Smart Cars
Tesla Gigafactory Expansion Hits Snag: Chemical Weapons Discovered, Cleanup Operation Planned
August 20, 2024 – The city of Grünheide, located in the German state of Brandenburg, has announced the discovery of chemical weapons in the expansion area planned for Tesla’s Berlin Gigafactory. The local government has scheduled a cleanup operation from August 19th to 22nd. According to the mayor of Grünheide, Arne Christiani, the chemical weapons…
Mercedes-Benz EV Fire in Korea Sparks Outrage Over Insufficient Compensation
August 20, 2024 – Earlier this month, a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle caught fire in an underground parking lot of an apartment complex in Incheon, South Korea, damaging over 100 vehicles and causing minor injuries to some residents. The blaze, which burned for several hours before being extinguished, sparked widespread concern among the public regarding the…
Tesla Cybertruck’s New Avatar: Armored Version Resists 14.5mm Bullets
August 17, 2024 – According to a recent report by Electrek, a collaboration between Tesla tuning house Unplugged Performance and defense company Archimedes Defense has resulted in a new line of Cybertruck-based “armored vehicles” aimed at both military, government, and civilian users. Dubbed “STING,” this series is tailored for individuals who demand the highest standards…
Rivian Halts Production of Amazon Delivery Vans Due to Component Shortage
August 17, 2024 – According to a report by electrek, Rivian, the emerging American automobile manufacturer, has halted the production of its electric delivery vehicles (EDVs) at its Illinois plant due to a shortage of components. A company spokesperson confirmed this news on Friday. Rivian produces EDVs for its largest investor, Amazon, which ordered 100,000…
Toyota Brazil Introduces Bulletproof Retrofit for Corolla Amid Rising Violent Crime
August 15, 2024 – Typically, when one thinks of bulletproof cars, images of large SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade or luxury sedans such as the BMW 7 Series might spring to mind. However, Brazilian consumers now have the option to enjoy the same level of security in a much more accessible vehicle: the Toyota Corolla….
Tesla Suspension Faults Investigated: US Agency Suggests Broader Repairs
August 15, 2024 – The Defect Investigations Office of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently concluded its four-year probe into suspension failures in certain Tesla vehicles. This issue, known as the “whompy wheel” problem among Tesla owners, involved hundreds of reported front suspension malfunctions specifically affecting Model S sedans and Model X…
Mercedes-Benz and BMW Embrace Battery Transparency Following Korean Government Recommendation
August 14, 2024 – Following a severe fire incident earlier this month, the South Korean government held a meeting on Tuesday, urging all automobile manufacturers to voluntarily disclose detailed battery information for their electric vehicles (EVs). This information has traditionally been considered confidential within the industry. The incident, which occurred in Incheon, involved a Mercedes-Benz…
Tesla Cybertruck Undergoes Major Revisions: Price Hikes and Entry-Level Model Disappearance
August 13, 2024 – Tesla’s highly anticipated electric pickup truck, the Cybertruck, has undergone significant revisions, with the company officially removing the entry-level rear-wheel-drive variant scheduled for 2025 delivery and priced at $60,990 from its configurator. This move signals a strategic shift in the product lineup, leaving customers with revised options that reflect a new…
DOE Reveals: Electric Vehicle Battery Costs Have Dropped 90% Over the Past 15 Years
August 13, 2024 – Groundbreaking research conducted by the Vehicle Technologies Office of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a staggering 90% reduction in the cost of electric vehicle (EV) batteries between 2008 and 2023, bolstering automakers’ efforts to bridge the price gap between EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The dimensions,…
Hybrid Cars Emit 2-5 Times More Greenhouse Gases Than Pure Electric Vehicles Over Their Lifecycle
August 12, 2024 – A new study conducted by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has revealed that pure electric vehicles (EVs) significantly outperform other vehicle types in terms of emissions over their entire lifecycle, particularly when charged using renewable energy. The environmental impact is remarkably evident for the average 2024 model year vehicles…