E-Mobility

The Tesla Cybertruck is tested by a Youtuber in what is probably its first real off-road test, and seems to be struggling with even small obstacles. Did Elon Musk rush the launch of the e-pickup? Cybertruck enthusiasts are hoping that software updates will address at least some of its shortcomings.

An alleged Tesla Model 3 Performance mule has been caught testing on the street of San Francisco near the Highland factory. The Performance trim may not be called Tesla Model 3 Ludicrous and could be released abroad first.

Currently conducting research in the battery field with a team of around 30 people, Varta's Graz site will expand later this year. The new facility will accommodate a team of 50 members in charge of developing post-lithium solutions for IoT applications, the automotive industry, and beyond.

The latest AI-driven Full Self-Driving Beta update is now rolling out to the public, and not only for Tesla cars with Hardware 3.0 cameras like in the employee testing period. The FSD 12 version can process more frame rates and is based on video analysis.

Tesla Model 3 buyers stand to save thousands by going for the Hyundai Ioniq 6 instead, as Hyundai is offering $7,500 off the Ioniq 6 in cash deals. With Tesla losing the Model 3's IRA tax incentive entirely, this puts the Ioniq 6 at over $4,000 cheaper.

Samsung may not only match Toyota's ambitious solid-state battery release date, but may also offer its cells at a cheaper price and with a higher manufacturing pace. So far, price and production rates have been the biggest obstacles before mass solid-state EV battery adoption.

Tezeus has launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for its new e-bike, the C8. The lightweight model has a carbon fiber frame with a patented motor assisting you for up to 100 km (~62 miles). Other notable features include a Google Maps integration, a built-in touchscreen and a taillight activated via mmWave radar sensors.

EcoFlow asserts that its DELTA Pro Ultra is its "most powerful whole-house backup solution to date". It can be solar-powered, or act as a residential storage solution with a capacity that can be scaled up to 90 kilowatt-hours (kWh) with an output of up to 21.6kW. Accordingly, the Pro Ultra is backed to power a house in a blackout that could last up to a month, and to serve all of said home's appliances at once with the new EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2.

The NIU KQi 300P and KQI 300X e-scooters will shortly be available to pre-order. The new all-terrain models have dual-tube hydraulic suspension and shock-absorbing 10.5-inch tires. Other features include up to 37.3 miles (~60 km) range, regenerative braking and app-based controls such as remote unlocking.

The Cybertruck's rear wheel steering option will be greatly improved from the current 3-degree angle for a real turn-on-a-dime experience with the already agile and maneuverable pickup. The fun part is that the degree increase could arrive as an OTA update.

After Tesla caused a sensation with its humanoid robot Optimus and Hyundai teamed up with Boston Dynamics, which became famous for its robot dog Spot, BMW is now following suit: Robots with artificial intelligence are to be used in car production.

Instead of arriving with a preconditioned battery at Chicago area Supercharger stations, a lot of Tesla drivers spent up to 45 minutes just warming it up for subsequent charging. Recurrent's analysis of EV charging behavior during the ongoing Arctic blast in the US claims it has found the main culprit for the delays.

The Cybertruck just barely clocked 103 miles (ca. 166 km) of range while towing an electrified Humvee in below-freezing weather.

CheckMag CES 2024 once again established itself as the year's most significant showcase for both tech advancements and automotive innovations. Below are the top 4 EV car concepts from the event, showcasing revolutionary motion technologies and the rising impact of AI in vehicle design.

Tesla's adaptive headlights mode allows turning a select amount of pixels off in order to achieve a less blinding experience while passing other traffic participants. This coveted high beam feature is now rolling out to the Model 3 Highland.

Decathlon has discounted its Rockrider E-EXPL 500 S, offering €200 off in some EU countries. The 8-speed model features a 50Nm Brose motor, up to 100 km (~62 miles) range and a full suspension system with SUNTOUR and X-FUSION parts. The deal is available for all four model sizes, which come in Zinc Gray.

Tesla cynics issued a resounding “I told you so,” to Cybertruck owners after the electric pickup truck's owner's manual appeared online in its entirety and revealed hefty cleaning requirements to keep the stainless steel blemish-free.

