As the need for more environmentally friendly (read: less carbon emitting) means of transportation has become increasingly apparent, electric vehicles (and EV News) has taken center stage. Due to technological advances, EVs have become more common and more accessible. As adoption continues, auto manufacturers and technology companies alike are working to offer electric vehicles, intelligent technology, and universal electric vehicle charging stations. Given FischTank PR’s focus on climate tech, B2B tech and transportation – we stay immersed in all things EV News. The articles below highlight the current trends in the market and provide insight into electric vehicle development challenges and victories.
Rivian starts offering adapters to access Tesla’s Supercharger network – TechCrunch
“Rivian customers can now request an adapter to tap into Tesla’s vast North American network of Superchargers, making it the second automaker to do so behind Ford.
The company announced Monday that it will start shipping adapters to Rivian owners — one per VIN — starting in April for free, though it didn’t say if it will eventually charge a fee. Ford was the first to start offering the so-called North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters last month for free. Ford will start charging $230 for the adapters after June 30.
Virtually every major automaker has announced NACS compatibility for some or all of their forthcoming EVs since Tesla first announced it was opening up access to its charging technology in late 2022. The adapters serve as a stopgap for customers who buy (or have already bought) EVs that rely on the previously dominant charging interface, the Combined Charging System (CCS). Most automakers have announced that future EVs will incorporate Tesla’s charging tech into future vehicles.”
Bentley delays all-EV plan amid changing market conditions, vehicle development challenges – CNBC
“Bentley Motors is pushing back its plans to exclusively offer all-electric vehicles by the end of this decade due to changing market conditions and a delay in its first EV.
CEO Adrian Hallmark said the famed British luxury carmaker remains committed to carbon neutrality and exclusively offering EVs, but it now plans to do so a couple of years later. Bentley will continue offering plug-in hybrids alongside BEVs, or battery electric vehicles, past its previous target of 2030, Hallmark said.
‘Whether we deliver all the BEVs by 2031 or not, we still may have some hybrids that we wouldn’t have had post-2030,’ he said during a media briefing. ‘But not for 10 years, maybe just for a couple of years as we run them out.’
Bentley is among a growing number of automakers to change, delay or cancel ambitious EV plans as global adoption grows slower than many expected.”
VinFast founder launches global EV charging stations company V-Green – Green Car Congress
“Pham Nhat Vuong, Chairman of Vingroup Corporation and founder of VinFast, announced the establishment of V-Green Global Charging Station Development Company (V-Green). V-Green’s mission is twofold: investing in the development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure system that prioritizes supporting VinFast vehicles, and propelling Vietnam towards becoming one of the world’s leaders in electric vehicle charging station density.
Spun off from VinFast’s charging station development division, V-Green, majority-owned by Pham with a 90% stake, will operate as a global partner, spearheading the creation of a comprehensive charging network. This will allow V-Green to focus solely on infrastructure investment independently from VinFast, and enable the Vietnamese electric manufacturer to prioritize market expansion and sustainable development.
To achieve its goal of developing a green ecosystem and contributing to the electric vehicle transition, V-Green will seek better access to and mobilize capital with preferential interest rates. This capital will fuel VinFast’s rapid expansion into international markets.”
Green Car Congress has long covered EV News and deserves credit for being an early trade publication.
Honda and Nissan agree to work together in developing electric vehicles and intelligent technology – AP News
“Nissan and Honda announced Friday that they will work together in developing electric vehicles and auto intelligence technology, sectors where Japanese automakers have fallen behind.
The chief executives of Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. appeared together at a news conference in Tokyo to announce that Japan’s second and third biggest automakers will look into areas with a potential for collaboration.
The details of the non-binding agreement are still being worked out, both sides said. The executives said the companies will develop core technologies together, but their products will remain different.
Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida stressed that speed is crucial for the companies in developing technological solutions.
“We don’t have time,” he said. “It is significant that we have reached this agreement based on a mutual understanding that Honda and Nissan face common challenges.”
Honda President Toshihiro Mibe said the companies share common values and could create “synergies” in facing their formidable rivals.
The world’s automakers are rapidly shifting toward electric vehicles, focusing on batteries and motors instead of gas engines, as concerns grow about emissions and climate change.”
Audi sticking to EV strategy despite challenges, says CEO – Reuters
“Audi Chief Executive Gernot Doellner said on Tuesday that the Volkswagen subsidiary was sticking to its electric vehicle strategy despite facing challenges this year.
Audi remains committed to bringing the last vehicle with a combustion engine onto the market in 2026, Doellner told journalists at an event in the German city of Ingolstadt, with the dates set even if the details of how it’s done are flexible.”
