Croatia’s EV powerhouse Rimac has received another 120 million euros from Investindustrial. The Italian investment fund first took a stake in Rimac in 2021. The renewed investment could be about more than “just” profit since Investindustrial also holds a stake in British sports carmaker Morgan.
Read more
Late last year we reported that Morgan of Britain would be kicking-off serial production of the iconic three-wheeler in electric form about this time. This will not happen. The EV3 relied on a partnership with motor maker Frazer Nash that has come to an end at least for now.
Read more
British sports carmaker Morgan announces a technology partnership with Frazer-Nash Energy Systems and wants to start producing its electric trike in Q3 2018.
Read more- ADVERTISEMENT -
Tesla truck: The announced semi is apparently already at a testing stage and could be unveiled as early as next year. This might be unknown territory for Tesla, but project manager Jerome Guillen, who was in charge of developing trucks at Daimler, brings enough experience to the team. Some media are still a little sceptical about Tesla’s trucking ambitions.
electrek.co, insideevs.com, businessinsider.de
Exclusive E-Morgan: The British automaker and high-end department store Selfridge are working together on a special edition of the three-wheeler. In honour of the year 1909, in which both companies were founded, only 19 units will be available. The electric motor stays the same, but bronze features are said to make it unique.
carscoops.com, youtube.com
China “pays court” to battery makers: The government wants to lure in more investments and know-how from international battery makers and suspends the need to form joint ventures in the free trade zones of Shanghai, Guandong, Tinjian and Fujian. Other sectors are hoping for a similar relaxation of rules.
automobil-produktion.de, insideevs.com
Battery JV for Leo Motors: The supplier has founded a Chinese subsidiary together with Zhong Ji Well Parking System. The goal is to enter the field of battery production and electric boats. Leo Motors contributes its know-how about electric drivetrains, e-boats and networks.
baystreet.ca
Renault-Nissan promotes sustainability: The alliance is the newest member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Other automotive OEMs already include BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen, Honda, Toyota and Ford.
greencarcongress.com
Autopilot saves life: One driver from Washington, DC, was more than happy that he had the Autopilot activated. So was the pedestrian that he would have otherwise run over. Tesla confirmed that the system had saved the pedestrian’s life or prevented injury through the vehicle logs.
electrek.co
Bolt Opel: It is official, GM will launch the Chevy Bolt as Opel/Vauxhall Ampera-e in Europe next year, CEO Mary Barra confirmed. The date for its debut will most likely be in Paris this October. If all goes to plan, this could be a huge chance for Opel/Vauxhall to gain chunks of the EV market as no other electric car offers 320 km range for less money.
electrive.com
Tesla update: Elon Musk promised shareholder that the company would be profitable in 2016 to (we reported), despite considerate investments in the Gigafactory (1.5bn USD), Supercharger network (+300 sites) and stores (+80). Model 3 development and production are another cost factor and Tesla looks to sell premium trims first to recover some if the initial investment. With the Model 3 launch set for 31st March this year, deliveries will still only start by the end of 2017.
forbes.com, forbes.com, greencarcongress.com, shareholder.com (letter to shareholders, pdf)
Kia Niro premiers: The Koreans show a serial version of their first dedicated hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show. The Kia Niro SUV, or ‘Hybrid Utility Vehicle’ (HUV) sits on a platform specifically designed for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles from Hyundai. A PHEV version is reportedly scheduled for next year.
autocar.co.uk
New Toyota Hybrid: The Japanese carmaker readies the promised production version of its C-HR concept for Geneva in March. The production start is scheduled by the end of the year and Toyota revealed that the hybrid crossover will be built at its production facility in Turkey – a first for the country.
carscoops.com, greencarcongress.com
Long range EV from China: Germany and Austria saw the introduction of BYD’s new e6. The electric crossover is offered with an 80 kWh battery that enables a range of 400 km, as well as V2G technology. Pricing, however, is a little less competitive, as the e6 sells for almost 60,000 euros.
heise.de (in German)
Morgan’s first EV will premier this March, as the Brits bring the EV3 to Geneva. Based on the iconic 3 Wheeler, the electric version comes with a 45 kW electric motor. Range is given at 240 km. A prototype was shown at Goodwood last year but Morgan says the latest version is as good as production ready.
autocar.co.uk, motorauthority.com
Porsche confirms 911 PHEV: Work has begun on a plug-in hybrid version of the iconic Porsche, says Erhard Mössle, the 911 Turbo’s engineering boss, confirming earlier hints. The 911 PHEV will keep its V6 settings. Finding room for the battery and reducing the weight of the car are the main challenges that lay ahead. Which is why the hybrid variant will only be available with the next generation due by 2020.
