Author: Jonathan Collins

Tesla has reportedly shelved its plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Thailand, opting instead to concentrate on expanding its charging infrastructure in the country, according to a recent report by local publication The Economic Base. Speculation about Tesla’s interest in setting up a factory in Thailand emerged last year. In November, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited Tesla’s Fremont Factory and met with executives, including VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy. Following the visit, the Prime Minister hinted that Tesla was considering an investment in Thailand, with potential locations being evaluated and an estimated $5 billion investment on the…

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced that the upcoming Transporter and Caravelle models will be the first Volkswagen vans to offer a choice of turbodiesel, plug-in hybrid, or electric drive options. Alongside this announcement, Volkswagen has released the first images of the new Transporter. The latest generation of the Transporter promises more space, increased payload, enhanced towing capacity, and improved efficiency. The Transporter will be available in several variants: a panel van for pure goods transport, a panel van Plus with a second seat row for combined goods and passenger transport, a Kombi for passenger transport, and a double cab variant…

Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources has announced funding for the installation of 660 public Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across Nova Scotia. The Polycorp Group of Companies and 292 Main Street Developments Limited will carry out the installations. Polycorp Group will receive CAD 3,054,725 (approximately EUR 2 million) to install 634 Level 2 chargers and nine charging stations at multi-unit residential buildings in Nova Scotia. Meanwhile, 292 Main Street Developments Limited will receive CAD 95,596 (about EUR 63,000) for the installation of 26 chargers at Latitude 45 Suites, where an internal EV car-sharing program will also be…

Norway registered nearly 6,000 new electric vehicles (EVs) in July, a noticeable decrease from June’s figures but still strong given the traditionally weak holiday period. After a robust performance in June with 14,009 new electric car registrations—almost double that of May—July saw a significant drop, with 5,934 new EVs hitting the road. This represents a decline of 116 percent from the previous month. However, compared to July 2023, which saw 6,148 new electric registrations, the decrease is a modest 3.5 percent. In total, 6,456 new passenger cars were registered in Norway in July, down 14.2 percent from the same month…

Zeekr and Mobileye have announced plans to accelerate technology localization in China and integrate Mobileye technologies into the next-generation Zeekr models. The collaboration aims to further driving safety and automation efforts in both the Chinese and global markets. Since late 2021, Zeekr has delivered over 240,000 vehicles, including the Zeekr 001 and Zeekr 009, utilizing the Mobileye SuperVision platform. The expanded partnership will focus on accelerating the scaling and delivery of core technologies for the Mobileye SuperVision platform. This will enable Zeekr engineers to better utilize Mobileye’s technologies and development tools, improving data validation and streamlining software upgrades for customers.…

Rivian has announced that it will no longer include a physical key fob with new deliveries of its second-generation R1S and R1T models, opting instead for a KeyCard and mobile app system. This change mirrors a decision made by Tesla in 2022 for its Model S and Model X vehicles. The decision has been met with dissatisfaction from Rivian’s customer base, who argue that a physical key fob is crucial, particularly for off-road use where cell service may be unreliable. Discontent among Rivian owners has been prominently expressed on social media platforms such as Reddit and brand-specific forums. https://www.reddit.com/r/Rivian/comments/1e1r9wl/key_fob_no_longer_included/ One…

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has announced plans to discontinue brands that do not generate profits, following a decline in the company’s financial performance for the first half (H1) of 2024. Stellantis reported H1 2024 sales of EUR 84,504 million ($91 million), a decrease from EUR 98,063 million in the same period last year. Net income for the first half of 2024 was EUR 5,624 million ($6 million), down from EUR 10,923 million ($11 million) a year earlier. In response to these results, Stellantis is focusing on improving margins and addressing high inventory levels in the United States. As part of…

Luxury electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors has unveiled a short video showcasing the first pre-production unit of its Gravity SUV at its Casa Grande, Arizona factory. According to CEO Peter Rawlinson, this development represents a crucial step in the company’s plan to bring the vehicle to market. Peter Rawlinson, who also serves as Lucid’s CTO, posted the clip of the Gravity SUV on his LinkedIn page. He noted that the SUV’s body, featured in the video, had recently emerged from the factory’s paint shop, sporting a coat of Infinite Black paint. The vehicle was then moved onto the assembly line,…

Voith has delivered more than 1,000 electric drives for buses in Great Britain, with British manufacturers Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus integrating the Voith Electrical Drive System (VEDS) into their battery and fuel cell electric buses. Voith claims that its VEDS is “demonstrably” 20% more efficient than comparable systems, based on a certification process conducted by the non-profit organization Zemo Partnership. This efficiency was verified for Wrightbus models GB Kite Electroliner and StreetDeck Electroliner. The 1,000 VEDS units are deployed by both Alexander Dennis (ADL) and Wrightbus, with Wrightbus being the larger customer. “We plan to equip more than 1,000 vehicles…

Scotland has committed over £7 million to enhance public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) across several city councils. The initiative aims to bolster the private sector’s role in developing a comprehensive charging network, particularly in rural regions. The funding will be distributed among Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, The Highland Council, Moray Council, and Dundee City Council. This financial support is designed to facilitate collaboration between local authorities and private enterprises to expand Scotland’s public EV charging network. “The scale of our ambition to decarbonise transport cannot be met alone and I expect that our commitment for approximately 24,000…

