Several EVs earned high marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2024, the organization revealed this week. The IIHS toughened requirements to earn its highest Top Safety Pick+ and second-tier Top Safety Pick awards for 2024, but 71 models still qualified for at least one of the awards (with 22 earning the Top Safety Pick+… Read more…
Refreshed Aion Hyper GT comes with Level 3 self-driving
GAC Group has updated its Aion Hyper GT. The new version is exactly the same as its predecessor but adds Level 3 autonomy into the mix. Priced at around €34,400 (RMB 259,900), Hyper GT is packed with three laser radar sensors, 12 cameras, six mmWave radars, an infrared night vision camera, and even a super-powered MDC610 chip for its “deep-learning… Read more…
More charge points for Toronto
The City of Toronto is partnering with the government of Canada to add more than 500 new electric vehicle chargers to the city’s corporate charging network. Read more…
VW receives major order for the ID. Buzz Cargo from England
The British energy service provider Mitie has ordered 650 VW ID. Buzz Cargo. One of these ID. Buzz Cargo is also the 4,000th electric vehicle that Mitie has added to its fleet. The fleet is to be completely electric by the end of 2025. Read more…
Volkswagen and Xpeng to roll out two new EVs, starting with an SUV
Volkswagen and Chinese EV maker Xpeng say they are jointly developing two mid-sized BEVs for 2026 for mainland China, with the first model being an SUV. Read more…
Ford officially launches Tesla Supercharger access, free adapter now available to order
Last May, Ford was the first automaker to announce its plans to adopt Tesla’s charge connector, now known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS). In addition to adding Tesla’s connector to its own EVs in 2025, Ford also said it would make a free adapter available to existing Ford EV owners. Read more…
Ford’s NACS Fast Charging Adapter Now Available As Tesla Charging Network Opens
Ford EV owners can order their complimentary Tesla NACS to CCS adapters starting today, just as Supercharger access opens up to them. Read more…
German X-ray project should help improve batteries
In Germany, a development partnership called XProLas has begun that is to look into using compact X-ray sources to improve the durability and performance of electric car batteries. The project involves collaboration from a network of 12 companies and institutes led by the machine manufacturer Trumpf. Read more…
Zeekr is launching a model update for the 001
The Geely brand Zeekr has launched a revised version of its Zeekr 001 in China, which is also available in Europe. The new edition of the electric model, which has sold more than 160,000 units to date, has been technically improved and costs less than its predecessor. Read more…
Fortum and Hydrovolt join forces on battery recycling
A Nordic battery recycling alliance has been formed between Finnish battery recycler Fortum, and the Swedish-Norwegian battery recycling joint venture Hydrovolt. The two companies have agreed to support each in a cooperation that is part of a larger push for Northern Europe to become a model region for battery circular economy. Read more…
Tesla validates LMFP cells from CATL already used by Chery
New battery cells from CATL with lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) chemistry are already being used in a Chinese electric model. The new batteries will also be used by Tesla in the future, where the new cells are already being validated. Read more…
ZF opens “zero-emission factory” in Czech Republic
ZF is opening its first “zero-emission factory” after a conversion period of almost one and a half years at the production site for power electronics in Klášterec, Czech Republic. The location of the Electrified Powertrain Technology division is considered a blueprint for all ZF plants worldwide. Read more…
Polestar secures credit line of nearly one billion euros
Polestar has secured 950 million US dollars in external financing. The credit line is intended to cover a large part of Polestar’s estimated capital requirements to finance its next stage of development. Read more…
Chery’s new iCAR brand launches 1st EV model iCAR 03, prices start at $15,260
The iCAR 03 has a boxy look, and Chery said it’s a car for young people. Read more…
Mercedes EQS SUV 580 review
Mercedes was among the first brands to offer a luxury SUV with the ML, which debuted in the late 90s and became an instant hit. Its lineup has been expanding ever since and it’s only logical to introduce an electric SUV as well. This is exactly what we’re testing today – the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 580 4Matic. Table of Contents:… Read more…
VW and Xpeng finalize framework agreement
VW and Xpeng have concluded a framework agreement on their cooperation in the development of electric cars. A step that had become apparent after the basic agreement last summer. There are also initial details on the planned electric cars for the Chinese market. Read more…
Xpeng says its XNGP assisted driving feature becomes available on all roads in China
Xpeng will begin development of a globally available highway NGP in 2024 and a globally available XNGP in 2025. Read more…
CATL’s M3P battery expected to be installed in Tesla models, report says
CATL is still in the process of developing and validating the M3P battery with Tesla, and the exact timing of the installation is not yet clear, according to local media. Read more…
BYD looking for Mexican plant site
BYD’s plan is to build the facility for the Mexican market, not the export market, a company executive said. Read more…
Henkel opens battery engineering and testing centre in Germany
Primarily known as a producer of chemical solutions across several different industries, German multinational group Henkel has launched the Battery Engineering Center (BEC) within its Inspiration Center Dusseldorf, aimed at providing strategic partnerships with battery developers (and others in the e-mobility space). Read more…
