Author: Andy Williams

Volvo is gearing up to launch its small electric crossover, which is expected to be called the EX30. The vehicle is being designed around a subscription model, according to Autocar, with the aim of appealing to younger demographics. Volvo CEO Jim Rowan has said that the subscription model will help the company “talk to new customers” and that the crossover will be targeted at first-time buyers in cities. “We can talk to completely different demographics, for the first time probably, and that younger demographic will probably be the ones who shop more online,” Rowan said earlier this year about the…

Rheinmetall PolyCharge GmbH, a joint venture between Rheinmetall AG and PolyCharge America, has secured its first order from a global supplier to the automotive industry, one year after its inception. The mid double-digit million euro order includes development services and full-scale production of two DC-link capacitors for use in the 900V range, utilizing the innovative NanoLam technology. Rheinmetall PolyCharge GmbH, in which Rheinmetall holds a 75% stake, won the order over international competitors, and anticipates additional orders in the near future. See also: Rheinmetall announced substantial order in electromobility domain worth over a quarter billion euros The PolyCharge NanoLam technology…

The US Department of Transportation is set to announce the final requirements for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to qualify for the US government’s $7.5 billion incentive program. One of the decisions, as reported by Reuters, is that the use of the CCS fast-charging standard will be made a condition. The CCS1 standard, used in North America, combines the Type 1 AC connection with two DC contacts. This decision could put pressure on Tesla to make its Superchargers accessible to EVs of other brands in the US, as the charging infrastructure subsidy is a central aspect of President Biden’s plan…

The Leap C11 is a state-of-the-art extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) from China, which combines the benefits of both an electric car and a traditional gasoline vehicle. This cutting-edge car was first introduced in September 2021, but now it comes with an added twist – a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that acts as a generator to extend the range of the electric car. The C11 EREV boasts an impressive claimed combined range of 1,024 km and a pure electric driving range of 285 km, which is rated by the Chinese equivalent of the EPA (CLTC). Despite being a new addition to…

The all-electric coupe from Rolls-Royce, known as the Spectre, is undergoing a rigorous testing process as part of a worldwide campaign. The vehicle has almost reached 2 million km of road testing and is still being put through its paces. According to the prestigious automaker, this testing period is the most comprehensive in its 118-year history of designing and manufacturing automobiles. However, the company claims that they are far from finished. The Spectre is currently undergoing intense heat tests in Augrabies and Franschhoek, South Africa. These two locations provide ideal summer weather conditions, with Augrabies being dry and scorching hot,…

Volkswagen’s ID.4 electric vehicle will make a cameo in Marvel’s upcoming superhero film, “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.” To celebrate, Volkswagen is launching a global “360-degree campaign” that includes custom content created in partnership with Marvel Studios, Bullitt, and director Anthony Leonardi III. The ID.4 will be Ant-Man’s family car in the film, and Volkswagen’s custom spot is the beginning of the global marketing campaign, which will appear on social media, TV, and movie theaters. In addition to the custom spot, fans can expect a behind-the-scenes featurette that offers an inside look at the making of the movie and the…

2022.8.10.11 Tesla Release Notes (FSD Beta v10.69.3.3) MINOR FIXES – Miscellaneous Improvements for Model S, 3, X and Y This release contains minor bug fixes and improvements. FULL SELF-DRIVING (BETA) SUSPENSION – Autopilot Improvements for Model S, 3, X and Y For maximum safety and accountability, use of Full Self-Driving (Beta) will be suspended if improper usage is detected. Improper usage is when you, or another driver of your vehicle, receive five ‘Forced Autopilot Disengagements’. A disengagement is when the Autopilot system disengages for the remainder of a trip after the driver receives several audio and visual warnings for inattentiveness.…

NIO has unveiled its official discount package for vehicle purchases. This announcement comes after a recent media report suggested the company was offering discounts of up to CNY 100,000 ($14,900). The new package includes subsidies for the purchase of NIO’s NT 1.0 platform models, such as the ES8, ES6 and EC6. Customers can also receive additional discounts for stock vehicles and a small cash discount for the purchase of NT 2.0 platform models, including the ES7, ET7, and ET5. In addition, NIO has recently launched two new models, the EC7 coupe SUV and the ES8, at its NIO Day event…

Mercedes is set to upgrade its electric vehicle (EV) lineup with the latest drivetrain technology to enhance their driving range. The models set to receive the update first are the EQE, EQS, and EQS SUV, with production expected to commence in July. The updates will include the new automatically decoupling front electric motor, the DCU. The front motor was previously always connected to the drivetrain, but was found to create more resistance than it could produce in electricity. The DCU resolves this issue by automatically disconnecting the front motor when it is not needed and reconnecting it when necessary. See…

Tesla has experienced a volatile year with regard to pricing tactics. In its major markets of Europe, North America, and China, the automaker made substantial reductions in car prices. Despite these cuts, Tesla continues to tweak its pricing with the most recent example being a $500 hike for the Model Y Long Range in the US. The question remains whether this signals a shift towards restoring prices after the reductions. However, news has surfaced of a new discount being offered by the company on its Model S and Model X in the US. According to Teslarati, Tesla is offering a…

The 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 has been given impressive official EPA ratings, exceeding most expectations. Hyundai introduced the IONIQ 6 as an “electrified streamliner” last June, positioning it as a sportier and more aerodynamic electric vehicle compared to its first dedicated EV, the IONIQ 5 SUV. The IONIQ 6 is built on the same 800V E-GMP platform as the IONIQ 5, and boasts advanced features such as vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities, ultrafast charging with a charge time of up to 80% in just 18 minutes, and the latest technological advancements. Hyundai announced at the LA Auto Show that the IONIQ 6…

Tesla recently reduced its vehicle prices in various regions including the US, Europe, Australia, and China. In some cases, the price cuts were over 30% due to increased eligibility for government subsidies and federal tax credits. The company attributed the price cuts to reduced production costs, not weaker demand. Tesla’s aggressive price reductions, made possible by its advanced economies of scale and manufacturing efficiency, put pressure on other EV manufacturers to follow suit. Brands were forced to lower their electric vehicle prices in order to remain competitive in the market. See also: Volkswagen and BP plan to expand their electric…