Tag: EV

  • Pakistani e-motorbike startup raises $1.2 million to manufacture budget-friendly e-bikes

    Pakistani e-motorbike startup raises $1.2 million to manufacture budget-friendly e-bikes

    Pakistani e-motorbike startup Zyp Technologies has raised $1.2 million in seed funding led by venture capital fund Indus Valley Capital.

    With this key investment, Zyp is driving mass-market adoption of electric mobility in Pakistan by addressing key hurdles to adoption including High upfront cost, Range anxiety, Long charging times.

    According to the official statement, the company aims to use this investment at its assembly line which is capable of manufacturing up to 8,000 e-motorbikes per year to meet demand. Depending on each variant in production, these bikes may cost in the region of Rs150,000-450,000.

    The startup also intends to build 4,000 charging stations across the country.

    Aatif Awan, founding partner at Indus Valley Capital, said, with its vision to electrify the 25 million motorbikes in Pakistan, Zyp is building one of the most important products Pakistan needs to help solve the trade imbalance and high inflation. 

    Zyp team has meticulously designed their electric motorbikes and battery swapping to perform well in the local environment, creating a remarkable indigenous solution we’re proud to back.

    Zyp founders joined forces with a mission to create Pakistan’s own homegrown automotive brand in the clean energy sector. 

    This dream team brings experience from Silicon Valley tech companies like Microsoft and Intel, as well as auto companies like Volvo and Land Rover, and startups like Retailo.

  • Tesla overcomes setbacks, produces first Cybertruck after two years

    Tesla overcomes setbacks, produces first Cybertruck after two years

    Tesla announced via a tweet that its inaugural Cybertruck has been successfully manufactured at the company’s Austin, Texas plant, marking the end of a two-year delay.

    Back in 2019, Tesla founder Elon Musk introduced the pickup truck during a revealing event where the vehicle’s designer unintentionally demonstrated a flaw in the supposedly indestructible “armour glass” windows.

    Since then, the production timeline has faced multiple setbacks, with Musk attributing the delays to component sourcing shortages, leading to a rescheduled Cybertruck launch in 2023.

    During a shareholder meeting in May, Musk expressed Tesla’s ambition to produce up to 250,000 Cybertrucks annually, depending on market demand.

    With the introduction of the Cybertruck, Tesla is poised to enter one of the most lucrative sectors of the U.S. market, directly competing against electric pickups from industry giants such as Ford Motor and Rivian Automotive.

    Although these competitors have already released limited numbers of their own electric truck models, Tesla’s entry into the market is highly anticipated. According to a Reuters report from last year, Tesla aims to initiate mass production of the Cybertruck by the end of 2023.

  • Islamabad to soon get electric buses

    Islamabad to soon get electric buses

    Electric buses for intra-city travel will shortly be introduced by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Electric buses will be used on six distinct public transportation lines, according to CDA authorities. The department will also make room for bus charging stations.

    CDA will open the tender for bus consultancy on 12th October. By the end of December, the first shipment of electric buses will arrive in Islamabad. Three e-bus base stations will be built by CDA.

    The introduction of electric buses has been a recent priority for CDA. The government started testing these buses in the Twin Cities, and now the project might soon see a concrete follow-up.

    Capt. (Ret.) Usman Younis, CDA Chairman, said that the first phase will involve the provision of transportation on six congested roads. The administration would purchase buses for seven more routes in the second phase, he added.

  • Apple’s electric vehicle may lack steering wheel and brake pedal: Leaks

    Apple’s electric vehicle may lack steering wheel and brake pedal: Leaks

    For years, rumours have circulated that Apple is working on a self-driving electric car. The company’s troublesome “Project Titan” is described in-depth in a recent article, along with several intriguing facts about its design, such as the absence of a steering wheel.

    A comprehensive article about Apple’s multi-year effort to create a self-driving automobile was published by The Information.

    The majority of it records information that everyone following “Project Titan” already knows, however, the article also contains some fresh information about the car’s design and difficulties.

    Autonomous vehicles still need to be able to hand over control to people in order to be safe, and they have frequently done so in tests. The study lists numerous instances of this occurring with Titan.

    The most intriguing aspect is that Apple is attempting to obtain approval from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration so that it may release the car without a steering wheel or brake pedals, fully committing it to be a self-driving vehicle.

    Another unique element of the project is the seating arrangement concepts from Apple designers. The most recent design has four chairs that face inward, placing passengers face-to-face. Additionally, designers are considering allowing passengers to lie down and sleep.

    A level 5 Apple automobile has been in development for about ten years, but it won’t likely be released to the public for some time. Hyundai was a potential partner for Apple in the past, but discussions ceased in February of last year.

    Project manager Doug Field departed Apple in September of last year to work for Ford, which made the delays much worse.

