Scooter Doll

Marine fast charging network, Aqua superPower, announced a strategic alliance with electric boat manufacturer X Shore to promote market adoption through the expansion of marine infrastructure. As Aqua superPower’s first ambassador, X Shore will connect to the latter’s superchargers at boat shows and installations.

The “Proterra Powered” moniker continues to expand throughout the commercial EV industry, as The Shyft Group is the latest OEM to sign a multi-year supply agreement to use Proterra battery systems in its vehicles. Shyft Group will implement Proterra’s battery technology into its modular EV chassis and Blue Arc electric delivery vans.

German automaker Volkswagen, has announced a long-anticipated generation 3.0 software update for its entire lineup of ID. electric vehicles. The 3.0 update includes a slew of new and optional upgrades to features like automated driving, charging performance, and the AR Heads-up Display.

During an Innovation and Technology Day held in Los Angeles, Electrek got the opportunity to learn about some of the current and upcoming technologies Mercedes-Benz is developing around its EQ series of EVs. This includes a close-up look at the VISION EQXX concept, a ride along in the upcoming EQE sedan, and experiencing Level-2 and Level-3 autonomous driving.

During a live demonstration at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, Mercedes-Benz and Bosch offered a glimpse into the future in which our EVs will valet themselves. Using the Intelligent Park Pilot feature in the Mercedes EQS, the companies were able to demonstrate a driver pulling up, exiting the vehicle, and activating the automated valet using an app.

Lots of news in the segment of electric school buses this week, as Highland Electric Fleets signed an agreement with Thomas Built Buses to provide lower upfront costs to customers and expedite EV adoption; their letter of intent will put the price of an electric bus at cost parity with the traditional diesel option. On the opposite US coast, InCharge Energy and its partners announced a project in Southern California to deploy 42 electric school buses, calling it the largest fleet in the state.

Following the initial announcement of its “Folgore” 100% electric range strategy in 2020, Maserati has given the public an update as to where it stands on EVs. During a press event this morning, the Italian luxury vehicle manufacturer reiterated plans to electrify its entire lineup by 2025. This will begin next year with two 100% electric Maserati models – the GrandTurismo EV and the Grecale SUV.

Another year, another Audi A6 e-tron concept. During its 2022 Annual Media Conference, the German automaker pulled the sheet off its second A6 e-tron concept – a luxury class station wagon called the Avant. Picking up when the A6 e-tron Sportback concept left off, the Avant offers a glimpse into Audi’s all-electric future with some sleek new features that optimize space and aerodynamics.

Hankook is the latest tire company debuting its own line of EV-specific tires – more specifically, tires for premium EVs. Hankook Tire’s new iON family will debut later this year and will include both winter and summer options for Europe, as well as an all-season EV tire for North America.

Mercedes-Benz delivered multiple press releases this morning, sharing details of its new battery manufacturing facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, as well as interior images of its upcoming EQS SUV, one of the German automaker’s EVs that will soon begin production on US soil.

Chinese multinational automotive company, Geely, has shared a recent update from its Technology Group subsidiary showing battery swap capabilities integrated into what it calls Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). The battery swap stations operate under the same concept as passenger EVs, but use a different swap method without having to lift the hefty construction vehicles.

American automaker Ford Motor Company, has outlined plans to expedite its push for EVs in Europe, promising nine all-electric models by 2024, seven of which are new to a lineup that already includes the Mustang Mach-E followed by the E-Transit next quarter. Vehicles from commercial unit Ford Pro, and the recently announced Ford e, combine to further expand Ford EV adoption in Europe.

During a presentation at SXSW, autonomous freight technology company, Einride, has publicly introduced its first “Remote Pod Operator,” Tiffany Heathcott. Heathcott is a trucking-veteran that will bring her driving expertise within the truck to her remote operating station, representing a potential paradigm shift of how we safely and efficiently transport cargo.

Sono Motors has moved one phase closer to production of its Sion Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV), as it has completed its prototype phases and has begun building series-validation vehicles for testing and certification. The startup plans to build 37 body in white validation SEVs.

ZEV manufacturer, Nikola Corporation, shared plans to ask its shareholders for approval to dilute their current holdings in order to add 200 million new shares, which would raise about $1.5 billion based off its closing price on Friday. The startup plans to use the funds to scale production of its Tre BEV trucks and finish building its US manufacturing facility in Coolidge, Arizona.

Electrek recently got the opportunity to test out the ElectraMeccanica SOLO EV for a few days and see what this single-passenger vessel can do. Small but speedy, the SOLO offers fun for single-rider drivers, and a picture-worthy experience for anyone you drive past.

While its initial production will begin in the UK, the Arrival Van will eventually be produced on US soil as well. In the meantime, we were able to go see the commercial EV up-close in the Big Apple and learn more about its progress first hand from Arrival President Avinash Rugoobur and CEO of Arrival North America, Mike Ableson.

North American motor coach seller ABC Companies has announced another successful trip across the US, this time using a Van Hool TDX25E all-electric bus. The double-decker motor coach was “Proterra Powered” and traveled 2,524 miles from Winter Garden, Florida, to Costa Mesa, California, using only public charging stations. This latest trip further showcases the potential of battery-electric buses, even larger models like the TDX25E.

American EV automaker, Lucid Motors, is offering the public a glimpse behind its premium leather curtain with a new YouTube series explaining its innovative, and in some cases, industry-leading technologies. The 10-episode series, titled Tech Talks launched today with Lucid Motors’ CEO and CTO, Peter Rawlinson discussing battery packs. Additional episodes are expected to follow regularly.

Nascent eVTOL racing league, Airspeeder, has announced its fourth pilot to join, and it’s Bruno Senna – a former Formula One and Formula E racing driver, current member of Rebellion Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and eSports World eX Championship winner. Senna joins as a development pilot, bringing his racing expertise to the league before its first Grand Prix begins in 2023.

A recent update to Tesla’s website configurator reveals that it is prioritizing reservations that include the $12,000 full self-driving (FSD) option, at least for the Model Y and Model 3. For reservations of the Tesla Model Y in particular, delivery estimates change from six months from today (September), to two months (May), simply by choosing the FSD add-on.

Chinese EV automaker, XPeng Motors, is expanding its presence in the EU by opening reservations of its P5 smart EV to four countries – Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. The P5 is the third production model to arrive from XPeng, and its reservations are joined by news of an “Experience Store” which just opened in the Netherlands – the automaker’s second showroom in Europe.

Spanish automotive brand Hispano Suiza has officially made its debut in the United States, delivering its first Carmen Boulogne all-electric hypercar to a customer during the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in Florida. This bespoke hypercar was designed to the client’s specifications and will be one of five Carmen Boulognes produced in the world.

Japanese automaker, Nissan, has showcased the comfort of its e-4ORCE vehicle control will provide by demonstrating the technology in a motorized serving tray hauling ramen – a popular Japanese noodle soup. The e-4ORCE technology, which will debut in the upcoming Nissan Ariya EV, will be translated from the motorized tray which can be seen zooming across the food counter without sloshing the hot ramen.