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Global Sales of Electric Vehicle to Rise by 35% in 2022: Report

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The global sales and shipments of Electric Vehicles (EV) are expected to rise by 35 percent in 2022, a US-based research agency and consultancy, Gartner has said.

This comes as a result of the United Nations’ COP26 zero-emission vehicle transition council’s resolution that vehicle manufacturers will commit to selling only non-carbon-emission vehicles by 2040, while governments are to introduce regulations and incentives to help the industry’s growth.

The research director at Gartner, Joseph Davenport noted that nearly 6.4 million EV cars are expected to be sold this year, 1.6 million more than 2021, as the automotive sector prepares for decarbonisation in transportation, increasing EV production activities.

According to him, cars will account for 95 percent of the total EV sales in 2022, while the remaining percent will be split between buses, vans and heavy lorries.

With the restrictive emissions and fuel efficiency regulations, the manufacturers have had no choice but to focus on vehicles that are more environmentally friendly.

German-based vehicle manufacturers such as Volkswagen – whose 12 brands include Audi, Porsche and Skoda – has revealed that it is investing €35 billion ($39bn) into the global shift to EVs. It expressed ambitions to become the world’s largest electric car maker by 2025.

Luxury car brand, Bentley, made the disclosure that it is pumping major investments towards becoming a fully carbon-zero company. Bentley also stated that its first EV will be ready by 2025.

Another German-owned car maker, Daimler, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, last July, had said its brand would be all-electric by the end of the decade, where market conditions allow.

The same goes for luxury Italian marque Lamborghini which also announced in January this year, that it is devising its first fully electric model. The company’s chief executive Stephan Winkelmann also said it plans to introduce the model by the end of the 2020s.

Swedish carmaker Volvo also noted that it would be fully electric by 2030. Jaguar Land Rover made same commitment, saying its luxury brand Jaguar will go all-electric by 2025 as it aims to become a net-zero carbon business by 2039, a year before the COP26 council deadline for cat manufacturers.

The United States’ largest car producer, General Motors, in January last year had also unveiled plans to eliminate petrol and diesel light-duty cars, including SUVs, by 2035.

Electric vehicle maker, Tesla, which is the world’s forerunner in EV production and sales, has projected that its vehicle deliveries would comfortably grow by more than 50% year-over-year in 2022. According to analysts at ARK Invest, Tesla could produce about 5 to10 million vehicles a year by 2025.

China’s directive to manufacturers that EVs make up 40 percent of all sales by 2030, will allow the country account for a 46 percent global EV shipments in 2022. According to Gartner, China is expected to ship about 2.9 million EVs this year, followed by Western Europe (1.9 million) and North America (855,300).

To speed up the transition to EVs, manufacturers will have to address several factors such as lowering the price of EVs, recycling batteries and offering more choice to consumers.

“A major issue that must be addressed is lack of fast-charging availability for home and public charging,” Gartner noted.

“Utility providers will need to increase their investments in smart grid infrastructure to cope with the growing consumption of electricity,” he added.

As the number of EV production rises, Gartner forecasted that the number of global public EV chargers will rise to 2.1 million units in 2022, up from 1.6 million units in 2021.

Despite a global push for the growth of ECs in the automotive industry, the global semiconductor shortage and supply chain disruptions will affect the industry’s efforts to decarbonise, analysts say.

“The continuing shortage of chips will impact the production of EVs in 2022 … while shipments of vans and lorries are currently small, those shipments will grow rapidly as commercial owners see the financial and environmental benefit of electrifying their fleets,” Mr Davenport said.

Already, top EV maker, Tesla had said it is facing supply issues that could affect its business.

“Our own factories have been running below capacity for several quarters as supply chain became the main limiting factor, which is likely to continue through 2022,” the California-based company said.

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Startups

Madica Empowers African Startups with $200,000 Investments Each

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Madica, a structured investment program dedicated to nurturing pre-seed stage startups in Africa, has announced its inaugural investments in three innovative ventures.

Each of these startups is set to receive up to $200,000 in funding from Madica and will participate in the program’s comprehensive 18-month company-building support initiative.

The investment program provides a personalized curriculum, hands-on mentorship, founder immersion trips, executive coaching, and access to Madica’s extensive global network of investors for follow-on funding.

The primary objective of this support is to drive growth and ensure the long-term success of the startups.

Emmanuel Adegboye, Head of Madica, expressed his excitement regarding the investments, highlighting the abundant talent and innovation present in the African tech ecosystem.

He said Madica is committed to supporting African founders who often face challenges in accessing necessary support due to perceptions of risk among global investors.

Madica employs an open application process, collaborating closely with local ecosystem players such as incubators, accelerators, and angel networks to identify and support promising entrepreneurs.

