Author: john@provenroi.com
Mercedes-Benz gains Tesla Supercharger access in the U.S., Canada coming later this year By Darryn John | Published on February 4, 2025 Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle (EV) owners can now officially charge at Tesla Superchargers. However, unlike the rollout from all other automakers thus far, the access will be limited to Superchargers in the US, with access for Canada coming later this year. Image source: Drive Tesla This new partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Tesla marks a significant step in the growing collaboration between traditional automakers and EV manufacturers. With the transition to electric vehicles gaining momentum, it is crucial for companies…
Audi made a significant announcement on Monday regarding a change in its naming scheme for vehicles. The company has decided to have both internal-combustion and electric vehicles share the same nameplates. Initially, Audi had planned to assign odd-numbered designations to combustion models (such as A5 and Q5) and even numbers to EVs, in addition to the E-Tron suffix. However, this plan has been revised. Audi stated in a press release that numbers will now only indicate a model’s size and position in the lineup. The letters A and Q will continue to differentiate between cars and SUVs, rather than powertrain…
A former Tesla software engineer has recently been appointed to a federal position by Elon Musk, focusing on utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to identify potential budget cuts within the government. Thomas Shedd, who worked at Tesla for seven years, is now the Director of the Technology Transformation Services (TTS) group at the General Services Administration, leading a team of around 700 engineering professionals handpicked by Musk. Shedd has reportedly expressed his intention to leverage AI for cost-reduction efforts and create a comprehensive database of government contracts. However, concerns have been raised regarding privacy laws and the legality of such data…
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is known for his hands-on approach to problem-solving, and recently he has been tackling issues far from the company’s Austin headquarters. Musk’s involvement in Washington D.C. has raised questions about how he is managing Tesla and other ventures under his purview. With Musk taking an active role in government affairs, it is crucial to examine how this may impact Tesla’s future. In the past few days, Musk, acting as a special government employee, has made bold moves such as gaining access to classified information and working on shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development. These…
Bank of America analyst John Murphy recently highlighted that Tesla is poised for gains in the long term, but will have to endure some short-term challenges along the way. One of the major hurdles facing Tesla is the transition to producing its new Model Y vehicle. Tesla’s Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja announced during the last earnings call that the company will start producing the Model Y in all its factories simultaneously next month. Taneja emphasized that this transition is unprecedented, as no other company has updated all of its factories at the same time while introducing a best-selling car…
politics are moving, anything could happen in that time. Stay tuned for more updates on Tariff Tuesday and the ongoing trade war saga. Scout and Volkswagen Dealers Clash Over Electric Vehicle Sales Photo by: InsideEVs In other news, Scout—a California-based electric vehicle startup—has found itself in a heated battle with Volkswagen dealers in the state. The conflict arose after Scout decided to sell its electric vehicles directly to consumers, bypassing traditional dealerships. Volkswagen dealers, who have invested heavily in their showrooms and service centers, are understandably upset about Scout’s decision. They argue that selling directly to consumers undermines the traditional…
Tesla Model 3 & Cybertruck added to referral program in Canada On Monday night, Tesla announced two significant updates to its referral program in Canada. The company has added the popular Model 3 back to the program, as well as including the highly anticipated Cybertruck for the first time north of the border. Customers in Canada can now earn rewards by referring friends or family to purchase a Model 3 or Cybertruck. This marks a significant expansion of the referral program, which previously only included the Model S and Model X. With the addition of the Model 3 and Cybertruck,…
ChargePoint Expands EV Charger Deployment with AAA Partnership Last week, ChargePoint announced a new agreement with AAA to enhance the deployment of electric vehicle chargers. This collaboration will provide preferred pricing on charging hardware for AAA-affiliated businesses, including towing companies, repair shops, and other automotive-related establishments. This special pricing will apply to Level 2 AC and DC fast-chargers, as well as service plans offered by ChargePoint. More than 12,000 businesses associated with 27 U.S. auto clubs and CAA clubs in Canada are expected to benefit from this partnership. ChargePoint is incorporating security features like tamper-proof cables to prevent cord cutting…
The Hyundai Motor Group had an outstanding January, with record-breaking sales for their electric vehicles and hybrids. The Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, along with the hybrid versions of the Tucson and Santa Fe, saw a surge in sales, making it the best January ever for these models. While Kia EV9 sales experienced a slight decline, the EV6 reached new heights in terms of sales. One of the key factors contributing to the success of Hyundai and Kia’s electrified models is their relative immunity from Trump’s tariffs. This is because most of these vehicles are manufactured in the U.S. or…
Tesla, known for its dominance in the electric vehicle market, is facing a slip in its grip on California’s EV market, according to a recent report from the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA). The report revealed that in 2024, Tesla’s new vehicle registrations dropped by 11.6%, marking the company’s fifth consecutive quarter of decline. In Q4 alone, registrations fell by 7.8%, while Tesla’s overall EV market share decreased from 60% in 2023 to 52.5% in 2024. Despite experiencing a decline, Tesla remains one of the most popular brands in California. However, its total market share (including all powertrains) dropped…