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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

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Meet JUXTA Nomad – a portable, autonomous mini mart you may see at EV charging stations soon

charging station mart

Less than a year after launching as a company, tech startup JUXTA looks to revolutionize convenient retail with the official launch of its offering – a portable mini mart called the Nomad designed as an autonomous, turnkey solution for EV charging stations in the US and Europe. Following the Nomad’s recent launch, JUXTA has announced multiple partners, and you may see one of these unstaffed stores near you soon.

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EVgo transitions to kWh pricing model throughout the US (where legally allowed, of course)

EVgo pricing

Fast charging network EVgo has announced a shift in its pricing model that expands kilowatt-hour (kWh) charging rates to each and every US state that allows it. By charging for the amount of energy used rather than the time spent charging, EVgo looks to incentivize EV drivers to spend less, while still utilizing a time-of-use component to alleviate some strain on the grid. We’ve broken everything down for you below.

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Munro teases sleeker production version of Series-M 4×4 EV, begins equity crowdfunding

Young, Scottish automaker Munro Vehicles has come a long way in its short tenure, hoping to deliver two versions of its 4×4 EV truck to customers soon. Today, the company has unveiled an upgraded production version of the M-Series truck, but is asking for a hefty sum via a crowdfunding campaign to scale production and initiate first deliveries of its packed order book.

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BETA Technologies cuts ribbon on new Vermont facility; electric aircraft production is underway

BETA electric aircraft

All-electric aircraft developer BETA Technologies is putting the finishing touches on a new assembly facility in its native Vermont we learned about earlier this year. With two impressive electric aircraft in its arsenal working to get certified for commercial flights, BETA is already assembling eVTOLs at its new home. Here’s the latest.

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ZEEKR to sell EVs in four new countries in Middle East, and deliveries are coming quickly

ZEEKR Middle East

Less than three months after announcing entry into a new market of Israel, Chinese EV automaker ZEEKR is continuing its expansion in the Middle East (and around the globe for that matter) and doing so quickly. The young automaker has announced four new partnerships that will see EV deliveries coming quite quickly.

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Everrati debuts an all-electric Mercedes SL W113 ‘Pagoda’ in Monaco

Electric Mercedes SL

A mere 24 hours after introducing an all-electric Land Rover Defender designed specifically as a Shore Tender vehicle for yachts, EV conversion specialist Everrati is unveiling yet another spin on a classic – an electric Mercedes-Benz SL W113 “Pagoda.” The 1960s Benz is being showcased in Monte Carlo with a second, more sustainable life as an EV.

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Maxwell Vehicles, Rossmönster offer a new era of van life with bespoke solar electric camper

Electric camper

Ahead of its public display at the Adventure Van Expo in Oregon this weekend, EV specialist Maxwell Vehicles announced it has teamed up with premium van-builder Rossmönster to create a purpose-built electric camper that fans of this site are going to eat up. Complete with a solar roof, adequate range, and eventual access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, this electric camper van will be available to test out soon. Check it out.

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EV conversion specialist Everrati ‘launches’ Land Rover Defender designed to be stored on a yacht

Land Rover EV

Yes, that rendering includes chilled champagne storage under the hood where an engine used to be. What else would you expect within a Land Rover Defender EV conversion coming our way from Everrati and superyacht designers Bannenberg & Rowell? While this is not the first all-electric Defender conversion we’ve seen, it’s certainly the first designed to be stored aboard a yacht. Yeah… you read that right.

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Joby Aviation delivers electric air taxi to the US Air Force ahead of schedule, part of $131M contract

Air Force Air Taxi

eVTOL developer Joby Aviation is starting to make good on a massive contract signed with the US Department of Defense this year. The company is not only celebrating its delivery of Joby aircraft to the US Air Force, but it is also claiming to be the first company to deliver an all-electric air taxi to a customer in the entire country… and it did so ahead of schedule.

