E-Mobility

Tesla Inc. experiences a rocky start to 2024, with a significant plunge in market value. The electric vehicle titan is battling supply chain disruptions and escalating labor costs. A slowdown in demand for EVs further compounds the company's difficulties.

The government advises that Tesla Model Y buyers get a copy of the confirmation that a 'time-of-sale' report has been submitted by their dealer and approved by the IRS. In the US, the Model Y price can now be dropped under that of the Model 3 with tax credit applied at delivery.

Europe is sending factory forensic specialists to Chinese EV brands like BYD as part of its investigation to determine if the lower prices their vehicles command on the continent are due to illegal state subsidies. In the meantime, BYD just unveiled its direct Tesla Model S competitor, after encroaching on the Model 3 and Model Y turf already.

A Shimano patent aims to make mountain biking more comfortable and efficient with AI and machine learning. This is arguably the next step in the evolution of mountain bike suspension after the introduction of electronic dampers.

The display tech OEM BOE has a 2024 car as part of its Las Vegas exhibition, and for good reason. The Geely Galaxy E8 boasts the world's first 45-inch 8K borderless smart dashboard, rated to cater to the most pressing need of both driver and front-seat passenger simultaneously. Furthermore, BOE is also demonstrating the screen's even higher-res, more responsive Oxide Mini LED successor with custom curved glass from Corning.

BYD became the world's largest electric car maker this past quarter, surpassing the previous top dog Tesla by a significant margin. Tesla is now introducing another round of Model 3 and Model Y price cuts to offset the increased EV competition.

Rivian's R1T revealed careful attention to detail in a recent test comparing the results of slamming your finger in the door, tailgate, and frunk of the Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Rivian. These tests harken back to the classic electric window hot dog tests and poke another hole in Tesla's use of pressed, unfolded stainless steel body panels.

Both the Segway Xyber and Xafari have strong off-road DNA, but the Xyber is a chunky Sur-Ron-style e-bike made for two-up riding and up to 95 miles of range, while the Xafari resembles something between an electric step-through commuter bike and a fat-tyre eMTB.

Elon Musk got impressed by Microsoft’s solid-state battery electrolyte AI discovery which could usher in EV batteries that use 70% less lithium. The dedicated scientific AI research team at Microsoft Azure Quantum Elements developed the solid-state battery with the help of the US Energy Department.

The horrible depreciation rate of the 2021 Model 3 has now forced Hertz to put a lot of its Teslas on sale at half off. Rental car companies like Hertz or SIXT are scaling down their fleet electrification ambitions, or ditching Teslas altogether.

Spy shots of the upcoming electric VW Transporter T7 van reveal a pickup version that swaps out the rear of the van for a dropside pickup bed. The electric Transporter would offer a practical, efficient workman's pickup truck in a market filled with trucks marketed as exercises in aesthetics.

The new Tesla Model 3 Highland facelift can be had for just $329/month by taking advantage of the $7,500 government tax credit for leased electric vehicles. Deliveries start this month and the Highland brings longer range, quieter ride, and new interior, as well as more elegant design.

Electric vehicle (EV) chargers with MSI logos might become a thing in 2024, as part of the brand's bid to become as well-known for automotive or industrial smart tech as it is for gaming laptops. Some of the MSI tech for cars support standards including NACS, whereas others employ AI to enhance driver or charge point operator (CPO) safety.

Tesla didn't lower the RWD Model Y range estimates or introduce stopping mode efficiency cuts like it did on the Long Range and Performance versions to comply with the new EPA tests. It, however, has now reduced its sound system to half of its former strength.

With Honda's brawn and Sony's brains, the 'PlayStation EV' Afeela will have a lot of the features that go in the world's most popular gaming console. Besides the Unreal Engine rendering of the Afeela surroundings, Sony also hinted at partnering with the studio behind Gran Turismo.

Currently in the Fremont factory trial production phase, the Tesla Model 3 Highland trim has now been listed as a test drive option in the US. Interestingly enough, it may get Tesla's inaugural front bumper camera for parking assist purposes.

