Tag: EV

Elon Musk says he is "pretty sure" that Tesla is not getting a $400 million favor from Trump

El CEO de Tesla, Elon Musk, afirma que “nadie mencionó” el generoso contrato del gobierno de EE. UU. Sin embargo, Tesla fue mencionada por su nombre en una lista de adquisiciones del Departamento de Estado antes de ser eliminada apresuradamente tras un informe de noticias. La referencia a un pedido de $400 millones… Continúa leyendo “”

The CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk claims that “no one mentioned” the generous contract from the U.S. government. However, Tesla was listed by name in a procurement list from the State Department before it was hastily removed following a news report.

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The reference to a $400 million order for bulletproof Tesla vehicles may have disappeared, but the controversy remains.

On Wednesday, a line item in the procurement budget of the U.S. State Department that listed the $400 million order to Tesla saw the automaker’s name removed following news that CEO Elon Musk was on the list to benefit from a large contract awarded by the federal government. Instead, there is now a generic reference to “armored electric vehicles.”

History of a $400 million deal for armored Teslas

Después de que el nombre de Tesla apareciera en blanco y negro en un documento oficial, Musk emitió una negación cautelosa que dejó abierta la posibilidad de que la historia publicada por el periodista Ryan Grim de Drop Site News pudiera ser cierta.

“I am quite sure that Tesla is not going to receive 400 million dollars,” Musk wrote on Wednesday night. “No one has mentioned it to me, at least.”

The government could still buy Tesla vehicles without purchasing them directly from Musk’s company. The State Department could, for example, buy the vehicles from one or more third parties who, in turn, acquire them from Tesla.

They could be, for example, specialized companies that equip cars with armored glass and additional steel plates to stop large caliber bullets.

An agreement of this kind should not raise many suspicions, as Teslas are among the most American cars that exist. All Tesla vehicles sold in the U.S. market are manufactured in the country, and many of their components are supplied by local auto parts manufacturers.

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Sin embargo, en un momento en que Musk está desmantelando la burocracia federal en un intento de “eliminar agencias enteras”, la idea de aprovecharse de tal generosidad gubernamental parecería un claro conflicto de intereses.

Trump reverses the $5 billion electric vehicle charger plan

Donald Trump has just thrown a wrench in the country’s electric vehicle charging network. His administration is freezing the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, leaving Tesla and other automakers in limbo. This measure temporarily suspends $31 million in federal funding for Tesla. It could be a major blow to the adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S., where charging stations remain scarce. The Department of Transportation sent a memorandum on Thursday informing states of […]

Donald Trump has just thrown a wrench in the country’s electric vehicle charging network. His administration is freezing the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, leaving Tesla and other automakers in limbo.

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This measure temporarily suspends 31 million dollars of federal funding for Tesla. It could be a major blow to the adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S., where charging stations remain scarce.

The Department of Transportation sent a memorandum on Thursday informing states that the NEVI program is on hold until further notice. There have been no new approvals or funding, and it is unclear when things might resume.

Tesla’s 31 million dollars in limbo

According to Business Insider, the memorandum stated that officials are reviewing the program’s policies and will publish new guidelines this spring. But for now… everything is on hold.

This suspension not only harms Tesla. It disrupts plans in several states that relied on this funding to build the much-needed electric vehicle chargers.

The measure is part of a larger effort by Trump to dismantle federal support for electric vehicles. He has made it clear that he wants to end the so-called “electric vehicle mandate”. And this is just the beginning.

His administration is also considering eliminating the $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles, an important incentive that helps boost Tesla sales.

Ironically, Elon Musk supports the decision. He described the elimination of the tax credit as a “long-term” victory for Tesla, but warned that it would “devastate” competitors.

Tesla has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of NEVI, ranking third in total funding. The company received 31 million dollars in grants to expand its charging network.

Tesla has not commented on the decision, but given Musk’s closeness to Trump, it is unclear to what extent he will oppose the changes. Does the stability of the government in the White House jeopardize?

