E-Mobility

Centurion has revealed the No Pogo SL R6000i and R8000i all-mountain e-bikes. The new lightweight models, on sale via dealers in the EU, are powered by a 250W Bosch motor with a 400Wh battery. Other features include various power modes, suspension from FOX and RockShox, and Schwalbe tires.

The presence of a heat pump should be the main criteria for EV buyers who live in colder climates, according to a new study. The EV cold weather range drop test reveals some surprising winners.

The pricing of the Volkswagen ID.7 has been announced for the UK market. The ID.7 Pro Launch Edition will start to be delivered to customers in early 2024, and those who purchase before January 2 will receive a free charger or charging credit. The EV features 175 kW DC fast charging and a 210 kW electric drive motor.

Part of the mysterious Cybertruck user interface that one test driver recently called its 'best feature' has been revealed in a spy video of unlocked Cybertruck taken while charging. There, the UI showed that the driver can control the powered tonneau cover from the cabin as well.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the first of 400 planned EV charging hubs. The charging hub features 400 kW chargers from ChargePoint, and there is a bay designed for wheelchair-accessible cars, vans, and vehicles with trailers. There is also a luxury charging lounge replete with snacks, drinks, and a restroom, making the wait more bearable.

A Tesla teardown and software analyst has noticed mentions in a firmware update that buyers of the 2024 Tesla Model Y base model may have to pay extra for front heated seats. Alongside mention of a front heated seat software lock, the new Model Y may be software limited to a range of 260 miles (418 km).

The Xiaomi SU7, SU7 Max, and SU7 Pro electric vehicles have appeared in supposed official images on a State Council website in China. Alongside the pictures of the Xiaomi cars was information about the EVs' rear-wheel and all-wheel drive powertrains, battery, and operating system.

Himiway has launched the C1 e-bike, a new model for kids aged between 4 and 12. The bicycle has a 350W motor with a thumb throttle and a top speed of 15 mph (~24 kph). Other features include an assistance range of up to 50 miles (~81 km), an LCD screen and dual hydraulic and electronic brakes for extra safety.

Contrary to expectations, the Ford F-150 Lightning aced the admittedly moderate off-road challenge no worse than the Cybertruck and its 14-inch suspension lift. Tesla has now started sending out Cybertruck event invitations to attendance lottery and affiliate program point winners.

BMW is shifting focus to electric vehicles at its Munich plant, putting the full brunt of its main R&D centre behind the new tech. The brand will, however, continue to make internal combustion engines — just not in Germany. The Munich plant already has over two years of i4 production under the belt, and BMW will start retraining employees for more EV models.

CheckMag Electric cars were conceived as a more environmentally-friendly form of transport. With the effectiveness of EVs being called into question more and more, it's time to address the elephant-sized trucks and SUVs in the room. Super-sized trucks and cars exacerbate everything that's wrong with electric vehicles.

Tesla has removed language from its Cybertruck sales agreement that required buyers to grant Tesla first right of refusal should the buyer of the Cybertruck decide to sell it within the first year of ownership. It's unclear why Tesla removed the clause, but it's unlikely to be because it's unenforceable — Ford has already proved that they can be binding.

German company ZF, claims that brake-by-wire is the future of EV deceleration tech, touting range increases of up to 17%. The dry system uses electric motors to generate braking force, as opposed to hydraulic fluid. The company also brags about the system having shorter braking distances by up to nine metres.

Volvo recently presented its first fully electric van, the EM90. Based on the Geely Zeekr 009, the Volvo EM90 is therefore a luxuriously equipped electric MPV with plenty of space and comfort as well as high safety standards thanks to modern assistance systems.

Canoo's aptly-named American Bulldog brings short-snouted, quirky looks to the off-road scene. The American Bulldog is touted as a minimalist, functional off-road pickup truck designed for “work, adventure, and service.” It should deliver the same AWD drivetrain and 200+ miles of range as the standard Canoo pickup.

Meizu hints that its upcoming flagship Android smartphone is coming for the Xiaomi 14 in terms of ultra-narrow-bezel screens. The 21 is touted to put an end to the display chin (or disproportionately thick bottom border) with an apparently consistent black edge of under 2 millimeters in height. The device's other premium aspects are thought to include the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.

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.