E-Mobility

The Tesla Cybertruck has once again been spotted during its delivery to the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds, this time giving us a more detailed look at the inside of its sizeable frunk. Previously, it was confirmed that the Cybertruck would have the same style of frunk as the Ford F-150 Lightning, but this latest sighting gives us a better idea of the scale of the interior of the frunk.

At Amazon in the US, you can currently buy the Segway Ninebot Electric Kick Scooter F series with discounts of up to 45% off. The entry-level F25 has a top speed of 15.5 mph (~25 kph) and up to 12.4 miles (~20.0 km) range. The range-topping G65 has a more powerful motor for an 18.6 mph (~30 kph) peak speed and a maximum range of 40.4 miles (~65 km).

Volkswagen recently announced that it intends to take the sub-€25,000 (~US$27,000) segment of the car market by storm with the new ID. 2all. However, the company is now rumored to have an even cheaper electric vehicle (EV) in the works. The 'entry-level ID' is said to launch with a new platform and a super-compact build.

The Tesla Cybertruck automatic tailgate and tonneau cover motions, as well as its interior have been extensively filmed during its chief designer visit to an EV exhibit inauguration at Peterson's museum. The new shots also revealed a cool storage space under a lid in the truck bed as well as possibly vented seats.

The 2023 Flyer Goroc TR:X e-bike has been unveiled. The bicycles use the Pinion E1 MGU (motor gearbox unit) with an automatic gear shift feature and four assistance levels. Plus, the Goroc TR:X is equipped with a 700 Wh battery, and an optional range extender is coming next year.

The Decathlon Rockrider E-ST 500 e-bike is currently discounted in the UK, the Netherlands and France. Both the gender-neutral and women’s models are included in the sale, offering up to 11% off. The e-bike has a 250W BROSE C motor, a 420Wh battery and a SUNTOUR suspension fork.

Despite the Tesla Model Y's recent record-breaking sales, Autotrader seems to have skipped Tesla entirely when it put together its list of top ten EVs for 2023. Instead, the automotive site ranks brands like BMW, Hyundai, and Rivian among the best electric vehicles of the year. In Q1, 2023, Tesla's Model Y sold more than any other vehicle in the US, except for the Ford F-150, which has topped US sales charts for decades.

Bandit Bikes has launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for the X-Trail Pro, which it claims is the fastest street-legal e-bike available. Dual motors can power you up to 42 mph (~68 kph), and the built-in battery enables you to travel for up to 120 miles (~195 km) on a single charge.

Ford scored the largest outlay in the Energy Department's Loan Programs Office history as it will receive north of $9 billion from the federal government to build 3 EV assembly and battery factories. The plants in Kentucky and Tennessee are part of its BlueOval joint venture with SK On.

A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the AcoPower TesFridge has begun. The freezer is designed to fit perfectly inside the Sub-Trunk of a Tesla Model 3, Model X or Model Y. The gadget can cool food and drink to temperatures as low as 4°F (~-20°C), with the largest model providing a 36L capacity.

Volkswagen has introduced its latest flagship SUV as a plug-in hybrid that will, as such, be able to handle acceleration off the line as it will in practical uses such as towing. The new Touareg R eHybrid is also backed to look good doing either, with "re-designed" front and back ends, a new matte finish and some high-tech tweaks in common with some ID.-series vehicles. The marque's "absolute top model" is available to order in Europe from now.

Tesla was recently granted a new steer-by-wire patent similar to the One Motion Grip system of the Lexus RZ 450e with a good reason, as it will reportedly use it in the upcoming Model 3 Highland refresh that may be released in the fall. The Model 3 Highland is tipped to include a full set of high-res HW4 cameras, too, including in the front bumper.

Mere months before the vehicle's scheduled August release, Tesla's Cybertruck has been spotted exiting an aircraft in New Zealand. Tesla has previously used the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground on the South Island of New Zealand for winter testing. Presumably, Tesla will be evaluating the Cybertruck's all-wheel-drive and handling performance as well as getting an idea of how the range holds up in snowy conditions.

The latest in the slow drip of information about Rivian's second electric vehicle platform reveals that the vehicle's design is set to make its debut in 2024. What we know so far is that the R2 platform will play host to a crossover SUV that is set to take on the likes of the Ford Bronco, topping out at a price of US$60,000. Given Tesla's recent Model 3 and Model Y pricing, it looks like tough competition lies ahead for the startup EV maker.

Ford has unveiled the custom 1,400 hp E-Transit SuperVan it plans to use during the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 25, 2023. This Hot Wheels van come to life sees a number of improvements over last year's competitor and is a far cry from the E-Transit van that it was based on. Ford worked with STARD (Stohl Advanced Racing and Development Motorsport) to realise the SuperVan 4.2.

The Hyundai Motor Group has announced a new electric vehicle platform that it says will allow the companies under its umbrella to develop electric vehicles in every segment, including electric SUVs and pickup trucks. Between Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, the group is putting a lot of work into filling out its electric vehicle line-up.

