Category: EV vehicles

December 15, 2024
New Toyota Urban Cruiser EV Launching in 2025
Toyota has revealed its new Urban Cruiser EV aimed at the European market. This battery electric vehicle (BEV) boasts a roomy interior, partly due to a sliding rear seat design. The compact SUV measures 4,285 mm (about 168.7 inches) in length, 1,640 mm (around 64.6 inches) in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,700 mm (approximately 106.3 inches).
Different Versions Available
Customers interested in the Urban Cruiser can select from three different versions, all built on a brand-new BEV platform. The base model features a front-wheel drive (FWD) system with 144 horsepower and 189Nm of torque, powered by a 49kWh battery. The next tier also offers FWD, but with an output of 174hp and the same torque rating, paired with a larger 61kWh battery. Lastly, the premium option is an all-wheel drive (AWD) variant which provides 184hp, 300Nm of torque, and utilizes the larger 61kWh battery.
Performance Details Pending
Details on performance metrics like the estimated driving range are still pending. The FWD variant includes a unique snow mode that modifies torque to minimize wheel slip. On the other hand, the AWD model is equipped with Downhill Assist Control and a Trail Mode that can detect wheel spin and apply brakes as needed. All configurations will come standard with features such as adaptive cruise control, a collision detection system, lane-keeping assist, and 360° cameras. The debut of the Toyota Urban Cruiser EV is scheduled for the Brussels Motor Show in 2025, taking place from January 10th to 19th. The electric SUV is anticipated to hit the UK market in the autumn, although the pricing details are still unknown.
Source: Link
Tags: Battery Electric Vehicle, Compact SUV, Toyota Urban Cruiser EV
December 14, 2024
Tesla Model Y Juniper: Design Upgrades Confirmed Ahead of Launch
A new short video showing the upcoming Tesla Model Y “Juniper” facelift has appeared, giving us a glimpse of some exciting design updates. Spotted in San Jose, the test vehicle remains (sadly) camouflaged, but it confirms important features like redesigned headlights and minor modifications to its body shape.
Design Details Revealed
The video shared on X/Twitter shows a refreshed Model Y featuring two-part headlights, which are quite similar to the recent designs seen in the Cybertruck. This indicates that Tesla is unifying its design style across various models, giving the Model Y Juniper a sharper and more contemporary look at the front.
Potential New Features
Previous reports suggested that the Model Y Juniper could include a front bumper camera to assist with low-speed driving and parking, instead of offering Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities. Although the camera has not been confirmed yet, its addition would certainly help owners maneuvering in tight spots.
Hardware Upgrades Expected
In addition to exterior changes, the facelift is anticipated to include significant updates to the hardware. Tesla is likely planning to install HW4 FSD hardware, a better powertrain setup, and larger battery packs. This could lead to improved range and efficiency, possibly supported by an 800V high-voltage system and enhanced CATL batteries.
Reports have also suggested that the Model Y Juniper might make its debut as soon as January 2025, with production lines already gearing up for the updated model. Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory is supposedly sharing production lines between the current Model Y and the Juniper version, though at a reduced ratio. Either way, it’s clear that Tesla is gradually introducing the new design before ramping up full production next year.
Impact on Pricing and Competition
It’s important to note that the updated Model Y will not be eligible for federal tax credits starting in 2025, following changes in government incentives for electric vehicles. This might encourage Tesla to keep the Model Y’s price competitive, compensating for the loss of tax credits by optimizing manufacturing costs. The vehicle will likely face tougher competition from updated models from traditional automakers and Chinese EV brands. Key competitors include BYD and Volkswagen, both of whom have seen success with affordable models in the electric vehicle market.
If the planned updates — including a modernized look, HW4 hardware, and enhanced efficiency — are implemented as anticipated, the Model Y Juniper could become Tesla’s standout model. For now, sightings like these in San Jose are all we have to go on, but that could change pretty soon.
