Author: Sibley Presley

West Virginia is taking a significant step towards electrifying its school bus fleet. The state is set to acquire 41 GreenPower custom-built, battery-electric school buses for $15 million, including the Type D BEAST and Type A Nano BEAST models. As part of the order, GreenPower has received a $3 million deposit from the state to manufacture the buses in West Virginia. The move follows the launch of GreenPower’s Nano Beast Type A electric school bus in March last year, with a 118 kW battery that powers the 24-seater, allowing for a range of up to 150 miles and a max…

School buses are a common sight on American roads, picking up over 25 million children each year and traveling around 5.7 billion miles. However, many of these buses are powered by diesel, which poses a serious health risk to students, drivers, staff, and communities they operate in. Exposure to diesel exhaust can cause asthma, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and premature death. To address this issue, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set aside funds to help school districts replace their fleets with cleaner alternatives. According to a new study published in Nature Sustainability, upgrading to electric or cleaner alternatives can…

Tesla’s Cybertruck has been making waves since its unveiling in 2019, and the latest evidence suggests that it will retain its unique single windshield wiper blade for the final retail version. Recent drone footage captured over the Gigafactory in Texas, where the first Cybertruck batches will be assembled in June, showed a live wiper spray test being conducted on the electric pickup. The Cybertruck’s wiper blade, which is bolted onto the left side, is a monstrosity compared to traditional wipers. However, it gets the job done by cleaning a large part of the windshield area in one sweep, including the…

In a recent exclusive interview with Fiskerati, Henrik Fisker, the Chairman and CEO of Fisker Inc, provided some exciting updates for Fisker Ocean One customers. He started the conversation by reassuring customers that the company is still on track to deliver all 5000 Ocean 1 models before September, despite some delays caused by pending government approvals. “Of course, it’s been a little difficult for us to give exact dates as we are waiting for some various government approvals. But I think we are inching a lot closer,” said Fisker. Henrik also shared some exciting news about the Environmental Protection Agency…

Zoox is approaching a decade of development in bringing its unique robotaxi to public roads. After being acquired by Amazon for a staggering $1.2 billion, Zoox continued to develop a completely bespoke electric vehicle (EV) for the robotaxi market, rather than retrofitting existing vehicles like many of its competitors. The result is a truly driverless, purpose-built, and fully autonomous passenger EV, which has already tallied over one million autonomous miles through San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Seattle. The development of the Zoox robotaxi has been accompanied by thousands of simulated virtual crash tests, conducted even before the company built its…

For years, the Sur-Ron X has been the go-to electric dirt bike for off-road enthusiasts seeking a no-frills, for-fun ride. While there have been competitors in the market, none have been able to match its combination of price and performance. That is until now. A new contender has entered the arena, and it’s promising 50-percent more power than the Sur-Ron X at a price that’s only slightly higher. The Talaria Sting R MX4 is a mouthful to say, but it’s packed with impressive features that are catching the attention of electric bike enthusiasts. Manufactured in Chongqing, China, a hub for…

Rivian, the American EV startup that has captured the attention of the automotive industry and investors alike, has made some significant announcements recently that could shape its future trajectory. One of the most notable was made by Rivian’s Chief Financial Officer Claire Rauh McDonough, who revealed at the Bank of America Securities Summit that the company is on track to become profitable by the second half of 2024. This news is likely to excite investors who have been eagerly waiting for Rivian to reach this milestone. However, McDonough didn’t stop there, revealing that Rivian aims to build 85,000 R1 vehicles…

Samsung SDI, the South Korean battery manufacturer, has expanded its research and development capabilities by opening a new battery research centre in China. The SDI China Research and Development Center (SDIRC) will focus on building partnerships with local universities and research institutes to develop core battery technologies, as well as discovering new functional and affordable materials. The move is part of Samsung SDI’s broader strategy to leverage global technological competence and talent pools to enhance its technological competitiveness. The company aims to strengthen its position as a leading battery manufacturer by investing in research and development capacities around the globe.…

Canadian e-bike manufacturer Dost has been making practical, utilitarian e-bikes since it hit the scene in 2019. Its latest model, the Crate, continues this trend with impressive cargo-carrying capabilities and advanced technology. With a rear-focused cargo design and a modular cargo system, the Crate can carry up to 440 pounds of cargo or passengers. Dost’s focus on practicality and versatility is evident in the Crate’s design. Its compact size eliminates the need for extended racks, allowing it to maintain proportions similar to that of a standard city commuter. The bike features a sturdy, stable platform thanks to its beefy square-tube…

General Motors (GM) is making a big splash in the electric vehicle (EV) market with a slate of new models, including the upcoming GMC Sierra EV, which will be the brand’s second fully electric truck after the Hummer EV pickup. With an estimated range of 400 miles, the Sierra EV is positioned to compete with the likes of the Ford F-150 Lightning and the forthcoming electric Ram 1500 REV. Although GM only sold two units of the flagship Hummer EV in the first quarter, the company has high hopes for its flexible Ultium platform, which can be used to build…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) giant, BYD, has extended its recent promotion on its Seal model, offering combined discounts of up to RMB 31,000 ($4,510) to customers who purchase the vehicle between April 7 and April 30. The benefits include a cash discount of RMB 15,000, a trade-in subsidy of RMB 6,000, and a 2-year zero-interest loan. This new promotion comes on the heels of a price war in the Chinese auto industry last month, where BYD offered discounts on its Seal and Song Plus models. BYD’s Song Plus series also received a discount of RMB 6,800 in March, but…

Cenntro Electric Group Limited, a provider of electric commercial vehicles, has announced that its subsidiary Avantier Motors Company will soon launch a new line of electric micro-cars. These vehicles are specifically designed for use in urban areas and will initially be released in Europe and Central America. The Avantier is a three-door hatchback that has been approved for commercial use in Europe under EU L7e Type approval. Additionally, a passenger version of the Avantier will be available in Central America. The compact design of the two-seat Avantier provides a spacious and comfortable interior for the driver. The vehicle is powered…