Author: Andy Williams

Swedish electric scooter hire company Voi is expanding its micromobility offering with the launch of three new electric vehicles. The fleet expansion, which includes a new e-scooter and two e-bikes, is set to increase Voi’s total vehicle count by around 40% across European cities. The first deliveries of the new models—the Voiager 8 e-scooter, the Explorer 4 e-bike, and the lightweight Explorer Light 1—are expected this month. Voi CEO and co-founder Fredrik Hjelm highlighted the company’s expansion plans, stating, “In 2025, we are taking it to the next level. We are accelerating our presence across key markets, including the UK,…

Rolls-Royce has introduced the Black Badge Spectre, an upgraded version of its first all-electric model, making it the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever produced, the British luxury automaker announced on Friday. The Black Badge Spectre boosts output to 485 kW in Infinity mode, compared to 430 kW in the standard model. This special mode, activated via a steering wheel button, sharpens throttle response and enhances digital displays to reflect the car’s sportier character. See also: Rolls-Royce Spectre Leads 2024 Sales as Brand Announces £300 Million Investment and Second EV Model In Spirited Mode, Rolls-Royce’s version of launch control, the car delivers…

Lucid has appointed Emad Dlala as senior vice president of powertrain, the company said on Friday. Dlala, who has been with Lucid since 2015, will oversee powertrain development and engineering, including drive units, power electronics, and battery systems. Lucid CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson highlighted Dlala’s contributions to the company’s powertrain advancements. “Since joining the company almost a decade ago, Emad has been instrumental in the development and advancement of Lucid’s powertrain technology,” Rawlinson said. “This promotion reflects his exceptional leadership, dedication, and technical contributions.” Dlala has played a key role in Lucid’s efficiency and charging strategy, helping the company…

A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a challenge from a group representing major automakers to a Massachusetts law expanding access to vehicle data and permitting independent repair shops to service advanced automotive technologies. The decision, made by U.S. District Judge Denise Casper in Boston, marked a legal setback for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents automakers such as General Motors, Volkswagen, and Stellantis. The lawsuit was filed after Massachusetts voters approved a measure in November 2020, revising the state’s 2013 “Right to Repair” law. The updated law requires automakers to provide broader access to both mechanical and electronic repair…

Rivian plans to increase prices for its R1 models in Canada by up to $10,000 CAD ($7,000 USD) starting February 25, citing shifts in exchange rates between the U.S. and Canadian dollars, according to an email sent to customers. “On February 25, 2025, we’re updating R1 pricing due to changes in the exchange rates between the US and Canada. Prices are increasing from $7,000 to $10,000 CAD, depending on the configuration,” Rivian representative Mikhael Farah said. See also: Rivian Opens Orders for All-Electric Commercial Van, Starting Price $79,990 The price hike comes as the Canadian dollar has weakened against the…

Tesla announced a recall of approximately 239,000 vehicles in the United States due to a potential malfunction in rear-view cameras, marking the latest safety concern for the electric vehicle manufacturer. The issue arises from a reverse current during vehicle power-up, which could cause a short circuit on the car’s computer board and render the rear-view camera inoperative. The recall affects certain Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles, including 2024-25 Model 3 and Model S, as well as 2023-25 Model X and Model Y units. Tesla attributed the problem to specific software and hardware configurations, exacerbated by…

Volvo’s North American subsidiary, Nova Bus, has entered into a collaboration with Canadian battery recycler Lithion to manage the recycling of batteries from its buses across Canada once they reach the end of their service life. The partnership aims to promote sustainability within the hybrid and electric bus industry, focusing on reducing the need for virgin materials and supporting the transition to a circular economy. Under the agreement, used batteries from Nova Bus vehicles will be collected, transported, and recycled at Lithion’s facility in Saint-Bruno, Quebec. The batteries, which will no longer be capable of storing electricity, will undergo recycling…

Hyundai Motor Company’s Ioniq 5 has achieved a new milestone by securing the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ for the greatest altitude change by an electric vehicle. The record-setting feat, organized by Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), was carried out by a professional team from Evo India. The Ioniq 5 registered an impressive altitude change of 5,802 meters, marking a significant achievement for electric mobility. The journey, which spanned 14 days and covered over 4,900 kilometers, began at Umling La in Leh Ladakh, India’s highest drivable point at 5,799 meters above sea level. It concluded in Kuttanad, Kerala, situated three meters below…

Rivian Automotive has reported a strong sales performance for 2024, showing growth compared to the previous year. The electric vehicle manufacturer produced 49,476 units and delivered 51,579 vehicles in 2024, surpassing its 2023 figures. In its fourth-quarter update, Rivian confirmed it produced 12,727 units and delivered 14,183 vehicles. This delivery figure represents an increase from 2023, when the company sold 50,122 units. Rivian’s 2024 performance was nearly at the top end of its sales target, which ranged from 50,000 to 52,000 units. Rivian’s upward sales trend is a positive sign for the EV market, which has faced concerns over softening…

BYD Korea, the South Korean unit of China’s BYD, has finalized six dealer partners ahead of its passenger car market launch in South Korea in January 2025, according to a report by the Maeil Business Newspaper. The announcement marks a significant step in the company’s expansion into a region dominated by strong domestic automakers. The appointed dealers—DT Networks, Samchully EV, Harmony Automobile, Vision Mobility, GNB Mobility, and SS Motors—will handle sales and customer service for BYD’s passenger vehicles. BYD follows a dealer-based distribution model in 99 countries and regions worldwide, emphasizing its established global strategy. BYD Korea is completing preparations…

