Tesla, Volkswagen, Germany, Chehejia, BMW, Formula E.
Tesla steps up production pace: The EV maker says it aims to reach its production goal of 500,000 units per year by 2018; two years earlier than planned. Moreover, Tesla told shareholders that it will be able to deliver the planned 80,000 to 90,000 units in 2016. Model 3 production will kick off late 2017, if suppliers have all their part ready for production by July 1st of next year.
greencarcongress.com, forbes.com
e-Golf underway: VW Chief Technology Officer Frank Welsch revealed to Autocar that a new and improved e-Golf will go on sale late 2016 or early 2017. The new model has a claimed range of 186 mi, up from the current 118 mi.
autocar.co.uk
Germany pushes clean technologies: Good news for alternative driving technologies. The German Federal Department of the Environment is drafting a Climate Protection Plan for 2050 that could also include higher taxes on fossil fuels, as they have so far not footed the bill for the environmental damage they cause. A concept should be completed by summer 2017.
reuters.com (in German)
Cash injection: Chinese EV start-up Chehejia has secured 120m dollars in funding that it will use for R&D, as well as its own factory. The company wants to disrupt the automobile market, betting on electric cars but not charging stations, according to its website. How they plan to achieve that remains a mystery. Moreover, Chehejia wants to offer ride hailing and rental services.
techinasia.com
Upcoming retrofit: BMW i3 owners will soon be able to retrofit their current EV with the new 33kWh battery pack. The programme is not available in all markets. As of now, U.S. owner, for example, are left wanting for more range. Unless, of course, they trade their i3 for a newer model.
bmwblog.com
No ePrix in Moscow: FIA has cancelled the all-electric race in Russian capital on June 4th, as Moscow had still not confirmed whether it would be closing off the roads for the track. The event will not be rescheduled elsewhere, leaving us with just three more Formula E races to look forward to.
fiaformulae.com, autoblog.com
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