LEC Team, Author at Learn Electric Cars

Tesla Eyeing Indian Factory With Capacity Of 500,000 EVs

Elon Musk has been trying to enter the Indian market for a couple of years but the 100% import duty was a huge hurdle. The Indian factory of Tesla might soon become a reality which could have an annual capacity of 500,000 EVs. The recent EV policy of the government of India to reduce the import duties on premium cars from over 100% to 15% has created a buzz among interested parties. On top of this list was Elon Musk’s Tesla. It was in talks with the Indian government for the past couple of years, seeking a reduction in import tariffs. However, the Indian government had unequivocally clarified that it is willing to do so only if the foreign carmaker is prepared to set up local manufacturing with a minimum investment of $500 million. With the new EV policy, the import taxes are just 15%. Hence, Tesla is sending out officials to India to look for the ideal location to set up a factory which could incur a cost between $2 billion and $3 billion. You might also like: Tesla Reclaims Title Of World’s Largest EV Maker With Q1 Sales Tesla Plans Indian Factory With 500,000 Capacity This won’t be the first time Tesla will be sending out officials to India. There were many reports last year suggesting that the American EV maker was already scouting for Tesla headquarters in Bangalore, Karnataka. Apart from that, the officials were present to have dialogues behind closed doors with the Indian government officials to hurry with this EV policy. Now that it is finally here, it is Tesla’s turn to keep its end of the promise. The Indian automobile industry is the 4th largest in the world, behind only China, the USA and Japan. Hence, Tesla understands the importance of this burgeoning marketplace. This is especially crucial since the EV demand, in top developed countries like the USA and China, is dwindling. In fact, the industry is anticipating a slower growth this year. In such a scenario, expanding its footprint across diverse nations like India, the Middle East, South East Asia and parts of Europe seems logical. Tesla’s $25,000 EV A crucial part of Tesla’s future plans is the much-talked-about ~$25,000 EV. It is very much possible once manufacturing shifts to a country like India. In India, Tesla is closely evaluating regions like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu to set up the production facility due to the already existing automobile infrastructure in these regions, the availability of OEM suppliers, and proximity to the ports in order to flood the neighbouring markets with Made-in-India EVs. Once Tesla commences its operations here, many auto ancillaries will also be attracted. This would increase the foreign investment in India significantly. In return, the government of India will extend enticing subsidies and incentives to Tesla to sell their vehicles in the country. In that way, the local economy will get a boost with this investment, and Tesla will be able to manufacture its EVs are affordable prices to compete with tons of newcomers in various new markets in this part of the world. Hence, it will be a win-win for both stakeholders. You might also like: Tesla Clocks 6 Million Lifetime Sales, 1 Million In Last 6 Months Learn Electric Cars Says Tesla, just like many other international companies with varied backgrounds, is ideally trying to shift operations from China to India. While that is a big deal, choosing India makes sense otherwise too. In order to expand its global footprint, having a base in one of the biggest automobile markets in the world is prudent. Even though the EV demand in China and the USA is slow, the Indian and its neighbouring markets are still at a nascent stage. There is a ginormous room for growth, at least for the next few years. Let us see how fast Tesla can capture the Indian market and commence production there.

