Author: Todd Gilbert

Li Auto has announced expanded car purchase benefits aimed at stimulating sales, the company revealed in a WeChat post today. Customers purchasing any Li Auto model between July 1-15 can benefit from a limited-time offer of up to approximately RMB 17,000 and have the option of a zero down payment. The promotional offer, launched in celebration of the company’s ninth anniversary, includes a gift package valued at up to RMB 7,196, in addition to previously available benefits such as an RMB 5,000 option fund and a RMB 5,000 discount on a 7-kW charging post. Li Auto currently offers the L-series…

Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution have officially inaugurated Indonesia’s inaugural battery cell production plant for electric vehicles, marking a significant stride in the region’s automotive industry. The facility, capable of producing ten gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually, is part of a billion-euro investment initially announced in 2021 to bolster Indonesia’s electric vehicle supply chain. Located on the premises of an existing Hyundai manufacturing plant, where approximately 50,000 units of the Kona Electric are currently produced annually, the new battery cell factory underscores Indonesia’s strategic advantage in raw materials, particularly nickel and copper. “Mineral resources of this nation, such as iron…

Alphabet’s Waymo announced on Tuesday that its autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo One, is now available to everyone in San Francisco, nearly four years after a similar rollout in Phoenix, Arizona. Waymo’s driverless vehicles are anticipated to drive commercial success for automakers, despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny and investor concerns about the substantial investments in this emerging technology. See also: Waymo’s Robotaxi Service Hits Milestone of 50,000 Weekly Trips Waymo initially launched a test service in San Francisco in 2021 with its research-focused program, which included an autonomous specialist on board for all rides as the company sought to commercialize the technology. https://twitter.com/Waymo/status/1805617061273514385…

Alfa Romeo has announced a significant power boost for its top-tier Junior Veloce EV, raising the electric motor’s output to an impressive 278 hp (207 kW / 280 PS), up from the previously stated 237 hp (177 kW / 240 PS). This update follows the completion of the car’s dynamic development program, revealing enhanced performance capabilities. The carmaker also revealed that the motor produces 345 Nm (255 lb-ft) of torque, further enhancing the vehicle’s performance credentials. The substantial increase in power, from 237 hp to 278 hp, is notable, especially for a model aiming to cement its sporty image. See…

China’s commerce ministry has criticized the European Commission for its handling of an eight-month anti-subsidy probe into Chinese automakers, calling the amount of detailed information requested unprecedented and accusing the Commission of undermining fair competition. The European Commission, responsible for trade policy in the 27-nation European Union, announced on June 12 that it would impose additional duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) starting in July to counter what it deemed excessive Chinese subsidies. See also: China Opposes EU’s Planned Tariffs on Chinese EVs, Warns of Trade War Chinese automakers expressed shock and disappointment at the decision,…

Polestar, the electric vehicle manufacturer, is enhancing its efforts to reduce supply chain emissions by integrating renewable fuels in its ocean freight routes, which account for approximately 75% of its total transportation emissions. The company has begun operating its Vehicle Processing Centre (VPC) in Belgium using 100% renewable electricity. The VPC serves as a finishing and preparation point for vehicles before delivery to European customers, ensuring that the vehicles are charged with renewable electricity. As production of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 increases, renewable fuel will be used for around 65% of the outbound ocean freight of produced vehicles…

Only seven electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have been put into operation with funding from a $5 billion U.S. government program established in 2021, a Democratic senator criticized on Wednesday, calling the progress “pathetic.” Automakers and other stakeholders argue that significantly expanding EV charging infrastructure is critical to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, a key component of the Biden Administration’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The seven EV charging stations deployed under the 2021 U.S. program consist of just a few dozen total charging ports, according to Shailen Bhatt, head of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), who spoke…

Nio has released its operational report for May, revealing significant milestones and user habits within its vehicle replenishment system. The report showcases Nio’s commitment to innovation and user experience in the electric vehicle (EV) market. In May, Nio provided 2.11 million battery swap services, averaging 68,084 services per day. This translates to a vehicle getting a fully charged battery via battery swap every 1.26 seconds, demonstrating the efficiency of Nio’s battery swap stations. Each Nio user used the battery swap service six times on average in May, with each swap taking about three minutes. Since the service’s inception, Nio has…

Elon Musk has redirected thousands of Nvidia-made AI chips originally intended for Tesla to his social media company, X, causing potential delays in Tesla’s AI processor acquisition worth $500 million, according to emails obtained by CNBC. Musk’s plan to equip Tesla with Nvidia’s H100 AI chips, aimed at propelling the company to the forefront of AI and robotics, seems to have hit a snag. Initially set to increase Tesla’s acquisition of H100s from 35,000 to 85,000 by year-end, the diverted chips are now bound for X, particularly its AI subsidiary, xAI. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1784561310883344542 Nvidia’s internal communications revealed this redirection, with one…

The U.S. Coast Guard has granted approval for the maiden voyage of a groundbreaking hydrogen-fueled vessel, marking a significant advancement in maritime innovation. The hydrogen ferry, named ‘Sea Change,’ developed by SWITCH Maritime, utilizes hydrogen fuel cells to power its motors, enabling it to travel up to 300 nautical miles at speeds of up to 15 knots. Following the approval, the ferry will undergo a rigorous six-month trial period. Pace Ralli, CEO of SWITCH, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that led to this milestone: “This COI represents the culmination of years of close collaboration with the US Coast Guard…

