Reports suggest that China is likely to support Tesla's local testing of robotaxi services but has not fully approved its Full Self-Driving software yet. Tesla CEO Elon Musk's recent visit to China has sparked speculation about the potential launch of robotaxis in the country. The Chinese government's support for testing cutting-edge driving tech showcases a positive outlook on foreign investment integration. Tesla's partnership with Baidu for mapping clears a regulatory hurdle, indicating progress towards implementing advanced driving features in China. Source

Nio is gearing up to unveil its new sub-brand, Onvo, on May 15. The first model, L60, is slated for release in the third quarter, with deliveries expected in the fourth quarter. Onvo targets the mass market, priced between RMB 200,000 to RMB 300,000 yuan. The model was recently spotted beside a Nio battery swap station, resembling the EC6. Nio's partnership with BYD for batteries adds intrigue to Onvo's upcoming debut. Source

Nio and GAC partner up to develop unified battery standards, battery swap-enabled cars, and stations, expanding Nio's battery swap alliance. The strategic cooperation aims at technology enhancement, battery standard unification, and seamless swapping experiences for users. This partnership follows Nio's alliances with other automakers to advance battery swap networks for efficient electric vehicle charging. GAC's involvement brings an additional player to China's battery swap market, as it continues to build battery swap stations and promote the adoption of swappable battery technology. Source

Nio, the electric vehicle leader, is on track to reach a major milestone with their 500,000th car rolling off the production line on May 9. Since their inception in 2014, Nio has made significant strides, with their first vehicle debuting in 2018 and seeing accolades from Tesla's Elon Musk. The upcoming unveiling of their sub-brand, Onvo, on May 9 adds another layer of excitement to Nio's success story. Source

Leapmotor and Stellantis are set to announce the formation of Leapmotor International in a joint press conference next week. Stellantis will invest 1.5 billion euros for a 20% stake, creating a joint venture where Stellantis owns 51%. This partnership aims to use Stellantis' global resources to boost Leapmotor's global sales. The joint venture will have exclusive rights to export and sell Leapmotor products worldwide, except in Greater China, where production will begin at a Stellantis plant in Poland. Source

BYD is set to unveil the Sea Lion 07 electric SUV priced between RMB 200,000 to 260,000. The launch event for the first model in the Sea Lion lineup will take place on May 10. Built on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo, this coupe SUV boasts dimensions of 4,830 mm length, 1,925 mm width, and 1,620 mm height with a wheelbase of 2,930 mm. Featuring single and dual-motor versions, the Sea Lion 07 is expected to hit the market in the first half of 2024. Source

China's April NEV retail sales remain steady at 706,000 units with an overall weak market. Despite a year-on-year increase of 34%, the sales from March show no growth. Cumulative NEV sales for the year saw a 35% rise. In contrast, retail sales of all passenger vehicles in China dipped by 2% year-on-year to 1.585 million units. The article provides detailed insights into vehicle sales trends in China, with NEVs capturing a significant segment of the market. Source

Toyota's joint venture in China plans to introduce plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models using BYD's DM-i technology, replacing Toyota's original Hybrid model. This move is driven by cost efficiency and maturity of BYD's tech. Toyota aims to launch two to three models utilizing DM-i. While details are pending, Toyota is expected to showcase its electrification plans soon. BYD's strong partnership with Toyota further solidifies this tech integration in the market. Toyota is adapting to remain competitive in the evolving Chinese automotive landscape. Source

The NRMA is ditching battery-backed EV chargers from Freewire, with the US-based provider reportedly facing financial troubles. This move comes shortly after the collapse of Australia's Tritium. NRMA is replacing Freewire's technology at its sites, including innovative 150 kW fast-charging stations. Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over the Tesla Supercharging network in Australia amid reports of slowdowns and staff cuts. The EV fast-charging industry continues to experience shakeouts, impacting major players. Source

The world's largest solar-powered truck charging depot, opened by WattEV in Bakersfield, California, features 50 chargers, including three 1.2MW rapid chargers. This innovative depot aims to reduce truck charging time significantly, making electric trucks more feasible. WattEV is also expanding its infrastructure in California, Oregon, and Washington, offering an electric Truck-as-a-Service model to provide access to battery electric trucks at a cost comparable to diesel. Source