Volt, the EV charging company under Singapore-based Keppel’s infrastructure division, announced plans to establish Southeast Asia’s largest public fast-charging hub in Singapore. Located at Jalan Papan in Jurong, Singapore’s first industrial estate, the hub aims to house up to 80 DC charging points, potentially making it a milestone in the region’s electric vehicle infrastructure. “We expect this to be the largest deployment of public ultra-fast chargers at a single site in Southeast Asia,” said Lim Yong Wei, Executive Director of Volt. The project, operated by Volt for up to 15 years, will commence with the installation of five 360 kW…

BYD has announced plans to invest RMB 6.5 billion ($890 million) in expanding its industrial footprint in the Shen-Shan Special Cooperation Zone, according to a report in the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily. The new project, spanning three phases, aims to establish battery-pack production lines and a core parts factory dedicated to new energy vehicles (NEVs). The Shen-Shan Special Cooperation Zone, originally under Shanwei city’s jurisdiction in Guangdong province but now managed by Shenzhen municipal authorities, serves as an enclave for industrial development. BYD’s initial investment in August 2021 for the first phase focused on auto parts production, followed by a…

Rivian has debuted its inaugural television advertisement showcasing the R1T pickup and R1S SUV, marking a significant step in its advertising strategy as spotted by viewers over the weekend. During the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, Rivian’s TV spot was first noticed by viewer AdamUCF, featuring glimpses of the recently updated R1S and R1T models. The ad has since garnered attention on platforms like YouTube TV, sparking mixed reactions among viewers for its simplicity and traditional approach. https://twitter.com/adamUCF/status/1809939535960109186 Known for its conservative advertising tactics akin to Tesla, Rivian has gradually increased its promotional efforts in recent months, aligning with the…

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the European Union’s imposition of anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports, stating its objections in a statement released on Saturday. According to CAAM’s post on the Chinese messaging app WeChat, manufacturers had cooperated with the European Commission’s investigation into Chinese subsidies. However, CAAM accused the inquiry of disregarding factual evidence and preselecting outcomes. The European Union introduced tariffs ranging from 17.4% to 37.6% on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles starting Friday, with a provisional period of four months during which intensive negotiations between the EU and China…

Wallbox Chargers has announced plans to launch the Supernova 220, its next-generation DC fast charging station, initially targeting European markets with a robust 220 kW output capacity. Following the rollout of the Supernova 180 in North America, Wallbox now aims to cater to increasing demand with the more powerful Supernova 220, designed to provide broader and higher power ranges of DC fast chargers. The Supernova 220, occupying just 3.48 ft² of space, boasts a significant power-to-footprint ratio in the market. It can charge a single EV up to 100 miles in as little as eight minutes or simultaneously charge two…

Porsche is issuing a recall for 17,278 Taycan electric vehicles (EVs) in China, marking the luxury automaker’s second such recall within a year, according to an announcement from China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). The recall affects Taycan series EVs manufactured between January 7, 2020, and April 24, 2024, due to potential issues with front brake hoses that could crack, leading to brake fluid leakage. This defect poses risks of reduced braking effectiveness, longer braking distances, and increased potential for vehicle accidents, as stated in the SAMR announcement. Authorized Porsche dealers will commence the recall process starting August 31,…

Suzuki UK has declared an end to the era of combustion engines, signaling a comprehensive shift towards hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) in its lineup. The Japanese automaker will cease importing new combustion engine models for the UK market, focusing instead on hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and eventually pure electric vehicles. Affected by this decision are popular models including the Swace, Swift Sport, Ignis, and Jimny, all of which will gradually phase out as existing stock is sold. By 2025, Suzuki aims to fully electrify its entire range in the UK, contingent on the speed of clearing out remaining combustion…

Israeli payment solutions provider Nayax has entered the electric vehicle (EV) market with the introduction of its EV CloudPay terminal, designed to streamline payment processes at charging stations. Specializing in cashless payment solutions, Nayax aims to revolutionize the current landscape by offering a versatile terminal that supports over 80 cashless and digital payment methods. The EV CloudPay terminal eliminates the need for drivers to manage multiple mobile apps or charging cards, addressing a common inconvenience faced by electric car owners. The cloud-based terminal utilizes the global Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) protocol, enabling it to handle payments across multiple charging…

Opel, a subsidiary of Stellantis, has commenced orders for its new electric SUV, the Frontera Electric, across multiple European markets, offering competitive pricing and versatile configurations. “In its home market of Germany, the battery-electric Frontera is available for 28,990 euros with an 83 kW electric drive and a 44 kWh battery,” Opel announced, highlighting the model’s specifications and pricing strategy. The Frontera Electric is also set to launch in Italy at a starting price of 27,400 euros, while in Spain, the vehicle will debut at under 25,000 euros, leveraging local subsidies to lower costs significantly. “Our new Opel Frontera shines…

Rivian  clarified on Tuesday that it has no intentions to collaborate on vehicle production with Volkswagen, contrary to recent media speculation. This statement followed a report by German newspaper Handelsblatt, which suggested discussions were underway to expand their existing partnership beyond software integration. According to a Rivian spokesperson in an email to Reuters, “There are no plans for production of vehicles with Volkswagen Group.” Meanwhile, Volkswagen declined to comment on the specific media report, emphasizing their current focus on joint ventures. See also: Rivian Delivers Nearly 13,800 EVs in Q2 2024, Plans Production Expansion Rivian affirmed its commitment to commence production…