Author: Miguel Garcia

Tesla’s latest software update, version 2024.14.3, introduces several new functions and visual interface changes, with a notable enhancement to the wiper controls. The update aims to address longstanding frustrations with the automatic windshield wipers, which have been a weak point for Tesla vehicles. One of the main challenges with Tesla’s autowiper function is its reliance on vision-based sensors, which can lead to erratic behavior. For example, the wipers may activate unnecessarily on a sunny day due to misinterpretation of splattered bugs as raindrops. Conversely, they may fail to respond adequately in heavy rain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVUZIs1xBa0 To mitigate these issues, Tesla has…

At the Beijing Auto Show, the newly unveiled Zeekr MIX offers a glimpse into what to expect from Waymo’s upcoming purpose-built self-driving taxi. The MIX, built on Geely’s new SEA-M platform, shares similarities with Waymo’s future vehicle, which will also use the same platform. Described as “the private buyer’s version of the Waymo” by some, the MIX prioritizes space, comfort, and safety over performance, aiming to be “an intelligent living room on wheels.” https://twitter.com/GeelyGroup/status/1783384254711226586 With a length of 15 feet, the MIX is slightly shorter than a Tesla Model Y but offers a spacious interior, thanks to its nearly 10-foot…

Tesla’s stock surged on Monday following reports that CEO Elon Musk had secured Chinese approval to deploy the automaker’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) autonomous software in the country. This approval, obtained during Musk’s 24-hour visit to Beijing over the weekend, marks a significant milestone for Tesla’s operations in China. According to the Wall Street Journal, officials informed Tesla of the tentative approval for FSD in China, a move that could potentially boost Tesla’s competitive edge against rivals in the region. In a separate report, Bloomberg noted that Tesla will utilize Chinese tech company Baidu’s street-level mapping data to power its FSD…

Mercedes-Benz is pivoting its approach in the American market, opting for a more flexible powertrain strategy that responds to consumer demand rather than aggressively pushing electric vehicles (EVs). This shift was highlighted during a recent three-day event in Stuttgart for North American retailers, where executives announced plans to increase combustion engine and hybrid vehicle options this year. “The American consumer doesn’t want to be told what to buy – they want options,” remarked one dealer who attended the event, reflecting the sentiment echoed by others. Mercedes-Benz is aligning its strategy to allow the market to dictate the types of vehicles…

Tesla is gearing up to launch a new suite of off-roading features for its Cybertruck, as revealed in an exclusive video shared over the weekend. The upcoming off-roading tools for the Tesla Cybertruck were showcased in an exclusive video released by Top Gear on Sunday. The video highlights new features that will enhance the Cybertruck’s off-roading capabilities, including additional off-roading modes, access to pitch and angle settings, front and rear locking differential controls, and more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSgNA-pWM8w Filmed in Johnson Valley, California, the video features both a Cybertruck and a Rivian R1T as they undergo off-road testing. The tests include challenging…

Rivian has announced its intention to open up its charging network to other electric vehicle (EV) brands and has introduced a new charger design for this purpose. In a press release issued on Friday, Rivian unveiled the charger design that will be used to make the Rivian Adventure Network (RAN) accessible to all compatible EVs later this year. The new charging stall design features 400- and 800-volt packs, CCS connectors, and support for NACS—initially through an adapter, with plans to eventually support native NACS charging. Initially, the chargers will require an approved adapter to charge vehicles with Tesla’s NACS charger,…

Solaris, an European manufacturer of electric buses, has made history by delivering 15 Solaris Urbino 12 electric buses to Tallinn, Estonia. These buses mark the country’s first foray into electric public transportation. In addition to the buses, Solaris has provided the necessary charging infrastructure, including 15 stationary chargers at the depot and two pantograph chargers along the bus routes. This dual-charging capability allows the buses to be charged using a plug-in connector or an inverted pantograph. The contract value, encompassing the delivery of the buses and charging infrastructure, exceeds 10 million euros, according to Solaris. The public transport operator Aktsiaselts…

Tesla has given enthusiasts a sneak peek into its highly anticipated new Model 3 Performance variant, potentially named ‘Ludicrous,’ which is on the brink of launch. Rumors have been swirling for over a month about the imminent release of the new Model 3 Performance, bolstered by sightings of badges on prototypes hinting at the ‘Ludicrous’ moniker. The automaker has confirmed plans for a new performance version of the Model 3, with updated badges surfacing in the Tesla parts catalog. Adding to the anticipation, Tesla recently updated renderings in its app, showcasing new sports seats believed to be intended for the…

Wes Morrill, the Lead Engineer for Tesla’s Cybertruck, revealed that the company had contemplated equipping the all-electric pickup with a “Crab Walk” feature similar to General Motors’ HUMMER EV. However, after testing and development, Tesla deemed the feature not useful for the Cybertruck. CrabWalk, as implemented by GM, is a four-wheel steer mode designed to enhance vehicle maneuverability in off-road and parking scenarios. It allows the rear wheels to mimic the angle of the front wheels, enabling diagonal movement. https://twitter.com/wmorrill3/status/1780601174636515716 Despite its potential benefits for tasks like parallel parking, Crab Walk is limited to incredibly low speeds, with GM stating…

Mobility technology company AVL has joined forces with Red Bull Advanced Technologies to accelerate the advancement of a new generation of fuel cells, with a focus on enhancing power density. The partnership aims to optimize fuel cells for aviation, future motorsport series, and other high-payload applications, targeting a weight reduction of two-thirds compared to conventional fuel cell systems. AVL, an Austrian technology specialist developing both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) drives, is collaborating with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the high-performance division of the Red Bull Racing Group. The cooperation combines AVL’s leading portfolio of PEM…

