Author: Todd Gilbert

DB Schenker, a leading global logistics provider, has announced its plans to acquire 100 battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros LongHaul trucks for its long-haul operations in Europe. The company has signed a letter of intent with Daimler Truck, the manufacturer of the electric trucks. However, it is unclear when the letter of intent will become a binding order. The eActros LongHaul is expected to be ready for series production in 2024 and uses LFP cells made by CATL. The electric truck has a range of around 500 kilometres and must meet the same requirements for durability as a conventional heavy-duty long-haul Actros…

Volkswagen has given an update on its model planning for the upcoming electric vehicles (EVs). VW CEO Thomas Schäfer has stated that several points are still open, and the production of new electric cars will also depend on the demand for combustion engines, which will be decided in Brussels. According to Schäfer, a new electric Golf will only be available on the basis of the upcoming SSP electric platform, which is planned for 2028. Schäfer has justified the fact that the electric Golf needs the SSP, stating that the model is to have “a flatter roof compared to the ID.3”,…

Kia has recently announced its latest release, the EV9, in a live-streamed world premiere. This highly anticipated three-row electric SUV is set to hit the market later this year and is said to be the most digitally advanced Kia to date, featuring a range of high-tech features. Among these, the automaker is promising the introduction of Level 3 autonomy through its Highway Drive Pilot (HDP) system. This Level 3 technology is defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers as conditional “hands-off” automation, where the vehicle is in control in certain scenarios, but the human driver must be ready to intervene…

Chart Industries and Nikola Corporation have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement that includes liquid hydrogen storage tanks, transport trailers, and the development of new mobile and modular hydrogen refuelling stations for quick deployment. This partnership will also focus on advancing hydrogen technology for infrastructure and truck on-board fuel systems. Nikola has already placed orders for multiple liquid hydrogen storage tanks, mobile and modular refuelling stations, and liquid hydrogen transport trailers from Chart Industries. These orders will enable Nikola to deploy the Nikola Tre hydrogen electric vehicles and support key customers while also advancing efforts to decarbonize the transport sector.…

Renault has announced that it is currently testing nine prototypes of its new electric Renault 5 in final endurance tests. The powertrain, battery, and platform are already at series standard, and the vehicles are undergoing tests in various locations, including the technical centers in Paris and Normandy. Although the prototypes are currently being tested on ice and snow, they are actually bodies of the Renault Clio, a combustion engine vehicle based on the CMF-B platform. This is possible due to the relationship between the two platforms, with 70% of the components being identical. The production of the Renault 5 is…

Chinese electric car manufacturer, Nio, has expanded its presence in Europe with the opening of its third Nio House in Rotterdam. The showroom, located in the heart of Rotterdam at De Meent 80-84, follows the opening of similar locations in Oslo and Berlin. Nio Houses are designed to serve as more than just a showroom, offering a range of additional amenities such as a café, meeting room, and children’s area. According to William Li, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Nio, the new Rotterdam location is an important step for the company in Europe. “Nio is committed to delivering the best…

XPeng, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, has reported sequential improvement in deliveries in March. The company delivered 7,002 vehicles in March, representing a 16.51% increase from the previous month. However, this figure was down 54.57% from the same period last year. Despite this, the company’s new sports sedan, the P7i, which launched in March, has generated a positive market response, with strong momentum building in its order backlog. XPeng delivered 3,030 units of the P7 series sedan in March, up 32% from the previous month. However, the company did not disclose the breakdown figures for the P7i and P7.…

BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant, has recently shared images of its upcoming mini EV called the Seagull on social media platform Weibo. The new model is expected to be another major player in the sub-RMB 100,000 electric vehicle market, with competition in the segment becoming increasingly intense. Although BYD did not provide any information about the Seagull, the model appeared on a regulatory list in January, and its key specifications are already known. The Seagull has a length, width, and height of 3,780 mm, 1,715 mm, and 1,540 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,500 mm. The Seagull…

KG Mobility, the South Korean automaker that rose from the ashes of bankrupt SsangYong, is making waves at the Seoul Mobility Show with its display of three new all-electric vehicle concepts. The O100 pickup, KR10 mid-size SUV, and F100 futuristic SUV were designed to communicate KG Mobility’s mission statement to the world and showcase the company’s vision for the segments it plans to compete in. The F100 is the most avant-garde of the three concepts, with a grille made entirely of customizable LED lights that reflect the owner’s mood or personality. Although the vehicle’s silhouette is less futuristic, it bears…

Rivian has recently released a 2023.10.01 software update for its R1T and R1S models that adds a host of new features and improvements. The new update aims to enhance the user experience of its vehicles and provide more convenience, comfort, and control to its customers. One of the most significant updates in this software release is the addition of mobile app control over the R1T’s tailgate and the R1S’s liftgate. This feature allows drivers to open and close these access points remotely, making loading and unloading items more accessible than ever before. The addition of this feature is a significant…

Nikola Corporation, through its HYLA brand, recently announced that they have received orders for 100 Class 8 Nikola Tre hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) from their dealer network. These purpose-built heavy-duty trucks are set to be delivered in Q4 2023. Nikola’s President and CEO, Michael Lohscheller, proudly stated, “We believe Nikola is the only company in the U.S. with a Class 8 hydrogen FCEV available in calendar year 2023, engineered and assembled in the U.S., as well as a variety of upcoming hydrogen energy solutions. Customers are recognizing this and are demanding zero-emissions trucking solutions to fulfill their shipping…

Oregon’s popular ‘Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program’ will be temporarily paused from 1 May 2023, due to high demand that has depleted the funds allocated for rebates. The program had an initial budget of $17.5 million for the year, with $15.5 million set aside for rebates. However, as of early March, available funding was already less than $7 million, as reported by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) website, which tracks remaining funds for applicants. This means that individuals who purchase or lease an eligible battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or zero-emission motorcycle after 30 April will…