Author: Sibley Presley

U.S. retailers have the potential to drive wider adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the country by installing more charging stations in parking lots, according to a study published by Consumer Reports on Wednesday. The study indicates that this move could also contribute to retailers’ revenue. The study found that out of 270,000 store locations across major retail categories, EV charging was available on average at one out of every 14 big box store locations, one out of every 15 grocery stores, and one out of every 40 department stores. Installing EV chargers could be a way for retailers to…

Volvo Cars announced a 2% decline in sales for February compared to the same period last year, with total sales reaching 50,315 cars. The Sweden-based group attributed this decrease to the timing of the Lunar New Year in China. The company, majority-owned by China’s Geely Holding, noted that sales of fully electric cars saw a 14% increase and accounted for 22% of all global sales in February. In China, sales were down by 39% year-on-year, primarily due to the Lunar New Year falling mainly in February this year. Meanwhile, European sales experienced a 26% growth, with fully electric car sales…

Volkswagen’s battery unit, PowerCo, will not consider a stock market listing until its factories are operational and its unified battery cell is in use, according to Thomas Schmall, head of the division, in an interview with Reuters. This effectively rules out the possibility of an IPO before 2026. Schmall’s comments provide the clearest indication yet of when Europe’s top carmaker may float its battery business on the stock exchange, following the introduction of an outside investor or strategic partnerships with other cell manufacturers. See also: Volkswagen’s PowerCo Completes Preparations for Battery Cell Factory in Canada “In a second step, an IPO…

Li Auto, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has revealed new specifications for its upcoming Mega electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) ahead of its official launch scheduled for March 1. The Mega will offer several interior, suspension, and autonomous driving packages, catering to different customer needs. The top-trim Mega variant will feature 2 Nvidia Orin chips, a Hesai LiDAR sensor, 3 screens inside the cabin, and dual-chamber air suspension, among other features. The entry-level autonomous driving system, AD Pro, will be powered by single Horizon Journey 5 chips and support functions like Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) and Lane Centering Control (LCC). See…

Ontario is set to streamline the process for installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, aiming to facilitate the expansion of public charging infrastructure. Starting May 27, 2024, all 58 local electricity utilities in the Canadian province will be required to adhere to the new, simplified procedures for EV infrastructure installation, including the use of standardized forms, timelines, and information requirements. The move is part of Ontario’s efforts to support EV adoption and enhance accessibility to EV charging infrastructure. The province has various programs in place to achieve these goals, such as the EV ChargeON program, which has allocated 91 million…

Hyundai is gearing up to introduce the Casper, an entry-level electric mini-SUV, to rival competitors such as Dacia Spring and Citroën’s ë-C3 in the European market. Priced at around €20,000 (approximately $21.5K), the Casper is positioned to enter the competitive budget electric vehicle (EV) segment. Originally an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle available in South Korea, the Casper will undergo a transformation into an all-electric city car/mini-SUV for the European market, with a scheduled release by the end of this year. Production is expected to commence in July. See also: Hyundai Files Patent for Pressurized All-Solid-State Battery System While the…

Taiwanese electric scooter and battery swapping company Gogoro has broadened its global presence by entering the markets of Chile and Colombia. In collaboration with Latin American energy firm Copec, Gogoro aims to introduce its battery swapping and Smartscooters in these regions during the second quarter of 2024. Copec, a well-established Chilean energy and forestry company, is set to deploy Gogoro’s renowned battery swapping stations, marking the initiation of the first-ever Latin American network of such stations. See also: Gogoro Introduces New Snapdragon-Powered Electric Scooter, the Pulse, with High Performance and Smart Features With a history dating back to 1934, Copec…

Volkswagen’s newly established sub-brand, Scout Motors, is set to receive a $10 million grant from the Michigan Business Development Program to establish an innovation center in Novi. The facility, spanning approximately 80,000 square feet, will house up to 200 employees and will serve as a central hub for Scout Motors’ product design and engineering teams, drawing talent from both local and broader domestic and international markets. See also: Scout Motors Plans Major Expansion with Innovation Center in Michigan for Electric Truck Development According to reports from The Detroit News, VW explored various locations for the innovation center, including sites in…

Kia’s inaugural dedicated electric vehicle (EV), the EV6, is poised for a facelift, evident in recent spy shots capturing the upcoming model during testing. The EV6, which made its debut in 2021, is undergoing design revisions, drawing inspiration from Kia’s flagship EV9. Initial impressions of the EV6 were positive, praised for its enjoyable driving experience and spacious design, garnering over 30,000 pre-orders within the first 40 days of its launch over two years ago. However, in a rapidly evolving electric vehicle market, Kia aims to stay competitive by refreshing the EV6 alongside the introduction of new EV models. At its…

The United States government is exploring the possibility of providing car manufacturers with a temporary exemption from recent regulations concerning battery materials sourced from abroad. The potential exemption aims to extend the eligibility of electric vehicles for the full tax credit of USD 7,500 beyond the initially planned duration. The scrutiny revolves around regulations implemented in April 2023 by the US Treasury Department, specifically addressing materials for electric vehicles sourced internationally. Recent developments highlight that both US-based car manufacturers and foreign automakers producing in the US find it challenging to eliminate reliance on foreign materials, notably those from China. Scott…