Engineers at Purdue University are embarking on an ambitious project to enable wireless charging of electric trucks while they are in motion on US highways. If successful, this technology could revolutionize freight transport by significantly reducing the need for large batteries and increasing the efficiency of electric trucks. While the concept of wireless charging for electric vehicles is not new, previous trials have primarily focused on slow routes. The Purdue project aims to adapt this technology for use on highways, where vehicles travel at much higher speeds, presenting a complex challenge. “We’re developing a system capable of charging semi-trucks as…

Amidst Fisker’s looming delisting from the New York Stock Exchange on April 22 and the specter of potential collapse, some dealers are maintaining a hopeful outlook for the electric car manufacturer’s future. Recent developments at the Fisker store in Indianapolis have sparked optimism. Shipments of the all-electric Ocean have arrived, with customer deliveries underway. Dealer principal Phil Harrison shared, “Customers have been enjoying daily test drives and are eagerly configuring their new Oceans to take home.” While uncertainty looms, dealer partners like Val Ranguelov of Fisker Albany in New York express optimism. Ranguelov noted, “Interest in the Ocean remains strong.…

Stellantis has announced plans to overhaul the platform of the Fiat 500 Electric, aiming to introduce a more affordable version of the popular small electric car. The Group intends to achieve this by introducing a new battery and electric drive. The company is investing 100 million euros to enhance the Fiat 500e, with a focus on improving the customer experience and expanding production of the model. Specific details about the revision, including the new model’s features and pricing, have not yet been disclosed. Currently, in the UK, the Fiat 500 Electric with a 23.8 kWh battery starts at £28,195, while…

Alibaba has completed its latest planned reduction of its stake in Xpeng, allowing the stake to fall to less than 5 percent. According to an announcement on the Hong Kong stock exchange, Alibaba’s Taobao China sold 33 million American Depositary Shares (ADSs) of Xpeng on March 22. Each ADS represents two Xpeng Class A ordinary shares, with an average price per ordinary share in the transaction of about $4.76. Alibaba cashed out $314 million from the sale. Prior to the reduction, Alibaba held 141,918,464 ordinary shares of Xpeng, representing a 9.23 percent stake. Following the completion of the reduction, Alibaba’s…

Luxury electric carmaker Lucid announced on Monday that it is raising $1 billion in capital from an affiliate of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), sending its shares up about 8%. The investment by the sovereign wealth fund underscores a key advantage Lucid has in the competitive EV market, where many startups are struggling to survive. The Saudi government, which has a 60% stake, has invested billions in Lucid’s success as part of a strategy to diversify the Kingdom’s economy beyond oil. See also: Lucid Faces Trademark Challenge Over “Gravity” Name for SUV Ayar Third Investment Company, a PIF affiliate, will…

Rivian has officially secured access to Tesla’s renowned Supercharger network. The company has announced plans to distribute NACS DC adapters to its owners at no cost starting next month. This development comes after Tesla opened its connector to other automakers, aiming to establish it as the new charging standard in North America. Rivian swiftly embraced this opportunity following Ford’s initial foray into the network. https://twitter.com/Rivian/status/1769758297438159021 Ford led the charge by providing a free adapter to Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners last month, paving the way for Rivian’s integration. Rivian has now confirmed the commencement of EV integration into Tesla’s…

Hyundai and Iveco are expanding their partnership to include heavy-duty electric commercial vehicles, aiming to accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation in European markets. The manufacturers have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on electric heavy-duty trucks, encompassing both battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles. The partnership between Hyundai and Iveco began in March 2022, focusing initially on electric commercial vehicles. Since then, they have introduced the Iveco eDaily FCEV van and the E-Way H2 bus in the fuel cell sector. The announcement of a joint light battery-electric commercial vehicle in February marked their first foray into the BEV segment, with…

Audi has announced a significant reorganization of its Board of Management, with Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management, taking over the role of Technical Development at the German carmaker with immediate effect. This move follows the transfer of Oliver Hoffmann, the previous Board Member for Development. Gernot Döllner, who has been CEO of Audi since September 1, 2023, has begun implementing his strategy at the company, resulting in changes to model planning, organization, and management personnel. The appointment of Oliver Hoffmann to head the brand’s Formula 1 commitment marks the first change to the Board of Management under…

Rivian’s upcoming all-electric crossover SUV, the R2, has garnered significant attention and acclaim within the electric vehicle community, with CEO RJ Scaringe announcing over 68,000 reservations for the vehicle. However, one aspect of the R2 has raised eyebrows – its charge port location. The R2 prototype, along with the R3 and R3X prototypes, showcased a charge port positioned on the rear passenger side. This design choice has led to concerns among EV owners, who note that this setup would require the R2 to occupy two spots at Tesla’s V3 and V2 Superchargers. See also: Everything You Should Know Rivian R2 Battery…

Rivian has announced a significant restructuring of its production shifts at its manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, with plans to reduce the number of shifts from three to two starting next month. The company describes this move as a strategic decision to optimize production efficiency. The decision comes after Rivian revealed plans to lay off 10% of its salaried workforce, as detailed in its Q4 and 2023 financial report. See also: Rivian Reports 2023 Financial Results: Net Loss of $5.4 Billion Despite Increased Sales Approximately 8,000 employees are based at Rivian’s Normal facility, with the majority in hourly manufacturing roles. Despite…