Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, has announced a significant wave of layoffs at its Jeep plants in Detroit and Toledo, Ohio, leaving thousands of workers in a state of uncertainty. The blame for this downsizing has been placed squarely on California’s stringent emissions regulations, which the company asserts have put it at a considerable competitive disadvantage. In a major… Read more…
Category: ArenaEV
Volkswagen introduces bidirectional charging in Europe
Volkswagen is finally introducing bidirectional charging technology in Europe. Bidirectional charging, often referred to as Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technology, allows electric vehicles to not only draw power from the grid but also to give back to it. Volkswagen has announced it is rolling out this feature on its latest ID electric vehicles in Europe. The EV can act as a back-up… Read more…
China accuses the US of violating trade rules in electric car battery battle
In the latest exchange on the global stage, China accused President Joe Biden’s administration of breaching international trade rules by attempting to exclude Chinese batteries from the American electric vehicle supply chain. China’s allegations stem from the Biden administration’s efforts to reduce the presence of Chinese materials in batteries eligible for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). According… Read more…
Tesla adds Apple Podcasts in Holiday Update 2023
Tesla announced that its 2023 Holiday Update will roll out to supported models and countries next week and detailed the changes. One of the major ones is Apple Podcasts support – something that was rumored. Apple Podcasts is a key Apple CarPlay app that’s making the move to Tesla (which famously doesn’t support CarPlay). Keep in mind that while support… Read more…
Stellantis teams up with Ample to launch battery swapping – Fiat 500e will go first
Stellantis, the automotive juggernaut behind Fiat, Dodge, Jeep, and Opel, has joined forces with California-based startup Ample to introduce a fleet of electric vehicles that can swap their high-voltage batteries in just five minutes. This approach promises to reshape the landscape of electric mobility and address some of the lingering concerns associated with EV adoption. So far only Nio has… Read more…
Volkswagen introduces new exit warning system
Volkswagen announced a new safety feature dubbed exit warning system. It will come as standard for the ID.7, the new Passat and the new Tiguan. These cars come with all the hardware needed for the feature to work, whereas the Golf, ID.4 and the ID.5 can have it as an option. Depending on the model, the feature works in a… Read more…
BYD takes on Tesla in North America with Seal electric sedan
China’s automotive giant, BYD, is taking yet another step closer to the US market as it introduces the Seal electric sedan in Mexico, aiming to challenge Tesla’s dominance in the region. BYD is clearly determined to close in on Tesla’s global EV sales. The Seal EV, part of BYD’s Ocean series, made its official debut in Mexico, expanding the brand’s… Read more…
Kia EV9 gets free charging from Electrify America
Those who purchase a 2024 Kia EV9 in the US for the first time will get 1,000 kWh of free charging in Electrify America’s network, the two companies have announced today. You can use your 1,000 kWh free allowance at any of the over 3,000 Electrify America charging stations across the country, through the Electrify America app, which can be… Read more…
Volkswagen finalizes €652 million investment in XPeng Motors
XPeng Motors announced the completion of Volkswagen’s substantial €652 million investment in the company. That translates into a 4.99% stake in XPeng Motors. In addition to the substantial investment, Volkswagen also secured an observer seat on XPeng Motors’ board of directors. While this might give them a front-row view of XPeng’s operations, it remains unclear how much influence they can… Read more…
Honda to unveil new global EV series at CES 2024
Honda announced its intentions to launch a ‘new global EV series’ at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The Japanese automaker aims to release 30 new EVs by 2030 and achieving complete carbon neutrality by 2050, so it’s got no time to lose The teaser released by Honda doesn’t show much. It can be wither the front… Read more…
Want your Cybertruck now? That’ll be $135,000
Tesla has extended an intriguing offer to Cybertruck reservation holders. The automaker is allowing customers to configure the Foundation Series trucks, which come with a hefty price tag starting at over €112,000 and reaching well above €125,800. And if you place an order for one of these obscenely trucks, there’s a chance you could have it in your driveway in… Read more…
2024 Skoda Enyaq gets longer range, faster charging and more power
Skoda announced some considerable improvements of its Enyaq SUV for the 2024 model year, bringing longer range, faster charging and more torque. That’s all thanks to the new rear motor and battery chemistry. The lineup is down to three Enyaq models – the 85, 85x and the RS (the Coupe variants also) – and they all get a new drivetrain.… Read more…
Nissan and Mitsubishi confirm investment in Renault’s Ampere EV unit
Long-standing partners Nissan and Mitsubishi have confirmed plans to invest in Renault’s electric vehicle unit Ampere. The collaboration aims to develop electric vehicles specifically tailored for the European market among others. Nissan and Mitsubishi are set to invest up to €600 million and €200 million, respectively, in Ampere. This dedicated EV unit has been separated from Renault and is slated… Read more…
Nio to spin off battery unit
Nio, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, is preparing to sell its battery manufacturing unit. The decision comes as part of Nio’s strategy to enhance its profitability, streamline operations, and compete more effectively in the fast-paced world of electric cars. According to a recent report by Reuters, Nio is planning to spin off its battery manufacturing unit by the end of… Read more…
Lucid Motors unveils 2024 Air sedans with lower prices
Lucid Motors has revealed its 2024 model year Air sedans. These new offerings come with a lower starting price and more customization options, hoping to attract a wider audience. Lucid Motors has been making waves in the EV market with its innovative technology, but it’s been facing challenges in attracting a wider audience. The Q3 report showed widening operating losses,… Read more…
Watch the Cybertruck obliterate the Rivian R1T and Hummer EV in a drag race
The Tesla Cybertruck is an impressive EV, from its 800V electric motors, to the innovative body with air suspension, steel alloy panels, and 0.39 drag coefficient. Not to mention its Porsche 911-beating 2.6s 0-60 mph time. The people over at Hagerty did a solid 28-minute review of the Cybertruck, which is worth a watch on its own. But in it,… Read more…
US EV sales top 1 million in a year for the first time ever
Electric vehicles have crossed 1 million sales in a year in the US for the first time ever. According to the National Automotive Dealer Association (NADA), through 11 months (January – November 2023), battery electric vehicle sales are 1,007,984 – a 50.7% increase year-over-year. And, the year’s not done yet, which will push the record further. Per NADA’s report, 51.2%… Read more…
Mini Cooper SE JCW unveiled with more hype than horsepower
Mini’s latest offering, the Mini Cooper SE JCW, may have a sporty look, but it’s nothing more than a sheep in wolf’s clothing. The hype surrounding this new release may have you thinking it’s a powerhouse, but the reality is quite different. Once you strip away the marketing gloss and take a closer look at what the “new” Mini has… Read more…
Tesla whistleblower raises concerns about FSD safety
In a recent interview with the BBC, former Tesla employee Lukasz Krupski, who previously leaked accident reports and internal documents, expressed serious doubts about the safety of Tesla’s autonomous driving system. Krupski’s revelations shed light on what he calls “experiments in public roads” and raise questions about the readiness of FSD hardware and software. Krupski, who received the Whistleblowing Prize… Read more…
The next Chevy Bolt – GM’s electric odyssey continues
General Motors CEO Mary Barra has confirmed that the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV will hit the streets in 2025. After a tumultuous year for GM’s electric vehicle strategy, this announcement marks a crucial step in the company’s bid to regain its footing in the EV market. Barra’s announcement at the Automotive Press Association in Detroit was met with enthusiasm from… Read more…