Tesla Reclaims Title Of World’s Largest EV Maker With Q1 Sales

8 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

The American EV giant sold 386,810 electric cars in Q1 of 2024 in comparison to BYD’s 300,114 units. As per the sales data for Q1 2024, Tesla has reclaimed its title of the biggest EV maker in the world. This news report becomes important because, in the last quarter of 2023, the Chinese auto giant BYD overtook Tesla in total EV sales. That was a huge deal where the American auto giant had lost the top spot in quarterly sales for the first time ever. Speculations were floating suggesting that the Chinese automakers might finally be about to take over. But the first quarter of 2024 indicates otherwise. You might also like: Tesla Clocks 6 Million Lifetime Sales, 1 Million In Last 6 Months Tesla Q1 2024 Sales The 386,810 units sold by Tesla in Q1 of 2024 might be the highest in the world, but this number is significantly lower than what it sold in the last quarter. How low? Well, 20.2% lower! Not only that, this Q1’s sales are also 8.5% lower than the Q1 of 2023 (same period from last year). That is an unequivocal indication of the overall industry slowdown. In fact, the global automobile industry is largely driven by the Chinese market. Hence, these numbers represent the slowing down of EV demand. BYD Q1 2024 Sales That also explains the huge decline in BYD’s EV sales of 300,114 units in this quarter in comparison to the last quarter (526,409). However, in BYD’s case, these sales numbers are a significant 13.4% higher than what it sold in Q1 of 2023 (same period from last year). These numbers highlight that this year is going to be a slow year in terms of sales and demand for EVs. You might also like: 1,300 hp BYD YANGWANG U9 Is Ready To Redefine Electric Supercar Segment Learn Electric Cars Says The overall EV industry is in a slowdown, at least in the biggest economies in the world including the USA and China. Hence, these dictate the overall market trends. Nevertheless, some developing countries are still new to this EV revolution and are, therefore, displaying extremely positive growth signs. Going forward, the EV industry could also benefit from these small nations as EV adoption becomes more widespread. In any case, we shall have to keep an eye out for how each quarter from here on pans out in terms of global sales.

Toyota Hilux Electric Pickup Truck Announced

Toyota Hilux Electric Pickup To Enter Into Production By 2025

6 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

The Japanese auto giant might be evidently reluctant to adopt the EV route solely, but it is certainly ensuring to keep all options open. Toyota Hilux electric pickup truck will finally go into production by the end of 2025. The announcement came a few days ago by the President of Toyota Thailand, Noriaki Yamashita. We don’t need to reiterate just how popular the Hilux pickup truck is across the globe. In fact, it is produced in 6 different locations globally and is on sale in over 180 countries. With such a legacy to live up to, the electric avatar will have its work cut out. You might also like: EV Makers Reconsidering Their Ambitious Plans, Was Toyota Right All Along? Toyota Hilux Electric Pickup To Go In Production In 2025 Note that Toyota unveiled the all-electric concept version of the Hilux back in 2022 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary in Thailand. The Toyota Thailand President also said that the pickup will commence testing in the resort town of Pattaya, Thailand. In fact, Pattaya is slated to receive almost a dozen electric trucks next month to be utilized as public transportation vehicles in the area. Interestingly, its chief rival, the Isuzu D-MAX pickup truck in the electric avatar was also recently announced. That could’ve persuaded Toyota to announce the electric Hilux as well. Remember, both these are arch rivals, not just in Thailand, but in many markets across the globe. You might also like: Xiaomi SU7 EV Launched At $4,000 Less Than Tesla Model 3 Toyota’s Diversified Approach Toyota is famously against the idea of complete electrification. In fact, it is focusing its energy, time, investment and resources toward developing electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen and alternate fuel-sourced cars. Hence, it is adopting the multi-route approach until the path becomes clear. It remains an avid believer in hydrogen and still invests a lot of time and energy in developing techniques to make it feasible, safe and practical to use for automobiles. You might also like: Kia EV6 Facelift Spotted Testing – Everything We Know So Far Learn Electric Cars Says Toyota is an interesting case in this modern world where everyone is joining the EV bandwagon. Legacy carmakers are constantly torn between developing new techniques to make their existing IC engines compatible with the latest emission norms and transitioning to electrification. Most established car companies have announced their ambitious plans to go all-electric in the coming years. In fact, there have been new brands which have emerged to challenge the established car marques with their EV approach from the ground up. Amidst all this, Toyota is sticking to its guns and ensuring that it leverages the image it has commanded over the years. In doing so, it is trying out various methods to test which is the best way forward. A mix of electrification, hybridization, new energy cars like hydrogen, as well as traditional IC engines seems to be the current strategy.

