Author: Joshua Morris

Renault has offered a sneak peek into the production of its highly anticipated next-generation electric vehicle (EV), the Renault 5. The company has initiated a prototype production run at a state-of-the-art, yet relatively unknown, miniature plant located within its Technocentre engineering complex near Paris. The Global Production Engineering Center, established 25 years ago, serves as Renault’s prototype facility for vehicles as well as manufacturing and assembly processes. It is here that the company is diligently working on the first set of all-electric Renault 5 vehicles. These prototypes are being developed to prepare the model and its machinery for series production…

In a significant development towards the forthcoming legislation, the European Parliament has adopted the European Union’s regulations for the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and hydrogen facilities. The legislation, which closely aligns with earlier proposals, also includes advancements in the realm of maritime fuels. Negotiators from the EU Parliament and member states had previously engaged in discussions to establish binding targets for the expansion of EV infrastructure in March. The draft legislation was approved by the EU Parliament without any modifications, with an overwhelming majority of 514 votes in favor, 52 against, and 74 abstentions. According to the…

Leading electric vehicle (EV) charging platform, Chargemap, has unveiled an exciting subscription plan that provides EV drivers with preferential rates for ultra-rapid charging at Ionity columns throughout Europe. The recently launched ChargeMap Pass subscription is projected to save users up to 30 percent on charging costs, although the exact savings may vary. To take advantage of this exclusive Ionity offer, EV drivers must have an active Chargemap Pass. The subscription begins with a three-month package priced at €38.70, payable upfront. Subsequently, the monthly cost amounts to €12.90, and users can cancel the contract at any time after the initial three-month…

In a groundbreaking turn of events, the United Kingdom witnessed an extraordinary surge in new passenger car registrations during the month of June, skyrocketing by a remarkable 26 percent year-over-year to reach an impressive total of 177,266. As the first half of 2023 drew to a close, the cumulative number of fresh registrations soared to an astounding 949,720, marking an 18 percent increase. Notably, the plug-in segment outshone all expectations, outpacing the general market and achieving its most successful June to date. In a recent report released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), it was revealed that…

Tesla has once again outperformed market expectations by delivering an impressive total of over 466,000 electric vehicles in the second quarter of 2023. Wall Street had projected deliveries of around 448,000 vehicles, which was already an ambitious estimate based on Tesla’s previous record-breaking quarter. This accomplishment builds upon Tesla’s success in the first quarter of 2023 when the company achieved a milestone delivery figure of 422,000 vehicles. The robust performance throughout the first half of the year has positioned Tesla favorably in its pursuit of delivering 1.8 million vehicles by the end of 2023. See also: Tesla delivered 254,695 vehicles…

South Korean company LG Chem has commenced the first-ever large-scale production of single-crystal high-nickel cathodes for advanced batteries. The manufacturing process began on June 26, 2023, at LG Chem’s cathode plant situated in Cheongju, approximately 75 miles (120 km) southwest of Seoul. The initial batches of these innovative battery materials are scheduled to be dispatched to global clients starting in July. LG Chem, the parent company of battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution, emphasizes the significance of single-crystal cathodes, which are composed of individual particles containing various metals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese. These cathodes play a pivotal role in…

Kia Motors, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co, has announced the commencement of pre-orders for its inaugural all-electric model, the EV6, in China. Starting from June 28, Chinese consumers can secure their EV6 by making a pre-order payment of RMB 666 ($92). However, only 1,000 units of the imported model will be made available within China, according to Kia’s recent statement. While Kia has not disclosed the specific pricing details for the EV6 in China, the starting price for the model in the United States is listed as $42,600 on the company’s official website. The EV6 is built on Kia’s…

In a bid to tackle the challenges associated with remanufacturing commercial vehicle batteries, a consortium of nine partners has embarked on the REVAMP project. The acronym stands for “Remanufacturing of variant battery modules with automated assembly and testing processes.” The primary objective of REVAMP is to develop a streamlined process for automatically assessing the condition of used batteries in commercial vehicles. This innovative approach aims to facilitate cost-effective remanufacturing, accommodating batteries in varying states of aging and diverse shapes, structures, and manufacturers. Leading the federally funded initiative is MAN Truck & Bus, with several renowned participants including RWTH Aachen University’s…

BMW Group has taken a significant step towards establishing electric vehicle (EV) production in the United States while also promoting South Carolina as a thriving hub for battery and vehicle manufacturing. Construction has officially begun on the Plant Woodruff facility, which will complement BMW’s existing factories in the state and further solidify their commitment to electric mobility. Renowned German automaker BMW Group has long been synonymous with blending sportiness and luxury in its vehicles. However, it is only in recent times that the company has ventured into the realm of all-electric models. Despite the growing lineup of battery electric vehicles…

In a surprising turn of events, electric vehicle (EV) giant Tesla has decided to abandon its plans for a potential factory in Valencia, Spain. Reports suggest that the company was left “very angry” after confidential negotiations were leaked, leading to a breakdown in talks. Earlier this month, media reports emerged from Spain detailing Tesla’s intentions to establish a significant manufacturing facility in Valencia. However, sources close to Ximo Puig, the head of the Valencia government, have disclosed that Tesla was highly displeased with the premature disclosure of the negotiations. Ximo Puig, according to insiders, acknowledged that the information regarding the…

