Volkswagen’s ID.3 will be a milestone vehicle—the company’s first EV based on the new MEB platform. Unfortunately, deliveries have been delayed by software problems, and are now expected to take place in a big batch this summer. It’s also unfortunate that VW has no plans to sell the small electric hatch in North America, but… Read more »
Tag: The Vehicles
Tesla sues county over lockdown, Elon Musk threatens to move HQ
Tesla has been champing at the bit to restart production at its Fremont factory. Now the state of California is lifting the lockdown, but Alameda County’s shelter-in-place order is scheduled to remain in place until the end of May, and county officials say Tesla cannot resume vehicle production yet. In response, Tesla has filed a… Read more »
New buses deployed in the EU are still 85% diesel
Last year, 85% of all new medium- and heavy-duty buses (over 3.5 tons) registered in the European Union were fueled by diesel, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, a trade group that represents 16 major European car, truck and bus makers. “Alternatively-powered vehicles” (including natural gas, hybrid and electric) combined accounted for 15% of… Read more »
California proposes to enact zero-emission mandate for commercial vehicles
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released the final draft of the Advanced Clean Trucks standard. The latest proposal, which is stronger than previous drafts, is the first in the nation that would create a zero-emission mandate for trucks. The proposed rule would require automakers to sell a certain percentage of zero-emission trucks each… Read more »
GM exec: There will be “no slowdown” to EV programs
GM is one of several automakers that had ambitious EV plans in the pipeline before the global health crisis hit. Now lockdowns are being lifted, but the outlook for the auto industry is bleak. Will GM’s EV programs fall victim to cost-cutting, as a planned Lincoln/Rivian collaboration already has? Ken Morris, a 31-year GM veteran… Read more »
Colorado adds medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to its electrification plans
Governments around the world are pursuing policies to speed up EV adoption, but most are piecemeal—a purchase incentive here, an investment in EVSE there. California and the UK are among the few entities that are developing comprehensive plans to electrify all forms of transport. The Centennial State is moving closer to that ideal, and is… Read more »
In Model Y, Tesla replaces 70 underbody parts with one casting
Tesla is constantly working to simplify the manufacturing process for its vehicles. Last year the company applied for a patent on a new casting machine that would be used to build Model Y. “When we get the big casting machine, it’ll go from 70 parts to 1 with a significant reduction in capital expenditure on… Read more »
Tesla surprises with Q1 profit, has “record backlog” of orders
Tesla has extended its earnings streak, posting a surprise profit in the first quarter, typically a tough one for automakers. The company reported record levels of production, and says its vehicle order backlog is the highest it’s ever been. “Q1 2020 was the first time in our history that we achieved a positive GAAP net… Read more »
Ford cancels Rivian EV project due to “current environment”—development of new gas models continues
We’re learning more about the coronavirus every day. Now it seems that it infects EVs, but not ICE vehicles. Ford and Rivian have canceled their plans to jointly develop an EV for the Lincoln brand, citing the “current environment” around the ongoing coronavirus crisis as the reason. Although development of some of Ford’s new gas-powered… Read more »
NASA releases concept images of electric X-57 Maxwell airplane
NASA has released a series of concept images of the X-57 Maxwell electric airplane, showcasing aspects of its final Mod IV configuration during different flight modes. The artist’s concept image shows the Maxwell in its final configuration. This configuration, known as Mod IV, features a high-aspect ratio wing, relocation of the cruise motors to the… Read more »
