Author: Andy Williams

Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, has achieved a significant milestone in China’s booming electric vehicle (EV) market, with its all-electric GV60 winning the coveted “2024 SUV of the Year” award. The accolade was bestowed upon the GV60 at the Car of the Year awards in China, where over 40 journalists, including the editor-in-chief of major auto publications, served as judges, evaluating 80 different models. The GV60, launched in 2021, has been a recipient of multiple awards, including the German Premium Car of the Year in 2023. Its latest triumph in China underscores its appeal and recognition in the world’s largest EV…

South Korean automaker Hyundai has provided a glimpse of the Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup, a track-specific variant of its high-performance Ioniq 5 N electric vehicle. Unveiled during the Hyundai N Festival in Seoul, the racecar boasts a distinct body kit, enhanced chassis dynamics, and reduced weight compared to the standard road version. The exterior modifications include a more pronounced bumper with enlarged intakes, canards, and an updated splitter. Wider fenders are apparent in the profile, accompanied by a fixed rear spoiler and an imposing rear diffuser. Internally, the racecar will incorporate an FIA-approved roll cage for enhanced safety. Notably, the…

Ford has initiated a collaborative effort, termed the “EV-Home Power Partnership,” with Resideo Technologies, aiming to investigate potential monthly electricity savings for F-150 Lightning owners. This unique venture, touted as a first-of-its-kind collaboration, intends to optimize energy consumption by integrating the powerful battery of the F-150 Lightning with Resideo’s smart thermostat technology. While the F-150 Lightning already incorporates Intelligent Backup Power, the collaboration seeks to leverage Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capabilities to further refine energy efficiency for homeowners. The “EV-Home Power Partnership” will utilize Resideo’s smart thermostat to manage home heating and cooling systems using stored energy from the F-150 Lightning’s battery…

Luxembourg-based bus operator Demy Schandeler has placed an order for 15 additional Volvo 7900 Electric buses, marking Volvo Buses’ first order for electric buses with bodies from Egyptian partner MCV. Demy Schandeler has been operating ten Volvo 7900 Electric buses since the beginning of 2023 and has now opted for an additional fleet expansion with MCV-bodied electric buses. Scheduled for delivery in spring 2025, the 12-meter-long electric buses will be equipped with a 470 kWh battery, representing the largest battery version available. Although officially named Volvo 7900 Electric, the buses utilize Volvo’s drive technology while integrating bodies from MCV. The…

Japanese automaker Mazda is among the investors participating in a $16 million funding round for U.K.-based tech company Secondmind. The company focuses on harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline design and development processes for automakers, aiming to significantly reduce vehicle development times. Naohito Saga, Mazda’s Head of R&D, highlighted the need for the automotive industry to expedite development processes in response to evolving market demands and the growing complexity of technology. The partnership with Secondmind is expected to contribute to Mazda’s continued advancement in vehicle manufacturing. Secondmind claims that its AI technology can substantially reduce errors during…

British automaker Lotus has declared its commitment to transition into an all-electric vehicle (EV) brand by 2028, alongside plans to broaden its electric vehicle portfolio. The company, owned by Geely, has also ventured into the development of proprietary charging solutions, introducing a liquid-cooled all-in-one DC charger capable of delivering ultra-fast charging speeds of up to 450 kW. In a notable performance benchmark, the Lotus Eletre R SUV can reportedly add approximately 88.5 miles (142 km) of range in just 5 minutes when utilizing the 450 kW charger, or 74 miles (120 km) with the 350 kW charger. For a more…

Automaker Rivian has issued an official recall notification following a software error in an over-the-air update that affected certain R1S and R1T models, causing a loss of infotainment screens. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1,463 vehicles were impacted by the issues resulting from software update 2023.42 on November 13. The recall was prompted by the update causing disruptions to the infotainment system, potentially hindering access to heater controls and the defroster. However, earlier reports suggested a broader impact, with owners experiencing a blacked-out infotainment screen that restricted access to media and comfort settings,…

Volkswagen, grappling with a market shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), has declared additional job cuts to address competitiveness issues. Thomas Shafer, CEO of VW brand cars, bluntly stated during a Monday staff meeting, “We are no longer competitive.” The German automaker, recognizing the dominance of EV leaders like Tesla, is taking decisive steps to realign its operations. Shafer pinpointed existing structures, processes, and high costs as factors contributing to the Volkswagen brand’s competitiveness struggle. He noted that the combination of high costs and low productivity has led to cars facing challenges in the market. In response, Volkswagen launched a new…

Italian luxury car manufacturer Pagani has announced that it currently has no plans to launch an all-electric performance car in the near future. Despite initial research into electric vehicles (EVs) dating back to 2018, the company cites the current weight of battery packs and their limited suitability for racetracks as significant obstacles. Founder Horacio Pagani and his son Christopher recently attended the Asia-Pacific launch of the Pagani Utopia in Hong Kong. Christopher emphasized the need for lighter batteries and improved charging times before Pagani considers entering the EV market, noting that the current state of EV technology compromises the driving…

Michigan-based electric-vehicle battery startup Our Next Energy (ONE) revealed on Monday that it has implemented a workforce reduction, affecting approximately 25% of its employees, totaling 128 staff members. The move comes as ONE grapples with elevated borrowing costs and economic uncertainties. Founded by former Apple executive Mujeeb Ijaz, ONE had announced in February a successful Series B funding round, securing $300 million and attaining a valuation of $1.2 billion. The recent layoffs are attributed to “market conditions,” but the company emphasized its ongoing commitment to the construction of a gigafactory in Michigan and the development of a North American supply…

