E-Mobility

The startled driver of the China-exclusive BMW i3 had to pull over and leave the car as smoke started to enter the cabin. Fortunately, the small fire did not spread too quickly as the battery wasn't the cause of this unfortunate incident involving the luxurious electric sedan.

The President & Managing Director of General Motors Europe has provided details about the company's plans to offer EVs on the continent. In an interview with Autocar, Samara said that high demand in Europe had prompted the move. GM has not announced which models will be available; we know they will be from American brands, which could include Cadillac and Chevrolet.

More than half of the new Tesla cars shipped are now using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and LG is positioning itself for a play in the North American supply chain by building a new factory in Nanjing. Slated to become operational next year, it will first produce LFP cells for energy storage systems, before moving on to electric vehicles.

Xiaomi's very public dream of being a company that makes electric vehicles (EVs) as well as most popular consumer devices and gadgets has reportedly lost its initial momentum as of late. The current breakneck speed of the Chinese automotive industry has thrown a regulatory roadblock in the leading OEM's path to officially becoming an auto-maker in its own country.

Slated for a release in August, the new BYD Seal models are larger than the Model 3 and come with cell-to-chassis blade battery packs that offer longer range and better collision safety than Tesla's electric car. Above all, the BYD Seal is much cheaper, too, with its top-end model with 435-mile range costing as much as the base Model 3.

The Segway Ninebot MAX G30LP e-scooter is currently discounted by US$300 at Best Buy in the US. The vehicle has up to 25 miles (~40 km) range with regenerative braking technology. You can reach a top speed of 18.6 mph (~29.9 kph) on the e-scooter, with your speed and battery level viewable in an accompanying app.

Since the new 150 kWh battery with solid-state electrolyte use existing manufacturing tools, their maker WeLion has revealed that the packs didn't cost much more to manufacture than current liquid EV batteries. This means that mass production for NIO's performance sedans shouldn't be an issue after the initial batch delivery in September.

Optibike has launched a new e-bike, the R22 Everest. The bike is named after its 300 miles (~483 km) range, which would technically allow you to use the vehicle to climb Mt. Everest. The electric bicycle has a top speed of up to 36 mph (~58 kph) with five-speed modes, and the motor provides a maximum of 190 Nm of torque.

The FX+ is a new city e-bike from Trek. The company suggests the pedelec is its lightest urban electric bicycle, weighing ~40.13 lbs (~18.20 kg). It is also one of Trek’s cheaper models at US$2,499.99. The FX+ has a top speed of 20 mph (~32 kph) and up to 70 miles (~113 km) range with an extender battery.

A Polestar survey found that the primary reason American drivers switched from combustion engines to electric vehicles was not the environment. Instead, most respondents cited technology and image as the reason they would buy an EV. Polestar also recently announced its H1 2022 results, including a record 50,000 orders taken globally.

The MINI Aceman concept EV has been unveiled, with a production version due to launch in 2024. The car has unusual features, such as projecting images onto the dashboard, including the instrument cluster. Infotainment is displayed on an OLED touchscreen, and a wireless charging station is built into the central console.

The Ca Go Bike FS200 Vario is a new convertible e-cargo bike. The vehicle has a 370 L loading area and can support a cargo payload of 70 kg (~154 lbs). Various carrying options are available, including cross-bars, soft weatherproof walls, and a roof. The electric bicycle has a top speed of 25 kph (~16 mph) and up to 125 km (~78 miles) range.

The 2023 Trek Dual Sport+ e-bike series has been unveiled. The pedelec will retail for US$2,399, making it one of the brand's cheaper electric models. A hub-drive motor can assist you at speeds up to 20 mph (~32 kph), and a 250 Wh hidden battery provides up to 35 miles (~56 km) range. The bicycles weigh around 40 lbs (~18 kg) and are fitted with lights and a kickstand.

The Fantic ISSIMO 45 s-pedelec has been launched, with a 500 W Bafang M600 motor delivering a top speed of 40 kph (~25 mph). The vehicle has various speed modes and can be ridden without the motor, with pedal assist or as a scooter using only the engine’s power. A 600 Wh battery provides up to 50 km (~31 miles) range, and you can view its charge level on the handlebar display.

These latest prototype pictures of the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron show that the German automaker’s upcoming electric SUV looks quite similar its smaller sister model. Although the exterior design is no big surprise, most differences to the Q4 e-tron will probably be found under the hood.

The fourth generation prototype of the Arcimoto Mean Lean Machine electric trike has been revealed. The new model, the Cybertrike, features improved suspension and carbon fibre wheels. The company is planning to launch the vehicle by the end of the year, with a range of over 200 miles (~322 km).

The Buxus Eva and Buxus Eva-S e-bikes have been unveiled. Both vehicles have a design similar to a motorcycle, with a dual suspension system to suit various terrains. The Eva model has a top speed of 30 mph (~48 kph), while the Eva-S can reach 38 mph (~61 kph). The standard and S variants of the bike have a range of 64 miles (~103 km) and 75 miles (~121 km), respectively.

