Author: Sibley Presley

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he would impose tariffs as high as 200% on vehicles imported from Mexico, intensifying his protectionist trade stance ahead of the November 5 election. This announcement comes as Trump faces off against Democrat Kamala Harris in a competitive race. At a rally in Juneau, Wisconsin, Trump reiterated his commitment to protecting the domestic auto industry, stating, “We’ll put a tariff of 200% on if we have to. We’re not going to let it happen. We’re not letting those cars come into the United States.” This marks a significant increase from…

Kia has taken a bold and surprising step into the world of restomods by transforming a 1996 Kia Pride into an all-electric vehicle, complete with a five-speed manual transmission. This one-of-a-kind build, created in collaboration with Electrogenic, is Kia UK’s tribute to the company’s 80th anniversary, blending nostalgia with modern electric performance in a way that few could have anticipated. Originally known as the Ford Festiva in many markets, the Kia Pride was a humble economy car based on a Mazda platform. Kia’s history traces back to 1944, when it began as a manufacturer of bicycle parts, producing Korea’s first…

LG Energy Solution (LGES) has announced its first official corporate strategy, titled “Empower Every Possibility,” as the company looks to broaden its business beyond electric vehicle batteries and strengthen its position across the entire energy value chain. The strategy aims to double LGES’s revenue by 2028, focusing on diversifying its portfolio, expanding into new markets, and investing in next-generation battery technologies. One of the key goals of the strategy is to reduce LGES’s reliance on the electric vehicle sector by expanding its non-EV business lines. This includes diversifying product offerings to cover a wider range of applications, from Urban Air…

Researchers at Cornell University have engineered a porous crystal that effectively absorbs lithium-ion electrolytes and facilitates their movement through one-dimensional nanochannels, potentially paving the way for safer solid-state lithium-ion batteries. The findings are detailed in a paper published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The study was led by Yu Zhong, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, whose lab focuses on synthesizing soft and nanoscale materials aimed at enhancing energy storage and sustainability technologies. Traditional lithium-ion batteries utilize liquid electrolytes, which can lead to the formation of spiky dendrites that may cause short circuits or, in…

Hyundai is set to launch its first small electric vehicle (EV) in Europe, with the new Hyundai INSTER EV aimed at challenging low-cost electric cars in the UK. Hyundai announced that prices for the INSTER EV will start at under $31,000 (£23,495), offering a competitive option in the urban EV market. Unveiled in June as the Casper Electric in Korea, the INSTER EV features Hyundai’s latest design elements, including a pixelated front bumper inspired by the IONIQ models, LED daytime running lights, and pixel-graphic turn signals to complement the car’s modern look. Hyundai says the INSTER offers “segment-leading driving range”…

Asahi UK is taking significant strides toward sustainability by committing to zero tailpipe emissions for all deliveries, starting with the introduction of a Volvo FE Electric 4×2 rigid truck for its London operations. This silent and emission-free vehicle will facilitate the delivery of beer from Fuller’s, a 174-year-old brewery. The 18-tonne Volvo electric truck will operate from the historic Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, West London, which first opened its doors in 1845. The inaugural journey will deliver Fuller’s London Pride cask beer to the Churchill Arms pub in Kensington, marking a new chapter in the brewery’s delivery methods. Following its…

Kia is enhancing the convenience of electric vehicle (EV) charging for drivers with its Kia Charge service, which now boasts over 800,000 charging points across 28 European countries—an impressive 39% increase from the previous year. Launched in September 2021, Kia Charge serves as the automaker’s exclusive EV charging solution in Europe, providing a comprehensive service that includes route planning, authentication, and payment options all in one platform. Martin Enthofer, Kia Europe’s director of customer experiences and solutions, emphasized the company’s commitment to making electric driving more accessible. “Kia continues to set the benchmark for making electric driving more accessible to…

Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) has entered into a strategic agreement with Tesla to incorporate the North American Charging Standard (NACS) into its upcoming Afeela brand electric vehicles. These vehicles are set to launch in the U.S. in 2025, followed by a debut in Japan. This partnership makes SHM the first company in Japan to adopt the NACS standard, which will provide access to Tesla’s V3 and V4 Superchargers. The Afeela electric saloon will be equipped with the NACS as its charging standard from the outset, at least for the North American market. Pre-orders for the initial Afeela model are expected…

The Tesla Cybertruck is scheduled to return to Japan, this time making an appearance in Fukuoka Prefecture from Friday, September 27, to Friday, October 4, 2024. Given the brief duration of the visit, those interested in seeing the Cybertruck in person are advised to plan accordingly. Earlier in February 2024, the Cybertruck made headlines during its visit to Tokyo following a tour in China. At that time, industry speculation suggested that Tesla’s Japan visit was part of a strategy to boost sales in a market where CEO Elon Musk has previously acknowledged that Tesla’s market share is “remarkably low.” Musk…

The joint venture between Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor and global automotive group Stellantis is gaining momentum as it prepares to launch two new models in the German market. The official pricing for the C10 all-electric SUV and the T03 compact vehicle has been finalized, with order books set to open shortly. The C10 SUV will be available starting at €36,400, while the T03 will begin at €18,900. However, Stellantis has noted that “the prices mentioned are indicative and may vary according to the market,” and specific pricing for different countries is not yet accessible on their configurators. The T03,…

