Honda Formalizes Ohio-Based Joint Venture with LG Energy Solution

Written by William Johnson, Teslarati
Published Jan. 13, 2023

Hondaand LG Energy Solutionhave announced a $3.5 billion battery production joint venture, to be built in Ohio over the coming two years.

As Honda’s automotive sales have shrunk dramatically over the past year, the company has begun to look at EVs with renewed interest. And to produce its upcoming lineup of EVs, Honda has partnered with LG to produce battery cells at a new facility in Jeffersonville, OH.

According to the press release from the two companies, they have pledged a combined total of $3.5 billion for the construction of the battery plant. The

GA Legislative Study Committee Endorses Pilot Mileage Tax Program

Written by T.A. DeFeo, The Center Square
Published Jan. 11, 2023

The Joint Study Committee on the Electrification of Transportation has endorsed the Georgia Department of Transportation’s pilot program taxing motorists based on vehicle miles traveled.

Charging a mileage tax would recoup what state leaders see as a potential loss in revenue via the gas tax. Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, suspended the gas tax to help Georgians counter rising inflation.

So far, the state hasn’t seen much of an impact from not collecting the gas tax, which typically totals about $170 million per month. The state has seen its other revenues

Nonprofit Launches ‘Virtual Power Plant Partnership’ with Support from GM, Ford

PublishedJan. 11, 2023

RMI, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the global energy transformation, on Jan. 10 announced the formation of the Virtual Power Plant Partnership (VP3).

In recognition of the critical work needed to tackle scaling the market for virtual power plants, initial funding of the VP3 effort was made possible by General Motors and Google Nest. As of Jan. 10, VP3 includes founding members Ford, General Motors, Google Nest, OhmConnect, Olivine, SPAN, SunPower, Sunrun, SwitchDinand Virtual Peaker.

VP3 is an

Here’s What Happened in 8-Car Pileup in SF Blamed on Tesla’s FSD

Written by Iulian Dnistran, InsideEVs
Published Jan. 11, 2023

A Thanksgiving Day accident involved eight cars and injured nine people in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Tunnel. The driver of the car that caused the pileup---a TeslaModel S---blamed everything on the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature.

Now, surveillance footage of the accident, obtained by The Intercept, shows how it all happened. 

The Tesla Model S, which reportedly had Full Self-Driving active, signaled a lane change, moved to the fast lane and then suddenly stopped, without having any car or obstacle in front of

F-150 Lightning Wins 2023 North American Truck of the Year

PublishedJan. 11, 2023

The FordF-150 Lightning is charging into the new year as the North American Truck of the Year™.

This is the latest award in the electric truck’s trophy case and marks the third straight NACTOY Truck of the Year award for Ford. It’s also the fifth NACTOY award for Ford in the past three years.

“Earning North America's Truck of the Year is huge for the team that has been working so hard to build and deliver as many Lightnings as possible, as quickly as possible,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “We’re moving fast to further ramp production to a 150,000 run rate this fall and pushing to improve

Tesla Files for $716M Expansion at Giga Texas

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published Jan. 10, 2023

Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas facility is set to expand by 1.4 million square feet, as the automaker has filed for more than $716 million in new projects at the site.

Tesla filed Jan. 9 for four new projects, according to filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The projects are filed separately because they will expand four different facilities. Tesla registered the projects to Cell 1, Drive Unit, Cathode and Cell Test Lab.

According to the Austin Business Review, which initially spotted the filings, the projects will provide Tesla with 1.4 million additional

Mercedes First Automaker to Offer Level 3 Self-Driving in U.S.

Written by Iulian Dnistran, InsideEVs
Published Jan. 9, 2023

The Mercedes-Benz booth at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show(CES) showcased a bunch of new technology the German brand is preparing for the following months.

The biggest piece of news was the company’s plan to build its own, $1-billion global network of fast chargers, but another interesting story sort of went under the radar, and it’s about Mercedes-Benz becoming the first automaker to offer certified Level 3 self-driving technology in the U.S.

In 2022, the German marque began selling its top-tier autonomous driving system, dubbed Drive Pilot, in Germany,

Tesla Announces New Penalty for Drivers with Inattentive Full Self-Driving Operation

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published Jan. 9, 2023

Tesladrivers who are inattentive during the operation of the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite will have a different penalty than before.

