EDITOR'S CHOICE

UP Super Board "Skateboard Chassis" Could Boost The Production Of EVs

13 Jan 2024 | Synopsis

"...the Super Board incorporates the batteries (under the floor), front and rear motors, suspension, thermal management system, drive-by-wire steering hardware, plus a Level 2+ driver assistance system...

"U Power claims that use of its platform should reduce the development time of EVs by at least six months, while also greatly reducing costs...U Power is also manufacturing a Super-Board-based EV of its own, called the UP Van."

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Disruptive 'Everything-By-Wire' Electric P7-C Delivery Vehicle Gets World-First Certification

13 Jan 2024 | Synopsis

"The P7-C medium duty commercial truck is based on Israeli company REE's wildly flexible, super-flat skateboard chassis.

"It's the first vehicle ever certified with no mechanical connection between the controls and the chassis...each wheel arch holds an electronically-controlled "corner unit" with everything from steering, suspension, electric drive motors, transmission, brakes, cooling and the wheels themselves built in."

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Petrolheads With EVs: How Do You Enjoy Driving Electric Cars?

13 Jan 2024 | Synopsis

"Grumpy old petrolheads complain that EVs are lifeless and dull. I disagree completely."

"I get a kick out of trying to drive with maximum efficiency. This makes monotonous commutes like the daily office commutes interesting and something to look forward for.

"The acceleration of a racing car. The muted golden silence of a Rolls Royce.

"The instant torque is addictive, and these 20-25L rupee EVs easily outpace ICE cars costing twice the money at all legal speeds."

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Hertz Is Walking Back A Big Bet On EVs. Here's What's Really Going On

13 Jan 2024 | Synopsis

"The cash generated from the sales of its EV fleet will be pumped back into meeting demand for rental ICE vehicles. This comes on the heels of Hertz's October announcement that it would be scaling back its EV operations, citing high repair costs and reduced residual value...is this an EV thing, or is it a Tesla thing?

...Hertz and other rental car companies haven't exactly nailed the experience..."

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Major Breakthrough Makes Hydrogen Fuel Cells More Practical

13 Jan 2024 | Synopsis

"...RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research in Japan have developed a solid electrolyte for transporting hydride ions (H−) at room temperature...advantages of hydrogen-based solid-state batteries and fuel cells are within practical reach, including improved safety, efficiency, and energy density...long-term, we believe this is an inflection point in the development of batteries, fuel cells, and electrolytic cells that operate by using hydrogen...

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A Cute, Sub-$20,000 SUV Can Be The Gateway For Cheap EVs In America

11 Jan 2024 | Synopsis

"VinFast lifted the wraps off the VF 3, a small, all-electric SUV originally designed for the Vietnamese market and now destined for American shores.

"...the company expects to begin taking reservations for the VF 3 later this year... could have a sticker price of $20,000 or less.

"VinFast did not give any hints toward any specs regarding battery capacity or power, but it says that it is targeting an EPA range of 125 miles."

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Segway's New E-Bikes Are Basically High-Tech Motorcycles

11 Jan 2024 | Synopsis

E-bikes "...feel like the future...they're fast, sustainable, and most importantly, not another car clogging up roadways...introduced two sleek e-bikes called the Xafari and the Xyber...Segway also says the bikes have an integration with mobile health apps...

"Segway doesn’t list top speed but says that the Xyber can go from 0 to 20 mph in about 2.5 seconds. With both batteries equipped, Segway says the Xyber can get a formidable 95 miles..."

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Growing The Vertical Flight Community

11 Jan 2024 | Synopsis

"...aerospace engineer Angelo Collins...reflects on his experiences so far leading the Vertical Flight Society.

"Since 2014...corporate membership [grew] from about 70 to more than 185 today, and individual members have expanded from 5,500 to 6,500. As a member-driven organization...large vertical flight-aligned defense contractors are competing for the same small piece of the larger defense R&D funding pie..."

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Tesla Model 3s From Hertz Are Going For As Low As $14,000

11 Jan 2024 | Synopsis

The rental company's Tesla fleet has been growing over the last few years, and it reported that Tesla vehicles are increasing Hertz's customer satisfaction. Hertz likes to keep its fleet updated, and it is already selling its older Model 3 vehicles.

"Some vehicles were selling for as low as $17,700. In the US, there's $4,000 tax credit for used EVs. The company sells its older rental vehicles directly on its own website.

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This New Google Maps Feature Is Designed To Help Out Electric Vehicle Drivers

11 Jan 2024 | Synopsis

"The new feature will allow EVs that are compatible with Android Auto - an interface, similar to Apple Carplay, that connects Androids to compatible cars - to share real-time battery information with Google Maps, allowing Google Maps to provide battery level estimations at different stages of a given journey, suggest charging stops along the way and estimate how long it will take get up to a full charge.

"The feature will be available first on the Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning."

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