A fleet of more than 25 Tesla Cybertrucks has been observed at the automaker’s Gigafactory in Texas, days before the scheduled delivery event. Drone pilot and Giga Texas observer Jeff Roberts captured images of the Cybertrucks on Monday, sharing them on X. Notably, one unit displayed the Graffiti-style wrap seen on several release candidates in recent months. While some units featured “RC” release candidate decals, a common sight in recent sightings, most lacked such markings, hinting that they might be production versions. Several Cybertrucks appeared to have exterior dirt, suggesting potential testing of off-road capabilities. https://twitter.com/peterdog15/status/1729202959270179277 Responding to inquiries about…

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to bring together automotive executives, ministerial leaders, energy sector representatives, and union leaders on Monday for discussions on how Germany can realize its ambitious target of having 15 million electric cars on the roads by 2030, according to a government spokesperson. Chancellor Scholz remains optimistic about achieving the goal, emphasizing the potential for success if automakers prioritize the production of more cost-effective and longer-range electric vehicles, said spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit during a press conference on Friday. See also: German Chancellor Skeptical About Imposing Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles However, recent developments, including a German…

Japanese automaker Toyota has been making headlines with its self-proclaimed electric revolution, aiming to launch a new generation of battery-powered cars by 2026. The company has garnered attention, especially with its bold claim of introducing solid-state batteries capable of providing over 621 miles of driving range by 2027, challenging critics who have accused the company of lagging in electrification. However, recent developments suggest that the promise of hassle-free electric driving for extended distances might be a reality for only a select few. Toyota has revealed that its partnership with petrochemical company Idemitsu is expected to produce solid-state batteries for just…

In the midst of a burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) price rivalry in China, Volkswagen, through its joint venture (JV) with FAW-Volkswagen, has officially commenced pre-orders for the ID.7 Vizzion, a flagship electric sedan, with prices starting at 237,700 yuan ($33,200). Introduced at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show in April, the ID.7 Vizzion serves as FAW-Volkswagen’s rendition of Volkswagen’s new global flagship electric sedan. This launch is part of Volkswagen’s strategic approach, where new models are often manufactured and marketed by both of its joint ventures in China—SAIC-VW and FAW-Volkswagen. SAIC-VW, for instance, offers the ID.4 X and ID.6 X, while…

VinFast, the Vietnamese automaker, has further bolstered its electric vehicle portfolio with the official launch of the VF 7 in Vietnam. The crossover, previously seen in various previews, showcases an elegant design featuring a distinctive “bird-wing-shaped” LED lighting strip at the front, flush-mounted door handles, a ‘pinched’ rear pillar, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels. Measuring 178.9 inches (4,545 mm) in length and boasting a wheelbase of 111.8 inches (2,840 mm), the VF 7 positions itself as a notable competitor in the market. Notably, it surpasses the BMW X1 by 1.5 inches (38 mm) in length and offers a 5.8-inch (147…

In a surprising turn of events, autonomous vehicle company Cruise announced on Sunday that CEO and co-founder Kyle Vogt would be stepping down from his role. Vogt confirmed the news through posts on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Following Vogt’s departure, the reins of Cruise will be taken over by Mo Elshenawy, the company’s former executive vice president of engineering. Elshenawy assumes the positions of president and chief technology officer (CTO) as Cruise navigates this leadership transition. https://twitter.com/kvogt/status/1726428099217400178 Vogt did not delve into the specifics of his resignation from the driverless robotaxi unit but expressed his…

Electric motorcycle manufacturer Super73 made waves earlier this year with the release of the C1X, positioning it as a step beyond traditional e-bikes for riders seeking more speed without venturing into the moped or scooter category. Capable of exceeding 85 mph (137 km/h) and boasting a range of over 150 miles with an extended battery, the C1X merges the familiarity of e-bikes with the performance of motorcycles. Building on the success of the C1X, Super73 showcased two new concepts at EICMA 2023. The El Jefe, a scrambler-style motorcycle, presents a rugged design with a robust front wheel, knobby tires, and…

In a surprising turn of events, the United States electric vehicle (EV) market has become a dynamic hub of activity, defying earlier skepticism surrounding the industry’s growth. Reflecting on the third quarter of 2023, sales data analyzed by InsideEVs reveals a robust surge in the EV sector, signifying not just a fleeting trend but a sustained upward trajectory poised to extend into the next year. An impressive 130,000 all-electric vehicles were sold by 19 leading brands during this period, showcasing a nearly double increase from the previous year. This surge underscores the industry’s resilience and the growing acceptance of EVs…

Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt has garnered a significant financial boost, securing a CAD 200 million investment in the form of a convertible bond from institutional investor Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ). The funds are earmarked for supporting the construction of the Nortvolt Six battery cell factory located near Montreal in the Canadian province of Québec, with an expected opening later this year. The Nortvolt Six facility is designed to achieve an annual capacity of 60 gigawatt hours, and it will house adjacent facilities for the production of active cathode material and battery recycling. This ambitious project stands…

Berlin’s renowned Benno Bikes has introduced its latest urban-focused cargo e-bike, the Benno 46er, showcasing the growing popularity of electric cargo bikes as a practical alternative for daily urban mobility. With the ability to navigate cycling paths and the versatility to replace cars for some commuters, electric cargo bikes are gaining traction, particularly in Europe and Asia. The Benno 46er shares styling and features with its predecessor, the Benno RemiDemi, a long-wheelbase cargo bike. However, the 46er distinguishes itself with a more compact design, enhancing maneuverability in congested urban areas while maintaining impressive cargo-hauling capabilities and a highly configurable setup.…