VW Reveals Fully-Electric Flagship SUV Concept for the China Market

Volkswagen unveiled its new concept SUV called the ID ROOMZZ in Shanghai this week ahead of Auto Shanghai 2019, which opens to the public on Thursday. The fully-electric SUV will join VW’s ID brand and become a flagship model for Volkswagen in China when it goes on sale in 2021.

FutureCar Staff 2019-04-18 10:30 PT

Daimler Acquires Stake in Sila Technologies to Develop Next-Gen EV Batteries

Daimler AG has acquired a minority equity stake in U.S. battery materials company Sila Nanotechnologies Inc. (Sila Nano) as part of its research and development of advanced batteries for electric vehicles.

Eric Walz2019-04-16 15:45 PT

Tesla Announces the $35,000 Standard Model 3 Can No Longer Be Purchased Online

In a blog post Thursday, Tesla announced that the $35,000 Model 3, the automaker’s first mass-market car, is no longer available for purchase on the company's website, instead customers will need to visit a Tesla store in-person or order it by phone.

Eric Walz2019-04-12 17:00 PT

Chairman of EV Startup BYTON to Leave the Company, German Magazine Reports

The chairman and co-founder of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Byton, Dr. Carsten Breitfeld, will leave the company soon, German business monthly Manager Magazin reported on Thursday. The company is facing trouble funding its planned expansion in the Chinese market, causing tensions which prompted the decision, the sources said.

FutureCar Staff 2019-04-11 14:13 PT

EV Startup SF Motors Rebrands as 'Seres', Opening Preorders for its SF5 Crossover Next Week

Electric vehicle startup SF Motors has officially changed its name to Seres and announced today that is opening up pre-orders for its first electric vehicle the SF5 crossover next week during the Shanghai Auto Show.

Eric Walz2019-04-10 19:07 PT

U.S. Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Extend Federal EV Tax Credit

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation on Wednesday to expand the electric vehicle tax credit to another 400,000 vehicles per manufacturer, on top of the current cap of 200,000 vehicles. The move to expand the credit is intended to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles.

Eric Walz2019-04-10 13:23 PT

Ahead of the e-tron Launch, Audi Launches Ad Campaign to Clarify Misconceptions About EVs

With next month’s anticipated launch of the new fully-electric Audi e-tron SUV, the luxury German automaker kicked off a nationwide ad campaign this week to clear up some of the misconceptions the public has about electric vehicles.

FutureCar Staff 2019-04-09 19:07 PT

Toyota to Open its Patents Related to Hybrid Vehicle Technology

​Toyota Motor plans to offer royalty-free access to its advanced hybrid-vehicle technology patents as early as this year. The move is a strategic policy shift that will encourage competitors to develop hybrid vehicles by sharing Toyota’s expertise in hybrid powertrains.

FutureCar Staff 2019-04-03 13:30 PT

EV Startup EVELOZCITY Renamed Canoo, Will Offer its Vehicles as a Subscription

Los Angeles-based electric vehicle startup EVELOZCITY has changed its name to Canoo. The new company aims to be a boutique Californian brand offering four unique electric vehicles, each available as a subscription.

Eric Walz2019-03-26 13:12 PT

EV Startup Faraday Future Saved by $600 Million Investment from Internet & Gaming Co The9

Financially strapped electric vehicle startup Faraday Future (FF) looked like it was on the brink of insolvency last week after selling off its California headquarters to generate enough funds to stay afloat. Now the struggling electric automaker has received a lifetime from Chinese Internet company and video game distributor The9 Limited (The9), an unlikely place for a EV startup.

FutureCar Staff 2019-03-25 13:49 PT

Toyota to Invest $13 Billion in U.S. Manufacturing Over 5 Years with a Focus on Electric & Hybrid Technology

Toyota is investing billions to expand its U.S. production to support new models. The world's biggest automaker announced it will invest $13 billion over five years with a new commitment to new technologies such as electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

FutureCar Staff 2019-03-14 13:30 PT

The Trump Administration Says Ending the EV Tax Credit Will Save Taxpayers $2.5 Billion, Automakers Want it Extended

The Trump administration’s new budget proposal is seeking to eliminate the federal EV tax credit on the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles in the U.S. Critics say the move will cause electric vehicles sales in to fall in the U.S.

Eric Walz2019-03-13 17:44 PT

Volkswagen CEO Says Software Will Be the Next Innovation in the Auto Industry

In the future, software will become the heart of a vehicle, according to Volkswagen CEO Herbert Deiss. Speaking at Volkswagen’s annual press conference in Wolfsburg, the VW CEO said that “Software will account for 90 percent of future innovations in the car.”

Eric Walz2019-03-12 17:30 PT

Kandi's Electric K22 and EX3 Approved for $7,500 Federal EV Tax Credit in 2020

Chinese electric automaker Kandi Technologies Group Inc. (Nasdaq: KNDI) announced that the company's fully-electric K22 and EX3 models will be eligible for the U.S. federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 beginning next year. Kandi builds its electric vehicles in a joint venture with China’s Geely, the parent company of Swedish automaker Volvo.

FutureCar Staff 2019-03-12 11:06 PT

Chinese EV Startup NIO Announces its 2018 Earnings, Loses $1.4 Billion Last Year

Electric automaker NIO released it fourth quarter earnings today reporting mixed results, including a $1.4 billion net loss in 2018.

FutureCar Staff 2019-03-05 17:39 PT

Honda Aims to Offer Only Electrified Models in Europe by 2025

​Honda made a surprise announcement today at the Geneva Motor Show saying it plans to only offer electrified models in Europe by 2025. Models include plug-in hybrids and fully-electric models. Honda’s European plans are part of a larger initiative the automaker first announced in 2017.

FutureCar Staff 2019-03-05 13:15 PT

Volkswagen Opens Up its ‘MEB’ Electric Vehicle Platform to Other Companies

Volkswagen is aware of the challenges facing companies working on EVs and is willing to lend a hand by sharing some of its electric vehicle technology. The automaker announced it will open its MEB EV platform to third parties, beginning with e.GO Mobile AG, an EV startup based in Aachen, Germany.

FutureCar Staff 2019-03-04 13:21 PT

Electric Adventure Vehicle Maker Rivian Announces a $700 Million Investment Led by Amazon

​Electric truckmaker Rivian soon may become a major player in the electric vehicle space after receiving a $700 million investment led e-commerce giant Amazon. Rivian first revealed its two electric models, the R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV, at the Los Angeles Auto Show this past November.

Eric Walz2019-02-15 12:13 PT

Xcelerate to Offer Extended Warranties on Used EVs, Including Tesla Vehicles

Texas-based auto finance and leasing company Xcelerate​ announced it will offer extended warranties for the first time on used EVs, including more pricier Tesla models. The company said it’s the first in the U.S. to provide extended warranty coverage for electric vehicles.

FutureCar Staff 2019-02-14 15:52 PT

The Hyundai Kona Electric Named Best EV of 2019 by Edmunds

The Hyundai Kona, the first electric SUV from the South Korean automaker, keeps racking up accolades from the automotive industry. The compact SUV was named the Edmunds Editors’ Choice for best EV of 2019.

FutureCar Staff 2019-02-12 13:47 PT