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India wants to be a leader in EV production

After China proved itself as a leader in EV production, another Asian country is becoming a center for carbon-neutral vehicle manufacturers. According to the latest information, India could be one of the developing countries that wants to be a leading player in the production of electric cars.

The country has devised a strategy for the development and production of electric cars, although it initially focused specifically on Tesla, which it invited to invest in the construction of a gigafactory, but the American manufacturer has focused on Mexico. However, the announcement of the new President of the United States, Donald Trump, that he will introduce additional tariffs on vehicles imported from Mexico gives India an opportunity to renew negotiations with Tesla. The American manufacturer has already suspended the construction of a factory in Mexico.

The suspension of Tesla Model 2 production in Mexico was the main motive for Musk to go to India, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi canceled the meeting. The Indian government intends to launch its electric car production plan in March 2025, which Tesla and other major manufacturers see as a new opportunity. The plan is to expand aid to existing manufacturers rather than restricting benefits to new plant construction. India is ready to help any manufacturer that invests at least $500 million in electric vehicle production with 50 percent of components sourced locally. The government is also offering a 15 percent import tax cut for up to 8,000 electric cars a year.

Toyota and Hyundai have already shown interest, although it is not known whether they would use existing plants or build new ones. Hyundai already knows that the €500 million spent on research and development will not be included in the total investment, so the Korean company is waiting for the final guidelines for its electric car plan in India.

Volkswagen, which already has plants in India, wants to know if it could spend 75 percent of the total investment in the first three years, rather than the entire $500 million at once. Also, if VW decided to use its factories in Pune, they would have to install new lines separate from those for the production of combustion engine cars.

Source: Reuters

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Volkswagen announces big changes

Volkswagen has been in trouble for a long time, and it seems that the way out of the crisis is still far away. Therefore, the company has decided to change its current course and announce better and more visually attractive cars with which it will try to attract new customers.

In recent months, Volkswagen has been forced to cut some jobs, the reason being the reduced demand for their cars, which have become too expensive for customers. In a statement to the British media, Kai Grünitz announced major changes that will start with the next generation of electric models ID.3 and ID.4, which will look different, more attractive and offer much higher quality materials in the cabin.

Speaking about the ID.3 and ID.4 models, Grünitz said that the new generations will have much better batteries and overall performance. It was also previously confirmed that the ninth-generation Golf, which could be a replacement for the ID.3, will be all-electric. The current eighth generation will be offered only with combustion engines until 2035.

He also announced the return of classic control switches that will replace the current and rather impractical control solutions via submenus on, according to many, oversized displays.

Source: Reuters

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Volkswagen announces big changes
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Volkswagen’s plant operates only on solar energy

At a time when everyone is talking about renewable energy sources and when car manufacturers are trying to reduce costs, Volkswagen’s factory in Poland used only solar energy for 24 hours. It was the first time that a plant operated only on solar energy.

The plant in Wrzesnia is getting solar energy from 25,000 solar modules installed on 22 hectares with a total power of 15.2 MW. It is a joint project between Quanta Energy and Volkswagen Poznan, and the plan is for the solar plant to produce 20% of the energy needed to operate the factory.

“The new photovoltaic power plant at the Wrzesnia factory is a big step towards full energy self-sufficiency, as well as sustainable and environmentally friendly production. It also ensures that we have access to energy at stable prices,” said CEO of Volkswagen Poznan Stefanie Hegels.

Volkswagen’s climate neutrality project began in 2019 with the goal of making all plants completely neutral by 2040. Volkswagen Poznan continues to invest in the construction of an additional 3.1 MW solar power plant and a 6.5 MW rooftop system. Also, wind turbines will be installed, and the company is currently waiting for a permit.

Source: Volkswagen