Tesla has issued a recall to partly deactivate its Boombox feature originally added in late 2020, because it interferes with federally mandated pedestrian warning sounds. Released in December 2020 as part of a software update, Boombox mode allows drive…
Author: Stephen Edelstein
Global EV sales more than doubled in 2021 vs. 2020, tripled vs. 2019
Global EV sales took a giant leap in both volume and market share in 2021, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). Automakers sold 6.6 million plug-in vehicles in 2021, more than double the 3 million sold in 2020, and more…
Volvo plans Tesla-style “mega casting” for its biggest plant, as it shifts to EVs
Volvo is revamping its largest factory to produce next-generation electric cars more efficiently. The roughly $1 billion investment in Volvo’s Torslanda, Sweden, plant includes a new battery assembly facility, fully refurbished paint and final assembly…
Faraday Future FF 81 EV slated for “high volume production” in 2024—at GM’s former South Korea plant
Faraday Future’s second EV will be manufactured by South Korean auto-parts supplier Myoung Shin, Faraday announced Wednesday in a press release. Production is scheduled to start in 2024, with a “high volume production” target later that same year. This…
2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid: 30 electric miles, and an Alfa driving experience
The 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale crossover was revealed Tuesday with an available plug-in hybrid powertrain, making it the first production Alfa hybrid of any kind. Launching in North America in the first quarter of 2023, the Tonale builds on on the platform…
Right to repair bill could allow more independent shops to work on EVs and hybrids
A right to repair has been introduced in the House of Representatives, which could help more independent shops work on electric cars and hybrids. Introduced by Representative Bobby L. Rush, the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (…
Report: Biden’s “blue” states carried 76% of 2021 US EV sales
The “blue” states that President Biden won in the 2020 election carried 76% of 2021 United States EV sales, according to a new Bloomberg report. That’s mainly down to a large urban/rural divide in EV adoption, driven by limited vehicle choices, underde…
CEO: Ford plans to “reengineer” Mustang Mach-E incrementally, won’t save improvements for mid-cycle refresh
The Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV will get continual incremental updates instead of the industry-standard mid-cycle refresh, CEO Jim Farley said Thursday during the automaker’s quarterly earnings call. Automakers generally save improvements for mid-…
Volvo-Northvolt joint venture battery plant due in 2025, could supply for 500,000 EVs annually
Volvo and Swedish battery firm Northvolt on Friday announced a new battery plant, near the automaker’s main assembly plant in Gothenburg, Sweden. Scheduled to open in 2025, the joint-venture plant will have a “potential” annual battery cell production …
Automated “charging robot” claims wireless-charging convenience with a physical connection
Automotive supplier Continental recently unveiled a “charging robot” that aims to make charging more convenient. Continental partnered with startup Volterio on the project. The two companies aim to have “near-production” systems ready by mid-2022, and …
