E-Mobility

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.

Owners of old Model S and Model X electric vehicles have filed a lawsuit in San Francisco over claims that forced software updates have had negative effects on the performance of the batteries in their vehicles. The updates in question allegedly cut the range on several older Tesla units by up to 20%, causing some to seek out expensive battery replacements. Other owners turned to third parties to restore the original battery range, presumably by flashing an older firmware onto the vehicle's computer.

Tesla is nearing a production run of its new 2023 Model 3 facelift with more streamlined headlights and bumper design as well as a more minimalistic interior. It has applied for taking out some of the present Fremont production lines, indicating that the new Highland refresh launch may be fast approaching.

Ford has launched the E-Tourneo Courier, pitching it as a "multi-activity vehicle" with "distinctive SUV-inspired looks." The E-Tourneo Courier is a five-seater minivan with a 100 kW front-wheel-drive electric motor and DC fast charging. Ford's new electric SUV-minivan will be available from 2024 in Europe, but there's no word yet on US availability.

The Kia EV6 GT has come out on top in a race comparing it to some of its high-performance contemporaries, including the electric Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and ICE BMW M4X Competition. The ~US$62,000 Kia EV6 GT managed to outperform all of its competition, consistently reaching 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. The EV6 GT seems to be a good alternative to the notably absent Tesla Model Y Performance, claims a 0-60 times of just 3.5 seconds.

The launch dates and pricing of the Decathlon Rockrider E-EXPL 700 and 700S electric mountain bikes have been announced. The bikes, announced in October, feature a 70 Nm motor and 630 Wh battery, with the 700S having a full suspension system. The first new model will arrive later this month, with prices starting from €2,499 (~US$2,719).

The Vietnamese auto company VinFast has announced that all stock of its new VF8 all-electric SUV for sale in the US has now landed in its new market. They come in 2 Eco and Plus SKUs, rated for up to 293 miles of (WLTP) range per charge and 402 horsepower respectively. They will start at just under and over US$50,000 respectively, with additional leasing options.

Samsung has pegged electric vehicles and their batteries as the next growth engine for the company, and may have wiggled into Tesla's supply chain with the Cybertruck's high-res camera set. Samsung's chairman Lee reportedly met with Elon Musk at its semiconductor research center in Silicon Valley last Wednesday.

Even in 2025, electric cars with modern 800V powertrains and fast charging systems will be few and far between, says an industry report. EVs like the KIA EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq will only represent a bit over 12% of the total then, from just 2% now.

An interview with Jeep's CEO has revealed that an all-electric Jeep Wrangler is coming soon to conquer the electric off-road scene. Previously, the Jeep Wrangler Magneto concept vehicles have exemplified just how adept an all-electric Jeep Wrangler could be. The only catch is that we'll have to wait until 2027 for the production Wrangler EV to land alongside the handful of electric models the brand has already released.

The Chinese government has forced Tesla to issue its largest recall in the country so far. The recall in question addresses accidents allegedly caused by driver confusion that seems to be linked to Tesla's one-pedal driving mode — a problem that could be resolved via an OTA update. All of the brand's vehicles in China seem to be subject to the recall, which goes into effect on May 29, 2023.

Honda has announced the e:Ny1 electric compact SUV for the European market. The Japanese marque bills the e:Ny1 as a fun, dynamic ride with a practical range. The e:Ny1 is Honda's second electric vehicle in Europe, serving as a larger alternative to the urban Honda e.

After the massive March and February price drops across the entire Tesla lineup, some of the company's US models have received a price increase, albeit a small one compared to the recent US$10,000 price cuts. The only Tesla to escape the moderate price increases is the Model 3. The Model S and X will cost US$1,000 more, while the Model Y sees a much smaller US$250 increase.

Volkswagen has now announced that its impending ID.7 electric sedan is also coming in GTX form. The newer variant is backed to debut with all-wheel drive and even more performance than the original vanilla model can get out of its platform. It is also slated to stand out with design tweaks that reflect the "intelligent sportiness" of its new suffix.

One of the first Cybertruck VIN numbers that roll off the conveyor belts at Giga Texas this fall will go to one lucky winner of Tesla's newly minted raffle. It is offered as part of Tesla's referral program and allows multiple entries.

Urtopia has unveiled the Chord and Chord X e-bikes in Europe. The electric bicycles have smart features, including a built-in control panel for navigation, fingerprint unlock and an accompanying app. The standard model has a top assistance speed of 20 mph (~32 kph) and up to 120 km (~75 miles) range.

The stalkless steering wheel with capacitive buttons from the Model S refresh is apparently coming to the 2023 Model 3 facelift, too. The car has been snapped with a drone camera over at the Fremont factory and this time part of the interior is clearly visible as well.

