Author: Jonathan Collins

Tesla has broadened access to its charging infrastructure in China, allowing other brands of electric vehicles (EVs) to utilize its charging stations. The move follows a pilot program initiated in April, and to date, over 350 Supercharger stations and 260 destination charging stations in the Chinese mainland are open to non-Tesla EVs, as confirmed by the company. Initially, on April 24, Tesla launched a pilot program opening 10 Supercharger stations and 120 destination charging stations to 37 non-Tesla EV models. In the recent expansion, the number of charging stations accessible to non-Tesla vehicles has increased, accompanied by a slight expansion…

Dutch startup Kitepower has introduced the Hawk system, an innovative solution designed to generate wind energy with kites and charge electric vehicles (EVs) independently of the grid. The Hawk kite system boasts a capacity of 30 kW and efficiently stores the wind-generated energy in a 400 kWh battery, offering a mobile and off-grid renewable energy solution for various applications, including farming, building, and island communities. The off-grid nature of the Hawk system, coupled with its ease of installation, enables power generation over day and night, providing a reliable and sustainable energy source. Kitepower envisions the technology as a practical and…

Chinese autonomous driving startup Pony.ai has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining Guangzhou’s inaugural autonomous truck formation driving test license. This authorization allows Pony.ai to conduct autonomous truck testing in the southern Chinese city, marking a pivotal development in its pursuit of advancing autonomous trucking capabilities, particularly for bulk commodities transportation in fleets. In an official press release, Pony.ai outlined its commitment to scaling up its autonomous trucking business, emphasizing the economic and operational benefits of its innovative “1+N” fleet model. This model features one leading autonomous truck guiding multiple Level 4 (L4) autonomous trucks, a configuration designed to optimize…

SK ecoplant, in partnership with EcoPro and TES, is gearing up to establish a cutting-edge battery recycling facility in Hungary, strategically leveraging Hungary’s prominence as a European Battery Production Hub. The move is strategically positioned to tap into a consistent supply of discarded batteries, given Hungary’s status as a hub for global battery and electric vehicle companies. Sources unveiled on November 19 that Park Kyung-il, President of SK ecoplant, formalized the “Hungary Battery Recycling Business Cooperation” through a memorandum of understanding signed on November 16 at the company’s Seoul headquarters. The agreement involved key representatives, including Song Ho-jun from EcoPro…

Geely’s electric car brand, Zeekr, has revealed its latest model, the Zeekr 007, at the Guangzhou Auto Show, marking the brand’s entry into the mid-range market. Priced competitively at 229,900 yuan (approximately 29,000 euros), the Zeekr 007 is based on an 800-volt platform, presenting a more affordable option compared to Zeekr’s existing premium models. The Zeekr 007, measuring 4.87 meters in length, is offered in two variants: a 310 kW rear-wheel-drive version and a more powerful 475 kW all-wheel-drive option. Two battery configurations provide an impressive range of up to 688 and 870 kilometers, respectively, according to the Chinese standard.…

Tesla has formally entered the Australian electricity market, signaling its intention to reshape the landscape of electricity retailing in the region. The move comes as the Australian Energy Regulator accepted Tesla’s application, allowing the company to combine the sales of rooftop solar, energy storage batteries, and its flagship product – electric vehicles. Tesla is no stranger to the energy sector in Australia, having previously engaged in supplying batteries for various energy storage projects, including the Hornsdale Power Reserve and Victoria Big Battery. The company has also made Powerwall batteries available for household use and established Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) in…

Two Tesla Cybertrucks were recently observed maneuvering energetically around the Fremont Test Track in Northern California, providing a glimpse into the vehicle’s handling capabilities ahead of its impending deliveries. While the nature of the laps did not seem focused on testing acceleration, the sight of the Cybertrucks navigating the track outside the Fremont plant stirred anticipation among onlookers. Tesla has been showcasing the Cybertruck on public roads for several months, offering glimpses of the vehicle’s design, but the recent track footage did not showcase the full potential of its touted acceleration capabilities. Tesla has emphasized the Cybertruck’s impressive performance, claiming…

Solid Power, a developer of solid-state battery cells, has reached a significant milestone by delivering its first A Sample EV cells to BMW, according to information disclosed in Solid Power’s Q3 annual report. This marks the initiation of the formal automotive qualification process for the cutting-edge battery cells, which will also be integrated into BMW’s demonstration programme. John Van Scoter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Solid Power, expressed the company’s achievement, stating, “It is a reflection of our team’s strong execution that we produced and delivered our first A Sample EV cells for BMW a little over a week…

Automaker Polestar is undertaking a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) project in Gothenburg, Sweden, supported by the Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova. Funded by Vinnova, the project involves a comprehensive V2G initiative piloting a fleet of Polestar 3 cars, with collaboration from key stakeholders in the electricity grid sector. Teaming up with entities such as the Swedish National Grid authority Svenska kraftnät, local grid owner Göteborg Energi Nät, regional energy distributor Vattenfall Eldistribution, home charging provider Easee, and research partner Chalmers University of Technology, Polestar aims to explore potential business models for V2G. The project also seeks to trial tangible use cases that can…

In a pivotal announcement at the Reuters Events Automotive USA 2023 conference in Detroit, executives from Volkswagen outlined their ambitious plan to introduce an under $35,000 electric vehicle (EV) to the U.S. market within the next 3-4 years. Concurrently, Chinese automaker Nio expressed deliberation over a potential entry into North America by 2025, citing considerations tied to infrastructure and partnerships. Reinhard Fischer, senior vice president and head of strategy at VW Group of America, reassured stakeholders that Volkswagen remains resolute in its commitment to advancing EV plans in the U.S. market. Fischer disclosed that changes in geopolitics and global supply…

