VinFast recalls entire first batch of VF8 models sent to the US
Vietnamese EV maker VinFast issued a voluntary recall for the entire first batch of 999 VF8 electric SUVs sent to the US over a software issue that poses safety risks.
VinFast issues VF8 recall in the US
The recall comes after the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said: “A software error may cause the multifunction head unit (MHU) display to go blank.”
As a result, it may not show critical safety information, including the speedometer or warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
According to the NHTSA:
VinFast is not aware of any field reports of incidents in the United States on vehicles in customer hands or in Company fleet service.
VinFast is rolling out an over-the-air (OTA) update today, May 25, to fix the glitch (free of charge) and will notify owners through mail starting May 29.
Of the 999 VF8 electric SUVs shipped to the US in November, 111 are in customers’ hands, 153 are in fleet service, and 735 are still in VinFast’s possession.
VinFast began customer deliveries in March after an initial delay due to software problems. My colleague at Electrek Scooter Doll was among the first to test the limited VF 8 City Edition Plus at VinFast’s first media drive event earlier this month.
The Plus model is powered by dual 150 kW motors for 300 kW max power and 620 Nm torque. With an 82 kWh battery, the VF 8 City Edition Plus edition features an EPA range of 191 miles with an MSRP of $56,000.
Although “VinFast is off to a promising start,” he says, “there is certainly room for improvement.” He continued to explain, “There are some blatant bugs in the system,” including several icons lit up that shouldn’t have been (you can read his full review here).
The software issues are not huge, but they must be ironed out before being delivered to customers. It sounds like VinFast is already on top of it, with an OTA update coming.
Electrek’s Take
Over the past year or two, VinFast has moved quickly to introduce new electric models and expand its brand globally.
VinFast has reached the US and Canada with plans to expand into Europe and Southeast Asia. One of the drawbacks of moving so quickly is missing issues like in the software.
It sounds like an easy fix that should be resolved quickly without any long-term effects. However, as they say, “first impressions are everything.” The EV maker needs to focus on building a positive brand image after a less-than-ideal first attempt, and that takes paying attention to the smallest details.
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The first US-built offshore wind substation is complete and headed to South Fork Wind – a major milestone for the US offshore wind industry.
Offshore substations collect and stabilize power that the wind turbines generate, preparing it for transmission to shore. South Fork Wind’s 1,500-ton, 60-foot-tall substation was designed and engineered in Kansas, and built near Corpus Christi by Kiewit Offshore Services, the largest offshore fabricator in the US.
The first US-built offshore wind substation left Kiewit’s factory on a ship late last week. It’s going to cross the Gulf of Mexico and then sail up the East Coast for installation off Long Island in a few weeks.
David Hardy, group EVP and CEO Americas at Ørsted, said:
The completion of South Fork Wind’s offshore wind substation is yet another first for this groundbreaking project and moves us one step closer to the project’s first ‘steel in the water.’
South Fork, which is being jointly developed by Danish wind giant Ørsted and energy provider Eversource, is expected to be operational by 2023, when it will become the first completed utility-scale offshore wind farm in US federal waters.
Cable laying is currently under way, and the installation of monopile foundations will begin in coming weeks.
The 132 megawatt (MW), 12-turbine project will produce enough clean energy to power 70,000 homes in New York.
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Read more: The first US-built offshore wind service ship reaches a milestone
Photo: Orsted
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Swedish marine propulsion startup ZParq announced it has successfully completed a seed round led by cleantech investors, totaling 2.5 million euros ($2.68M). With the fresh funding, ZParq looks to bring its compact electric marine motors, powertrains, and other adjacent technologies to market to help decarbonize the segment.
ZParq is a young startup founded in Sweden in 2020, which, according to the company, was founded to challenge the limits of marine propulsion by providing the most compact and scalable systems for propeller-driven watercraft. Furthermore, the startup is striving to deliver products that are designed to be sustainable over the entire value chain. Per the company site:
Our founding team covers the span of electromechanical design, hydrodynamics, electronics and product design. We’ve been developing our technology to fill the gap where compact submersible electric propulsion systems are needed for high performance applications.
As you’ll see below, ZParq has already developed and sleek and compact portfolio of marine technologies, including electric motors, battery packs, inverters, levers, and even a steering joystick. Early on, ZParq joined the portfolio of EIT InnoEnergy – the largest impact cleantech investor in Europe, who was the startup’s first institutional investor.
Now, EIT InnoEnergy, along with a couple of other capital venture funds, have opened up their checkbooks to help get ZParq’s electric marine motors out to market and beyond.
ZParq’s electric marine motors are sustainable end-to-end
The startup recently shared details of its successful seed round coled by Santander (via the Santander InnoEnergy Climate Fund) and Almi Invest GreenTech. EIT InnoEnergy also participated once again.
Each of these funds is focused around investments in early-stage companies developing new technologies to support a circular economy and combat climate change. Clearly, they see potential in ZParq – which is touting all-electric marine motors that are significantly smaller and more efficient compared to everything else on the current market.
ZParq states the motor’s light design reduces raw material and CO2 footprint by more than 50% in the production phase, and the circular design approach of its products helps reduce their environmental impact and climate footprint throughout their entire life cycle. ZParq CEO Jonas Genchel spoke to the successful seed round and the venture capitalists that have shown their support:
We are very happy to get Santander and Almi Invest GreenTech as new investors, they will provide us with the support required to finalize development of our first products and enable shipment to our customers already this year. Our scalable and modular technology has generated an overwhelming interest from boat manufacturers and ship builders globally, and we have customers within the complete range from small leisure boats to commercial vessels waiting for our powertrains. The company is currently in pilot phase with several OEMs and boat builders who are testing its 10kW and 50kW motors. It aims to have several units operating in water by this summer
It appears ZParq already has plenty of exciting electric marine technology in the works, including more powerful motors, so we will be sure to track its progress as these products approach market launch. A fresh 2.5 million euros should certainly help it continue to innovate and hopefully find success. More to come.
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