Tag: People

Mercedes-Benz EQC, VW’s battery factory, Hyundai’s electric sports car: Today’s Car News

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 – first drive – Norway, May 2019
We're among the first to drive the Mercedes-Benz EQC. Volkswagen plans to invest $1.1 billion in a new battery factory in Germany. Hyundai and Kia invest $80 million in Croatian EV startup Rimac. And our Twitter poll asks how EV drivers should contribute to road maintenance. All this and more on Green Car Reports.

In a first drive outside of Oslo (practically native habitat for luxury electric cars), the new 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC electric SUV proved itself among the quietest and most luxurious EVs we've driven. But solid range measurements remained elusive.

As VW and other German automakers are scrambling to build local battery supplies in Europe, the country's largest automaker announced plans to build a new battery factory—along with a partner—in its home state of Lower Saxony.

Korean auto giant Hyundai, along with its sister company Kia, gave Croatian EV sports-car startup Rimac a big boost in its bid to become a Tier 1 supplier of electric drivetrain components to the auto industry, with a big investment and plans for a new Korean electric sports car.

Our Twitter poll this week asks our readers how electric-car drivers should contribute to road maintenance, traditionally funded by state gas taxes.

Volkswagen also previewed a new digital dashboard for its upcoming 2020 redesign of the Golf.

Finally, the NHTSA will give up on new requirements, first adopted in light of the Toyota unintended acceleration problem in 2011, to require brake override software on new cars.

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EIB lends Northvolt 350 mln euros for Europe’s largest battery project

Northvolt has secured a 350 million euro loan from the European Investment bank (EIB), the lender’s largest ever direct financing of battery technology, as the Swedish startup raises funds to build Europe’s biggest battery plant.The factory is critical to Europe’s effort to compete with Asian rivals such as CATL, Samsung and LG Chem.Northvolt estimates the European electric vehicle market will need 500-600 GWh of annual capacity by 2030, or at least 10 factories as large as Tesla’s U.S. Gigafactory.

A Lincoln exec explains why the automaker wasn’t surprised by the success of its new Navigator SUV — and promises a fully electric Lincoln is in the works – Business Insider

Ford is in the middle of an $11-billion turnaround plan, led by CEO Jim Hackett, that looks to be gaining some traction after about two years. Since the beginning of the year, Ford’s stock — declining for much of Hackett’s tenure — has reversed course and is now up over 20%. Within Ford, there’s been… Continue reading A Lincoln exec explains why the automaker wasn’t surprised by the success of its new Navigator SUV — and promises a fully electric Lincoln is in the works – Business Insider

Tesla says solar factory will now make EV chargers and other products

FILE PHOTO: A worker is seen outside the Tesla Inc. Gigafactory 2, which is also known as RiverBend, a joint venture with Panasonic to produce solar panels and roof tiles in Buffalo, New York, U.S., August 2, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/ File Photo (Reuters) – Tesla Inc said on Wednesday its solar factory in Buffalo, New… Continue reading Tesla says solar factory will now make EV chargers and other products

Is Leasing A Tesla Model 3 A $200,000 Mistake?

To lease or not to lease, that is the question. Many people enjoy leasing for several reasons, even though they may know that it’s not the best choice financially. But, if you can’t afford a huge monthly payment, it may be your only option. That is, unless you just choose a cheaper car, which likely… Continue reading Is Leasing A Tesla Model 3 A $200,000 Mistake?

Driving the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC All-Electric Luxury SUV

OSLO, Norway—We’re making our way back to the hotel after a rainy day of driving and otherwise being indoctrinated to the key elements of the all-new, all-electric 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic. As the traffic slows, we get a chance to glance at the cars passing by us on their way out of Oslo’s city… Continue reading Driving the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC All-Electric Luxury SUV

Boosted’s next electric ride is the Rev scooter

When Boosted launched a new series of boards in 2018, including the Stealth and Mini options, it claimed its mission was to redefine transportation — at least from the electric rideable standpoint. Now, it’s finally broken out beyond the skateboard mold and added the Boosted Rev electric scooter to its stable of products. The Rev… Continue reading Boosted’s next electric ride is the Rev scooter

Electric car, the alarm of the unions: “At risk the only existing chain in the Turin area and 46 jobs”

“A further mockery for Turin and Piedmont – continues Chiarle – that would not be able to retain the only car series manufacturer in the territory, in addition to FCA. For years, the FIM has asked that the institutions and the policy take charge of a project in support of the electrical supply chain which… Continue reading Electric car, the alarm of the unions: “At risk the only existing chain in the Turin area and 46 jobs”

Labor Board Classifies Uber Drivers as Contractors

According to the memo from the board’s general counsel, since Uber drivers are contract workers, they are not entitled to federal protections, like the ability to form unions.  Photo via Uber. The National Labor Board issued a memo yesterday, officially classifying Uber drivers as contract workers, not employees. According to the memo from the board’s general counsel, which… Continue reading Labor Board Classifies Uber Drivers as Contractors