Author: Jonathan Collins

Tesla Inc has filed a patent for an automated sanitization system designed for its upcoming self-driving cars intended for a ride-hailing service, according to documents reviewed by Reuters. The patent, titled ‘Controlling environmental conditions in enclosed spaces,’ addresses concerns over hygiene in shared transportation spaces, a critical aspect as Tesla prepares to launch its autonomous ride-hailing service. The company highlighted in its patent filing that while shared vehicles offer cost and environmental advantages, they also pose risks of disease transmission through contaminated surfaces and air. https://twitter.com/seti_park/status/1807384699725304097 Tesla’s solution involves employing a variety of sensors, including image, acoustic, thermal, pressure, capacitive,…

Portuguese logistics firm Klog is set to debut its fleet of battery-electric trucks from Scania, marking a significant step towards sustainable transport solutions in partnership with Ikea. The new Scania electric trucks will operate between Ikea’s factory in Paços de Ferreira and Porto’s Leixões Harbour, facilitating the transport of Ikea products to stores across Portugal. Similar electric transitions are underway in southern France and Poland, according to Scania. Scania, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, acknowledges the challenges of electrifying heavy transport in Portugal, citing early-stage local infrastructure development. “To be able to make a real shift towards transport decarbonisation, we need…

British public transport giant Stagecoach has announced a substantial new order of 158 electric buses from Chinese manufacturer Yutong, marking its second major procurement within a week. The order, slated for delivery between July 2024 and the third quarter of 2025, includes solo electric buses destined for multiple UK cities such as Chesterfield, Slatyford, Rugby, Leamington, Nuneaton, Stockton, Preston, and Sunderland. The acquisition is bolstered by governmental support, including grants from the UK government’s ZEBRA 2 funding initiative. See also: Alexander Dennis Secures Major Contract to Supply 244 Electric Buses to Stagecoach in UK Earlier this week, Stagecoach also finalized an…

Hyundai Motor has decided to discontinue the Kona Electric in India, marking the end of its run due to disappointing sales. Introduced globally in 2018, the Kona Electric faced challenges in the Indian market, where its high initial price of ₹2.53 million (approximately €33,000) and design preferences did not resonate well with consumers. Dealers have been offering discounts of up to ₹400,000 (about €4,500) this year to clear remaining stock. The Kona Electric, known for its European-style design and limited rear seat and luggage space, struggled to meet the expectations of Indian customers who prefer more spacious and robust SUV…

Swiss energy management solutions provider Landis+Gyr announced on Tuesday that it has fully acquired Slovenian charging infrastructure manufacturer Etrel. Alongside this acquisition, Landis+Gyr has appointed Michael Viktor Fischer, former CEO of Smatrics, as the new CEO of its rebranded unit, Landis+Gyr EV Solutions. Landis+Gyr, which acquired a 75% stake in Etrel in 2021, specializes in energy management solutions. Etrel, based in Slovenia, provides hardware and software for charging electric vehicles in private homes, businesses, fleets, and public spaces. Operating under the new name Landis+Gyr EV Solutions, the company aims to “enable a wider use of renewable energy for electric mobility…

MAN Truck & Bus has introduced its electric heavy-duty truck, the eTGX, to the UK market. Following its sales launch in continental Europe in October 2023, the German truck and bus manufacturer has garnered nearly 2,000 order inquiries and orders for its eTGX and eTGS versions. The MAN eTruck is now available for order in the UK. To mark the occasion, MAN Truck & Bus UK collaborated with Sunswap to host a driving event featuring a left-hand drive vehicle with a German registration plate. The event also showcased the combination of the electric tractor unit with a specially developed battery…

As Tesla Cybertrucks become more prevalent on the roads, wrecked models are starting to surface in the market. Recently, two Cybertrucks have been listed for auction by IAAI, presenting an opportunity for buyers to potentially acquire these vehicles at a discount. However, the path to getting these vehicles back on the road could be a challenging and costly endeavor. The first Cybertruck available through IAAI retains its original stainless steel exterior panels, showing no obvious signs of damage apart from some dirt. However, the listing reveals that this Cybertruck was flooded in fresh water, with the water line just above…

Canada is contemplating the imposition of import tariffs on Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles (EVs), with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announcing plans for a public consultation period starting July 2. Freeland cited concerns over what she described as China’s “state-directed policy of overcapacity,” which she believes unfairly impacts the domestic auto sector. “Chinese producers are quite intentionally generating a global oversupply that undermines EV producers around the world, including here in Canada,” Freeland told reporters in Vaughan, Ontario, echoing sentiments raised by the United States and the European Union. See also: GM Reconsiders Ultium Electric Drive Unit Production in St. Catharines Plant,…

After establishing a presence in South Korea’s commercial vehicle market for approximately eight years, BYD is finalizing plans to introduce passenger electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. The company has selected three of its globally popular electric cars for release in South Korea. BYD has commenced regulatory work to launch its first electric cars in South Korea, with the official launch expected to take place in the second half of the year. See also: BYD to Launch Seal EV in Korea, Challenging Hyundai with Sub-$25,000 Price Tag An exclusive report by Chosun Biz revealed that BYD has chosen its retail partners…

The joint battery cell factory of Chinese company Gotion High-Tech and Slovakian battery company InoBat in Šurany, Slovakia, is set to become a reality following the signing of an Investment Agreement between the government and the joint venture. The agreement, which was signed after a previous letter of intent in November 2023, solidifies plans for the construction of the factory, which is expected to commence towards the end of the year with operations beginning in 2026. The initial capacity of the plant will be 20 GWh, with a planned total capacity of 60 GWh once fully operational. See also: Chinese Battery…

Joby Aviation has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use its proprietary software tools for on-demand air taxi operations. This approval allows Joby to deploy its ElevateOS system, a comprehensive suite comprising a mobile-first rider app, pilot tools, operations and schedule management software, and an intelligent matching engine. See also: Joby Aviation Acquires Xwing’s Autonomy Division for Advancement in Electric Air Taxis Eric Allison, Chief Product Officer at Joby and former head of Uber Elevate, expressed the groundbreaking nature of their air taxi service, stating, “The air taxi service we plan to deliver isn’t like any sort of…

Xpeng, a prominent Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is undergoing significant changes in its smart driving team, with key personnel changes and organizational restructuring, according to reports from local media outlet 36kr. The latest departure from Xpeng’s smart driving team is Lin Yishu, the North American head, who has been replaced by another senior member, Junyao. Lin, who joined Xpeng in 2019 and was recruited by the former vice president of autonomous driving Wu Xinzhou, left the company as part of the ongoing reshuffle. Wu had departed Xpeng last August to join Nvidia. See also: Xpeng Recruits Top European Designer for…