autocar.co.uk, carscoops.com
Nissan battery facility: The Japanese carmaker pours another 26.5m pounds (about 38m USD) into its British Sunderland facility to modernise its battery assembly plant for the Leaf and e-NV200. 9.7m GBP come from the UK Advanced Propulsion Centre in an attempt to make the site the biggest in Europe. Partners include Warwick and Newcastle University, as well as Zero Carbon Futures.
autocar.co.uk, autoevolution.com, insideevs.com, electriccarsreport.com
Top down principle: Peugeot, Citroen, and newly emancipated DS will share technology. Some will be developed together, some will be handed down and some will remains specific to one brand. DS will lead PSA’s efforts in electrification and plug-in hybrid advances, passing on technological know-how.
autocar.co.uk
First Dongfeng EV: The Chinese carmaker plans to introduce seven new models this year in an attempt to boost its sales by 30 percent. One electric vehicle is included in the line-up – the Joyear S50.
autonews.gasgoo.com
Morgan update: Following the British sports car maker’s announcement about the development of hybrid and electric engines, it now says that it plans to include the technology in all models starting from 2019.
worldcarfans.com
- ADVERTISEMENT -
More Morgan models: British Morgan Motor Company says it will add hybrid and electric models to its line-up from 2019. The expansion is funded with 6m GBP (8.5m dollars) from the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre. The money will be used for Morgan’s Malvern facility to enable the development of new powertrains with partners Delta Motorsport and Potenza Technology. The EV3 model will reportedly launch this year.
autocar.co.uk
Prius-based race car: Toyota presented the GT300 at the Tokyo Auto Salon. It derives its looks and core technology from the new Prius and is a hybrid as well. The GT300 electric powertrain, however, is coupled with a powerful 3.5-liter V8 engine. It will be run by APR Racing.
hybridcars.com
High level e-mobility meeting: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has scheduled a date with the country’s carmakers to discuss how to best push EV uptake. The government hopes to have one million electric cars on the road by 2020. One suggestion is to electrify the state’s fleet.
global.handelsblatt.com
BMW Z4 spotted: Pictures show the sports car with a folding soft-top. The Z4 reportedly sits on a platform jointly developed by BMW and Toyota. While the Japanese version Supra will come as a hybrid, the Germans have not confirmed if they will incorporate Toyota’s hybrid technology in the new Z4.
carmagazine.co.uk
Fuel cell order: PowerCell Sweden AB has received a first request for a prototype of its 100 kW PowerCell S3 fuel cell stack for an automotive application. Delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of this year. The European customer has not been named.
greencarcongress.com
Mitsubishi ASX delayed: The production version of the 2015 eX Concept has been pushed back to 2018. The next-gen ASX will then be available as a plug-in hybrid model but not fully electric, as was previously suggested.
indianautosblog.com
Porsche completes production of 918 Spyder: The final Porsche 918 Spyder has rolled off the production line at the Zuffenhausen facility, marking the end of a 21-month production period. The plug-in hybrid super sports car had debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010 and was already sold out since September of last year.
electriccarsreport.com, autoblog.com, greencarcongress.com
Subaru announces new Impreza Sport Hybrid: The hybrid model will go on sale in Japan on July 10th, starting at 2,635,200 yen (20,350 dollars). The 150 hp machine combines a DOHC 2-liter boxer engine and a 10 kW electric motor. The Impreza Sport Hybrid is rated at 48 mpg.
autoevolution.com
BMW prices X5 plug-in: The 2016 BMW X5 xDrive 40e will start at 63,095 dollars when in arrives at U.S. dealerships in a few months, making it the second most expensive X5 model. The plug-in hybrid SUV offers a total system output of 308 hp and an all-electric range of 13 miles.
washingtonpost.com, insideevs.com, electriccarsreport.com
Morgan presents EV3 Concept: Morgan will debut an electric concept car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The EV3 Concept is based on the company’s Three Wheeler and is powered by a 75kW electric motor at the rear wheel. The all-electric Morgan is set to go into production towards the end of 2016.
evo.co.uk, autoblog.com, carscoops.com
Continental cuts jobs in Germany: The automotive supplier announced that it will have to cut jobs at its Gifhorn production facility in Germany, where it produces electric motors for the Renault Kangoo Z.E. Moreover, Continental says it might have to stop the production in Germany altogether, unless it can sign a new deal with Renault for the Kangoo or another product very soon.
wiwo.de (in German)
Slashing U.S. emissions: The EPA and NHTSA have proposed tighter emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Model years 2021-2027 would therefore need to achieve 24 percent lower CO2 emissions than 2018 models, which could cut overall emissions by around 1 billion metric tons and mean that even the utility vehicle sector would need to (partially) electrify.
greencarcongress.com, reuters.com, nhtsa.gov