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Cruise’s robotaxis created a traffic jam in Austin, here’s what went wrong

Cruise Austin

Cruise’s fully autonomous robotaxis recently contributed to some annoying road congestion in the streets of Austin, as captured by a video you can see below. The footage comes at a somewhat turbulent time for the self-driving rideshare company, as its vehicles are catching some opposition from residents in the cities they operate in. As is with most cases, there’s more to the story here, which appears to be a perfect example of an EV being at the wrong place at the wrong time… except in this case, it was a large chunk of Cruise’s Austin fleet…

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2024 Kia Niro EV arrives with over 250-mile range and sub-$40,000 price tag

Niro EV price

As Kia’s all-electric Niro EV enters its second model year following its second-generation refresh, the automaker has shared what’s new along with the price tags consumers can expect. Spoiler alert – not much has changed compared to 2023, but this crossover still remains a solid option given the tech that comes standard for its MSRP. Have a look.

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ZeroAvia completes another successful financing round led by Airbus and NEOM in Saudi Arabia

ZeroAvia

Hydrogen-electric plane developer ZeroAvia has snagged some additional financial security as it looks to continue development of its zero-emissions flight technology that should one day enable flights in 76-seat aircrafts. The latest financing round featured some familiar names as well as some leading investments from Airbus, Barclays, and Saudi Arabia’s “living laboratory,” NEOM.

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NIO launches its own Android-based phone for $890 with a new version to follow each year

NIO Phone

After a year and a half of ambiguous updates and a swirling rumor mill, EV automaker NIO has officially launched its first-ever phone. The company shared extensive details of the new Android-based smartphone in China today, during its 2023 Innovation Day presentation that also included its own in-house developed chip to control LiDAR, and its own App Store.

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Ryder deploys first of 4,000 BrightDrop electric vans into its rental fleet across these 4 cities

Ryder electric vans

Close to six months after announcing a massive order from GM’s BrightDrop, logistics and vehicle rental specialist Ryder is deploying its first batch of electric vans across the US. The deployment kicks off Ryder’s process in adding 4,000 BrightDrop EVs to its fleet over the next two years.

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Redwood Materials expands presence in Europe, acquiring its leading Li-ion battery recycler

Redwood Materials Europe

Less than two years after sharing expansion plans for Europe, US-based battery recycling specialist Redwood Materials is adding Germany to its map of locations. Today, the company announced the acquisition of Redux Recycling GmbH – the leading lithium ion battery recycler in the EU, as it looks to quickly expand its operations overseas.

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Gotion High-Tech and InoBat to establish a 20 GWh battery plant in Europe to supply VW EVs

Gotion Europe

Weeks after battery developer Gotion-High Tech acquired a 25% stake in startup InoBat, the two companies have signed an agreement to erect a gigafactory in Europe. As a Tier 1 battery supplier to its top shareholder Volkswagen Group, Gotion will look to InoBat to help it provide the German automaker and other marques with EV batteries… but where will the joint venture set up shop?

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All new MINI Countryman Electric makes its North American debut ahead of 2024 deliveries

Countryman electric

Weeks after officially unveiling its all-electric Countryman in Germany, MINI has brought the EV overseas for its North American debut. In correlation with Climate Week in New York City, MINI has debuted the new Countryman alongside parent company BMW Group ahead of initial US deliveries set for next year.

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ZEEKR’s X SUVs closely follow 001 sedans in trek overseas as expansion in Europe continues

Less than a month after sending its flagship 001 sedans on a ship overseas to Europe, ZEEKR is loading up its first batch of X SUVs to join them. When they arrive, ZEEKR will immediately begin selling the two passenger EVs models in two markets of Europe as part of a strategy that includes further global expansion.

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Joby Aviation selects birthplace of flight as home to its first scaled eVTOL production facility

eVTOL developer Joby Aviation continues to make headway in becoming a fully certified scaled aircraft manufacturer in the US. This morning the company shared details of the new place it will call home – which also happens to be where the Wright brothers first took flight 120 years ago. With the state on its side, Joby could begin scaled eVTOL production fairly soon.

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