Volkswagen (VW) has officially ended production of the Polo compact car in Europe, marking the end of an era after 40 years. This decision is part of VW’s strategy to prepare its Pamplona plant in Spain for the production of upcoming electric compact vehicles. However, the Polo will still be available in Europe as an import model sourced from the Kariega plant in South Africa, which has been producing the vehicle for markets outside Europe. The transition to import the Polo from South Africa will not significantly impact the production at the Uitenhage facility, where the Polo has been manufactured…

The U.S. Commerce Department has proposed a ban on key Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles, a move that could effectively bar nearly all Chinese cars from entering the U.S. market. This regulation, reported by Reuters, would also require American and other major automakers to eliminate significant Chinese components from vehicles sold in the U.S. over the coming years. The Biden administration has expressed serious concerns regarding the potential for Chinese companies to collect data on U.S. drivers and infrastructure through connected vehicles. There are fears about foreign manipulation of internet-connected vehicles and navigation systems. An investigation into these…

Magna Powertrain is set to cut 200 jobs at its facility in Lannach, Austria, due to a significant decline in orders. This downturn is largely attributed to the insolvency of Fisker, for which electric motors were previously intended to be manufactured. With the loss of this contract, Magna Powertrain is facing challenges in maintaining its production levels. The Lannach facility was envisioned as a key hub for electric mobility, with plans to produce motors for Fisker among other projects. Currently, the plant continues to produce electric motors for the electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class, manufactured by Magna Steyr in Graz. However, no…

Clever, a Danish charge point operator, and Apcoa, a parking management company, have announced a collaboration to install over 5,000 new public charging points in car parks across Denmark by 2028. The partnership aims to significantly expand Denmark’s EV infrastructure, addressing growing demand for charging options at Apcoa’s 3,000 locations. Currently, Apcoa operates 120 charging points in Denmark, which will be integrated into the Clever network by autumn. In addition to the hardware expansion, users will soon be able to make ad hoc payments for charging at all 8,500 public Clever charging points through Apcoa’s app, Apcoa Flow. “We are…

Starting next year with the Grande Panda, Fiat plans to permanently attach AC charging cables to its electric vehicles, aiming to enhance convenience and cleanliness during the charging process. According to a report by British Autocar, the Stellantis brand seeks to make AC charging more user-friendly by eliminating the need for drivers to handle and store dirty charging cables. The fixed cable system addresses a common issue where drivers have to fetch the cable from the trunk or frunk, often resulting in it getting dirty from being placed on the ground. “You have these fantastic cars – full of technology,…

Eleport has acquired Austria-based TurboVolt, marking a significant step in its European expansion strategy. The takeover enables Eleport to further its growth into Croatia and Slovenia, with plans to establish 17 new charging parks at Supernova and SES shopping centres. Details such as the purchase price were not disclosed in the announcement. However, Eleport’s CEO, Jakub Miler, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition: “This acquisition is another pivotal step in Eleport’s long-term plan of becoming the leading EV charging network in CEE.” Anthony Hinde, CEO of TurboVolt, added, “Together, we will provide market-leading solutions for high-speed charging in CEE…

Ford has announced a software-enabled performance upgrade for owners of the 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT, priced at $995 before taxes. The upgrade enhances the all-electric crossover’s performance by providing an additional 100 lb-ft of torque from its two electric motors. This boost reduces the vehicle’s 0-60 mph time from 3.8 seconds to 3.3 seconds, surpassing the Tesla Model Y Performance’s 3.5-second time but trailing the Porsche Macan Turbo EV’s 3.1 seconds. The total output of the Mustang Mach-E GT with the upgrade will increase to 480 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque. https://evmagz.com/ford-mustang-mach-e-offers-competitive-lease-deals-undercuts-tesla-model-y/ The upgrade also allows the vehicle to…

Librec is set to inaugurate Switzerland’s largest recycling plant for electric car batteries in Biberist, located in the canton of Solothurn. The new facility, constructed on the site of a former paper factory, is scheduled to begin operations at the end of October. The plant will have an annual capacity of 12,000 tonnes of electric car batteries. As the demand for electric vehicles grows, so does the need for efficient recycling solutions. Battery recycling helps mitigate the environmental impact of mining metals used in batteries, allowing for the reuse of materials in new battery production. https://evmagz.com/altilium-and-connected-energy-collaborate-on-ev-battery-recycling-and-reuse/ Librec’s recycling process involves…

Porsche has revised its strategy for transitioning to electric vehicles, reflecting a slower-than-expected ramp-up in electric car production. The German automaker has adjusted its 2030 target, stating that over 80% of its vehicles could be fully electric, contingent on global demand. “The switch to electric cars will take longer than we assumed five years ago,” Porsche acknowledged. The company is adapting its strategy to account for this extended transition period, leading to an extension of production for the current generation of its Cayenne model, both in combustion and hybrid variants. Porsche will continue to offer three combustion engine models in…

Nio has inaugurated its latest showroom, the Nio Hub, in Cologne, Germany, marking its second expansion in the country this month, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer announced today on Weibo. Located southwest of Cologne near the German A1 highway, the Nio Hub aims to enhance the brand’s visibility and customer engagement in a strategic European market. The opening follows closely on the heels of Nio’s new flagship showroom, the Nio House, launched in Hamburg on June 20. The move underscores Nio’s commitment to bolstering its presence in Europe, where it currently operates four Nio Houses and eight locations overall.…