autoevolution
 

Cristian Agatie

Contributor
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As a child, he grew up among tractors and heavy machinery and was covered in grease from tip to toe most of the time. It was a tractor that he drove for the first time and when asked what he’d become, he candidly replied: “tractor operator”. Later on, he drove all kinds of vehicles, from heavy trucks to off-roaders, all outside of public roads until he got his driving license.

He did not become a tractor operator, as you can tell already. Instead, he got interested in journalism and pursued a career finding stories for local newspapers and radio stations. But the first love is never forgotten, so when presented with the chance, he seized it and became a motor journalist in 1995.

Having found the perfect job to mix his passion for cars and journalism, he couldn’t help exploring other areas, like science, computers, and mobile devices. He took stints working for a computer magazine for a couple of years, and it was then that he had his first contact with new media. But cars always remained his passion, so he returned to motor journalism when Auto Bild started its local branch. Later, he became an internet junkie, and moving online felt only natural.

In the meantime, he also became obsessed with technology, electric vehicles, batteries, and whatnot, so he writes a lot about those. He found autoevolution a fertile ground for exploration and so he discovered his passion for RVs and campers, but also solar panels and new energy solutions.
It's Game Over for Fisker: The Embattled EV Startup Files for Bankruptcy, Sells All Assets
It's Game Over for Fisker: The Embattled EV Startup Files for Bankruptcy, Sells All Assets

18 Jun 2024, 09:53 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Fisker has been dodging the inevitable for months after it burned through cash while its vehicles have proven a hard sell. The EV startup filed for bankruptcy protection in Delaware, a move that was anticipated a long time ago. Fisker is looking to...

 
Software Update With R1 Refresh Features Coming to Existing Rivian Vehicles
Software Update With R1 Refresh Features Coming to Existing Rivian Vehicles

17 Jun 2024, 17:17 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / As anticipated by Rivian fans, the EV startup is preparing to show some well-deserved love to existing R1S and R1T vehicles. The 2024.19 software update includes the refreshed user interface graphics with 3D Cel Shading, new suspension software, an...

 
Tesla Cybertruck Deliveries Have Been Halted Due to Gigawiper Issues
Tesla Cybertruck Deliveries Have Been Halted Due to Gigawiper Issues

17 Jun 2024, 15:49 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Many Tesla Cybertruck owners have complained that the windshield wiper motor has stopped working or never worked at all. Tesla has now halted deliveries to replace the gigawiper motors, with affected owners indicating at least one week of delays. T...

 
SpaceX To Launch Starlink Mini Portable Dish With Integrated Wi-Fi Router Soon
SpaceX To Launch Starlink Mini Portable Dish With Integrated Wi-Fi Router Soon

17 Jun 2024, 13:59 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / SpaceX will soon launch the Starlink Mini, a portable satellite dish that features built-in Wi-Fi and can fit in a backpack. At half the price of the standard dish, the new antenna can still stream multiple 4K video streams simultaneously. Starl...

 
BYD and CATL To Produce EV Batteries That Fully Charge in 10 Min by the End of 2024
BYD and CATL To Produce EV Batteries That Fully Charge in 10 Min by the End of 2024

17 Jun 2024, 09:51 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / The world's biggest battery manufacturers, BYD and CATL, will soon ship lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery cells that can be charged from zero to 100% in ten minutes. CATL will ship 6C-capable Qilin 2.0 batteries by the end of the year, whil...

 
Tesla's Secret New Cars and Other Jaw-Dropping Projects Discussed at 2024 Cyber Roundup
Tesla's Secret New Cars and Other Jaw-Dropping Projects Discussed at 2024 Cyber Roundup

15 Jun 2024, 21:18 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / This year's shareholder meeting, dubbed Cyber Roundup, was all about approving Elon Musk's compensation plan and incorporating Tesla into Texas. However, Tesla's CEO delivered an enthusiastic keynote speech, revealing jaw-dropping de...

 
EU's Sweeping Tariffs on Chinese EVs Will Not Slow China's Push Into Europe
EU's Sweeping Tariffs on Chinese EVs Will Not Slow China's Push Into Europe

14 Jun 2024, 21:18 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / The European Union announced higher tariffs on China-made electric vehicles imported into Europe. The measure was justified because of "excessive" government subsidies that amount to unfair competition. However, the new tariffs may not ha...

 
Tesla's 4680 Battery Cells Are Still Not Good Enough, Musk Dodged Investor Questions
Tesla's 4680 Battery Cells Are Still Not Good Enough, Musk Dodged Investor Questions

14 Jun 2024, 17:50 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / During 2021 Battery Day, Elon Musk spoke enthusiastically about a new type of battery cell that would revolutionize EV manufacturing. Three years later, the 4680 cells are still not up to snuff, and Musk admitted during this year's shareholder...

 
Elon Musk Reveals the First Details About Hardware 5 Autopilot Computer and Sensors
Elon Musk Reveals the First Details About Hardware 5 Autopilot Computer and Sensors

14 Jun 2024, 16:06 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Tesla will launch the fifth generation of its Autopilot computer in the first half of 2026, as Elon Musk confirmed during the 2024 Cyber Roundup. The new hardware computer and sensor package, called AI 5, is purpose-built to support autonomous driv...

