Author: Joshua Morris

Mercedes has unveiled a new in-drive braking system for its electric vehicles, positioning it as a significant innovation in EV braking technology. Unlike most vehicles, which typically feature outboard brakes connected to the wheel hubs or occasionally inboard brakes, this new system places the brakes inside the housing of the electric vehicle’s drive unit. Mercedes claims the system offers several benefits, including reduced maintenance needs and a decrease in brake dust emissions. The concept of using electric motors for regenerative braking, which helps preserve friction brakes and recaptures energy for the battery, is already established in the EV industry. Various…

Audi has unveiled its 2025 RS e-tron GT and S e-tron GT, marking a significant update to its high-performance electric vehicle (EV) lineup. With nearly 1,000 horsepower and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 2.4 seconds, the new RS e-tron GT becomes the most powerful and fastest-accelerating production car in Audi’s history, pushing the limits of what electric performance can achieve. The 2025 e-tron GT family now includes two models: the S e-tron GT, which offers a more accessible performance package, and the headline-grabbing RS e-tron GT Performance. Both models feature improvements in battery capacity, driving range, and charging…

Kia debuted its highly anticipated 2026 EV9 GT at the LA Auto Show, showcasing a high-performance version of its three-row electric SUV. The EV9 GT boasts upgraded power, advanced features, and a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, aligning with Kia’s plans to enhance EV infrastructure compatibility. The EV9 GT features a significant horsepower boost to 501 hp, compared to the 379 hp of the current GT-Line trim. Its dual-motor system includes a 160 kW motor in the front and a 270 kW motor in the rear, enabling a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 4.3 seconds. Additional performance…

Autonomous vehicle startup Nuro is rolling out a test fleet of its driverless, passenger-less R3 vehicles across the Bay Area and Houston. This marks a significant expansion of Nuro’s testing operations, following a strategic shift toward licensing its autonomous vehicle (AV) technology to automakers and mobility providers. The initiative, which began two months after Nuro’s pivot, aims to showcase its AV technology to potential customers in both the automotive and delivery sectors. Nuro, which has raised over $2 billion from investors such as Tiger Global Management and SoftBank Vision Fund, initially planned to operate a fleet of low-speed delivery robots…

California has updated its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) in a bid to attract more investments into cleaner fuel and transportation technologies, with the ambitious goal of reducing CO2 emissions in the transportation sector by 90% by 2045. The newly announced updates to the LCFS aim to cut the carbon intensity of the state’s fuel mix by 30% by 2030, ultimately reaching a 90% reduction by 2045. Additionally, the revisions will provide increased support for zero-emissions infrastructure, particularly for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and expand the eligibility for transit agencies to generate credits under the LCFS program. The LCFS functions…

Lion Electric, a Quebec-based manufacturer of electric buses, is grappling with severe financial difficulties and is now considering various alternatives, including a potential sale of the company. While the company is not yet ready to put itself up for sale, it has confirmed that the possibility is being explored internally. In a recent statement, Lion Electric revealed that it is evaluating several sources of financing and other strategic options, which could include selling the business or certain assets. The company is currently in discussions with its lenders to extend the grace period on a loan agreement until November 30, 2024.…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio has set an ambitious new target for international growth, aiming to expand into up to 25 countries or regions by the end of 2024. This marks a significant acceleration of its previous goal, announced three years ago, to enter more than 25 markets by 2025. Nio’s co-founder and president, Qin Lihong, revealed the updated target in an interview with Chinese state-run media outlet CGTN on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “I hope that we can expand to up…

Willowbank Raceway in Queensland, Australia, has prohibited electric vehicles (EVs) from participating in racing and testing on its track due to safety considerations. While hybrid vehicles are permitted, fully electric vehicles are now restricted, according to an official statement released by the raceway. “After careful consideration and investigation, Willowbank Raceway has decided that we can no longer allow road-registered Fully Electric Vehicles to race or test at Willowbank Raceway,” the statement read. The decision was based on a review of guidelines from Motorsport Australia, the National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA), and other emergency response protocols, which indicated that “the…

Tesla’s Model 3 has once again demonstrated its superior safety features, becoming the only vehicle among 30 tested to excel in a rear-end truck collision scenario, one of the deadliest types of vehicular accidents. In a rigorous crash test administered by the Chinese DCAR Institute for Collision Safety, the Model 3 was the standout performer, with its design and engineering allowing it to pass all the critical safety benchmarks. The crash test, known as the “trailer drill,” simulates the deadly scenario of a car rear-ending a truck while sliding underneath it. In this high-stakes test, the Model 3 showed remarkable…

Renesas Electronics, in collaboration with Nidec, has unveiled an ‘8-in-1’ proof of concept (PoC) for electric axle (E-Axle) systems, designed to control eight functions using a single microcontroller. The system integrates a motor, reduction gear, inverter, DC/DC converter, and onboard battery charger, demonstrating a compact, efficient solution for electric vehicles (EVs). This PoC, presented at electronica 2024 in Munich, is still in the prototype stage and not yet production-ready. The integrated system includes a 70 to 100 kW inverter with a maximum efficiency of 99%, a 1.5 kW DC/DC converter, a 6.6 kW onboard charger, a power distribution unit, battery…