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If the $7,500 tax credit disappears and NEVI funding remains frozen, the future of electric vehicle adoption in the U.S. could be very different.

They discover that electric car batteries last much longer than we thought

A recent study conducted by Geotab, a company specialized in automotive telematics, has revealed that the batteries of electric vehicles (EV) could have a lifespan of over 20 years, as long as the average annual degradation does not exceed 1.8%. This finding comes from a thorough analysis of data on the health of the batteries of 10,000 EVs, which shows a decrease in the degradation rate, which has dropped from 2.3% to 1.8% over a period of five years. By the way, Mercedes is going to bring its chargers to the U.S. and Canada. Geotab argues that if the […]

A recent study conducted by Geotab, a company specialized in automotive telematics, has revealed that the batteries of electric vehicles (EV) could have a lifespan of over 20 years, as long as the average annual degradation does not exceed 1.8%.

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This finding arises from a thorough analysis of data on the health of 10,000 EV batteries, which shows a decrease in the degradation rate, which has dropped from 2.3% to 1.8% over a five-year period. By the way, Mercedes is going to bring its chargers to the U.S. and Canada.

Geotab states that if batteries continue to degrade at this rate, it is likely that most of them will exceed the lifespan of the vehicles, which is approximately 15 years.

20 years of battery life, longer than the lifespan of an electric car currently

Despite existing concerns about loss of capacity and autonomy, the study indicates that guarantees against excessive degradation are common, and are rarely claimed by owners.

The comparative analysis of different EV models, including the 2015 Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf, shows that there are significant differences in battery degradation.

Factors such as the frequent use of fast direct current (DC) chargers and adverse weather conditions, especially in warm climates, influence battery performance, highlighting the importance of an active cooling system in these vehicles.

Despite the study providing an encouraging outlook on the longevity of EV batteries, Geotab warns that more long-term information is needed, as most electric vehicles today are relatively new.

This raises questions about the durability of older models compared to the new ones that incorporate advanced temperature management technologies.

The increase in efficiency and the growth of electric vehicle charging infrastructure almost guarantee that, in the future, sustainable mobility will be a more accessible reality.

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The combination of electric vehicles, ethical material extraction, battery recycling, and renewable electricity generation paves the way for more sustainable transportation in the long term.

The terrifying experience of a Tesla Driver highlights the flaws of autonomous driving

Jonathan Challinger, a Tesla owner from Florida, had an alarming experience while using the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in his Cybertruck. In a recent incident, while driving with version 13.2.4 of the software, his vehicle failed to change lanes properly at the end of one, causing it to crash into a pole after previously hitting a curb. In terms of safety, the incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the FSD, which Elon Musk has promoted as a step towards fully autonomous driving without supervision. A viral crash with the Cybertruck Challinger shared his experience […]

Jonathan Challinger, a Tesla owner from Florida, had an alarming experience while using the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in his Cybertruck.

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In a recent incident, while driving with version 13.2.4 of the software, their vehicle failed to change lanes properly at the end of one, causing it to crash into a pole after previously hitting a curb.

In terms of safety, the incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the FSD, which Elon Musk has promoted as a step towards unsupervised autonomous driving.

A viral hit with the Cybertruck

Challinger shared his experience in a viral post on the social network Twitter, warning other users about the complacency of trusting FSD. He stated: “It was a big mistake on my part, obviously. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Pay attention. It can happen.”

His unfortunate experience serves as a reminder that, although the system is designed to assist the driver, the latter remains responsible for driving.

The incident becomes even more relevant in the context of Musk’s claims about the date for FSD to operate completely autonomously.

While the CEO of Tesla claims that the technology is on the verge of becoming fully autonomous driving, the reality shows that the FSD still faces difficulties in basic maneuvers, such as changing lanes. This has generated growing skepticism regarding the system’s capabilities.

Challinger is not the only one who has experienced issues with the FSD, as other users have reported similar failures. Despite constant promises of updates that improve the technology, many feel that the lack of proper oversight can be dangerous.

