Scooter Doll

Building off a relationship that began years ago, Bank of America and Electrify America have announced that the former will double its number of financial centers equipped with EV charging stations by the end of 2023.

Nissan announced a partnership with Pole to Pole founder and adventurer, Chris Ramsey, to drive a custom-built Ariya from the Magnetic North Pole down to the South Pole. The nearly 17,000-mile trip will be made by Ramsey and a team behind the wheel of a Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE – the first vehicle to complete such a drive if successful.

The transportation sector accounts for approximately 30% of carbon dioxide emissions in the US alone. As the United States and the rest of the world for that matter, continue to lean into the paradigm shift of BEV transportation, more and more countries, states, and their consumers must prepare. A new 2022 report from LeasePlan USA has measured a number of data factors and scored an EV readiness index for all of the US.

Chinese automaker BYD Auto has officially begun taking pre-orders for its long-teased Seal sedan. The new EV model, anticipated by many to become a competitor to the Tesla Model 3, arrives in four different trim models and will be the first from BYD to include its new cell-to-body (CTB) technology.

During its inaugural Einride Mesh technology conference, autonomous EV freight company Einride introduced new software and hardware products. This included updates to its Saga operating system as well as the debut of the new Einride Trailer – a design concept that brings end-to-end payload intelligence along with added overall range from its integrated battery.

Following rumors circulating earlier this month, Hyundai Motor Group has officially signed an agreement with the state of Georgia to invest $5.5 billion in new facilities dedicated to EV and battery manufacturing. When complete, these new facilities will be Hyundai’s first EV-specific manufacturing on US soil and will produce a wide range of upcoming electric models.

Honda Motor Co. released a sketch of its upcoming Prologue electric SUV co-developed with GM – its first vehicle designed primarily using virtual reality visualization technology. Additionally, Honda shared an update to its EV sale strategy that includes three separate phases on its path to introduce 30 EVs globally by the end of the decade.

In a recent interview out of Europe, Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark promised some bold specs from the luxury automaker’s first battery electric vehicle. Despite describing the “brutality of acceleration” in the upcoming EV, the Bentley chief said that won’t be its main selling point. It will instead be the “effortless overtaking” from torque on demand. That price though…

EV charging network Electrify America has announced the start of a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with renewable energy developer Terra-Gen to build a sustainable solar farm in Southern California. The project, named “Electrify America Solar Glow 1,” is estimated to produce enough solar power annually to more than offset any energy delivered on the current EV charging network.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Overair announced a partnership with Urban Movement Labs (UML) to help expedite urban air mobility (UAM) in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The partnership is one of several with UML to collaborate with the city of Los Angeles to eventually implement eVTOL technology.

Following a partnership announced in late 2021, Motional has begun end-to-end food deliveries for Uber Eats in Southern California using its autonomous IONIQ 5 robotaxi EVs. The pilot program marks the first autonomous deliveries for Motional’s robotaxis and the first autonomous vehicles used on the Uber Eats network.

Building off its 2019 investment in battery materials company Sila, Mercedes-Benz announced a supply agreement to incorporate the former’s silicon anode chemistry into batteries to offer extended range to the upcoming G-Class which includes an electric G-Wagon.

Electrify America has announced yet another agreement with an EV automaker, this time with Genesis Motor America. As part of the agreement, new 2023 Genesis GV60 owners will gain access to free 30-minute charging sessions for their first three years of EV ownership.

Electric vehicle technology company and platform provider REE Automotive has offered two updates to its progress in the commercial EV segment. First, REE has proven its cloud-based robotic assembly approach and is on schedule to implement it in the UK followed by the US. Additionally, REE has teased its first commercial EV developed alongside JB Poindexter subsidiary, EAVX. REE Automotive and EAVX’s walk-in van prototype will begin customer evaluations this summer.

If you thought Soho House was exclusive, wait until you see this. ArkHAUS is an upcoming members-only social club that is as innovative as it is stylish, offering multiple solar-powered, electrically propelled vessels than can be connected to create large floating spaces to work, socialize, and enjoy the views – all while supporting local marine research cleanly beneath the vessel.

Following three years of development, Squad Mobility has officially launched the SQUAD Solar City Car – a two-seater solar electric vehicle (SEV) that can be driven in several EU countries without a driver’s license. Designed for both private ownership and shared mobility, the compact SQUAD Solar City Car will soon be able to bridge the gap between passenger EVs and electric two-wheelers.

The “world’s first” autonomous commercial cargo ship has successfully completed a near-500 mile voyage in the congested waters of Tokyo Bay, traveling without human intervention for 99% of the trip. The 750 gross-ton vessel was powered by Orca AI, whose software helped the ship avoid hundreds of collisions autonomously.

Less than twenty-four hours after announcing the closing of its purchase of an Ohio assembly plant from Lordstown Motors, Foxconn and its partner Fisker Inc. announced the facility will soon be home to production of the latter’s upcoming PEAR EV.

During a media day for Magna International’s “Tech Week,” we got to visit the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, to test drive some of the contract manufacturer’s electrified tech. This included a GMC Sierra 2500 converted to a BEV using Magna’s Etelligent Force 4WD powertrain. With it, we were able experience the system’s 14,500 lb towing capacity and drive some other unique EVs too.

Back in an unassuming corner near the exit of the ACT Expo at the Long Beach convention center sits a black Lordstown Motors Endurance pickup. As at least two ACT attendees asked questions about the prototype, its manufacturers were publicly announcing the official sale of its assembly plant. Lordstown Motors has officially closed its deal with Foxconn, who will now build the former’s Endurance pickup under a new joint venture (JV) and manufacturing contract.

Commercial EV manufacturer Xos, Inc. unveiled three new products as part of its “fleet week” celebration today, including new medium- and heavy-duty all-electric trucks. Additionally, the company introduced Xosphere (“ex-ose-sphere”) – its new fleet management platform to monitor vehicle performance and efficiency in real time.

Following the recent Q1 2022 report from EV startup Canoo, we find the feature image rather fitting. After admitting a net loss over $125 million for the first three months of this year, Canoo is very much stuck out in the woods. With a lack of current cash on hand to realistically get through Q2, Canoo admitted “there is substantial doubt” about the company’s ability to get out of those financial woods either.

United Rentals announced an agreement with Ford Pro to purchase hundreds of EVs to support its fleet sustainability goals for North America. The initial order is for 500 F-150 Lightning pickups and 30 E-Transit vans. The Ford EVs will begin deliveries to United Rentals later this year to be use by both the rental company and its customers.

EV startup Canoo is reportedly using a lawsuit to recoup profits made by DD Global Holdings and lead beneficiary Pak Tam Li, a significant stakeholder in Canoo with ties to China. In the lawsuit, Canoo is accusing DD Global of selling its shares in March while simultaneously doing an equity swap for the same amount of shares with an unknown buyer.