Mazda Panasonic Cylindrical EV Batteries Agreement

Mazda and Panasonic To Work On Cylindrical Cells For EV Batteries

7 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

The two companies have signed an agreement toward the supply of cylindrical automotive Li-ion batteries. Mazda and Panasonic Energy entered into an agreement to supply EV batteries consisting of cylindrical cells. In June 2023, the two companies commenced discussions toward building a medium-to-long-term partnership for the supply of cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries. More details about the exact route they will adopt, timeframe, investment, etc., will be announced later. For now, let us take a look at the salient features of cylindrical cells in EV batteries. You might also like: Top 3 Potential Alternatives To Lithium-Ion Batteries For EVs Cylindrical Cells in EV Batteries There are primarily three types of cells which find application in the automotive world – Prismatic, Cylindrical and Pouch. In recent years, the former two have found the widest application. Prismatic Cell A prismatic cell refers to a cell with its chemistry contained within a rigid casing. Its rectangular shape allows for efficient stacking of multiple units in a battery module. Prismatic cells come in two types – those with electrode sheets (anode, separator, cathode) stacked within the casing, and those with the electrode sheets rolled and flattened. In terms of performance, stacked prismatic cells, for the same volume, can release more energy at once, providing superior performance. On the other hand, flattened prismatic cells contain more energy, offering increased durability. Primarily utilized in energy storage systems and electric vehicles, prismatic cells are less suitable for smaller devices like e-bikes and cellphones due to their larger size. Hence, they are better suited for applications requiring higher energy consumption. You might also like: Lithium-Sulphur Batteries For EVs Promise 5-Min Charging Time Cylindrical Cell A cylindrical cell refers to a cell enclosed within a rigid cylinder casing. These cells are characterized by their small, round shape, allowing them to be stacked in devices of varying sizes. Unlike other battery formats, the cylindrical shape of these cells prevents swelling, a phenomenon where gases accumulate within the casing. Initially, cylindrical cells found application in laptops, typically comprising between three and nine cells. Their popularity surged when Tesla incorporated them into its earliest electric vehicles, such as the Roadster and the Model S, which housed between 6,000 and 9,000 cells. The famed 4680 is a type of cylindrical battery. You might also like: New CATL Batteries To Retain 80% Capacity After 12 Years Learn Electric Cars Says While it is difficult to set a standard in the diversified electric mobility industry just yet, it looks like the cylindrical and prismatic cells could be the long-term solutions. In fact, more battery companies are increasingly exploring the advantages associated with cylindrical cells lately. In addition to Panasonic, even the Korean battery giant, LG Energy Solution is working on 4680 cells and the production will commence at its Ochang plant in South Korea in August 2024. Even though it might be too early to call, the cylindrical cells in EV batteries seem to be winning the race at the moment.

Tesla Clocks 6 Million Lifetime Sales, 1 Million In Last 6 Months

5 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

Tesla announced, via its X handle, that it just produced its 6 millionth car, ironically, the Model Y. Tesla becomes the first EV maker on the planet to achieve 6 million lifetime sales. Despite stiff competition from the Chinese auto giant, BYD, the American giant has stood its own. Sure, there were a few hiccups, particularly in the last year. The overall sales and demand have been lower than anticipated. The competition is increasing with each passing day. But hitting this magical number should boost the confidence of the team to handle future challenges with new vigour. Produced our 6 millionth car! Thank you to our owners & teams around the world for your support & hard work—it truly matters. 🌎🌍🌏❤️ pic.twitter.com/F4IeQtK0PS — Tesla (@Tesla) March 29, 2024 You might also like: Xiaomi SU7 EV Launched At $4,000 Less Than Tesla Model 3 Tesla Hits 6 Million Lifetime Sales Tesla took to X to announce this impressive milestone. The post read, “Produced our 6 millionth car! Thank you to our owners & teams around the world for your support & hard work-it truly matters.” Along with this text, there is a warm video clip of the massive team with visual representations confirming 6 million sales. You must already know that the Model Y is the highest-selling EV on the planet, significantly contributing to this ginormous number. The American EV giant has surely come a long way from 2008 when it first launched the Roadster. You would be surprised to know that it took Tesla 12 years to hit 1 million sales, just 15 months to hit 2 million sales and 10 months to achieve 3 million sales. It was only in March 2023 that Tesla completed 4 million sales. Finally, in September 2023, Tesla announced its 5 million sales. Fast forward to today, an unprecedented number of 6 million comes to life. You might also like: Elon Musk Confirms Free FSD Trial For A Month On Tesla Cars! Learn Electric Cars Says Even though Tesla is alone at the top of the summit in terms of lifetime EV sales, things are looking challenging ahead. Realizing this, Tesla is working relentlessly to enter and conquer new markets before the competition arrives. There are still huge markets to be captured including India, Turkey, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and parts of Europe. Hence, it needs to keep working at lightning speed. On the other end of the spectrum, the Chinese auto giants are doing everything in their power to expand their footprint as well. Some of them are already so big in their domestic market, that their sales numbers are just through the roof. With further plans of flooding the international markets with relatively inexpensive products, they will surely make things extremely difficult for Elon Musk’s Tesla. In any case, the potential customers stand to benefit as car marques will try to offer the best products with the latest tech and performance at affordable prices.

