Author: john@provenroi.com
China’s electric vehicle market is booming, with over 100 estimated EV brands competing for dominance. However, the industry is facing challenges, and consolidation is inevitable. At the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, three prominent EV companies showcased their offerings, but not all of them will survive the cutthroat competition. One such company was a joint venture between Baidu and Geely, known as Ji Yue. Despite promising features like advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving capabilities, the brand struggled to gain traction in the market. The Ji Yue 01 hatchback failed to attract significant sales, leading to internal turmoil and uncertainty…
Tesla offering 1-year FSD trial to Cybertruck owners Tesla has introduced a new offer for some Cybertruck owners, giving them a free 1-year trial of Full Self-Driving (FSD). The trial comes as Cybertruck owners still wait for the basic Autosteer functionality that is expected to be rolled out soon. The Cybertruck, which was unveiled in 2019, has generated a lot of excitement in the electric vehicle market. With its futuristic design and impressive specs, many customers have eagerly placed pre-orders for the vehicle. One of the key features of Tesla vehicles is the Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability, which promises to…
Rivian, the electric vehicle startup, has been making significant strides in reducing its manufacturing costs for its EVs. In just six months, the company managed to slash over $50,000 from its automotive cost of goods sold per vehicle delivered. This achievement has enabled Rivian to achieve a gross profit for the second quarter in a row, marking a positive trajectory for the company. The recent financial report from Rivian indicates a gross profit of $206 million for the second quarter, a significant milestone for the startup amidst the challenges posed by the fluctuating tariff landscape. While Rivian still faces an…
Tesla’s Success in Sweden Despite Union Challenges Despite facing challenges from unions in Sweden, Tesla continues to dominate the electric vehicle market in the country. The Model Y, in particular, has proven to be a popular choice among Swedish car buyers, with a total of 45,882 registrations to date, making it the most popular electric vehicle in Sweden. This success has led to a drop in prices for pre-owned Model Y units, making the vehicle more accessible to consumers. Even with a slowdown in sales during the first quarter due to the transition to the new Model Y, Tesla has…
Tesla has recently introduced a more budget-friendly version of the Model Y crossover in the United States. Known as the Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, this model comes with a starting price of $46,630 before the $7,500 federal tax credit. With an EPA-estimated range of 357 miles on a full charge, the new Model Y is a compelling option for electric vehicle enthusiasts. One of the key selling points of this new model is its eligibility for the federal EV incentive, which brings down the starting price to $39,130 after factoring in the tax credit. It’s important to note…
Rivian, the electric vehicle startup, is facing challenges due to evolving trade regulations and tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Despite these obstacles, Rivian’s CEO R.J. Scaringe has announced that the starting price of the R2 crossover will remain at $45,000. This decision is crucial for the company as it aims to maintain its competitive edge in the market. The R2 crossover is set to begin production in Illinois in the first half of 2026. However, Rivian has reduced its delivery guidance for 2025 to 40,000-46,000 vehicles, down from the initial estimate of 46,000-51,000 units. The impact of trade regulations…
Tesla is once again innovating in the electric vehicle industry, this time by piloting real-time Supercharger pricing. This new program aims to dynamically adjust on-peak and off-peak rates based on live site usage, providing a more flexible and responsive pricing strategy for Tesla owners. Historically, Tesla has applied static pricing schedules to its Superchargers, with fixed rates depending on factors like location and time of day. However, with the introduction of real-time pricing, Tesla is taking a step towards a more dynamic and adaptive pricing model. The new pilot program will allow Tesla to monitor usage patterns at Supercharger stations…
and Europe Tesla has issued a new Service Bulletin offering a free upgrade to the High-Voltage (HV) battery seal system on select Model S and Model X vehicles. The bulletin applies to vehicles built between January 2021 and October 2025 in the U.S. and Europe. The upgrade is being offered to address potential issues with the HV battery seal system, which could lead to water intrusion and potentially cause a short circuit. This could result in a loss of propulsion and increase the risk of a fire in extreme cases. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by Tesla and…
Audi has recently introduced plug-in hybrids to the engine lineup of the new A6, offering buyers two power output options of 295 and 362 horsepower. The Audi A6 E-Hybrid Quattro is available in both sedan and wagon body styles, with both versions boasting a WLTP range of 66 miles on a full charge. The new Audi A6 E-Hybrid Quattro features a large 25.9 kWh battery, positioning it as one of the PHEVs with the most electric range currently on the market. This PHEV powertrain is shared with the A5 model, albeit with a slightly higher range. Despite having a usable…
Tesla recently unveiled a new video on its YouTube channel titled Outage Protection, highlighting the capabilities of its Powerwall battery system in helping homeowners prepare for extreme weather and power outages. The video showcases a feature called Storm Watch, which automatically charges the Powerwall to 100% when severe weather is forecasted in the user’s area. Storm Watch utilizes data from regional weather services, such as the National Weather Service in the U.S., to predict when storms might impact the power grid. This proactive approach ensures that the Powerwall is fully charged before a storm hits, providing peace of mind to…