Author: Andy Williams

VW Commercial Vehicles plans to release the ID. Buzz performance version, called the ID. Buzz GTX, by the end of the year. It will have some differences from previous GTX models. “The GTX will be a cool high-performance version, with 250kW, a dedicated interior, new exterior colours and some additional features,” said Development chief Kai Grünitz at an event. The ID. Buzz GTX will get an all-wheel-drive, after VW first announced the model in June 2022. The inclusion of all-wheel drive in the ID. Buzz GTX is expected, as VW’s ID.4 and ID.5 models that are already available in GTX…

Formula E returns for the start of its ninth season this weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. The season features the debut of the new Gen3 car, which is faster, lighter, and more angular. Additionally, new tracks have been added to the schedule. This is the first time that Formula E will kick off a season in Mexico City, as the previous four seasons were launched in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Note that unlike previous seasons, the opening race will be a single event on Saturday, so be sure to tune in on that day to catch the…

The Netherlands has reopened subsidies for electric car purchases, with €99.4 million allocated for this purpose. However, not all of this funding is available for new electric cars. The subsidy for new electric cars has decreased by €400, and €67 million of the total budget is reserved for purchasing or leasing new electric cars, while €32.4 million is set aside for used electric cars. In 2023, new electric cars with a price below €45,000 will be eligible for a subsidy of €2,950, while used electric cars will continue to receive €2,000. This means that there is enough funding for 22,700…

The US Department of Energy has allocated 42 million dollars to fund 12 projects aimed at improving battery cells for electric vehicles, as part of the EVs4ALL (Electric Vehicles for American Low-Carbon Living) program. The goal of the program is to develop batteries that have faster charging times, greater efficiency and improved resistance. This funding was announced in May 2022 and its target is to promote the adoption of electric vehicles by developing batteries with longer life, faster charging, efficient operation at low temperatures, and better range retention, as stated by the Department of Energy. “Electric vehicle sales in America…

In December, Jeep began accepting orders for the limited “1st Edition” Avenger, which had a starting price of €39,500 in certain European countries. The “1st Edition” campaign was successful, with over 10,000 reservations made online. Starting from today, orders can now be placed for the entire Avenger range, with the first deliveries anticipated to take place between April and June of this year. Jeep offers four different trims to choose from, with a selection of seven body colors available. Additionally, customers can select up to five optional packs. The following is a description of the four trims, provided by Jeep:…

Porsche has announced further information about the 2024 Macan Electric, which is the company’s first vehicle built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) EV architecture. In November 2022, Porsche provided a preview of the 2024 Macan EV and its platform. The latest details primarily concern the vehicle’s chassis, with top-of-the-line models featuring a fully variable electronically controlled rear differential and a “Performance rear axle,” which includes an electric motor placed far towards the rear, providing a weight balance with a ratio of 48 to 52 percent. The powerful electric motor on the rear axle, in combination with the dynamic torque…

The Biden Administration has unveiled the US National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, which aims to eliminate all emissions from the transportation sector by 2050. The plan, which was announced by US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan, presents an interagency framework of strategies and actions that takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the climate crisis and fulfilling President Biden’s goals of a 100% clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The transportation sector,…

Allison Transmission is working with Nikola Corporation to test Class 8 battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles at Allison’s advanced testing facility, the Vehicle Electrification + Environmental Test Center. “We’re proud to collaborate with Nikola as they develop innovative, next-generation vehicles designed to reduce emissions and optimize performance,” said David Proctor, General Manager, Allison Vehicle Electrification + Environmental Test Center. “Our facility has the capabilities to support external customer test and validation programs for vehicles powered by every major propulsion type, which reinforces Allison’s commitment to taking a leadership role in the development of alternative fuel options for the…

Suzuki has finally unveiled their first pure electric car concept at the Auto Expo 2023, India, which will take place from Wednesday (11/1/2023) to Sunday (15/1/2023). The electric car, called the Suzuki eVX, has many features. First, the car is a collaboration between Suzuki and Toyota. So there are several elements typical of Toyota electric cars such as the Toyota bZ4X in this car. For example, the front grille is very sturdy to the stern which is full of sharp lines. The Suzuki eVX measures 4,300 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width and 1,600 mm in height. The dimensions…

According to a recent study by the University of Michigan, 90% of households in the United States would experience a decrease in the amount of income spent on transportation energy, as well as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, if they were to switch to electric vehicles. The study also revealed that households in certain areas could potentially save over $600 per year on transportation energy costs by purchasing a new EV. However, the study also highlighted that low-income households may still face significant transportation energy burdens with EV ownership. According to a study, 8.3 million low-income households in the…

