Author: Tyne Rodriquez

The Governor of Nuevo León, Samuel García Sepúlveda, announced that the groundbreaking for Tesla Gigafactory Mexico is expected to take place in March, during his visit to a community center in Monterrey, as reported by Milenio. Originally scheduled for this month, the groundbreaking was postponed due to various issues raised by departments managing the permit process for Giga Mexico’s construction. See also: Tesla Secures $153 Million Incentive Package for Giga Mexico Governor García Sepúlveda’s statement, however, does not confirm the exact date for the groundbreaking, as he mentioned that some permit-issuing departments have requested an extension. He stated, “Today I spoke…

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has given the green light for $1.9 billion in funding to be allocated towards new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and hydrogen refueling stations in the state. This initiative is part of the broader $48 billion ‘California Climate Commitment’, aimed at bolstering infrastructure for zero-emission cars, trucks, and buses over the next four years. The approved funds will facilitate the installation of 40,000 new charging and H2 refueling stations throughout California. With more than $10 billion earmarked for zero-emission vehicles and associated infrastructure under the California Climate Commitment, the state is making significant strides in…

Audi has commenced preparations at its Györ facility in Hungary for the production of the forthcoming generation of electric drives dubbed MEBeco, tailored for Volkswagen Group’s lineup of small electric vehicles set to debut from 2025. The initial steps for this endeavor have begun, with the arrival of essential systems and the initiation of production line planning, as Audi Hungaria disclosed. This move aligns with Audi’s prior announcement in June 2022, confirming Györ as the manufacturing hub for MEBeco drives and signaling the establishment of a dedicated production zone for motors intended for compact electric cars. See also: Audi Undergoes Structural…

Italian performance car specialist Abarth has introduced its latest creation, the all-electric model named the 600e, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s nearly 75-year history. The debut of the 600e comes alongside the final testing phase of its vibrant purple “Scorpionissima” launch edition, as Abarth prepares for a commercial shoot. Founded as a veteran rally and performance car manufacturer, Abarth has evolved over the decades, establishing partnerships with various Italian automakers, notably Fiat, since the 1950s. While Fiat has since acquired Abarth, the brand continues to deliver distinct, high-performance vehicles leveraging Fiat components, adorned with its iconic scorpion badge.…

Malta has set aside 15 million euros for the subsidization of electric vehicles, including pedelecs and electric motorcycles, in 2024. This initiative extends to both purchase premiums for new electric vehicles and scrappage incentives for old combustion engines. The subsidy scheme, initiated in 2022, is primarily targeted at professional fleets, with a focus on supporting companies transitioning to electric mobility, particularly those dealing with large vehicles. Under the new electric vehicle purchase scheme, the Maltese government plans to offer up to 11,000 euros for electric cars and vans, with larger amounts earmarked for vehicles used in passenger or goods transportation.…

BYD Mexico has successfully delivered the largest single shipment of electric buses to Mexico City Metrobús, consisting of 20 units. This marks a significant milestone for the manufacturer in its efforts to contribute to sustainable public transportation. The electric buses, measuring 15 meters in length, boast a range of 200 kilometers, as stated by BYD, with Mexico City Metrobús citing an even greater range of 246 kilometers. The buses are equipped with a 300 kWh battery that can be charged in as little as three hours, offering a practical solution for efficient operations. See also: BYD Secures Contract for Battery-Electric…

Turkey-based e-mobility firm, Tozz, known for its urban mobility solutions, expands its product line with the introduction of the Joyce’90, a retro-inspired electric motorcycle paying homage to the 90s era. Embracing the prevalent trend of nostalgia-driven designs within the automotive and motorcycle industry, Tozz aims to capture the essence of iconic mini-motos from the past. The Joyce’90 follows Tozz’s success in the e-scooter market, featuring retro-themed models like the Pipegun Original and Pipegun Sixteen. The company’s foray into the e-motorcycle domain marks a deliberate step towards leveraging nostalgia to resonate with consumers. In recent years, established brands like Triumph and…

German automotive technology giant, Bosch, has recently expanded its eMobility offerings with the introduction of 800-volt systems. The company has commenced the serial production of an electric drive and an inverter featuring 800-volt technology. These components are not only lauded for their performance, but also for their remarkable efficiency. The 800-volt variant of the electric motor, utilizing a permanent magnet synchronous motor design, boasts an impressive power output of 460 kW and a torque of 830 Nm. Bosch leverages a unique ‘iPIN’ bar winding technology to enhance the motor’s efficiency, compactness, and automation during production. This innovation employs copper rods…

Buick has offered a sneak peek at the updated Envision, revealing its redesigned appearance and announcing that it will be the first Buick model to feature General Motors’ advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), Super Cruise. The revamped Envision showcases a modern and appealing look, drawing inspiration from Buick’s Wildcat concept unveiled in June last year. The significant development lies in the Envision’s adoption of Level 2 ADAS technology, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Previously, Super Cruise was only available in vehicles from General Motors’ other brands, including Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC. The introduction of the 2024 Envision…

In a distinctive study conducted by researchers in the United Kingdom, the reactions of pedestrians towards autonomous vehicles (AVs) were examined using a peculiar approach—a human disguised as a car seat, referred to as the ‘ghost driver.’ The study aimed to explore how different external displays on AVs influenced people’s perception of them. Lead researcher David R. Large, a research fellow from Nottingham University, explained the methodology behind the study: “We wanted to investigate how pedestrians would interact with a driverless car and devised this unique approach to study their reactions. Our goal was to identify the designs that would…

