EV Daily | Tesla Tests Ride-Hailing in Austin; BYD Upgrades EVs; NIO Reveals Firefly Design

【Tesla】

Tesla is planning a ride-hailing service using teleoperation support in Austin, Texas, by June 2025. This follows a history of missed timelines for full self-driving (FSD) capabilities promised since 2016. Despite improvements, Tesla’s FSD v13 still falls short of true unsupervised driving, achieving only 500 miles between critical disengagements as opposed to the 700,000 miles required to be safer than human drivers. Tesla’s Austin project seems aimed at showcasing progress in self-driving technology, although it mainly mirrors Waymo’s existing services. Meanwhile, Tesla stores have faced vandalism and arson, notably in the U.S. and Europe, with investigations now involving the FBI.

【BYD】

BYD is enhancing its electric vehicles (EVs) with its "God Eye" smart driving technology for free, including budget models like the Seagull. The upgrade spans 21 models across its Ocean Series and other lineups such as Han, Song, and Yuan. BYD also showcased its luxury Yangwang U9 electric supercar with advanced smart driving capabilities. Last year, BYD outsold major automakers like Honda and Nissan, selling 4.25 million vehicles, and maintains a strong financial position in the EV market.

【NIO】

NIO's new sub-brand Firefly, specializing in affordable, compact EVs, recently revealed interior images of its first model, resembling NIO's design style. The Firefly model is expected to debut in China by April 2025, priced competitively against rivals like the Mini Cooper. The brand plans to enter European markets shortly after its Chinese launch.

【Others】

FREYR Battery canceled its $2.6 billion battery factory project in Georgia, citing strategic realignment and market conditions. The company shifts its focus to solar panel manufacturing, acquiring Trina Solar’s factory in Texas.

Genesis is preparing to launch the GV90, an electric SUV with luxury features, although it faced setbacks in testing. Production starts in 2026, aiming to compete in the ultra-luxury segment.

Renault introduced three new electric commercial vehicles in its E-Tech line, set for a 2026 release, featuring modular platforms for flexibility in business use.

Revel is expanding its EV charging network in New York City, backed by a $60 million loan. New charging stalls will be constructed across multiple locations, enhancing public charging accessibility.

Hyundai plans to unveil its all-solid-state battery pilot line, aiming for commercial production by 2030, which could significantly enhance EV performance.

Chevrolet will use its electric Blazer EV SS as the Daytona 500 pace car, marking a first for EVs in the race. The model features high performance and includes GM's Super Cruise as standard.

SkyDrive has received G-1 certification for its eVTOL in Japan, progressing toward commercial operations and expanding its presence in the aviation market.

Volvo unveiled the EX30 Cross Country, a rugged version of its compact electric SUV, with enhanced features for off-road capabilities.

Rivian has opened its electric van sales to businesses of any size, post-exclusivity with Amazon, offering two models with different cargo capacities.