The price of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) has dropped significantly over the last decade, according to a report by the US Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE estimates that in 2022, the price of these batteries was about 89% lower than it was in 2008. This estimate is based on constant dollars, which adjust for inflation and purchasing power. A graph from the DOE shows that the price of 1 kWh of usable battery capacity was $1,355 in 2008 and has dropped to $153 in 2022. However, this estimate has been disputed by another recent report by BloombergNEF,…

In 2023, Polestar expects to sell around 80,000 electric vehicles, following a record-breaking year in 2022. In that year, the company sold approximately 51,500 vehicles worldwide, with 21,000 of those sales occurring in the fourth quarter. This marked a year-over-year increase of 80%, making 2022 the best year in the company’s history. The company projects a further increase of 60% in sales in 2023, reaching a total of 80,000 units sold. “I’m proud of the many milestones we achieved in 2022 and in particular the massive team effort that went into delivering our strongest quarter to date – surpassing our…

Tesla has submitted an application to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for a massive expansion of its Gigafactory Texas in Austin. The factory, which is already sizable, is set to undergo a $700 million expansion that will add 1.4 million square-feet of space to the facility. Currently, the factory is being used to produce Model Y vehicles, but the expansion will allow for the production of the Cybertruck and other vehicle models, as well as battery production. Tesla is known for moving quickly, and construction is expected to begin at the end of the month. The Austin Business Journal listed…

StoreDot, an Israeli developer of high-speed charging battery technology for electric vehicles, has opened its first research facility in the United States in Irvine, California. The new lab will focus on accelerating the company’s development of semi-solid battery technology and materials research. The location was selected to take advantage of the abundance of talent on the West Coast and to strengthen ties with American EV manufacturers. Dr. David Lee, StoreDot’s Chief Science Officer, will lead the US team, working in conjunction with the company’s R&D headquarters in Israel. This move will allow the company to scale its operations globally and…

Volkswagen is making significant strides in the shift to electric mobility, as evidenced by the 23.6% YoY increase in global deliveries of all-electric vehicles (BEVs) to around 330,000 units. Despite this growth, total deliveries of all drive types by the Volkswagen brand were slightly lower than the previous year due to supply constraints, with 4.56 million vehicles (-6.8%) delivered to customers worldwide in 2022. However, the demand for Volkswagen vehicles remains high, as reflected by the high order backlog. In Europe, orders for Volkswagen models across all drive types have risen 18% to around 640,000. Volkswagen’s ID. electric models are…

Tesla’s recent price cuts in China have reportedly led to an increase in deliveries. According to a mid-level executive at the company, Tesla delivered over 10,000 vehicles in China on the day of the price cut. Additionally, over the weekend, more than 200 Tesla vehicles were delivered each day in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. The price cuts, which affected the full Model 3 and Model Y lineup, were Tesla’s second in China in three months and have sparked protests from some recent buyers. Tesla has recently reduced the prices of its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in China, in an…

“Tesla has implemented a new punishment for drivers who are not paying attention while using the Full Self-Driving Beta feature. If a driver receives five ‘Forced Autopilot Disengagements’ in a two-week period, they will be banned from using the Full Self-Driving Beta for two weeks. Forced Autopilot Disengagements occur when the system detects that the driver is not paying attention and gives multiple warning signals, such as audible alerts and visual alerts. If the driver does not respond to these warnings, the system will automatically disengage and the driver will have to take control of the vehicle for the remainder…

BMW’s CTO, Frank Weber, stated that the Neue Klasse project, which will debut its first vehicle in late 2025, is the most expensive in the company’s 106-year history. “First off, [Neue Klasse] is the most expensive project in BMW history,” said Weber. “Not only are the cars new but also all of the technologies: architecture, battery cells, high-voltage battery systems. Not a single component is being taken from a previous generation [of vehicles]. Everything is new.” The new platform, which will be used for a sedan and SUV, features entirely new technology including architecture, battery cells, and high-voltage battery systems.…

Eysing, a Dutch company that produces premium electric mopeds, has unveiled the PF40, a new model with a retro aesthetic that has been redesigned by Pininfarina, an Italian design firm known for its work on classic Ferrari cars. Pininfarina has recently been branching out into designing various forms of electric mobility, including the Vmoto Soco concept. The Eysing PF40 is an updated version of the company’s Pioneer e-moped. It features a hand-crafted 1.5kW direct drive hub motor and is available in two different versions, one with a top speed of 15.5 mph and the other with a top speed of…

CAKE, the Swedish maker of premium lightweight, electric motorcycles today unveiled the Bukk, a new off-road platform, designed for trail and track use. The Bukk performance is equivalent to the A2 classification and continues CAKE’s commitment to accelerate the transition towards a zero emission society, combining excitement with responsibility. The Bukk is a category-leading motorcycle, weighing in at 85 kg and offering a top-notch power-to-weight ratio. It has been entirely engineered and manufactured from the ground up, including the creation of new and unique tooling. CAKE Bukk specifications The frame, suspension, and components are all brand new and made from…