A recent sighting of a “Project Highland” Tesla Model 3 has shed light on the vehicle’s anticipated tail light redesign. The intriguing aspect is that the newly uncovered tail lights closely resemble renders shared by electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasts online. As the production of “Project Highland” Model 3 units is expected to commence in the third quarter, the frequency of prototype sightings in the wild has increased. Tesla’s test vehicles have a knack for capturing attention on the road, and it comes as no surprise that photos of “Project Highland” units are being generously shared across social media platforms. One…

Volvo Cars is set to launch the EX30, its fourth electric vehicle and the smallest one to date, with a unique strategy aimed at achieving profitability and market disruption. Despite its affordability, the EX30 is expected to yield a gross profit margin of 15 to 20 percent, making it Volvo’s most profitable model. This ambitious goal is made possible through a combination of cost reductions, platform sharing, and strategic sourcing. Akhil Krishnan, head of Volvo’s small car programs, explained that the achievement of such a profit margin is due to the company’s overall product balancing. By leveraging cost reductions, shared…

Advanced Cell Engineering (ACE), a developer and licensor of advanced LFP battery technologies for the electric vehicle (EV) market, has announced the successful shipment of 190 Wh/kg LFP pouch cells to strategic automotive OEM partners and battery manufacturers. This delivery marks a significant achievement for ACE as it represents a crucial step towards the full commercialization of their proprietary advanced LFP battery chemistry. The OEMs can now initiate the testing process at their facilities and validate the safety and high-energy density of ACE’s LFP chemistry. Tom Madden, Chief Technology Officer of Advanced Cell Engineering, expressed his pride in the team’s…

Gogoro, renowned for its electric scooters and innovative battery-swapping ecosystem, has recently announced an extended collaboration with Bikebank in Korea. This partnership aims to introduce Gogoro services to Korean consumers under the brand name Dotstation, building upon their previous successful ventures in the B2B market. Bikebank, a company specializing in micromobility solutions, initially catered to couriers but has now established Dotstation, a subsidiary focused on serving consumers exclusively in collaboration with Gogoro. Dotstation is actively working alongside the Ministry of Environment and local governments to establish battery-swapping stations and promote sustainable transportation across the country. Minkyu Kim, CEO of Bikebank,…

Toyota’s first electric sedan, the bZ3, powered by BYD technology, received an enthusiastic response on its first day of launch. According to FAW-Toyota, the automaker’s joint venture in China, the bZ3 received 5,000 orders on April 16, securing a warm welcome from EV enthusiasts in the country. The bZ3 was first introduced in October 2022 as Toyota’s second fully electric model in its bZ (Beyond Zero) lineup. The electric sedan will join the bZ4X SUV, which is the automaker’s first global electric vehicle. The bZ3 was co-developed by BYD Toyota EV Technology, a joint venture established with FAW-Toyota, and BYD,…

The automotive industry is rapidly evolving, with a major focus on electric vehicles. Volkswagen, a German automaker, has been leading the charge when it comes to electric cars. In January, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Volkswagen unveiled a camouflaged prototype of what would eventually become the ID.7, an electric sedan designed to compete with the Tesla Model 3, serving as an upscale electric alternative to the Passat, particularly in the North American market. The ID.7 is set to debut at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 18, and the production design has been revealed through China’s Interior Ministry patent…

Rivian, the American electric vehicle manufacturer, has filed a patent application for a new in-bed storage system for its pickup trucks. The patent, published by the US Patent and Trademark Office on April 6th, outlines an innovative design featuring storage bins built into the sides of the truck bed. While this concept is similar to the Ram Box system already available on Ram trucks, Rivian’s version is more elaborate. The patent application showcases how the entire outside bed panels of Rivian’s trucks can fold down, revealing multiple storage compartments and cutouts on either side of the bed for longer items.…

EVgo Inc. has been selected for proposed awards of $6.6 million from the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) 2.0 program. The program is designed to aid the deployment of fast charging infrastructure in the central and eastern regions of California through the Golden State Priority Project (GSPP), which focuses exclusively on disadvantaged or low-income communities. With the proposed funding, EVgo will build more than 100 DC fast charging stalls across 17 locations in central and eastern California, including Fresno, Hayward, Manteca, El Cerrito, Antioch and San Jose. The company will be deploying high-power 350kW chargers…

Nissan announced its plan to electrify a classic R32 Skyline GT-R in a bid to showcase its latest technology. Now, the automaker has shared a 44-second video of the car before the project kicks off. The car looks to be in great condition for its age, with its Gun Gray Metallic paint still looking pristine and the interior still in good shape. While there are some signs of age in the engine bay, these imperfections are minor. While some car enthusiasts might lament seeing a classic car being converted to electric power, the project was actually inspired by a Nissan…

A consortium of European partners has launched a new project aimed at developing innovative and sustainable lithium-ion cells for future battery-electric vehicles. The project, named ‘IntelLiGent,’ aims to bring these battery technologies to an industrial scale and achieve market maturity. The project brings together the expertise of various partners from across Europe, with the goal of creating high-performance and low-cost batteries for electric vehicles. Specifically, the project focuses on addressing challenges such as energy density, service life, and fast-charging capability, all while keeping manufacturing costs low. “The increasing demand for batteries for electric passenger cars in the EU requires striving…