Tesla last week outlined some of the details that distinguish its heat pump system that’s now included throughout its vehicle lineup. The electric vehicle maker claims that its design performs well in very cold weather, where other heat pumps fall short. Depending on the exact situation, Tesla claims, its cars might be using as little as a… More…
Hitachi completes major fleet charging trial Optimise Prime
In the UK, the fleet charging project Optimise Prime has come to an end. The trials began in July 2021, led by Hitachi Europe and electricity distributor UK Power Networks with over 8,000 electric vehicles from Centrica, Uber and Royal Mail. The findings will help all parties to understand better what large-scale rollouts require.> While […] More…
Volkswagen publishes findings from smart charging pilot
Volkswagen’s energy business Elli and German grid operator Mitnetz Strom started a pilot in the summer of 2022 to optimise charging processes in line with the grid. They aimed to achieve efficient and environmentally-friendly interaction between distributors and VW electric vehicles. Here’s the result. The main finding is that intelligent charging works both ways – […] More…
BMW starts testing solid-state battery production in Parsdorf
BMW is to set up a prototype line for solid-state battery cells at its Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre in Parsdorf near Munich, based on designs from partner Solid Power. This is made possible by the US company’s research and development licence, which is now also confirmed by BMW. As the next step on the road […] More…
Aral forms electric truck charging route
Aral pulse has opened a charging corridor for electric trucks along 600 kilometres of the Rhine-Alpine Corridor. The busy logistics route currently connects two major metropolitan regions with six charge hubs. However, the corridor is not yet complete. At the opening, the charging corridor includes 300 kW stations adapted to the dimensions of trucks at […] More…
GM & LG drop plans for fourth US battery factory
General Motors and LG Energy Solution are apparently not pursuing their plan for a fourth joint battery cell plant in the USA. GM could instead build the planned plant in Indiana with a new partner at its side. This is reported by the news agency Reuters, citing two sources. As recently as August 2022, things […] More…
CATL to build chassis plant in Yichun
CATL plans to build the first production facility for its CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis (CIIC) in Yichun in the Chinese province of Jiangxi and has signed an agreement with the city to this effect. There are no details yet on the schedule and scope of production. The CIIC was first mentioned in early November 2022 […] More…
Nissan Ariya review: Well meant but not always well done
The Nissan Leaf was once a pioneer of electric mobility but increasingly fell behind. The long-announced Ariya is now supposed to give Nissan a new drive and make its EVs attractive again for the growing majority of electric car drivers. The new platform and concept do not deliver throughout, as our driving test shows. *** […] More…
Luxury EV leases are already tapping into $7,500 EV tax credit
New federal EV tax credit rules have set price caps that are narrowing the field of qualifying EVs, but a leasing loophole is already opening up a much wider field eligible for federal subsidies. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) re-upped the federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 for qualifying vehicles. It added price caps of $55,000 for cars and… More…
Aptera presents the ‘launch edition’ of its solar trike
The US start-up Aptera Motors has presented the ‘Launch Edition’ of its three-wheeled solar electric car, which the company plans to start producing by the end of 2023. However, the start of production is not yet assured: Aptera needs further capital. According to Aptera, the production launch version of the two-seater solar-powered electric car planned […] More…
E-Bike Battery Theft A Growing Concern In The Netherlands
2022 saw a 300-percent spike in e-bike battery theft, raising concerns surrounding safety and security. More…
BYD Seagull Small EV Leaked In China, Said To Start Under $9,000
The smallest model in BYD’s Ocean Series, the Seagull will go on sale in China in April with an LFP battery pack and 74-hp motor. More…
VW to replace head of design unit
The Volkswagen brand is on the brink of announcing a new head of design. According to German media, head designer Jozef Kaban will be replaced by Andreas Mindt on the 01 February, back from his post at Bentley. This was indicated by the new board of directors. As the German publication Automobilwoche has learned from […] More…
Eco-friendly advance for lithium-ion cell production
Energy storage solutions provider Leclanché says it has achieved a breakthrough in the environmentally friendly production of G/NMCA cells, by reducing the cobalt content in NMCA cathode material from 20% to 5% and manufacturing the electrodes using a water-based process. In doing so, Leclanché says it completely dispenses with the use of the highly toxic […] More…
Hertz Launches Massive EV Rental Program In The US
It’s called “Hertz Electrifies” and it’s kicking off with over 5,000 EVs in the city of Denver, Colorado. More…
Tesla To Implement Automated Quality Control System At Fremont Factory
In a bid to improve the build quality of its interiors, Tesla will install new robots that will inspect the fit and finish. More…
Audi Activesphere Concept Teased Again Before Its Reveal
Audi’s fourth sphere concept will debut on January 26. More…
Aptera solar EV Launch Edition: 400-mile range, no Supercharging yet
Aptera on Friday detailed the Launch Edition configuration of its 3-wheeled EV, which the company hopes to begin producing by the end of 2023. The company claims now to have over 40,000 reservations for the vehicle, the first 5,000 of which will be Launch Edition models. While Aptera has shown multiple powertrain and range options, Launch Edition… More…
Hertz Electrifies launches major EV fleet in Denver
Rental car company Hertz announced a new public-private partnership called Hertz Electrifies in the USA. Starting in Denver, Colorada, Hertz aspires to work with US mayors to bring thousands of electric cars and data-based infrastructure into American cities as part of a larger scheme. Hertz Electrifies will start by bringing no less than 5,200 rental […] More…
GM reveals mildly hybrid Corvette E-Ray
General Motors now offers its Corvette sports car with a small e-motor, primarily designed to “enhance the driving experience” and turn the vehicle into AWD at times. However, the hybrid Corvette E-Ray will eventually be followed by a fully electric Corvette based on GM’s Ultium platform. First announced last year, the now-named Corvette E-Ray borrows […] More…