Source: Link
Tags: electric vehicles, Juniper facelift, Tesla Model Y
December 14, 2024
Tesla Model Y Loses Top Spot to Toyota and BYD Gains Ground
Tesla is currently offering its largest set of discounts and incentives ever for the Model Y and Model 3, aiming to end the year strong with a record number of deliveries.
Incentives and Competition
Even with 0% APR financing and free Supercharging deals, it might not be enough for the Model Y to reclaim its title of the world’s top-selling vehicle, a title it held last year.
Recent data from 162 countries shows that the Model Y has slipped from its position at the top of global vehicle sales. The Toyota Corolla has taken back its crown as the best-selling car worldwide, selling 901,991 units.
Sales Figures
In the same timeframe, Tesla sold 865,868 Model Y vehicles, while the Toyota RAV4 followed closely behind with 836,258 units sold, marking a significant 13.7% increase in sales year-on-year.
The highest growth rate in sales belongs to BYD, with its Song model experiencing an impressive 42% surge compared to last year. BYD is prioritizing international sales and continues to open new showrooms in different countries, and this strategy appears to be working well.
Market Dynamics
Toyota had previously dominated the rankings for popular vehicle models until Tesla introduced its mid-range crossover SUV, which was quickly embraced by early EV enthusiasts. While electric vehicle sales are currently slowing down, Tesla still enjoys advantages in production costs and brand recognition over competitors. Thus, moving from first to second place in global vehicle sales is still a commendable achievement.
Additionally, Tesla is set to unveil the Model Y refresh, codenamed Juniper, in the first quarter of next year. This means that the Model Y could potentially reclaim its status as the world’s most popular vehicle in 2025 after a short break from the top position this year.
Source: Link
Tags: BYD Song, Tesla Model Y, Toyota Corolla
December 13, 2024
BMW Praises Tesla FSD V13.2 as Impressive, Then Deletes Tweet
Social media exchanges between businesses, or more specifically their social media profiles, are nearly always captivating. Not long ago, BMW made a brief mention of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) v13.2, calling it ‘very impressive’ in a tweet that was later deleted. This remark came after @AIDRIVR posted about Tesla’s latest FSD features, which have gained attention for significant improvements in parking automation and executing three-point turns.
The Interaction Unfolds
The interaction took place when a third-party account drew attention to Tesla’s FSD abilities, tagging BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz with the message, “Isn’t that impressive?” BMW replied with a concise yet revealing “very impressive.” Tesla’s official account soon joined the conversation with a cheeky “Hi @BMW,” creating a light-hearted moment online.
Speculation Over Deletion
However, BMW’s tweet vanished soon after, leading users to ponder the reasons behind its disappearance. Was it an accidental compliment from BMW, or did someone in the company think that praising a rival’s technology wasn’t appropriate? Regardless, the internet swiftly captured screenshots (see above), as that’s just how it operates.
Competitive Landscape
While Tesla continues to roll out updates like FSD v13.2, other car manufacturers, including BMW, are diligently developing their own advanced driver-assistance technologies. The deleted tweet might reflect a blend of recognition and prudence, as traditional automakers strive to keep pace with Tesla’s advancements in autonomous driving.
Source: Link
Tags: BMW, Full Self-Driving, Tesla
December 12, 2024
Lucid Gravity: Longest Range SUV Beats Rivian and Tesla with NACS
Lucid’s Air Pure sedan has recently been recognized as the most efficient electric vehicle available for sale, managing to deliver over 500 miles of range with just an 84 kWh battery.
Comparing with Tesla
In comparison, the Tesla Model S AWD holds the title for the longest driving distance on a single charge, with an official EPA estimate of 402 miles, but it utilizes a larger 100 kWh battery.
Innovative Technology
Lucid attributes the remarkable efficiency of its electric vehicles to its cutting-edge drivetrain and lightweight electric motors, which are designed for optimal energy conversion. This is supported by the performance of the new Gravity SUV, which features integrated drive units that produce 670 horsepower while weighing only 74 kg (163 pounds).