Tesla, the leading electric vehicle manufacturer, has made a strategic hire from Stellantis, a global automotive company, to oversee quality operations at its Gigafactory Texas facility. Kahiree Gans, a seasoned manufacturing executive, has joined Tesla to take charge of quality operations at a crucial juncture for the Gigafactory. Tesla has been actively expanding its manufacturing leadership team, with a focus on bolstering its production capacity, aiming to increase its annual electric vehicle output from approximately 2 million to a staggering 20 million vehicles by the end of the decade. Gans brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having…

As the prevalence of electric bicycles continues to grow, the focus on safety for both e-bike riders and other road users has become more pronounced. In this context, third-party manufacturers are contributing to safety advancements, introducing technology aimed at elevating e-bike safety. Alps Alpine has introduced the Ride Safety System RS 1000 as an example of such technology. This device is designed to inform e-bike riders about potential road hazards, employing AI-powered detection systems for instant alerts about hazards approaching from behind. The system can integrate with smartphones, providing real-time traffic information and navigation on the handlebars, effectively functioning as…

Chinese automaker BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao (FCB) brand is making swift strides in the Chinese automotive market, with the recent preview of their third model, named the Bao 3. Positioned between BYD’s Denza and YangWang brands, FCB’s strategy is to kick off with the Bao 5 and subsequently introduce a flagship SUV, the Bao 8. Screenshots shared by Chinese media outlets offer a glimpse of the Bao 3, showcasing a small SUV with a distinctive and robust exterior design that’s certain to turn heads on the road. The front fascia is dominated by twin LED light bars, flanked by main…

Ford Otosan, the joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding, has announced a substantial €2 billion investment in the expansion and transformation of its Kocaeli site, including the Yeniköy plant. This manufacturing facility, which first opened its doors in 2014, is poised to reach its full production capacity by the mid-2020s after undergoing extensive renovations. The ambitious goal is to produce 405,000 vehicles annually, establishing new benchmarks for multi-energy commercial vehicle manufacturing at scale. The noteworthy innovations at the Yeniköy plant include the integration of photovoltaic glass walls and solar panels on the roof, effectively harnessing solar energy…

Japanese firm NTT Communications pours a hefty investment of nearly $67 million into the Michigan-based self-driving startup, May Mobility, supported by Toyota. The move, unveiled by Nikkei Asia, showcases NTT’s commitment to self-driving technology, with an infusion of approximately 10 billion yen ($66.9 million) into May Mobility. The startup’s vision revolves around developing self-driving buses and taxis, with an ambitious target set for 2025. Joining the ranks of investors are automotive giant Bridgestone, Toyota, and a cohort of others. May Mobility boasts technology that aligns with Level 4 automated driving standards, signaling a future where drivers will not be mandatory…

Tesla China appears to be on the cusp of increasing the price of its popular Model Y crossover, a move that follows closely on the heels of a recent price hike for the Model Y Performance, which saw an increase of RMB 14,000 (approximately $1,920). Keen observers in China’s automotive industry have taken note of numerous Tesla sales representatives updating their WeChat status to signal an impending price hike for the Model Y within the country. These Tesla employees reportedly emphasized that the upcoming price adjustment would be an extension of the RMB 14,000 increase implemented for the Model Y…

EVgo, a player in the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry, is set to introduce a groundbreaking concept aimed at accelerating the deployment of fast-charging stations across the United States. This innovative approach, known as “prefabrication,” is expected to streamline the installation process and potentially reduce construction costs by up to 15 percent. The core idea behind this prefabrication model is to assemble all charging equipment, including dispensers, power cabinets, and other necessary components, into a single base frame before shipping it to the fast-charging site. This efficient method promises to cut installation time in half, a significant advantage for both…

China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) revealed that U.S. automaker Tesla (TSLA.O) delivered a total of 72,115 China-made electric vehicles in the month of October. This figure represented a marginal 2.6% decline from the previous month. Notably, sales of China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, Tesla’s popular offerings, experienced a modest 0.6% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Meanwhile, Chinese automaker BYD, known for producing both electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid models within its Dynasty and Ocean series, recorded robust performance in October. BYD managed to deliver 301,095 passenger vehicles during the month, reflecting a 5%…

Waabi has announced a groundbreaking 10-year partnership with Uber Freight. Under this collaboration, Waabi will provide billions of miles of driverless capacity to the Uber Freight network, with initial commercial pilots set to begin between Dallas and Houston. Waabi’s unique approach to autonomous driving, characterized by its AI-centric methodology, has propelled it to the forefront of the industry in just two short years. The company employs a high-fidelity closed-loop simulator, known as Waabi World, to not only rigorously test self-driving software but also continually train and refine its systems in real-time. This innovative approach has allowed Waabi to rapidly scale…

The Supervisory Board of BMW AG has officially announced the extension of Oliver Zipse’s contract as Chairman of the Board of Management until 2026, confirming previously leaked rumors about his continued leadership. Zipse, who has been at the helm of BMW since August 2019, will continue to steer the company through a period of profound transformation and global crises. Under Zipse’s leadership, BMW has significantly expanded its electric vehicle (EV) portfolio, solidifying its position in the competitive EV market. Notably, the development of the New Class, the upcoming model generation, is already in progress, with production scheduled to commence in…