MAFI introduces new electric terminal tractor


German commercial vehicle manufacturer MAFI Transport-Systeme has released an electric version of its popular T 230 diesel terminal tractor (terminal tractors, more colorfully known as “yard goats,” are used to move cargo around within ports and other such facilities). MAFI’s distributor, Eastern Lift Truck, said the new truck will be available this spring. The new… Read more »

Are German dealers sabotaging VW’s EV efforts?


The Volkswagen Group is by far the most charged of the legacy automakers—it’s making massive investments in electrification, converting entire factories to EV production, and rolling out fast charging networks across the US and Europe. Chairman Herbert Diess recently won an important vote of confidence from the company’s board, which agreed to back his ambitious… Read more »

Overlooked gems in Tesla’s Q4 earnings call


Tesla’s latest earnings report was loaded with good news: the company’s sixth straight quarter, and first full year, of profitability; increased sales ($31.5 billion in 2020, compared to $24.6 billion in 2019); a healthy cash position ($19.4 billion as of year-end, compared to $6.3 billion at the end of 2019); and plausible plans for steady… Read more »

GM aspires to stop selling ICE cars by 2035, will roll out 30 pure EVs by 2025


GM has thrown down the electric gauntlet to the auto industry, announcing plans to become carbon-neutral by 2040, and to set “science-based targets” to achieve carbon neutrality. GM worked with the Environmental Defense Fund to “develop a shared vision of an all-electric future and an aspiration to eliminate tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by… Read more »

Model S refresh includes completely revamped interior, powertrain updates and more


Over the past couple of years, as Tesla rolled out a seemingly endless stream of new features for Models 3 and Y, folks have been saying that the two elders of the line-up were overdue for an update. Now Tesla has announced a sweeping new refresh for Models S and X, featuring an entirely new… Read more »

Extreme E off-road racer inspired by GMC Hummer EV


GMC has announced a multiyear sponsorship with Chip Ganassi Racing for the team’s venture in the inaugural season of the Extreme E off-road racing series. CGR’s 550-horsepower electric SUV was inspired by the GMC Hummer EV. The 2022 GMC Hummer EV, which is expected to go into production this fall, will offer a three-motor 4WD… Read more »

Proterra and Komatsu collaborate to develop all-electric construction equipment


Commercial EV manufacturer Proterra has announced a partnership with construction equipment builder Komatsu to develop a battery-electric middle-class hydraulic excavator. The collaboration represents Proterra’s entry into the off-road vehicle market, and the company’s first Proterra Powered construction equipment. Komatsu will use Proterra’s battery systems to develop a proof-of-concept electric excavator this year, and expects to… Read more »

Global plug-in vehicle sales surpassed 3.2 million in 2020


2020 may have been a bummer of a year by most measures, but it was a banner year for plug-in vehicles. Global sales of EVs and PHEVs reached 3.24 million (as reported by EV-Volumes), compared to 2.26 million in 2019. That’s an increase of some 43%, which is all the more impressive in light of… Read more »

President Biden announces plan to update federal vehicle fleet with US-made EVs


President Joe Biden has announced that he will replace the entire US federal fleet with US-made electric vehicles. “The federal government also owns an enormous fleet of vehicles, which we’re going to replace with clean electric vehicles made right here in America, by American workers,” said the 46th president. The administration has not announced a… Read more »

New report highlights recommendations from national transit experts for zero-emission buses


The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) has released a new report containing recommendations for the adoption of zero-emission transit vehicles. The new report, which was published by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), is the culmination of discussions held by the CTE-led Advisory Panel, which included more than a dozen transit agency general managers,… Read more »