Author: Joshua Morris

Tritium, the Australian-founded electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging solutions provider, is relocating its entire production of fast-charging columns overseas. The company recently inaugurated a production plant in Lebanon, Tennessee, in August 2022, signaling its move away from its Australian base. The US facility, with the capacity to produce up to 30,000 DC chargers annually across six production lines, is deemed sufficient for Tritium’s current global demands, having already delivered 14,500 fast chargers to 47 countries. As part of its strategic restructuring, Tritium plans to shutter its original Brisbane factory while retaining and expanding its over 200-strong research and development team along…

A recent analysis by iSeeCars has unveiled notable disparities in the 5-year depreciation rates of electric vehicles (EVs), with Tesla models capturing both ends of the spectrum. The study indicates that while EVs, in general, struggle to retain their value, Tesla’s Model S claims the highest depreciation, and the Model 3 stands out as the most resilient. iSeeCars categorizes electric vehicles as the least resilient in terms of holding their value, experiencing a depreciation of 49.1 percent over a 5-year period. In contrast, hybrids and pickup trucks emerge as the most robust segments, with depreciation rates limited to 37 percent…

In the vibrant landscape of EICMA 2023, Hero MotoCorp has unveiled its latest electric two-wheeler, the Vida V1 Coupe, under its dedicated electric mobility brand, Vida. This stylish addition to the global electric commuter market follows the success of the V1, designed for the Indian market. Unlike conventional two-wheelers, Hero’s V1 Coupe takes inspiration from the automotive world by adopting the term “Coupe.” While typically associated with two-door cars, this electric scooter offers a unique twist with a single saddle, providing a sportier and streamlined appearance. The innovative design allows for the option of transforming back into a dual-seater, adding…

Volkswagen has officially launched its highly anticipated electric flagship model, the ID.7, in the UK. With a starting price of £55,570 RRP on-the-road, the ID.7 is being introduced with a range of enticing offers available until January 2, 2024. As Volkswagen’s first all-electric upper mid-sized car and the pinnacle of the ID. model range, the ID.7 has garnered positive reviews since its global debut in April. Its sleek design, premium features, and impressive efficiency have contributed to its favorable reception. The initial offering, the ID.7 Pro Launch Edition, boasts fast DC charging up to 175 kW and an extensive 384-mile…

Chrysler, a brand under the Stellantis umbrella, is gearing up for an exciting shift in its lineup, as CEO Christine Feuell unveiled plans for a new two-row electric crossover set to debut in 2025. The announcement was made during Feuell’s appearance at the Reuters Events Automotive USA 2023 conference in Detroit. The forthcoming electric crossover is expected to draw inspiration from the striking Chrysler Airflow concept, which was unveiled at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show. While specifics about the design are yet to be fully disclosed, the model will share the STLA Large architecture with other Stellantis vehicles, ensuring it…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has maintained its stance against price reductions, with CEO RJ Scaringe revealing that new orders are contributing to an increase in the average selling price (ASP) of its vehicles. Following a successful Q3 performance that surpassed earnings expectations, Scaringe stated that average selling prices are consistently “trending upwards.” In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Scaringe explained, “There’s an evolution of our average selling price which continues to trend upwards as we move into new orders.” Throughout the year, Rivian has witnessed a steady improvement in gross profit per vehicle delivered. Despite incurring a loss of approximately…

The CircularLab, a critical component of the Battery LabFactory Braunschweig (BLB), a research center at TU Braunschweig, has officially opened its doors, marking a significant step in advancing research on the lifecycle and circular production of lithium-ion batteries. This new facility, alongside the existing ProductionLab and DiagnosisLab, positions BLB to cover various aspects of battery production and recycling, spanning from material synthesis to system development and recycling. The groundbreaking ceremony for the CircularLab took place in October 2021, and the facility received its first systems in the autumn of 2022, culminating in its recent inauguration. The CircularLab boasts approximately 1,250…

Ashdod, Israel, recently witnessed the arrival of a shipment of Tesla Model 3 Highland units aboard the Gold Kochav. The images captured at the port showcased hundreds of refreshed Model 3 vehicles, with white being the predominant color choice, indicating robust demand for the electric cars. In August, Tesla opened orders for the Model 3 Highland in Israel, shortly after the model’s upgraded version made its debut in China. At that time, Tesla offered the Model 3 Highland RWD with a starting price of NIS 159,990 ($42,105.40), while the Long Range variants began at NIS 179,990 ($47,368.90), excluding additional options.…

Audi has initiated the production of electric motors for the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) EV platform, a joint venture with Porsche. The PPE platform has faced multiple delays, resulting in postponements for highly-anticipated electric vehicles (EVs) like the electric Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron. The collaboration between Volkswagen’s premium brands, Audi and Porsche, was first announced in 2018, with the objective of developing the PPE platform. This platform is designed to enhance cost-efficiency, accelerate charging capabilities, and incorporate cutting-edge digitalization and autonomous driving features, ultimately expediting the launch of new Audi and Porsche electric models. Originally, the debut of…

Tesla’s widely acclaimed Model 3, known for its affordability and recent facelift under the “Project Highland” codename, has undergone a challenging assessment on the renowned Nürburgring Nordschleife track in Germany. The extensive test drive, featured on Misha Charoudin’s popular YouTube channel, offers insights into the Model 3’s performance in a high-performance setting. The video showcases the Tesla Model 3 Highland’s abilities and limitations, shedding light on various aspects of its performance. Notably, experienced driver Misha Charoudin frequently highlights the Model 3’s brake system, which exhibited signs of overheating when the decelerating recuperation function was disabled. Additionally, the stock Michelin e-Primacy…