Japanese automaker plans to capitalize on the growing demand for hybrid vehicles and light trucks in the United States. This move comes after a successful year of meeting product demand and achieving strong recovery.

Being the first such ship built for the West Bengal region of India, the 24-meter-long Dheu electric ferry can accommodate up to 150 passengers and is the first step in a long-term initiative that aims to replace ferries driven by diesel engines with green counterparts that rely solely on battery and solar power.

The Tesla Cybertruck was the subject of a road test by Youtuber Dennis Wang, who was surprised by the truck's unexpectedly poor efficiency. Along with a few other shortcomings revealed during the drive, there was also plenty of praise for the futuristic e-pickup.

Viofo claims to have developed the ideal dash-cam for users who want as much of a hands-free experience as possible in the new VS1. Its "tiny" form-factor integrates a novel rotating mount for more freedom of placement within the car, yet is also touted to come packed with many of the features of its bigger siblings, Auto Event Detection, Time Lapse Recording 24/7 Monitoring and "highly optimized" Night Vision 2.0 thanks to the Sony STARVIS 2 sensor included.

Barely two weeks into 2024, and Tesla started a round of price cuts not unlike the beginning of last year. Behind those Model 3 Highland and Model Y price drops, however, might be EV battery cost projections.

Instead of addressing allegations that its Superchargers and EV batteries have issues in the cold weather sweeping the Chicago area directly, Tesla replied with an ad. Some EV drivers in Chicago have been complaining that their batteries are dead and take forever to charge in the cold.

Deruiz is now selling its Lapis e-bike in the EU, with third-party dealers carrying the new model in the UK. The SUV electric bike has a 250W motor from a lesser-known manufacturer with up to 110Nm torque and a 664Wh battery. Other features of the 10-speed model include a Shimano Altus derailleur and RockShox suspension.

The Ford F-150 Lightning Switchgear features "extreme chassis and suspension upgrades," and Ford envisions it as a test bed to demonstrate what its electric pickup truck is capable of — both off- and on-road.

Just as Tesla's Head of Vehicle Engineering predicted, towing something not all that aerodynamic with the Cybertruck could easily slash its range by 50%. That's precisely what the first Cybertruck towing range test achieved by hauling a Model Y behind it.

Tesla lost the unprecedented $94 billion in market cap two weeks into the new 2024 year, and its latest round of price cuts is unlikely to make its stock price fare better. After dropping its price in its largest market, now Tesla makes an even deeper cut to the Model Y tag in another important region.

Edmunds got to take the new Porsche Macan EV on a test drive and managed to get in an unofficial range test in. The Macan EV didn't disappoint, delivering almost 50 miles (80 km) more than the smaller Porsche Taycan EV, which only has a slightly smaller battery.

After the solid-state battery from the VW subsidiary PowerCo that can hold 95% capacity after 1,000 charge cycles, now comes a Harvard research breakthrough that tops its longevity. The new solid-state battery discovery retains 80% capacity after 6,000 cycles.

Supernal, Hyundai's electric aircraft division, unveiled its second-generation eVTOL prototype at CES 2024. The S-A2 will cruise at 120 mph while emitting less than 50 decibels, and reach heights of 1500 feet with only 65 dB of noise.

After Tesla made the 350 kW charging speed rate of its V4 Superchargers official, all of their major specs of its fastest charging piles have now been revealed. The stalls are both futureproof and backwards compatible, but they aren't without design issues.

As it turns out, the Tesla Cybertruck can't run a 1/4 mile quicker than a Porsche 911 while towing a Porsche 911. Online sleuths picked apart Tesla's narrative, revealing that Tesla only showed the Cybertruck towing the Porsche 911 across 1/8 mile, while the company also stacked the deck, picking the slowest Porsche 911 available and misrepresenting its performance for a dramatic finish.

Tesla Inc. experiences a rocky start to 2024, with a significant plunge in market value. The electric vehicle titan is battling supply chain disruptions and escalating labor costs. A slowdown in demand for EVs further compounds the company's difficulties.

