Author: Andy Williams

In a significant move, Mitsubishi has officially withdrawn from the Chinese market, unable to keep pace with its competitors. The decision is believed to have been influenced by China’s growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and Mitsubishi’s reluctance to embrace them. Mitsubishi once enjoyed immense popularity in China, with impressive sales of 134,500 vehicles in 2019 and ambitious plans for upcoming models, primarily plug-in hybrids. However, the tide quickly turned as sales took a steep nosedive. In 2022, the Japanese automaker managed to sell a mere 34,500 units, as the demand for fully electric vehicles skyrocketed in the Chinese market.…

Shanghai-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer NIO has reached a significant milestone with the deployment of its advanced driver assist system (ADAS), Navigate on Pilot (NOP+), in Beijing. The company announced that NOP+ is now operational on expressways and urban expressways within the city’s fifth ring road, covering major road networks such as the second, third, fourth, and fifth ring roads. NIO becomes the second EV maker to achieve this feat in Beijing, following XPeng’s recent launch of its City NPG Advanced Driver Assist System. NOP+ is comparable to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software and is based on NIO’s next-generation NT…

Stellantis, the global car manufacturer, is aiming to decrease its dependency on China for rare earth metals used in electric vehicles. In pursuit of this goal, the company has signed a key point paper with NioCorp, an exploration company, for the potential supply of rare earths from the United States. While there is currently no binding agreement or set timetable, the collaboration represents a significant step forward, pending the development of the mining project. The envisioned partnership includes a proposed ten-year purchase agreement for specific quantities of neodymium-praseodymium oxide, dysprosium oxide, and terbium oxide. These rare earth materials would be…

Chevrolet, the American automaker, has announced yet another impressive quarter in the United States, with a remarkable increase in vehicle deliveries. In Q2, the brand reported a total of 454,046 vehicle deliveries, marking a substantial 17% year-over-year growth. This positive trend extended throughout the first half of the year, with Chevrolet delivering a total of 852,187 vehicles, reflecting a notable 16.5% increase compared to H1 2022. The most noteworthy growth was observed in the all-electric car segment, where Chevrolet experienced a doubling of sales in Q2. The company reported an impressive 101% year-over-year increase, with 13,959 deliveries of the popular…

Italian Volt, the renowned Italian electric motorcycle manufacturer, is gearing up to finally launch its long-awaited Lacama 2.0 electric motorcycle in 2023. The Lacama, which has been in development since 2016, promises to deliver a boutique, performance-oriented riding experience tailored to individual riders’ needs. After experiencing setbacks due to the global pandemic and a change in ownership, Italian Volt is now ready to bring its electrifying creation to market. Originally showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2018, Italian Volt’s Lacama generated considerable excitement, with pre-bookings available at $250 USD. However, with a hefty price tag of $38,000, the…

In a significant move towards bolstering its electric vehicle (EV) offerings, Volvo has recently announced its decision to adopt Tesla’s NACS connector on its forthcoming electric models, starting from 2025. Additionally, the Swedish automaker has plans to introduce an adapter for existing Volvo EVs in the following year, granting access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. By aligning itself with Tesla, Volvo joins the ranks of other prominent electric automakers, including Ford, GM, and Rivian, who have already chosen to embrace this standardized connector for their EVs in the North American market. See also: FLO Offers Tesla’s NACS Charging Connector as an…

Polestar is gearing up to launch its highly anticipated electric vehicle (EV), the Polestar 3. While the company has made substantial investments in developing a powerful electric powertrain, it has also partnered with Swedish audio specialist Dirac to create an extraordinary sound system that will elevate the in-car audio experience to new heights. Drivers and passengers who get behind the wheel of the Polestar 3 will be treated to an immersive 1,610-watt Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system featuring an impressive array of 25 individual speakers. To ensure consistent audio excellence from every seat in the vehicle, Polestar has integrated…

Barcelona-based EV charging equipment manufacturer, Wallbox, has announced that its Supernova DC fast charger will soon be available with the Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging connector as an option. This decision comes after several other prominent EV charging companies, including Ford and General Motors, recently announced their transition from the Combined Charging System (CCS1) to NACS. As the NACS coalition is set to include Rivian, it is not surprising that Wallbox and other charging equipment manufacturers are working towards incorporating the NACS option. See also: FLO Offers Tesla’s NACS Charging Connector as an Option, Supporting Standardization in North…

Li Xiang, the CEO of Li Auto, expressed his satisfaction with China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) purchase tax exemption policy, emphasizing the company’s ambitious goals. In a recent post on Weibo, Li Xiang reiterated Li Auto’s objective of achieving annual sales of 1.6 million vehicles and annual revenue of RMB 500 billion ($70 billion) by 2025. Li Auto’s founder, chairman, and CEO applauded the stable policies provided by China for the next four years, stating that it eliminates any excuses for the company’s team to not accomplish its strategic goals by 2025. He emphasized that Li Auto’s ability to meet…

A cutting-edge concept car, known as the H1st Vision, has been unveiled by a French consortium consisting of six prominent companies. Software République, established in 2021, comprises automotive manufacturer Renault Group, telecommunications giant Orange, semiconductor maker STMicroelectronics, electrical systems developer Thales, and computing firms Atos and Dassault. The consortium showcased its creation at the Viva Tech conference in Paris, which closely resembles Renault’s Scenic Vision SUV concept presented in 2022. However, the true significance of the H1st Vision lies not in its appearance but in its representation of the future of mobility, its collaborative development process, and the advanced technologies…

