E-Mobility

Tesla's Full Self-Driving v12 has long been touted as the first non-beta release of the company's automated driving technology. Elon Musk's recent comments indicate that FSD v12 will arrive just in time for the launch of the Cybertruck, ushering in “end-to-end AI,” and vastly increasing the software's capabilities. However, by now, observers know how much weight Musk's predictions carry.

Automotive insurers oftentimes prefer to total a Tesla vehicle and write it off rather than repair it at a prohibitive cost. Tesla has now started delivering gigacast chassis parts to repair shops at cost and has addressed deformation concerns to a great extent.

The NIU XQi3 electric dirt bike has a peak power output of 8 kW, and a top speed of up to 75 km/h (46.6 mph). Both versions of the 76 kg dirt bike features a removable battery, dual-piston brakes, and 19-inch wheels. At US$5,499, the NIU XQi3 is more US$1,000 more than the Sur Ron Light Bee X, but also offers an extra 2,000 W of power.

The industry influencers and other select few who will receive an early Cybertruck delivery on the November 30 release date will have a hard time reselling the pickup. Tesla has amended its terms of sale specifically for the Cybertruck.

BMW is launching what it calls “highly automated driving” features in Germany. While Germany gets the SAE Level 3 Personal Pilot L3 system, the current Highway Assistant suite is limited to Level 2 in the US and Canada. BMW's Level 3 system will cost €6,000 (around US$ 6,800), and it is fully functional at night. Currently Tesla FSD Beta is generally thought of as Level 2.

Mini aims to bring the John Cooper Works brand into the modern era with its new electric drivetrain, but the brand will continue to focus on the fun side of driving in its performance EVs. Mini Coopers are known for their nimble handling and fun driving characteristics, while electric cars are often heavy, despite great acceleration.

When the Top Gear crew was filmed testing the Cybertruck for their review that is likely to air after release date, it seemed that they are opening the frunk manually. Now, however, there is a claim that the Cybertruck frunk will be automatic.

Lucid has introduced its RangeXchange feature via an OTA update. This allows existing Lucid Air owners to share their electric sedan's massive battery with other drivers in a pinch. The feature requires a V2V adaptor, and Lucid claims it can add up to 40 miles (~64 km) of range per hour, outpacing all but the Cupra Born for external power output.

The Tesla Cybertruck has appeared once more, being tested up the Stair Step at Hollister Hill. While the EV made it up the stairs, the suspension appeared notably firm, displaying little flex as the traction control system clamoured up the dusty challenge. Other videos show traditional off-roaders summiting the obstacle with less theatre.

The increasingly popular electric vehicle (EV) brand Polestar is definitely making its own smartphone, according to a new leak. An alleged preview for the device reveals a modern design with design cues suspiciously similar to those of an Android brand also closely associated with an automotive manufacturer in China.

BYD nearly matched Tesla's EV sales in Q3 and both competitors are trying to spearhead demand to pad their annual production and delivery numbers. BYD is offering price discounts and trade-in promotions, while Tesla has undertaken price hikes on the Model Y and Model 3.

Decathlon has released the Rockrider 27.5" Semi-Rigid Electric Mountain Bike E-ST 100 in a new White/Blue colorway. The e-bike, which launched earlier this year, features a 250W motor and 280Wh battery. Other features of the 8-speed eMTB include a Suntour suspension fork and an integrated LCD screen.

The Garmin Public Beta update version 19.15 is now available for the Edge 540, Edge 840 and Edge 1040 GPS bike computers. The software brings one bug fix to the gadgets and adds a new prompt to the 1040, making it harder to delete a ride mistakenly. As with previous updates, version 19.15 will be automatically delivered to eligible devices.

Volkswagen plans to bring an affordable EV to market in the US at under US$35,000 within the next three to four years. The German brand aims to manufacture the as-yet-unnamed EV in North America to take advantage of Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives.

Lucid Motors will start installing Tesla's NACS hardware in its vehicles in 2025. Lucid's CEO, Peter Rawlinson, was previously hesitant about adopting the charging standard, citing high voltage as a priority. Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, took to social media platform X to gloat about Lucid's adoption of the charging standard.

Tesla has reportedly begun retail Cybertruck production for customer delivery ahead of the November 30 release date. To prep for the launch deliveries, it is also doing final Cybertruck tests at Giga Texas.

