Vauxhall has partnered with carwow, an online car marketplace, as part of its ongoing Electric Streets of Britain programme. By utilizing carwow’s extensive database, Vauxhall can work with local councils to identify areas of high interest in electric vehicles (EVs) across the country. This collaboration will help prioritize the installation of on-street charge points in those areas.
Data from carwow reveals that 15% of car enquiries this year have been for EVs, based on an analysis of over 320,000 car enquiries in 2023. This highlights the growing interest in EVs as the UK government plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035. However, the current gap between EV interest and the availability of charging infrastructure indicates the need for significant growth in the UK’s charging network.
Last month, over 45,000 EVs were registered in the UK, accounting for a peak of 17% of the new car market. In contrast, only 1,432 public EV charging devices were added to the ZapMap database during the same period.
The Electric Streets of Britain programme by Vauxhall aims to address the lack of on-street charging infrastructure in the UK, which poses a significant obstacle for many motorists. Research shows that more than 70% of UK councils have no published strategy for residential on-street charging, and 69% of local authorities have yet to install any on-street chargers.
The majority of EV charging, approximately 80%, occurs at home due to its cost-effectiveness and convenience. However, around 40% of UK households, and over 60% in urban areas, do not have access to off-street parking. This means that residents in these areas heavily rely on public charging facilities.
Vauxhall’s Managing Director, James Taylor, emphasized the importance of assisting local authorities in installing charging infrastructure to support the increasing number of EVs on the road. To facilitate this, Vauxhall has launched the Electric Streets website (ElectricStreets.co.uk), allowing the public to register their charging needs.
Carwow’s Commercial Director, Sepi Arani, stressed the collective effort needed to install more charging points in the right locations to ensure a smooth transition to electric vehicles. This collaboration aims to avoid potential infrastructure bottlenecks that could hinder the adoption of EVs and help the UK meet its net-zero targets.
Vauxhall plans to offer fully electric versions of all its car and van models from 2024. The company is currently the top-selling electric van manufacturer in the UK and has transformed its Ellesmere Port plant into Stellantis’ first facility dedicated to electric models.
1Data provided to Vauxhall by carwow – January 2023 to September 2023, 321,758 new car enquiries made through carwow.co.uk by fuel type.
2Vauxhall’s Freedom of Information research took place between May – July 2023, issued to 414 councils across the United Kingdom.
NEW YORK, September 19, 2023 – Motorsport Network, a leading global digital media platform in motorsport and automotive, has announced the appointment of Patrick George as Editor in Chief for the US branch of its brand InsideEVs.com.
George brings over 20 years of media industry experience to InsideEVs. Previously, he served as the longest-serving Editor in Chief of Jalopnik and Editorial Director at Recurrent Ventures, overseeing websites such as The Drive and Task & Purpose. His writing has been featured in The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, The Verge, and other publications. More recently, George co-wrote, co-hosted, and produced Vox Media’s “Land of Giants” podcast, which explored the rise of Tesla and the future of electric vehicles.
“I am delighted to welcome Patrick George to the Motorsport Network family as the leader of InsideEVs,” said Seyth Miersma, Editorial Director, USA Automotive at Motorsport Network. “His exceptional news sense, track record for building media brands, and understanding of the future of electrified transportation make him the ideal fit for this role.”
InsideEVs, established in 2012, is one of the oldest and largest electric vehicle websites globally. It extensively covers sustainable mobility and technology, publishing news, reviews, features, and original videos.
“InsideEVs has been reporting on the electrified revolution from the very beginning, and I am incredibly excited to lead the publication as this technology becomes mainstream,” George mentioned. “The zero-emission, digital transformation of the car industry is currently the most captivating and significant story in the world. I am eager to assist Motorsport Network in expanding its coverage of this crucial topic and aiding drivers worldwide in understanding the profound changes that await them.”
About Motorsport Network:
With over 40 million monthly unique users and a social media community of over 15 million followers, Motorsport Network stands as the world’s largest independent motorsport and automotive media platform. Its nearly 50 flagship digital properties include renowned automotive industry brands such as Motor1.com, InsideEVs, RideApart, as well as leading racing properties like Motorsport.com, Autosport, Motorsport-Total, and GPOne.
She now owns two Mercedes SUVs, including a Mercedes-Benz GLE
Popular Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu has treated herself to a luxurious Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV. The SUV is finished in the Mojave Silver single-tone paint option. She already owns a Mercedes-Benz GLE.
The Maybach GLS is a popular choice among celebrities in Bollywood. Recently, Rakul Preet Singh and Ranveer Singh also became proud owners of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS.
