Author: Joshua Morris

Tesla has announced plans to deploy its first V4 Superchargers in China in 2025, marking a significant expansion of its charging network in the country. The company revealed the news through a poster shared on Weibo, outlining its commitment to enhancing the charging experience with the next-generation V4 Superchargers. The V4 Superchargers, powered by Tesla’s latest generation of charging technology, promise to optimize the charging process for both Tesla and third-party electric vehicle (EV) models. Tesla stated that the new chargers will support an even broader range of models, including future vehicles entering the market. The V4 Superchargers are Tesla’s…

Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Kia and Genesis models, has announced that five of its electric vehicles (EVs) now qualify for the $7,500 US federal tax credit. This marks the first time the Korean automaker has been eligible for the tax benefit since the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed in 2022. The US Department of Energy confirmed that Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 electric models, along with Kia’s EV6 and EV9, and the Genesis Electrified GV70, are now among the 25 EV models that qualify for the credit. The IONIQ 5 is built at Hyundai’s new Metaplant America…

Xpeng Inc. achieved a new monthly delivery record in December, bolstered by strong demand for its new Mona M03 and P7+ models. The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer delivered 36,695 vehicles, marking an 82.43% increase from the 20,115 units delivered in December 2023 and an 18.77% rise from November’s total of 30,895. The Mona M03 contributed over 15,000 units in December, while the P7+ added more than 10,000, according to the company. These results also pushed Xpeng’s fourth-quarter deliveries to 91,507 units, exceeding the upper limit of its guidance range of 87,000 to 91,000 vehicles. The quarterly performance represented a 52.11%…

Stellantis has delayed the launch of its all-electric Ram 1500 REV once again, this time pushing the release back to 2026. The company cites “slowing industry demand” for electric trucks, indicating that customers are not yet eager to replace their gas-powered trucks with electric alternatives. Initially slated for a late 2024 debut, the Ram 1500 REV was already pushed to early 2025. Now, the electric pickup’s arrival is further delayed, as Stellantis shifts its attention to the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, a range-extender version of the truck set for launch in 2025. The company argues that consumer demand for the Ramcharger,…

European new car sales fell by 2% in November, marking a return to negative growth after a brief uptick in October, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). The decline was driven by significant drops in France and Italy, coupled with stagnant performance in Germany. While hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) registrations continued to rise, the slowdown in fully electric vehicle (BEV) sales weighed heavily on the market. Registrations across the EU, Britain, and EFTA totaled 1.06 million units in November. Among major automakers, Volkswagen and Renault posted year-on-year growth of 2.8% and 9.2%, respectively, while Stellantis saw a…

Waymo, the self-driving division of Alphabet, has announced plans to expand its autonomous vehicle services beyond the U.S. The company revealed on Monday that it will begin testing its self-driving Jaguar I-Pace vehicles in Tokyo, Japan, in early 2025. This will mark the first international deployment of Waymo’s robotaxis, following the expansion of its driverless ride-hailing service in the U.S. The initial phase of the project will involve manual operation of the vehicles to map out key areas in Tokyo, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō. こんにちは(Konnichiwa) and hello, Japan! We’re thrilled to announce that Waymo, in…

Norwegian fuel cell manufacturer Teco 2030 has filed for insolvency, citing an inability to secure the necessary capital to continue operations. The company’s board made the unanimous decision to file for bankruptcy on 10 December, acknowledging that there is no longer a realistic opportunity to raise sufficient funds to keep the business running. The bankruptcy petition was filed the same evening. Teco 2030 had been facing challenges for some time. In September, the company announced a strategic reorganization, shifting away from manufacturing its own fuel cell systems. Instead, Teco 2030 opted to focus on licensing its technology to other companies,…

General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Barra stated this week that the automaker and former U.S. President Donald Trump are “goal-aligned” on key issues, despite looming policy decisions that could significantly impact GM’s operations. Barra’s comments came during an Automotive Press Association event, where she acknowledged potential challenges posed by Trump’s proposed tariffs and other policy changes. “We want a strong economy. We want a strong manufacturing base in this country. We agree automotive jobs are important,” Barra said, according to the Detroit Free Press. However, she conceded that the proposed 25% tariff on vehicles imported from Mexico and Canada, where…

Tesla is ramping up its Cybercab testing near the Giga Texas facility. Aerial footage from Joe Tegtmeyer, a long-time observer of the site, reveals several Cybercabs operating around the complex. The robotaxis were seen smoothly navigating routes near the east side of the highway and areas like the “Cyberpond” and the “Fork” display. The Cybercabs were accompanied by a Model 3 chase car, as seen in previous tests, and demonstrated impressive autonomous driving, responding to pedestrians and vehicles with ease. More @Tesla Cybercab testing at Giga Texas today! Routes are all over the east side of the highway, even on…

Australian mining company Fortescue has secured 10 million Australian dollars in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop a six-megawatt fast charger aimed at powering heavy battery electric vehicles (EVs). The total project cost is estimated at $35.3 million, and it includes the construction, testing, and validation of several chargers, with the goal of having the first 6 MW charger ready for production by the end of 2025. The charging station is being designed with global standardization in mind, ensuring compatibility with any equipment that meets connector standards across various industries, including mining, rail, and other heavy…