The world's largest electric car maker is betting big on sodium-ion batteries that will allow the launch of cheap mass market EVs that don't use lithium in their battery cells. It better, as the competition is already launching their first electric cars with sodium-ion battery.

Besides testing it on California roads, Tesla seems to be is already making the Model 3 Highland in its Fremont factory, albeit a decoy version with the Shanghai badging. One of those test Highlands has gotten the up close and personal photoshoot treatment.

Volkswagen has put its solid-state battery joint venture cells to the ultimate aging and capacity loss test and confirmed that they 'don't age.' The solid-state battery of its PowerCo partnership went way beyond the current 700-cycle and 20% retention benchmarks.

Fiido asserts that its latest product is the best and safest way possible to make a child's first two-wheeler electric. The Kidz is touted to address some problems the OEM claims to have identified with some balance bikes of its type, which include having a throttle and pedal assist, but in a way that can be controlled by a parent or guardian if necessary.

Fisker Ocean owners took to social media with stories of phantom battery drain leaving them stranded. Meanwhile, a leaked document claims that the company is repeatedly missing internal deadlines, which motivated a recent shift to a dealer-based distribution strategy.

The rollout of the Tesla Cybertruck seems to be echoing early deliveries of the Model 3, with a recent complaint adding water ingress to the shoddy range and slow charging issues. Low delivery numbers make it difficult to assess actual quality control, but late "release candidate" test units still showed misaligned body panels.

General Motors confirmed that it will match the US IRA tax incentives for its Chevrolet Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq electric vehicles that will no longer be eligible for the tax reduction after the January 1 rule changes. The regular Tesla Model 3 also lost eligibility, and Tesla has not yet commented on whether it will compensate, as it did in Germany in December.

The EPA now tests all EV ranges in extreme ride height or acceleration modes which resulted in a Model Y range estimate cut. All Tesla Model Y and Model 3 units produced after January 1, 2024, will have only one stopping mode, too, in order to make range estimates more accurate.

Elon Musk has been teasing new Model Y colors in the US for more than a year, and Tesla finally delivered two fresh coats of paints, but not the Quicksilver and Midnight Cherry Red it offers in Europe. Those are reserved for the self-proclaimed 'best body paint shop' in Giga Berlin.

Costco has installed Trinity Structures off-grid solar capture and charging stations at their key distribution center in California where recent passage of CARB and WAIRE mandates are forcing trucking operators to convert from diesel to electric vehicles. Installing solar energy capture and storage on-site will bypass current headaches connecting EV chargers to a strained electrical grid.

Manufacturing tech giant Siemens has announced that it will fulfil its sustainability and carbon-neutrality resolutions by augmenting its company's portfolio of vehicles with more and more new ID.4s from Volkswagen over time. The marque hails the move as another step closer to the more complete electrification of mobility, industrial and otherwise.

The EPA has rated Tesla's Cybertruck for a 320-mile range on a single charge in its testing conditions. A real-world drive, however, showed that the Cybertruck can fall short of delivering on that promise even in fairly mundane scenarios.

After the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area challenge on the Stair Steps climb, the Cybertruck has now been filmed doing proper off-roading after its release. It climbs and descends a very steep hill in lifted mode.

Tesla is gradually building up its network of the latest V4 Supercharger generation that is capable of up to 350 kW output. Besides the higher charging speeds that a Cybertruck can get advantage of, the piles also have longer cables.

The UNNO IKKI Factory and Race e-bikes have been unveiled. The models are the first of their kind from the brand and are relatively lightweight at an average of 18.4 kg (~40.6 lbs). Features of the enduro e-bikes include a full suspension system, a 360Wh battery and a TQ HPR50 motor.

Following Tesla, the two largest car brands in Norway in 2023 were Volkswagen (10.8%, down from 11.6%), and Toyota (12.4%, up from 8.0%). As of 2023, 82.4% of newly sold vehicles were electric, up from 79.3% in 2022, according to data from the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV).

An in-development version of the Porsche Taycan beat both the previous Taycan Turbo S and the Tesla Model S Plaid with Track Pack around the infamous Nürburgring by over 15 seconds. The new Porsche was driven by Porsche Development driver Lars Kern and fitted with a roll cage and bucket seats for safety purposes.

