Scooter Doll

Spoiler Alert: The low-speed function test is short and sweet but a milestone nonetheless. Solar EV startup Aptera Motors has finally given the public a look at its “PI-2” production-intent vehicle, which will now be used for real-world validation and testing en route to production… hopefully.

Following news of a long-term partnership with several commercial fleet developers under the Traton Group, including initial Level 4 autonomous truck testing on public roads, Plus has deployed its self-driving commercial fleet technology in the US and Europe.

An Abu Dhabi-based investment firm has entered a non-binding agreement to buy 100% of McLaren’s automotive business, including a stake in the McLaren Group. The purchase goal is to bring additional capital to McLaren to accelerate its growth in vehicle development, particularly in electric vehicle technologies. If approved, could McLaren become the next supercar developer to go all-electric?

Kia has officially unveiled its first pickup truck, the Tasman before it hits global markets. Due to its worldwide availability, Kia will offer the Tasman in several powertrain configurations, including a diesel model. However, the Korean automaker is also developing two new all-electric pickups that will be sold in the US. Today’s images offer a look at what a BEV Kia pickup may look like.

Lucid Motors has finally set a date to begin taking orders for its flagship SUV, Gravity. We’ve learned that Lucid has maintained the initial pricing of Gravity below $80,000, which was announced when it launched. That said, another trim that’s a bit more expensive is going on the market.

AeroHT, the eVTOL and “flying car” business arm of XPeng, moved one step closer to full-fledged production, breaking ground on a new facility in China capable of assembling 10,000 units annually.
When complete, the facility will build the AeroHT’s flagship commercial product – an eVTOL/vehicle combo called the “Land Aircraft Carrier.”

Maritime electrification startup Navier has hit a significant milestone today by reaching commercial production of its flagship electric hydrofoiling boat and delivering the first model to a customer. Better still, the young company has done so in an impressively short time.

Robotaxi developer Waymo has closed an oversubscribed Series C funding round totaling $5.6 billion. Alongside an expanded partnership with Uber, the funds will help the rideshare company expand its Waymo-One robotaxi service throughout current and additional cities in the US.

The wait is officially over. Volkswagen Group’s revival of the Scout brand has finally unveiled production-intent concept versions of its two flagship EV models. We are in Nashville, Tennessee, where Scout Motors shared details of its first SUV, the Traveler, and its all-electric pickup truck, the Terra. If Scout can hit its targets, these new EVs will also be quite reasonably priced.

To promote emissions-free rides in the UK, Uber has teamed up with Lotus to deploy a fleet of the latter’s Eletre Hyper EVs around London. Now through the end of November, London commuters can book a ride in an Eletre by selecting Uber Green in their app. Better yet, the rider who saves the most emissions will win free Uber Green rides for the next ten years.

QuantumScape released its Q3 2024 business report this afternoon, and the biggest news is an update regarding the progress of its solid-state battery development and production. According to the company, it has begun low-volume production of its initial B-sample cells, which will soon be sent to automotive partners for EV implementation testing.

Days after ZEEKR began mass production of its fifth model, the MIX, it officially launched the family-friendly EV in China and shared several of its unique and innovative features. Starting at a comparative price below $40K, the ZEEKR MIX EV showcases how creative and functional Chinese automakers are designing their latest models. Check out the features in the video below.

Commercial freight EV and autonomous driving developer Einride announced a new partnership with PepsiCo to deploy its electric semi trucks in Tennessee. The trucks will transport goods for the multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation, which includes Frito Lay.

Arkup, a sustainable and liveable marine vessel developer, has unveiled its latest solar-electric houseboat before it will be on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this month. This modular solar yacht can be configured to house up to two bedrooms and baths and can sit stationary or traverse the waters, all without any emissions. Oh, and it has Starlink internet.

The 2025 Kia EV9 is entering the market as the Korean automaker’s second model year, providing an encore to a three-row SUV that was widely popular following its initial launch as a 2024 model. Why mess with a good thing? For the latest model year, Kia has only increased the price of one trim and now provides some new, primarily cosmetic upgrades.

A young Finnish company specializing in hydrodynamic electric watercraft called Foil.One has introduced its flagship product, and it looks cool as hell. The Pegasus is a single-seat electric hydrofoil boat that is as impressive in performance as it is aesthetically pleasing; check it out.

Chinese EV automaker ZEEKR has officially begun mass production of its 5th model, the MIX. The start of production in China comes mere days before ZEEKR launches the new MIX EV during a livestream event, where we will learn more about the ins and outs of this uniquely designed vehicle.

As promised when pre-orders started this past August, BYD has officially launched its sporty new Seal 06 GT in China and has delivered pricing even lower than initially promised. All hail the electric hot hatch.

Last night, Pony.ai, one of China’s most prominent names in autonomous driving and robotaxi rides, filed an IPO prospectus with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). If approved, the robotaxi company intends to trade on the Nasdaq.

While Aptera Motors continues to push forward with its production-intent (PI), solar EV builds ahead of production plans (hopefully) next year, and its timeline for initial customer deliveries is as cloudy as ever. The SEV startup quietly updated the estimated delivery timelines for all reservation holders, giving us an idea of where it stands in terms of scaled production. However, in speaking with Aptera, a lot of these numbers (for better or worse) depend on vital funding that has yet to be secured – a common theme in the startup world.

Although its sales lead was just usurped by BYD, Tesla continues to dominate as an EV industry leader in 2024. While other automakers are driving their new electrified models through a door in the automotive industry that Tesla originally kicked in, the American automaker now offers five ever-popular EV models. That being said, prices have risen in recent years and, in true Tesla fashion, fluctuate often. Here’s where Tesla prices currently sit in 2024.

Autonomous sidewalk delivery specialist Serve Robotics has just unveiled its third generation of robots that are faster, smarter, tougher, and a fraction of the cost to manufacture. With production now underway, Serve looks to deploy these upgraded delivery robots soon as a critical component in its plans to expand its services across the entire United States.

Leading research house Rho Motion has published its monthly global EV sales report, relaying that the industry saw a record amount of purchases in September. It should come as little surprise that EV powerhouse China led the world in the 1.7 million EVs sold around the world last month.

EV conversion specialist Zero Labs is back with a reimagined all-electric design on the classic Land Rover Series 109. This 2025 conversion features Zero Labs’ proprietary Generation 4 EV platform and nearly 4,000 design upgrades for enhanced safety and performance. Oh, and this iconic box on wheels can go 120 mph.