US-based electronic components manufacturer Power Integrations has agreed to acquire the assets of Odyssey Semiconductor Technologies, a developer of vertical gallium-nitride (GaN) transistor technology. The transaction is expected to close in July 2024, after which all key Odyssey employees are expected to join Power Integrations’ technology organization. The acquisition supports Power Integrations’ development of its… Read more…
Mullen’s Class 3 electric truck receives approval for California incentive
EV maker Mullen Automotive has received approval under the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) from the California Air Resources Board for its Class 3 2024 Mullen THREE. The Mullen THREE model is a cab-forward truck featuring a 125-mile range and designed for urban last-mile delivery and such applications as construction,… Read more…
2024 Tesla Model 3 Gets Outstanding 3.9 Miles/kWh EPA Energy Consumption
The EPA driving range of the model exceeds 340 miles, but one configuration gets less than 250 miles. Read more…
Tesla Removes Most Job Posts In North America After ‘Hardcore’ Layoffs
We also discuss a potential “extreme action” against Chinese cars by U.S. regulators and Ford rethinking its plan to go all-electric in Europe by 2030. Read more…
Car flame retardants might make us sick—and be unnecessary in EVs
Outdated federal standards for the flammability of vehicle interior materials—put in place before the rise of EVs—pose an unnecessary health hazard, argues Consumer Reports. In response to a study from the Green Science Policy Institute at Duke University, which found harmful chemicals from flame retardants can be present in the air of… Read more…
Tesla is about to remove steering wheel nag with new Full Self-Driving update
Tesla is planning to remove the steering wheel nag, which alerts drivers to apply torque on the steering wheel, with a new Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) update coming next week. Read more…
U9 supercars from BYD’s new Yangwang brand are en route to the UK to compete at Goodwood
BYD’s young performance EV brand Yangwang wants to turn some heads in Europe by debuting its U9 supercar at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The annual event hasn’t seen many Chinese entrants, but Yangwang has at least two cars on their way to the UK to show performance enthusiasts the potential of its e⁴ platform technology. Read more…
Mercedes CEO Says EV Transition ‘Might Take Longer Than Expected’
Mercedes-Benz will keep making gas-powered cars “well into the 2030s” if buyers want them. Read more…
Zeekr 007’s autonomous parking tech beat most human drivers in test
In a recent head-to-head, Zeekr pitted its new Zeekr 007 sedan’s advanced parking system against flesh-and-blood drivers in a parking space showdown. The contest centered on navigating an especially tight space, just like the ones found in vertical car stacking systems popular in Asia. Surprisingly, the 007’s automated tech reigned supreme, demonstrating impressive accuracy and consistency. The parking space was… Read more…
Next-Gen Chevrolet Bolt EUV Will Be Built At Old Chevy Malibu Plant In Kansas
Chevy’s last sedan retires to make way for a new wave of affordable EVs. Read more…
BYD Yangwang to showcase U9 supercar at Goodwood Festival of Speed in UK
Two Yangwang U9s left for the UK on May 7 and will participate in the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 from July 11-14. Read more…
Daimler Truck to develop autonomous Freightliner eCascadia
On the road to sustainable freight transport, Daimler Truck is bringing together battery-electric drive systems and autonomous driving for the first time in one platform: the autonomous Freightliner eCascadia. Read more…
Here’s how California seeks to cut the cost of home EV charging
Spikes in electricity rates can raise the cost of charging an EV at home, but California has a solution. As explained in a recent post on The Equation, from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), California is considering adding a fixed charge on electricity bills from its largest utilities in exchange for a reduction in the per-unit price of… Read more…
Webinar: Managing self-heating in MLCC’s in typical EV applications
As EV use continues to grow and evolve, we at Knowles Precision Devices are increasingly being asked about managing the self-heating of capacitor components. In this webinar, we’ll cover why capacitors self-heat, offer tips for managing heat and discuss how factors like spacing, capacitor thickness, air flow and mounting all play a role in heat… Read more…
Skyworth Auto signs $1.38 billion deal with Saudi Arabia’s KAG
Skyworth Auto has signed a 10-year partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia’s KAG, with the first phase of a five-year partnership having a business plan worth RMB 10 billion ($1.38 billion). Read more…
BMW stays profitable while pouring resources into the EV development
BMW is not letting volatile market conditions deter its aggressive electric vehicle expansion plans. The company revealed strong first-quarter financials and outlined its commitment to investing in a zero-emissions future with new models and increased production capacity. While the automotive industry remains challenged by economic uncertainties, BMW is doing well. Compared to the first three months of 2023, the company’s… Read more…
Nio, GAC Aion’s Hyper brand to interconnect charging network by end of May
Previously, companies including SAIC, Jiyue, Geely Automobile Holdings and Deepal have announced access to Nio’s charging network. Read more…
Tesla ramps up layoffs in China, report says
Tesla is escalating the scale of layoffs in China, with more cuts starting earlier this week, extending mid-April cuts, according to Bloomberg. Read more…
BYD Qin L with next-gen DM-i hybrid tech expected to hit market on May 29, report says
The Qin L DM-i is expected to be priced around RMB 120,000 ($16,610) to RMB 150,000, according to local media. Read more…
BYD’s sodium battery joint venture formed
The joint venture is 51 percent owned by BYD’s battery unit FinDreams, with local conglomerate Huaihai holding the remaining 49 percent. Read more…