Author: Robin Cannon

In today’s fast-paced world, where speed is paramount, electric vehicle (EV) owners have often found themselves in a bind when it comes to refueling their batteries. Even with the fastest chargers available, the process of recharging from near-empty to full has required considerable patience. However, Ample, a pioneering company in the EV industry, is set to revolutionize this landscape by introducing a game-changing solution: a fully charged battery swap that takes less than five minutes. The concept of battery swapping harkens back to the days when smartphone batteries were easily replaceable, allowing users to quickly go from low to full…

Motiv Power Systems, an American manufacturer of battery-electric commercial vehicle chassis, has announced a new vehicle order from Cintas for 30 additional battery-electric delivery vans. This decision follows a successful pilot test of seven Motiv-powered vehicles across three US states in 2022. The new order of 30 Motiv trucks will be deployed on existing Cintas routes, bringing the number of Motiv-powered EVs in the Cintas fleet to 37 vehicles driving daily routes across Michigan, New York, and California. The announcement comes just a week after Motiv introduced the new generation of their electric truck chassis, built in cooperation with Nidec…

The iconic Mini Cooper is all set to make a comeback, this time in an electric avatar. The first official key data for the upcoming Mini Cooper Electric has been announced, revealing exciting details about the fifth generation of the three-door hatchback. The new models are slated to be available for purchase by the end of this year and will be produced in Leipzig from November. The new Mini Cooper Electric will come in two versions – the Mini Cooper E with 135 kW power and the Mini Cooper SE with 160 kW power. The Mini Cooper E will be…

Ford, the 120-year-old American multinational automobile manufacturer, has released its business figures for Q1 2023, presenting them for the first time divided into the three core business units of Ford Blue (combustion cars and hybrids), Ford Model e (electric vehicles), and Ford Pro (commercial vehicles). The move is a watershed in the company’s history, as previously it had broken down its business figures by region. By presenting the figures for its core business units separately, Ford aims to demonstrate to investors how it is preparing for the new competition and the transformation towards electric drives. See also: Ford celebrates a…

Volkswagen has announced the availability of the upgraded Volkswagen ID.3 in the UK market. The new version of the popular electric model features a refreshed design, improved materials, and advanced assist systems. Interested customers can place their orders with Volkswagen UK Retailers starting from Thursday, April 27. The recently unveiled Volkswagen ID.3 showcases several enhancements and upgrades. The exterior design has been refined, giving the car a more sleek and modern look. Inside, the interior now offers a more luxurious feel and incorporates user-friendly features and state-of-the-art technology. To emphasize Volkswagen’s commitment to sustainability, the range of exterior color options…

Blue Bird Corporation recently delivered a fleet of 20 electric school buses to Boston Public Schools (BPS). This marks the largest deployment of electric school buses in the Northeast, according to school officials and local government leaders. The initiative, spearheaded by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, aims to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and improve the health of students and the community. The new electric buses, provided by Blue Bird Corporation, are now in operation within Boston Public Schools. These buses, known as Blue Bird Vision electric buses, have a maximum capacity of 71 students and can travel up to 120…

It’s not just the high-end hypercars and limited-edition sports vehicles that are flying off the shelves; family haulers are in high demand as well. Volvo, in particular, has been taken aback by the overwhelming response to its latest offering, the EX90, as the entire first year’s production of this all-electric SUV has already been snatched up by eager buyers. Unveiled last year, the EX90 serves as the electric-only alternative to Volvo’s older, comparably sized XC90, which offers combustion or hybrid power options. Despite its starting price of $80,000, potential customers wasted no time in placing deposits with dealers and securing…

Prince Edward Island has partnered with Lion Electric, a Canadian manufacturer of electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, to deploy electric school buses for emergency power supply at community disaster relief centers during power outages. Lion Electric, headquartered near Montreal, Quebec, is renowned for its production of the iconic yellow North American school buses. The company has emerged as a leader in the electric vehicle sector. The LionC electric school bus, equipped with a battery capacity ranging from 126kWh to 210kWh, boasts impressive power capabilities. Of particular relevance to this development is its vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality. V2G refers to the capability…

The German government is taking steps to reduce its dependence on other countries for critical raw materials used in the production of electric car batteries. A new commodity fund worth up to 2.2 billion euros is being planned to finance the mining and production of these materials. The fund could be launched as early as next year, pending agreement on the necessary funding. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted Germany’s dependence on Russia for natural gas, and the country is seeking to reduce its reliance on China for resources. The new fund is part of Germany’s efforts to secure…

Lancia, the historic Italian carmaker, is set to release its second production model in 2026, and it will be named Gamma. Luca Napolitano, the CEO of Lancia, made the announcement during the presentation of the Pu+Ra HPE concept. He also gave a hint about the car’s design, stating that it will be a five-door “sportback” with a sloping roofline and a hatchback featuring a sporty rear window. The Lancia Gamma is expected to measure around 4.7 meters (185 inches) long, making it the largest and most luxurious offering from Lancia. The new Gamma will have a fully electric powertrain, reflecting…

NIO has officially launched its highly anticipated 2023 model year ET7 sedan at the Shanghai auto show. The company’s founder, chairman, and CEO, William Li, announced that the new model is now available for pre-order and order lock-ins, with deliveries set to begin in mid-May. The ET7 is NIO’s flagship sedan and was originally introduced at the NIO Day 2020 event on January 9, 2021, with deliveries starting on March 28, 2022. The 2023 model brings more than 15 updates and upgrades, including improved seats and a 40w wireless charging panel for cell phones, all at the same prices as…

Savic Motorcycles, an Australian startup, has been working tirelessly to bring its C-Series electric motorcycle from the drawing board to the showroom floor. The company first showcased its prototype in 2018 and has since been refining its design while pursuing investment partners to bring the C-Series to life. In October 2021, Savic secured a grant from Australia’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, which invests in Australian businesses, to move the C-Series into production. Now, with the company aiming to deliver over 250 units to pre-order customers, it has partnered with Equitise to launch an equity crowdfunding campaign. Equity crowdfunding is a…