In the end, more electric cars also mean more scrap containing valuable elements and components that are still intact. The development of an electric motor that is easy to repair and dismantle should prevent such mountains of waste from being created in the first place.

Chinese juggernaut BYD is bigger than Tesla now as it moved more electric vehicles to customers than Elon Musk's pride and joy. It is also branching out globally and building its first EV factory in Europe to take on Tesla's Giga Berlin.

The Bozhi 4X from GAC-Toyota is rolling out to dealerships in China. The new model is the first from the sub-brand, with many similarities to the bZ4X, such as the e-TNGA platform and a 66.7 kWh ternary lithium battery. Optional upgrades include X-Mode, an off-roading feature designed with Subaru.

Nanotech Energy has announced its 18650 lithium-ion battery utilizing graphene and a proprietary electrolyte. Unlike traditional lithium batteries that catch fire and explode when subject to excessive pressure, charge, or heat, Nanotech batteries remain safe. This innovation will help reduce injuries caused by burning EV cars and electronics.

The Chinese firm sold 526,409 fully electric cars in the last quarter of 2023, challenging Tesla in the global EV race. Out of the three million, 1.6 million were fully battery-powered.

Equipped with Tesla's first Cybercell 4680 battery with dry electrode production method, the Cybertruck also debuts its first 800V high-voltage architecture. The Cybertruck's charging curve, however, is not all that extraordinary at the moment.

Himiway has announced that it is headed to CES 2024, and that it will bring its latest electric bikes with it. In the meantime, the brand is teasing its plans to expand its offerings with new lines, the first-gen Ultra carbon-fiber variants among them. New Himiway e-bikes for kids, commutes and all-terrain riding will also become available in the new year - not to mention an electric motorbike.

It took three Berlin students 600 euros worth of tools, time, and specialized technical knowledge to activate Tesla's ultimate "Elon mode", a “godlike” function that allows users to take control of the car's autonomous driving features.

Green energy initiatives that will mandate all new semis be electric starting January 1, can lead to losses compared to using diesel trucks. The companies then have to pass a surcharge on to their customers in order to break even as charging times and lesser loads eat into their operating profits.

A Tesla Cybertruck collided with a Toyota Corolla in California. While only minor injuries were sustained during the collision, the Toyota seems to have taken most of the abuse. The stark contrast between the damage sustained by the vehicles seems to validate previous safety concerns about the design of the Cybertruck.

California-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Fisker revealed in its December business update that it successfully assembled 10,142 units of its Ocean electric SUV in the year, with approximately 4,700 units already handed over to customers.

Elon Musk's teased 'very high' production volume plans for Tesla's first mass market electric vehicle may have led to the huge order for next-gen 3nm chips it has placed with TSMC. The new 2024 N3P production mode is faster and more frugal with power consumption than TSMC's current 3nm chips.

Even when it was brand-new from the factory, the electric Volkswagen Golf from the 2016 model year had a comparatively modest EPA range of just 80 miles per charge. As 2023 draws to an end, a well-known YouTuber illustrates how practical the almost 8-year-old VW e-Golf is today with a noticeably degraded EV battery.

Tesla already reworked the Model Y interior back in October to add ambient LED lighting for the interior, and new wheels. A thorough Model Y exterior facelift is in store very soon with upgraded specs, too, scheduled for a 2024 summer release.

Shift Robotics is inviting corporations to test its newest Moonwalkers model at CES 2024. Moonwalkers are 8-wheeled, AI powered skates that improve walking speed up to 3x to help business owners squeeze more productivity out of their workers.

The rumor that Tesla will release the Model 3 highland in the US as soon as next month may hold water in the end. The Model 3 facelift's US release was reportedly delayed by regulatory testing requirements.

The Hyundai N Vision 74 'Rolling Lab', a hybrid hydrogen powered concept EV, will likely enter a limited production run of 100 cars in 2026, according to the latest report from Korea’s ET News. The production version is rumoured to bump up power to 800 hp and offer a 400-500 km range.