  • Nio electric car falls from third floor of office, killing two

    Nio electric car falls from third floor of office, killing two

    Two employees were killed, according to Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio, when one of its vehicles fell from the third floor of its Shanghai headquarters.

    One staff member and one worker from a joint venture were inside the car as it crash-landed from Nio’s Shanghai office.

    The incident happened on Wednesday at around 05:20 PM, according to the company. As the car fell from the building, those who were inside perished.

    According to Nio, it launched an investigation into the incident right away in collaboration with authorities.

    The third-floor space where the car fell has variously been referred to as a showroom, a testing facility, or a parking lot.

    “Our company has collaborated with public security department to launch the investigation and analysis of the cause of the accident. Based on the analysis of the situation at the scene, we can initially confirm that this was an accident (not caused by the vehicle),” the company said in a statement.

    “We feel very sad about this accident and would like to express our deepest condolences to our colleague and partner employee who lost their lives. A team has been set up to help the families,” it added.

    Within a half-hour, thousands of netizens commented on Nio’s initial Weibo post before it was removed. Social media users reacted angrily to the final clause of the statement, “not related to the vehicle itself.”

    The Chinese business to dominate the electric vehicle market is led by Nio. To allay customers’ worries about needing to charge their cars frequently, it has placed a lot of faith in interchangeable batteries in its vehicles.

    Nio is a rival to the US-based electric car manufacturer Tesla, owned by multi-billionaire Elon Musk, who also operates a manufacturing facility in Shanghai.

  • Toyota Camry after a hike of Rs2 million, priced at Rs23.3 million

    Toyota Camry after a hike of Rs2 million, priced at Rs23.3 million

    Toyota Indus Motor Company (IMC) has announced a massive price hike for all completely built-up (CBU) units offered by the Japanese automaker in Pakistan. The price of Toyota Camry is upped by Rs2 million and will now cost Rs23.3 million

    The only variant of the popular hybrid model, Toyota Prius received a hike of Rs1.26 million and will be sold for Rs14.65 million. Toyota’s crossover SUV, Corolla Cross (top trim) is now priced at Rs13.4 million after a hefty increase of Rs1.17 million in its earlier price.

    Finally, the automatic version of Toyota Rush will now be offered at Rs8.33 million following an increase of Rs710,000.

    Read more: Hyundai Sonata 2.5 will now cost Rs7.85 million

    Toyota IMC’s CBU models, in particular, have become nearly unobtainable following the recent price jump. The government’s main purpose in the auto sector, however, is to discourage CBU imports and increase sales of locally produced vehicles. This means that all other CBUs are on the verge of suffering the same fate as Toyota.

  • Honda City Hybrid 7th gen launched, Pakistan continues with retired 6th gen

    Honda City Hybrid 7th gen launched, Pakistan continues with retired 6th gen

    Honda has finally debuted the long-awaited City hybrid sedan in the Indian market. The ex-showroom price of the 2022 Honda City Hybrid e:HEV is 1.9 million INR (PKR 4.7 million). It’s only available in a single ZX model with all of the bells and whistles.

    Last year, the new City Hybrid made its global premiere, and it is India’s first mainstream segment automobile to have robust hybrid technology.

    Powertrain

    The City e:powertrain HEV’s consists of a 1.5-liter Atkinson-Cycle DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine combined with two electric motors. One serves as an electric generator, while the other serves as a propeller. The combined output of this powerplant is 124 horsepower, with a peak torque of 253 Nm. It also comes with three driving modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive, as well as Regeneration mode for slowing.

    Fuel economy

    The new Honda City Hybrid e:HEV is India’s most fuel-efficient sedan, with a stated economy of 26.50 kmpl. Honda has also included 37 high-tech Honda Connect features in the vehicle. Honda’s Sensing Technology is also being introduced for the first time in India.

    Safety technologies such as Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, and more are included in the City e:HEV.

    Read more: Honda Atlas announces price hike instead of fixing delivery issues

    Arrival in Pakistan

    After the 6th generation, Honda City was retired globally, Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan Limited (HACPL) introduced the latter into the Pakistani auto market, and given the history of Pakistani manufacturers, the car may continue for years, as the 5th generation Honda City was sold by Honda Atlas for more than a decade.

  • Here’s a look at the 2023 BMW 7 Series

    Here’s a look at the 2023 BMW 7 Series

    The 2023 BMW 7-series debuts a new Rolls Royce-inspired design language for the company, along with a striking front end and a slew of new amenities such as a movie-theater-style screen and hands-free highway driver assistance.

     It’s also part of BMW’s growing electric model lineup, which currently includes the i7 EV, which shares the same body and interior as the gas-powered sedan but adds a big battery pack and electric motors.

