Author: Andy Williams

Flemish public transport company De Lijn has finalized a framework agreement with BYD Europe, paving the way for the potential acquisition of up to 500 electric 12-meter buses. The initial order comprises 92 units, with deliveries expected to commence from 2025. The first tranche, valued at over 43 million euros, aligns with De Lijn’s commitment to achieving completely emission-free public transport by 2035, according to Ann Schoubs, CEO of De Lijn. See also: BYD Delivers 20 Electric Buses to Mexico City Metrobús in Record Fleet Shipment Manufactured by BYD in Hungary, the 12-meter electric buses are slated to feature customer-friendly…

Chinese automaker SAIC’s brand MG Motor is broadening its presence in Europe by extending the distribution of electric and hybrid vehicles to Finland. The Hedin Mobility Group, serving as MG’s partner in Sweden since 2021, will now facilitate sales in the Finnish market. Finnish consumers will have access to MG’s entire range of electric and hybrid vehicles, encompassing the battery-electric vehicle (BEV) models MG4 Electric, MG5 Electric, MG ZS EV, and MG Marvel R Electric, along with the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) model MG EHS. Some models, like the recently launched MG4 produced in Thailand, will be imported until…

German multinational Siemens is set to gradually increase its fleet with the addition of up to 1,000 Volkswagen ID.4 electric vehicles, according to an announcement by Volkswagen. The electric cars will be leased by Siemens through Volkswagen Financial Services, marking a continuation of their longstanding partnership as Siemens aims to transition its entire fleet to electric vehicles by 2030. While the specific timetable for the introduction of the 1,000 VW ID.4 units was not provided in Volkswagen’s statement, Achim Schaible, Chairman and Spokesman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Germany, emphasized the significance of fleet customer business for Volkswagen.…

Ford concluded 2023 on a high note, marking its best-ever quarter for electric vehicle (EV) sales and solidifying its position as the second top-selling EV brand in the United States, trailing industry leader Tesla. Ford’s recent data, released on Wednesday, highlighted impressive growth in its EV division, Model e, culminating in a record-breaking total of 72,608 electric cars sold throughout the year. The F-150 Lightning and E-Transit emerged as standouts, claiming the best-seller titles in their respective segments and contributing to a substantial 24% increase in sales during the final quarter. Notably, despite not introducing any new EV models in…

In the aftermath of the recent devastating earthquake that struck Japan on New Year’s Day, Tesla has announced a compassionate initiative to offer free Supercharger access at select locations in Niigata, Ishikawa, Toyama, and Fukui prefectures for an entire week. The earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 7.6, has left the communities in the Hokuriku region grappling with the loss of at least 30 lives, numerous injuries, and substantial damage to infrastructure. Responding to the ongoing crisis, Tesla’s gesture of providing complimentary Supercharger access until at least January 9 aims to offer crucial support during this challenging period. See also: Tesla…

Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi’s electric vehicle (EV) unit, Xiaomi EV, has revealed plans to establish a hybrid sales system encompassing both directly-managed stores and dealership outlets. Following the recent official unveiling of Xiaomi EV’s inaugural model, the SU7, the company signed letters of intent with the first 14 sales and service partners at its Beijing headquarters on December 29. Xiaomi’s partner and president, Lu Weibing, shared the development in a Weibo post, indicating that the construction of Xiaomi EV’s sales and service channels has moved from the planning stage to substantive implementation. The company aims to build a new retail…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup Leapmotor reported a new all-time record in December, delivering 18,618 vehicles, marking a notable 119.22% increase year-on-year. The figure remained nearly unchanged from November’s 18,508 deliveries. In the fourth quarter of 2023, Leapmotor delivered 55,328 vehicles, reflecting a significant 134.78% YoY growth and a 24.82% increase from the third quarter. The full-year 2023 deliveries totaled 144,155 vehicles, up 29.67% from the previous year. Leapmotor, founded in 2015, has been expanding its vehicle lineup, including the mini EV T03, coupe model S01, flagship SUV model C11, and flagship sedan C01. The company initially focused on battery…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) has extended the availability of its XNGP Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) to customers in 27 more cities, intensifying the competition among local car companies vying for leadership in smart driving technologies. Xpeng’s announcement revealed that the XNGP feature is now accessible in a total of 52 cities, including prominent locations such as Tianjin, Chengdu, Xi’an, Wuhan, and Changsha. Notably, the company aims to achieve nationwide coverage in 200 Chinese cities by early 2024, making it the first automaker to offer ADAS coverage on such a comprehensive scale. According to He Xiaopeng, Xpeng’s…

Fisker reported a significant surge in electric vehicle deliveries, marking a more than four-fold increase in the final quarter and reaching a total of approximately 4,700 vehicles for the year. The notable uptick in quarterly sales was primarily attributed to robust demand for the Fisker Ocean SUV, priced at around $69,000, with the company commencing deliveries to U.S. customers in June. In response to the positive sales momentum, Fisker revealed plans to unveil a strategy in January aimed at further bolstering sales and deliveries to align production capacity with the robust demand for the Ocean SUV. Despite the positive developments,…

Hyundai Motor revealed on Thursday its intention to cease operations at two long-standing parts forging plants in Ulsan, South Korea, in the coming year. The plants, in operation since 1991 and responsible for manufacturing engine parts, are slated for closure in January and October, respectively. The strategic move aligns with Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to expedite the transition away from traditional petrol-powered vehicles. As the world’s third-largest automaker by sales, in conjunction with affiliate Kia Corp (000270.KS), Hyundai aims to progressively decrease the reliance on internal combustion engines in its finished cars, emphasizing a shift toward electrified vehicles. See also: Hyundai’s…

Walmart Canada has unveiled its first electric semi-trucks in British Columbia, signaling a step towards its target of an entirely alternative-powered fleet. The three Freightliner eCascadia electric semi-trucks will be based at the retailer’s Surrey grocery distribution center, designed as a hub for alternative vehicles. This move is anticipated to result in a reduction of over 100,000 liters of fuel consumption annually, aligning with Walmart Canada’s commitment to environmental sustainability. See also: Walmart to Develop Its Own Fast-Charging EV Network at Thousands of Stores by 2030 Aaron Ritter, Director of Transportation at Walmart Canada, emphasized the significance of this milestone…

Researchers from South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have achieved a notable advancement in lithium metal batteries by employing a borate-pyran-based liquid electrolyte. Published in the journal Nature Energy, the research indicates that the lithium-metal battery, utilizing the innovative liquid electrolyte, could potentially provide an electric car range of 900 kilometers and over 400 charge/discharge cycles. In lithium-metal batteries, lithium metal replaces the graphite-based anode material, leading to reduced anode weight and volume, consequently enhancing charging and discharging efficiency. These batteries offer higher energy density and improved safety compared…