The EPA has just published the official range estimate for the Gravity, surpassing Lucid’s own internal prediction of 440 miles. Now, the Lucid Gravity is listed as the electric SUV with the longest range in the EPA’s records, capable of traveling 450 miles on a single charge from its relatively compact battery pack.
Efficiency in Design
Lucid’s Rowlinson stated that having a "smaller, lighter, and higher technology battery pack means fewer precious metals and minerals, less energy to charge, less electricity consumed, less pressure upon the grid, and a lighter weight and more dynamic vehicle." Their claims seem to hold true based on the performance of the Gravity.
The Rivian R1T follows as the second-best electric SUV for range, reaching 420 miles but requiring a massive nearly 150 kWh battery pack.
Future Prospects
Currently, Lucid is delivering the more premium AWD GT version of the Gravity, and there’s a strong possibility that the more affordable Touring model could achieve even greater distances if it employs the same battery pack when it arrives in dealerships in 2025.
The Gravity utilizes a modern and efficient 900V powertrain setup, allowing for the addition of 200 miles of range within just 15 minutes at Tesla’s new Superchargers equipped with V4 cabinets.
Indeed, the Gravity is among the first electric vehicles produced by third-party manufacturers to feature Tesla’s NACS port, conveniently located on the left rear side.
Source: Link
Tags: Lucid Air Pure, Lucid Gravity, Tesla Model S
December 12, 2024
Kia Integrates myQ Garage Door Remote in 2024-2025 Vehicles
Kia has added the myQ Connected Garage feature to certain 2024-2025 Kia models, transforming them into smart remote controls for garage doors. This innovation allows drivers to avoid the tediousness of using traditional remotes, as geofencing technology automatically opens and shuts garage doors whenever the vehicles approach or depart. Additionally, if the automatic closing is interrupted, the geofencing can send notifications to drivers about open doors. Users can manage and monitor several garage doors across different locations.
Requirements for myQ Integration
To use the myQ Connected Garage feature, a compatible 2024-2025 Kia with a ccNC head unit, active Kia Connect and myQ accounts, as well as an ongoing LTE data connection in the car, are necessary. Furthermore, the myQ garage doors need an active Wi-Fi connection to be accessible from the Kia vehicles. This means that drivers can supervise and operate their garage doors from virtually anywhere in the world, as long as their vehicles are connected to the internet.
About Chamberlain Group
Chamberlain Group is the owner of well-known garage door brands like Liftmaster and the myQ smart home accessory brand. The myQ feature is built into many of Chamberlain’s garage door openers, allowing for remote access to the doors via cars or smartphones.
For those curious about using myQ for their garage doors, they can either install a new myQ-compatible smart garage door opener or add a Smart Garage Control with myQ to their current garage door openers.
This announcement comes from the Chamberlain Group, highlighting the collaboration between myQ and Kia America to enhance in-vehicle smart access options.
Source: Link
Tags: KIA, myQ, Smart Garage Door Openers
December 12, 2024
Everything You Need to Know About Xiaomi’s YU7 Electric SUV
If you’re following the electric vehicle scene, you’ve probably heard about Xiaomi entering the car market with the SU7 sedan. Now, the Chinese technology powerhouse is stepping it up by launching the YU7, an all-electric SUV that’s expected to arrive in the summer of 2025.
Regulatory Unveiling
The YU7 was introduced under the watchful eye of regulators. As part of the approval process with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Xiaomi had to disclose important specifications and the first official photos of the YU7. This can be a frustrating step for car manufacturers since it reveals details about vehicles before their official debut, but it’s a goldmine of info for us. Here’s what we’ve gathered about the YU7.
Impressive Specifications
This all-electric SUV measures a length of 4,999 mm, a width of 1,996 mm, and has a height of 1,600 mm, with a wheelbase reaching 3,000 mm. The YU7 doesn’t skimp on power either. It has dual electric motors—one in the front producing 220 kW and another in the rear delivering 288 kW, resulting in a total output of 508 kW or 681 hp. That gives this SUV a maximum speed of 253 km/h, which is quite remarkable for an SUV.