    The German luxury automaker is reducing the sedan’s engine choices to make purchasing easier, but customers in the United States (US) will still have a variety of options. There are inline-six and V-8 gas engines, as well as the electric i7 (which is detailed separately) and the 750e plug-in hybrid.

    Powertrain and Variants

    BMW 740i is the ‘entry-level model’, with a 375-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and rear-wheel drive, while the 760i is the V-8 7-series with only xDrive all-wheel drive.

    Its twin-turbocharged V-8 engine has the same 4.4-liter displacement as the previous 750i (model designation numbers haven’t signified anything genuine in a long time), but it has been upgraded to produce 536 horsepower, a 13-horsepower increase over the previous model.

    The hybrid systems on both gas engines are 48 volts. Apart from the fact that it would produce 483 horsepower, BMW has not revealed much about the 750e plug-in hybrid. The manufacturer has confirmed that the M-badged 7-series will be released later, though it will not be a full-fledged M7 with over 600 horsepower. The M760i’s twin-turbo V-12 engine is no longer available.

    Interior

    As expected, the interior aesthetic is a major upgrade, with a similar style to the iX electric SUV and plenty of premium elements like open-pore wood and cashmere. The 7-series’ cabin also features an incredible level of technology features for front- and rear-seat occupants through its multiple display panels and tablet control system. It’s also available with power-opening doors, giving it a Rolls-Royce degree of luxury.

    The optional BMW Theater Screen is a large 31.0-inch screen that extends down from the roof to provide a more realistic viewing experience for back passengers. This is the same screen showcased by the company at the ‘CES 2022’ event.

    Amenities and Riding Comfort

    Although BMW is touting the 7-series’ driving qualities and spotlighting chassis innovations such as air springs and rear-wheel steering, the earlier prototype drive revealed it to be no more athletic than its comfortable predecessor. Of course, in the top luxury sedan market, this isn’t a flaw, as consumers are likely to value plush ride quality and quietness above all else, and would look elsewhere if they wanted more of a corner carver.

    Interestingly, the Driving Assistance Professional package includes a hands-free feature that now works at up to 130 km/h (80 mph) if you’re on the highway and keep your eyes on the road, you won’t have to steer the 7-series at all.

    Pricing

    In November, the 7-series will be available in the international market with prices starting from Rs17,609,902 ($94,295) for the 740i and Rs21,400,994 ($114,595) for the 760i xDrive.

    The i7 starts at Rs22,465,488 ($120,295) and goes up from there. However, it’s worth mentioning that BMW’s pricing is substantially lower than Mercedes’, with the six-cylinder S-class starting at Rs20,944,382 ($112,150) and the V-8 at Rs22,176,954 ($118,750).

    Note: The PKR pricing is only a conversion of the factory price and does not include any taxes or charges levied after the product is imported to Pakistan.

  • Hyundai’s electric vehicle wins ‘World Car of the Year’ award

    Hyundai’s electric vehicle wins ‘World Car of the Year’ award

    The winners of the World Car Awards for 2022 were recently announced at an event held during this year’s auto show.

    Pure-electric vehicles won the majority of the coveted prizes, indicating how the world’s automotive marketplace is changing from combustion to electrification and demonstrating how emission-free autos are equal to or better than their gasoline or diesel equivalents.

    The Hyundai Ioniq 5, an all-electric SUV from the Korean automaker, won the top accolade, ‘World Car of the Year’. The futuristic Ioniq 5 received two more honours, including World Electric Vehicle of the Year and World Car Design of the Year.

    Launched in 2004, the annual ‘World Car Awards’, is now in its 18th year. As per Cision Insights’ 2021, it is the world’s number one award event in terms of media reach and analysis of twenty-five main worldwide markets for the ninth year in a row.

    The jury for this year’s awards comprises 103 expert automotive journalists from across the world who are tasked with evaluating, comparing, and selecting the finest car in each class.

    iF Design Award 2022

    Hyundai’s designs also won nine awards at the prestigious International Forum (iF) Design Award 2022.

    Since 1954, the iF Design Award has recognised outstanding designs of the year. Along with the ‘Red Dot Award’ from Germany and the Worldwide Design Excellence Award (IDEA) from the United States, it is one of three international design honours.

    Hyundai Motor has won the iF Design Award for the eighth year in a row, honouring the automaker in a variety of categories, including Product, Professional Concept, Interior Architecture, and Communication.

    Read more: Honda to discontinue Insight next year, confirms production of Civic and CR-V hybrid

    The multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) from Hyundai Motor, STORIA, which was recently launched in Pakistan, underlines Hyundai’s global product design prowess. It has the outside of a futuristic spacecraft and the cabin of a roomy and pleasant vehicle for the driver and occupants. Lesser beltlines and panoramic side windows are influenced by traditional Korean ‘Hanok’ architecture.