EDITOR'S PICK

Wired Wings: Flying the Bristell B23 Energic Electric Aircraft

19 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

The Bristell B23 Energic, an all-electric trainer aircraft from BRM Aero and H55, offers smooth handling, low operating costs ($8–$9/hr), and a 60-minute flight time under EASA rules. FAA limits U.S. flights to 40 minutes due to stricter reserves, but upgrades are planned. Despite reduced payload from battery weight, performance rivals piston aircraft. Its success signals growing momentum in electric aviation.

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Rivian's Secret E-Bike Surfaces: A Bold New Chapter in Micromobility

18 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Leaked images reveal Rivian's upcoming e-bike, developed by its spinoff ALSO Inc. The sleek, silver prototype features full suspension, cargo rack, and inverted fork - blending utility with Rivian's signature design. Backed by a $1B valuation, ALSO aims to disrupt micromobility with a bold October launch. The bike signals Rivian's move beyond trucks, building a broader electric mobility ecosystem for urban riders and lifestyle commuters.

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Why Tesla's Chinese Rival BYD Faces a Raft of Troubles

18 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

BYD, once China's fastest-growing EV maker and 2024's top seller globally, is now facing serious headwinds. Since May, its domestic sales have begun to shrink while international deliveries aren't enough to compensate. A fierce price war - central to its rapid rise - is under regulatory scrutiny in Beijing. Margins are being squeezed by aggressive discounting, and the company must now navigate cooling demand, tighter oversight, and investor pressure amid declining profits.

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5 Forecasts Early Climate Models Got RIght

18 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Early climate models from the 1960s accurately predicted key warming patterns - Arctic amplification, faster land heating, and nighttime temperature rise. Developed by pioneers like Syukuro Manabe, these models proved surprisingly robust. Their success boosts confidence in today's forecasts, which warn of accelerating disruption. What's worrying isn't just the warming - it's how fast it's unfolding, with risks to ecosystems, infrastructure, and global stability.

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That $1-trillion Tesla Pay Package For Elon Musk Isn't As Bad As You Think. It's Worse

18 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Tesla's proposed $1 trillion pay package for Elon Musk ties rewards to extreme goals like an $8.5 trillion market cap and mass deployment of robotaxis and humanoid bots. Critics say it's not just excessive—it's structurally reckless, concentrating power without time-commitment safeguards and risking distorted priorities. The LATimes argues this isn't bold innovation, but a governance failure with long-term risks to shareholders and corporate accountability.

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The EV You've Never Heard Of That Outsold Tesla

18 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Geely's Geome Xingyuan, a compact EV hatchback priced under $10,000, became China's top-selling car in H1 2025, outselling Tesla's Model Y and BYD's Seagull. Its name means "Prosperous origin," fitting for a vehicle reshaping mass-market electrification. With 204,940 units sold, the Xingyuan thrives on affordability, urban design, and domestic loyalty. Though unknown in the West, it signals China's growing influence in global EV strategy and the rise of scalable, low-cost platforms.

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Toyota Built An App To Hack Plug-In Hybrid Owners' Brains And Make Them Actually Charge Their Cars

17 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Toyota developed the ChargeMinder app to encourage plug-in hybrid owners to charge their vehicles more consistently. Using behavioral science techniques like personalized reminders, gamification, and educational quizzes, the app increased user satisfaction and improved charging habits. In Japan, it boosted peak renewable charging by 59%, while U.S. trials saw a 10% rise in charging frequency and a 16-point jump in satisfaction.

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Volvo XC70 PHEV: A Battery-First Hybrid That Redefines the Segment

17 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Volvo's XC70 PHEV redefines plug-in hybrids with up to 200 km (124 mi) of EV range from a 39.6 kWh NMC battery, plus fast charging and bi-directional power. Its P1–P3 drivetrain pairs a 1.5L turbo engine with dual motors for seamless series-parallel operation. Built on Volvo's SMA platform, it launches first in China, with Europe expected next. The XC70 signals a battery-first strategy bridging hybrid autonomy and full electrification.

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Where’d the Billion Come From? Musk's Tesla Buy Raises Questions

17 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Elon Musk's $1B Tesla stock purchase, made via his personal trust, sparked a surge in share price and raised questions about how the buy was funded. Likely financed through margin loans, derivatives, or asset reallocation, the move increased Musk's net worth by up to $8.6B. The timing aligns with Tesla's proposed $1T compensation plan, suggesting a strategic gesture to boost investor confidence and governance optics.

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Extreme H: Hydrogen Racing's Bold New Frontier

17 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Extreme H is the world's first hydrogen-powered off-road racing series, debuting in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia. Evolving from Extreme E, it features gender-equal teams, zero-emission Pioneer 25 SUVs, and green hydrogen supplied via electrolysis. The rugged desert course tests fuel cell performance on gradients up to 130%. Backed by Saudi Vision 2030, the series aims to prove hydrogen's viability and promote sustainable motorsport innovation.

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Seattle's Sound Transit: Ridership, Energy, and Fiscal Challenges

16 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

Seattle's Sound Transit has expanded its Link light rail system to 45 miles, offering fast, affordable, and eco-friendly travel powered by hydro and wind energy. Ridership hit 3.08 million in October 2024, with fares as low as $1 for seniors and free for youth. A Lynnwood–SEA Airport trip takes 80–85 minutes by rail, beating car travel in cost and emissions. Despite success, Sound Transit faces need for a substantial financial overhaul.

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How FAA's eVTOL Pilot Could Transform U.S. Air Travel

14 Sep 2025 | Synopsis

The FAA launched the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), a 3-year initiative inviting governments and private partners to test electric air taxis and other advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft. The goal is to gather data to shape future regulations and demonstrate real-world use cases like cargo and medical transport. Companies like Joby, Archer, Beta, and Wisk plan to participate, aiming to revolutionize U.S. air travel.

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