At EICMA 2023, the highly anticipated 2024 Zero S from Zero Motorcycles made its official debut, bearing a familiar name but sporting substantial changes that set it apart from its predecessor. The 2024 Zero S remains true to its electric nature, but the advancements in this latest iteration are nothing short of remarkable. While the 2023 model boasted a 7.2-kilowatt hour battery pack, the 2024 version takes a giant leap forward with a 14.4 kWh battery unit, signaling the profound transformation beneath the surface. Key performance metrics, including peak power, torque, range, and top speed, have all experienced significant enhancements.…

Danish methanol fuel cell components and systems developer, Blue World Technologies, and AGCO Power, a specialist in agricultural equipment design and manufacturing, have joined forces to pioneer a breakthrough solution aimed at extending the range and operational capabilities of electric tractors. Their innovative concept, rooted in Blue World Technologies’ fuel cell platform, utilizes methanol as a liquid fuel to substantially enhance the tractor’s runtime. Through the development of prototypes and rigorous field testing, the companies report early success with their “Tractor Range Extender Concept.” This concept relies on liquid methanol, produced using carbon-captured CO2 and hydrogen, which is subsequently converted…

A recently surfaced video on the internet has ignited fresh discussions around the long-anticipated release of the Tesla Cybertruck. The 53-second video, originally posted on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum and later shared on YouTube by Levi Filippi, features a release candidate (RC) Tesla Cybertruck exhibiting impressive acceleration from a standstill at a traffic light. While the video offers a brief moment of entertainment for enthusiasts, it leaves several questions unanswered. Viewers are left guessing about the exact speed the electric pickup reached before braking and the speed of the Tesla vehicle that followed it. Nevertheless, what is clear from…

The joint plan by automakers Volkswagen and Stellantis to acquire two Brazilian mines for battery raw materials, in collaboration with mining group Glencore, has reached an impasse. The deal has been terminated following unsuccessful attempts to revise the acquisition agreement, as reported by ACG, the financial company involved in the transaction. Sources cited by Reuters indicate that during ACG’s proposed $300 million capital increase, a crucial part of the deal, minority investors lost interest. Although Stellantis and Glencore had committed as anchor investors, the deal faltered primarily due to pricing concerns. An insider noted, “The deal failed because of the…

Tesla continues its global effort to expand access to its Supercharger network for owners of electric vehicles (EVs) from other brands. The latest expansion has taken place in New Zealand, where Tesla has introduced its Non-Tesla Supercharger program. The announcement of the program’s launch in New Zealand was made by the official Tesla Charging account on X. According to Tesla’s mapping data, this program encompasses six out of the seventeen Supercharger stations in the country, providing non-Tesla EV owners with access to a total of 30 charging connectors across the two main islands. The Supercharger stations included in the program,…

Hyundai’s 2024 Ioniq 5 has made its debut in Australia, introducing a range of enticing features to the market. Notably, the local lineup has expanded with the addition of an entry-level model, diversifying options for prospective buyers. At the base of the Ioniq 5 range in Australia is a model equipped with a 58 kWh battery pack, in contrast to the larger 77.4 kWh pack featured in all other variants. This smaller battery pack powers a new electric motor located at the rear axle, boasting 125 kW (167 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. Hyundai Australia reports that…

Lithuanian automotive manufacturer, Altas Auto, is making strides in its electric vehicle (EV) bus expansion efforts. In a strategic cooperation with Chinese manufacturer Zhongtong Bus, Altas Auto has announced plans to introduce two battery-electric buses into its lineup. The first of these, a compact 7.5-meter model, will be unveiled in a visionary showcase at Busworld Europe 2023. Altas Auto is committed to aligning with the European Agenda 2030, with aspirations to fully transition to electric mobility by 2025. The collaboration with Zhongtong Bus is expected to play a key role in achieving this goal. The forthcoming 7.5-meter city bus, debuting…

German Transport Minister Volker Wissing has firmly opposed the idea of imposing punitive tariffs as a response to the European Commission’s ongoing investigation into alleged Chinese electric vehicle (EV) subsidies. Speaking to the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper, Wissing emphasized his reluctance to endorse protectionist measures and raised concerns about the potential repercussions on the German economy. Wissing, representing the business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP), warned against the adoption of isolationist policies, suggesting that such actions could trigger a detrimental chain reaction. He expressed his belief that obstructing trade, be it in the automotive sector today or other industries tomorrow, would ultimately impoverish…

In a bid to distance itself from its history of lobbying for climate-skeptical politicians and resisting electric vehicles (EVs), Toyota is making a conspicuous statement about its commitment to a sustainable future. The Japanese automaker recently took to social media to unveil a distinctive blue badge that will adorn its upcoming electric crossover, symbolizing its dedication to “the happiness of people living on earth.” The teaser video released by Toyota offers a glimpse of the rear end of the bZ compact SUV, a precursor to its forthcoming electric SUV. First introduced in November 2022 as the bZ Compact SUV concept,…

Jay Leno, the iconic former TV show host and avid car enthusiast, recently had the privilege of getting up close and personal with Automobili Pininfarina’s electrifying hypercars. The renowned Italian automaker opened the doors of its exclusive garage to Leno, showcasing not one but two remarkable creations – the recently-unveiled Pininfarina B95 and the record-breaking Battista. Leno’s focus was squarely on the Battista, a hypercar renowned as one of the fastest-accelerating production vehicles on the market today. He was captivated by the Battista’s authentic Italian charm, commending its aerodynamic design, which he described as a “beautiful automobile” characterized by its…