Author: Moira Shortle

In a move that could potentially disrupt the landscape of heavy transportation, a Chinese manufacturer, JAC Motors, has unveiled a prototype that shares an uncanny resemblance to the all-electric Tesla Semi. The emergence of this clone prototype suggests a significant interest in electric heavy-duty vehicles and could signal a new contender entering the market. Photographs of the prototype were captured at a JAC Motors facility, a company known for producing a range of passenger cars and for its partnership with Volkswagen. Notably, the prototype’s design draws evident inspiration from the Tesla Semi, particularly in the shape of its cab. The…

In response to the surging demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and the critical need to reduce carbon emissions, the United Kingdom is embarking on an ambitious venture. The nation is set to construct Europe’s inaugural and largest lithium refinery, a move aimed at providing a steady supply of this sought-after mineral while significantly curbing its carbon impact. The global shift towards renewable energy sources has ignited a frenzy for lithium, a pivotal component in the production of EV batteries. As the planet rallies behind sustainability goals, the demand for the ore metal has escalated dramatically. It’s projected that up to…

In a recent update unveiled by the Arabic publication Maal, Lucid Motors’ upcoming AMP-2 factory, situated in the vibrant city of Jeddah, is poised to initiate production operations by September 2023, a mere month away. This facility is strategically designed to assemble Lucid’s flagship model, the Air, utilizing components sourced from the AMP-1 plant located in Arizona. Notably, the inaugural batch of Air vehicles is slated for delivery to the Saudi Arabian government, marking a significant milestone before the year draws to a close. Looking ahead, Lucid has set an ambitious production goal of reaching an annual output of 150,000…

Acura has announced the much-anticipated debut of the ZDX electric crossover during the Monterey Car Week on August 17. This revelation comes a year after the official confirmation of the ZDX’s return to the market. Offering a glimpse of the upcoming model, Acura has released a captivating teaser, showcasing the vehicle’s front end in its entirety. Inspired by the 2022 Acura Precision EV concept, the ZDX features an elegant design with subtly toned-down elements. The front fascia boasts a pair of slender LED headlights, an illuminated version of Acura’s iconic Diamond Pentagon grille, and sporty bumper intakes. While spy shots…

In an official announcement, General Motors (GM) has confirmed the starting price for the much-anticipated Cadillac Celestiq – an electric vehicle that is set to make a splash in the luxury car market. Priced at $340,000 before any additional options, the Celestiq is positioned to rival the prestigious Rolls Royce brand, signaling Cadillac’s ambitious foray into the high-end luxury segment. GM’s initial mention of the Celestiq had already hinted at an expensive offering, considering its hand-built production, but the revelation of a starting price above $300,000 has caught the attention of luxury car enthusiasts worldwide. See also: Here are trim…

Plenitude, a subsidiary of the Italian energy group Eni, has announced plans to install approximately 250 electric car charging points at various Ikea locations throughout Italy. The move is aimed at enhancing the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and will be made available to Ikea visitors, employees, and suppliers. The charging stations will be operated by Be Charge, another Eni-owned company, and will provide electricity from 100 per cent renewable sources, as stated in the company’s Italian press release. However, specific details regarding the planned charging capacity and implementation schedule have not been disclosed yet. According to Stefano Goberti, CEO…

Nikola, the electric truck manufacturer, announced on Thursday that it had successfully garnered enough support for a proposal to increase the number of shares it can issue, paving the way for much-needed capital infusion. The company had faced challenges during its shareholder meeting, having to adjourn the session twice due to a lack of sufficient votes. Despite urging shareholders for months to vote in favor of “Proposal 2,” which aimed to authorize additional share issuance, Nikola struggled to secure the necessary support. However, the approval of this proposal was crucial for the company’s ongoing growth and success, according to CEO…

In a recent interview with HeatMap, RJ Scaringe, the Chief Executive of Rivian, a electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, emphasized his conviction that EVs represent the sole viable path forward for the automotive industry. Scaringe envisions combustion-powered vehicles as destined to become relics of the past, supplanted by the rapid rise of electric alternatives. Rivian has emerged as an early frontrunner in the EV space, successfully developing, manufacturing, and introducing two well-rounded EV models, the R1T and R1S, ahead of many traditional automakers. Although the R1T and R1S currently cater to the higher-end market due to their relatively expensive price tags,…

China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group recently released its long-awaited financial results for 2021 and 2022, reporting a combined net loss of 71.12 billion yuan ($9.95 billion). The NEV company, a subsidiary of China Evergrande Group, has been grappling with significant financial pressure since its parent company faced a debt crisis in mid-2021. The situation became so critical that the company warned in March about the possibility of winding up operations if it failed to secure new funding. The financial difficulties had repercussions on the company’s plans for its flagship model, Hengchi 5, as mass production had to be delayed…

In an exciting development, X Shore has officially begun delivering its highly anticipated X Shore 1 vessels to customers, marking the launch of a new lower-cost electric boat model within the company’s lineup. The X Shore 1, unveiled nearly a year ago, has generated significant buzz as an attractive entry point for boaters. While X Shore’s flagship 26-foot Eelex 8000 remains an impressive but pricey option at around US $330,000, the 21-foot X Shore 1 comes at a far more affordable price of $139,000. The latest announcement from the company celebrated this milestone, stating, “A momentous occasion at X Shore!…

Hyundai’s N Division has demonstrated their unwavering commitment to creating a thrilling driving experience with the introduction of their first high-performance electric vehicle, the Ioniq 5 N. Recent videos released by the brand showcase the car’s impressive features, solidifying its position as one of the most exhilarating EVs on the market. In the first video, the Ioniq 5 N effortlessly drifts around a deserted parking lot before hitting the city streets, offering viewers a taste of the N Active Sound+ system. This innovative feature comes with two distinct sound profiles, Evolution and Supersonic, delivering an electrifying auditory experience. Surprisingly, the…

Aurora, a leading autonomous technology developer, announced a significant milestone as it secured $820 million in a fresh round of public and private funding. This infusion of capital paves the way for the company to commercially launch its revolutionary self-driving products next year. In a recent blog post, Aurora CEO Chris Urmson shared insights into the company’s vision and how it intends to utilize the funds to bring their cutting-edge technology to the market. Aurora’s journey has been closely followed by the industry, and it has garnered the support and investments of prominent automakers like Toyota, Peterbilt, and Uber Freight.…