The government advises that Tesla Model Y buyers get a copy of the confirmation that a 'time-of-sale' report has been submitted by their dealer and approved by the IRS. In the US, the Model Y price can now be dropped under that of the Model 3 with tax credit applied at delivery.

Europe is sending factory forensic specialists to Chinese EV brands like BYD as part of its investigation to determine if the lower prices their vehicles command on the continent are due to illegal state subsidies. In the meantime, BYD just unveiled its direct Tesla Model S competitor, after encroaching on the Model 3 and Model Y turf already.

A Shimano patent aims to make mountain biking more comfortable and efficient with AI and machine learning. This is arguably the next step in the evolution of mountain bike suspension after the introduction of electronic dampers.

The display tech OEM BOE has a 2024 car as part of its Las Vegas exhibition, and for good reason. The Geely Galaxy E8 boasts the world's first 45-inch 8K borderless smart dashboard, rated to cater to the most pressing need of both driver and front-seat passenger simultaneously. Furthermore, BOE is also demonstrating the screen's even higher-res, more responsive Oxide Mini LED successor with custom curved glass from Corning.

BYD became the world's largest electric car maker this past quarter, surpassing the previous top dog Tesla by a significant margin. Tesla is now introducing another round of Model 3 and Model Y price cuts to offset the increased EV competition.

Rivian's R1T revealed careful attention to detail in a recent test comparing the results of slamming your finger in the door, tailgate, and frunk of the Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Rivian. These tests harken back to the classic electric window hot dog tests and poke another hole in Tesla's use of pressed, unfolded stainless steel body panels.

Both the Segway Xyber and Xafari have strong off-road DNA, but the Xyber is a chunky Sur-Ron-style e-bike made for two-up riding and up to 95 miles of range, while the Xafari resembles something between an electric step-through commuter bike and a fat-tyre eMTB.

Elon Musk got impressed by Microsoft’s solid-state battery electrolyte AI discovery which could usher in EV batteries that use 70% less lithium. The dedicated scientific AI research team at Microsoft Azure Quantum Elements developed the solid-state battery with the help of the US Energy Department.

The horrible depreciation rate of the 2021 Model 3 has now forced Hertz to put a lot of its Teslas on sale at half off. Rental car companies like Hertz or SIXT are scaling down their fleet electrification ambitions, or ditching Teslas altogether.

Spy shots of the upcoming electric VW Transporter T7 van reveal a pickup version that swaps out the rear of the van for a dropside pickup bed. The electric Transporter would offer a practical, efficient workman's pickup truck in a market filled with trucks marketed as exercises in aesthetics.

The new Tesla Model 3 Highland facelift can be had for just $329/month by taking advantage of the $7,500 government tax credit for leased electric vehicles. Deliveries start this month and the Highland brings longer range, quieter ride, and new interior, as well as more elegant design.

Electric vehicle (EV) chargers with MSI logos might become a thing in 2024, as part of the brand's bid to become as well-known for automotive or industrial smart tech as it is for gaming laptops. Some of the MSI tech for cars support standards including NACS, whereas others employ AI to enhance driver or charge point operator (CPO) safety.

Tesla didn't lower the RWD Model Y range estimates or introduce stopping mode efficiency cuts like it did on the Long Range and Performance versions to comply with the new EPA tests. It, however, has now reduced its sound system to half of its former strength.

With Honda's brawn and Sony's brains, the 'PlayStation EV' Afeela will have a lot of the features that go in the world's most popular gaming console. Besides the Unreal Engine rendering of the Afeela surroundings, Sony also hinted at partnering with the studio behind Gran Turismo.

Currently in the Fremont factory trial production phase, the Tesla Model 3 Highland trim has now been listed as a test drive option in the US. Interestingly enough, it may get Tesla's inaugural front bumper camera for parking assist purposes.

The world's largest electric car maker is betting big on sodium-ion batteries that will allow the launch of cheap mass market EVs that don't use lithium in their battery cells. It better, as the competition is already launching their first electric cars with sodium-ion battery.

Besides testing it on California roads, Tesla seems to be is already making the Model 3 Highland in its Fremont factory, albeit a decoy version with the Shanghai badging. One of those test Highlands has gotten the up close and personal photoshoot treatment.