They will now lose access to the company’s Full Self-Driving Beta program for “approximately two weeks” if the vehicle detects inattentiveness from the operator.

Tesla wrote in its software update release notes (via Not a Tesla App):

“Full Self-Driving (Beta) Suspension---For maximum safety and accountability, use of Full Self-Driving (Beta) will be suspended if improper usage is detected.

Stellantis Partners with Element 25 to Secure Manganese Sulphate Supply for EV Batteries

Written by Simon Alvarez, Teslarati
Published Jan. 9, 2023

Veteran automaker Stellantisand battery materials manufacturer Element 25 have signed a five-year deal for the supply of high-purity manganese sulfate monohydrate for EV battery packs.

The agreement includes options to extend the deal’s supply term and volume, with shipments set to begin in 2026 with a total volume of 45 kilotons.

Element 25 will source high-purity manganese sulfate monohydrate for the deal from its Butcherbird project in Western Australia, though the battery materials manufacturer is also looking to build a processing facility in the U.S.

Tesla Cybertruck Production Appears to Be Nearing

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published Jan. 6, 2023

Teslaon Jan. 6 received at least four massive packages from IDRAat Gigafactory Texas for its Giga Press, machinery that could be part of preparations to gear up for the first Cybertruck builds.

Gigafactory Texas drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer posted pictures of several haulers carrying large crates with IDRA stampings on the side. It is no secret Tesla has been working with IDRA for several years. The Italian heavy machinery manufacturer has helped the automaker solve production issues through casting and press machines.

The haulers arrived early Jan. 6 and were

Ram 1500 Revolution EV Concept Unveiled at CES 2023

PublishedJan. 5, 2023

The Ram Truck brand introduced a visionary road map Jan. 5 at CES 2023 with its Ram 1500 Revolution Battery-electric Vehicle (BEV) Concept, which provides a glimpse into the future and demonstrates how the industry's leading truck brand will once again redefine the pickup truck segment.

The leading-edge Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept showcased a truckload of innovative features that will be seen in future Ram trucks and in particular on Ram's electrification journey.

Ram will differentiate itself by offering a portfolio of fully electrified solutions to better meet customer needs, including a segment-redefining Ram

2024 VW ID.7 Electric Sedan Unveiled at CES

Written by Thanos Pappas, CarScoops
Published Jan. 5, 2023

Volkswagenchose the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to preview its first fully electric sedan, the ID.7.

The production version of the ID.Aero concept will launch in the second quarter of 2023. VW covered the exterior of the car with a “smart” camouflage, but showed the interior and detailed some of the tech features of the upcoming MEB-based model.

In terms of styling, the VW ID.7 looks very similar to the ...

Automotive Supplier to Build $205M Plant in GA, Incentives Remain Unknown

Written by T.A. DeFeo, The Center Square
Published Jan. 5, 2023

An automotive parts manufacturer plans to spend $205 million on a new manufacturing facility.

Ecoplastic Corp., a South Korean company, said it would create 456 new jobs as part of the new facility near Statesboro, GA, in Bulloch County. Ecoplastic manufactures plastic interior and exterior components and supplies Hyundai Motor Group and Kia.

"The project is still active," a Georgia Department of Economic Development communications representative told The Center Square. The designation allows state officials to decline to release

Nonprofit Names $1.5B Georgia Rivian EV Plant Incentive as Worst Deal of the Year

Written by T.A. DeFeo, The Center Square
Published Jan. 5, 2023

A nonprofit has named Georgia’s decision to give $1.5 billion in incentives for a Rivian Automotive electric vehicle assembly plant 2022’s "Worst Economic Development Deal of the Year."

The Michigan-based Center for Economic Accountability bestows the honor to a government subsidy of a private company that best illustrates the "massive wastefulness and ineffectiveness of government economic development subsidy programs."

In December 2021, state officials announced Rivian planned to build a manufacturing facility---its second U.S. plant---in

Tesla Mobile Supercharger Burns Down on New Year's Day

Written by John Neff, InsideEVs
Published Jan. 5, 2023

Teslaowners charging their vehicles on New Year's Day at a Supercharger station in Baker, CA, witnessed a mobile Supercharger burn to the ground.

There's no word on what started the fire, but Electrek has reached out to the local fire department and is waiting for a response.

