E-Mobility

The first retail Cybertruck has now rolled off the assembly line of Tesla's Gigafactory in Austin with a giant single windshield wiper, and Elon Musk is on the way to fulfil his promise for a Q3 start of deliveries. The milestone means that all the gigacasting and other manufacturing equipment has now been tested to be working as planned.

Ford's new rally-inspired Mustang Mach-E Rally will be available to purchase in the US and Europe in the coming months. While specific technical details about performance tweaks are as yet unknown, it's safe to say it will be based on the Mustang Mach-E GT, meaning a dual-motor rear-biased eAWD system is to be expected. Ford has released images of the Mustang Mach-E Rally, showing off the visual tweaks that have been made to the electric crossover as it underwent the dirt treatment.

Ford recently eliminated the Fiesta compact car from its line-up, leaving not a single non-SUV car in its catalogue. Now, the boss of Ford Europe's passenger car division says the company is leaving the door open to reviving the nameplate as a compact passenger EV design in the future.

Harley-Davidson's LiveWire spin-off has revealed the final specifications for its S2 Del Mar electric motorcycle, with some of the excitement tainted by a somewhat underwhelming top speed figure of just 103 mph (166 km/h). On top of an underwhelming top-end, the 43-mile highway range is sure to curl the average S2 Del Mar rider into a bundle of range anxiety.

An official colouring book at a Tesla service station has opened up the speculation floodgates regarding the brand's upcoming electric pickup truck's bidirectional charging capabilities. It's unclear, though, whether the Cybertruck will also offer V2L, like its Ford-shaped competition does. The book's phrasing indicates some sort of high-voltage or high-amperage output, rather than the standard 240-V and 120-V output other manufacturers have implemented, although Ford does offer nearly 10 kW with its 240-V V2L functionality.

Xiaomi's upcoming first-gen car will debut as an electric vehicle (EV) with a more than respectable range, according to a new leak. Furthermore, it should be able to replenish its apparently sizable battery relatively quickly. Then again, these potentially impressive specs may not be exactly based on the most cutting-edge technology available.

While full Apple CarPlay support in Tesla vehicles will probably remain a pipe dream, Tesla may be preparing to add support for Apple's AirPlay casting service. This would allow video and high-def music streaming from your iPhone while in a Tesla vehicle.

Reports of a future Tesla India manufacturing plant have resurfaced, stating, with some credibility, that the US EV maker is in talks with the Indian government to build a new plant in the country. This new facility would largely be dedicated to production of the upcoming Model 2 compact car, which is slated to be announced sometime in 2024 or 2025 as a ~US$24,000 affordable EV for the masses.

Hyundai has kind of beaten the likes of Ford, Volkswagen, and Toyota to the electric-hot-hatch punch by dropping the Ioniq 5 N that delivers up to 650 hp. Thanks to all the tweaks Hyundai has made to the drivetrain, the Ioniq 5 N reaches 100 kph (62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds. The new, sportier Ioniq 5 N is wider and lower than the standard Ioniq 5, and it has some new smarts that leverage Hyundai's rally racing know-how to use the weight of the electric vehicle to improve cornering accuracy and speed.

Tesla's much maligned automatic windshield wiper system is finally getting a much needed update that allows the driver to turn them off, adjust their speed, or put in auto mode just from the steering wheel. The Tesla wipers' behavior is otherwise rather erratic and unpredictable.

The current Cybertruck delivery expectations baked in Tesla's stock price may be underestimating its production capabilities by a factor of two. Tesla could be delivering 200,000 more Cybertrucks per year than envisioned by Wall Street when its manufacturing is in full swing.

Just six months after gaining eligibility for the full federal tax credit amount of US$7,500, the Model 3 sedan may see it reduced in half again, warns Tesla. After the Treasury Department issued its battery material guidelines in March, the Model 3 tax credit was cut to $3,750, and the same may happen in 2024.

Solid-state batteries with double the average density of current EV packs are no longer a pipe dream, according to new analysis, as more and more auto or battery makers have come up with viable cost solutions. The timeframe for their mass production for use in EVs is set for the 2030-2035 period.

The Eleglide M2's launch campaign that offer s potential buyers the chance to grab a free smart band from Xiaomi along with a sub-US$1,000 price on the new electric bike. It is rated for a range of up to ~78 miles, derived from a 36V/15Ah battery and 250W motor that powers 27.5-inch fat tires for a "smoother ride". The M2 is also equipped with app control and an "intelligent" LCD display.

In the height of summer trips, Tesla cars hitching camping trailers need to charge, too, and the second V4 Supercharger station includes a standalone charging pile for Teslas with trailers. The new V4 Supercharge station just opened and includes a total of 12 charging piles.

Packing an impressive range of up to 290 kilometers (181 miles) on a single charge, the Olympia HYSAK full-suspension electric mountain bike features a motor with 90 Nm of torque alongside RockShox front and rear suspension. Sadly, the starting price is around the US$6,500 threshold and varies depending on the market.