The energy for this SUV is supplied by a lithium NMC battery from CATL, though details about the battery’s capacity have not been shared yet. With Xiaomi’s collaboration with CATL, we can anticipate impressive range figures, but we’ll have to wait for more precise numbers as the launch date nears.
Sleek Design
In terms of design, the YU7 shares the sleek look of the SU7 sedan. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has teased the YU7’s design with images on Weibo, showcasing a vehicle that looks both modern and sporty.
Tags: electric SUV, Xiaomi, YU7
December 11, 2024
Mercedes-Benz Solar Paint Boosts EV Range by 12,000 KM Annually
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular as the world moves towards cleaner forms of energy, but there’s still a big issue—range anxiety. Many drivers are afraid of running out of battery power on long trips or having to wait too long at charging stations. To tackle this problem, Mercedes-Benz is developing an innovative solution that could enhance the energy independence of EVs: solar paint.
How It Works
This technology transforms the car’s exterior into a power generator by embedding solar modules in a paint-like layer. With an efficiency rate of 20%, this special paint captures sunlight and changes it into electricity, which can then be used to charge the vehicle’s high-voltage battery. It covers an area of approximately 11 square meters, similar to the size of a mid-sized SUV, and under ideal conditions, it can produce enough energy to allow an electric car to travel up to 12,000 kilometers (around 7456 miles) each year.
Unique Features
The secret behind Mercedes-Benz’s solar paint is its wafer-thin solar cells that can be applied to any car body, irrespective of its shape or design. This is different from standard solar panels that are placed on the roofs; the solar paint can cover all surfaces of the vehicle.
The energy generated isn’t just for driving; it keeps producing power even when the vehicle is parked. This means longer ranges and fewer stops to charge, plus there’s a chance to use any extra energy for homes or the power grid via bidirectional charging. However, this brings up questions—what happens to all the extra energy that’s gathered? Mercedes-Benz hasn’t provided detailed answers in its announcement, but surplus energy might be used for homes (V2H, or vehicle-to-home), sent back to the grid (V2G, or vehicle-to-grid), charged into other EVs (V2V, or vehicle-to-vehicle), or saved for later driving needs.
Location Matters
The efficiency of solar paint largely relies on how much sunlight it receives, which can change based on the location. For instance, drivers in Stuttgart, Germany, typically cover about 52 kilometers daily. Solar paint could potentially account for around 62% of that distance using solar energy alone. In sunnier locations like Los Angeles, cars could generate more than enough energy, meeting or exceeding daily driving requirements, according to claims by Mercedes.
This advancement could help alleviate range worries while lowering energy expenses for EV users. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz confirms that the paint is eco-friendly, as it does not contain rare earths or silicon, utilizes non-toxic materials, and is easy to recycle—making it both sustainable and cost-effective.
Future Outlook
Currently, solar paint is in the research stages, but its possibilities are substantial. By allowing EVs to produce their own energy, it lessens the dependency on charging stations, making electric cars a more viable choice for drivers everywhere. At the moment, manufacturers like Hyundai and Toyota are incorporating traditional solar panels into some of their EVs. However, if Mercedes-Benz can successfully launch its solar paint, it could transform the landscape of clean transportation.
Source: Link
Tags: electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz, solar paint
December 11, 2024
Tesla Cybercab: Launching Robotaxis and Waymo-like Service
During an event to announce its Robotaxi initiative, Tesla expressed plans to introduce its most affordable car by 2026, assuming it can navigate all regulatory challenges by that time.
Limited Launch Plans
This upcoming release will be a more modest affair compared to the detailed vision of the Cybercab ride-share service shared by Elon Musk and other members of the Tesla team. In various quarterly press briefings, Musk has outlined an extensive ride-hailing network that will feature both Tesla-owned vehicles equipped with pedals and steering wheels, along with the Robotaxi service. Additionally, current Tesla owners will have the opportunity to rent out their Model Y or Model 3 when they aren’t using them, allowing them to earn some extra cash.