Dodge dealers are expected to generate significant profits from the sale of the new 2024 Charger Daytona EV, with potential earnings of thousands of dollars per vehicle sold, according to a report from Cars Direct. The report highlights a substantial difference between the invoice price, the amount dealers pay Dodge, and the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the new electric muscle car. For instance, the base Charger Daytona has a before-options MSRP of $57,995, while its invoice price is $55,096. This results in a potential profit of $2,899 per unit if sold at MSRP. By comparison, the invoice-to-MSRP difference…

Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) is spearheading an ambitious initiative to ensure electric vehicles (EVs) can travel no more than 50 kilometers without access to charging facilities. The government is developing a comprehensive master plan aimed at establishing a robust charging network across the country. The master plan will provide a blueprint for investors to strategically develop EV infrastructure, avoiding underutilized or obsolete stations, according to a report by The New Times. The framework focuses on areas with high population density and traffic, leveraging existing petrol stations and commercial properties. A recent geospatial analysis identified over 226 potential sites for…

UK-based charge point supplier Project EV has introduced a new 1 MW charger designed for high-demand commercial applications, targeting sectors such as fleet operations, highway rest stops, and logistics hubs. The charger, which incorporates advanced vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, aims to help electrified commercial fleets reduce total ownership costs while offering an additional revenue stream through grid services. The charging solution, developed in collaboration with the UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and Innovate UK, supports up to ten outlets. Compatible with both liquid-cooled and air-cooled systems, the charger is described as one of the first of its kind…

Xiaomi EV, the electric vehicle arm of Chinese tech giant Xiaomi, has reported another strong performance in November 2024, with deliveries of its SU7 model surpassing 20,000 units for the second consecutive month. Despite this growth, the company continues to face a bottleneck in production capacity, with customers now facing wait times of up to 19 weeks for their orders, according to information monitored by CnEVPost. Xiaomi EV has set a new delivery target of over 130,000 units for the full year of 2024, following strong demand for the SU7. “We are confident in reaching our new target of over…

Polestar has introduced updated leasing and financing options for its Polestar 3 electric SUV lineup, coinciding with the start of production for the single-motor Polestar 3 at its Charleston, South Carolina facility. These changes aim to provide more flexibility for customers and increase the appeal of the company’s high-end electric vehicles in the U.S. market. The 2025 Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor with the Pilot Standard Pack is now available for lease at $599 per month over 36 months, with a $5,599 down payment. This brings the effective monthly payment to $755, with a mileage limit of 10,000 miles…

Volvo Cars reported a 5% year-on-year rise in global sales for November, with deliveries reaching 66,977 vehicles, driven by strong growth in Europe and the United States. Sales in Europe, the automaker’s largest market, surged 20% to 31,611 vehicles, while U.S. sales climbed 5%, Volvo Cars said on Wednesday. By contrast, sales in China declined by 8%. Electrified models—fully electric and plug-in hybrids—saw global sales jump 40%, comprising 48% of the company’s total deliveries for the month. In a strategic move, Volvo Cars announced the sale of its 30% stake in Chinese automaker Lynk & Co to Zeekr in a…

Carmakers in the UK warned on Tuesday of nearly £6 billion ($7.52 billion) in combined discounts and compliance costs to meet the government’s 2024 electric vehicle (EV) sales mandate. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) emphasized the challenges in a statement, with CEO Mike Hawes cautioning that “profitability and viability are in jeopardy and jobs are on the line.” The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced plans to consult on revising the zero-emission vehicle mandate but reiterated its commitment to a 2030 deadline for phasing out new petrol and diesel vehicle sales. Stellantis, meanwhile, revealed…

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck are advocating for leniency on EU climate penalties for automakers struggling to meet fleet CO2 emission limits in 2025, a move aimed at supporting the industry’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs). However, the existing fleet limits will remain unchanged, according to German officials. The European Union’s fleet CO2 limits, set in 2021, mandate manufacturers to cap emissions at 93.6 grams per kilometer in 2025, down from the current 115.1 grams. The sharp reduction has posed challenges for automakers reliant on combustion engines, leading to concerns over substantial penalties. Robert Habeck, Federal…

Kia and Hyundai remain confident as Chinese automaker BYD prepares to launch its passenger electric vehicles in South Korea by 2025. While BYD has been active in South Korea’s commercial vehicle market since 2016, this marks its first attempt at entering the passenger car sector. The South Korean auto market poses distinct challenges for BYD compared to its other markets. Industry insiders largely believe BYD’s strategy of offering low-cost electric vehicles may struggle to attract South Korean consumers. “I understand that Hyundai and Kia’s internal response to BYD’s entry to the domestic market is lukewarm. Not only have they not…

The European Union (EU) has refuted claims that it is on the verge of finalizing an agreement with China regarding tariffs on electric vehicle (EV) imports. The denial follows comments made by a European Parliament official that ignited widespread debate. Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee, stated last week that negotiations between Brussels and Beijing were nearing a resolution. He suggested that China might agree to a minimum price for EVs sold in the EU, aiming to address concerns over subsidized pricing. However, Reuters, citing unnamed EU officials, reported that no deal is imminent, with discussions ongoing…