The top solid-state battery patent holder ranking has some surprising entrants and only one actual battery manufacturer. Toyota, which plans to have a mass produced EV with solid-state battery on the road after 2025.

Volvo has signed an agreement with Chinese-owned Italian press maker IDRA for two 9,000-ton gigapresses. It plans to install these gigapresses in the new Slovakian EV plant. Gigacasting aims to simplify component manufacturing and cost, but there are questions about the quality and safety of the process's resulting parts.

Questions about potential power outlets in the bed of the Cybertruck have finally been laid to rest. Video footage seemingly confirms that the Cybertruck will have two regular 110 V outlets alongside a 240 V NEMA 14-50 outlet capable of running a Level 2 EV charger. Leaked frunk specifications also point to a volume half that of the Ford F-150 Lightning's.

Audi plans to amp up the number of “Functions on Demand” features in its vehicles in 2024. Despite backlash against these subscription models, Audi's technical boss claims that consumers want more paid software packages, and it's this demand driving the feature expansion, rather than profit motives.

An industry source indicates that the Hyundai Motor Group will develop its own in-house battery technology in order to reduce reliance on Chinese sources. These lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are to end up in entry-level and mid-range Hyundai and Kia vehicles, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia Niro EV, and the upcoming Kia EV2, as soon as 2025.

Honda is showing the SC e: electric motorcycle concept at EICMA 2023, where it has confirmed a production version is on its way to Europe. The new model has two swappable batteries which work with Honda’s mobile battery network. Other features include blue lighting accents and a display between the handlebars.

The ENGWE E26 fat-tire e-bike is on show at EICMA 2023. The new model launched earlier this year, with two versions for the international and EU markets. Features of the more powerful international e-bike include a 750W motor, 87 miles (~140 km) range and a dual suspension system.

Rotwild is launching its first e-gravel with eAssist in the R.R275 X. The gravel bike comes with the 250 W TQ HPR50 motor and can provide bursts of 300 W of additional power via the Boost Button on the handlebars.

The Royal Enfield HIM-E electric adventure bike concept confirms once again that the Indian motorcycle company is aiming at releasing an electric motorcycle in the near future. The styling and equipment closely resemble the updated Himalayan 452, although Royal Enfield has made clever use of the tank area, swapping bare metal for more seat padding.

A recently published test drive video on YouTube shows that the brakes, tires and suspension of the Tesla Model 3 Highland are not suitable for the highly demanding Nordschleife in Germany. The electric sedan's new LFP battery, on the other hand, is praised for its sustained performance even at lower states of charge.

Tesla has removed the Full Self-Driving Beta services from the Model 3 of a buyer who sued it for failure to meet FSD claims. The owner argued that Elon Musk promised many features that never materialized.

The final specifications and pricing for the Kia EV9 in Canada have been announced. Trim levels include the Light RWD, Wind RWD and Land AWD with optional upgrade packages. The differences between each version include increased range, larger tires and exterior design tweaks.

Neco has launched the E-Pop scooter in the EU. The electric model has a 1,200W motor, meaning European customers need the appropriate license or equivalent to operate the vehicle. Other features include hydraulic suspension at the front and rear, fat tires and a luggage rack.

The upcoming Polestar 5 electric four-door GT car will use SK On's 56 cm NMC cells. The South Korean battery maker claims these cells offer high energy density and meet high safety standards, particularly for thermal protections. The Polestar 5 EV boasts 884 hp and 900 Nm of torque from a dual-motor AWD setup.

Tesla seems to be going for a '50 Shades of Grey' award as the new Stealth Grey color has been snapped next to the old Midnight Silver. It is as multicoat and chameleonic in nature as Elon Musk promised last year when teasing new Tesla color options.

A leaked letter from Kia has revealed that the company is asking US dealerships to sell the new EV9 electric SUV at its MSRP. Customers can already reserve the model, with the first deliveries in early 2024 and prices starting at US$54,900. Several trim options are available, up to the GT-Line e-AWD, priced at US$73,900.

An agreement signed between Stellantis and the UAW confirms that by 2028, the Jeep Wrangler will only be offered with all-electric and mild hybrid drivetrains. The PHEV Wrangler 4xe will receive an update in 2025, and Jeep will ditch the ICE and PHEV drivetrains by 2028, when it introduces the all-electric version alongside a range extender hybrid.

