Author: Miguel Garcia

Toyota is in discussions with Shanghai authorities regarding the possibility of establishing a wholly owned manufacturing facility in the city, similar to the privileges granted to Tesla, according to sources familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg. The Japanese automaker seeks comparable benefits enjoyed by Tesla, including tax incentives, policy backing, land grants, and the unique ability to operate factories independently without local joint-venture partnerships in China. Tesla’s Shanghai plant, inaugurated in late 2019, stands as China’s first fully foreign-owned automotive manufacturing venture. See also: Toyota’s GAC Venture in China Adopts Momenta’s Smart Driving Solution for bZ3X Sources indicate that Toyota…

The REWIND project, a pioneering effort in battery recycling, aims to develop a prototype lithium-ion battery where components can be fully recovered while preserving their structure, bypassing current shredding and dissolving processes. Led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC and partnered with major industry players like BMW, IBU-tec, and Leclanché, REWIND is slated to continue until the end of 2027. According to the Fraunhofer Institute, the project’s core objective is “to develop a LIB cell with specially designed recyclable electrodes and cell designs.” “In REWIND, we aim to create a lithium-ion battery prototype that is not only recycling-friendly…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently provided insights into the rollout progress of Full Self Driving (FSD) V12.4.2, stating that the update is advancing to internal testing this week. Musk emphasized the pivotal role of FSD in Tesla’s future trajectory, highlighting its potential to enable true autonomous driving and propel the company to new heights. He acknowledged the significant allocation of resources towards FSD development, underscoring its critical importance within Tesla’s strategic vision. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1805813026316337563 Updates to FSD have garnered enthusiasm among veteran testers of the advanced driver-assist system, particularly with V12.4. Musk’s recent comments on the update have generated anticipation, despite…

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWN) announced on Tuesday its plans to introduce a new entry-level variant of its electric minibus, the ID. Buzz. The new model will feature a smaller 62 kWh battery, aiming to make the vehicle more affordable than the current version. Lars Krause, Board Member for Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, disclosed the details in an interview with German publication Automobilwoche. However, Krause did not specify the market launch date or the price of the new entry-level variant. See also: Volkswagen Plans Major Production Boost for Electric ID.Buzz Van This year, VWN will also ramp up production of the…

ElectroRide has teamed up with Battery Smart, the country’s largest battery-swapping network for light electric vehicles. The partnership aims to establish battery-swapping stations at 2,500 locations across India over the next five years. Additionally, ElectroRide is set to expand its portfolio to include four-wheeler electric vehicles. The collaboration between ElectroRide and Battery Smart will initially see the installation of 50 swap stations at ElectroRide locations across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Subsequent phases will extend the network to other regions, though specific locations have yet to be disclosed. This initiative aligns with Battery Smart’s goal to ensure that EV users have…

California Air Resources Board (CARB) Launches Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) to Incentivize EV Adoption Among Low-Income Residents California is taking bold steps towards promoting clean mobility with the introduction of the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This new initiative offers incentives of up to $14,000 on electric vehicles (EVs) and is specifically aimed at low-income consumers. See also: California Sees 1 in 6 New Trucks, Buses, and Vans as Zero-Emission Under the DCAP, low-income residents of California can benefit from incentives when they purchase or lease a new or used clean vehicle. CARB…

Nio and Hongqi, a brand under China FAW Group, have officially entered into a partnership to interconnect their charging networks. This collaboration marks the first project since the two companies signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement on May 21. According to Nio’s statement today, Hongqi users will now have access to Nio’s charging network through the Hongqi App. This includes services such as locating Nio’s charging stations, checking prices, charging vehicles, and making payments. See also: Nio Confident in Firefly Brand’s EU Competitiveness Despite Tariff Threats The partnership with FAW adds another significant player to Nio’s battery swap alliance, which already…

Ampersand, a Rwanda-based startup founded in 2016, has announced a partnership with BYD to supply battery cells for its electric motorcycles. The company, known for its large fleet of electric commercial motorcycles with swappable batteries, aims to accelerate the electrification of Africa’s commercial motorcycle segment. The Memorandum of Understanding signed on 18 June between Ampersand and BYD outlines plans to acquire battery cells for 40,000 electric motorcycles by the end of 2026. While specific details regarding the battery cells have not been disclosed, it is widely speculated that Ampersand will source prismatic LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery cells from BYD,…

New research conducted by engineers at the University of Florida suggests that autonomous vehicles (AVs) are generally safer than those driven by human drivers, except in specific scenarios such as performing turns and in low-light conditions. The headline findings of the study, published in the journal Nature Communications, reveal insights into AV safety and challenges. Mohamed Abdel-Aty and Shengxuan Ding, the researchers behind the study, analyzed automobile crash data in California from 2016 to 2022, focusing on accidents involving vehicles with automated driving systems or advanced driver assistance systems. See also: Autonomous Taxis Outshine Human-Driven Counterparts in Safety, Reveals Study According…

At the Battery Show Europe, three prominent German companies, Dürr, Grob, and Manz, have showcased their collaborative concept for a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery production facility. This initiative marks a significant step in their joint project aimed at offering comprehensive battery production systems. The partnership, established in 2022, represents the first European cooperation in lithium-ion battery production technology. The goal is to position themselves as a leading European supplier of complete battery production systems. The trio is making their debut joint appearance at this week’s Battery Show Europe in Stuttgart, focusing on their innovative concept factory. Pooling their expertise, Dürr, Grob,…