Buoyed by recent wider adoption of its open-source NACS charging system by GM, Ford, and others, Tesla's network of Superchargers is worth at least $40 billion, say analysts. Tesla will remain the dominant EV player in the US until at least 2027, too.

Despite recently reaching an agreement with Tesla to include NACS charging hardware, Ford's CEO, Jim Farley, has had some choice words about the Cybertruck, all but dismissing its viability as competition for the F-150 Lightning as a work truck. According to the Ford CEO, the two vehicles are aimed at different market segments, and the Cybertruck is more of a techie status symbol than anything else.

Thomus has revealed its TWINNER T1 Pro e-bike. The carbon frame S-Pedelec can reach top speeds of 28 mph (~45 kph) and has a 1,638 Wh battery with smart battery charging controls. Plus, you can choose to add unusual features such as a rearview camera and heated handlebars.

All EV charging stations in Texas for which the respective company has received state subsidies will have to include one Tesla NACS connector and one CCS plug. In the meantime, Tesla is co-opting more and more automakers or charging network companies to adopt NACS voluntarily.

Rivian just joined the growing list of EV makers that will migrate to Tesla's North American Charging Standard. This means that both the ports and connectors of Rivian electric vehicles can be hooked to Tesla Superchargers directly going forward.

Tesla Superchargers aren't yet fast enough for the 800V charging systems of Hyundai and KIA electric vehicles. According to a Hyundai exec, the company will consult with Tesla on adopting its NACS standard as long as it can provide more powerful Superchargers.

The 50% cheaper to make 4680 battery that Tesla promised a while ago is still a pipe dream as Tesla hasn't yet mastered the dry electrode coating production method at scale. VW, however, may beat it to the punch with dry-coated cathodes thanks to a partnership with a German printing firm.

After officially unveiling the EV9 in March of this year, Kia has started shipping the first production units of its seven-seater all-electric SUV in Korea, indicating that production is on-track. US and European shipments of the Kia EV9 are set to start sometime in the coming months of 2024, and at least some of the US trims will qualify for federal EV tax incentives.

There has apparently been a spell of 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 owners have experienced total power loss to the electric drive in their vehicles. 30 owners complained to the NHTSA about a "loud pop" followed by a sudden loss of power. The NHTSA has launched an investigation into the complaints, and the agency estimates that 39,559 vehicles are affected by the issue. Hyundai has indicated that it is working with the NHTSA during the investigation.

The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Go appears to be about to launch in the EU. An EU Declaration of Conformity, Bluetooth listing and retailers in Hungary and Poland have provided details about the kick scooter. The new model has a 250W engine and can travel up to 18 km (~11 miles) on a single charge.

Ducati has unveiled the new E-Enduro Powerstage RR Limited Edition e-bike. The model is the company's first full-carbon electric mountain bike, with a 250W Shimano motor and 630Wh battery. Other features include Ohlins suspension, an integrated LCD and smartphone connectivity.

The Stromer ST7 Alinghi Red Bull Racing Limited Edition e-bike has been unveiled. The electric bicycle has a 940W motor for a top assistance speed of 45 kph (~28 mph) and up to 260 km (~110 miles) range on a single charge. Other features include an accompanying smartphone app with GPS location tracking.

Tesla is the only EV maker that will be able to meet US police departments' vehicle needs and its Model Y or upcoming Cybertruck can be retrofitted to serve as a police car just like the usual Dodge, Ford, or Chevy. A Tesla Model Y journey to a Model PD has now been detailed, complete with the cage and Windows computer inside.

Since its release, Model S Plaid owners have been testing their vehicles against all manner of supercars, with generally impressive results. This time, the Model S Plaid faced off against a top-spec Koenigsegg Agera RST, with 1,360 hp, and a supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle that produces 380 hp. The three vehicles competed in both a standing 1/4 mile and rolling-start 1/2 mile test, with results that highlight the strengths of an all-electric drivetrain very well.

Just like the all-electric Porsche Taycan and the very efficient Mercedes EQS, the upcoming Aehra Sedan targets very affluent buyers and is scheduled to hit the market in 2026 for prices starting at around US$170,000.

The new side repeaters that come with Tesla Hardware 4.0 are more power-efficient than the current Hardware 3.0 generation. They can't be plugged in place of a HW3 indicator, though, as a direct parts comparison shows new cameras, wiring harness, and different connectors.

A report analysing automotive trends has revealed that, in the period between January and April, the Tesla Model Y saw more new sales than any vehicle except the Ford F-150. Teslas were also the only electric vehicles to make it into the top 20 when it came to new vehicle registrations, defying the US trend towards massive SUVs and pickup trucks.