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As incidents like the one in Challinger become more visible, the credibility of Tesla and its director increases at the center of the debates on autonomous driving safety.

Mercedes-Benz will launch more than 2,500 fast chargers in North America by 2025

Mercedes-Benz has announced a significant expansion of its fast charging network in North America, with the implementation of more than 2,500 fast chargers planned for Canada and the U.S. This charging infrastructure will debut in 2025 in Metro Vancouver, with additional plans to open more stations in Toronto in 2026. With this investment, the company aims to fill the existing gap in fast charging infrastructure and enhance the electric vehicle (EV) ownership experience. The Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging network, which has already inaugurated its first station in the United States in November 2023 in […]

Mercedes-Benz has announced a significant expansion of its fast charging network in North America, with the implementation of more than 2,500 fast chargers scheduled for Canada and the U.S.

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This charging infrastructure will debut in 2025 in Metro Vancouver, with additional plans to open more stations in Toronto in 2026. With this investment, the company aims to fill the existing gap in fast charging infrastructure and enhance the electric vehicle (EV) ownership experience.

The Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging network, which inaugurated its first station in the United States in November 2023 in Sandy Springs, Georgia, will offer 400 kW DC chargers compatible with CCS1 and NACS connectors.

A nearly full charge in less than 20 minutes

These chargers will allow electric vehicles to charge from 10% to 80% in less than 20 minutes, thus providing a quick and efficient solution for EV users.

Andrew Cornelia, CEO of Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging North America, emphasized the importance of this expansion by stating that “a better charging experience is a better experience in using electric vehicles.”

In addition, Mercedes-Benz vehicle owners will have exclusive benefits, such as automatic reservations for chargers through electric intelligence navigation and the ‘Plug & Charge’ feature available in the Mercedes me Charge app.

Starting in February 2024, more than 300 charging stations are operational or under construction in 11 states in the U.S., highlighting Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to a charging infrastructure that serves not only its own vehicles but also all electric vehicles on the road.

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This expansion represents a significant step in the transition to electric mobility and the promotion of a more robust charging ecosystem in North America.

Hyundai launches the IONIQ 9, its first premium electric SUV

Hyundai has officially launched its first flagship electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, in South Korea, marking a significant step in its electrification strategy. This model, IONIQ 9, stands out for offering the most interior space among the brand’s electric vehicles, featuring six or seven-seat configurations, in addition to three equipment options. A flagship electric car that does not exceed $45,000… in Korea The prices of the IONIQ 9 start at 67.15 million won (approximately $46,000) for the exclusive seven-seat model, and can reach up to 79.41 million won ($54,500) for the […]

Hyundai has officially launched its first flagship electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, in South Korea, marking a significant step in its electrification strategy.

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This model, IONIQ 9, stands out for offering the largest interior space among the brand’s electric vehicles, featuring configurations of six or seven seats, in addition to three equipment options.

A flagship electric car that doesn’t exceed $45,000… in Korea

The prices of the IONIQ 9 start at 67.15 million won (approximately $46,000) for the exclusive seven-seat model, and can reach up to 79.41 million won ($54,500) for the premium six-seat version called “Calligraphy”.

The reality is that Hyundai expects that, with incentives, the final price will be in a range between 41,000 and 45,000 dollars.

This electric SUV is slightly larger than its counterpart, the Kia EV9, with dimensions of 5,060 mm in length, 1,980 mm in width, and 1,790 mm in height. Additionally, it boasts an impressive range of up to 532 km (330 miles) thanks to its 110.3 kWh battery and E-GMP platform, as well as a fast charging system that allows charging from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes using a 350 kW charger.

Inside, the IONIQ 9 features advanced technology, highlighting a panoramic curved infotainment screen with two 12.3-inch displays.

Hyundai is expected to launch the IONIQ 9 in the U.S. in spring 2025, manufacturing it at its new electric vehicle plant in Georgia. The brand expects the starting price in the U.S. market to be around $60,000.

