About the Author
Scooter Doll is a writer, designer and tech enthusiast born in Chicago and based on the West Coast. When he’s not offering the latest tech how tos or insights, he’s probably watching Chicago sports.
Please send any tips or suggestions, or dog photos to him at scooter@9to5mac.com
Today
Commercial EV manufacturer Volta Trucks has just laid out an ambitious road map through 2025, planning an expansion of its vehicle portfolio, sales, markets, and manufacturing facilities. In what the manufacturer is calling its “Road-to-Zero Emissions” strategy, Volta Trucks is focused on decarbonizing the logistic industry beginning with Europe, with expansions now planned for North America and Asia.
May 5
Transportation electrification and vehicle to grid (V2G) specialist Nuvve recently announced plans to implement charging hubs and offer Transportation as a Service (TaaS) to commercial fleets. This V2G hub model will utilize renewable energy and bi-directional charging to help ensure grid resiliency. Furthermore, Nuvve’s TaaS model will offer commercial fleets an arsenal of EV services and pricing options to help ensure today’s vehicles can become electrified more quickly and seamlessly.
May 3
EV startup Arrival has announced a new partnership with Uber to design and develop a purpose-built EV specifically for ride-share drivers. Arrival plans to invite Uber’s drivers to participate in the design process to ensure this new “Arrival Car” meets their needs. The new partnership also looks to further a strategic relationship together in primary markets like the UK and the EU.
April 30
The Denver metro area of Colorado is the next major city to see Amazon packages delivered by Rivian electric vans. The vans were spotted this past week across Denver and its surrounding cities, such as Boulder and Aurora. The capital of Colorado remains one of 16 cities currently planned for a rollout of Rivian vans by Amazon.
April 29
A recent addition to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database has revealed a patent application from EV startup Canoo for its proprietary platform technology. The application provisionally filed in September of 2019 outlines all the components within the Canoo platform as well as an image. A more in-depth search has revealed that the Southern California-based automaker has been quite busy filing many other patents, too.
As sales of electric vehicles continue to surge in 2021, many new and prospective customers have questions about qualifying for federal tax credit on electric vehicles.
Whether you qualify is not a simple yes or no question… well, actually it sort of is, but the amount you may qualify for varies by household due to a number of different factors. Furthermore, there are other potential savings available to you that you might not even know about yet.
April 27
REE Automotive and Hino Motors, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Group, announced a business alliance to design and produce solutions in “next-generation commercial mobility.” The alliance will combine Hino’s experience as a commercial vehicle manufacturer with REE’s proprietary REEcorner technologies. The result should be a unique modular platform capable of serving a multitude of various purposes.
EV designer Zero Labs has shared demonstration footage of its proprietary EV platform designed specifically for classic cars being implemented on a 50-year-old truck. In a process it’s cleverly calling “retrobution,” the company electrifies the truck in just 24 hours. The video offers evidence that classic gasoline or diesel vehicles from previous decades can successfully be converted to fully electric versions to help reduce emissions.
German electric utility company EnBW has announced it is implementing a flagship charging station at the Kamener Kreuz autobahn interchange. When complete, the 52 charging points will make it the largest public fast charging station in Europe, according to EnBW.
April 26
Hyundai has revealed its Heritage Series PONY concept, an electrified modern-day upgrade to South Korea’s first mass-produced vehicle. The Heritage Series PONY EV exists as part of the “Reflections in Motion” exhibition at Hyundai Motorstudio in Busan. While it is only a concept, the Heritage Series PONY pays homage to its automaker’s history, while offering people a glimpse into technologies of the future.
April 25
How much is a Tesla? Your guide to Tesla prices
You’ve read about all the improvements to emerge both inside and out each 2021 Tesla model, and maybe you’re more than a little bit tempted. Next, reality sets in, and that age old question rears its head: “how much?” No need to click through several variations of each Tesla on Tesla’s website, it’s all been compiled for you here.
April 23
This week, Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation that would invest $25 billion to convert the entire US fleet of ICE school buses to electric vehicles. The bill would authorize federal grant money over the course of 10 years, and 40% of the funds would be specifically devoted to replacing school buses operating in mostly nonwhite, poorer communities.
April 22
During a virtual event held earlier today, EV automaker Lightyear and Bridgestone have announced a partnership focused on sustainability that has resulted in a tire engineered specifically for the Lightyear One SEV. The companies consider today’s announcement a world premiere for this unique and efficient tire that can maximize range and sustainability for EVs moving forward.
April 21
Electric tractor manufacturer Solectrac announced it has delivered its first Compact Electric Tractor (CET) in Oahu, Hawaii. The fully-electric tractor was donated to the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by musician Jack Johnson and his wife, Kim, that supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaii.
April 20
SES recently announced that it has completed a Series D funding round of $139 million led by General Motors (GM). The company is known for its development and manufacturing of next-generation Lithium-Metal rechargeable batteries, particularly for electric vehicles.
Lordstown Motors recently entered its electric Endurance pickup truck in the SCORE San Felipe 250 race, only to have to drop out after stage one. Although the Endurance truck and its components withstood the elements, the Lordstown team admitted its pre-race estimates for energy consumption were wrong, and the EV prototype would likely not make it through stage two.
April 19
Our latest EV spotlight shines on Phoenix Motorcars. The Ontario, California-based automaker provides fleet mobility solutions to a quickly growing sector for electrification – light- and medium-duty commercial vehicles. This lineup currently includes trucks, shuttles, and school buses, but with recent partnerships with companies in solar and autonomous technology, Phoenix Motorcars is one to watch.
April 15
Manufacturers Lightning eMotors and REV Group Inc. have announced they are teaming up to develop fully-electric ambulances along with Leader Emergency Vehicles, a subsidiary of REV. When complete later this year, the electric ambulances will be available to government agencies, municipalities, commercial operators, hospitals, and non-profit organizations.
CaaS provider AMPLY Power announced today that it is partnering with Unique Electric Solutions (UES) to equip school buses and trucks with electrification, charging services, and vehicle-to-grid capabilities. AMPLY Power will oversee the collaboration that also includes Rhombus Energy Solutions with vehicles provided by Logan Bus Company.
Volkswagen Group has announced it is significantly expanding its production of battery systems at its components plant in Braunschweig. The expansion will double the plant’s output and, when fully ramped up, will be able to produce 500,000 MEB battery systems per year. Additionally, the plant will also be able to produce an additional 100,000 battery systems for non-MEB platform models, including some hybrids.