About the SUV
The Maybach GLS is the largest SUV offered by Mercedes-Benz. It offers a higher level of luxury with the Maybach branding. In India, it is available in a single fully loaded variant called the 600 4MATIC+, which is priced at Rs 2.96 crore (ex-showroom Delhi).
Powertrain Details
The India-spec Maybach GLS comes with a 4-litre V8 bi-turbo petrol engine (557PS/730Nm) with 48V mild-hybrid technology. It also has an additional 22PS and 250Nm boost under hard acceleration, assisting with efficiency. The engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and features all-wheel drive.
The Maybach GLS comes equipped with two 12.3-inch screens, ambient lighting with 64 colors, wireless charging in the front and rear, a panoramic sunroof, a 7-inch MBUX tablet in the rear armrest for controlling various functions, and rear electric sunblinds. Other features include an in-car refrigerator with champagne glasses, 4-zone climate control, optional 11.6-inch rear entertainment screens, and a 13-speaker Burmester sound system.
One unique feature of the Maybach GLS 600 is its adaptive and adjustable air suspension, which includes a bounce mode.
In India, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS competes with the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga. It is positioned above other German luxury SUVs like the BMW X7 and Audi Q7.
Recently, a mysterious bug on Twitter has been causing issues with links and images in old posts. This bug not only affects URLs leading to external websites but also breaks the previews and replaces original URLs with short t.co links. For example, journalist Matt Novak had a tweet with a URL leading to a Gizmodo article, but now the preview is gone and the original URL has been replaced by two short t.co links. However, an archived version of the same tweet still shows the article preview and an active clickable link as mentioned by Novak.
Wayback Machine
This is not the first time Twitter has experienced such a bug. In the first week of March 2023, there was a similar issue where links embedded within tweets were broken. However, Twitter quickly resolved that issue. The Twitter Support account explained at the time that it was the result of an internal change with unintended consequences. There was also a similar problem in 2016 when some Mac users reported that shortened “t.co” URLs were not opening properly in Apple’s Safari browser.
Cardo Systems, a leading motorcycle intercom brand, has introduced a highly anticipated update to its PackTalk system: voice recording. The PackTalk system is known for its easy-to-use interface and reliable communication technology called Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC).
The new voice recording feature, available on all second-generation Cardo communicators including the PackTalk Edge, PackTalk Neo, and PackTalk Custom with Platinum Package, can be accessed through the Cardo mobile app. To enable the feature, users simply need to update their device to the latest 7.0 software version.
According to Cardo Systems’ Chief Marketing Officer, Dan Emodi, the company aims to enhance the riding experience by providing innovative solutions. With the new update, Cardo is at the forefront of technology, offering a user-friendly platform to record and store audio directly on the rider’s cell phone.
The voice recording feature allows second-generation PackTalk users to record any DMC conversation via the mobile app. Even first-generation PackTalk units, such as the Bold and Black models, can record conversations. However, this feature is not accessible for users of these devices. Additionally, non-Cardo units connected via Bluetooth can also be recorded with the new update. All recorded audio is automatically saved on the user’s phone for easy access when editing.
The voice recording feature is designed to be user-friendly. Users can simply download the Cardo Connect App and tap the voice recording button on the Home Screen. A microphone icon will appear, and users can press it to start recording. They can also pause and resume recording as they ride, saving the entire ride as a single file. To learn more about Cardo’s products, features, and software updates, visit the company’s official website.
While it’s no surprise that Richard Mille proves to be leading the luxury watch industry alongside household names like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet, the ability to acquire one of their watches poses a difficult task. The passionate horologists at Stephen Silver Fine Jewelers are proud to present the opportunity to own the limited-edition Richard Mille RM 60-01 Voiles de Saint Barth through duPont REGISTRY Discovery. This exceptional timepiece pays homage to the legendary Caribbean regatta, embodying the spirit of nautical adventure in its intricate design.
The special edition Richard Mille RM 60-01 watch features an ultra-light titanium case and an aesthetically pleasing skeletonized dial, showcasing a robust yet comfortable 50mm design. It houses a high-performance automatic movement, featuring functions such as an annual calendar, flyback chronograph, and dual time/GMT. A sapphire crystal back reveals the RM 60-01’s intricate in-house movement, a hallmark of Richard Mille’s ultra-exclusive creations. Its water-resistance and white rubber strap makes it ideal for nautical enthusiasts. Invest in this luxury timepiece and become part of the Richard Mille legacy. Limited to only 50 pieces in the world, this Richard Mille RM 60-01 Voiles de Saint Barth is currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY Discovery by clicking the link below.
