, has announced its decision to open insolvency proceedings due to a lack of viable alternatives for financial recovery. The company aims to enable repayment to creditors as much as possible from liquidation proceeds. Energica’s Board of Directors has initiated judicial insolvency proceedings under Article 121 of the Italian Insolvency Code. In a statement, the company acknowledged the efforts made by management to seek new investors with the goal of preserving the business for the benefit of creditors. However, it concluded that these options were no longer feasible, leading to…

Lithium Americas announced on Wednesday that General Motors (GM.N) will invest $625 million in their joint venture to develop the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada. This investment comes as U.S. automakers seek to boost electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid production while reducing reliance on Chinese suppliers for battery materials in a competitive market. As part of the agreement, GM will acquire a 38% asset-level ownership stake in the Thacker Pass project. The investment comprises $430 million in direct cash funding aimed at supporting the construction of Phase 1 and a $195 million letter of credit facility. This new deal…

Blink Charging has announced plans to assist electric vehicle (EV) charging station hosts impacted by Enel X’s recent decision to exit the North American market. Following Enel X’s announcement to close its operations, Blink is providing a pathway for former JuiceBox customers to transition their EV charging services to Blink. Enel X’s withdrawal has left many customers who purchased the JuiceBox home charging station in a difficult position, as the company will discontinue all software and connectivity services. While an interim solution for commercial JuiceBox networks has been secured with ChargeLab taking over, private customers found themselves without support. In…

BYD has unveiled the Sealion 7 at the Paris Motor Show, confirming its upcoming availability in Europe. This new SUV, characterized by its coupé-style roofline, is already available in China as the Sea Lion 07 and marks the eighth model BYD will offer in the European market. With a length of 4.83 meters, the Sealion 7 is poised to compete in the fiercely contested mid-range SUV segment. “We’ve noticed demand for precisely this type of vehicle in Europe, so we’re delighted to introduce the Sealion 7 here in Paris. We are confident that its mix of SUV design and packaging,…

The Cardiff Council in Wales, UK, has approved the installation of 100 new electric vehicle (EV) charging points over the next two years as part of its new ‘Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Roadmap.’ This initiative aims to enhance the accessibility of EV charging facilities in the city. The majority of the planned charging points will provide up to 7 kW, with some fast chargers offering 50 kW capabilities. While the Council will oversee the installation and operation of the chargers, it plans to initiate a tender process for the project. The initial rollout will target areas with low levels of off-street…

Ford Motor Co. has announced that its third-quarter earnings call will take place on October 28 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, hosted by CEO Jim Farley and CFO John Lawler. The call will provide updates on the automaker’s ongoing Ford Plus strategy and the performance of its “Model e” division, which focuses on electric vehicles (EVs). The webcast will be available for live listening, and a replay will remain accessible until November 4. The company has been pushing to expand its electric vehicle presence, with notable initiatives such as the Power Promise program, which offers free home charging equipment with new…

Renault has officially unveiled the all-new 4 E-Tech at the 2024 Paris Auto Show, marking a significant evolution from the rugged 4EVER concept introduced two years ago. This fully electric subcompact SUV reimagines the iconic Renault 4 from the 1960s, blending retro aesthetics with modern practicality and affordability. The R4 E-Tech shares 68 percent of its components with the R5 E-Tech but is notably larger, measuring 4,140 mm (163 inches) in length—220 mm (8.7 inches) longer than the hatchback variant. Its increased dimensions also make it wider and taller, featuring enhanced ground clearance and a generous 2.62 m (103.1 inches)…

While the growth rate of electric vehicle (EV) sales has slowed this year, new data from the third quarter shows continued momentum in the sector, bolstered by government incentives and a growing range of options available to consumers. According to Kelley Blue Book estimates reported by Cox Automotive, EV sales in the U.S. grew by 11 percent year-over-year in Q3, reaching record highs in market share and total sales volume. A total of 346,309 EVs were sold in the third quarter, a 5-percent increase compared to Q2. EV market share also reached a new peak of 8.9 percent, up from…