Subaru recently released its 2022-2023 financial results in which it revealed that by 2026 its electric lineup will grow to four crossover models. Subaru and Toyota have thusfar been very late to the electric vehicle party, and the pair may lose revenue as a result. Subaru intends to sell 200,000 electric vehicles per year by 2026, with an additional 200,000 units per year of production starting in 2028.

Tesla owners are complaining that the service technicians that work on their cars on unrelated matters are removing the radars that their cars came with. They cite reasons as varied as power consumption or water ingress for the service bulletin from Tesla that mandates they remove the parts from customer vehicles.

The 4680 battery production facilities that Tesla is building or expanding to make enough cells for the Cybertruck received a new sense of urgency as Panasonic said its own 4680 manufacturing start may be delayed with 6 months. Panasonic is now scheduled to begin mass 4680 cell production by next September.

Cybertruck? More like Cyber stuck. The custom Cybertruck Elon Musk drove to Tesla's lithium plant unveiling appears to have gotten stranded in the mud on the side of a rural Texas road shortly after the event. Images of the recovery's aftermath reveal that the truck had to face some very adverse conditions to get out.

In addition to very low winter temperatures, battery-powered vehicles may also run into issues when they are operated in extremely high ambient temperatures. Therefore, Tesla has now shared an interesting video on YouTube that shows the rigorous testing of the Model Y and its other electric vehicles in the UAE.

The expensive high-performance 150 kWh battery with hybrid solid-liquid electrolyte that NIO originally announced with its powerful ET5 and ET7 electric sedans is nearing release and will be used in more of its vehicles. NIO has filed to use the semi solid-state battery in an electric SUV, likely the EC7, too.

Tesla was forced to deny a report that it will start production of the 2023 Project Highland Model 3 refresh on June 1 at the Shanghai Gigafactory. Meanwhile, BYD outed a facelift of the Model 3's main competitor - the Seal sedan - that is cheaper and offers more range bang for the buck.

Decathlon has released the 2023 Rockrider E-ST 100 e-MTB in the EU. The bike has the same battery and motor as its predecessor, assisting you at speeds up to 25 kph (~16 mph). Upgrades include Bluetooth connectivity from the handlebar-mounted control panel and a 0.6 kg (~1.3 lbs) reduction in weight.

ENGWE has launched the L20 e-bike in the US and Europe. The US model has a 750W motor and a top assistance speed of 25 mph (~40 kph), while the UK/EU model has a 250W motor for a 25 kph (~16 mph) top speed. Both models can travel up to 90 miles (~140 km) between charges.

One of the best sellers in Romania and slated for arrival in the UK next year, the Dacia Spring is now facing some charging unit-related issues. Over 1,700 units could be affected by what seems to be a software bug that could cause a dashboard alert and, in the end, prevent the car from starting.

Hyundai's N Vision 74 Rolling Lab has apparently received the go-ahead for production. A Korean news publication claims that Hyundai will announce its production intentions on May 27. The retro-inspired N Vision 74 was a big hit with fans when Hyundai unveiled the concept car back in 2021, and it took a lot of inspiration from the 1974 Pony Coupe.

Alpine has shared details about its A290_ẞ (A290_beta) compact hot hatch that is set to launch in 2024 and compete with the likes of the Golf GTI, Abarth 500e, and Mini Cooper SE. The A290_ẞ is a dual-motor front-wheel-drive sporty hatchback concept based on the Renault 5, but with a few unique design cues and a central driver's seat.

Fisker's Ocean crossover has received a major makeover thanks to 33-inch wheels, a suspension upgrade, and underbody protection for improved off-road performance. The package will be available for any all-wheel-drive Ocean SUVs by the end of 2023.

FREEDARE has announced that it will bring its new option in electrified mobility to Indiegogo later in May 2023. The start-up describes it as "the world's first smart fat tire e-bike", which seems to mean the multi-terrain IP5X two-wheeler comes with battery management, theft detection and route-planning via its own smartphone app. Its range, comfort and early-bird prices are also now being hyped ahead of its debut.

The DTRe Stella electric flat-tracker motorcycle features an 11 kW motor and is available as both a street version with all the necessary road-going equipment and a stripped-back, dirt-ready version for weekend fun. A 3 kW external charger takes the batteries on the Stella to 100% in just over an hour. Topping out at just 101 kg (~223 lbs), the Stella is aimed squarely at the weekend warrior rather than the daily commuter.

The VanMoof S4 and X4 e-bikes have been revealed; the bicycles are launching in the US and EU in May and will arrive in the UK in June. The new models have a top assistance speed of 20 mph (~32 kph) and can travel up to 87 miles (~140 km) on a single charge. You can control various features via an app, and anti-theft tools include GSM location tracking and a rear wheel lock.