E-Mobility

MediaTek has announced it will be working with Nvidia to develop its next generation of automotive chips. They will support Nvidia's software library and even include an Nvidia GPU connected via Nvlink.

The pillar cameras on the side of Tesla cars can now reach up to 600-feet viewing range to detect approaching vehicles earlier and allow the driver-assist software to react better. The side camera range improvement has been implemented in the newest Full Self-Driving Beta software update by Tesla.

Rivian has recently announced that the first of many dual-motor R1T units has left the production line, ready for a June 2023 delivery. The dual-motor drivetrain features Rivian's custom Enduro motor, and the company claims it's more efficient than the quad-motor drivetrain. The dual-motor R1T is a less expensive version of the R1T for buyers looking for an electric pickup that's more oriented for on-road stability and performance than hardcore off-road exploring.

After pulling the Long Range Model 3 AWD from the US market late last year and re-introducing it again a few weeks ago, Tesla has updated the LR Model 3 AWD's range estimates to more accurately represent what consumers can expect. The new range figures are a significant downgrade compared to the previous version, for which Tesla stopped taking orders due to excessive backlog.

Zero Motorcycles is currently running its global Go Electric Incentive, in which it offers cash back on its whole line-up of 2022 and 2023 new electric motorcycle stock. The exact incentive amount varies per bike and location, but it tops out at US$4,500 for the DSR/X — bringing its price down to US$19,995. In the case of financing options, buyers can get a 0% APR with no down payment.

Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution have announced a joint venture to create a battery manufacturing facility in the US. The new facility will be located in Georgia, and production is expected to start at the end of 2025. It's expected that the new cell production will provide stable supply for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis electric vehicles destined for the US market and could result in significant price cuts for US EV customers.

Tesla customer and employee data, including Elon Musk's social security number and other private info, has been leaked by what lawyers say was a disgruntled employee with too much access. The Tesla Files breach includes phantom braking or acceleration complaints against Autopilot, too.

In Tesla's ongoing effort to expand its Supercharger network, the company has teamed up with Ford to include Tesla's NACS (North American Charging Standard) plugs on all future Ford electric vehicles. The move was announced on a Twitter Spaces event featuring Elon Musk and Ford CEO Jim Farley.

Tesla beat Toyota for the title of the world's bestselling vehicle for the first time with the Model Y which sold 267,200 units in Q1, more than the heretofore favorite Corolla. Tesla has also upgraded the Model Y with its new Hardware 4.0 FSD kit without announcing it.

Gotion's Michigan factory may be for the newly unveiled LMFP cell with 240 Wh/kg energy density that would allow 600-mile range on a charge. It could ultimately end up in Tesla or other US automakers as the plant would supply "a large listed automobile company in the United States" with LFP batteries.

NIO has debuted the 2024 ES6 compact electric SUV in China with new battery options, AWD, and a lower price. The entry level version of the new ES6 delivers a claimed 490 km (~305 miles) of range, while higher spec options see the range expectations jump significantly. NIO also promised that future revisions to the ES6 will feature its new 150-kWh semi-solid-state battery pack.

RGNT Motorcycles and Crooked Customs have revealed an aggressive custom all-electric scrambler project called the E-Type that oozes classic scrambler energy. The E-Type is a RGNT No.1 Scrambler SE that's been chopped, raised, and reorganised to make it look much more rugged while maintaining the practical range and performance of the original.

The first real images of the inside of the Tesla Cybertruck have emerged, and they seem to tell a story of a company that's more focussed on image than vehicles that make sense. Not only are there massive blind spots, but the vast dashboard and bare-bones design raise some questions about practicality.

Decathlon has discounted its High Frame Electric City Bike Elops 900 in EU countries, including the Netherlands and France. The e-bike has a top assistance speed of 25 kph (~16 mph) and a range of up to 70 km (~43 miles). Other features include a Suntour suspension fork, display and USB charging port.

BMW has just announced the latest addition to its line-up of all-electric vehicles — the BMW i5. This latest BMW electric sedan bridges the gap between the sporty i4 and the ultra-premium i7, and it will be available as both the RWD i5 eDrive40 and the dual-motor AWD i5 M60 xDrive. Pre-orders for the electric BMW i5 are open, and deliveries are expected to start in October 2023.

Yadea has revealed its VF F200 electric moped, which is expected to launch in the EU later this year. The EV has a top speed of 100 kph (~62 mph), 238 Nm torque and up to 140 km (~87 miles) range. Other features include a hydraulic shock absorber and a large TFT display to show information about your journey.

Skoda has unveiled the Laurin & Klement Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé electric SUVs in the UK. The latest models have a more powerful 210 kW motor and an extended range of up to 570 km (~354 miles) compared to older 80 and 80X models. Plus, the EVs bring new features, including pre-heating the battery and an improved UI.

