Tesla's Latest Software Update Unlocks New Features and Functions

Tesla recently released software version "2020.32.1" via an over-the-air update, which unlocks several new features. Here are the details.

Battery Maker CATL is Working to Integrate Electric Vehicle Batteries into the Vehicle’s Chassis

Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd. (CATL) announced this week that it's working on a new battery technology that incorporates the battery cells directly into an electric vehicle’s chassis. The novel idea of integrating cells directly into an electric vehicle’s (EV) frame will allow more cells to fit, which can extend range.

Volkswagen to Build EV Battery Cells & Packs in Tennessee for its Future Electric Models

Volkswagen has already begun to expand its Chattanooga, Tennessee assembly plant to become its North American center for electric vehicle production, but now the automaker is building a new Engineering and Planning Center (EPC) in Chattanooga for engineering the EVs and batteries of the future, the automaker announced.

Coreshell Technologies, a California Startup Working to Solve EV Battery Degradation Raises $4 Million

California startup named Coreshell Technologies raised $4 million to continue its research to improve lithium ion batteries. The company is working to improve what’s described as “electrode surface instability” on the electrode surfaces in a lithium ion battery, which is directly responsible for loss of energy during cycling. In addition to causing a loss in performance, battery degradation ultimately leads to higher costs.

Tesla Forecasted to Sell in China 100,000 vehicles in China in 2020; Model 3 Was the Best Selling EV in China for the Past Two Months

U.S. electric automaker Tesla is expected to have impressive sales numbers for the rest of the year in China, according to China’s Passenger Car Association (CPCA), which tracks sales in the world’s biggest auto market. Tesla sales for 2020 are estimated to be 100,000+ vehicles, despite the effect of the pandemic earlier this year which led to the shut down of most of China’s auto production and sales.

Uber CEO Says the Company Might Suspend its California Operations if a Court’s Decision Forcing it Classify Drivers as Full-time Employees is Not Overturned

Now that the ongoing pandemic has decimated Uber’s core ride-hailing business over the past few month’s and a California court has ordered Uber to reclassify most driver partners as full-time employees, Uber may temporarily suspending its ride-sharing service in the state. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said that Uber would likely shut down temporarily for several months if a court does not overturn its recent ruling.

Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv Rename Their Autonomous Driving Joint Venture ‘Motional’

The joint venture between Hyundai Motor Co and self-driving technology developer Aptiv has a new name—”Motional.” The goal of Motional is to combine Hyundai’s expertise in design, engineering, and vehicle manufacturing with Aptiv’s autonomous driving expertise to commercialize a SAE Level 4 and 5 self-driving platform for robotaxi providers, fleet operators and automakers.

General Motors CFO Unexpectedly Departs to Take Role at Online Payment Startup Stripe

U.S. automaker General Motors has lost one of its top executives with Chief Financial Officer Dhivya Suryadevara unexpectedly departing the company. Suryadevara is leaving the Motor City for Silicon Valley, where she was named CFO of the online payments startup Stripe.

Lucid Motors Raises the Bar for EV Range With 517 Miles on a Single Charge for its Air Sedan

Luxury electric vehicle startup Lucid Motors can now claim the longest range for a production vehicle using an EPA approved test procedure. The company's first electric vehicle, the ultra-luxurious Lucid Air sedan, achieved an equivalent of 517 miles on a single charge, something that Tesla, or any other automaker, has yet to achieve.

Hyundai Launches IONIQ as a Futuristic New Electric Brand

South Korean Automaker Hyundai will produce electric vehicles under a dedicated new brand named IONIQ. With the launch of the IONIQ brand, the automaker is aiming to become one of the world's top three manufacturers of battery-powered vehicles by 2025. The first IONIQ model will be the Ioniq 5, a midsize all-electric crossover based on the futuristic 45 concept first unveiled in Sept 2019 at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Quick Comparison: The Mercedes-Benz EQS vs the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan

Here's a quick comparison of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQS luxury-electric sedan and its chief rivals in the segment—the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan.

Jaguar Improves I-Pace Thanks to Knowledge From Formula E, I-Pace eTrophy

Thanks to Formula E and the I-Pace eTrophy, both major all-electric racing forms of motorsport that Jaguar competes in, the I-Pace has been updated.

Chinese Electric Automaker Xpeng Motors Files for U.S. IPO in Bid to Challenge Tesla

Electric automaker Xpeng Motors is planning to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), becoming the latest electric vehicle company to launch an IPO in the U.S. to raise new capital to challenge Tesla. Xpeng is hoping to cash in on the current investor trend of pouring money in new electric vehicle startups.

Audi Cuts e-tron Price, Increases Range for 2021 

Thank the Tesla Model Y or simply the introduction of more competition, because Audi’s just made the e-tron much more competitive.

AAA Study Finds Modern Driver-Assist Systems Aren’t Reliable

In a study conducted by the American Automobile Association, modern driver-assist systems had an issue every eight miles. That makes them “far from 100% reliable.”

General Motors Unveils the Cadillac LYRIQ, Which Represents the Luxury Brand’s Future, But it Won’t Arrive Until Late 2022

​U.S. automaker General Motors unveiled the much anticipated battery-powered Cadillac LYRIQ luxury crossover on Thursday Night in an online event. The futuristic and sleek Lyriq represents the future of Cadillac, but also that of General Motors, as the company transitions to building more purely electric vehicles. The Lyriq also marks the beginning of Cadillac being reborn as an exclusive, luxury electric brand.