Toyota has taken an ambitious leap into the future of electric vehicles. After sitting on the sidelines of the EV revolution, and at times dismissing it at large, the company finally realized it may be on the wrong side of the fence. The recent unveiling of its state-of-the-art EV production line in Japan paints a vivid picture of a company trying to redefine itself in the electric age. The giant’s new battery electric vehicle production line boasts some truly intriguing technologies. And if it’s a reflection of what’s to come, it could spell a transformative period for the once-automotive… More…

In a bold move to redefine its market position, XPeng has launched a newer and more affordable version of its flagship G9 SUV. The redesigned G9 is built on the robust framework of XPeng’s latest SEPA (Smart Electric Platform Architecture) and is set to undercut its predecessor by a remarkable RMB 46,000 (€5,900). At a glitzy launch event in Dunhuang, Gansu province of northwest China, He Xiaopeng, XPeng’s chairman and CEO, unveiled the new G9 with great fanfare. Available in five distinct versions, the vehicle now starts at a price of RMB 263,900 (approximately €33,700), a significant… More…

Electric cars and Climate Week – it’s like peanut butter and jelly, a match made in heaven. So, when Mini decided to parade its all-new electric Countryman during Climate Week in New York City, no one batted an eye. This was the electric SUV’s North American debut, following its official introduction in Germany. The fanfare is not just because it’s an electric Mini, but also because it promises a lot. Mini has been many things: iconic, small, zippy. Yet, electric wasn’t high on that list. Yes, we’ve seen the Cooper SE and there are murmurs of the upcoming Aceman. Still, with the unveiling… More…

As part of a determined push towards a greener future, Volvo Cars announced during Climate Week NYC its intention to end production of all diesel-powered vehicles by early 2024. This landmark decision positions the Swedish automaker as one of the pioneers among legacy car manufacturers to fully abandon diesel. Rewinding a bit, Volvo Cars wasn’t just content with bidding adieu to diesel. In 2022, the company sold its stake in Aurobay, which held its remaining combustion engine assets, signaling a significant departure from developing new combustion engines. In layman’s terms? No more R&D… More…

France, home to automotive giants like Renault and Stellantis, has raised its shields against an increasingly competitive Chinese electric vehicle market. The French government announced a revamped incentive program set to kick off in January 2024. But it’s not just about the environment anymore; it’s a play to revitalize and prioritize European carmaking. The previous “green bonus” system in France, which provided a flat €5,000 for every EV, has undergone a facelift. The new system now considers factors beyond merely the emissions produced while driving. “We used to only focus on CO2… More…

Volkswagen, the renowned German automaker, is seemingly recalibrating its approach to electric vehicle production. In a move that has the industry’s attention, the company is reportedly bringing an end to the ID.3 electric vehicle production at its iconic Dresden Transparent Factory. The Dresden Transparent Factory, standing as a testament to architectural prowess with its clear glass walls, has seen the birth of several Volkswagen marvels over the years. But like all things, change is the only constant. Reliable sources, as cited by Automobilwoche, suggest that this decision falls under… More…

The Biden administration’s commitment to electric vehicles and their associated charging infrastructure is becoming increasingly palpable. Beyond the focus on deploying new chargers, the White House recently unveiled plans to invest €93 million in replacing those pesky EV chargers that are, well, just plain unreliable. The White House excitedly beckoned applications for this funding, all under the guise of the newly christened program – the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator. Mark your calendars, applicants; the deadline is a looming November… More…

After a very insightful report from Recurrent Auto on the effects of fast charging on battery longevity, the firm has published another research looking into climate effects on battery health. The study uses data from 12,500 Tesla Model Y vehicles in the US and assigns a range score for each vehicle from 2020, which tracks battery retention in different states across the country. A clear correlation between better battery longevity in colder states is observed, with the northern Model Ys getting an average longevity score of 95, while the southernmost parts of the country get 92… More…

Electric vehicles are not just the rides of tomorrow; they could well be the undisputed kings of the road in less than a decade. According to a report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), the quiet hum of EVs, notable for their low decibels and distinct torque, might dominate our streets, holding a global market share of anywhere between 62-86% by 2030. Now, take a moment to digest that. If you rewind to 2020, only 5% of cars sold were electric. This figure almost tripled to 14% in 2022. So, what sparked this dramatic surge? China and Northern Europe have emerged as frontrunners in… More…

The word in the auto world is that Stellantis is gearing up to drop a cool €1 billion in its Spanish facilities located in Vigo and Zaragoza. The goal? To jumpstart the production of electric vehicles, specifically small cars. These electric gems will be constructed on the STLA Small platform, a new introduction to the company’s lineup of electric vehicle platforms. To add a twist to the tale, Madrid, despite being one of the iconic cities in Spain, will be left out of this electric party. Madrid’s facility, the smallest of Stellantis’s three plants in the country, hasn’t made the cut for… More…