Citroën brand CEO, Thierry Koskas, has confirmed that it will be bringing a new, affordable EV to the market in 2024. The vehicle in question is the e-C3 — a small crossover hatchback based on the C3 design. While the €25,000 pricing of the e-C3 is attractive, the lack of a US launch and a somewhat underwhelming range estimate put a damper on the celebrations.

Hyundai has introduced a cash rebate on the 2023 Ioniq 6 SE and SEL trims in an effort to bring down the price to compete with Tesla's cheaper offerings. The discount brings the starting price of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to just US$36,600. The rebate only applies to cash offers, but Hyundai still offers a US$7,500 incentive discount on lease deals. The price cut makes the Ioniq 6 cheaper than the Tesla Model 3 — as long as you ignore the federal tax rebates, that is.

Fast-charging electric cars are few and far between in the US still, and the latest charging speed test pits those eligible for federal tax credit against premium EVs. The more expensive electric vehicles won the charging speed test by a large margin.

A recent brand reputation survey has seen Tesla drop over 50 spots — from 12th to 62nd overall — and beating only Chrysler in the automotive space. A closer look reveals that Tesla's electric vehicles and charging network don't seem to be why the carmaker's reputation has suffered. Despite the rising popularity of electric vehicles, the only automotive company to make it into the top ten was Toyota — a company that makes one of the least convincing EVs to date.

The Mercedes-Benz partner in solid-state battery development - ProLogium - will be demonstrating a new technology called Large-Footprint Lithium Ceramic Battery that can double the volumetric energy density of the Model Y's 2170 pack. The LLCB battery will be sampling with OEMs later this year.

Volkswagen has announced that its third-gen Tiguan will be available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) for the first time. The SUV will also make the switch to an automatic gearbox and options such as massaging seats and new headlights to also feature in the next Tuareg. The new Tiguan will also have a revamped interior, a new infotainment system with a ~15-inch display included.

While scoffing at Tesla Model Y-style structural battery packs that can't be easily repaired or replaced, the EU just ratified the set of EURO 7 emissions standard rules that will demand durable, sustainable, and longer-life EV batteries. Europe may also investigate the Chinese EV brand influx for dumping and unfair competition.

TELO claims its upcoming electric pickup truck is the ultimate gear- and people-hauler that packs pickup truck practicality into city proportions. It purports to have the bed size of a Ford F-150 while delivering 350 miles of range and fitting into the same proportions as a Mini Cooper — and not even the Countryman. The short overhangs that make it look a bit like a panel van should also make it a hoot off-road.

Gazelle has launched its Esprit C7 HMS e-bike in the UK and EU. The electric bicycle has a 40 Nm motor with three assistance modes and up to 120 km (~75 miles) range with the standard removable battery pack. Other features include a display showing your speed and remaining battery charge, an integrated LED headlight and hydraulic disc brakes.

Polestar has finally revealed details regarding the US release of the Polestar 2 electric fastback, and while there is a little disappointment to be had in the form of a price increase, upgraded motors, increased range, and recent OTA software updates make it sting less. While the base price and specs almost make it a viable challenger for the Tesla Model Y, missing out on federal tax incentives hurts Polestar's viability as a Tesla alternative — unless you plan on leasing, that is.

It appears as if the long wait is finally over, and those who put up their hard-earned cash to reserve a Tesla Cybertruck can finally get a glimpse at what they paid for. A camo-wrapped Cybertruck prototype has been spotted, indicating that the design is final. It appears that many of the issues that were still present at the previous Tesla Investor Day sighting have been resolved, but the presence of a round steering wheel is bound to raise some eyebrows. The Cybertruck should head into early production any day, now.

While brands like Ford and GM have hopped on-board the NACS train, there are a number of EV industry players that have either entirely rejected the notion of adopting NACS or are holding off for the time being. Stellantis appears to be one of the latter, stating that it is evaluating the standard at the moment, but has no announcements to make. Stellantis's adopting NACS could give RAM's upcoming electric pickup a much firmer shot at competing with the Cybertruck on more even footing, given the consumer sentiment around the NACS vs CCS debate.

Toyota teased the specs of its next generation of electric vehicles coming in 2026, and they'd apparently be able to cover 600+ miles on a charge thanks to new high-density batteries. Not only that, but Toyota will have cheap $25,000 EVs along for the ride, as well as electric cars powered by all-solid-state battery.

A massive heatsink and expensive Xilinx chip mark Tesla's Hardware 4.0 radar teardown which also confirmed that the radar is not something to write home about and likely there to assist with more mundane duties rather than FSD. On the plus side, the Tesla Model S/X with HW4 finally got the new Park Assist feature meant to compensate the lack of USS parking.

An engineering report centring on an early CyberTruck design was leaked, revealing that the electric pickup truck started life with elementary automotive design flaws, from a leaky cabin to shoddy brakes and terrible steering. An automotive engineer commented that the oversights were "astounding," and that the flaws in the design were rudimentary design challenges that every car manufacturer should have solved easily.