2026 Mercedes-AMG EV Teased While Testing in the Snow – Car and Driver
“A dedicated Mercedes-AMG electric car is on its way, and the German automaker has shared images of a prototype testing on a Swedish lake. The EV will ride on the new AMG.EA platform that will pair axial-flux motors with a high-voltage battery.
Peeking through the camouflage, the design seems to share elements with the 2022 Vision AMG concept. The prototype taillights have a motif of three circular elements that echoes the afterburner-inspired look from the concept. There are also hints of the EQXX concept in the design.
Mercedes had said the car would arrive in 2025 at the reveal of the concept, so it should probably reach the U.S. by 2026.”
Car and Driver, like many trade publications, has done a fantastic job of covering EV News.
Honda NSX To Be Reborn As Brand’s First Electric Supercar – Forbes
“Honda has a revolutionary new fully electric lineup in the pipeline, and it includes the firm’s first-ever EV supercar, thought to be a reinterpretation of its halo car—the NSX.
The new NSX—although it’s still unclear whether that name will be used—is intended to act as a halo for the 0 Series line of electric vehicles, regardless of how it is positioned. With a plethora of technological advancements designed to optimize interior space, minimize battery weight, and boost economy, these vehicles will go on sale in 2026 and, according to Mibe, encourage the “joy of driving” by emphasizing driver engagement.
Unveiled at CES in Las Vegas last month, the new coupe will inherit design hints from the 0 Series ‘Saloon’ concept, most notably its minimalist, driver-focused cockpit and a low-slung, cab-forward profile.”
Hyundai and Kia to recall nearly 170,000 EVs over software problem in South Korea – Reuters
“Hyundai Motor Co and sister company Kia Corp will recall about 170,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in South Korea over problems with software in the charging systems, South Korea’s transport ministry said on Thursday.
Hyundai will recall 113,916 EVs in the country, affecting five EV models, including Ioniq-series and Genesis models, the ministry said. Kia will recall 56,016 EVs.
Errors have been found in software of the integrated charging control units used in 170,000 Hyundai and Kia EVs, which could make it difficult to power a low-voltage battery and lead to the possibility that the vehicles could stop while driving, the ministry said.”
Why EVs are now almost as cheap as gas cars – The Washington Post
“Since EVs first hit the market, car buyers have had to pay a steep premium if they wanted a car that ran on batteries instead of a gas engine. Two years ago, they would have paid about $17,000 more on average for a new electric car than for a new gas-powered car. But that gap has been rapidly closing, shrinking to $5,000 last month, according to data from Cox Automotive.
That’s an 11 percent markup over the average new-car price last month — roughly similar to the price difference between picking the base model of some cars vs. the performance model that comes with all the bells and whistles.
Tesla is setting electric vehicle prices so low, they’re almost even with gas-powered cars.”
EV news articles about cost reductions is ultimately a good thing and will result in more customer adoption.
Best Electric Cars and EVs for 2024 – CNET
“With the Biden-Harris administration’s plans to build 500,000 EV chargers nationwide, tough new EPA emissions standards and certain states eyeing new combustion car bans as early as 2030, automakers and consumers alike have turned more focus toward the adoption and growth of plug-in cars by the end of this decade.
Today, more than two dozen automakers offer a combined 40-plus full-electric models boasting over 200 miles of range, unique high-tech features and, increasingly, performance that outclasses comparable gasoline-powered models. If you’re thinking about buying an electric car, there have never been more choices for you than there are today.”
Exclusive: EV Realty, GreenPoint invest $200M in truck charging – Axios
“EV Realty, a commercial vehicle charging provider, is forming a $200 million joint venture with private equity firm GreenPoint Partners to develop charging hubs for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Why it matters: They join a growing number of firms pouring cash into topping up electric vans and trucks.
The big picture: The joint venture’s “Powered Properties” hubs will have 50-100 chargers. The first will be built in California.
- GreenPoint is putting up the bulk of the $200 million. The NYC-based firm is positioning the charging sites as “an emerging, dynamic asset class for real estate investors,” per a press release.
- Minority investor EV Realty, based in San Francisco, will own and operate the hubs.”
Interested in EV news coverage?
FischTank PR keeps its finger on the pulse of the industries our clients pay us to know inside and out. EV news has taken center stage and are the future of the motor vehicle industry. To learn more about how FischTank PR manages media relations, speaker and award submissions, and content development, please email [email protected]
***EV news roundup guest post from FischTank PR interns: Aimee Jean, Ella Perini, and Jamie Steinberger
