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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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Zoox begins testing its unique robotaxis in San Francisco

Zoox San Francisco

Autonomous robotaxi developer Zoox has shared its latest progress update, which includes expansions into its second commercial market—San Francisco. The company has begun testing its proprietary robotaxis in the region and already has some specific neighborhoods in mind where it will want to begin offering driverless rides.

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E1 shares season 2 electric boat racing calendar after Team Brady wins the inaugural championship

E1 racing calendar

Young electric boat racing series E1 capped off its inaugural season last month with the first championship going to a team led by someone who knows how to win – Tom Brady. As we approach the new year, E1’s focus is on season 2, and it has shared the tentative racing calendar, which includes seven Grand Prix events scattered worldwide, including a race in the USA.

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LG Energy Solution to provide Rivian 4695 cylindrical batteries produced in the US for the R2

Rivian's-loan-EV-plant

Battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution just announced that its Arizona subsidiary has signed a long-term supply agreement with US automaker Rivian for 4695 cylindrical batteries. The cells will be produced at LG Energy Solution Arizona’s new standalone US facility beginning next year and will power Rivian’s upcoming R2 BEVs.

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XPeng Motors officially launches P7+ BEV starting at $26,150 and capable of up to 441 mile range

As promised, XPeng Motors followed yesterday’s annual Tech Day event with the launch of its next all-electric model, the P7+. The sleek sedan arrives priced below previous pre-order numbers and is loaded with AI-centric technology while providing multiple battery chemistries to offer varying ranges.

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Archer Aviation signs a joint venture with Soracle to bring eVTOL air taxi services to Japan

air taxi Japan

Japan is quickly becoming a hub for eVTOL and air taxi technology. This morning, Archer Aviation announced it is the latest sustainable aviation developer to sign a deal in the region and implement aerial taxi transportation, beginning with Soracle Corporation’s purchase of up to 100 Midnight eVTOL aircraft.

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XPeng 2024 Tech Day: AI chips, L4 autonomy, eVTOLs, humanoid robots, and… range extenders?

XPeng Motors celebrated its annual Tech Day event in China earlier today, which was renamed “AI Day” for good reason. The topic of artificial intelligence dominated the Chinese mobility company’s incoming technologies, which were abundant. We got updates on a new in-house AI computing chip, a new Xpeng platform to support Level 4 autonomous robotaxis, flying cars, and eVTOLs, a new humanoid robot called “Iron,” complete with an existential launch video, and a surprising adoption of combustion-powered extenders that deliver up to 970 miles of additional range.

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Aptera co-CEO hints at a return to crowdfunding as $60M raise with US Capital Global falters

Aptera crowdfunding

Aptera Motors is currently doing fine testing its first production-intent solar electric vehicles but has been very candid about its need for more funding to reach bonafide production. Its most recent SEC filing details slower-than-expected investments from convertible notes, and the startup’s co-CEO recently hinted that Aptera might revisit crowdfunding, seeking help from the loyal following that has helped it this far.

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Kia unveils two off-road concept EVs at SEMA: The EV9 ‘ADVNTR’ and a PV5 ‘WKNDR’ van

Days after teasing a major reveal at the 2024 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, Kia has unveiled two unique and custom-built EV concepts designed for adventure off-road. During the unveiling, we got a look at a new spin on the ever-popular EV9 SUV called the “ADVNTR” and a rugged take on one of Kia’s new purpose-built vehicles (PBVs), the PV5, called “WKNDR.”

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Voltari’s electric patrol boat offers government and security applications at over 50 mph

electric patrol boat

Marine electrification specialist Voltari continues to deliver some of the sleekest and best-performing electric boats on the market today. The company’s latest market entry is the Patrol 26 RIB, a carbon fiber electric boat with military-grade specs designed for security and government operations.

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More Costco members are requesting EVs so it is offering deals on 10 models through the new year

Costco EV deals

Despite what many media outlets are saying, EV sales are not down, nor is demand. The Costco Auto Program has shared similar insights, saying that more and more members are requesting EV models. To support this demand, Costco has significantly expanded its Q4 EV deals from two models to ten, with up to $2,000 in savings through early January, 2025.

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Aptera completes low-speed drive in its first production-intent solar electric vehicle [Video]

Aptera production vehicle

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.

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Could McLaren go all-electric? UAE fund agrees to purchase 100% of the auto business to accelerate its growth

Electric McLaren

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?

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Kia’s Tasman unveil offers a glimpse at what an all-electric pickup may look like

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.

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XPeng AeroHT breaks ground on ‘flying car’ production facility ahead of 2026 market launch

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.”

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Navier delivers N30 electric hydrofoiling boat with ‘world’s longest range’ to first customer

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.

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Scout EVs have arrived and are available for pre-order with 500+ mile range, but there’s a catch

Volkswagen-Porsche-EVs-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.

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Uber is offering customers rides in the Lotus Eletre for a chance to win free rides for a decade

Uber Lotus

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.

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QuantumScape begins low-volume production of first B-sample solid-state cells for OEM testing

Quantumscape production

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.

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