New York City and state officials have unveiled a plan to allocate $25 million in federal funding for the installation of electric bike charging stations. This initiative aims to address the growing concern of lithium-ion battery fires in the city. The proposed charging locations will be strategically positioned outside complexes owned by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), which has witnessed several incidents of battery fires in recent years. Given that electric bicycles are extensively utilized by delivery workers in the city, the focus on charging infrastructure aims to enhance safety and combat the prevalence of subpar batteries associated…

Hyundai Motor Group has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 10 million global connected car service subscribers this month. This achievement comes merely one year and ten months after reaching the milestone of 5 million subscribers in August 2021. The remarkable growth in subscribers strongly supports the Group’s ambitious Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) strategy. Connected car services leverage wireless networks to enable in-vehicle infotainment systems and smartphone applications, providing customers with convenient access to their vehicles. Over time, these services have evolved beyond the fundamental features of real-time navigation, voice recognition, and remote vehicle control. They now encompass advanced offerings such…

Hyundai’s eye-catching N Vision 74 Concept has captured the attention of car enthusiasts worldwide, fueling fervent calls for the automaker to turn it into a production reality. While Hyundai previously denied plans for a new Pony Coupe, recent patent documents uncovered by The Drive suggest that the company may indeed be working on a project connected to the remarkable N Vision 74 concept. One of the discovered patent documents reveals a two-door chassis featuring a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic tub, incorporating a substantial tunnel. However, intriguingly, the patent specifies that this tunnel could potentially house electrical components instead of a transmission,…

A recent report from Bank of America (BofA) suggests that Ford, GM, and Stellantis will emerge as the major players in the US electric vehicle (EV) market over the next four years, although they will face significant hurdles along the way. Titled “Car Wars,” the annual report highlights the uncertainties and volatilities surrounding product strategies in the automotive industry, particularly with the acceleration of EV launches, uncertainties surrounding internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and the potential for last-minute product cancellations. BofA states that the era of ICE dominance is coming to an end, as electric cars are expected to make…

Kia’s upcoming EV9 SUV is generating significant buzz, thanks to its striking design, spacious three-row configuration, and electric powertrain. As the vehicle prepares to make its way to the United States by late 2023, Kia is confident that finding eager buyers won’t be an issue. Although the exact pricing for the US market remains undisclosed, new information from the EV9’s home market in South Korea provides a valuable clue. Kia has recently unveiled pricing details for the EV9 in Korea. While it’s important to note that the North American version may have variations in specifications and currency conversion can be…

In a surprising turn of events, Nikola, the electric and new energy semi truck manufacturer, revealed on Friday morning that a fire at its Phoenix, Arizona facility is suspected to have been caused by deliberate actions. Although details surrounding the incident remain limited, the company assured the public that no individuals were harmed during the blaze. The Phoenix Fire Department swiftly responded to the emergency, dispatching hazardous materials crews to combat the flames that ignited early in the morning. Complicating the firefighting efforts was the fact that the affected trucks were manufactured by Nikola and equipped with lithium-ion batteries, intensifying…

CATL, the world’s leading electric vehicle battery manufacturer, has solidified its partnership with the Bolivian government by confirming a substantial $1.4 billion investment. The funds will be utilized to unlock the vast lithium reserves in Bolivia, which have remained largely untapped. This move marks a significant step toward establishing Bolivia as a key player in the global lithium market. The agreement, announced on Sunday following a meeting between CATL executives and Bolivian President Luis Arce, outlines the construction of two lithium plants. These plants will be responsible for extracting minerals from Bolivia’s Uyuni and Oruro salt flats, which boast the…

In an unexpected turn of events, the Citroen My Ami Buggy has taken the automotive world by storm, captivating customers with its undeniably cool and adorable design. This mini electric off-roader, which boasts a door-less structure, has proven to be even more popular than anticipated by the automaker. Astonishingly, all 800 units were sold within a mere 10 hours after orders opened. The My Ami Buggy was made available for purchase at 11 a.m. CEST on Tuesday, June 20, and by the end of the day, there were no more units left for sale online. Previously only accessible to buyers…

Octopus Electric Vehicles, a subsidiary of the Octopus Energy Group, has secured a funding deal worth £150 million from Pollen Street Capital, boosting its efforts in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The majority of the funds will be allocated to support Octopus’ EV salary sacrifice program, which was launched in 2021. Known as the flagship offering of Octopus, the EV salary sacrifice program is likened to a cycle-to-work scheme but for cars. By participating in this initiative, drivers can enjoy monthly savings of 30-40% on brand-new electric vehicles. Octopus provides a convenient all-in-one service that includes the provision of the…

Baidu and XPeng, two Chinese companies specializing in automated driving, have made significant advancements in their respective technologies. Baidu, the internet giant, has announced that its fully driverless self-driving taxis have received commercial operation approval in Shenzhen, a bustling southern city in China. Shenzhen has been at the forefront of embracing autonomous vehicles, implementing progressive regulations for their deployment since July of last year. Baidu’s Apollo Go ride-hailing service, which operates without a safety operator in the vehicle, has now been given the green light to operate in Shenzhen, making it the fourth city in China to do so, joining…