Kia has commenced production of its all-electric three-row SUV, the EV9, at its Georgia assembly plant in West Point. The EV9 marks the first electric vehicle (EV) produced in Georgia for sale in the U.S. auto market. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp praised Kia’s expansion in the state, stating, “This expansion of Kia’s operations in our state and the addition of this incredible new product line to the vehicles already being built in West Point is just the latest example of what comes from state and local partners working with this valued job creator.” The Kia Georgia plant will manufacture the…

Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) is emphasizing the use of data in its decarbonization efforts by investing in advanced telematics and enhancing its carbon footprint reporting. The Volvo Group has acquired a 22% ownership stake in VizaLogix, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company specializing in vehicle telematics and data collection. This move aims to improve real-time machine monitoring and technical support capabilities, while also contributing to a comprehensive catalogue of Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) reports, enabling customers to make informed decisions to reduce their environmental impact. Scott Young, head of region North America, Volvo, stated, “Volvo recognizes that services are becoming as important…

The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) has launched the “Powder-Up!” pilot plant in Ulm, marking a significant milestone in Germany’s battery manufacturing capabilities. The facility enables the independent production of battery materials and their precursors, a first of its kind in the country. The inauguration of the plant represents a breakthrough in Germany’s ability to produce battery materials outside of industry, with a capacity of up to 100 kilograms. The ZSW aims to offer this manufacturer-independent development platform to partners from industry and science, utilizing industry-proven machines to ensure near-series production conditions. The focus will be…

Cadillac has officially introduced the Optiq in China, positioning it as the brand’s entry-level electric crossover beneath the Lyriq. The Optiq, first previewed last year, features a distinctive design highlighted by a black crystal grille with integrated lights that synchronize with the turn signals and headlights, mimicking its larger sibling’s choreographed lighting sequence. Measuring 189.8 inches (4,822 mm) long, 75.3 inches (1,912 mm) wide, and 64.7 inches (1,644 mm) tall, with a wheelbase of 116.3 inches (2,954 mm), the Optiq is slightly smaller than the Lyriq, offering a more compact footprint. However, it still boasts a range of premium features,…

As customers eagerly get their hands on the Lucid Air Sapphire, DragTimes, a popular YouTube channel, has conducted independent quarter-mile runs with impressive results, validating the car’s performance showcased in official videos. In a recent video, DragTimes takes a consumer-owned Air Sapphire to a prepped drag strip for testing. The results are remarkable, with the car completing the quarter-mile in just over 8.9 seconds at an exit speed of 154 mph (248 km/h). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s14bpYZqusY The acceleration is equally impressive, with the car reaching highway speeds in 1.92 seconds, subjecting the driver, Brooks Weisblat, to 1.5 G of acceleration. Weisblat noted…

Luxeed, the electric vehicle (EV) brand jointly developed by Huawei and Chery, has relaunched its first model, the S7 sedan, with significant improvements after facing production challenges since its initial launch in November last year. Richard Yu, head of Huawei’s automotive business, reintroduced the Luxeed S7 at the HarmonyOS Eco Spring Communication event, highlighting key enhancements and pricing adjustments aimed at boosting its competitiveness in the market. The entry-level version of the Luxeed S7 retains its starting price of RMB 249,800 ($34,520), but all other variants now come at a reduced price, lowered by RMB 20,000. Notably, the entry-level version…

Rivian, the electric vehicle startup, made waves with the recent unveiling of its upcoming electric vehicle, the R2. While the R2 won’t hit the roads until 2026, Rivian has already captured attention with its bold promises regarding range, price, and design. During the reveal event, the R2 showcased several major highlights, such as a powered rear window, dual glove compartments, and fully foldable seats. However, there are several lesser-known features of the R2 that deserve recognition. Portable USB-C Charger The R2 will come equipped with a portable USB-C charger housed in the passenger-side door. This charger not only charges your…

The Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) has declared the Kia EV9 as the World’s Best Car for 2024, a prestigious accolade coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. The EV9 succeeds last year’s winner, the Kia Niro, in clinching the coveted title. Marta Garcia, executive president of WWCOTY, commented on this year’s tough competition, stating, “This year’s election was particularly difficult due to the excellent level of all the candidates. Each of the finalists had sufficient merit to win the trophy. The Kia EV9 has won out over its rivals because it is a vehicle capable…

Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin will resume operations next week, according to Michaela Schmitz, the head of its works council. The factory has been closed since March 5 following a fire at a nearby power pylon, which police are investigating as an arson attack. “We will restart the factory next week,” Schmitz announced to a gathering of workers at the site, known as Gigafactory Berlin. Some workers held a banner proclaiming, “We won’t be shut down!” Schmitz condemned the attack, calling it “a dark chapter in our history,” but expressed determination to overcome the setback. The factory’s closure has left its…

European aerospace company Airbus has revealed its latest entry into the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) market with the CityAirbus NextGen. This prototype, utilizing a “lift and cruise” concept, is designed for urban and suburban air travel, competing with Hyundai and other startups entering the eVTOL space. The CityAirbus NextGen boasts a wingspan of 39 feet (12 meters) and features fixed wings and a V-shaped tail, all designed to ensure quiet flight. Airbus aims for a cruising speed of 75 mph (120 km/h), making it suitable for urban environments. See also: Airbus Joins Forces with Nordic Partners for Extensive Hydrogen…