Lamborghini Lanzador breaks cover ahead of official debut
Lamborghini made its debut of the Lanzador concept car at Monterey Car Week, providing a visionary glimpse into the company's forthcoming fourth model scheduled for release in 2028. This unveiling aligns with Lamborghini's Direzione Cor Tauri strategy, representing a significant stride toward the decarbonization and electrification goals outlined in 2021. Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, expressed: „With this concept, we are pioneering a new automotive category, the Ultra GT, poised to deliver a fresh and unparalleled driving experience synonymous with the Lamborghini brand, made possible through groundbreaking technologies”. While the Lanzador remains in the concept stage, Lamborghini's vision is crystallizing: an electric future that upholds the brand's hallmark attributes of luxury and high-performance, ensuring they are not compromised. Source
Xiaomi's first EV to run on CALB and CATL batteries
As per information obtained from internal sources at Xiaomi, the Electric Vehicle (EV) division has made strategic selections for its primary and secondary battery suppliers, opting for CALB (Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited) and CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited) respectively. Xiaomi was compelled to designate CATL as its primary supplier due to a patent dispute that had transpired in the legal arena between the two prominent battery manufacturers. This dispute had precluded CALB from providing certain cell types until a resolution was reached. Subsequently, following the court's verdict on August 3, CATL was divested of its patents, thereby granting CALB the freedom to distribute the batteries in question. It is noteworthy that CATL's battery units reportedly commence at a base price of RMB 80,000 (equivalent to approximately €10,300). In Xiaomi's specific case, this cost represents approximately 50% of the vehicle's Bill of Materials (BoM). Source
Tesla will bring bi-directional charging to all models by 2025
In an upcoming development over the next two years, all Tesla vehicle models will be equipped with bidirectional charging capabilities. Bidirectional charging technology empowers electric vehicles (EVs) to transfer surplus power from their batteries to various destinations, including residences (Vehicle to Home or V2H), the power grid (Vehicle to Grid or V2G), or to power appliances, tools, and devices (Vehicle to Load or V2L). Drew Baglino further elucidated that Tesla is actively engaged in efforts to reduce the cost of power electronics integrated into its EVs, with the overarching aim of delivering greater functionality at a more cost-effective price point. He noted: „The primary value proposition lies in optimizing the car's charging schedule to capitalize on favorable energy rates. The emphasis is not solely on redistributing energy to external sources, such as homes”. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, critiqued existing technology as "inconvenient" when not supported by a dedicated battery system. Source
The new and improved Voyah Free debuts, China
The newly introduced Voyah Free range-extended mid-size SUV has made its debut in the Chinese market. Trim-level starts at a competitive price point of $36,660, signifying a substantial reduction when juxtaposed with the preceding version featuring the same powertrain, which commanded a minimum price of $45,820. The Voyah Free is a 5-seat SUV boasting an power output of 480 horsepower and a torque of 720 Newton-meters. It exhibits exceptional acceleration, achieving a zero-to-hundred kilometer per hour time of 4.8 seconds. In terms of top speed, it reaches an impressive 200 kilometers per hour. Under the hood, the new Voyah Free is equipped with a ternary (NMC) battery sourced from CATL, boasting a capacity of 39.2 kilowatt-hours. This substantial battery capacity empowers the Voyah Free to cover distances of up to 210 kilometers on a single charge, exemplifying its commendable range capabilities. Source
Fisker joins the NACS club
Fisker has officially announced its strategic decision to embrace the North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging connector for its electric vehicle lineup in the North American market. Notably, Fisker joins the ranks of the eighth major automotive manufacturer to commit to this transition, following the footsteps of industry leaders such as Ford, General Motors, Rivian, Volvo Cars, Polestar, Mercedes-Benz, and Nissan, all of whom have pledged to migrate from the CCS1 to the Tesla-developed NACS charging connector. In the case of Fisker, the company has entered into a formal agreement with Tesla to implement the NACS standard in its first electric vehicle scheduled for release in 2025. This strategic partnership with Tesla will provide Fisker with seamless access to the Tesla Supercharger network, further enhancing the electric vehicle charging infrastructure for its customers. Source