These mobile Supercharging stations are comprised of a mega pack on the back of a trailer with multiple Supercharging outlets attached. Tesla often employs them at particularly busy Supercharger locations during the holidays in order to ease congestion and reduce waiting times.

This time, though,

Tesla Repair Shop Planned in Burr Ridge, IL

Written by David Giuliani, Patch
Published Jan. 4, 2023

Teslawants to set up a collision repair shop on Shore Drive in Burr Ridge, IL.

Its proposal is undergoing the village's zoning process.

In its proposal, the company said it aims to fully redesign the 41,000-square foot building at 311 Shore Drive. It is requesting a special use permit.

The repair shop is expected to employ 35 to 45 employees. Tesla projects the shop would see five to 15 appointment customers a day.

Under its zoning process, the village asks applicants whether the proposed use provides an opportunity that is otherwise unavailable in the

All the New EVs Launching in the U.S. in 2023

Written by Iulian Dnistran, InsideEVs
Published Jan. 4, 2023

Among the cars hitting the showroom floors in 2023 are the highly anticipated TeslaCybertruck, FiskerOcean, and ChevroletSilverado EV, but more down-to-earth models like the refreshed HyundaiKona, Chevy Blazer and NissanAriya are also on this list.

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

Sitting on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the sleek-looking Ioniq 6 will be available in the spring, with a maximum estimated range of 340 miles, a max power output of 320 horsepower, all-wheel drive and a 0-60 mph sprint in five seconds.

A 77.4 kWh battery

GM Increases Price on Both Chevrolet Bolt EV Models, Citing Higher Costs

Written by Jamie L. LaReau, Detroit Free Press
Published Jan. 3, 2023

General Motors is boosting the price for the ChevroletBolt and Bolt EUV by hundreds of dollars due to increased pressures on prices across the industry.

The move, effective Jan. 2, came about six months after the automaker dramatically slashed entry prices for both all-electric vehicles by about $6,000.

"Due to ongoing industry-related pricing pressures, the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV will see modest price increases starting in 2023, but we expect it to remain America’s most affordable EV," said Cody Williams, Chevrolet

Republicans Criticize Delaware's Tightening Tailpipe Rules

Written by Christian Wade, The Center Square
Published Jan. 3, 2023

Delaware is planning to enact some of the most stringent regulations for vehicle emissions in the nation, as the Carey administration seeks to curb tailpipe pollution contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

The new regulations, drafted by the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, would adopt California's newly approved Advanced Clean Cars II standards, which require vehicle manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of new zero-emission passenger cars and light-duty trucks in model years 2026 through 2035.

State environmental officials say the

Hyundai Sets Massive 2023 Sales Growth Target Propelled by New EV Offerings

Written by William Johnson, Teslarati
Published Jan. 3, 2023

Hyundaiannounced it aims to grow auto sales by 10% this year alone.

Over the past two decades, Hyundai Motor Group has become a sizable competitor in the automotive industry. It is now a leader in affordable offerings and electric vehicles, along with the likes of Ford. Following this success, the Korean automotive group has set the ambitious goal of growing its vehicle sales by 10% in 2023.

According to Reuters, Hyundai Motor Group is already a massive seller of vehicles globally, selling 6.85 million in 2022. And while this achievement was

‘A Miracle’: Tesla Passengers Survive 250-Foot Plunge Off Cliff at Devil’s Slide

Written by Simon Alvarez, Teslarati
Published Jan. 3, 2023

A family of four inside a white Teslawas rescued after the EV fell about 250 feet off a cliff at Devil’s Slide in California.

Considering the factors surrounding the accident, the survival of all the Tesla’s occupants has been dubbed by rescuers as “nothing short of a

Survey: Colorado Small-Business Owners Against Increased Taxes, Fees for EV Infrastructure

Written by Joe Mueller, The Center Square
Published Dec. 30, 2022

A survey of Colorado’s small businesses found little support for increasing taxes, fees or assessments to pay for building infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Colorado conducted a four-question survey before the Colorado General Assembly begins its legislative session Jan. 9. The research also found small businesses aren’t in favor of Colorado's state agencies considering environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions with financial

Tesla Fremont Factory Pickup Center Packed with Cars Amid End-of-Year Push

Written by Simon Alvarez, Teslarati
Published Dec. 30, 2022

All signs are pointing to Teslapushing deliveries to the end of the year. This was hinted at in a recent flyover of the Fremont Factory, Tesla’s California-based EV production facility.