The relatively affordable rear-wheel drive base trim of the successful electric SUV has previously been imported from China to Europe. Now that the cheapest Tesla Model Y is also produced in Germany, the EV is available in two of the most beautiful colors that the American carmaker has to offer.

Tesla expects its cars to become drastically cheaper and sell many more units than the US government projects in the next few years, so it demands even more stringent emission standards for gas-powered vehicles. The EPA's current proposal is for 67% of cars sold in 2032 to be zero-emission.

The purported mass market Model 2 that Tesla is preparing to build at its new Gigafactory in Mexico will be the 'best' and most 'affordable' electric vehicle there is, according to the governor of Nuevo León, Samuel Alejandro García Sepúlveda. The state has now given all the permits that Tesla needs to break ground on Giga Mexico.

The Cyrusher Trax e-bike will shortly be available in a gray colorway in the US; the model arrived earlier this year. The all-terrain electric bicycle has a step-through frame, with a 750W motor US model and a 250W motor EU-compliant version. Other features of the Trax include a full suspension system, a 3.7-in LCD screen and up to 56 miles (~90 km) range on a single charge.

Camouflaged Tesla Cybertruck prototypes have once again been spotted out in the wild — this time in the frozen test facilities of the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds. The Cybertruck was spotted doing both ice and snow testing, with a playful drift session taking place thereafter. As is to be expected, the Cybertruck's four-wheel-drive system conducts itself impressively, even if there does seem to be some understeer.

Cyrusher has launched its Nitro off-road electric bicycle in the EU. The new model has a 1,000W motor and up to 85 miles (~137 km) assistance range between charges, thanks to a 960Wh battery. Other features include a built-in display, LED headlight and fat tires for improved grip.

The Devinci E-Troy Bosch e-bike line-up has been unveiled. The new electric mountain bikes feature an 85Nm Bosch motor with eBike Flow App controls. Three models are offered with various suspension systems and a 625 Wh removable battery with an optional compact range extender.

The 2024 QiO EINSx P-E e-bike, the first model in the new EINSx series, has been unveiled. The bicycle will feature a suspension fork, suspension seatpost, Bosch motor and a 545 Wh battery. Alongside the EINSx P-E, QiO revealed the EINS P-E FINE LINE limited edition e-bike with gold details.

The Eovolt New Morning and New Afternoon electric bicycles were shown at Pro-Days. The e-bikes are foldable, with a Bafang motor and a 360 Wh battery. Compared to their predecessors, the Morning and Afternoon, the new models have more expensive parts, increasing the retail price of the 2024 bikes.

THOK has revealed Project 4, a 3D-printed e-bike prototype. The model, also known as the P4, was demonstrated at Eurobike 2023. The final version of the lightweight electric mountain bike is expected to feature a Bosch Performance Line SX motor and a modular battery system, including an optional range extender.

The new production line for the Model 3 Highland redesign has finished testing and debugging, report sources from Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory, and the refreshed model is being tested on factory roads every weekend. The battery assembly section of Giga Shanghai, however, is letting employees go to cuts production costs of the Highland.

Tesla's much-embattled Cybertruck electric pickup truck has been spotted out for testing yet again, this time giving onlookers a clear look at what the rear light bar will look like. Consensus on current Cybertruck pre-production test mules is that Tesla has either finalised the design or is close to finalising it. It's likely that Tesla had to include the light bar to comply with US regulations, and Elon Musk has previously confirmed that the light bar will be present on the final production model.

The powerful China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) gathered the 16 largest car makers there to sign a pledge that may put an end to Tesla's price war. Elon Musk's company slashed prices by up to 30% in the beginning of the year, sending everyone scrambling to catch up.

Researchers may have found the culprit behind the sudden unintended acceleration problem that Tesla vehicles have often been accused of. While investigations by NHTSA and Tesla attributed it to acceleration pedal mishaps, invertor voltage spikes may have mimicked erratic driver behaviour.

It appears that Fiat has witnessed the effect of nostalgia in the electric vehicle market, and it wants some of that pie too. The new all-electric Fiat 600e compact SUV has launched with plenty of retro flair and a very convincing spec sheet to boot. As platform partners with the Jeep Avenger, the Fiat 600e has the same WLTP range of 400 km (248 miles) and 115 kW (~154 hp) of power.

Citing 'softening demand' for electric vehicles, Volkswagen will be pausing their production at its Emden plant and laying off a fifth of the workforce there. Rising electricity prices and lower gasoline have affected the buying argumentation, too, as EVs are still way more expensive than gas-powered cars.

Toyota has managed to drastically cut the processes needed to make a solid-state battery with 500+ miles of EPA range, and address the biggest shortcoming of the technology, its price. Toyota just announced that its solid-state battery will enter mass production in 2027, earlier than predicted.

