Author: Joshua Morris

Tesla is in discussions with Palo Alto officials about testing its Cybercab for the company’s upcoming Robotaxi rideshare service. The electric vehicle manufacturer is exploring the possibility of making Palo Alto a testing site as it prepares to launch the service, which promises to offer more affordable transportation options. Palo Alto currently operates a popular rideshare service known as Palo Alto Link, though it has been criticized for its cost. Tesla’s Robotaxi service, featuring the newly unveiled Cybercab, could offer a lower-cost alternative. According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the Cybercab may be able to provide rides at an estimated…

Canoo has announced that it has received Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) regulatory certificates for its Right-Hand Drive (RHD) electric commercial delivery vans in the United Kingdom. This certification confirms that the vehicles meet the national technical requirements, allowing Canoo to proceed with pilot testing of the RHD variants of its LDV 130 and LDV 190 models with a selected fleet in the UK. The IVA certification was obtained in a period of three months, with changes to the Bill of Materials (BoM) for the US-certified RHD LDV 190 being less than 2%. The modifications made are primarily applicable to components…

NextStar Energy, a joint venture between LG Energy Solution and Stellantis, has commenced battery module production at its facility in Windsor, Ontario. The site, Canada’s first large-scale electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing plant, is set to achieve an annual energy capacity of 49.5 gigawatt-hours upon completion, enough to power approximately 450,000 vehicles per year. Initially, the facility will assemble battery modules using supplied cells, with full battery cell production slated to begin once construction is completed in 2025. This marks a significant step in establishing North America as a hub for battery technology and production. The joint venture reflects growing…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng has further expanded into the Middle East, launching its G6 and G9 SUV models in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The launch, carried out in partnership with Ali & Sons Holding LLC, marks Xpeng’s official entry into the UAE market and is part of the company’s broader Middle East growth strategy. Xpeng has already set up a sales channel in the UAE and plans to open a new store in Abu Dhabi next year, in addition to its existing location in Dubai. “Xpeng will leverage Ali & Sons’ operational experience and local strengths to quickly…

Wisk Aero, a subsidiary of Boeing, has formed a partnership with government-owned Airservices Australia to explore the development of self-flying electric air taxis in Australia. This memorandum of understanding aims to evaluate initiatives for autonomous air mobility networks and investigate the integration of advanced air mobility (AAM) and remotely supervised flying vehicles into the country’s airspace. The collaboration is anticipated to facilitate discussions and knowledge sharing to improve practices related to electric aerial vehicles (EAV) in Australia. “Australia has a history of aviation innovation and a vision for the future that includes advanced air mobility,” said Catherine MacGowan, Wisk’s vice…

Ford has announced the release of the 2025 Mustang Mach-E, incorporating a range of new features, including a heat pump to enhance efficiency in colder weather, three fresh color options, and a Sport Appearance Package. The starting price for the latest model is set at $36,495, marking a $3,500 decrease from the 2024 model’s starting price of $39,995. The inclusion of a heat pump is a key upgrade for the 2025 Mustang Mach-E, addressing a common concern among electric vehicle owners regarding range loss in low temperatures. This technology had previously been introduced in the Tesla Model Y. Ford has…

FIAT has confirmed its continued leadership in the European city car market during the first nine months of 2024, driven by the performance of the Fiat Panda and 500e models. These two vehicles have played a key role in FIAT’s position within the city car and electric city car segments, contributing to the brand’s focus on sustainable urban mobility. The Fiat Panda achieved over 100,000 units sold year-to-date, with a 24% market share in September—an increase of 4 percentage points from the same month in 2023. Its year-to-date share stands at 26%. In Italy, the Panda’s market share reached 60%…

Toyota has introduced new portable hydrogen cartridges that could be used as fuel cells for electric vehicles (EVs) and home applications, marking another step in its broader carbon neutrality strategy. The announcement was made during the Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2024, held in Chiba Prefecture, where companies showcased emerging technologies and discussed potential collaborations. These hydrogen cartridges, designed to be easily swappable, offer a potential solution for extending the driving range of EVs or trucks. “Travel without pitstops,” is how one report described the convenience of these fuel cells, which could eliminate the need for frequent recharging stops. The cartridges…

Kia, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, is set to commence electric vehicle (EV) production at its Slovakian manufacturing plant by the end of this year, according to Marc Hedrich, president and CEO of Kia Europe. In a LinkedIn post, Hedrich stated, “I had a very good meeting today with Slovakian Economy Minister (Madame) Denisa Sakova and State Secretary Vladimir Simonak. I had the opportunity to discuss challenges the automotive industry is facing and how Kia is going to overcome them through a massive investment in our plant in Zilina, where BEV (battery-powered electric vehicle) production is going to start…

Waymo, the self-driving taxi company, has launched an innovative pilot program in the San Francisco Bay Area aimed at encouraging public transit use. Starting immediately, riders who utilize the Waymo One ride-hailing service to connect with designated transit stations will receive a $3 credit for future rides in Waymo’s robotaxis. Participants in the program will receive credits when they hail one of Waymo’s cabs to or from eight specified stations. The selected stations include four BART locations—Glen Park, Balboa Park, Daly City, and Colma—as well as two MUNI stations, West Portal and Third Street & Revere. The final two are…

Tesla has officially discontinued the sale of the Foundation Series Cybertrucks in the United States, signaling the start of sales for the regular versions of the highly anticipated electric truck. This change opens up Cybertruck orders to all customers, eliminating the need for a prior reservation. The Foundation Series, launched alongside the Cybertruck in late 2023, was marketed as a limited-edition offering. Available in Dual Motor AWD and Tri-Motor Cyberbeast variants, it featured several accessories and premium options included in the price. However, this exclusive package came at a hefty cost—$20,000 more than the regular versions—allowing Tesla to capitalize on…

Just months after the debut of the Alpine A290 GT, Renault is reportedly considering an even more extreme version of the new Renault 5 E-Tech under the iconic 5 Turbo badge. The move would follow the brand’s earlier tease of an electric super hatch concept, the 5 Turbo 3E, which was designed as a modern nod to the Group B rally era. Renault insiders have hinted at an internal push to turn the wild 5 Turbo 3E concept into a production reality. Auto Express reports that this high-performance model could feature a bespoke spaceframe chassis and come with a steep…