Author

Avatar for Scooter Doll

Scooter Doll

scooterdoll

Scooter Doll is a writer, creator, and tech enthusiast born and raised in Chicago who splits time between The Windy City and western Michigan. When he’s not traveling the world offering the latest EVs reviews or insights, he’s probably rooting for his city’s beloved sports teams (just not the White Sox). Please send any tips, suggestions, or, most importantly, dog photos to him at scooter@electrek.co

Connect with Scooter Doll

QuantumScape unveils beating heart of its solid-state battery tech: the FlexFrame cell [Video]

QuantumScape battery

Solid-state battery developer QuantumScape has provided further evidence that it’s the real deal in eventually achieving scaled cell production that could one day enable EV modules that are safer, charge faster, and go farther. In the YouTube video below, QuantumScape explains the design of its FlexFrame battery cell, which expands and contracts… similar to a beating heart.

Expand Expanding Close

Lightyear shelves solar EV plans, hires executives to spearhead solar systems for other OEMs

Lightyear solar EV

Star-crossed startup Lightyear has finally thrown in the towel on attempting to bring its long-promised solar EVs to market – at least one donning its own badge and design language. The startup’s founding CEO, Lex Hoefsfloot, has been replaced as the born-again startup pivots toward solar panel development to be implemented on other companies’ vehicles. That, frankly, is just not as sexy.

Expand Expanding Close

Hyundai will bring custom tuning to EVs with N Performance Parts line shown on IONIQ 5 N concept

Hyundai N parts

During Tokyo Auto Salon 2024, Hyundai Motor Company offered a glimpse of a more customizable future for its “N” performance brand EVs. During the show, the Korean automaker unveiled the IONIQ 5 N NPX1 – a customized concept featuring several upgrades from N Performance Parts that will be available to customers in the future.

Expand Expanding Close

REE’s P7-C becomes first ‘x-by-wire’ EV certified in US, may qualify for up to $100k in incentives

REE EV

Two years after first announcing its P7 EV platform, REE Automotive has achieved US certification for the first-ever vehicle that operates entirely through steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire, and drive-by-wire technology. Following the achievement, REE has begun deliveries of its P7-C electric truck.

Expand Expanding Close

VinFast (VFS) unleashes ‘Wild’ EV pickup concept, announces plans to sell VF 3 mini SUV in US

Vietnamese EV automaker VinFast set the tone at the Las Vegas Convention Center this morning, detailing the first product announcement of day one in the West Hall. In addition to officially launching its line of Drgn Fly E-Bikes, VinFast shared plans to sell its ultra-compact VF 3 globally, and pulled the sheet off a pickup truck concept called the VF Wild.

Expand Expanding Close

XPeng AeroHT’s ‘modular flying car’ will enter mass production, pre-orders begin in Q4

XPeng flying car

During a press event held during CES in Las Vegas, XPeng’s electric aviation business arm AeroHT shared new details regarding two of its “flying cars.” In addition to live demonstrations of its eVTOL flying supercar, XPeng AeroHT shared that its modular “Land Aircraft Carrier” will enter mass production.

Expand Expanding Close

Honda unveils two radical-looking EV concepts and new ‘H’ logo at CES 2024

Honda EV Concept

This morning at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Honda as offered the public a glimpse into its future as an all-electric brand, unveiling two EV concepts as part of its new “0 Series” of passenger vehicles that will be sold globally. That will begin with a bespoke Honda model evolving from the Saloon concept you can see below.

Expand Expanding Close

Pivotal begins US sales of the Helix – a light eVTOL that doesn’t require FAA pilot certification

Helix eVTOL

Following the debut of the production-intent design of its Helix light eVTOL, electric aviation startup Pivotal has begun selling the personal aircraft in the US. The Helix is unique in that it does not require FAA pilot certification, opening the skies to a larger pool of potential customers… if they have the money.

Expand Expanding Close

Kia introduces modular ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’ strategy, teases several concept EVs at CES

Kia is kicking off the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 with some exciting news in a quest to go “beyond mobility.” This afternoon, Kia introduced its fully customizable Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) to provide businesses and individuals with modular, fit-for-purpose EVs. Kia also demonstrated the potential of its new PBV business by unveiling the Concept PV5.

Expand Expanding Close

EV competition heats up in China as Geely’s Galaxy brand launches E8 starting under $25k

Less than a year after its launch in China, Geely’s sub-brand Galaxy has begun selling its first all-electric model – the E8. Starting at a price below $25,000, the Galaxy E8 sedan looks extra sleek, and it touts some more than adequate EV technology, arriving as a genuine contender in an ultra-competitive Chinese market.

Expand Expanding Close

QuantumScape’s solid-state batteries pass latest test, could offer 500,000 km without range loss

QuantumScape range

One year after initial deliveries of solid-state battery prototypes to its automotive partners, QuantumScape is receiving additional praise from PowerCo – the battery-centric subsidiary of Volkswagen Group – for the potential of its technology. PowerCo recently completed an endurance test with QuantumScape’s solid-state cells and determined they can someday power EVs that can drive 500,000 kilometers with virtually no loss of range.

Expand Expanding Close

Rivian Max Pack doesn’t deliver much extra range in first real-world test, especially for $10K

Rivian battery pack

Two months after Rivian started delivering EVs with its long-anticipated Max battery pack, we’ve seen our first real-world range comparison, and the results are… just ok. Despite over 50 miles more EPA range than the Large Pack, the first real-world tests show that the gap is significantly narrower.

Expand Expanding Close

Toyota recalls over 25,000 bZ3 EVs in China due to inaccurate remaining battery estimates

Toyota EV recall

Chinese joint venture FAW Toyota is issuing its second major recall on the bZ3 EV in eight months since it hit the market overseas. The company’s latest filing pertains to over 25,000 electric sedans built this year, some of which present incorrect estimates of remaining battery capacity, some even losing complete power without warning.

Expand Expanding Close