Seven of the world’s top automakers, including BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Stellantis NV, are collaborating to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in North America. Their joint venture aims to make EV charging more convenient, accessible, and reliable.
To achieve this goal, the automakers will develop a new high-powered charging network consisting of at least 30,000 chargers. This network will make zero-emission driving even more appealing for millions of customers.
The joint venture will leverage both public and private funds to expedite the installation of high-powered charging stations. These stations will be accessible to all battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker that uses the Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS). They are expected to meet or exceed the requirements of the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.
The ultimate objective of this collaboration is to establish the leading network of reliable high-powered charging stations across North America.
This joint venture is expected to be established within this year, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The first charging stations are planned to open in the United States in the summer of 2024, followed by stations in Canada. Each site will be equipped with multiple high-powered DC chargers, making long-distance journeys easier for customers. Moreover, the joint venture intends to power the charging stations solely with renewable energy to align with the sustainability strategies of all seven automakers.
Enhancing the Customer Experience
The new high-powered charging network aims to elevate the entire EV experience and drive the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
This network will provide a seamless and best-in-class charging experience, supported by renewable energy and the expertise and resources of the world’s leading automakers.
The charging stations will be strategically located in convenient areas, with canopies and nearby amenities such as restrooms, food services, and retail operations. Flagship stations will offer additional amenities, offering a premier experience to showcase the future of charging.
Initially, the charging stations will be deployed in metropolitan areas and along major highways, including connecting corridors and vacation routes. The aim is to provide a charging station wherever people choose to live, work, and travel.
The network’s functions and services will seamlessly integrate with participating automakers’ in-vehicle and in-app experiences. This includes reservations, intelligent route planning and navigation, payment applications, transparent energy management, and more. To further enhance the customer experience, the network will utilize Plug & Charge technology.
An Open Network to Foster Electric Vehicle Growth
As the number of electric vehicles grows and consumer adoption increases, the demand for fast and reliable public charging also rises.
Currently, there are 32,000 publicly available DC fast chargers in the United States for the use of 2.3 million electric vehicles. However, this ratio of 72 vehicles per charger is expected to be insufficient to support the estimated 30-42 million plug-in vehicles on the road by 2030, according to the NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory).
With U.S. electric vehicle sales projected to surpass 50% of total U.S. sales by 2030, expanding reliable charging infrastructure becomes even more crucial for widespread EV adoption.
By creating a best-in-class charging network, this joint venture aims to ensure that the EV infrastructure can support the current and future EV sales, thereby facilitating the adoption of electric vehicles.
Statements from Founding Partners
BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse emphasizes the importance of high-speed charging accessibility to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in North America.
GM CEO Mary Barra highlights their commitment to delivering EVs customers love while investing in charging infrastructure for easier accessibility.
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe views EV charging services as an opportunity to provide complete and sustainable solutions, supporting efforts toward carbon neutrality.
Hyundai CEO Jaehoon Chang sees this project as part of their vision to make sustainable transportation more accessible and redefine the charging landscape.
Kia CEO Ho Sung Song expresses their commitment to increasing charging access and convenience for drivers, accelerating the transition to EVs.
Mercedes-Benz Group CEO Ola Källenius emphasizes the fight against climate change and the importance of making charging as convenient as possible.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares highlights the significance of a charging network at scale to protect freedom of mobility for all and achieve their carbon neutrality plan.
Contact information for each automaker is provided at the end of the article.
Lexus has been a leader in the affordable and reliable luxury segment for over three decades with its phenomenal Lexus LS. However, the technology and features in flagship luxury cars have improved since then, and the LS is no longer the only alternative in this space.
Genesis, a brand that has been around for less than two decades, is aiming to dethrone Lexus. The new G90 flagship luxury sedan is positioned to be the vehicle for that task. Now in its second generation, the G90 has improved on everything that made the first car good and offers even more features that rival the LS. The Genesis G90 may be a new name in the luxury segment, but it is quickly becoming one of the best alternatives for an affordable luxury sedan.
The G90 features a stunning design that clearly communicates its intention to be a comfortable and luxurious vehicle. The dual LED strips in the front and the simple mesh chrome grille exude opulence. On the other hand, Lexus maintains its design language with the spindle grille, which gives the LS a sporty look.
The G90 also incorporates unique design elements, such as LED strips on the front fenders and flush door handles. It comes with 20-inch wheels, while the LS has 19-inch wheels. In terms of dimensions, the G90 is slightly longer, wider, and heavier than the LS. The rear ends of both vehicles have distinct designs, with the G90 featuring integrated light bars in its tail lights.