Faced with growing electric vehicle competition, Elon Musk said that Tesla has decided on a pilot advertising project and the first ever Tesla ad has now been outed in its most competitive market. It touts the everyday Model 3 features that set it apart from the other entrants in the EV field.

The world's biggest lithium miner is continuing on the path of vertical integration by announcing that its solid-state battery factory that was announced last August is now starting mass production with initial annual output capacity of 4 GWh. In the meantime, SAIC unveiled that its own solid-state battery development will result in an EV released in 2025.

After 18,000 miles, tech YouTuber Ben Sullins has released a long-term review of the Rivian R1T electric pickup, discussing the vehicle's strengths and weaknesses. Unsurprisingly, the R1T's most severe issues come from the brand's newcomer status in the automotive space. Poor service, quality control, and software reliability are just some of the issues that plagued Sullins during his time owning the electric pickup.

A Twitter user has shared videos of his Tesla Model Y catching fire on a California highway. Despite contacting Tesla to assist with repairs, the owner of the vehicle has heard nothing about repairs or assistance for over two weeks. When he did speak to Tesla's customer service, he was told to bring the burnt-out husk of the car to a service centre, despite the vehicle's non-functional state.

Inmotion has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its latest e-mobility product — an insane 8,400 W electric scooter capable of hitting highway speeds thanks to a dual-motor setup. The Kickstarter campaign has proven wildly successful, generating over ten times the goal in just two weeks.

SUPER73 is celebrating the release of its S2 e-bike with the offer of US$400 off its normal price - so long as the buyer wants it in a specific colorway new to the variant. The "urban cruiser"-style two-wheeler comes with a 750W motor rated to go for up to 75 miles per charge, and has a "comfortable" long 2-UP seat.

The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 and Electric Scooter 4 Lite have been revealed for the EU, launching in Italy. The e-scooters have a top speed of 20 kph (~13 mph) and a digital dashboard. The Electric Scooter 4 has up to 35 km (~22 miles) range, while the Lite model can travel for up to 20 km (~13 miles).

BMW's most recent configuration updates have been revealed. The model updates include a cheaper all-electric, all-wheel-drive i4 xDrive40 to slot in between the eDrive40 and the i4 M50, as well as a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive i7 eDrive50 to complete the i7 line-up at the bottom end.

Mercedez-Benz recently announced the Mercedes-AMG E-Scooter as a smaller step towards its electric future. The E-Scooter features a 500 W motor, 200 mm wheels, adjustable suspension, and up to 40 km (~25 miles) of range. The Mercedes-AMG E-Scooter is aimed at those looking to skip the last bit of city traffic quickly and conveniently.

The Veloretti Electric Ace Two and Electric Ivy Two e-bikes have been launched in the EU. The electric bicycles have a 250W Bafang motor and up to 120 km (~75 miles) of assistance range. Plus, the new models have an integrated display and handlebar button to trigger a safety feature sharing your location with chosen contacts.

Ponomarets has opened a pre-order for its first e-bike, the Series 1. The premium electric bicycle has a carbon fiber frame that is ultra-light, weighing 11.3 kg (~24.9 lbs). The Series 1 has a 250W Mahle motor for a top assistance speed of 25 kph (~16 mph) and up to 100 km (~62 miles) range.

General Motors has updated the specifications of the Chevrolet Silverado EV to include the EPA-rated range figures. The updates range numbers have put the Silverado EV ahead of the Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Hummer EV by more than a few miles. Both the Silverado EV SRT and Silverado WT will land with more than 400 miles of range after the new rating.

Sony has augmented its Mobile ES in-car audio line with a new AV receiver. The XAV-9000ES is the first double-DIN variant of its line, and also supports wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Its HD touchscreen can also switch between 3 different cameras in this generation as well as handle custom speaker configurations with an "enhanced" 5V 3-pre out. It has launched alongside 2 new power amplifiers for even more "High-Resolution Audio".

The BYD vs CATL Model Y versions fight is on, and the first owners of the blade battery pack variant with LFP cells from BYD report better charging performance. The Tesla Model Y with BYD battery managed to maintain peak charging speeds for longer than the current CATL version with LFP cells that is sold in the US.

German bicycle manufacturer Cube has teamed up with BMW to introduce a new electric tricycle called the Trike Hybrid aimed at families and individuals that prefer cycling over driving. The Trike is capable of carrying up to 220 kg, and it features a neat tilting system that makes it feel much closer to riding a traditional bicycle than it otherwise would.

An exclusive Hyundai edition of the new Next eXXite e-bike has been announced. Hyundai plans to offer customers the electric bicycle instead of a courtesy car in France. The e-bike has up to 80 km (~50 miles), with a regenerative braking system and removable battery stored in the seat post.

Comate has launched a European Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for the CT Elite and CT Cruiser e-bikes. The company suggests that the new models are the most comfortable on the market, with an optimized riding position and a torque sensor. The e-bikes have top speeds of 25 kph (~16 mph) and 32 kph (~20 mph) for the EU and US markets, with up to 150 km (~93 miles) assistance range.