Tesla’s Fremont Factory is no longer the company’s largest plant by volume, with the title now being

Several EVs Qualify for New 2023 U.S. Tax Credit

Written by Johnna Crider, Teslarati
Published Dec. 30, 2022

Tesla, Volkswagenand several other EV manufacturers qualify for the new 2023 U.S. EV tax credit.

The IRS announced the full list of models eligible for the updated $7,500 U.S. federal tax credit, which includes EVs made by 14 manufacturers.

The IRS noted the vehicles on the list below don’t automatically qualify, but must have undergone final assembly in North America and can not exceed a MSRP of $80,000 for vans, SUVs and pickups or $55,000 for other vehicles.

The full list is as follows:

• 2023 Audi

Here’s How Much Cold Temperatures Actually Affect EV Range

Written by Andrew Gutman, CarScoops
Published Dec. 29, 2022

By now, it’s a fairly well-known fact that electric vehicles lose range at lower temperatures. What’s not often discussed, though, is how much that deficit exactly is, and a new study aims to quantify it to provide the general public with more knowledge.

The study, conducted by electric vehicle sales website Recurrent, compared the cold-weather range of 13 electric vehicles to their range at normal temperatures. Specifically, it compared the vehicles’ operation in 20°F to 30°F weather against that of 70°F weather.

The cars they included in the study were the Audi

Colorado EV Plan Will Not Ban ICE Engines

Written by SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
Published Dec. 28, 2022

Despite being a CARB state, the current draft of Colorado's 2023 EV Plan will not follow California by banning the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicles.

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) are currently drafting the state’s 2023 EV Plan.

SEMAbelieves Coloradans, not the government, should be allowed to choose the type of vehicle technology that best serves them and their families, and encourages its members and enthusiasts to ...

Volkswagen to Unveil New Electric Car at CES 2023

Written by Maria Merano, Teslarati
Published Dec. 28, 2022

Volkswagenplans to unveil a new electric vehicle Jan. 3 during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023, showcasing a camouflaged version and announcing its official name.

The new EV is expected to be the ID.AERO electric sedan, which Volkswagen teased in November in China. The car will target the premium midsize segment.

“With the ID.AERO show car, we are revealing a preview of the next member of the ID. family. A car with an emotional and at the same time extremely aerodynamic design, a range of over 600 kilometers, an extraordinary amount of space and a premium interior,”

EVs Helped Keep Lights on At Dealership After Major Earthquake

Written by Iulian Dnistran, InsideEVs
Published Dec. 28, 2022

After a 6.4 magnitude earthquake shook Northern California and left about 70% of the homes and businesses without electricity, one dealership managed to keep the lights on with help from a couple of EVs.

Harper Motors in North Eureka, CA, which has operated in Humboldt County since 1912 and sells both new and used cars, including EVs, posted two photos on its Facebookpage showing how it managed to stay open for business during the blackout.

Using the vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature of a FordF-150 Lightning and KiaNiro EV, the dealership had

5 Trends That Changed the Auto Repair Industry in 2022

PublishedDec. 28, 2022

CCC Intelligent Solutions, Inc., recently took a look at the factors that had the biggest impact on the collision repair industry in 2022, many of which were financial.

Inflation

Inflation---perhaps one of the words that best defines 2022. At the close of 2021, many were hoping we had seen the worst of rising inflation as supply chain issues were getting better, whether it was the lower cost of shipping goods or automakers predicting improved supplies of semiconductor chips. But then Russia invaded Ukraine and the cost of oil and other raw materials shot up.

Overall inflation hit a forty-year high

Tesla Not Allowed to Call Software ‘Full Self-Driving’ in California

Written by Johnna Crider, Teslarati
Published Dec. 28, 2022

California passed a new law banning Teslafrom calling its software Full Self-Driving (FSD), after the state's Department of Motor Vehicles claimed calling it FSD was false advertising.

Though Tesla is developing the technology for fully autonomous vehicles, it has never claimed FSD is there yet, and says drivers must be alert and ready to take over at all times when engaging FSD or Autopilot.

California lawmakers, however, disagree with the labels of FSD. Senate Bill 1398---one of hundreds Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed into law---takes effect