LG Energy Solution has secured supply contracts to provide electric vehicle (EV) batteries to Ford Motor, the Korean battery manufacturer announced on Tuesday. Under the agreements, LG will deliver a total of 109 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery cells and modules for Ford’s electric commercial vehicles. The supply is set to begin in 2026, with LG Energy Solution planning to deliver 34 GWh over five years, followed by an additional 75 GWh over six years starting in 2027. All battery products will be manufactured at LG’s facility in Poland, which is a key site for the company’s European operations. “These agreements…

Tesla has filed trademark applications for the names ‘Robotaxi’ and ‘Robobus’, offering more clarity on its new electric vehicle lineup. The trademarks follow last week’s unveiling event, where CEO Elon Musk alternated between names like ‘Cybercab’ and ‘Robotaxi’, creating confusion. Tesla’s short web page for these vehicles refers to them as ‘Robotaxi’ and ‘Robovan’. Electrek discovered the new trademark applications, which officially register the names ‘Robotaxi’ and ‘Robobus’. The trademarks cover various categories, including electric vehicles and ridesharing services. The ‘ROBOTAXI™’ trademark applies to electric vehicles, ridesharing, vehicle rental, and peer-to-peer sharing services. Similarly, ‘ROBOBUS™’ applies to electric buses, transportation…

Macquarie, the Sydney-based financial services provider, is set to install 650 new fast-charging stations at Roadchef motorway service stations in the UK. This initiative is part of a broader £20 billion investment package aimed at upgrading the country’s infrastructure. Roadchef, which operates 21 service stations across British motorways, will partner with Macquarie to roll out the new charging infrastructure. Some of the new stations will be solar-powered, with plans to trial electric vehicle (EV) charging for heavy goods vehicles at two key locations. The project also includes the creation of 100 additional parking spaces for electric trucks. While Roadchef currently…

Honda has commenced operations at its first new energy vehicle (NEV) plant in China, responding to a notable decrease in sales within the world’s largest automotive market. The new facility, located in Wuhan, Hubei province, is operated by Dongfeng Honda, Honda’s joint venture with Dongfeng Motor. The announcement was made today, coinciding with the plant’s opening on October 11. Situated in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone, the plant spans approximately 630,000 square meters and boasts an annual production capacity of 120,000 vehicles. The initial output will focus on several electric vehicle (EV) models, including the Lingxi L and…

Polestar, the Swedish electric vehicle manufacturer backed by China’s Geely, has announced a strategic review of its operations following a 14% drop in third-quarter deliveries. The company reported handing over 11,900 vehicles during the quarter, down from 13,900 a year ago, amid weakening demand for electric vehicles due to high interest rates and rising consumer interest in hybrid alternatives. Shares of Polestar dropped more than 3% following the news. In his first public statement since taking over on October 1, new CEO Michael Lohscheller outlined the company’s focus moving forward. “A key to our future success will be the development…

Swedish battery maker Northvolt is in discussions with investors and lenders to secure approximately €200 million ($218 million) in short-term funding, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The funding, aimed at stabilising the company’s finances, is part of broader efforts to raise capital as Northvolt faces production challenges and increasing competition. The talks have been ongoing throughout the week, with Northvolt continuing to pursue a larger long-term capital raise. “The company still aims to raise a larger amount of capital for the long-term,” said one source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The short-term funding, however, is unlikely…

Supernal LLC, the urban air mobility (UAM) division of Hyundai Motor Group, is aiming to debut its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the S-A2, at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, with a target to produce 100 to 200 units annually, industry sources revealed on Friday. The S-A2 concept, which was first showcased at CES 2024, is the first flying car unveiled by a South Korean company. Designed to cruise at speeds of 200 kilometers per hour and reach altitudes up to 500 meters, the aircraft has not yet conducted official flight tests. Technology demonstrations with a…