Audi e-tron GT Faces 2 Recalls For Potential Battery Issues

5 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

The recall affects 1,042 EVs which potentially run the risk of a short circuit or fire due to a faulty battery module. In some latest news, Audi is announcing 2 recalls of the e-tron GT electric car over iffy battery modules. The models in question are the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT. The problem has occurred in the high-voltage batteries which could result in a short circuit or fire. Thankfully, no such cases have been registered so far. Hence, the German luxury carmaker wants to act fast to contain the situation without anyone getting adversely impacted. You might also like: Kia EV6 Facelift Spotted Testing – Everything We Know So Far Audi e-tron GT Recalls Over Battery Issues The carmaker will recall 1,042 units in two separate instances. The first recall will involve 1,013 cars which belong to the 2022-2024 model years. This is because the carmaker doesn’t possess enough data to know which exact cars are impacted. Perhaps, only 1% of these will actually bear this issue. Still, Audi needs to take the safer route by recalling all these cars. This is a serious scenario where the government notes that the “high-voltage batteries may experience short circuits … which can lead to thermal events and, in some cases, fires.” The second recall will incorporate 29 vehicles from 2022-2023 model years. In this case, the carmaker has enough data to know exactly which cars are affected. Hence, the number of vehicles recalled is small. The recall report mentions that Porsche told Audi about the defect in certain Taycan battery modules. Now, the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT share a lot of components including the battery modules. Hence, Audi commenced an investigation to get to the root of the matter. Note that LG Energy Solution Wrocław supplies batteries to both Porsche and Audi. As a result, it was found that the battery modules were needed to be replaced with the ones with “improved cell production quality.” In the meanwhile, Audi has warned the e-tron owners to charge the batteries of their EVs to just 80%. You might also like: Mercedes VISION EQXX Drives 1,010 km On Single Charge, Still Has 309 km Range Left Learn Electric Cars Says Recalls are very common in the automobile industry. This has been true with traditional ICE cars where a company would find a fault in the manufacturing of a component. Hence, it would recall a specific batch of cars to fix that issue. With EVs, the components are limited. Moreover, the battery and its components are largely sourced from certain big players. As a result, there are fewer problems. Still, when they occur, recalling quickly is necessary because the consequences could be serious if there are issues with the batteries.