Robotaxi Fleet Details
The Robotaxi segment of the Cybercab fleet will likely begin with two-seaters that are owned and operated by Tesla. It will include a customer service call center with human operators for added safety, mirroring the approach taken by Waymo. This information was communicated to Deutsche Bank analysts by Tesla’s investor relations head, Travis Axelrod, who noted that the service will initially be available only in California and Texas, where there are either no driverless car restrictions or established regulations.
Tesla thinks it’s sensible to have some form of teleoperation, at least in the beginning, for safety reasons. The management plans to kick off the service with a fleet entirely owned by the company and will utilize an in-house developed ride-hailing app.
Future of the Cybercab Service
It remains unclear if the Cybercab service will feature Model Y, Model 3, and Cybertruck vehicles at launch, or if it will solely consist of Robotaxis. Regardless, it appears that current Tesla owners will only be able to rent their vehicles on the ride-share platform after the company has conducted thorough testing on public roads.
Moreover, analysts from the bank have confirmed that Tesla might actually pursue the launch of a more affordable car, which Deutsche Bank has named Model Q, in the first half of 2025, as mentioned during Tesla’s last earnings call. Previously known as Model 2, this new vehicle is anticipated to resemble a smaller Model Y and will be priced around $30,000 with potential subsidies, slightly above the Robotaxi, which is expected to be Tesla’s least expensive offering.
Some suppliers who have collaborated with Tesla have indicated that the Model 2 project was genuine, and Tesla had even shared innovative cost-saving engineering ideas with them before deciding to postpone it in favor of launching the Robotaxi.
What led to this abrupt shift in strategy and the choice to move forward with the Model 2/Q, despite recent statements suggesting that it wasn’t necessary, is still unclear.
Source: Link
Tags: Model Q, Robotaxi, Tesla
December 11, 2024
BMW M Cars Go All-Electric with Quad-Motor AWD System
BMW’s M series vehicles have always been synonymous with exceptional performance, promising an exhilarating experience for drivers. It appears that BMW is committed to maintaining this tradition as it shifts gears toward electric vehicles (EVs). The company recently showcased its first prototype EV from the M series on its YouTube channel.
Future of BMW M Electrification
Carsten Wolf, who is involved with Integration Vehicle Characteristics at BMW M, stated, “We will see the technical concept that we are devleoping here now, four electric motors in all BMW M High Performance vehicles at some point in the future.” This quote not only indicates that BMW plans to electrify all its M models eventually, but it also raises opinions among car enthusiasts, as reactions to this news can vary widely. Presently, the only BMW EVs wearing the M badge are part of the standard “i” family, such as the BMW i4 M50 xDrive. While these vehicles come equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), they operate on a dual-motor system, which lacks the flexibility of a quad-motor setup.
Anticipating the M3 EV
It looks like the first M-series EV will be the M3, as this model will be the initial focus for BMW’s transition to electric sedans. However, the exact release date for the M3 EV remains uncertain. As it stands, BMW aims to launch the Neue Klasse-based i3 sedan in 2026, which suggests that we could potentially see an M3 EV debut around 2028 or 2029.
A quad-motor AWD system on an electric vehicle can significantly enhance the responsiveness of the car to handling inputs. This improvement is largely due to the superior traction provided by all four wheels delivering power, along with features like torque vectoring. When executed properly, torque vectoring adjusts the power distribution to each wheel, ensuring optimal traction and speed while navigating corners.
Enhanced Capability for SUVs
For BMW’s SUVs, incorporating these advancements not only improves road safety for the EVs but also boosts their off-road performance. Torque vectoring can direct power only to the wheels that have grip in tough conditions. Alongside better steering, safety, and traction, quad-motor systems can enhance the effectiveness of regenerative braking, allowing all four wheels to recover energy via the motors.
However, these advantages, whether on or off the road, may come at the expense of driving range. Therefore, it is likely that BMW will implement a way to deactivate some of the motors for an economy mode, a practice that has become increasingly standard in the industry.
Tags: BMW M, EV, i4 M50 xDrive