 
Tesla Ends Cybertruck Foundation Series, Deliveries of Regular Trims To Start Next Quarter
Tesla Ends Cybertruck Foundation Series, Deliveries of Regular Trims To Start Next Quarter

14 Jun 2024, 11:50 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Tesla will end the Cybertruck Foundation Series as the production ramps up. During the 2024 shareholder meeting, Elon Musk announced that Tesla would start deliveries of the regular Cybertruck trims in the third quarter, which is less than two week...

 
Rivian R1 Refresh Vehicles Can Become a Death Trap for Rear Passengers
Rivian R1 Refresh Vehicles Can Become a Death Trap for Rear Passengers

14 Jun 2024, 09:25 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Tesla has often been criticized for using an electromechanical door release system in its vehicles. Now, Rivian followed suit with the refreshed R1 vehicles. Although they still offer physical emergency releases, the design makes it difficult for r...

 
The Model Y Air Mattress Might Be Tesla's Hottest Accessory Right Now
The Model Y Air Mattress Might Be Tesla's Hottest Accessory Right Now

13 Jun 2024, 14:41 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Tesla has listed an air mattress for the Model Y in its online shop for $225. This proved one of the most popular accessories, as owners flocked to buy one. Moments after it was listed, the mattress was already sold out. Tesla added new inventory, ...

 
Waymo Forced To Recall Its Robotaxis Because They Kept Hitting Telephone Poles
Waymo Forced To Recall Its Robotaxis Because They Kept Hitting Telephone Poles

13 Jun 2024, 10:56 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Waymo was forced to issue its second recall ever after one of its robotaxis in Phoenix, Arizona, hit a telephone pole, and another car stuck behind it moments later. The problem showed that relying on high-definition maps for autonomous driving mig...

 
Xiaomi SU7 Is the Latest Challenger to the Porsche Taycan's Nürburgring Record
Xiaomi SU7 Is the Latest Challenger to the Porsche Taycan's Nürburgring Record

11 Jun 2024, 17:41 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Xiaomi surprised everyone with its first electric vehicle, launched in March, but the real surprise was that it proved a real success. As the production of the SU7 sedan has yet to quench the incredible demand, Xiaomi is already thinking of making ...

 
Rivian Has Begun Replacing Faulty Wireless Charging Pads in First-Gen R1 Vehicles
Rivian Has Begun Replacing Faulty Wireless Charging Pads in First-Gen R1 Vehicles

11 Jun 2024, 15:57 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / One of the biggest blunders Rivian made with the R1 vehicles (besides the powered tonneau cover) was the faulty wireless charging pad. Rivian's CEO promised that an updated phone charger would come with the R1 refresh, and it could also be ret...

 
Elon Musk Starts War With Apple Over ChatGPT Integration, Threatens To Ban iPhones
Elon Musk Starts War With Apple Over ChatGPT Integration, Threatens To Ban iPhones

11 Jun 2024, 10:44 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Apple announced a major AI push with iOS 18, with Apple Intelligence deeply integrated at the OS level. However, Elon Musk was rattled by Apple's decision to partner with OpenAI for a deeper ChatGPT integration. Tesla's CEO threatened to ...

 
Scientists Developed a Self-Extinguishing Electrolyte That Can Prevent Battery Fires
Scientists Developed a Self-Extinguishing Electrolyte That Can Prevent Battery Fires

10 Jun 2024, 19:07 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Battery fires are rare, but when they happen, they require enormous amounts of firefighting resources. The problem is caused by the flammable electrolyte, which can generate its own oxygen in a thermal runaway reaction. Scientists at Clemson Univer...

 
2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance Drag Races the 2021 Model, It's Not Even Close
2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance Drag Races the 2021 Model, It's Not Even Close

10 Jun 2024, 16:24 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / The refreshed Tesla Model 3 Performance packs more punch than the previous model. However, it takes a direct comparison to understand the difference, and the best one is on the drag strip. Guys at Model 3 Challenge have pitted the 2024 Model 3 Perf...

 
Elon Musk Pours Cold Water on Rumors About the Refreshed Tesla Model Y Launching Soon
Elon Musk Pours Cold Water on Rumors About the Refreshed Tesla Model Y Launching Soon

10 Jun 2024, 10:20 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / In September 2023, Tesla launched the refreshed Model 3 in Europe and Asia, with the US variant landing four months later. Many thought that a redesigned Model Y would not be far behind, with rumors indicating that production might start this summe...

 
Tesla FSD V12.4.1 Doesn't Live up to the Hype, Still Praised for Removing the Steering Nag
Tesla FSD V12.4.1 Doesn't Live up to the Hype, Still Praised for Removing the Steering Nag

9 Jun 2024, 10:59 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / The much-hyped version 12.4 of Tesla's Full Self-Driving software has been finally shipped to owners. According to Elon Musk, this should bring major improvements thanks to completely retrained models. However, the people who tested the new bu...

 

Stories by Cristian Agatie