Xiaomi SU7 Electric Sedan Front Three Quarters

Xiaomi SU7 EV Launched At $4,000 Less Than Tesla Model 3

6 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

Within just 27 minutes of the launch, Xiaomi received a whopping 50,000 bookings for the EV! The Chinese tech giant has finally launched the promising Xiaomi SU7 EV, undercutting the Tesla Model 3. The SU7 retails for an enticing 215,900 Yuan (approx. $30,000), while the Tesla Model 3 starts at 245,900 Yuan (approx. $34,000). Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun confirmed that in order to price it competitively, each SU7 will be sold at a loss. That highlights just how severe the situation is in the Chinese market. Furthermore, he mentioned that due to the automation of critical processes in its manufacturing plant, the company can produce an SU7 every 76 seconds! You might also like: All Winners At 2024 World Car Awards – Kia EV9 To BMW i5 Xiaomi SU7 EV Launched – Specs The HyperEngine V8s sets a global record for EVs, achieving a maximum speed of 27,200 RPM, 425 kW (570 PS) output, and 635 Nm peak torque. To surpass the industry standard of 27,200 RPM, the HyperEngine V8s employs the industry’s first ultra-high-strength silicon steel plate with a tensile strength of 960 MPa. Regarding cooling design, the HyperEngine V8s integrates Bidirectional Full Oil Cooling Technology and an S-shaped oil circuit design. A dual-cycle oil circuit increases the heat dissipation area of the stator by 100%, resulting in a cooling effect of up to 20°C. The rotor section employs a patented S-shaped oil circuit, enhancing the heat dissipation area by 50% and achieving a cooling effect of up to 30°C. Additionally, the stator silicon steel laminations feature a “step-like” staggered design, further increasing the effective heat dissipation area by an additional 7%. The HyperEngine V8s is currently under development and is slated for mass production and implementation in Xiaomi EVs in 2025. Xiaomi’s self-developed HyperEngine V6/V6s E-motors boast an industry-leading rotational speed of 21,000 RPM, surpassing the most powerful mass-produced electric motor globally. The HyperEngine V6 super motor delivers a maximum power of 299 PS and a maximum torque of 400 Nm. Conversely, the HyperEngine V6s super motor achieves a maximum power of 374 PS and a maximum torque of 500 Nm. Specifications Xiaomi SU7 HyperEngine V8s 570 PS / 635 Nm HyperEngine V6 299 PS / 400 Nm HyperEngine V6s 374 PS / 500 Nm HyperEngine V8s Max Speed 27,200 RPM HyperEngine V6 / V6s Max Speed 21,000 RPM Acceleration (0-100 km/h) 2.78 seconds Top Speed 265 km/h Specs You might also like: Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV Announced w/ DC Fast Charging Xiaomi SU7 EV Battery Tech Xiaomi has spearheaded the advancement of CTB Integrated Battery Technology by leveraging innovative Inverted Cell Technology, a versatile elastic interlayer, and a streamlined wiring system. This technology achieves an impressive battery integration efficiency of 77.8%, the highest among CTB batteries globally. It results in an overall performance enhancement of 24.4% and reduces height by 17 mm. With a maximum battery capacity of up to 150 kWh and a theoretical CLTC recharge range exceeding 1200 km, Xiaomi’s CTB Integrated Battery Technology establishes a new industry benchmark. In light of safety considerations, this battery incorporates a 14-layer physical protection system consisting of 3 top layers, 3 side layers, and 8 bottom layers. With an improved heat dissipation system, the battery can withstand temperatures of up to 1000°C. To effectively control and monitor the entire battery unit, Xiaomi provides a self-developed Battery Management System (BMS) with ASIL-D certification. Battery Details Xiaomi SU7 Capacity (Max) 150 kWh Range (CLTC) 1,200 km Type Inverted Cell Technology Battery Integration Efficiency 77.8% Battery Specs You might also like: Kia EV6 Facelift Spotted Testing – Everything We Know So Far Features and Autonomous Driving Tech The Xiaomi SU7’s cabin exudes ultra-modernity and is packed with cutting-edge technology. It features a 16.1-inch 3K central console, a 56-inch HUD (Head-Up Display), and a 7.1-inch rotating dashboard equipped with two seat-back extension mounts for connecting two tablets. To ensure seamless operation across devices and applications, the SU7 utilizes the Snapdragon 8295 in-car chip, offering AI computing power of up to 30 TOPS. Connecting almost any smart device to the vehicle takes just a matter of seconds, enabling the Human x Car x Home Smart ecosystem. In terms of active safety capabilities, the SU7 is equipped with two NVIDIA Orin high-performance chips, boasting a total computing power of 508 TOPS, along with 1 LiDAR, 11 HD Cameras, 3 Millimeter-Wave Radars, and 12 Ultrasonic Radars. Xiaomi’s fully-developed in-house intelligent Autonomous Driving system is poised to revolutionize the industry as early as 2024. You might also like: Key Highlights Of The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X Revealed Learn Electric Cars Says As fresh contenders emerge on the global EV scene, the landscape becomes increasingly intriguing. The EV revolution has spurred a wave of new startups and cross-industry players eager to venture into this burgeoning field. Notably, companies like Sony and Apple have already announced plans to introduce their electric cars in the future. As EVs become more focused on electronics, these tech giants can capitalize on their decades of experience in consumer electronics. Through strategic partnerships, they have the potential to challenge traditional automakers moving forward. Amidst this evolution, customers stand to gain the most, as they will have access to quality products at competitive prices. The Xiaomi SU7 exemplifies how electronic firms have made significant strides, with its impressive battery, range, e-motors, and technological features.

