Scooter Doll

Mercedes-Benz announced multiple newsworthy innovations during its Operating System Strategy Update in Sunnyvale, California earlier today. The German automaker announced it is building its own proprietary operating system called MB.OS which will offer features like navigation and maps from Google. Additionally, Mercedes announced it is expanding upon a previous partnership with lidar specialist Luminar in a new multi-billion dollar deal to integrate the tech by mid-decade.

An East Coast installer and distributor of EV charging equipment called PlugIn Stations Online (PISO) has successfully installed what it calls “one of the world’s first” hydro-powered EV chargers operating off 100% clean energy. The systems show plenty of possibility for a clean future of hydropower EV charging in the US and beyond.

Thirty years ago to the day after opening its main production facility in Martorell, Spain, SEAT S.A. announced it will use the site as home to its largest transformation to electrification yet. Following an investment of three billion euros (~$3.2B), SEAT intends to lead development and become a small BEV production hub for a number of brands under the Volkswagen Group umbrella.

Alauda Aeronautics – the electric aviation company behind the design of the eVTOLs being developed for the nascent Airspeeder racing series – has unveiled its latest “flying car.” As the next iteration of Airspeeder, the Mk4 is the first to be designed specifically for crewed racing flights as the league moves closer to enabling its racers to compete from the tracks in the skies.

The 2023 Miami Boat Show has officially come to a close after flooding Miami Beach with all things marine and marine adjacent the past five days. As my second consecutive year attending the show, I noticed a significantly larger footprint for electrification in the segment; I not only got an up-close look at many of the electric boats we cover but also got introduced to several up-and-coming companies, which you can learn more about below.

Less than a month after declaring bankruptcy, the remaining team at Lightyear has announced plans for a new company entirely focused on getting its short-lived Lightyear 2 into production. The solar EV startup says it has raised a “solid capital base” from a community of investors to continue solar EV development, but at the risk of its intellectual property (IP) as collateral.

BYD’s EVs may not be sold in the United States, but that wasn’t about to stop me from getting my hands on one. As the (self-proclaimed) resident expert on Chinese EV automakers here at Electrek, I felt a civic duty to you readers to get behind the wheel of the BYD vehicle, in this case a 2021 Han EV and report my initial thoughts about a brand that is quickly expanding en route to becoming a household name. Join me on my journey through sunny Southern California during my first driving experience with BYD.

Veteran boatbuilder Chris-Craft kicked off this year’s Miami International Boat Show by unveiling its first-ever all-electric boat concept. The Launch 25 GTe is a fully-operational electric boat concept that will be used for testing as the company looks to refine a commercialized product for the marine market.

Contract manufacturer Magna International shared plans to invest over $470 million to expand its existing operations across Ontario, Canada, expecting to create over 1,000 new jobs. In addition to the expansion of five of its current facilities in Canada, Magna will lease a battery enclosure plant to support the production of the Ford F-150 Lightning and future EVs from other OEMS.

The age of all-electric convertibles is upon us in the form of a… MINI Cooper? That’s right, BMW Group has announced a limited series convertible version of the MINI Cooper SE. The EV’s production run will be under 1,000 units, so customers may need to scramble to get their hands on one later this year.

Less than a year after announcing plans for a renewable solar energy project in California, EV charging network Electrify America has officially broken ground on the site of “Solar Glow 1.” At peak solar capacity, the project is expected to generate 75 Megawatts (MW) and provide even more renewable energy to EVs on an annual basis.

Well, we knew this was coming, but not the exact magnitude it would entail. Following a scheduled discussion today, Ford of Europe has announced the elimination of 3,800 jobs – mostly in Germany and the UK – as it restructures its business overseas to support EV development. The leaning down also includes a complete rebranding of Ford in Europe to convey as much, to the point of being “unapologetically American.”

Autonomous robotaxi developer Zoox has announced two major milestones this month as it inches closer to a full launch to the general public. All without a driver … or pedals … or even a steering wheel. The Amazon subsidiary has shared footage of its Zoox branded robotaxis navigating public roads for the first time in California following an approved testing permit from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Geely Holding group announced that its all-electric brand ZEEKR has welcomed a $750 million Series A funding round led by major companies like battery giant CATL. Upon completion of the five member investment, ZEEKR will be valued at $13 billion as it looks to expand to new markets in Europe and a possible IPO in the US.

Boutique luxury sports car maker Wiesmann has announced that the EV roadster representing the marque’s renaissance has already sold out its entire first year of production before it commences in Germany next year. Starting at an MSRP over $320,000, Wiesmann is promising its “Project Thunderball” EV will have ultra-fast charging, acceleration, and power – all packed into a “sticky” and dynamic two-seat configuration.

You read that right. Poop. Manure. Cow pies. US Dairy farming remains a massive contributor of greenhouse gas methane emitted by its endless lanes of cattle providing milk to the public. California in particular currently sits at as the US dairy farming mecca, but also accounts for nearly half of the methane emissions in the entire state. New recycling methods have been put into place and automakers like BMW have utilized their carbon offsets to power its EVs, but many argue this is greenwashing and the entire incentive program encourages more emissions, not less.

Following a recent supervisory board meeting, Volkswagen Group has announced a major shift in its electrification strategy to expedite EV production over the next five years. Additionally, the German automaker intends to revamp its software strategy in support of the effort. Software issues have had a huge effect on Volkswagen’s EV output up to this point.

During a presentation at the Chicago Auto Show earlier today, Hyundai Motor North America has introduced a new month-to-month EV subscription program called Evolve+, aimed at “EV curious” consumers. The all-encompassing monthly price includes the EV itself, plus insurance, roadside assistance, and maintenance. This turnkey option will begin with a couple of Hyundai brand EVs with comparable pricing you can view below.

EV conversion specialist Lunaz Design has debuted an all-electric version of a 1961 Bentley S2 Continental – one of the rarest classic luxury cars on the planet. The company explains that only four examples of this particular car were built, and having the Bentley upcycled as an EV truly makes it one of a kind without compromising its classic design, both inside and out. Have a look.

Volvo Cars has shared its full year report for 2022, showcasing record revenue numbers for the automaker’s entire history as it moves closer to becoming a fully-electric brand. After a strong share of EV sales in Q4, Volvo’s total percentage for the year more than doubled compared to 2021, but the automaker warns that although it successfully navigated a turbulent 2022, 2023 could prove to be just as challenging.

Lucid Motors isn’t about to let potential customers of the other American EV automakers have all the fun. Just because its EVs don’t qualify for federal tax credits under new terms in the Inflation Reduction Act does not mean customers looking to buy a new Lucid Air can’t get $7,500 off. That’s right – for a limited time, Lucid Motors is offering its own $7,500 credit for purchases of select models of the Air sedan.

During a press conference yesterday, supervisors in Imperial County, California, announced they had voted unanimously to offer tax rebates, property tax deductions, and the potential for further incentives to any and all battery manufacturers willing to produce Lithium products within the county’s lines. The county shared it is also seeking federal funding and state programs to support its “Lithium Valley” project with hopes of bringing more battery manufacturing to California.

EV automaker Karma Automotive is further focusing its production strategy to support commercial EVs, more specifically B-ON, under a new manufacturing partnership announced this week. Karma will begin production this year at its ISO-certified facility in California with the capability to produce up to 30,000 electric vehicles annually with the intent to expand from there to meet the demand for B-ON’s vehicles.

The 2022 report from South Korean firm SNE Research shows that EV battery manufacturer CATL once again holds its title as the largest in the world by installed battery capacity. That’s now six years in a row that CATL leads the global EV battery market and based on 2022’s numbers, is showing no signs of slowing down.