When it comes to interior space, the G90 offers more room than the LS, with 109.2 cubic feet compared to the LS’s 97.6 cubic feet. The G90’s interior exudes luxury with a simple dashboard design, sleek AC vents, and high-quality materials like leather, wood, aluminum, and glass finishes. The LS also has a sophisticated interior with swooping lines, leather surfaces, and wood trim.
Both the G90 and the LS come with a wide range of features, including heated and cooled seats, power-adjustable seats, heated steering wheels, memory seats, Apple CarPlay, keyless entry, and start-stop functionality. The G90 features a 23-speaker Bang and Olufsen 3D premium audio system, while the LS is equipped with a Mark Levinson unit, also with a 23-speaker system.
Under the hood, both the G90 and the LS are equipped with twin-turbo V-6 engines. The G90 produces 375 horsepower, while the LS produces 416 horsepower. Both vehicles offer hybrid engine options as well. The G90 is all-wheel drive only, while the LS offers the option of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The Genesis G90 is the superior luxury car compared to the Lexus LS. Its design is sophisticated, and it incorporates the latest features and gimmicks found in more expensive luxury cars. The interior is simple yet luxurious, offering ultimate comfort to its occupants. While the LS is also a good-looking car, it has a busier and sportier design. The G90 has a higher starting price, but it remains around the $100,000 mark, while the LS can easily exceed that once you opt for the hybrid option. Ultimately, the G90 surpasses the LS in being a true luxury car.
In 1898, France was at the forefront of the emerging world of motoring. The Automobile Club de France (ACF) had been established in 1895, and within just three years, the number of cars on French roads had reached around 2000. With this growing popularity, co-founder Jules de Dion believed it was time to showcase these vehicles to the public.
It is worth noting that de Dion himself had achieved significant feats in the world of automobiles prior to this exhibition. In 1894, he won the world’s first car race in a car made by his own company. He also played a role in founding L’Aéro-Club de France, set up a newspaper that created the Tour de France, and even served as a Member of Parliament. His name is still commonly associated with the term “axle.”
The chosen location for the exhibition was Le Jardin des Tuileries, a central spot in Paris between La Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. A temporary roof was constructed to cover the displays. To ensure that only serious exhibitors participated, cars had to be demonstrably driven beforehand.
The Exposition Internationale d’Automobiles drew a crowd of approximately 140,000 people. They had the opportunity to marvel at 232 car models from 77 different manufacturers.
According to our report at the time, the exhibition provided strong evidence of the viability of the automobile industry. The display of various vehicle propulsion systems showcased the significant advancements anticipated in the near future. We noted, “Among them, there were many ingenious and interesting devices that might be turned to excellent account, although some were of indifferent merit or utterly impracticable.”
One of the prominent exhibitors was De Dion-Bouton, which showcased its motorised tricycles and cars, alongside a remarkable 20-seat steam-powered omnibus capable of producing an impressive 50bhp.
Another notable presence was Panhard et Levassor, which displayed 12 vehicles of different types. Our report mentioned the beautifully finished carriage work and luxurious upholstery, surpassing the standards typically associated with horse-drawn vehicles.
China is currently leading the electric vehicle (EV) race. There’s no denying it and that’s the reality whether you like it or not. Whether that will be sustained in the years to come is still unknown, of course, but in the here and now, China is the world’s EV hotspot. Thanks to government policies and the realization that they can’t compete with other nations who already have nearly a century of experience with the internal combustion engine (ICE), China built an economy around EVs and the components needed to build one. The result? China is the world’s biggest EV market, accounting for more than half of global EV sales in 2022, and that also means their EV choices are far more diverse than any nation–more so the United States.
3/4 front view of a blue 2023 BYD Atto 3 parked in front of a house
Okay, so the word “choice” could be an oxymoron since government policies led Chinese automotive companies to develop EVs and then make its citizens buy them. Decades and billions of dollars later, there are already more than 100 EV companies in China all vying for the money of its citizens. This is on top of prominent Chinese premium EV brands like Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto who are making headlines globally, while other more mainstream brands like BYD, GWM’s Ora, and Geely’s Zeekr are already taking away market share from Volkswagen–the biggest automaker in terms of overall sales in China.
Or at least that used to be the case. BYD has dethroned Volkswagen to become the best-selling automaker in China, thus creating a problem for the German brand that used to command a significant market share in China. With Volkswagen having fewer and at the same time, more expensive EVs than BYD, you could say that the downfall of the brand in the world’s biggest EV market is already unsurprising. Ask anyone why they like a car from a certain nation, and you’ll probably end up with remarks on German cars being luxurious and extraordinarily stable at high speeds; Italian cars being beautiful and resonant in terms of engine noise; or Japanese cars being highly tunable and reliable. China? Well, their brands don’t carry decades of legacy, which in the EV age was a good thing for them. Ferrari, for instance, is known for its singing V-8s and V-12s, but if you take that away, what defines Ferrari? On the other hand, Chinese EV startups are still building their legacy, giving them infinite room to innovate and carve out their own identity at a time when everyone else is still protecting their identity from the ICE age.