Kia EV9 Front Three Quarters World Car of the Year

All Winners At 2024 World Car Awards – Kia EV9 To BMW i5

6 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

The 2024 World Car Awards have been announced and the Korean auto giants have displayed an impressive performance. We take a look at all the winners at the 2024 World Car Awards. This ceremony took place yesterday at the New York International Auto Show. It represents a prestigious accolade within the automotive industry. The judging panel comprised over 100 expert journalists and automotive specialists from more than 30 countries. Drawing from a diverse range of experiences, they evaluated vehicles based on specific criteria to ensure the selection of only the finest models available. You might also like: Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV Announced w/ DC Fast Charging Winners at 2024 World Car Awards 2024 World Car Of The Year The finalists in this revered category were the BYD Seal, Kia EV9 and Volvo EX30. However, it was the Korean Kia EV9 which took home the title. The jury recognized the innovative design, spacious cabin, plenty of tech features and enticing prices. Interestingly, it is not the only title the Kia EV9 bagged. 2024 World Electric Vehicle Award Next up, we take a look at the World Electric Vehicle Award. In this category, the contenders were – BMW i5, Kia EV9 and Volvo EX30. Again, the award went to Kia EV9. That is a huge feather in the cap of the EV9 to have bagged two titles despite stiff competition. You might also like: Kia EV6 Facelift Spotted Testing – Everything We Know So Far 2024 World Performance Car The fire-breathing EVs were also competing for the 2024 World Performance Car award. As the name suggests, it included EVs which are designed for spirited driving characteristics. The finalists included BMW M2 (Second-gen), BMW XM and Hyundai IONIQ 5 N. On this occasion, the Korean giant, Hyundai took the cake with its IONIQ 5 N hot electric hatch/crossover. 2024 World Luxury Car You must’ve seen luxury carmakers offering their EVs in recent times as well. In these cases, the aim is to provide the utmost comfort and convenience to the occupants. The candidates for this category included – BMW 5 Series and i5, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. In this all-German encounter, the BMW 5 Series and i5 took the top spot (combined). You might also like: Key Highlights Of The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X Revealed 2024 World Urban Car Finally, the 2024 World Urban Car award was also up for grabs. This is for the vehicles which customers generally use for daily commutes. Hence, practicality, ownership characteristics and affordability might have been the deciding factors in this case. The top contenders were Volvo EX30, BYD Dolphin and Lexus LBX. The Swedish carmaker won this title with its EX30. You might also like: Mercedes VISION EQXX Drives 1,010 km On Single Charge, Still Has 309 km Range Left Learn Electric Cars Says This esteemed award ceremony serves as a validation for car manufacturers, affirming that they have produced something truly exceptional. With multiple categories, various aspects of vehicles are carefully evaluated for this prestigious accolade. The dominance of electric vehicles in these awards may indeed foreshadow future trends in the automotive industry.

Elon Musk Confirms Free FSD Trial For A Month On Tesla Cars!

