E-Mobility

The Tesla Model 3 'Highland' refresh will reportedly be shown by Elon Musk tomorrow during his visit to the Gigafactory in Shanghai. Tesla's CEO will use the Chinese trip to unveil the Highland version as the Model 3 prices in the US get slashed for cars that are in stock.

Presenting at an investor conference, Ford CEO, Jim Farley, predicted that electric vehicle prices will decrease in the coming years. Price drops are likely only coming in the first half of the 2030s, and they're probably going to be as a result of increased automation instead of improved parts availability.

Decathlon has launched its Riverside 520 E all-terrain e-bike in Europe. With a 250W motor and 500Wh battery, you can achieve a top assistance speed of 25 kph (~16 mph) and travel for up to 100 km (~62 miles) between charges. Other features include a backlit display, hydraulic disc brakes and an integrated torque sensor.

In the three days after opening pre-orders for the electric SUV, NIO received a reported 30,000 pre-orders at its Chinese dealerships. For comparison, Tesla has sold an average of just over 30,000 Model Y electric SUVs in early 2023. Pre-orderers have until July 31, 2023 to confirm their orders.

Tesla has started notifying some of its customers that their newly bought cars will be delivered with less than 50% charge 'due to a new industry policy.' As it started transporting more vehicles by sea, Tesla may now have to comply with maritime EV shipping regulations for 20%-50% maximum charge on board.

In a move that could result in a lot of lives saved and coffee spilled, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed that a feature similar to Tesla's Automatic Emergency Braking be mandatory for all new cars or trucks. The NHTSA has estimated that this would prevent at least 360 deaths a year.

Volkswagen's newly-revived rugged, off-road SUV and truck brand, Scout Motors, recently announced that it has recruited Chris Benjamin, who has been responsible for the design teams behind many modern Jeep and RAM designs over the years. This is a big move for Scout Motors, and it couldn't have come cheap, indicating VW is serious about the spin-off and its electric future.

Professional driver Misha Charoudin has put the Tesla Model S Plaid through its paces on the Nürburgring and found the car lacking. Charoudin dubbed Tesla's sports car "Dangerously fast and unstable," on account of its incredible power output paired with less-than-adequate suspension and braking hardware. The very nature of an electric vehicle drivetrain means these criticisms are likely applicable to many performance EVs currently on the market.

Rivian has tanked the Tank Turn feature that was slated to come to the Rivian R1T. The feature, which would allow drivers to spin the wheels on opposite sides of the electric vehicle in opposite directions to turn the vehicle on the spot, was pitched as a boon for off-roading. The eco-friendly reason for the feature's cancellation has stirred up some criticism related to the weight of the Rivian.

The ingenious tinkerers from the US have dismantled the majority of the Tesla Model 3 Performance's body, which resulted in a much lighter electric vehicle whose acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is quite a bit closer to the way more expensive and lightning-quick Tesla Model S Plaid.

Tesla has now let us have a glimpse of its first electric pickup with two steering wheel options in a short period of time. The Cybertruck may be available both with a regular round steering wheel, as spotted on what was likely a prototype, and with a hybrid uninterrupted yoke wheel of sorts.

Kia has relaunched its Light trim of the EV6 crossover as a cheaper alternative. The version, which had previously been discontinued, has a 58 kWh battery for a reduced range. According to Kia, only a limited number of the EV6 Light will be available in its Western US region for now.

An Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign has been launched for the Nireeka Mega e-mountain bike. The bicycle has a top speed of 38 mph (~61 kph) thanks to a 1500 W Bafang motor and up to 52 miles (~84 km) of range. Other features include a full suspension system, fat tires and smart taillights.

Decathlon has launched the 2023 Rockrider E-EXPL 500 S and 520 S electric mountain bikes in the EU. The new models feature a 500 Wh battery providing up to 64 km (~40 miles) of assistance range, with BROSE DRIVE mid-mounted motors delivering a top assistance speed of 25 kph (~16 mph).

The Gboost V8 2023 e-bike conversion kit is now on sale. The motor is available with up to 800W power for a top speed of 32 kph (~20 mph). Multiple power packs are on offer, providing up to 90 km (~56 miles) of assistance range, and a new smart controller brings Bluetooth smartphone connectivity to your bicycle.

Volvo has announced that it will introduce its "smallest ever SUV" in mid-2023. The EX30 is tipped to launch as an all-electric vehicle with a range of up to 298 miles, albeit with a smaller battery than that of the XC40. Nevertheless, it is also touted to deliver perks such as advanced safety in a "more enjoyable" package.

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.