Author: Robin Cannon

Eli Electric, the manufacturer behind the acclaimed Eli ZERO electric microcar, has announced the commencement of reservations for its highly anticipated US debut. The company’s innovative approach to urban mobility has garnered significant praise in European and Asian markets, where the Eli ZERO has already made a profound impact. Priced at $11,900, the US version of the Eli ZERO is poised to revolutionize urban commuting with its compact design and impressive features. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2024, offering reservation holders swift access to this cutting-edge vehicle. Designed to meet the stringent regulations set by…

Rivian reached a significant milestone during its first-quarter earnings call on Tuesday, announcing that its R1T, R1S, and electric delivery van (EDV) vehicles have collectively been driven over 900 million miles. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe highlighted this achievement, stating, “Our vehicles have been driven more than 900 million cumulative miles, and our brand awareness and market position continue to grow.” In addition to this milestone, Rivian revealed several other accomplishments from the first quarter. The company unveiled its upcoming R2 and R3 lines and successfully re-tooled its factory in Normal, Illinois. Moreover, Rivian reported a 90% increase in demo drivers,…

Rivian announced a temporary halt in construction at its Covington plant, a decision that initially unsettled Georgians but is expected to facilitate earlier production of the R2 model and result in a substantial $2.25 billion savings this year. This strategic decision was detailed in the company’s Q1 earnings report, where it also outlined plans to achieve a modest profit in 2024. The electric automaker reported a remarkable surge in total revenue for Q1 2024, reaching $1.2 billion, an impressive 80 percent increase from the previous year’s $661 million. This growth was largely propelled by the delivery of 13,588 vehicles, representing…

BMW, known for its distinctive nomenclature, is undergoing a significant shift as it pivots towards electric vehicles (EVs). Traditionally, BMW’s naming convention included using the letter ‘i’ to denote certain characteristics of its models, such as engine type and efficiency. However, with the rise of EVs, the brand is reimagining its naming strategy to better reflect its electric focus. In the past, BMW used a specific system to categorize its models. The first digit indicated the market segment, while the following two digits represented the engine displacement. The letter at the end denoted the engine technology, such as ‘i’ for…

Nissan and Ecobat, a battery recycling specialist, have joined forces to explore ways to repurpose old batteries from Nissan Leaf electric vehicles (EVs). The collaboration aims to investigate how EV batteries can be recovered, repaired, recycled, or repurposed, contributing to a more sustainable circular energy economy. Under the “Strategic Pilot Agreement,” the partners will focus on commercializing the process of locating, safely transporting, dismantling, repairing, and repurposing EV batteries for second-life usage. The first step involves collecting old batteries from UK salvage operators and assessing them at Ecobat’s UK Diagnostic and Disassembly Centre in Darlaston, near Birmingham, using specialist vehicles.…

UK-based Swarco Smart Charging, a leading provider of charging infrastructure, has announced the formal rebranding of its systems and service business to Evolt Charging. Despite the rebranding, Evolt Charging will remain a part of Swarco Smart Charging legally. The company’s team will continue to support local authorities and Charge Point Operator customers in launching, operating, and expanding their charging networks. Evolt Charging will also serve fleet operators, as well as the eBus and eTruck sectors, aiding in the transition to fleet electrification. Additionally, the company will assist businesses in adding charging capacities to their workplaces. Evolt Charging, now headquartered in…

Tesla has swiftly increased the price of its Model 3 Performance by $1,000 just days after its official launch, according to updates on the company’s order configurator. The Model 3 Performance, now priced at $53,990 in the U.S., originally debuted at $52,990. However, it remains the only configuration of the sedan eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit. In Canada, the price of the Model 3 Performance has not changed, holding steady at the launch price of CAD $69,990. Even with the tax credit factored in, the base-level Model 3 Performance is priced lower than the ineligible Long Range configuration…

Nissan Motor has revised its annual operating profit estimate downward by 14.5%, citing lower-than-expected vehicle sales and other factors. The company, Japan’s third-largest automaker by volume, now anticipates an operating profit of 530 billion yen ($3.43 billion) for the fiscal year that ended in March, down from the previous estimate of 620 billion yen. Net profit is now expected to reach 370 billion yen, down from the initial forecast of 390 billion yen. The automaker stated that its vehicle sales would total 3.44 million units for the year, a reduction from the revised estimate of 3.55 million units announced just…

Stellantis is ramping up its commitment to renewable energy with a significant $100 million investment in 360 Energy Solar, a prominent solar power producer in Argentina. This move is part of Stellantis’ broader strategy to enhance the sustainability of its operations and reduce its environmental impact. The partnership will see Stellantis acquire a 49.5% stake in 360 Energy Solar, enabling the companies to collaborate on various renewable energy projects. These projects include the development of new solar plants, the installation of large-scale solar storage systems, and the exploration of hydrogen energy solutions. The investment will specifically target Stellantis’ manufacturing plants…

Panasonic Energy has announced the completion of a new research and development facility in Suminoe, Japan, dedicated to the advancement of battery production processes. The new facility, adjacent to an existing Panasonic plant that produces automotive batteries, is part of Panasonic’s efforts to strengthen its competitiveness in manufacturing and expand its global production capacity. The four-storey facility, with a total area of 7,900 square metres, will focus on next-generation manufacturing and contribute to the development of production process technologies. It will house a pilot production and validation area, as well as resources for the testing of mass production systems on…

Maybach’s first all-electric model, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV, which debuted in the US last year, is now open for orders in Germany and other European markets, offering a blend of cutting-edge technology and Maybach’s renowned exclusivity. In Germany, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV starts at a base price of €200,634. The vehicle is based on the EQS SUV platform under the Mercedes-Benz brand, with enhancements to combine technological innovation with the luxury and prestige associated with Maybach. Equipped with the same underbody battery as the EQE, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV boasts a usable energy content of 107.8 kWh,…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is embarking on a recruitment drive to hire 250 engineers at its UK sites in Gaydon and Whitley. The move is aimed at supporting the development of its next-generation electric vehicles, with a particular focus on battery technology and various other drive development roles. The recruitment includes 40 positions in battery technology, along with roles in advanced energy storage systems, battery cell design, cell stack assemblies, and hardware and software development for JLR’s “next generation vehicle architectures.” Other roles are available in propulsion, including propulsion software, calibration and controls, HV system integration, and electrical system component…