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With this launch, Hyundai plans to offer a top-tier electrification experience, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable mobility and technological innovation.

In the United States, they want to remove the subsidies for electric cars… and also impose a new tax of 1,000 dollars

Recently, Republican senators have introduced bills aimed at eliminating the federal tax credit of $7,500 for electric vehicles (EV), as well as other related incentives. These initiatives, supported by figures like Senator John Barrasso and 14 colleagues from the Republican Party, stipulate that the tax credits would end 30 days after being signed, severely impacting EV sales in the United States in the short term. Additionally, the senators propose a $1,000 tax on the purchase of new electric vehicles. Are electric cars destroying the roads? Their justification for this measure is based on the alleged lack […]

Recently, Republican senators have introduced bills that seek to eliminate the federal tax credit of $7,500 for electric vehicles (EV), as well as other related incentives.

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These initiatives, supported by figures such as Senator John Barrasso and 14 colleagues from the Republican Party, stipulate that the tax credits would end 30 days after being signed, severely affecting EV sales in the United States in the short term.

Additionally, the senators propose a tax of $1,000 on the purchase of new electric vehicles.

Are electric cars destroying the roads?

Their justification for this measure is based on the alleged lack of contribution of EVs to the funds allocated for road maintenance, which are largely financed through gasoline and diesel taxes.

They point out that, because electric vehicles can weigh up to three times more than gasoline cars, they are causing greater wear on infrastructures. This is true, but it seems like a somewhat contrived argument.

The connection of these senators with the oil and gas industry raises concerns about the true motivations behind these proposals. For example, Senator Deb Fischer received $356,393 from this industry in the last election cycle, while Barrasso obtained $781,381. This raises questions about whether these decisions reflect a legitimate interest in the well-being of the roads or if they are an attempt to discourage the use of electric vehicles.

In a context where the United States struggles to maintain its competitiveness in the electric vehicle market against other countries, the elimination of the tax credit and the imposition of new taxes could harm the automotive industry in the long term.

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The automotive community fears that these measures undermine the growth of the electric vehicle sector, limiting options for consumers and affecting the transition to cleaner technologies.

Tesla's innovative solution to combat the theft of its Supercharger chargers

Cable theft at charging stations for electric vehicles has become a growing problem that affects the reliability and availability of these infrastructures. This issue not only impacts Tesla, which operates a considerable number of supercharging stations, but also affects all charger operators, complicating accessibility and increasing prices for electric vehicle users. To address this challenge, Tesla has begun testing creative solutions at its Supercharger stations. One of them includes a coating called DyeDefender, which wraps around the charging cables. They sell […]

Cable thefts at charging stations for electric vehicles have become a growing problem that affects the reliability and availability of these infrastructures.

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This issue not only impacts Tesla, which operates a considerable number of supercharging stations, but also affects all charger operators, complicating accessibility and increasing prices for electric vehicle users.

To tackle this challenge, Tesla has begun testing creative solutions at its Supercharger stations. One of them includes a coating called DyeDefender, which wraps around the charging cables.

They sell the cables to get money for the copper inside

If these cables are cut, the system releases a dye that the saboteurs cannot easily hide. This innovative method, recently observed at a station in Seattle, aims to deter thieves by making stolen cables less useful.

In addition to the coating, Tesla is engraving the phrase “Property of Tesla” on the cables, an effort that, according to the company, could make it more difficult to sell them in illegal markets.

Max de Zegher, head of cargo at Tesla, mentions that this strategy is scalable and economical, and it should not affect the user experience at the stations, as long as the recycling points and junkyards are willing to apply these standards.

Despite Tesla’s initiatives, the existence of black markets for the sale of stolen cables persists. However, the price dynamics in these markets can be discouraging, suggesting that a combination of effective security measures could help reduce the incidence of these thefts.

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As the electric vehicle industry continues to expand, addressing these types of infrastructure issues will be crucial for its sustainability and future growth.

