Author: Todd Gilbert

Tesla is reportedly considering acquiring Sigma Lithium Corp, a mining company that is currently developing a large lithium rock deposit in Brazil. This move would help Tesla secure a steady supply of lithium, a key ingredient in the batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs). Sources familiar with the discussions told Bloomberg that the talks were still in a preliminary stage and that a deal is far from certain. The sources added that Tesla is also considering other mining operations besides Sigma Lithium. See also: Tesla may get into the lithium mining and refining business directly If the acquisition goes through,…

BP has announced plans to invest $1 billion into developing charging infrastructure in the United States by 2030. As part of this investment, the company will construct charging facilities at Hertz car rental locations, with the goal of creating a fast-charging network that spans the entire country. The move is part of BP’s broader strategy to expand its charging infrastructure globally, with a goal of having more than 100,000 charging points worldwide by 2030. The partnership with Hertz is particularly significant, as the car rental company is steadily expanding its electric vehicle (EV) fleet. At the turn of the year,…

Cadillac global vice president, Rory Harvey, recently provided updates on the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq electric crossover during a media briefing. The introductory Debut Edition, which was the only trim level offered at launch, sold out within 10 minutes of reservations opening. Harvey announced that all orders for the Debut Edition would be fulfilled by the end of the first quarter of 2023, but the automaker has not revealed how many units were ordered. GM delayed shipping the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq to address early quality issues. A quality hold was put in place after a recall for display screen issues and…

Federal regulators, including the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency (NHTSA), are investigating whether Amazon subsidiary Zoox’s robotaxis meet the requirements to travel on public roads. Zoox reportedly self-certified the vehicles and began using them to transport employees last week on a 1-mile loop between Zoox buildings. While the California Department of Motor Vehicles allowed the self-certification, NHTSA is scrutinizing the vehicles to ensure they conform to existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Unlike most other self-driving vehicles, Zoox’s robotaxis lack a steering wheel, brake pedal, or any other controls a human driver would need to take over. According to Zoox…

The European Commission has set new targets for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for new heavy-duty vehicles from 2030. To accelerate the deployment of zero-emission buses in cities, the Commission proposed that all new city buses must be zero-emission from 2030. For all new heavy-duty commercial vehicles, a mandatory 45% reduction in emissions is proposed from 2030, followed by 65% reduction from 2035 and 90% reduction from 2040. The market for electric buses in Europe has seen growth of 26% last year, with 4,152 units registered, compared to 3,282 in 2021 and a growth of 48% on 2020. Around 30% of…

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its latest hybrid car model in the United States, the S 580e 4MATIC. The vehicle is the newest addition to the S-Class, boasting an advanced hybrid drive system that delivers exceptional performance and fuel efficiency. The S-Class plug-in hybrid has a starting price of $122,550 and will be available in U.S. dealerships in the first half of 2023. The hybrid system of the S 580e 4MATIC includes a 3.0L I-6 six-cylinder engine and a 21.5kWh battery, paired with a synchronous electric motor. The combination generates an impressive output of 510 hp, with the electric motor capable of…

Albemarle, the world’s leading producer of lithium, has predicted that China’s electric vehicle (EV) market will grow by at least 40% this year, resulting in a surge in demand for the critical battery metal in the world’s largest auto market. The company’s executives have stated that Chinese lithium customers are not slowing down orders, and the country’s stockpiles of cathodes and battery parts are decreasing, indicating strong demand for the battery metal. Despite the Chinese government’s recent efforts to phase out subsidies for EVs, Albemarle has observed only a “limited impact” on EV demand so far. While weak Chinese auto…

Tesla’s German factory in Grünheide has begun production of the first battery components, according to Jörg Steinbach, Brandenburg’s Minister of Economic Affairs. While Tesla has yet to comment on the launch, Steinbach reports that the factory is busy producing individual components, although further production steps have been moved to the USA to take advantage of incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act. Tesla announced plans to expand its Grünheide site last autumn and to increase the production of electric cars from 500,000 to over one million annually. However, the company has not yet submitted an application for the expansion plan, according…

Opérateur de Transport de Wallonie (OTW), a Belgian public transport operator also known as TEC, has placed a significant order for 97 Volvo 7900 S-Charge buses, as part of their ambition to add 430 hybrid buses to their fleet. The recent order follows successful deliveries of Volvo Buses’ hybrid vehicles, which have demonstrated exceptional reliability. The public tender was secured as part of a larger framework agreement between Volvo Buses and OTW-TEC, and the new vehicles are expected to go into service in Belgium’s Walloon region. OTW-TEC currently has 293 complete Volvo buses in service, and an additional 177 vehicles…

Subaru, a carmaker known for its rugged, outdoor-friendly vehicles, has been slow to adopt hybrid and electric technology. While the typical Subaru driver is often associated with eco-consciousness, the brand’s cars have historically lagged behind on fuel efficiency. However, that is set to change, with the announcement that the company will introduce several models in its EV lineup in America by 2025, accounting for around 75% of Subaru’s sales globally. During Subaru’s latest earnings call, Tomoaki Emori, the company’s chief general manager of global planning, emphasized the need for “strong hybrids and electric vehicles” to meet changing consumer demands. See…

Tesla is set to open up parts of its Supercharger and Destination Charger Networks to rival electric vehicle (EV) brands in the US, the company confirmed on February 15. The move is expected to contribute significantly to President Biden’s goal of having 500,000 EV chargers available in the US by 2030. However, for Tesla to qualify for the $7.5bn federal subsidy for EV charging under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the company must support the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard, which it has not yet committed to doing. At least 7,500 Tesla charging stations will be open to all EV brands…

Audi, the Ingolstadt-based car manufacturer known for its aggressive exterior styling, is set to shift its design focus towards a softer and friendlier look. According to Marc Lichte, the company’s design boss, future Audi vehicles will be less aggressive and prioritize interior design, especially as we move into the era of autonomous driving. Lichte cited Audi’s activesphere concept as an example of this new approach, with its soft and welcoming exterior design. This shift in design philosophy is part of a broader trend in the automotive industry, with designers focusing more on creating welcoming and approachable exteriors to entice people…