Automotive supplier Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze (SEBN) has announced plans to build a new production facility in Cuenca, Spain, dedicated to manufacturing high-voltage wiring harnesses for Seat and Volkswagen electric vehicles. This new facility will mark SEBN’s first production site in Spain and its 23rd plant globally. Established in 1986 as a joint venture between Volkswagen and Siemens under the name Volkswagen Bordnetze, the company was acquired by the Japanese Sumitomo Group in 2006 and subsequently renamed. Sven-Uwe Niemann, SEBN Board Member and Executive Director of Supply Chain Management, NAFTA Region, and Business Center, stated, “Our investment in this production facility…

The Berlin Senate has significantly reduced funds allocated for the procurement of electric buses for the Berlin public transport operator BVG, citing delayed construction of the Marienfelde depot and subsequent delays in new electric bus arrivals. The current budget for electric bus procurement is approximately eight million euros, a sharp decrease from the planned 33.11 million euros, as reported by German publication Tagesspiegel. This reduction is part of a broader effort by the governing parties CDU and SPD in Berlin to save 130 million euros on bus and rail services this year. The Berlin transport administration attributes the budget cut…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) dealers in Canada are considering joint legal action as the company plans to reconfigure its operations, particularly its Jaguar brand, as part of a new ultra-luxury, all-electric strategy. This shift, aimed at emulating the success of brands like Aston Martin and Bentley, involves significant changes in how cars are sold and a drastic reduction in sales expectations. The move comes as Jaguar, in particular, has been undergoing a transformation, moving away from the German-dominated premium space to focus on higher-end, lower-volume models. This shift has created tension with its Canadian partners, especially regarding the reduction in…

In a recent post on X, Elon Musk hinted at Tesla’s potential entry into the Indian market, marking a significant development in the company’s long-awaited expansion plans. Speculation has been rife for years that Tesla would establish manufacturing operations in India, tapping into one of the world’s largest automotive markets. However, negotiations between the two parties have hit a roadblock, primarily over import terms. Tesla has expressed interest in testing the demand for its electric cars in India through imports from its German factory. However, India’s stringent import duties would significantly raise the cost of Tesla cars, complicating the assessment…

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, a major Tesla shareholder, announced its intention to vote against Elon Musk’s controversial $56 billion pay package from 2018, as shareholders prepare to revisit the issue this week. The fund, managed by Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) and valued at $1.7 trillion, holds approximately 0.98% of Tesla’s stock, worth $7.7 billion. NBIM expressed concerns over the size of Musk’s pay package, citing worries about dilution, performance triggers, and the lack of mitigation of a key person risk. “Elon Musk has not been paid for any of his work for Tesla for the past six years… That…

Audi is undergoing a significant structural realignment by creating a new Board of Management department for ‘Innovation and Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV)’. This move underscores Audi’s commitment to giving software a more central role in its future direction. The new department will be led by Geoffrey Bouquot, previously Group CTO & Senior Vice President Strategy at Valeo, bringing extensive experience in managing and transforming large development and software teams. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner highlighted the importance of innovation, stating, “Vorsprung durch Technik is our ambition, and innovation is the key to our fitness for the future. We need a thorough structural…

A recent poll has revealed that a majority of Americans are not interested in purchasing an electric vehicle (EV), citing concerns such as range anxiety and high costs. The survey, conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, involved 6,265 adults and highlighted the challenges facing President Biden’s goal of increasing EV sales. According to the poll, concerns about range anxiety and a lack of affordable EV options are major barriers to adoption. Many respondents expressed worries about not living near a charging station, with 50 percent of…

The global electric vehicle (EV) battery market continues its upward trajectory in 2024, with prominent players such as CATL and BYD maintaining their dominance. CATL, in particular, retains over a third of the market share, but BYD is narrowing the gap with its introduction of new, lower-priced EV models. From January to April 2024, global EV battery consumption reached 216.2 GWh, marking a 21.8% increase from the same period last year. CATL emerged as the market leader, with an installed capacity of 81.1 GWh, representing a 30% year-on-year growth. According to SNE Research, CATL accounted for 37.7% of the market…

Archer, a Californian electric air taxi developer backed by Stellantis, has been granted certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin commercial flight operations. This certification marks a significant milestone for Archer as it prepares to launch its electric vertical-take-off-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the series eVTOL Midnight, for commercial use. While the series eVTOL Midnight is not yet certified for commercial operations, Archer plans to utilize conventional aircraft, without specifying the type, to leverage its mobile booking application, vertiport technology integrations, and proprietary operations software platform, all of which are currently under development. Archer’s immediate focus will be on…

China refuted allegations of violating World Trade Organization (WTO) rules by using prohibited subsidies for its electric vehicles (EVs). A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, Mao Ning, asserted that the success of Chinese EVs in international markets stems from “comparative advantages and market laws,” not illicit subsidies. The statement comes in response to U.S. President Joe Biden’s remarks accusing China of subsidizing EVs to saturate the American market, a concern echoed by other U.S. officials. Mao emphasized that subsidies cannot compensate for industrial competitiveness, adding, “There are no prohibited subsidies stipulated by the WTO.” Contradicting Biden’s claims, Mao highlighted that…