Paris has enacted a traffic-restricted zone in its city center, prohibiting most vehicles from passing through key areas in an effort to reduce congestion and improve air quality. The measure, implemented by Mayor Anne Hidalgo, restricts car access to a 5.5-square-kilometer area covering Paris’s 1st to 4th arrondissements, which includes landmarks such as the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens. Since November 4, only emergency vehicles, buses, taxis, and residents or workers in the zone are permitted entry, along with individuals visiting the area for essential activities such as medical appointments, shopping, or entertainment. Transit traffic is strictly prohibited. The decree,…

Tesla has introduced a new feature in its navigation system that displays real-time availability at select third-party charging stations, starting with two new markets. This feature aims to make charging more efficient by helping Tesla drivers avoid potential wait times at non-Tesla chargers. Tesla owner and X user Matty06 shared photos last week showing the updated navigation screen, which now indicates the status of third-party chargers with phrases like “1 of 2 available.” The feature is currently available at select stations participating in Tesla’s Qualified Third-Party Charger Program, launched in 2022. @NotATeslaApp the latest map update in europe, give us…

Autonomous robotaxi developer Zoox has begun testing its custom-built driverless vehicles in San Francisco, marking its second commercial testing market after Las Vegas, according to a company update on Tuesday. This move represents another milestone for the decade-old startup, which develops fully autonomous electric vehicles (EVs) without manual controls, such as pedals or steering wheels, setting it apart from competitors that convert conventional EVs into robotaxis. What’s green, bidirectional, and now driving autonomously in San Francisco and the Las Vegas Strip? The Zoox robotaxi! Give us a wave if you see us on the road! 👋 Head to our Journal…

Volkswagen’s software division, Cariad, has partnered with mapping service TomTom to develop a navigation system optimized for electric vehicles (EVs) that continuously monitors the vehicle’s range and dynamically adjusts routes. The system, which will debut in Audi EVs, is set to eventually be integrated across Volkswagen Group brands. The new solution, utilizing TomTom’s cloud-native navigation software, incorporates real-time traffic data, charging station availability, and driving style to recommend optimal charging stops. In areas without a data connection, the system can operate using onboard software, ensuring consistent performance. “This milestone with Volkswagen Group enhances the driver experience by embedding TomTom’s technologies…

The European Union will maintain its timeline to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales by 2035, a stance reinforced by newly designated Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra. Speaking at his parliamentary hearing, Hoekstra expressed strong support for the plan to decarbonize Europe’s transport sector, echoing recent comments from EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas. Hoekstra, a member of the European People’s Party (EPP) from the Netherlands, emphasized the need for regulatory stability, particularly for carmakers aiming to meet upcoming carbon reduction milestones, including interim targets set for 2025. “Our priority must be to ensure predictability for industry,” Hoekstra said. He…

Tesla is rolling out a new software update designed to improve Supercharging performance for its electric vehicles, with a focus on enhancing the experience in colder climates. Cold weather has long posed challenges for electric vehicles, particularly in terms of battery performance and range. Tesla has previously addressed this by integrating heat pumps into its vehicles, a feature now adopted by other automakers like Ford to combat range loss in low temperatures. The latest update, Software Update 2024.44, introduces “Cold Weather Improvements,” which aim to optimize battery preconditioning for more efficient Supercharging in colder conditions. Tesla has also integrated improvements…

Chinese battery giant CATL has intensified its research and development in all-solid-state battery technology, increasing its R&D team to over 1,000 employees this year, according to local media outlet LatePost. The company is focusing on the sulfide-based route and recently progressed to the trial production phase with 20 Ah sample batteries. CATL’s latest solution for lithium ternary all-solid-state batteries reportedly achieves an energy density of 500 Wh/kg, a significant 40% improvement over conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, challenges in charging speed and cycle life remain. CATL is competing with other mainstream technology routes in the solid-state battery field, including oxide and…

Lyft has announced a strategic partnership with Mobileye, an Israel-based provider of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous technology, to commercialize autonomous vehicle fleets for large-scale rideshare operations. The collaboration aims to bring Mobileye’s self-driving technology to Lyft’s network of fleet operators, supporting the company’s goal of scaling autonomous mobility across North America. Under the agreement, Mobileye will integrate its autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, Mobileye Drive, into vehicles produced by select automakers for use in Lyft’s rideshare fleet. This “Lyft-ready” AV ecosystem will allow fleet operators to purchase Mobileye-equipped vehicles from various OEMs, including Hyundai, which recently implemented autonomous capabilities…

UPS has announced the addition of 188 electric delivery vehicles to its German fleet and four to its Swiss operations as part of its push towards a more sustainable delivery network in Europe. This marks the first electric vehicle deployment in Switzerland for the courier and package (CEP) provider, reinforcing its goal to decarbonize operations across the continent. The new fleet comprises Iveco eDaily electric trucks in several configurations: 49 units of 3.8-tonne trucks (P45E) with a 14-cubic-meter capacity, 106 units of 7.2-tonne trucks (P80E) with a 23-cubic-meter capacity, and 37 units of 7.2-tonne trucks (P100E) offering 28 cubic meters…

Autonomous vehicle technology firm Aurora Innovation (AUR) announced it has postponed the commercial deployment of its autonomous trucking service to April 2025, moving its timeline back slightly from its initial target of late 2024. The delay aims to provide additional time to validate its self-driving technology for safe, scalable operations. “While this is modestly later than we had intended, this timing remains within the margin of error we have anticipated and conveyed throughout 2024,” Aurora CEO Chris Urmson noted in his third-quarter earnings letter. “With our intention to introduce the Aurora Driver with a crawl, walk, run approach, this shift…