Author: Ryan Fisher

Dublin local authorities are set to install 200 electric vehicle (EV) charging points across 50 council-owned car parks by the first quarter of 2025. The initiative, a collaboration between Dublin City, Fingal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin councils, and EV firm ePower, aims to bolster the public charging infrastructure for residents who cannot charge at home. “This rollout marks a substantial investment that will help strengthen the EV charging network in Dublin and support our push toward net-zero carbon emissions,” said Cllr Jim O’Leary, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. He added that expanding public charging points will make EV ownership…

Japanese chipmaker Rapidus and auto supplier Denso have formed a partnership to share design methods for advanced semiconductor chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) and self-driving vehicles, according to local media reports. The collaboration is part of a broader effort to bolster Japan’s semiconductor industry and enhance its competitiveness in the global market. The two companies are part of an eight-member group established by SEMI, an international organization that promotes the global semiconductor supply chain, reported Nikkei Asia. This marks the first time that Japanese firms have taken the lead in standardizing design approaches for advanced chips. “By sharing a…

U.S. truck manufacturer Nikola Motor announced it laid off 135 employees last Wednesday, as part of its ongoing effort to cut costs and improve its financial standing. The company, which delivered 88 fuel cell trucks in the third quarter, continues to struggle with profitability, leading to declining stock prices. Despite being the only company to deliver fuel cell trucks last quarter, Nikola’s financial challenges remain significant. This recent round of layoffs follows earlier cuts, including 270 employees in June 2023 and 100 in November 2022. The company has also faced legal troubles, with former CEO Trevor Milton sentenced to prison…

ChargePoint has introduced a new home installation service for its ChargePoint Home Flex residential charger, aimed at enhancing the customer experience for electric vehicle (EV) owners in the U.S. This service integrates the purchase of the charger with a streamlined home installation process, simplifying setup for EV drivers. Customers can obtain an installation quote and schedule a date by answering three questions on ChargePoint’s website. This process is designed to eliminate the need for finding and vetting an electrician, as ChargePoint collaborates with certified installation providers to facilitate a straightforward experience. JD Singh, ChargePoint’s Chief Customer Experience Officer, noted the…

Austrian manufacturer Rosenbauer has announced the availability of its new electric aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle, the Panther 6×6 electric. Designed in collaboration with airport operators and fire services, the vehicle promises faster acceleration and top speeds than its traditional fossil-fuel counterparts, bringing a new level of performance and sustainability to emergency response operations. The Panther 6×6 electric is engineered to reach 80 km/h in under 25 seconds and achieve a top speed of 120 km/h solely on electric power. Additionally, it features an electric water pump capable of delivering 9,000 liters per minute. With dual charging options for…

Uber Technologies has announced plans to roll out an AI assistant powered by OpenAI’s technology to aid drivers in transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its commitment to reducing emissions. The ride-hailing company has been advocating for the adoption of EVs for several years and has pledged $800 million to support its driver partners in making the switch to electric by 2040. The AI assistant, which utilizes OpenAI’s GPT-4o, was unveiled at Uber’s Go-Get Zero event in London on Tuesday. Set to launch early next year in the United States, the chatbot will later expand to additional locations.…

Hyundai Mobis Co., the world’s fifth-largest auto parts manufacturer, announced plans to mass-produce a component that will double the charging speed for electric vehicles (EVs) starting at the end of 2025. This initiative aims to address consumer reluctance towards EV adoption by resolving one of the primary concerns regarding charging efficiency. At a recent technology event held at its research and development (R&D) center in Uiwang, South Korea, Hyundai Mobis unveiled an integrated charging control unit (ICCU) that enhances EV charging speeds to 22 kilowatts (kW), up from the current standard of 11 kW. The new component also enables users…

Caterham has announced its collaboration with Yamaha Motor to develop the fully electric powertrain for the Project V sports car. Initially introduced in concept form at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the model is progressing toward production, although its market launch is now anticipated to be delayed beyond 2026. As part of this partnership, Yamaha will supply a “cutting-edge” e-axle to the prototype, aiding Caterham in advancing its new model. The “lightweight compact electric powertrain” is designed to align with the core DNA of Caterham vehicles. Additionally, Yamaha will contribute its expertise in vehicle motion control. The Project V…

Rivian has submitted an application for a federal loan to facilitate the construction of its electric vehicle factory in Georgia, according to a filing from the U.S. Department of Energy. While the loan application is in process, the department has yet to make a final decision, and details regarding the requested amount and terms have not been disclosed. The new facility is projected to begin partial operations in the third quarter of 2027, with the first production capacity block expected to reach full operational status in 2028. However, Rivian recently paused construction on its planned $5 billion factory in Georgia,…

Tesla has officially discontinued its most affordable electric car, the Model 3 Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive, as reflected in the latest update to its online configurator. The move means the starting price for a Tesla has increased, with the next available model, the Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, now priced at $42,500—$3,500 more than the Standard Range variant, which was previously available for $39,000. This change was first noted amidst discussions on Tesla’s delivery numbers, with the disappearance of the Standard Range model going largely unnoticed until the configurator update. Tesla is known for adjusting its vehicle trims without…

J.B. Hunt Transport Service is taking significant strides in sustainability by expanding its fleet of zero-emission trucks with the addition of 20 Nikola Tre fuel cell trucks. These vehicles will primarily serve port and drayage transport operations in California. This latest acquisition follows the company’s earlier order of 13 zero-emission trucks from Nikola in 2023, which included three fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and ten battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The hydrogen fueling infrastructure for these trucks is provided by Nikola’s H2 brand, HYLA, which was introduced last year. J.B. Hunt Transport reports that it already operates over 200 alternative-powered vehicles,…

South Korea has taken a significant step toward the future of transportation with the launch of its first night-time self-driving taxis in Seoul’s Gangnam district. The city’s Metropolitan Government confirmed the introduction of the autonomous electric SUVs, marking a key milestone in the nation’s drive toward autonomous mobility. The vehicles, Korando e-Motion electric SUVs from KG Mobility (formerly known as SsangYong), will operate across a 4.5 square mile area in Gangnam and Seocho districts from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. While the vehicles will primarily drive themselves on major roads, they will also feature human safety monitors who will…