Scooter Doll

Following a recent announcement to introduce a new lineup of all-electric performance cars, Lotus has shared the chassis architecture the EVs will sit upon. The rear structure on this new architecture is 37% lighter than it is on the current Emira V6 and will support a new generation of Lotus performance cars with zero emissions.

Images discovered by a member of Rivian Forums show Rivian has filed a patent with the US Patent and Trademark office for a sliding door on a dual-guide-rail. Interestingly enough, the images in the patent show the door on a minivan-style vehicle. Before speculation runs rampant, we want to point out that this patent is one of hundreds filed by the automaker and likely does not allude to a future Rivian minivan. However, it does present a growing niche Rivian would be well suited to fill.

Following a Zero-Emission Bus Summit in the UK, London mayor Sadiq Khan announced that all new buses ordered by Transport for London (TfL) will be electric moving forward. The new policy falls in line with the UK capital’s previously set goal of making its entire bus fleet electric by 2037. Alongside the announcement, Khan announced an advanced timeline to see a fully-electric bus fleet by 2034, or perhaps even sooner.

Czech auto manufacturer Škoda has shared plans to focus less on its PHEV models in the future, and instead deliver more pure electric cars. In a recent interview, Škoda CEO Thomas Schäfer spoke to the company’s success last year, as well as the bright future around its all-electric Enyaq iV, despite a global semiconductor chip shortage.

EVgo has announced a new loyalty program where customers can earn points toward future free charging sessions. The program, called EVgo Rewards, is a first of its kind for public charging networks in the US, according to EVgo. Here’s everything you need to know.

Following previous news that it was halting all Bolt EV and EUV production until battery supplier LG can supply defect-free cells, General Motors (GM) has announced an extended pause into October. The decision follows a recall of Chevy Bolt EVs over battery issues resulting in twelve reported fires.

Rail freight manufacturer Wabtec Corporation has officially unveiled the newest version of what it calls “the world’s first battery-electric freight train.” The electric train, known as FLXdrive Battery Locomotive, is no longer just a prototype and has made its official debut in Pittsburgh, PA, following Wabtec’s first sale of the locomotive earlier this week.

UK EV startup Volta Trucks continues to chug forward towards series production of its Zero Truck, and has announced an additional €37 million in Series B funding to help. Alongside the newest funding announcement, Volta Trucks shared it has already received 2,500 soft pre-orders for its Zero Truck. Should all those pre-orders come to fruition, their value is over €600 million (~$705.5 million).

Nikola Motor has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) alongside commercial vehicle brand IVECO. The news came during the inauguration of Nikola’s joint venture manufacturing facility in Germany with IVECO. With the MoU, both parties shared intentions to collaborate on the testing and implementation of up to 25 Nikola Tre BEVs in 2022.

US EV automaker Lucid Motors has just shared some of the official EPA ranges for its flagship Air sedan, and they are quite impressive. In an official press release, Lucid revealed the EPA estimated range for two versions of the upcoming Dream Edition Air, as well as the Grand Touring. Both of these trims provide a range of at least 450 miles.

EV manufacturer Workhorse Group announced it is voluntarily withdrawing its legal challenge against the United States Postal Service (USPS). The June lawsuit addresses the USPS awarding a multibillion-dollar contract to Oshkosh Defense to produce its next fleet of mail delivery vehicles. Workhorse’s new CEO was behind the decision to forfeit the protest, citing an intention to cooperate with the government on future EVs, rather than challenge it through litigation.

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) specialist Volocopter has recently announced a partnership with Urban Movement Labs (UML) to explore the potential of implementing UAM solutions in the Los Angeles area. This partnership marks Volocopter’s first step in bringing its eVTOL technology to the US, including its VoloCity air taxi.

Chinese EV automaker XPeng Motors has officially launched its new P5 sedan in China, ahead of deliveries in October. With the P5, XPeng looks to enter one of the largest vehicle segments in China currently dominated by ICE competitors, and introduce a technologically advanced EV that is competitively priced. From what XPeng has now shared, the P5 has the advanced features and affordable pricing to find success in multiple markets.

A Tweet by Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe shared a pivotal moment for the nascent EV automaker as its first R1T pickup destined for a customer rolled off the production line today. Images show a large group of Rivian’s staff at its Normal, IL facility cheering on the flagship EV completing assembly ahead of customer deliveries this month.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed the estimated mile range of two AWD versions of Volkswagen’s all-electric ID.4 SUV. The dual-motor trims of the ID.4 Pro and Pro S were announced over the summer, but we are just now seeing the EPA estimated range of each to compare the previous rear-wheel-drive versions.

NIO recently debuted its upcoming ET7 sedan in Germany, representing the EV’s European debut. While the Chinese automaker continues to roll out its electric ES8 SUV in Norway this month, we now know plans to expand further into Europe next year, beginning with Germany.

Maritime platform developer Orca AI has recently announced a partnership with ​​Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) to test its safety system for autonomous ships. Orca AI’s Automatic Ship Target Recognition System has been installed on an NYK ship as a research trial to support the advancement of autonomous sea travel.

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) recently shared extensive plans to support the influx of EVs in the area by deploying four DC fast chargers as part of its city-operated fast-charging network. With nearly 50,000 chargers planned by 2030 as part of an ambitious plan, NYC’s government looks to build one of the largest municipal charging networks in the country.

September 9 update: Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) has signed new legislation to support the state’s efforts outlined below. The legislation sets a new goal for all new passenger cars and trucks sold in New York State to be zero emissions by 2035.

If adopted, the regulation would accelerate zero-emission truck sales, resulting in improved air quality throughout New York, especially areas more significantly affected by transportation-related pollution.

Engineering and technology company Bosch has unveiled a new charging cable for electric vehicles equipped without the traditional “charging brick.” The manufacturer shared new details of the EV cord ahead of its world premiere at IAA Mobility in Munich this week.

While we at Electrek often tend to focus on electric vehicles taking over roads, it’s important to remember that our inevitable abandonment of fossil fuels stems to all modes of transportation, whether it’s by land, air, or even the sea. I recently had the opportunity to set sail on Sunwater Marine’s Ramblin’ Rose, a 40-foot sailing yacht powered by solar panels and electric propulsion. It’s one of the only vessels of its kind on the West Coast.

Polestar has once again made the headlines with another unique electric concept – this time in the form of a transporter cart used to move cargo and make deliveries. The project, called Re:Move, began as a mere concept project celebrating industrial designer Konstantin Grcic and ended up becoming an actual working prototype unveiled at IAA Mobility in Munich.

During IAA Mobility in Munich this year, Spanish automaker Cupra publicly shared its brand’s vision for an all-electric future, outlining its pipeline of upcoming EVs as evidence of its “ambition” to reach its goal by 2030.

After teasing its debut at IAA Mobility Munich, Porsche has unveiled its Mission R concept, a study of an all-electric racing GT representing what the future of motorsports could look like. While Mission R remains a concept vehicle, Porsche said it is packed with hints at a future production model to be built with racing in mind.

During IAA Mobility in Munich this week, an executive for Renault Group stated plans to seek an extension of the recently proposed 2035 ban of all internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales in the EU. According to the report, Renault wants an extension to around 2040 in order to provide more affordable cars to consumers before more expensive EVs become mandatory.