German automaker Porsche has recently revealed Mission X, an all-electric hypercar study, to commemorate its 75th anniversary. The company’s statements regarding the potential road approval of the model indicate that it is more than just a design concept. While Porsche has shared only a few technical details about the Mission X study, we know that the two-seater measures approximately 4.5 meters in length, 2.0 meters in width, and just under 1.2 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 2.73 meters. The battery, although lacking specific details, is positioned behind the seats following the e-core layout, which helps centralize the vehicle’s…

General Motors (GM) and Posco have announced a substantial investment of over US$1 billion in their joint venture, Ultium CAM, to boost the production of cathode active material (CAM) for electric car batteries in North America. The two companies are establishing a new facility to accommodate this expansion, with the specific location set to be revealed at a later date. The upcoming plant aims to manufacture cathode material and precursors, catering to the production needs of approximately 360,000 vehicles annually. As previously reported, GM and Posco had already initiated the construction of a cathode materials plant in Bécancour, Quebec, in…

Neta Auto, the electric vehicle (EV) brand owned by Hozon Auto, experienced a significant boost in deliveries last month, with an 18 percent rise compared to the same period last year. Dismissing recent rumors, the company firmly denied any plans for an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong. According to recently released data, Neta successfully delivered 13,029 vehicles in May, indicating a notable increase of 18.35 percent compared to last year’s figures. This also represented a 17.59 percent surge from April’s deliveries, which stood at 11,080 vehicles. When considering the cumulative data from January to May of this year,…

Electrify America and BMW of North America have once again joined forces to offer a compelling incentive to first-time BMW i5 owners. As part of their partnership, BMW i5 owners will receive two years of complimentary 30-minute charging sessions, enhancing the convenience and accessibility of electric vehicle (EV) ownership. To activate this exclusive charging benefit, BMW i5 owners will have a two-year window, starting from the date of purchase, to enroll through the My BMW app. Through this intuitive application, owners can easily locate nearby charging stations, check charger availability, and navigate to the charging points using in-vehicle navigation or…

German car manufacturer Audi is reportedly considering the possibility of establishing a new production facility in Canada, according to AutoForecast Solutions senior alternative-propulsion analyst Conrad Layson. The new facility would complement the battery plant that Volkswagen and its battery unit, PowerCo, are building in St. Thomas, Ontario. Layson noted that establishing a new factory close to the PowerCo site would reduce the distance between the manufacturing of the batteries and the installation of the cells in the vehicles, which is considered a good idea as battery cells do not travel well. Audi’s CEO, Markus Duesmann, had previously stated in February…

Tesla has launched its flagship Model S and Model X models in South Korean stores ahead of deliveries later this year. This move is part of Tesla’s strategy to expand its presence in Asia, where the cars have gained widespread acclaim for their impressive acceleration. The announcement was made on Tesla’s all-new Korean Twitter account, which is yet to be verified but is followed by other official Tesla pages. According to Tesla’s South Korea website, the Model S starts at 124,490,000 South Korean won ($94,519), while the high-performance Model S Plaid starts at 137,490,000 won ($104,389). The Model X starts…

Tesla has recently made headlines with the announcement of its plans to build a new Megafactory in Shanghai, China. The new factory will be dedicated to the production of energy storage products, marking Tesla’s second Megafactory worldwide. The company’s first Megafactory, located in California, was launched just last year, and is focused on producing Megapacks, which are large battery systems used for large-scale energy storage projects for electric utilities around the world. Tesla’s decision to expand its production capacity for Megapacks comes as no surprise, given the increasing demand for energy storage solutions in today’s world. With renewable energy sources…

Swedish electric boat manufacturer Candela has set its sights on America’s most popular boat segment, the center console powerboats used for fishing and other aecreational activities that typically consume a lot of fuel. Candela unveiled the C-8 Center Console (C-8 CC), a new version of its zero-emission hydrofoil that uses 80% less energy than conventional vee hulls. With a range of 65 miles (104 km) at a cruising speed of 22 knots/25 mph, the C-8 CC has three times longer range than any other electric boat on the market. The boat’s single 100hp pod motor and Polestar batteries, provided through…

Switzerland’s love for electric cars may come at a price, as the Federal Council initiates an amendment to the Automobile Tax Ordinance, which would abolish the exemption of electric vehicles (EVs) from the automobile tax from 1 January 2024. This would subject electric cars to the normal tax rate of four percent in the future, making them more expensive. The Federal Council’s decision aims to counteract the decline in revenue from the automobile tax and secure deposits for the National Roads and Agglomeration Transport Fund (NAF). As the share of electric cars in total car imports increases and their prices…

Audi has announced the opening of its third charging hub, this time partnering with a local company in Berlin. The Frischeparadies, a shopping market and gourmet bistro, will be providing its power connection for use by the hub. The Audi charging hub will get its power from a shared power line on a needs- and load-oriented basis. The hub is equipped with second-life batteries and a smart, dynamic load control system developed in-house by Audi to ensure efficient use of the existing power infrastructure. The location was selected by Audi following an in-house data analysis to determine on-site demand in…