Tesla has all the permits for its Gigafactory in Mexico now, but it would be delaying the production of its rumored US$25,000 Model 2 there in favor of the Austin, TX factory. Another Model 2 Gigafactory could serve the European market.

Xiaomi has made more progress toward the mass production of its long-awaited first-gen car, according to the latest leaks. The vehicle itself has also allegedly surfaced in a new in-the-wild leak - or, to be more accurate, part of it has. The major component's new photos purport to confirm which Tesla the first-gen Xiaomi car will most resemble.

Tesla seems to be gunning for the “Matte black everything crowd,” as the Cybertruck takes to the street in what appears to be a matte black wrap. This indicates once again that Tesla may offer coloured wraps for the Cybertruck right out the gate. This may be the first serious Cybertruck colourway we've seen so far, after Tesla poked fun at Ford and Toyota.

Rotwild is launching two new e-bikes with exciting features onto the market. The Rotwild R.X1000 e-MTB and the Rotwild R.C1000 e-crossover both feature the revolutionary Pinion MGU E1.12 motor/gearbox unit, which the manufacturer combines with a huge battery.

The first Cybertruck reviews may start pouring in very soon and one of those is being done by none other than the Top Gear crew. Jack Rix was caught testing the Cybertruck version with white leather that Elon Musk rode to F1 not long ago.

Anthro Energy's flexible energy storage systems will be used in next-generation electronic devices and are currently being sold to the first wearable manufacturers. The development team has identified promising applications for the fireproof batteries, particularly in electric vehicles and laptops. By integrating them into belts, straps and other "dead spaces", Anthro batteries are expected to extend the service life of devices by 2 to 5 times.

Lucid has reduced prices of almost all of its premium electric sedans by up US$10,000. The mid-range Air Grand Touring sees the highest discount, while the entry-level Air Pure still sells for US$77,400. The Air Pure offers 410 miles (~660 km) of range and 480 hp, while the AWD Air Grand Touring is a 1,050-hp monster with over 500 hp.

The personal electronics OEM Xiaomi has yet to follow through on its long-hyped foray into the automotive market; nevertheless, the company is still definitely working on it, according to a new leak. It reportedly reveals a new patent that might enable the brand's future vehicles to call emergency services by themselves if necessary, much like a new Apple Watch.

The latest Cybertruck sighting provides a closer look at the upcoming electric pickup truck's powered tailgate and covered under-bed storage, but fans have questions about water sealing and dust ingress, given the location of the storage. The video also doesn't give us much of an indication of how big the actual storage compartment is.

The world's most aerodynamic sedan has been developed with the help of artificial intelligence and has bionic inspiration from the shape and form of tuna. Chery's concept has been tested in a wind tunnel to return a breathtakingly low coefficient of drag.

While crash testing procedures and FSD Hardware 4.0 equipment differences may be delaying the Model 3 Highland release in the US, Tesla is certainly hard at work over its accreditation. The US version of the Highland has just been spotted uncovered.

A number of Tesla owners have taken to Reddit after their front cameras fogged up and stopped working in cold weather, leaving several features, including the US$10,000 FSD Beta, inoperable. Tesla has declined to assist to these customers, despite many of their vehicles being covered under warranty.

Tesla's biggest rival in electric vehicle production - BYD - matched its EV production in Q3 but logged a much higher profit margin. According to Berkshire Hathaway's Charlie Munger, BYD's CEO is simply more down to earth than Elon Musk.

Despite its heavy 4-ton body made of 30x cold-rolled stainless steel, the Cybertruck's Beast Mode can take it from 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds, confirmed Elon Musk. In a JRE episode, he let Joe Rogan try and pierce the Cybertruck's exterior with a crossbow and arrow.

Antric has revealed the new Evo_1 electric cargo bike in Europe. The updated model is both more efficient and more compact than its predecessor without losing too much interior space. Features include a 250W motor, 50 km (~31 miles) assistance range and foot pedal-operated brakes.

Fiido has launched the Titan e-bike, now available to order in various countries worldwide. The electric bicycle has a 120 km (~81 miles) range as standard, increasing to 400 km (~248 miles) with an optional range extender battery kit. Other features include fat tires and a full-color display.

Sony has announced that its latest audio-video (AV) receiver has a new Tilt & Swivel design that allows its screen to be turned either towards or away from the driver. It also supports USB type-C and micro-HDMI as well as the gold-plated 3-preout terminals needed to build a car stereo system.