9 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

In an effort to boost demand and keep up with the increasing competition, Tesla is offering a free trial of FSD on its cars for an entire month. All Tesla cars (which support FSD) will get a free one-month trial to test the FSD, confirms Elon Musk. FSD, in Tesla’s parlance, refers to the Full Self-Driving System. In essence, it is an evolved avatar of the regular ADAS we find on many modern cars. However, as the name suggests, Tesla’s FSD is capable of fully autonomous driving, but only in select locations and roads. To ensure that every Tesla owner gets a taste of how this technology actually works, Elon Musk announced via X that Tesla will offer a free trial to the owners whose cars support the latest FSD version 12.3.1. All US cars that are capable of FSD will be enabled for a one month trial this week — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 26, 2024 You might also like: This One-of-a-kind 2-Seat Tesla Model Y Has A 2,158-litre Boot Free FSD Trial For Tesla Cars While engaging in a conversation with Whole Mars Catalog post on X, Elon Musk wrote, “All US cars that are capable of FSD will be enabled for a one-month trial this week.” This came after TeslaMojo expressed, “The one-month FSD Beta trial should include any existing owners who have never experienced it.” He tagged Elon Musk, Whole Mars Blog and Sawyer Merritt in this post. That is when Elon Musk made this exciting announcement. You might also like: Which EVs Use Tesla Superchargers? Tesla FSD Tech Normally, the FSD costs $12,000 to the customers who wish to use it. However, in recent times, we have seen a slowdown in the sales of EVs in general. Tesla has also reeled under the aftermath of the slowing sales. Apart from that, the competition from the rivals, particularly in markets like China (from BYD), has been fierce. Tesla lost the top spot for highest EV sales in the last quarter of last year to BYD for the first time ever. Hence, the Chinese auto giant is clipping on the heels of the American EV marque. To create demand and boost sales, Tesla is adopting unprecedented means. For instance, last year, we saw multiple price cuts from Tesla, something we had never seen before. Secondly, Tesla, for the first time, started advertising its products. Finally, Elon Musk’s promise to hand out freebies in order to get potential customers, as well as existing customers, excited about the FSD, is yet another sign that Tesla is leaving no stone unturned to expand its market share. You might also like: Kia EV6 Facelift Spotted Testing – Everything We Know So Far Learn Electric Cars Says The fact that Elon Musk is offering such amenities to the public for free is a testament to just how concerning the situation is. The USA and China are witnessing slower-than-expected sales of electric cars. Note that while the overall sales are still rising, they are not increasing as rapidly as industry experts had anticipated. Also, this is true only for the mature markets. In the developing countries, the EV adoption is still at a nascent stage. Hence, the demand and sales are at an all-time high. We shall have to observe how these desperate measures from Tesla affect its sales going forward.

Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV Front Three Quarters

Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV Announced w/ DC Fast Charging

7 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

Mercedes-Benz is strengthening its hybrid portfolio amidst a slowdown in EV demand in the USA and China. The Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV has been announced ahead of the H2 2024 launch. It will bear more tech and convenience features over the standard GLC 300 4MATIC model. Note that the GLC is the second-most successful SUV in Mercedes’ camp after the GLE. Hence, to offer it with multiple powertrain options seems prudent to capitalize on its popularity. The strong hybrid mill ensures a usable pure-electric drive and DC fast charging. You might also like: Mercedes VISION EQXX Drives 1,010 km On Single Charge, Still Has 309 km Range Left Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV – Specs The plug-in hybrid premium SUV comes with a 2.0-liter turbo petrol mill with a Permanently Excited Electric Synchronous Motor which has a combined output of a healthy 313 hp and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm). Out of this, the electric powertrain contributes 134 hp and 325 lb-ft (442 Nm). There is a rather large 24.8 kWh battery pack which offers an electric range of up to 130 km (81 mi) as per WLTP. It can be charged using either an 11 kW AC home charger or a 60 kW DC fast charger. The latter can charge the battery fully in around 30 minutes. Even during pure electric drive, the top speed is 87 mph (140 km/h). The PHEV can achieve a maximum recuperation power of up to 100 kW. In the regular driving model, the top speed is electronically limited to 135 mph (217 km/h). In the sportiest settings, the acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) takes just 6.6 seconds. That is more than adequate performance for a bulky plug-in hybrid SUV. Specs Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV Engine 2.0L Plug-in Hybrid w/ Electric Motor Battery 24.8 kWh Total Power 313 hp Total Torque 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) Charging 60 kW DC – 30 minutes Pure Electric Range 130 km (81 mi) – WLTP Acc. (0-60 mph / 97 km/h) 6.6 seconds (est.) Top Speed (Max) 135 mph (217 km/h) Top Speed (Electric Drive) 87 mph (140 km/h) Specs You might also like: Key Highlights Of The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X Revealed Interior and Features The interior of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV offers an opulent cabin, just as we expect of a Merc. It is offered in three variants – Standard, Exclusive and Pinnacle. The top features include: You might also like: All-New Audi Q6 e-tron Quattro Revealed With New Platform Learn Electric Cars Says Mercedes-Benz is ensuring that it doesn’t go all-out with EVs but keeps its ICE and hybrid powertrains intact and updated as well. That is becoming a necessity since the EV demand in some major economies across the globe is slowing down. It can be argued that hybrids might just be the need of the hour. The leap to complete electrification might have to pass through hybridization. Hence, carmakers are re-strategizing their plans to achieve carbon neutrality in the coming years. Mercedes-Benz launching a strong hybrid of its popular SUV is a clear indication in that direction.

LEC Team

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