Author: Moira Shortle

ElectricBrands, a German electric vehicle (EV) developer, has partnered with Dutch car manufacturer VDL Nedcar to manufacture its XBUS and Evetta models. The VDL Nedcar plant, located in Born, the western part of the Netherlands, will be the production site for these light EVs. The strategic location with good logistical connections in a central position between Germany and the Benelux countries was one of the reasons ElectricBrands chose VDL Nedcar as a production partner, according to the managing director, Ralf Haller. The production of Evetta with the pilot series and delivery to dealers is scheduled to begin in early 2024,…

Tesla recently offered a glimpse into its state-of-the-art electric vehicle production facility, Giga Berlin, located in Germany. The factory’s videos showcase the extensive automation and skilled workforce that make it a “machine that builds the machine” while producing exceptional vehicles. Giga Berlin has been producing the Model Y for almost a year now, and it has achieved an impressive annual production rate of over 250,000 electric vehicles. By the end of Q4, the facility ramped up production to nearly 3,000 vehicles per week, helping Tesla maintain a strong foothold in the German and European markets. In its latest update, Tesla…

BorgWarner, a global automotive supplier, has announced its plan to expand its 400V inverter business by now offering 800V silicon carbide-based (SiC) inverters for battery electric vehicle (BEV) platforms. The company has partnered with a major global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to supply high-voltage inverters for their passenger BEVs. The new inverters will come in two variants, a 250kW version for passenger cars and all-wheel-drive crossover utility vehicles, and a 350kW module for performance vehicles. The production of these inverters is expected to commence in 2025 with an estimated peak production volume of approximately 400,000 units. See also: Hyundai selects…

Ford announced plans to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe over the next three years as part of its strategy to streamline operations and prioritize electric vehicle production. The cuts will include 2,300 jobs in production development and administration in Germany, 1,300 in the U.K., and 200 elsewhere in Europe, but roughly 3,400 engineering roles in vehicle design and development will be retained, alongside the creation of linked services. Despite the overhaul, Ford is committed to offering an all-electric fleet by 2035, with production of its first European-built electric passenger vehicle set to begin later this year. The automaker currently employs…

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has recently unveiled a comprehensive plan to transform its taxi fleet into 100% environmentally friendly vehicles. This includes both Dubai Taxi and franchise company taxis and will be achieved by 2027. The move is in line with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy’s Green Economy initiative, as well as the Dubai government’s broader strategy for environmental sustainability. RTA has already made great strides in this direction, with 72% of its taxi fleet now consisting of eco-friendly vehicles, specifically 8,221 hybrid cars. This aligns with the authority’s broader objective of promoting energy efficiency…

PepsiCo is taking its commitment to sustainability to the next level by investing in Tesla’s largest Megacharger to date. The Megacharger is designed specifically to recharge the all-electric Tesla Semi, of which PepsiCo took delivery of the first units for its own use and that of its subsidiary, Frito-Lay. The Semis have already been spotted in operation, but to fully utilize these vehicles, charging infrastructure is imperative. Recently, permits were filed by PepsiCo to install the massive and powerful Megacharger at its bottling and distribution center in Fresno, California. The information was posted on Twitter by the account Megacharged (@MarcoRPTesla)…

Zoox, a self-driving taxi service owned by Amazon, has begun ferrying employees in Foster City, California using its robotaxis. This marks the first time in history that a purpose-built autonomous taxi without manual controls has transported passengers on open public roads, the company said in a tweet. The robotaxis, which can handle left and right-hand turns, bi-directional turns, and navigate traffic lights, cyclists, pedestrians, vehicles and other road users, have received approval from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, but currently can only operate on designated roads. See also: Amazon-Owned Zoox preparing to launch a robotaxi business in California “Putting…

Parisian waste management company Sepur is utilizing a fleet of 18 Renault Trucks electric refuse trucks for the collection of household waste in the 13th arrondissement. These E-Tech D Wide trucks, equipped with Semat tipper bodies, are capable of traveling up to 90 km on a single charge. The deployment of these vehicles has now made waste collection in the 13th arrondissement entirely electric. The E-Tech D Wide, optimized for waste transport, can reach a maximum range of 120 km and has a maximum output of 370 kW. Renault Trucks aims to achieve a 50% sales margin for electric vehicles…

The Ram Truck brand has made history with the debut of its first ever battery-electric light-duty pickup truck – the Ram 1500 REV. The highly anticipated vehicle was introduced to the world in a 60-second commercial during the Super Bowl Game, sending shockwaves through the automotive industry. Mike Koval Jr., the CEO of the Ram brand, expressed his excitement about the company’s newest addition. He stated that the Ram brand has a history of redefining the pickup truck segment, and they aim to do it once again with the Ram 1500 REV. Koval went on to say that Ram is…

Nissan is recalling approximately 64,700 Nissan Leaf electric vehicles of the second generation (2018-23) due to a manual error. The manual provides incorrect instructions on how to operate the defroster, leading to decreased defroster performance. The manual states that the maximum fan speed should be engaged, but this actually causes the heater to enter fail-safe mode, limiting the defroster’s output. Although the issue may seem minor, Nissan has deemed it serious enough to recall all affected vehicles. See also: Nissan officially revealed 2023 Leaf electric hatchback Despite its affordability, the second-gen Nissan Leaf, which has been in production since October…

The Saarland state in Germany will not block Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD from potentially becoming an investor in a Ford car plant. Despite Ford being an American company and not making decisions that were popular with the state, the country of origin is not the only factor considered. The Wall Street Journal reported that BYD was one of fifteen investors interested in taking over the Ford plant in Saarlouis after it stops producing the Ford Focus in 2025. The state government and Ford are currently in discussions to find a new investor, with an announcement expected by the end…

Ideanomics and German automotive supplier, Mahle, have joined forces to bring a new charging solution to North America. Ideanomics will become the development partner and exclusive distributor of the chargeBIG 18-36 AC fleet charging solution for the next five years. This new system is already a hit in Europe, with over 1,500 charging points supplied to over 20 customers, and now it will be available to North American customers starting in the second quarter of 2023. The first orders are expected to be fulfilled in early 2024. See also: Ideanomics Acquires American Electric Truck Manufacturer VIA Motors This exciting addition…