The selection process remains rigorous, with investments made on a rolling basis throughout the year.

With plans to invest in up to 10 additional startups this year, Madica aims to expand the reach of venture capital and founder mentorship across Africa, addressing the existing imbalances in funding availability.

The announcement of these investments marks a significant milestone for the selected startups, providing them with vital financial support as well as access to invaluable resources and networks to propel their growth and success in the competitive landscape of the African startup ecosystem.

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Meta’s Revenue Woes Shake Tech Industry Confidence

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The tech industry faced a wave of uncertainty as Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook, delivered a disappointing earnings report that sent shockwaves through the market and dented investor confidence.

Meta’s forecast of weaker-than-expected sales for the current quarter, coupled with plans for higher capital expenditures, rattled investors who were eagerly anticipating robust results.

Shares of Meta plummeted by as much as 19% in after-hours trading to trigger a cascade effect across the tech sector.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 Index experienced a decline of up to 1%, reflecting broader concerns about the health of the industry.

Analysts and investors alike expressed dismay at Meta’s inability to meet revenue expectations, citing uncertainties surrounding the company’s adoption and monetization of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Jack Ablin, Chief Investment Officer at Cresset Wealth Advisors, highlighted the disappointment on the revenue front, overshadowing any optimism about AI adoption.

Questions lingered regarding the efficacy of AI investments and their potential benefits to users, leading to increased skepticism among stakeholders.

The repercussions of Meta’s earnings miss extended beyond its own stock, impacting other tech giants slated to report earnings in the coming days.

Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., and social media companies like Snap Inc. and Pinterest Inc. all witnessed notable declines, signaling a broader sentiment shift within the industry.

The fallout from Meta’s revenue woes reverberated across the tech landscape, affecting chipmakers, server manufacturers, and software firms. Nvidia Corp., Micron Technology Inc., and International Business Machines Corp. were among the companies affected, as investor concerns over AI investment and revenue growth cast a shadow over the sector’s outlook.

As the tech industry grapples with Meta’s disappointing results, stakeholders are left to ponder the implications for future investments and strategic decisions.

The episode serves as a stark reminder of the inherent volatility and uncertainty within the tech sector, underscoring the importance of diligent risk management and strategic foresight in navigating turbulent markets.

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TikTok Vows Legal Battle Amid Threat of US Ban

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As the specter of a US ban looms large over TikTok, the popular social media platform has declared its intention to wage a legal battle against potential legislation that could force its Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance Ltd., to divest its ownership stake in the app.

In what amounts to a fight for its very existence in one of its most crucial markets, TikTok is gearing up for a high-stakes showdown in the courts.

The alarm bells were sounded within TikTok’s ranks as Michael Beckerman, the company’s head of public policy for the Americas, issued a rallying cry to its US staff.

In a memo obtained by Bloomberg News, Beckerman characterized the proposed legislation as an “unprecedented deal” brokered between Republican Speaker and President Biden, signaling TikTok’s readiness to challenge it legally once signed into law.

“This is an unprecedented deal worked out between the Republican Speaker and President Biden,” Beckerman stated in the memo. “At the stage that the bill is signed, we will move to the courts for a legal challenge.”

The urgency of TikTok’s response stems from recent developments in the US Congress, where lawmakers have fast-tracked legislation mandating ByteDance’s divestment from TikTok.

The bill, intricately linked to a vital aid package for Ukraine and Israel, has garnered significant bipartisan support and is expected to swiftly pass through the Senate before landing on President Biden’s desk.

Beckerman minced no words in his critique of the proposed legislation, labeling it a “clear violation” of TikTok users’ First Amendment rights and warning of “devastating consequences” for the millions of small businesses that rely on the platform for their livelihoods.

TikTok’s defiant stance reflects the gravity of the situation facing the tech giant, which has spent years grappling with concerns from US officials regarding potential national security risks associated with its Chinese ownership.

Despite extensive lobbying efforts led by TikTok CEO Shou Chew to allay these fears, the company now finds itself at a critical juncture, where legal action appears to be its last line of defense.

ByteDance, TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company, has also signaled its intent to challenge any US ban in court, signaling a united front in the face of mounting pressure.

However, navigating the legal landscape will not be without its challenges, as ByteDance must contend with both US legislative measures and potential obstacles posed by the Chinese government, which has reiterated its opposition to a forced sale of TikTok.

As TikTok prepares to embark on what promises to be a protracted legal battle, the outcome remains uncertain.

For the millions of users and businesses that call TikTok home, the stakes have never been higher, as the platform fights to preserve its presence in the fiercely competitive landscape of social media.

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