Volkswagen has announced that it is now producing the all-electric ID.4 in the US. The EV will be manufactured in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with VW aiming to build 7,000 units per month at the site by the end of the year. Two 82 kWh versions will be produced on the line initially, all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive, with a cheaper 52 kWh model to follow shortly.

Driver Monitoring Systems have turned from a nuisance for people with smaller eyes to a long-term problem as far as their safety driving scores are concerned. The systems keep counting their specific eye shapes as distracted driving and deducting safety points thus restricting wider access to the smart car's respective self-driving modes.

A few random examples of the new Tesla FSD Beta software editions catching surprise openings of random car doors on its way have emerged. Tesla's Full Self-Driving Mode reacted accordingly and was caught on camera detecting the new obstacle and avoiding collision in a split second.

The Gazelle Avignon C380 HMB LTD is a new comfortable e-bike with extra wide tires. The pedelec has a top speed of 25 kph (~16 mph) and up to 155 km (~96 miles) of assisted range when ridden in Eco mode. The award-winning bicycle uses an Enviolo gear hub and a low-maintenance Gates CDX belt drive.

Elon Musk promised state-of-the-art car painting facility at the new Gigafactory in Berlin that will be able to churn out Teslas in different colors than the tired five hues the company has been offering for a while. A Deep Crimson Model Y has been spotted, and the Mercury Silver Metallic color may already be in validation testing, too.

The Ridgeback Errand city electric bike has been launched. The vehicle has wide 20-in tires providing a comfortable ride and a more petite frame to keep the bicycle manoeuvrable. The pedelec is fitted with a 250 W Promovec motor and 375 Wh battery to assist you. A front rack is mounted on the bike, with the option to add a rear rack.

Although most electric car manufacturers nowadays prioritize the popular SUVs segment as well as the more efficient sedan body style, a group of talented graphic designers has now transformed the Hyundai Ioniq 6 into a full-grown station wagon that would certainly attract some buyers on the European market.

The Shell RIDE SR-5B e-bike is coming soon, with a top speed of 28 mph (~45 kph) thanks to a 500 W motor. A 48 V battery provides up to 50 miles (~80 km) of range. The electric bicycle has comfort features, including 27.5-in fat tires and a front suspension fork. Two other e-bikes from the Shell RIDE range are also due to launch, the SR-3B and SR-4B.

The current gas station infrastructure in China will be gradually retrofitted to serve electric vehicles as well by 2025, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Management's power development plan released last week. Beijing plans to expand its charging infrastructure so every electric car would have a stall or swap station in a 2-mile radius.

A DIY solar-powered e-bike has been demonstrated by an Electrek reader. The pedelec uses the Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 electric cargo bike as a base, with an upgraded 1,500 W controller. A 50 W solar panel allows the battery, which usually provides 45 miles (~72 km) of range, to trickle charge on the go.

Tesla has supercharged its government EV charging network subsidy application efforts, already winning millions in a California grant for rural Supercharger infrastructure expansion. The culmination of its efforts to get in on the government's money is a combined Tesla-CCS Supercharger stall called the Magic Dock that may be designed to qualify for taxpayer rebates.

The prices of EVs made by the Texas-based automaker have risen sharply due to the rampant inflation, and they have now hit an embarrassingly high level according to its CEO. Musk therefore hopes that a waning inflation towards the end of the year could pave the way for potential price reductions of popular electric cars like the Tesla Model Y.

The Stromer ST7 is a speed pedelec with a Pinion electronic shifting system for fast paddle-activated gear changes. The e-bike has a top speed of 45 kph (~28 mph) and up to 260 km (~160 miles) range. You can use Bluetooth to connect your smartphone to the bike, enabling an auto-locking feature and in-app controls.

The VELLO Bike+ Titanium is an ultra-lightweight e-bike, weighing just 9.9 kg (~21.8 lbs). The pedelec’s standard model has a top speed of 25 kph (~16 mph), which increases to 40 kph (~25 mph) with a Schlumpf motor. Through self-charging technology, the bicycle theoretically has infinite range; on a single charge, the battery would last for 50 km (~31 miles) without on-the-go charging.

With an impressive range of 377 miles per charge in Edmund's real-world range test, the BMW iX xDrive50 easily surpassed its official EPA range and also bested the popular Tesla Model X by a quite significant margin.

A prototype for the electric Alpine A110 E-ternité was unveiled on the 60th anniversary of the original car. The EV is a convertible with a removable roof, but it is otherwise very similar to the latest production model. The E-ternité has a top speed of 155 mph (~249 kph) and up to 261 miles (~420 km) range. It is unclear how close the prototype is to the upcoming all-electric 2025 Alpine A110.

A concept version of the Cadillac Celestiq has been unveiled. The all-electric sedan boasts a range of unusual features, such as a Smart Glass Roof with the ability to have its transparency altered. Ultra Cruise technology will provide driver assistance both in cities and on highways. Plus, rumors suggest that the vehicle will retail for US$300,000.

