After numerous teases and one delay, the Fisker Ocean electric SUV will make its public debut at CES 2020. Fisker promises a range of up to 300 miles, as well as a novel app-based leasing program. However, the vehicle Fisker brings to CES will be a prototype, as production isn’t scheduled to start until 2021. In a press release announcing the Ocean’s CES 2020 debut, Fisker also revealed some new details about the electric SUV. Instead of building its own charging stations, Fisker will rely on the Electrify America network. Electrify America was created to spend $2 billion in Volkswagen diesel-emissions cheating penalties, but its stations are open to electric cars from all manufacturers. Ford will use Electrify America as the charging network for its upcoming Mustang Mach-E, and startups Lucid Motors and Byton have chosen Electrify America as well. The Ocean will also have something called “California Mode,” according to Fisker. Without going into much detail, … [Read more...] about Fisker Ocean electric SUV will finally be revealed at CES 2020
Electric car battery recycling
EU approves state aid to develop car batteries industry
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union has approved 3.2 billion euros ($3.5 billion) in subsidies from seven member countries that want to develop the electric battery industry and challenge China’s supremacy. The EU said Monday that the plan subsidized by Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden will support research and innovation in a crucial sector where Europe is lagging behind Asian competitors and largely relies on imports. According to the EU, the member states’ funding should unlock an additional 5 billion euros in private investment. “Battery production in Europe is of strategic interest for our economy and society because of its potential in terms of clean mobility and energy, job creation, sustainability and competitiveness.,” said Margrethe Vestager, the EU Commissioner in charge of competition policy. “The approved aid will ensure that this important project can go ahead without unduly distorting competition.” The … [Read more...] about EU approves state aid to develop car batteries industry
Europe to take on Asia in battery production
Research and development will be funded by $3.5 billion from seven EU nations The European Union will direct its energy toward developing batteries for electric cars as it looks to power back against competition from Asia. The research and development into new and improved batteries will be funded by 3.2 billion euros ($3.5 billion) from seven EU nations-Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Sweden. The European Commission, the EU's decision-making body, expects the private sector to kick in an additional 5 billion euros as the bloc attempts to address the fact that Asia produces around 80 percent of the world's auto batteries while Europe chips in only 3 percent. Margrethe Vestager, an executive vice-president of the European Commission, announced the funding this week and said: "Battery production in Europe is of strategic interest for our economy and society because of its potential in terms of clean mobility and energy, job creation, sustainability, and … [Read more...] about Europe to take on Asia in battery production
Tesla charges ahead to overtake Ford in market value
One is an automotive titan that has built more than 350m vehicles in an illustrious history spanning more than a century. The other is less than 15 years old and has never made a profit. And yet a 7% surge in the value of shares in electric car firm Tesla on Monday saw it zoom ahead of Ford Motor Company, in terms of its stock market value. As Wall Street closed for the day, Tesla, led by 45-year-old tycoon and futurist Elon Musk, was worth $49bn (£38bn), compared with a paltry $46bn for the empire built by Henry Ford. This astonishing overtaking manoeuvre says as much about the nature of stock markets as it does about these two very different carmakers. The old cliche among stock market investors is that you should “buy on the rumour, sell on the fact” – the idea that investment is more about what you expect to happen in the future than the current state of play. And Tesla, investors believe, is the standard-bearer of a battery-powered future – while Ford … [Read more...] about Tesla charges ahead to overtake Ford in market value
2018 Volvo XC60 virtual striptease continues with three new teasers
With each passing day, the new posh SUV is revealing more and more of its design. Revealed: 2018 Volvo XC60: 407-hp hybrid in a stylish new wrapper In the latest round of teasers, Volvo is showing off the XC60’s taillight design in detail to reveal a more modern look compared to the outgoing model’s clusters. We can easily observe that unlike on the bigger XC90, the LED strip extends onto the trunk lid as a way to make the new SUV seem wider when viewed from behind. Here's a taillights comparison between the new XC60 (left) and the XC90 (right): Another teaser image released by the Geely-owned marque allows us to have a better look at the front grille, albeit the render has been thoroughly tweaked to make the front fascia prettier. The third and last teaser shows a significant section of the SUV’s front, including the elegant headlights with the “Thor’s Hammer” LED daytime running lights as seen on the bigger cars from … [Read more...] about 2018 Volvo XC60 virtual striptease continues with three new teasers