Electric cars are prone to much less mechanical breakdowns than gas-powered vehicles, according to a real-world reliability report. In fact, most EV problems were with the low-voltage battery or circuit, the only weak point where they equaled or surpassed ICE car failure rates.

Nearly four years after showing off the Cyberquad at the Cybertruck launch event, a trademark filing has appeared claiming the branding for use in the off-road ATV segment. This is a curious move by Tesla, considering its CEO's negative view of motorcycles. Tesla's delayed action on the Cyberquad has prompted a number of DIY Cyberquad builds in the meantime.

Just over a week ago, tentative rumours started to surface that Hyundai's retro-flavoured N Vision 74 Rolling Lab concept car would make it into production in some form, with an announcement of the production model set to come at a Pony Day event. A representative from the US division of Hyundai has now come out denying the existence of both a production N Vision 74 and a Pony Day. Instead, the brand will revive the Pony Coupe concept from 1974.

It seems as though the US's plan to bring manufacturing back to the American continent is paying off. Kia has confirmed that it is considering shifting electric car production away from Korea to its factory in Mexico in order to take advantage of the US tax incentives. If true, the Kia EV6 would start at just US$41,200 after US tax credits.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz has been out in Europe for a while already, but a recent teaser revealed that a three-row electric VW Bus is coming to the US with an announcement due on June 2. Launching in collaboration with International Day Calendar, the new Type 2 electric bus will pay homage to the original Volkswagen Bus/Kombi/Transporter on VW Bus Day in Huntington Beach, California on June 2.

Tesla is gearing up to release a 'sportier' Model 3 redesign with larger size that it calls Project Highland and which may be launched in Q4. The longer, more streamlined in terms of design Model 3 refresh could thus be considered the 2024 edition rather than a 2023 Model 3.

Despite pivoting the company towards electric vehicles, Toyota's new CEO, Koji Sato, expressed in a recent interview that solid state batteries and synthetic fuels still have a way to go before being ready for prime time. The new boss also reminds us that the Japanese brand will continue to develop its hydrogen fuel-cell and combustion engines into the future, despite entering the all-electric vehicle market more seriously.

LG plans to develop two types of cylindrical EV batteries - Tesla's 4680 and a new 4695 version - with a New Form Factor Task Force that will be in charge of spearheading the project. Tesla will need all the 4680 batteries it can get its hands on because of the Cybertruck launch.

Elon Musk decided to throw Tesla's shareholders some bone and reflected on its future plans for mass market electric vehicles of which there are apparently two being "built" or "designed." The first one should be the US$22,000 Model 2 whose silhouette was shown at the meeting.

New videos of Tesla's Cybertruck have surfaced, and they reveal a number of tweaks to the design of the electric pickup truck, while further inspection also shows some glaring panel gaps and misalignment issues that will need to be corrected before the final production version. Panel gaps and quality control issues have become something of a meme when it comes to new Tesla releases, but hopefully the Cybertruck's long development time will help reduce teething troubles.

PVY has launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for its Z20 PLUS e-bike. The foldable electric bicycle has a 1,000W motor and a 16.5Ah battery, allowing you to ride at up to 31 mph (~50 kph) and travel for up to 120 km (~75 miles) on a single charge. Plus, the Z20 PLUS has all-terrain tires and a triple suspension system.

Call2Recycle and PeopleForBikes have partnered to create a new e-bike battery recycling program for the US called Hungry for Batteries. The recycling program aims to keep harmful and potentially dangerous lithium-ion batteries out of landfills. The recycling program has 52 industry participants and over 1,800 battery drop-off locations.

NIO and Shell have opened Europe's first EV battery swap station in the Netherlands. The battery swap station is capable of performing 312 swaps per day despite only taking up the same space as a double garage. In contrast, Tesla Superchargers taking up the same area can charge around 40 vehicles in 24 hours.

Tesla has filed a notice seeking regulatory approval in China to expand its sprawling Shanghai Gigafactory to boost production by 40% and add a production line for pouch cells. The added capacity would produce 20,000 amp-hours of pouch cells per year, but the company's intentions are unclear, since Elon Musk has previously sworn off the technology over safety concerns.

Not long after the official unveiling of this upcoming electric car's list of specs, images of the 2024 Mini Cooper Electric interior surface online, thanks to CAR Magazine. The snapshots reveal a circular touchscreen similar to the original concept, with a set of old-school climate controls below.

A sign of the times, Volvo's Polestar performance division has announced that it has cut production targets by 20,000 units for the 2023 model year, while production for the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3 electric vehicles are both delayed to the first half of 2024. Volvo has also announced a 10% reduction in jobs in an effort to cut costs, despite 25% growth in the global EV market in Q1 of 2023.