Author: john@provenroi.com
Mercedes-Benz USA has announced that production of its first-generation EQ electric vehicles will temporarily pause on September 1st. This includes the EQE and EQS sedans and SUVs, along with all of their variants. Despite this pause in production, Mercedes-Benz reassures that more next-generation EVs are still in the pipeline. The decision to halt production of the EQ family of electric vehicles in America comes after the models failed to gain traction in the market. Criticisms of the EQ cars often centered around their design and lack of appeal to a wider audience. The production pause coincides with the expiration of…
SpaceX continues to make waves in the space industry with yet another successful Starlink mission, launching 24 more internet-beaming satellites into orbit late Friday night from California. The Falcon 9 rocket took off from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Friday, July 18, at 8:52 p.m. PT / 11:52 p.m. ET. Approximately an hour later, the upper stage deployed the satellites into low Earth orbit, as confirmed by SpaceX in a post on X. This particular mission marked the 14th flight for the rocket’s reusable first stage, which landed smoothly aboard the autonomous droneship Of Course…
The recent proposal by the Commerce Department to impose steep tariffs on graphite imported from China has sparked concerns in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Graphite is a critical material used in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries, and with over 90% of the world’s graphite being processed in China, the proposed tariffs could impact EV prices in the short term. The move to diversify the supply chains for critical materials like graphite is necessary for the long-term sustainability of the EV industry. However, the lack of domestic mine production capacity for graphite in the U.S. as of 2023 poses a…
Unfortunately, with tariffs making it less profitable to sell certain models in the U.S., Volvo has had to make some tough decisions. This has led to the discontinuation of most sedans and wagons in the American market. The blame for this shift lies squarely on tariffs, which have made it difficult for Volvo to continue selling certain models in the U.S. Despite this setback, Volvo wants to assure its American customers that it is not abandoning them. The company is simply adjusting its product lineup to adapt to the changing market conditions. The decision to halt sales of sedans and…
Tesla is on the verge of launching its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software in Australia, with no regulatory obstacles standing in the way. Thom Drew, Tesla’s Country Director for Australia and New Zealand, confirmed that FSD (Supervised) has successfully completed the regulatory review process in both countries and is currently undergoing final validation before a public release. In a recent comment on LinkedIn, Drew stated, “We have been working with local authorities across AU & NZ and there are no regulatory blockers for release. We are running through the final stages of validation prior to public release. Looking to start with…
The electric vehicle market in America has been experiencing a mixed bag of results so far this year. While EV sales saw a positive growth in the first quarter, the second quarter saw a decline, marking the third year-over-year drop on record. This trend has raised concerns about the future of EV adoption in the country. Several factors have contributed to the fluctuating sales figures, including consumer unease about the economy, tariff uncertainties, and a lack of widespread EV education. The market is also experiencing increased competition as more models are introduced, leading to a decline in average sales volume…
Tesla’s Hollywood Supercharger Diner is almost ready to open its doors, as it has officially appeared in the Tesla app. The location, situated along Santa Monica Blvd between Highland and La Brea in Hollywood’s Media District, has been under construction since September 2023. Now, with the site listed as temporarily closed in the Tesla app, it seems like the public launch is just around the corner. The Tesla Diner-Supercharger-drive-in theater hybrid boasts 80 V4 Superchargers capable of delivering up to 325 kW. Despite being in its pre-launch state, only one stall is currently listed as out of order. This recent…
The Chinese government is taking steps to address the issue of overcapacity and the impact of a fierce price war in the electric vehicle (EV) market. With an abundance of EV models and brands competing for market share, Chinese regulators, including President Xi Jinping, are calling for a reevaluation of the industry’s business practices. The Chinese EV market is known for its diversity and innovation, with numerous brands constantly introducing new models to attract consumers. However, the intense competition has led to a price war, where companies like BYD are slashing prices to gain a competitive edge. This aggressive pricing…
Tesla’s highly anticipated Model Y L has been spotted testing on public roads in China, giving us a closer look at the upcoming elongated version of the popular SUV. Shared by @Veowow on X, the sighting shows a camouflaged Model Y L driving at night, with the front and rear ends concealed to keep design tweaks secret. However, the side profile reveals a significantly longer body and stretched wheelbase, confirming reports that this variant is 7 inches longer and nearly 2 inches taller than the standard Model Y. Recently unveiled in China, the Model Y L is tailored for families,…
Waymo Fires Back at Tesla’s Robotaxi Expansion in Austin Waymo has made a bold move in response to Tesla’s recent expansion of its geofence for its driverless Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. Earlier this week, Tesla announced that it had more than doubled its serviceable area in Austin to approximately 42 square miles, surpassing Waymo’s geofence of just 37 square miles. This expansion by Tesla was seen as a significant statement, considering that the company has only been operating its driverless Robotaxi platform in Austin for less than a month, while Waymo has been there since March. However, Waymo has…