Author: Ryan Fisher

Stellantis announced plans to extend its e-Routes app to all brands under its umbrella in the United States by this summer, following its initial launch on Citroen cars last October and subsequent rollout to other Stellantis EVs. The e-Routes app, available for both iPhone and Android users, serves as a substitute navigation system for Stellantis EV owners who opted out of the built-in navigation package. It integrates with CarPlay and Android Auto, enabling users to plan trips on their smartphones while leveraging real-time vehicle data such as battery charge level, capacity, and ambient temperature. According to Stellantis, the app provides…

Amplify Cell Technologies, a joint venture between Accelera by Cummins, Daimler Truck, and Paccar, has commenced the construction of a new battery cell factory for commercial vehicles in Marshall County, Mississippi. The facility, announced last year and established in June, aims to pioneer the production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells, known for their durability and cost-efficiency in electric commercial vehicles. Kel Kearns, CEO of Amplify, expressed enthusiasm at the groundbreaking ceremony, stating, “I am thrilled to be here with so many of our partners to break ground on this new battery cell manufacturing facility in Marshall County.” The…

At the Eurobike trade show in Germany, ZF Group has officially unveiled its highly anticipated 48-volt drive system for e-bikes, branded as the ‘ZF Bike Eco System’. This comprehensive system integrates all essential components including motor, batteries, control units, app connectivity, and cloud integration, aiming to redefine the e-bike market with its innovative features. Central to the system is the ZF ‘CentriX’ drive unit, featuring a compact design and capable of delivering up to 90 Newton meters of torque. Daniel Haerter, Head of ZF’s Micro Mobility business unit, highlighted the significance of this innovation, stating, “With our CentriX e-bike drive…

Ford CEO Jim Farley shared his personal journey with electric vehicles (EVs), aiming to sway skeptics within the automotive community towards embracing the shift to electric propulsion. Farley acknowledged the polarizing nature of EVs, particularly among traditional “petrol heads” who cherish internal combustion engines. He emphasized that even enthusiasts like himself could find a passion for electric cars if given the opportunity. “They just have to give EVs a chance,” Farley urged. See also: Ford Streamlines EU Leadership Amid EV Transition Challenges Highlighting the competitive landscape of the automotive sector, Farley stressed the importance of the United States maintaining leadership in…

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles in California will jointly invest $25 million in charging infrastructure for electric heavy-duty drayage trucks, as part of a broader initiative to establish truck charging sites across the state. Each port will contribute $12.5 million to the Clean Truck Fund, aimed at transitioning to an all-electric truck fleet by 2035. The initiative, in collaboration with regional air quality agencies, aims to install 207 chargers at eight sites in locations including Wilmington, Rancho Dominguez, Rialto, Fontana, Commerce, and the Port of Long Beach. The total cost of the projects is estimated at $135…

Nio announced today that its upgraded virtual voice assistant, NOMI GPT, has surpassed 10 million user interactions since its launch on April 12, the electric vehicle (EV) maker revealed on social media platforms. NOMI GPT, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technology, has been actively engaged in tasks such as trip planning, role-playing, and text creation during its interactions with users. See also: Nio Sets Pace with Record Deliveries in Q2 Despite Monthly Fluctuations According to Nio, 8,747 individuals have engaged with NOMI GPT for more than 30 minutes, with the most frequent user interacting with the voice assistant over 200 times in…

In a strategic move confirming earlier speculation, the joint venture between Toyota and GAC in China will integrate a smart driving solution from local startup Momenta into its upcoming Toyota bZ3X model, the Toyota-GAC Group announced on Weibo yesterday. The collaboration between GAC Toyota and Momenta has culminated in a comprehensive intelligent driving solution designed to operate across diverse road conditions, including urban streets, highways, and parking scenarios. “The Toyota bZ3X will pioneer our new smart driving solution, marking a significant advancement in vehicle technology,” stated a representative from GAC Toyota. While the Weibo announcement provided initial details, further specifics…

Neta Auto parent Hozon New Energy Automobile Co Ltd has filed an application to list in Hong Kong, aiming to secure new financing to support its expansion. Hozon’s joint sponsors for the Hong Kong listing include CICC, Morgan Stanley, CITIC Securities, ABCI Capital, and CMB International, according to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange filing on Tuesday. See also: Neta Auto Launches Mass Production of Electric Vehicles in Indonesia The company submitted an initial prospectus that provides a detailed description of its business but does not specify an expected listing date or the number of shares it plans to issue. Founded in…

German automaker Volkswagen is set to significantly increase production of its all-electric ID.Buzz van, targeting a substantial ramp-up in output as it prepares for a US launch later this year. First unveiled in March 2022, the ID.Buzz marks Volkswagen’s modern take on the beloved Microbus, a vehicle known for its iconic design and association with counterculture movements of the past. The electric variant, equipped with a larger 91 kWh battery for enhanced performance, is tailored specifically for the US market with a three-row configuration. See also: Volkswagen Partners with Wrapmate to Launch Online Customization Tool for ID. Buzz Owners Lars Krause,…

French automaker Renault unveils its advanced automated logistics site, showcasing a fleet of robots that streamline operations and increase efficiency. Renault has introduced a state-of-the-art automated logistics site in Villeroy, northern France, showcasing the utilization of Skypods, autonomous mobile robots, to manage its operations. These robots navigate the facility independently, picking car part orders from shelves and performing various tasks such as packing and inventory management. The facility operates with a fleet of 191 robots, significantly improving order processing times. According to Xavier Lhors, Renault’s director of after-sale logistics, the automated system has increased the number of orders served by…

Tesla’s Model Y has once again claimed the top spot on the list of most American-made cars, according to the annual American-Made Index (AMI) by Cars.com. However, the electric automaker has lost its clean sweep of the top four positions this year. Thanks to Tesla’s vertical integration approach, which involves making many of its parts in-house and in the US for vehicles manufactured in North America, the company consistently ranks among those producing the most “American-made” vehicles. Last year, Tesla dominated the top four positions with the Model Y, Model 3, Model X, and Model S. This year, while Tesla…

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has reduced its stake in China’s BYD, which lost its position as the world’s largest seller of electric vehicles to Tesla last year. Berkshire sold 1.3 million Hong Kong-listed BYD shares for HK$310.5 million ($39.8 million), reducing its stake in BYD’s issued H-shares to 6.90% from 7.02%, according to a filing with the Hong Kong stock exchange. See also: BYD and CATL Set Sights on EV Batteries with 6C Charge Rate Buffett’s company first invested in Shenzhen-based BYD in 2008, purchasing about 225 million shares for $230 million, giving it a 10% stake at the time. The…