Tesla’s air filtration system with ‘Bioweapon Defense Mode’ is proving useful for the owners affected by the current wildfires in California.

Watch an owner using the system while going through a hellish-looking road with scary air quality. expand full story

While many people might think that all automotive body development takes place in CAD or computer aided design these days, a big chunk of it still gets the old school clay modeling treatment to sculpt out designs that computers just can’t emote as well as the human hand. And that’s exactly how Nick Graveley of Claymoto developed new bodywork for the Zero FX electric motorcycle, turning it into a classic 80’s-style flat track racing motorcycle known as the Quiet Riot.

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Tesla is reversing most of its “online sales only” strategy launched earlier this year. The automaker is going to hire more sales and delivery staff, end sales commission for Tesla Advisors, and increase salaries and stock bonuses, according to sources familiar with the matter. expand full story

Is Bird’s Cruiser electric moped finally going to see the light of day soon? Signs point to “yes”, as clues in the company’s Android application reveal more details than we’ve ever seen before.

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• Jane Fonda arrested for climate crisis protest in Washington, DC.
• How to talk to your kids about the climate crisis.
• Cocaine isn’t just bad for your body — it’s also causing climate change.
• Japan buckles down yet again as Typhoon Hagibis is set to break violent-storm records.
• And more…

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Tesla plans to open a new type of retail location called ‘Tesla Centers’ to get around dealership restrictions and try to increase deliveries, according to sources familiar with the matter. expand full story

In a series of tweets today, Tesla CEO Elon Musk talked about future plans for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving capability.  Notably, three weeks from now on November 1, Tesla will go through with a planned price increase for Full Self Driving software, increasing the price by $1,000.

The software currently costs $6,000 as an option on any Tesla vehicle.  This cost will rise to $7,000 at the end of this month.

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Electric scooter or moped sharing has existed in the US for a few years now, but it’s getting ready to explode. That’s thanks to one of the largest operators, Revel, landing a huge $27.6 million investment round.

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Deadmau5, a DJ and music producer, announced that he is getting a Tesla Semi electric truck to turn into a mobile music studio for his 2021 tour. expand full story

In today’s Electrek Green Energy Brief (EGEB):

• IMF: Tax fossil-fuel emissions heavily to combat climate change.
• Electric vehicles could benefit health more than climate in China.
• North Dakota’s power grid is hindering wind-farm projects.
• Scotland launches a £3 billion Green Investment Portfolio program.

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