Author: Jonathan Collins

Chinese automaker Chery introduced its innovative flying car during an innovation conference on Friday, aiming to gain a competitive advantage in the global automotive market. The futuristic vehicle is designed without a traditional steering wheel or accelerator and has successfully completed a test flight covering a distance of 80 kilometers. The flying car features dual modes for both road driving and aerial travel, enabling smooth transitions between land and air. Chery asserts that this capability could significantly alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas. In addition to its flying car, Chery outlined its broader strategy focused on advanced battery technology. The…

Chinese electric vehicle battery giant CATL reported a 26% year-on-year increase in net profit for the third quarter, according to a stock filing released on Friday. The company achieved a net profit of 13.14 billion yuan ($1.85 billion) for the July-September period, marking an acceleration from the previous quarter. However, revenue fell by 12.5% year-on-year to 92.3 billion yuan, continuing a trend of declining revenues for the fourth consecutive quarter. This profit increase follows a 13.4% rise in the second quarter, indicating CATL’s ability to sustain profitability despite ongoing revenue challenges. As of September, CATL held a 44% market share…

Mini, a subsidiary of the BMW Group, has significantly reduced the prices of its electric vehicle (EV) models in China to enhance its competitiveness in the market. From October 18 to November 30, customers can benefit from discounts of up to 29% on the all-electric Mini Cooper and Mini Aceman, as highlighted on Mini China’s official website. The price adjustments apply to three variants of the electric Mini Cooper, which are now priced at RMB 148,800 ($20,930), RMB 182,800, and RMB 194,800, down from their original starting prices of RMB 209,800, RMB 239,800, and RMB 259,800, respectively. This translates to…

Charge point operator Allego has been commissioned by retail property investor Ascencio to install 212 fast-charging points across 45 locations in Belgium. These high-power chargers, with capacities of up to 400 kW, will be installed primarily in car parks at retail properties, such as supermarkets and shopping centres, which Ascencio specializes in. The strategic placement of the chargers aims to benefit both drivers, who can charge their vehicles while shopping, and retailers, who could see increased customer traffic. Thomas Vandervecken, Allego’s Business Developer Manager for Belux, highlighted the advantages of placing charging infrastructure along major roads in these commercial hubs.…

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…