Scooter Doll

North American railroad Union Pacific announced it has purchased ten FLXDrive battery-electric locomotives from manufacturer Wabtec. The purchase marks the largest number of FLXDrives placed in a single order for Wabtec, as well as the largest investment in battery-electric locomotives by a North American railroad (Union Pacific).

Chinese mobility manufacturer BYD has introduced its new “Type A” electric school bus to transport up to thirty US students at a time. Furthermore, the new zero-emission bus is ADA capable up to 800 lbs and can travel 140 miles on a single charge. What may be most appealing to school districts, however, is the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities BYD’s Type A school bus will provide.

Ford has developed a spy-themed concept game that allows Mustang Mach-E owners to turn their EVs into an “escape room” – or escape car, rather. The interactive game functions through the Mach-E’s center touchscreen, using functions within the EV to guide the driver and its passenger(s) on a secret mission to deliver a package.

AutoFlight has grown one step closer to passenger flights in its eVTOL air taxi by introducing a proof of concept version called “Prosperity I,” alongside a first look at the eVTOL in the air. Additionally, AutoFlight has posted teaser footage of “Prosperity I” transitioning from vertical takeoff rotors to horizontal flight while in the air.

American automaker Rivian reportedly halted its production lines in Illinois to fix some issues and streamline its manufacturing processes. After a difficult start to R1T production amidst COVID-19 and supply chain shortages, Rivian looks to hit higher output targets, aiming for 200 deliverable EVs a week.

Intelligent EV startup JIDU announced a closed round of Series A funding that raised nearly $400 million dollars. The financing was led by JIDU’s parent company Baidu Group, and its business partner Zhejiang Geely Holding Group – the largest auto manufacturer in China. JIDU plans to use the funds for R&D of its teased “Robocar” concept, aiming for mass production in 2023.

Luxury automotive manufacturer Bentley is yet another Volkswagen Group subsidiary falling in line with its parent, vowing an all-electric future for its vehicles. Bentley Motors has shared details of its “Beyond100” sustainability strategy, with includes large investments in EV production, a “Dream Factory” revamp in the UK, and carbon neutrality by 2030.

Blink Charging Co continues to expand its repertoire of US partners, as it announced it has partnered with Bridgestone Retail Operations to supply its IQ 200 Level 2 EV chargers at 25 Firestone Complete Auto Care and Wheel Works locations across the US.

Fresh off recent battery production news, General Motors (GM) is investing further into its US EV production, particularly in Michigan. In fact, the American automaker has announced a sum of $7 billion, its largest single investment in its 113 year history. The premium investment will be used overhaul EV and battery cell production, thus creating 4,000 new US jobs.

Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV) startup Aptera Motors, recently shared test footage of the beta version of its upcoming SEV. The SEV prototype was seen on a test track alongside the three alpha versions already unveiled by Aptera. The beta version represents Aptera’s last phase before pre-production and deliveries later this year.

Guangdong Hongtu Technology (GHT), a part supplier to Chinese EV automakers like NIO and XPeng, announced it will begin developing a 12,000-ton die-casting unit with the help of Tesla supplier LK Technology. Recent responses from representatives at NIO and XPeng hint that they might soon be using GHT’s large, one-piece die-casting machines to manufacture their own EVs.

Following another productive year of increased EV deliveries, Volkswagen Group has shared specifics to its electrification numbers in the EU. In addition to seeing a 64% increase in EV deliveries across most of its brands combined, the German automaker also exceeded average emissions targets put in place for the EU.

As EV adoption continues to grow around the world, Europe in particular appears to be moving at a quicker pace. With automakers vowing to go all electric as a result of laws to eventually eliminate the sale of combustion vehicles, countries overseas are well on their way to fully embracing zero-emissions vehicles. A new study used historical date to predict where European countries will stand in 2035, based on new EV registrations.

The electric vehicle is here to stay. As EV sales grow year-over-year in the US and the rest of the world, charging infrastructure is growing with it. In the US specifically, certain states are far better equipped than others to support the rising number of EV drivers on their roads. Below is a breakdown of some of the best states for EV charging along with some of the… less than best.

Just a decade ago, EVs were barely an afterthought when it came to transportation, and even those trailblazers who embraced them wouldn’t necessarily call the segment “sexy.” A lot of that changed with Tesla’s original Roadster, followed by other cool looking EVs that helped pave the way (and get legacy automakers to wake tf up). With over twenty new EV models scheduled to arrive this year alone, the thirst for EVs has never been greater. That’s evidence based on all of our Google search data, which has been compiled to present some of the most sought after EVs around the world – even if some don’t technically exist yet.

General Motors is looking to nip the any dealership issues in the bud before its influx of EVs hit the market. In a recent letter to its dealerships, GM has warned against markups above MSRPs and reservation amounts, threatening to redirect vehicles away from offenders.

General Motors (GM) shared plans to invest nearly $154 million to renovate its Lockport Components plant in western New York to support stator module production. These key components for electric motors will eventually serve GM brand electric trucks and SUVs built upon the company’s Ultium Platform.

Volkswagen continues to tease the world with its upcoming ID. Buzz electric minibus ahead of its world premiere scheduled for March 9th. The latest taste comes in the form of a video posted by the automaker’s commercial vehicle branch Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge. It shows two camouflaged ID Buzz electric minibuses driving out of an assembly plant in Hanover, Germany.

Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe recently spoke to proposals of hydrogen combustion cars by rivals like Toyota, stating his company studied the technology’s potential ten years ago. Mibe went on to say that unlike Toyota, Honda doesn’t see hydrogen combustion as feasible for cars. That doesn’t mean the Japanese automaker is abandoning the chemical element, however. Hydrogen Fuel Cell EVs remain a key part of its zero-emissions strategy looking forward.

Following a turbulent 2021 in terms of EVs, General Motors is moving full-speed ahead in trying to make good on its promise to deliver 20 new electric models by 2023. According to GM’s President, its highly anticipated Cadillac Lyriq will be one of the first to arrive, as pre-production models have been assembled ahead of deliveries in “a few months.”

European boutique hypercar manufacturer Automobili Pininfarina has announced a further expansion of its retail presence in North America, adding two new locations. US and worldwide deliveries of the automaker’s all-electric Battista hyper GT are set for this year, as its production in Italy begins soon.

EV developer Opibus is once again paving the way for zero-emission transportation in Africa, by unveiling its first electric bus designed and developed upon its own modular EV platform. Alongside other Opibus EVs, the company is one step closer to mass-producing electric buses for the pan-African market and electrifying public transit for the entire continent.

As EV adoption continues to grow worldwide, many consumers previously accustomed to gasoline vehicles are seeking zero-emission alternatives, educating themselves on the technologies and practices that coincide with driving an EV. A recent study from Leasing Options has detailed 20 of the cheapest and fastest EVs to charge in the UK.

Blink Charging Co. announced it will be supplying its IQ 200 Level 2 EV chargers to participating GM dealerships across the US and Canada. Together with the help of facility services provider ABM, Blink will implement its EV chargers in the backs and fronts of GM dealerships, depending on their orders.