Author: Joshua Morris

In a strategic move to bolster Q1 delivery figures, Tesla is introducing an unprecedented bundle of incentives for Model Y and Model 3 Highland buyers. Between February 4 and March 31, purchasers of any Tesla vehicle within this timeframe, including the newly launched Model 3 Highland, can take advantage of a complimentary Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD) transfer along with a lifetime Supercharging offer. This marks the first time Tesla is combining free FSD transfers and lifetime Supercharging with existing incentives, encompassing inventory vehicles, federal and state tax credits. The cumulative effect brings the base price of a Model Y to…

Battery recycling provider Cirba Solutions and South Korean battery material manufacturer Ecopro have entered into a collaboration aimed at creating a closed-loop battery materials supply chain. Under the agreement, Cirba Solutions will supply recycled raw materials, obtained from dismantled lithium-ion batteries, to Ecopro, which will utilize these materials to produce precursor cathode active material (PCAM) and cathode active material (CAM) for new batteries. While the letter of intent has been signed, specific quantities and the commencement of deliveries are yet to be disclosed, with further negotiations expected to finalize these details. See also: Toyota Forms Partnership with Cirba Solutions for…

In January 2024, Ford reported a noteworthy 43% surge in hybrid vehicle sales compared to the same period last year, marking a significant shift in the automaker’s sales strategy. This remarkable increase in hybrid sales managed to counterbalance a 10.3% dip in electric vehicle (EV) sales during the same timeframe. Ford’s overall vehicle sales for January 2024 totaled 152,617 units, reflecting a 4.3% increase over January 2023. However, the growth was not uniform across all fuel types. Electric vehicle sales experienced a decline from 5,247 units in 2023 to 4,674 units this year, while hybrid sales saw a notable rise…

Energy company TotalEnergies and Wenea have entered into an agreement to create a prominent player in electric mobility in Spain by developing a network of high-power charging hubs. As part of the initial phase, TotalEnergies has acquired Nordian CPO, a subsidiary of the Wenea group, which owns 200 charging sites distributed across major highways and urban areas throughout all 17 regions of Spain. These 200 sites, powered entirely by renewable electricity, mark a strategic move by TotalEnergies to extend its network in Europe and establish a strong presence as a leading high-power charging provider in Spain. The companies are also…

Swedish automaker Volvo Cars has announced its decision to cease funding for Polestar Automotive Holding, transferring control of the luxury car brand to China’s Geely Holding, Volvo’s top shareholder. The move comes as Polestar faces challenges in the electric vehicle (EV) market, with its shares plummeting approximately 83% since its public debut in June 2022. Volvo Cars, which owns around 48% of Polestar’s shares, has faced criticism for its heavy involvement in the struggling brand, seen by analysts as a drain on Volvo’s resources. The announcement prompted a positive market response, with Volvo’s stock surging over 30% at the market…

German automaker BMW is set to introduce six battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) as part of its Neue Klasse platform before the close of this decade, with the initial two focusing on the midsize segment. Central to this initiative is a redesigned battery pack at the core of the new architecture, integrated into the vehicle’s body structure to reduce weight and costs. In a bid to enhance packaging, lower pack height, and boost energy density, BMW will transition from cylindrical cells to prismatic cells. The upcoming sixth-generation eDrive system, debuting in Neue Klasse vehicles, encompasses the lithium-ion battery pack, electric motor, and…

Wireless charging experts at Ideanomics’ WAVE division are emphasizing the readiness of high-speed inductive electric vehicle (EV) charging, even in challenging cold weather conditions. WAVE employs a charging “plate” embedded beneath the road’s surface, working in tandem with a second charging plate on the vehicle’s underside to transmit current to the battery through induction, utilizing magnets. Multiple such plates have been deployed at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, with a focus on reducing emissions in the transportation industry, historically the largest contributor (27%) to greenhouse gases in the US and Europe. See also: Tesla Confirms Development of…

Luxury electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid has initiated its first recall of 2024, affecting more than 2,000 Air sedans in the United States. The recall is prompted by concerns over the high voltage coolant heater (HVCH) potentially failing, impacting its dual function of providing warm air to the cabin and defrosting the windshield. Lucid plans to address the recall through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, although replacement of the HVCH may be necessary if it fails. Documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that a malfunction in the HVCH could lead to a loss of windshield defrosting,…

South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia have entered into a partnership with Samsung to leverage the “SmartThings” Internet of Things (IoT) platform for their connected car services. This collaboration aims to streamline the user experience for electric vehicle (EV) owners, offering greater convenience in managing both vehicle and home-related functions. As part of the agreement, Hyundai and Kia customers will have the ability to remotely control digital home appliances through their vehicle’s in-car infotainment system. The integration will enable users to control various vehicle functions using artificial intelligence (AI) speakers, televisions, and mobile applications. See also: Hyundai Files Patent for…

Chinese electric truck manufacturer Windrose Technology Inc is set to make waves in the global heavy truck sector, as it announces plans to conduct road tests of its first electric heavy-duty trucks in the United States and Europe by the third quarter of next year. Windrose’s founder and CEO, Han Wen, disclosed that the company aims to conduct tests in prominent locations such as Los Angeles, Dunkirk, Antwerp, and Rotterdam. The move is part of the company’s strategy to disrupt the heavy truck industry globally. See also: Renault Trucks Commences Series Production of E-Tech T and E-Tech C Electric Trucks While…

The recent exclusion of electric vehicles (EVs) equipped with Chinese batteries from U.S. tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has led to speculation about potential benefits for the Korean battery industry. However, questions have arisen as a significant number of EVs powered by Korean batteries were also omitted from the subsidy list. On January 2, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that only 19 EV models would be eligible for U.S. IRA tax credits in 2024, marking a substantial decrease from the 43 models listed at the end of 2023. Industry insiders suggest that the vehicles excluded from…

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast is set to inaugurate its inaugural manufacturing facility in India, focusing on the production of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), according to three individuals familiar with the matter. The plant, located in the city of Thoothukudi in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, represents a strategic move by VinFast, positioning itself in the competitive Indian EV market. One source mentioned that the facility would specifically concentrate on battery production, distinct from VinFast’s prior announcement of plans to assemble vehicles using parts shipped from Vietnam. While the company declined to comment, an official announcement regarding the…