Everrati, known for its adept classic car restorations and electric conversions, has breathed new life into the iconic Mercedes-Benz SL “Pagoda.” This classic beauty, meticulously restored to perfection, has undergone a remarkable transformation, trading its original six-cylinder engine for a custom-developed electric powertrain. Importantly, Everrati’s conversion is designed to be fully reversible, preserving the model’s intrinsic value and authenticity. The electric powerplant offers two distinct power outputs. The base version delivers a respectable 174 horsepower (129 kW / 176 PS) and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque, while the top-tier model boasts an impressive 300 horsepower (224 kW / 304…

In an exciting development for electric vehicle enthusiasts, the Kia EV5, which was previously showcased in static studio photos, has been spotted on the roads of Korea in a video that offers a comprehensive look at the vehicle’s design in real-world conditions, sans camouflage. While this version is a pre-production model, it remains remarkably faithful to the concept version, maintaining its striking aesthetic appeal. One notable difference from the concept version is the presence of 19-inch four-spoke rims, replacing the three-spoke wheels seen on the concept. Additionally, the production model features full-size mirrors instead of the concept’s sleek cameras. Despite…

In a tantalizing prelude to a groundbreaking automotive revelation, BMW is poised to unveil its visionary electric concept car, the Vision Neue Klasse. This upcoming innovation holds the key to the brand’s next-generation electric vehicles, and insiders suggest it has the potential to redefine the trajectory of BMW’s history. Scheduled for its grand debut on September 2nd, the much-anticipated electric concept is anticipated to serve as a pivotal turning point for BMW. Drawing inspiration from prior conceptual endeavors such as the BMW i Vision Dee, the imminent release aims to strike a remarkable resemblance to the forthcoming production model, projected…

FreeWire Technologies, a subsidiary of BP, has unveiled its groundbreaking AI platform, Mobilyze Pro, specifically tailored to address the needs of charge point operators (CPOs). This innovative solution leverages artificial intelligence to forecast optimal locations for fast charging stations, predict operational costs, and optimize returns on investment. Mobilyze Pro harnesses the power of AI by integrating both public and proprietary datasets, which subsequently feed into a suite of tools capable of accurately predicting site utilization, recommending tariff structures, and calculating potential profitability for charge point operators. The platform’s creation was propelled by FreeWire’s strategic acquisition of Mobilyze.ai in December of…

In a bid to revolutionize electric vehicle (EV) charging, a powerful consortium comprised of Mer Germany, Hubject, and Driivz is set to unveil their visionary Plug&Charge initiative at the forthcoming Intercharge Network Conference in Berlin, taking place from August 29 to 30, 2023. This groundbreaking solution aims to redefine the charging landscape by seamlessly integrating automatic authentication and charging authorization, while eliminating the need for conventional RFID cards and mobile apps. The three key players are also enlisting Alpitronic’s Hyperchargers to play a pivotal role in this game-changing venture. The concept behind Plug&Charge is ingeniously simple yet transformative: it leverages…

In a significant stride towards environmental sustainability, Pošta Srbije, the state-owned postal company of Serbia, has ushered in a new era of eco-consciousness by introducing its inaugural fleet of electric transporters. Crafted by the reputable manufacturer Cenntro, these innovative vehicles are set to revolutionize the delivery landscape in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, commencing at the close of August. Marking a pivotal step in the company’s commitment to cleaner urban logistics, the fleet encompasses 31 cutting-edge Logistar 200 electric transporters, thoughtfully curated to supplant their outdated internal combustion counterparts currently in operation within the city center. Pošta Srbije’s strategic move…

In anticipation of the imminent market entry of the Kia EV9 electric SUV in the United States, the South Korean automaker has disclosed additional insights into the vehicle’s specifications and production strategy. As the three-row, all-electric SUV continues to garner success with over 1,000 monthly sales in South Korea during June and July, its highly anticipated US debut is slated for the fourth quarter of 2023. Kia has unveiled its intention to initiate the reservation program for the EV9 in the near future. While precise details and pricing remain undisclosed, certain key features have been confirmed. Variety in Trims and…

In a recent announcement, Schneider National revealed its latest stride towards environmental sustainability by integrating two Lonestar Specialty Vehicles battery electric terminal tractors into its operations. This move aligns with the company’s commitment to curbing carbon emissions and bolstering its electric vehicle fleet, which now boasts a total of 94 units. The Lonestar S22 terminal electric tractors, commonly referred to as yard spotters within the industry, play a pivotal role in maneuvering trailers at Schneider’s Rancho Cucamonga, CA cross dock facility. These new tractors have taken the place of their diesel counterparts, marking a significant step forward in Schneider’s eco-conscious…

In a move that has sparked both anticipation and controversy, General Motors (GM) is gearing up to introduce the highly anticipated Cadillac Escalade IQ, an all-electric luxury SUV, onto the market. The Escalade IQ, built upon GM’s cutting-edge Ultium platform, has been the subject of keen interest due to its innovative features and advanced technology. However, one conspicuous absence from its offerings has raised eyebrows: the omission of both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Scheduled for release in the summer of 2024, the Cadillac Escalade IQ is poised to make a substantial impact in the luxury electric vehicle segment.…

In a notable announcement, Robin Frijns is set to make a comeback to Envision Racing as they gear up for the 2024 FIA Formula E season. The accomplished racer, who secured two E-Prix victories, has been warmly received by the team, marking his return after a year away. Frijns, who previously enjoyed a successful four-season stint with Envision Racing from Season 5 to Season 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming collaboration. “I’m truly thrilled to rejoin Envision Racing after a year’s hiatus from the team; it genuinely feels like a homecoming,”…