Author: Sibley Presley

Aptera Motors, the solar electric vehicle (SEV) startup, has announced that it has been granted $21 million from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to help fund its Solar Mobility Manufacturing Project. The grant is a significant boost to the company as it continues to strive toward scaled production of its groundbreaking SEV, which has already generated a lot of buzz in the market. Aptera is one of the few remaining SEV startups that is actively trying to make sustainable transportation accessible to the masses. While some of its competitors have failed or pivoted away from EV manufacturing, Aptera continues to…

Tesla is making significant strides in its hiring efforts as it prepares for the production of its highly anticipated Cybertruck. The electric automaker is expected to revolutionize the electric pickup truck market with its track record of producing high-volume electric vehicles and over 1.5 million reservations for the Cybertruck. Industry experts are closely monitoring the Cybertruck production program, which is set to launch later this year. The program has already seen progress, with production equipment and a Cybertruck body being developed at the Gigafactory Texas. Additionally, Beta prototypes have been spotted testing on the road. See also: Tesla Cybertruck’s Dimensions…

Nissan, one of the pioneers in mass-market electric vehicles with its LEAF released in 2010, is facing a setback in its efforts to bring its latest electric SUV, the Ariya, to market. Despite the automaker’s recent announcement to boost electric vehicle production, the Ariya’s production is running at least one-third below planned levels due to supply shortages. Designed to reinvigorate the brand and carry it into the new era starting in 2021, the Ariya was released last year after several delays with an MSRP of $43,190. However, the vehicle’s production has been hampered by several factors, including a recent voluntary…

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast made headlines when it delivered its first cars to the US. The US market is of great importance to the company, and it plans to build a $4 billion factory in North Carolina, after receiving a $1.2 billion incentive package from local authorities. Initially, the plant was set to be operational by July 2024, but VinFast recently announced that it won’t be possible due to bureaucratic issues. Instead, the factory will begin production in 2025. Depending on when in 2025, this delay could range from six to eighteen months, which is significant. VinFast explained…

Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is known for its unconventional approach towards model year updates. Despite this, the company has recently introduced several changes to its Model S and Model X lineups. Firstly, the EVs are now available in a vibrant Ultra Red paint option, which is the only red color available for both models. This new color option comes at an additional cost of $3,000. Furthermore, Tesla has also introduced a new glass roof that offers better UV protection while allowing five times more light to enter the cabin. According to Tesla, this roof is also lighter…

Mini has recently shared additional information regarding its forthcoming electric vehicle lineup. The German automaker is planning to introduce the new Countryman in February 2024, followed by the Cooper hatchback in the summer of the same year. Mini has decided to adopt a dual-fuel strategy for the Countryman. Reports suggest that production is being prepared in Leipzig, Germany, with the aim of commencing later this year. The automaker has yet to confirm whether the factory in Leipzig will produce both the electric and petrol versions of the Countryman from the outset. However, it is now evident that the battery-electric Countryman…

Nissan Motor has announced that it is adopting a new strategy for the development of electrified powertrains, which it predicts will result in a 30% reduction in production and development costs by 2026 compared to the levels seen in 2019. The automaker’s new approach, dubbed ‘X-in-1’, will involve sharing and modularizing core EV and e-Power powertrain components. This strategy is aimed at boosting competitiveness and will allow for the production of EV and e-Power components on the same production lines. As part of this new approach, Nissan has developed a 3-in-1 powertrain prototype, which modularizes the motor, inverter, and reducer,…

During its recent Investor Day presentation, Tesla provided some insight into its upcoming next-gen EV platform and how it plans to reduce production costs. The EV maker’s executives and team members were tight-lipped about specific details, but Tesla bull investment firm Ark Invest has made some predictions based on the information shared. According to Ark Invest, Tesla is expected to reduce vehicle costs by around 50% over the next five years, thanks in part to economies of scale as the company upgrades current factories and builds more. Tesla also plans to take on more in-house responsibilities, particularly in its battery-related…

Lightship RV has just announced the development of a new travel trailer that aims to solve the problem of range drop experienced by electric vehicles (EVs) while towing. The Lightship L1 boasts an ultra aerodynamic design, electric power plant, and 80 kWh battery pack that allows it to propel itself while being towed, preserving either the range of an EV or the fuel economy of a gas vehicle that’s towing it. According to Lightship RV, this means that “a 300-mile range EV used to tow it remains a 300-mile range EV, and a 25-mpg gas truck remains a 25-mpg gas…

Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, has announced its intention to seek Indian partners to collaborate in the areas of semiconductor development and electric vehicles. The company, which is well-known for manufacturing Apple’s iPhones, has been looking to expand its operations in India after experiencing severe supply disruptions in China last year. Foxconn’s Chairman and CEO, Young Liu, stated that India’s large population provides ample opportunities to deepen partnerships and seek cooperation in new areas. During his visit to India, Liu met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and communicated the company’s desire to work closely with local governments to seek the…

Embark Trucks, the autonomous trucking company that made a splash when it went public in 2021, is now facing a major setback. The company has announced that it is cutting 70% of its workforce and shutting down two offices as it struggles to stay afloat. CEO Alex Rodrigues broke the news to employees in an email, noting that the remaining 30% of workers would focus on winding down operations. The layoffs, which were announced on Friday morning, are expected to occur in the first and second quarters. See also: Pony.ai and SANY to develop and produce autonomous trucks in new…

The European Union (EU) states were scheduled to vote on Tuesday on a ban on combustion engines in new cars from 2035, but the vote has been postponed indefinitely, following a disruptive manoeuvre by the German political party FDP. The ban had already been decided upon, and the EU states were to formally seal the decision on Tuesday. However, Germany’s Transport Minister, Volker Wissing (FDP), withdrew his approval of the decision, insisting on a proposal for the integration of e-fuels before the EU vote. As a result, Germany would have had to abstain from the EU vote, and the ban…