Penske Truck Leasing is ramping up its commitment to renewable energy by integrating rooftop solar systems across its U.S. facilities, beginning with a newly activated 200 kW installation at its Channahon, Illinois, site. The system is designed to meet around 80% of the building’s energy requirements, with the remainder supplied by the local utility. “This solar program is an important piece of our renewable energy strategy,” said Drew Cullen, senior vice president of fuels and facility services at Penske. “These investments will allow us to directly generate our own renewable energy to power our locations and continue to support our…

Intelligent power management company Eaton has entered a strategic partnership with Treehouse, an AI-enabled platform for electrification projects, to become the preferred supplier of smart home and electrification solutions. The collaboration includes Eaton’s AC chargers, smart breakers, and other advanced energy management systems. The partnership aims to deliver turnkey, cost-effective solutions that address barriers to electrification. According to a press release, the alliance will ensure the deployment of efficient, scalable electrification projects through Treehouse’s comprehensive installation platform and nationwide contractor network. Beyond EV charging, the initiative encompasses broader applications such as energy storage systems and heat pumps, aligning with a…

Uber Technologies announced a new partnership with autonomous technology startup Avride to expand its network of self-driving technology partners. This collaboration comes as Uber seeks to rapidly grow its autonomous services for both food deliveries and robotaxi operations. The ride-hailing giant recently strengthened its partnerships with Waymo, Alphabet’s robotaxi unit, and formed new alliances with General Motors’ Cruise and Chinese firm WeRide. The new tie-up with Avride will see Uber Eats begin using sidewalk robots for food deliveries in Austin in the coming weeks, with plans to expand the service to Dallas and Jersey City, New Jersey, by the end…

General Motors’ self-driving subsidiary, Cruise, is working towards relaunching its driverless taxi services following an accident last October. The company has since implemented significant changes to enhance safety and restore its operations. During the Automated Road Transportation Symposium last week, Cruise Chief Safety Officer Steve Kenner discussed the company’s renewed focus on safety with Automotive News, emphasizing a commitment to making its software perform like a “role model driver.” https://evmagz.com/gms-cruise-aims-to-re-launch-driverless-ride-hailing-after-pedestrian-accident/ “We’re holding ourselves to a bar of ‘role model driver,’ and not just a ‘better-than-average driver,’ ” Kenner said. Kenner, who joined Cruise in February after a career in automotive safety…

Shell Recharge has launched Malaysia’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Genting Highlands, Pahang, about an hour north of Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysia Book of Records has recognized the facility as the highest-altitude EV charging hub in the country, located at 1,865 meters above sea level. The new station features ten charging spots, comprising two 360 kW DC chargers and three 22 kW AC chargers, each with two CCS Type 2 charging guns. The 360 kW chargers can deliver maximum power when a single car is connected, while two vehicles sharing a charger will receive 270 kW and 90…

SkyDrive, a Japanese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle maker, has taken a significant step towards entering the U.S. market by submitting a type certification application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its three-seat electric aerial vehicle (EAV). The application was filed through Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), marking a key milestone in SkyDrive’s certification process. See also: SkyDrive Secures Major Pre-Order of SKYDRIVE eVTOLs from South Korea Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive, expressed gratitude for the support from the JCAB and the FAA, stating, “This collaboration allows us to advance our certification processes in both Japan and the…

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is reportedly set to incorporate a smart driving solution from Chinese startup Momenta into its all-electric CLA model, a move that underscores its efforts to enhance driver assistance capabilities. The high-level intelligent driving system from Momenta will enable pilot-assisted driving in urban environments without relying on high-definition maps, according to a report from local media outlet 36kr. Scheduled to commence production in April 2025, the Mercedes-Benz CLA equipped with Momenta’s solution will feature Nvidia’s Orin smart driving chip. This collaboration marks the first time Mercedes-Benz has adopted a technology solution from a Chinese smart driving supplier, highlighting…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it is seeking additional information as part of its investigation into Amazon.com’s self-driving Zoox vehicles. The probe was initiated due to instances of unexpected braking that resulted in two rear-end collisions. NHTSA stated that it is requesting video footage of the crashes and documentation from Zoox pertaining to the vehicles. The agency expressed concern over the potential risk posed by vehicles with unexpected rapid braking, particularly to other road users who may not anticipate or react to such abrupt maneuvers. See also: NHTSA Probes Amazon’s Zoox Autonomous Vehicles After Collisions…

Alexander Dennis, a leading bus manufacturer, has been selected to construct three Enviro100AEV autonomous buses for the Connector project in Cambridge, as reported by a local media outlet. The Connector project, supported by Innovate UK and led by the Greater Cambridge Partnership, aims to deliver autonomous bus services in Cambridge. The project consortium includes bus operator Stagecoach, IPG Automotive, dRISK, and Gamma Energy, and is part-funded by the UK Government’s Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles. The Enviro100AEV buses are scheduled to be built later in 2024 and are expected to be in service by 2025 after a period of…

Accelera, a subsidiary of Cummins, has unveiled plans to introduce a battery electric powertrain for Isuzu’s F-series electric trucks in the North American market. This initiative underscores the commitment of both companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide customers with innovative, zero-emissions solutions. The medium-duty electric truck, slated for a 2026 release, will feature Accelera’s cutting-edge lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology integrated into a specially designed powertrain. While specific technical details remain undisclosed, Isuzu aims to fine-tune its technology to meet market demands over the next two years. Shaun Skinner, President of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and…