Author: Joshua Morris

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…

Nio has denied previous reports regarding its plans to introduce a hybrid vehicle. However, a new report from Reuters has revealed that the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer intends to launch its first hybrid model in 2026, with sales targeted exclusively at international markets such as the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe, according to sources familiar with the situation. The decision to develop a hybrid vehicle comes as Chinese companies face challenges in foreign markets, including trade barriers and delays in charging infrastructure rollout. To address these issues, Nio will create the extended-range hybrid under a sub-brand codenamed Firefly,…

Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit, Waymo, reportedly reached a valuation exceeding $45 billion following its latest financing round, as reported by Bloomberg News, which cited sources familiar with the matter. The valuation surge follows a $5.6 billion investment round that was led by Alphabet, with backing from prominent investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, Fidelity, Silver Lake, Perry Creek, Tiger Global, and T. Rowe Price. The fresh capital is expected to fuel the expansion of Waymo One, the company’s self-driving ride-hailing service, which currently operates in major cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, as well as Austin and Atlanta through…

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains has granted $24.9 million to Anthro Energy to support the establishment of the first advanced electrolyte production facility in Louisville, Kentucky. The facility, the first of its kind in the United States, will produce essential materials for advanced battery technologies, including high-performance silicon anodes and high-voltage cathodes, contributing to the nation’s clean energy goals. Anthro Energy CEO David Mackanic described the grant as a “pivotal moment” for the industry, remarking, “Establishing the nation’s first facility for domestic production of advanced electrolytes is a game-changer; it strengthens our energy…

Hyundai Motor Co. has introduced the Initium, a hydrogen fuel cell concept vehicle that previews the design language and technology set to feature in the next-generation Nexo, slated for production in early 2025. The Initium concept will make its debut at both the LA Auto Show and Auto Guangzhou in November, showcasing Hyundai’s advancements in hydrogen fuel cell technology and its vision for future SUV styling. Hyundai has revealed some preliminary specs for the upcoming hydrogen SUV, including a 150 kW electric motor and a range exceeding 650 kilometers. The company noted improvements in both fuel cell output and battery…