The first electric trucks that Amazon ordered 100,000 of to Rivian have started making daily deliveries in cities across the US, announced the automaker. Amazon had to swallow a loss on its initial Rivian investment, but the other aspect of the partnership is now bearing fruit.

Despite its edgy angular design, the aerodynamics of the upcoming Tesla Cybertruck electric pickup are sitting somewhere between its Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning direct competitors. Rivian's unsurpassed R1T drag coefficient of 0.3 can't be beat by the calculated 0.39 Cd of the Tesla Cybertruck, though.

Shell has revealed that it will shortly release two new e-scooters and a range of e-bikes, to join the SR-5S e-scooter. The SR-5S is the first e-mobility product from the brand, with a top speed of 20 mph (~32 kph) and up to 20 miles (~32 km) range. The vehicle’s settings, such as its lighting scheme, can be controlled via the Shell RIDE app.

Despite speculation to the contrary, the exclusive Tesla lane on the Nuevo Leon-Texas border crossing is not for Tesla car owners to be able to go through the border formalities quicker than other drivers. It's been established by the Corporation for the Development of the Border Zone of Nuevo León with the sole purpose of facilitating parts shipments from the six state factories that are Tesla suppliers.

The Swytch eBike Conversion Kits have been shown at Eurobike 2022. Universal and Brompton-specific versions are available, turning your regular bike into a pedelec with a top speed of 25 kph (~16 mph) or 32 kph (~20 mph). The battery, providing up to 50 km (~31 miles) of range, is housed in the Power Pack, which weighs 2 kg (~4.4 lbs); the motor wheel weighs 1.5 kg (~3.3 lbs).

The LEMO ONE E+BIKE was revealed at Eurobike 2022. The pedelec has a detachable Smartpac, which houses the Li-ion battery, providing up to 100 km (~62 miles) range with 2-hour fast charging abilities. The Smartpac also has USB-A and USB-C ports which you can use to fast charge your laptop or smartphone.

Elon Musk is cautiously optimistic that Tesla can claw back its 'embarrassing' price increases in the last few months, provided that inflation is brought under control. Tesla sold the majority of its Bitcoin holding in order to stay afloat in Q2 faced with the EV production challenges in Shanghai's Gigafactory.

The Layer Design Pendler concept e-bike has been revealed. The pedelec comes with a range of modular accessories, including front and rear luggage racks and a handlebar-mounted phone holder. The bike is also fitted with front, rear and indicator lights. The Pendler has a top speed of 25 kph (~16 mph) and up to 70 km (~43 miles) range.

Italian motorcycle brand MV Agusta has unveiled two new Lucky Explorer Project e-bikes, the E-Enduro and the E-Gravel. The E-Gravel bike weighs 13.4 kg (~29.5 lbs) and has a range of 140 km (~87 miles). The E-Enduro has user-friendly controls, including a BOSCH Kiox 300 display and BOSCH Mini Remote.

With an anticipated base price of around €20,000, Hyundai's small electric car is supposed to entice budget-conscious EV buyers in Europe who cannot afford the popular but also considerably more expensive Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Arcfox has announced that it is finally ready to "deliver" its alphaS, the world's first car to ship with Huawei Inside, a full smart car solution from the eponymous hardware and software OEM. The solution is rated to run the vehicle's comprehensive array of sensors, and also involves a cabin that runs HarmonyOS. The car starts at around US$60,000 on the Chinese market.

The new solid-state battery contestant has been created with the challenging sulfide technology that has allowed Svolt to create both a solid electrolyte and separator. This resulted in an all-solid-state battery pack with up to 400 Wh/kg energy density, unlike the solid-liquid hybrids that NIO and Dongfeng chose to put in their electric cars.

Trek has launched a new e-mountain bike range, the Fuel EXe. The pedelec has a quiet motor, with a top speed of 20 mph (~32 kph) and up to 50 Nm of torque. A 360 Wh battery can assist you for up to five hours, and you can buy an optional range extender. The lightest bike in the series weighs 17.47 kg (~38.52 lbs) and is equipped with a display and handlebar remote.

The Noordung e-bike has been unveiled at Eurobike 2022 with a host of unusual features. The pedelec features a Boombox, which includes air pollution sensors, Bluetooth speakers and a power bank. The Noordung weighs 17.3 kg (~38.1 lbs) without the boombox and can assist you for up to 60 km (~37.3 miles) on a single charge.

The Kia EV9 all-electric SUV has been spotted testing on European roads. Spy images of the vehicle suggest the design is similar to the original concept, though some features have likely been axed. The EV will launch in the UK, Europe and US in 2023 and is expected to have a range of up to 336 miles (~540 km).

After the expensive Chevy Silverado electric pickup, General Motors plans to release a more affordable EV SUV with the 2024 Chevy Blazer that will start from just US$47,595 next year and will have an even cheaper version in 2024. The move is part of GM's US$40 billion strategy to surpass Tesla's EV sales.