Author: Andy Williams

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…

The US government has released a comprehensive update on the progress of electric fleet and charging infrastructure projects in the country. The announcement not only highlights the activities of federal agencies, but also includes self-commitment statements by large corporations. One of the main takeaways from the fact sheet is that federal agencies have procured 13,000 light- and medium-duty electric vehicles in the fiscal year 2023, which is four times the number compared to the previous fiscal year. Furthermore, from 2027, US authorities will only be allowed to purchase zero-emission passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. From 2035, this will also…

The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust has taken a unique approach to sustainable off-roading in Africa by modifying an electric utility vehicle to serve as a zero-emissions, open-air safari vehicle. The organization converted a Rivian R1T by removing its roof and adding a windowless lofted unit to accommodate two extra rows of seating, bringing the total to eight seats. The vehicle was also converted to right-hand drive, making it the only Rivian vehicle with this feature. The modified truck features a brush guard up front and a spare tire mounted to the tailgate. Although the extra seats remove the bed’s functionality,…

Chinese electric vehicle maker NIO has opened its second NIO House in Europe, located in the heart of Frankfurt, Germany. The new NIO House covers an area of more than 1,600 square meters and is designed to offer visitors a unique experience that combines relaxation, culture, entertainment, knowledge, and business functions. The showroom is strategically located in Frankfurt’s Groβe Eschenheimer StraBe, a vibrant area that lies between the city’s traditional old town and business district. Visitors to the NIO House can enjoy stunning views of the city’s iconic Eschenheimer Tower and Eschenheimer Tor square. The NIO House is more than…

Factorial, a solid-state battery technology company, has announced the establishment of a European subsidiary in Germany, with the aim of serving its automotive partners and customers more efficiently. This move follows the company’s joint development agreements with Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Hyundai to speed up the production of their solid-state battery technology. The company believes their technology is safer and more energy dense than current lithium-ion battery technology. According to Siyu Huang, CEO and Co-founder of Factorial, this expansion is an exciting step in the company’s strategic global expansion, and the local presence will enable them to be on the ground…