Author: Jonathan Collins

Heybike has officially announced the impending arrival of the Mars 2.0, an upgraded version of its popular Mars electric bike, slated for release in the third quarter of 2023. While maintaining the familiar folding all-terrain design of its predecessor, the Mars 2.0 promises to bring several intriguing improvements, setting it apart in the competitive e-bike landscape. Key among these enhancements is a significant upgrade in power. The Mars 2.0 will be equipped with a robust 750W motor, with the capability to reach a peak mode of 1200W, a notable improvement over the original Mars, which featured a 500~750W motor. Additionally,…

Fastned, the fast-charging network provider, has made a substantial expansion to its charging facility at the “Seed & Greet” charging park in Hilden, Germany. The company has introduced five cutting-edge Alpitronic Hyperchargers to enhance its charging capabilities. Four of these new charging columns have been strategically placed between the existing HYC300s and Schüren’s bakery, while the fifth column is positioned at the far end of the row, offering convenient access for charging while towing a trailer. This expansion effectively doubles the number of charging points available at the site, marking a significant milestone for Fastned. Notably, these are the first…

BMW is gearing up to introduce its latest electric vehicle, the BMW i5, and is making sure to emphasize the unique features that set it apart in the market. While the i5 may not immediately outsell its combustion-powered 5-Series counterparts, BMW is keen on boosting sales by showcasing some of its intriguing attributes, one of which is the ‘Anti-Theft Recorder.’ BMW has released a 40-second video on YouTube, demonstrating the ‘Anti-Theft Recorder’ in action. The video depicts two potential thieves approaching an i5 at night while being monitored by agents from a control center who are determined to unlock the…

In a move set to advance the electrification of fleets in Europe, Iveco Bus and ChargePoint have formalized a strategic agreement, paving the way for Iveco Bus to offer ChargePoint’s comprehensive fleet software portfolio to its European customer base. This collaboration between the two industry leaders aims to provide transport operators with a holistic solution for fleet deployment and charging infrastructure management, as highlighted in the official release by Iveco Bus. The joint expertise of Iveco Bus and ChargePoint is expected to offer vital support to transport operators navigating the transition to electric mobility. This collaboration delivers a powerful suite…

A fortunate Tesla owner had the unique opportunity to get an up-close look at a Release Candidate (RC) Cybertruck over the weekend. This encounter provided an unprecedented view of the rear-wheel steering system in action, shedding light on a key feature of this highly anticipated electric pickup truck. Rear-wheel steering, for those unfamiliar, is an advanced system that adjusts the angles of the rear wheels when the driver turns the steering wheel. While the rear wheels do not move at the exact same angle as the front wheels, they synchronize their movement, either in the same direction or in the…

Cobalt hydroxide prices, a crucial component in the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, have witnessed a significant decline due to an influx of supply from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the world’s leading cobalt producer. Typically, cobalt hydroxide prices are referenced as a percentage of the cobalt metal price, known as payables. In August, these payables plunged to just 46% of the cobalt metal price, a stark contrast to the approximately 90% seen in late 2021 and early 2022 when cobalt metal commanded a price of around $60,000 per metric ton. Currently, cobalt is trading at approximately $32,000…

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Standardization Administration have officially approved and published three pivotal standards for ChaoJi-1, the next-generation conductive DC charging technology based on the GB/T communication protocol. These documents encompass general requirements, the communication protocol, and the connection specifications for conductive (wired) charging. ChaoJi-1, as reported by the CHAdeMO Association, boasts the capability to support charging powers of up to a remarkable 1.2 megawatts, all while maintaining compatibility with the latest CHAdeMO version 3.1. Notably, this alignment with CHAdeMO 3.1 is not entirely surprising, given that the CHAdeMO 3.0 protocol was jointly developed and…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer NIO Inc. has successfully concluded a $1 billion offering of convertible notes, as announced earlier this month. The company confirmed the closing of this offering, comprising $500 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due in 2029 and another $500 million of convertible senior notes due in 2030, in a recent statement. NIO disclosed that these notes were exclusively sold to qualified institutional buyers. Additionally, the company granted the initial purchasers of the note offering an option, exercisable within 30 days of the note issuance date, to acquire up to an additional $75 million…

Thai Smile Bus (TSB) has announced ambitious plans to expand its electric bus fleet. Media reports indicate that the public transport operator intends to incorporate 1,083 electric buses into its fleet by the conclusion of 2023. This move will bring TSB’s total fleet to 3,100 electric buses, complemented by 483 natural gas buses. Notably, TSB has already integrated nearly 800 new electric buses into its operations during the current year. While specific technical details about the existing electric buses in service and the manufacturer responsible for delivering the newly announced 1,000 units remain undisclosed, TSB’s expansion plans align with the…

Nikola Corporation has officially appointed Joseph S. Cappello as the President of Nikola Energy. The appointment is scheduled to take effect on September 25, 2023. As the head of Nikola Energy, Cappello will assume a pivotal role in overseeing all aspects of the company’s energy business, which encompasses infrastructure, supply strategy, trading, technology, and development. Additionally, he will spearhead the expansion and management of the company’s HYLA brand operations. Cappello’s entrance into Nikola comes at a strategic juncture, coinciding with the imminent commercial launch of the Class 8 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. His extensive experience and expertise will…

