Author: Jonathan Collins

Toyota is making significant adjustments to its electric car strategy in the Chinese market, aiming to accelerate the local development of electric drives and smart technology while better addressing the specific needs of Chinese customers. The company’s plan consists of five key points. The first two involve a PR strategy, with Toyota intending to rename its largest research and development centre in China from ‘Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (China) Co., Ltd.’ to ‘Intelligent ElectroMobility R&D Center by TOYOTA (China) Co., Ltd.’ as of 1 August, known as IEM by Toyota. This centre will bring together individual engineers from the…

Canadian automotive supplier, Magna, has recently initiated the production of a cutting-edge modular eDecoupling unit designed for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) from a prominent German premium OEM, which is believed to be Mercedes-Benz. The innovative eDecoupling technology, integrated into BEVs as a complete module, facilitates the disconnection of the electric motor from the drive shaft when propulsion is not required. This energy-saving mechanism reduces consumption and enhances overall efficiency, contributing to an impressive increase in electric range of up to nine per cent. While Magna has refrained from explicitly disclosing the name of the customer, customary practice for most suppliers, the…

In a remarkable feat, accomplished adventure driver Rainer Zietlow set a new world record by driving a Volkswagen ID.4 across Canada with a mere 18 recharges. The journey, spanning 4,432 miles (7,133 km), took seven days, with Zietlow averaging an impressive 246 miles (396 km) between charges, earning him the Guinness World Record for the fewest charges during a cross-country drive in Canada. The expedition commenced on July 25, as Zietlow embarked from St. John’s, Newfoundland, on the east coast of Canada. After traversing the vast Canadian landscape, he concluded his trip in Victoria, British Columbia, on the west coast,…

Ohio-based automaker Lordstown Motors Corp. has encountered significant challenges in establishing a strong foothold in the electric pickup truck market. While competitors like Rivian and Ford have achieved considerable success with their electric truck offerings, Lordstown’s sales remained modest, with just three electric trucks sold in 2022. The company’s difficulties have been likened to a state of “production hell.” In response to mounting financial woes, Lordstown Motors filed for bankruptcy in June of this year. Seeking a prompt resolution, the automaker requested an expedited bidding procedure, with the aim of offloading its assets as early as September. However, this request…

Tesla has recently submitted a proposal to construct nine electric semitruck charging stations along the route between California and Texas. The charging stations, known as Megachargers, were originally promised by the automaker when it unveiled the Tesla Semi electric truck back in 2017. Currently, Tesla is producing the Tesla Semi in limited quantities for select customers and its internal operations. As a result, the need for charging stations tailored specifically to electric semitrucks, such as the Megachargers, has been relatively low. Nevertheless, the company has deployed some Megachargers at customer distribution centers and its own facilities, like the Gigafactory in…

Ineos Automotive, part of the diverse group of companies owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has made significant strides in the automotive industry since it began producing off-roaders in 2022. With a focus on providing an authentic and robust off-roading experience, the company promises to deliver its first all-electric vehicle with a minimum range of 249 miles (400 kilometers). The electric Grenadier, set to be manufactured by Magna Steyr, is expected to offer consumers a modernized yet genuinely original Land Rover Defender-inspired design, incorporating cutting-edge technology. In a recent conversation with Australian outlet Carsales, Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder confirmed that…

Tesla’s Supercharger network has been a driving force behind the company’s success, offering fast and convenient charging solutions for its electric vehicles. Now, exciting details have surfaced about the much-anticipated Supercharger V4, which has already been deployed in some regions overseas. Thanks to a diligent Reddit user, u/RealPokePOP, we now have insights into its capabilities and features. According to the uncovered planning documents, the Supercharger V4 boasts an impressive 350 kW output, a substantial improvement over the previous V3 version, which supported up to 250 kW. This power upgrade is expected to significantly benefit electric vehicles with larger battery packs,…

California-based electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors has revealed its highly anticipated ultrahigh-performance EV, the Lucid Air Sapphire, poised to challenge Tesla’s Model S Plaid. After teasing fans for several months with a tri-motor version of the electric Air sedan, the company officially unveiled its flagship EV at Monterey Car Week last summer. The Lucid Air Sapphire boasts an impressive twin rear-drive unit with incorporated torque vectoring, which, in combination with the single-motor front-drive unit, delivers over 1,200 horsepower. This makes it not only the most potent electric sedan ever produced but also the world’s most powerful sedan, surpassing its Tesla…

In February, Volkswagen, once the dominant automaker in China, relinquished its top spot to BYD in terms of sales, marking the beginning of a challenging period for the German automaker. The ongoing battle between these automotive giants reflects a broader trend in the Chinese market. According to data from the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, BYD has managed to increase its overall market share to 11.2 percent by selling 595,300 plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles in Q2. In contrast, Volkswagen’s sales totaled 544,000 vehicles, with just 23,433 being fully electric. While Volkswagen remains the second-largest brand by sales, it…

In a recent announcement, Canoo, a high-tech advanced mobility company based in California, revealed a significant expansion of its partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Building on their previous collaboration, Canoo has showcased its expertise in commercial battery technology by delivering a cutting-edge battery pack that holds promise for scaling operational military platforms. The technology’s potential also paves the way for standardizing energy-dense lithium batteries within the U.S. Navy. The collaboration follows DIU’s extensive testing and analysis of Canoo’s proprietary technology since February 2023. See also: Driving Experience in Canoo’s Lifestyle Vehicle: A Closer Look…

China’s automotive industry has witnessed a remarkable surge in vehicle exports during the first half of 2023, as reported by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Data released yesterday revealed that a total of 2.34 million vehicles were exported, marking a substantial 73 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Of particular note is the impressive growth of New Energy Vehicle (NEV) exports, which witnessed a staggering 105 percent year-on-year increase, amounting to 800,000 units in the first half of the year. NEVs now account for an impressive 34 percent of all vehicle exports. Breaking it down further,…

Porsche’s electric sports car, the Taycan, recently achieved a significant milestone by setting a new record as the fastest all-electric vehicle on a challenging 1,146-mile journey from Thailand to Singapore. The remarkable feat was accomplished within an impressive time frame of under 30 hours, making it a remarkable achievement in long-distance EV travel. During the nonstop driving challenge in Southeast Asia, three journalists embarked on the journey, utilizing the Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo model fitted with a performance battery plus pack. This specific Taycan variant, designed with up to 512 km (318 miles) range and an 800V battery pack,…