Porsche announces plans to cut 1,900 jobs and the blame is on the electric car

Porsche has announced plans to cut 1,900 jobs in Germany by 2029, a move that comes amid a decline in electric vehicle (EV) sales and challenges in the global market. A couple of months ago, they already announced that they would not stop manufacturing combustion cars. The luxury sports car manufacturer expects profit margins of only 10% to 12% for this year, well below its long-term target of 20%. This cut represents approximately 15% of its workforce at the Zuffenhausen and Weissach plants, where the company […]

Porsche has announced plans to cut 1,900 jobs in Germany by 2029, a move that comes amid a decline in electric vehicle (EV) sales and challenges in the global market. A couple of months ago they announced that they would not stop manufacturing combustion cars.

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The luxury sports car manufacturer expects profit margins of only 10% to 12% for this year, well below its long-term target of 20%.

This cut represents approximately 15% of its workforce at the Zuffenhausen and Weissach plants, where the company will mainly implement voluntary layoffs and early retirement packages.

The electric car is not the future that the German brand expected

In light of this situation, the company plans to develop new internal combustion and hybrid models, which will involve an additional investment of 800 million euros (830 million dollars) by 2025. However, the context is complicated, as global deliveries of Porsche fell by 3% last year, particularly affected by a reduction in sales in China, a key market for the brand.

Despite the general perception that the demand for electric vehicles is decreasing, the figures indicate growth. According to Rho Motion, global EV sales increased by 18% since January 2024, with 1.3 million units distributed in January 2025.

Meanwhile, national electric vehicle manufacturers like BYD continue to gain ground, launching 21 models that include a new intelligent driving system. These technological advancements contrast with Porsche’s strategy, which seems to focus on more traditional models.

On the other hand, Volkswagen, the parent company of Porsche, has reaffirmed its commitment to gradually phase out combustion engines in Europe by the early 2030s. However, with domestic EV manufacturers advancing rapidly, the question of the viability of Porsche’s strategy in a rapidly transforming market remains unanswered.

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Industry observers are wondering if the brand will be able to remain competitive or if it risks falling behind in the race towards electrification.

The new 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada threatens the wind and automotive industries

Donald Trump has proposed new tariffs that would significantly impact the wind industry in the United States. The proposal includes a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, and a 10% tariff on Chinese imports. According to a report by Wood Mackenzie, these measures could increase the cost of wind turbines by 7% and the overall project costs by 5%. In a scenario where universal tariffs of 25% are applied, it is anticipated that the prices of wind turbines could increase by 10%. The U.S. wind industry relies heavily on imports, especially for crucial components such as […]

Donald Trump has proposed new tariffs that would significantly impact the wind industry in the United States. The proposal includes a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, and a 10% tariff on Chinese imports.

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According to a report by Wood Mackenzie, these measures could increase the cost of wind turbines by 7% and the overall project costs by 5%. In a scenario where universal tariffs of 25% are applied, it is anticipated that the prices of wind turbines could increase by 10%.

The U.S. wind industry heavily relies on imports, especially for crucial components like blades and electrical systems.

A policy that goes against their interests

In 2023, the United States imported wind energy-related equipment totaling $1.7 billion, with 41% of this figure coming from Mexico, Canada, and China. Endri Lico, principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, warns that protectionist policies will raise the capital costs of domestic wind projects, which could jeopardize the economic viability of some projects.

The report estimates that tariffs could lead to a 4% increase in the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for onshore wind energy in the short term, and up to 7% in a 25% tariff scenario.

Despite the fact that tariffs are not new in the sector, the community of wind energy manufacturers is exploring alternatives to mitigate their impact. This includes restructuring supply chains and increasing localization within the U.S., as well as adjustments to their prices.

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Manufacturers expect that circumstances will become clear soon in order to fully assess the impact of this tariff legislation. The industry is anticipated to take proactive measures to adapt to the changes and maintain its growth in the face of these economic challenges.