As Tesla’s highly anticipated Cybertruck approaches production and its imminent launch, the electric vehicle manufacturer has been showcasing the stainless-steel-skinned electric pickup truck in various states of wrapping and unwrapping. These sightings have garnered considerable attention, with some instances playfully poking fun at traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) pickup trucks. The latest Cybertruck appearance featured a striking bright blue digital camouflage wrap, which made waves on social media, particularly on Twitter. While sightings of the Cybertruck have become increasingly common, the diverse array of wraps seen has reignited speculation regarding the possibility of Tesla offering wraps as a factory option.…

Kia has officially unveiled its latest electric vehicle (EV), the Kia Ray EV. This electrified version of the popular compact car, the Ray, represents Kia’s continued commitment to the burgeoning electric vehicle market. The Kia Ray EV is equipped with a robust 35.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, promising an impressive single-charge driving range of 205 km under combined conditions and an even more remarkable 233 km in urban settings. Notably, the vehicle has been meticulously engineered for aerodynamic efficiency, featuring a front battery under-cover to enhance overall performance. Its energy efficiency is rated at 5.1 km per kWh,…

The momentum of electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe is gaining notable traction, with EVs accounting for a significant portion of car sales in the region. In August of this year, more than one in five cars sold in Europe were fully electric, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). This surge in EV adoption is a clear indication of the shifting automotive landscape. A substantial 165,156 fully electric vehicles were sold in Europe in August, doubling the figures from the same month in the previous year. This impressive performance amounted to 21% of total vehicle sales for…

UK-based startup Wayve has introduced LINGO-1, a Vision-Language-Action Model (VLAM) designed to advance the learning and explainability of its AI Driver technology, the core driving force behind autonomous vehicles. LINGO-1 is poised to address a long-standing challenge in artificial intelligence by shedding light on the decision-making process within neural networks, offering valuable insights into the “why” and “how” behind their choices. Drawing from real-world data obtained through expert drivers actively providing commentary during their journeys, LINGO-1 is uniquely positioned to elucidate the rationale behind various driving actions. By incorporating language as a crucial component, Wayve introduces a novel data source…

Stellantis, the automotive giant, has officially begun series production of the Fiat 600e at its manufacturing facility in Tychy, Poland. The inaugural unit of the all-electric Fiat 600e, the high-end ‘La Prima’ model, recently emerged from the production line, showcasing its vibrant “Sun of Italy” orange hue. Introduced by Fiat in early July, the 600e quickly piqued interest, prompting the opening of order books for eager customers. Although specific figures regarding the number of pre-orders and delivery timelines have yet to be disclosed by the company. In the German market, the entry-level ‘Red’ variant is being offered at a starting…

In a recent drone flyover video capturing activities at Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory, intriguing insights into the Tesla Cybertruck’s air suspension system have emerged. While the video primarily focuses on the factory itself, it provides a rare opportunity to observe the Cybertruck’s air suspension in action. The video, shot and published by Jeff Roberts on his YouTube channel, showcases a Supercharger station adjacent to the factory, where two Cybertrucks were seen recharging. What’s particularly noteworthy is the apparent demonstration of different ride height settings on these electric pickups. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMJvNvXvUu8 One Cybertruck on the left appears to be set at its lowest…

In a groundbreaking discovery, volcanologists have identified what is believed to be the world’s largest lithium deposit in the western United States, presenting a significant opportunity for the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Situated within the McDermitt caldera, straddling the border between Nevada and Oregon, this vast reserve of lithium is thought to have formed approximately 16 million years ago following a super volcano eruption. Although the final assessment is pending confirmation, initial estimates suggest that this lithium-rich site may house an astonishing 120 million tons of the valuable mineral. Such a monumental find could prove to be a game-changer for…

In a recent speech at the World New Energy Vehicles Congress in Munich, William Li, the founder, chairman, and CEO of NIO, lauded China’s open and competitive electric vehicle (EV) market as a driving force behind the rapid adoption of new energy vehicles (NEVs). While not directly mentioning it, Li appeared to contrast China’s approach with the protectionist policies he believes have complicated NIO’s plans to enter the US market. Li emphasized that China’s market was among the most open in the world, with tax and subsidy policies that do not impose restrictions on the origin of EVs or their…

a subsidiary of South Korea’s Solus Advanced Materials is set to construct a state-of-the-art copper foil facility in Quebec. The project, known as Volta Energy Solutions, will be situated in the town of Granby and is estimated to be valued at a substantial C$700 million ($514.37 million). This strategic endeavor is anticipated to reach full production capacity by the year 2026, according to a statement by a spokesperson for Canada’s federal Innovation Minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne. Copper foil plays a pivotal role in the production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, serving as a crucial component known as an anode collector.…

Lucid Motors’ CEO, Peter Rawlinson, has claimed the title of the highest-paid CEO in the publicly-traded car manufacturing sector for the year 2022, according to data from the Automotive News/Equilar CEO Compensation Survey. Rawlinson’s remarkable compensation package reached a staggering $379,029,183, eclipsing his closest competitor, Mary Barra of General Motors (GM), by more than tenfold. A detailed breakdown of Rawlinson’s earnings reveals a base salary of $575,000, a relatively modest figure. However, the lion’s share of his compensation came in the form of stock awards, totaling an astounding $372,928,375. In addition to this, Rawlinson realized $5,504,378 in stock option gains.…