China’s wide range of EVs not only outnumbers that of what the United States has to offer but the design and technology that’s been poured into their EVs is also unbelievably good. Nio is one of the most prominent premium EV brands in China, and people are willing to pay Tesla money for its EVs. The brand’s hallmark features like its cute Nomi personal assistant and battery swap technology that Tesla has abandoned are stuff you won’t find in EVs from Western brands.
What about in terms of design? China’s EV brands also have you covered. With so much choice in the first place, there’s practically an EV for every design taste. Perhaps one of the EV brands that stand out in China in terms of design is HiPhi. With three models called the HiPhi X, HiPhi Y, and HiPhi Z, boring is one adjective you will never associate with how they look. A lot of car enthusiasts complain about how cars look too similar nowadays. Well, HiPhi seems to have gotten the memo and none of their cars conform to generic cookie-cutter standards. From aggressive lines, rakish curves, and even LED taillights that are able to display pre-programmed GIFs or animated icons, HiPhi is able to push the boundaries of design and not conform to how the world sees car design.
BYD Yangwang
front 3/4 view of a 2023 BYD Yangwang U8 driving off-road
Off-roaders are currently a sensation in North America, and you can bet that China’s EV start-ups have them, too. One of the most recent to make headlines worldwide is the BYD YangWang U8. Comical name aside, the U8 is part of BYD’s new YangWang sub-brand of high-end EVs, including the U9 supercar. Even though this is a large off-roader, it has supercar-like specs with its quad-motor 1,100-horsepower drivetrain and three-second 0-62 mph time. It can even 360-degree tank turns and float on water thanks to the body being waterproof.
It’s common knowledge that China is also the world’s biggest car market, which is why a plethora of global brands treat China as an important market for their bottom line. This is especially true for German luxury brands, where they’ve practically doubled down in their operations in China thanks to Chinese buyers considering these cars as their aspirational vehicles. Unfortunately, these brands saw disappointing foot traffic at the recent Auto Shanghai 2023. With the traditional designs of German luxury cars and their lack of EV options (Porsche even chose the show to hold the global unveiling of the Cayenne, which is not available as an EV), wealthy Chinese buyers instead lusted over the booths of brands like Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto.
That was the case when New York Times interviewed the Cao family living in Shanghai. Formerly the owner of two Porsches, Mr. Ben Cao downsized to one Porsche 911 and the other car is now an electric luxury SUV with a range-extender gasoline engine from Li Auto called the L9. The reason why he chose the L9? Mr. Cao says that most designs of foreign automakers are dull. “They are far behind, no matter whether it is the U.S. ones and even the German ones,” he said. “They don’t even seem to be in the same age.”
Buick China
Three-quarter shot of the Buick Electra E4
Foreign automakers in China are introducing EVs that look like their gasoline counterparts in a bid to create a gradual transition, but for Chinese buyers, these cars end up looking too boring and not groundbreaking enough. As mentioned, since Chinese EV start-ups have freedom from legacy, this gives them room to be creative unlike the established foreign brands whose cars suddenly seemed out of date. This is a sentiment echoed by Felix Kilbertus, Chief Creative Officer at Pininfarina. He told the New York Times at the Auto Shanghai 2023, “Some of that comes from the freedom from legacy.”
In order for these Chinese EVs brands to compete with established brands globally, they have to not just offer better products but also sell them at a lower cost than established brands. As a result, most of these Chinese EV startups, with the exception of BYD, are generating losses instead of profits. Nio, however, is finally narrowing down its losses and expects to be profitable by the end of 2023. It must be noted that this pattern of losses and then eventually becoming profitable is the same path that Tesla took when the brand was launched by Elon Musk. Also, with more than 100 EV start-ups in China, choices for EVs are indeed very diverse, but it also means that market saturation for EVs is going to come sooner rather than later.
Thankfully, in the United States, there are also a couple of EV start-ups like Lucid and Rivian who are making waves with their vehicles. Like China’s EV start-ups, these two brands still aren’t profitable, though they aim to eventually make a profit in the coming years. Ford and GM have also doubled down on their EV development, which means while the United States still won’t have as many EV choices as China right now, that gap will definitely be narrowed down eventually.
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