Unlike many other brands, Teslas don't turn their headlights automatically when the windshield wipers start working, but this would finally be remedied in the new 2023.26 update that will be rolling out soon. Besides automatic headlights, it also brings Bluetooth game controller support.

The Tenways AGO T e-bike will launch in Europe this summer. The new model has a Bafang mid-mounted motor and Enviolo Stepless Shifting Hub, with up to 100 km (~62 miles) of assistance range between charges. The electric bicycle also has a front suspension fork with lockout, a suspension seatpost and a handlebar display.

Decathlon has discounted its Riverside 920E hybrid e-bike, offering 20% off in European countries, including the UK, the Netherlands and France. The electric bicycle has a 250W motor and 418 Wh battery assisting you for up to 90 km (~56 miles). Plus, the model has a SUNTOUR suspension fork, a backlit screen and a walking mode.

BYD will begin deliveries of its new luxury crossover Denza N7 in two weeks and is aiming it squarely at the Tesla Model Y price range or the BBA (Benz, BMW, Audi) crowd. Besides all the typical premium EV bells and whistles, the N7 has some unique features that are geared towards privacy-conscious owners.

The Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer electric wagon has been spotted doing on-road testing with basically no camouflage, giving us an idea of what to expect when its 2024 launch date rolls around. The upcoming station wagon is based on Volkswagen's ID.7 electric fastback sedan, and it is expected to launch with an identical or similar motor and battery configuration, giving it somewhere in the neighbourhood of 350 (563.3 km) to 435 miles (700 km) of range. Volkswagen has taken more than a little flak for its design choices when it comes to the ID.7 Tourer.

While Chinese EV makers notched record quarterly sales, Tesla still managed to handily beat the world's number two BYD by 114,000 vehicles. BYD, however, recorded a faster pace of growth than Tesla, despite Elon Musk's price war that left many other competitors in the dust.

KTM has unveiled the Macina Revelator SX Prime, a lightweight e-bike. The electric road bicycle has a carbon frame and a Bosch Performance SX Smart System, combining a 55Nm motor with a 400Wh battery. Other features include an integrated Bosch Mini Remote Dropbar and a built-in Classified hub.

The 2024 KTM Macina Sport SX Prime e-bike has been unveiled. The e-trekking bike features the Bosch Performance SX Smart System with a carbon frame to keep it light. An integrated Bosch Purion 200 Display & Remote shows your speed and remaining battery level, compatible with the eBike Flow app.

The upcoming performance model of the South Korean's popular EV apparently fared quite well during a 10,000-kilometer stress test in the so-called "Green Hell". Most notably, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s battery temperatures did not get too hot even under extremely demanding conditions at speeds way above the legal speed limit in most countries.

The just partially camouflaged prototype gives a few hints at the design of the spacious all-electric station wagon from Germany, which will have to compete against a plethora of SUVs and will most likely use the same drivetrain and platform as the recently launched BMW i5 sedan.

After recently cancelling left-hand-drive variants of its Model S and Model X vehicles in the UK, Tesla has started shipping a grabber stick with new orders in the UK. The Reacher, as the grabber stick is called, is supposed to lessen the inconvenience of having to reach over the passenger seat to collect drive-through takeaway meals. Resorting to a solution like The Reacher downplays potential safety implications of driving a LHD vehicle in a RHD country, making it seem like a mere inconvenience, instead.

Much to the chagrin of fans of small cars, on July 7, Ford will retire the production line that has been manufacturing its Fiesta compact hatchback. Ford will instead repurpose this production capacity to manufacture the upcoming electric Ford Explorer SUV. This leaves Ford with a vehicle line-up basically devoid of anything that isn't an SUV, pickup truck, van, or Mustang.

Not even two days after Volvo announced that it would be joining the likes of Rivian, Ford, General Motors, and Telsa in their use of the NACS charge port, the company's EV subsidiary, Polestar, has revealed that it would be joining the NACS movement, too. It's unsurprising to see Polestar adopt NACS charging hardware, since many of its EV designs share platforms with Volvo's electric vehicles.

Urtopia has revealed a smart e-bike with voice interaction powered by integrated ChatGPT at Eurobike 2023. Recent YouTube videos show users asking the bike questions, including a suggested sightseeing route with navigation provided. Also shown at the conference was the Fusion e-bike, designed with Hartmut Esslinger of Frog Design.

Volkswagen is getting ready to budge and adopt the Tesla NACS port and connector for its EV charging needs, while its Electrify America network already did. VW will join the likes of GM, Ford, Volvo, Rivian, and Polestar. Adopting the Tesla Supercharger network would mean adopting the one with the most uptime, too.

The Tesla Model 3 Highland redesign will reportedly be released in the third quarter and will come with a larger 66kWh M3P battery made by CATL. Tesla is planning to use the bigger battery that will offer longer range for the Model Y Juniper refresh that is coming next year, too.