Category Archives: Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicles

The Wait For Apple’s Long-Rumored Electric Car May Have Just Gotten Longer

Despite years value of research and partner consultations, the “Apple Car” has by no means reached a prototype stage. However, the executives at Apple are reportedly hoping that the change in technique would assist Apple inch nearer to a prototype stage and see a extra lifelike window for industrial launch. 

Aside from utilizing Tesla as an inspiration for its watered-down autonomous driving options, Apple reportedly plans to face out by serving a novel automobile design, consumer interface, and security options. In doing so, formidable concepts resembling a no-steering-wheel design have been laid to relaxation.

The change in Apple’s method comes courtesy of strain from Apple’s board in 2023, nevertheless it is not clear whether or not they pushed Apple to hurry up growth at the price of superior and resource-intensive options. Right now, manufacturers like Tesla think about superior driving techniques such because the controversial Full Self-Driving (FSD) because the holy grail of automobiles. Apple’s imaginative and prescient did not stray too far, it appears, however plans for Level 4 autonomy have been shelved for now.

“The more basic Level 2+ plan would require drivers to pay attention to the road and take over at any time,” says the report about Apple’s present goal. But down the street, Apple hopes to improve the tech stack and obtain its Level 4 objectives. At the second, even EV producers like Tesla have not managed to formally crack the Level 4 autonomy code, particularly within the gentle of flaws plaguing the current-gen techniques.

Electric Vehicles

Here’s How Much The Tesla Model X Can Actually Tow

When shopping for a Model X, you will have two luxurious fashions to select from, with pricing beginning at $79,990. The Long Range serves as the usual mannequin and is powered by 670 horsepower with an estimated 310 pound-feet of torque. Alternatively, the more expensive and extra highly effective choice, the Plaid, delivers a much more spectacular 1,020 horsepower and an estimated 1,050 pound-feet of torque.

The Model S could match the Model X in torque and horsepower, however the Model X comes with a tow hitch that enhances the EV’s versatility on the street. At its present specs, the Model X can pull a most of 5,000 kilos. There is a catch, although, that pertains to all autos — the utmost towing capability is predicated on particular situations.

Per Tesla, 5,000 kilos is feasible if the EV is outfitted with 255/45R20 or 265/45R20 entrance tires and 275/45R20 rear tires at 46 psi or 265/35ZR22 entrance tires and 285/35ZR22 rear tires at 50 psi.

Electric Vehicles, News

Mercedes At CES: Are Solid-State Batteries The Game Changer EVs Need?

Currently, most electrical autos depend on lithium-ion batteries or variations of that know-how. These have a liquid electrolyte; solid-state batteries, because the title suggests, swap to a stable model of that. The end result, amongst different proposed benefits, is larger energy density, a safer cell, and a less expensive battery general.

The drawback is, Markus Schäfer identified, truly attending to a manufacturing battery that delivers on all three factors is taking longer than many within the trade anticipated. In the meantime, lithium-ion battery improvement hasn’t been standing nonetheless, and vital enhancements have been made in areas like vitality density.

“There were some very optimistic forecasts a while ago,” the Mercedes CTO stated. “It reminds me a little of forecasting autonomous driving. We invested in some cool startups here in the U.S. and Korea in solid-state. And I’m watching the big names in this that came up a few years ago and got the valuation that they got. But for me, it’s a head-to-head race now.”

Electric Vehicles

6 Electric Vehicles That Are Way Cheaper To Buy Than They Look

Hyundai launched the Ioniq in 2016 in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and totally electrical variations and adopted that up with the Ioniq 5 in 2021. The Ioniq 6 got here alongside in 2023 and, identical to the mannequin it changed, took the Car and Driver’s EV of the Year award. According to C&D’s Joe Lorio, this was in no small half because of the Ioniq’s styling. “‘Just look at it,’ we said of the Ioniq 5 when it won, and we could do the same for the Ioniq 6,” he wrote.

The 2024 Ioniq begins at $42,450; state tax credit can take that effectively beneath $40,000, relying on the place you reside. You can select between RWD and dual-motor AWD fashions in S, SEL, or Unlimited trim. Hyundai provides two totally different battery choices within the Ioniq 6, the bigger of which supplies as much as 361 miles of vary in SE fashions. 

Once inside, you will be handled to an inside Car and Driver says it has “a similarly modern and minimalist aesthetic to the Ioniq 5.” High-tech options embrace a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a separate 12.3-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. 

The Ioniq 6 additionally comes customary with pedestrian detection with automated braking, lane holding, and adaptive cruise management techniques. Like all different automobiles Hyundai sells, it’s lined by a 10-year, 100,000-mile guarantee on the powertrain (which for EVs consists of the battery pack).  

Electric Vehicles, Motorcycles

Here’s How Far Honda’s Motocompacto Can Actually Go

According to Honda, the specs for the Motocompacto are extremely modest. For its vary, the scooter is just going to get you 12 miles earlier than you want to cost it up once more, and in case you are continuously operating your Motocompacto at its prime velocity — which is 15 mph — you’ll burn by means of these 12 miles somewhat quickly. This isn’t a freeway car by any means. With these sorts of numbers, you’re looking at a much better expertise in the event you dwell in a tightly compacted city surroundings or maybe a university campus, the place all your go-to locations of enterprise and leisure are inside a number of blocks’ radius from your property.

Another factor to remember is that Honda additionally says that it’ll take 3.5 hours to completely cost your Motocompacto, which is an awfully very long time for an EV that is not going to get you very far. The Motocompacto is not going to be the best choice for everybody, but when your circumstances enable for it, the $995 e-scooter may very well be an incredible new approach so that you can get round in your day-to-day life. SlashGear has firsthand expertise with how much of a good time could be had on a Honda Motocompacto — simply do not anticipate it to be for a very long time.

Electric Vehicles, News

2024 Lexus RZ 300e FWD Brings Cheaper Option With Longer Range To Lineup

The 2024 RZ 300e FWD is cheaper than the RX 500h F Sport and lots of the different SUV choices accessible from Lexus, whereas concurrently boasting the next EPA-estimated vary in comparison with the 2023 RZ providing. The new 300e guarantees a spread of as much as 266 miles when outfitted with 18″ wheels; that is an estimated ranking of 137 MPGe within the metropolis and 112 MPGe on the freeway. This is a giant step up from the already spectacular 225-mile range Lexus promised when it first announced the RZ line final yr. The 2023 RZ 450e ended up providing 196 to 220 miles of estimated vary on a cost, relying on whether or not you get the 18-inch or 20-inch wheels.

Price and gasoline effectivity aren’t the one perks, both. “Powered by a 72.8kWh Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) lithium-ion battery and offered only with FWD, the 2024 RZ 300e realizes a total system horsepower rating of 201,” Lexus claimed in the announcement. “A subframe has been adopted for the FWD model, replacing the rear eAxle of AWD model. This subframe suppresses vibrations and noise, contributing to a smooth and quiet ride.”

It prices utilizing a dual-voltage charging cable for 120V and 240 retailers and could be ordered with copper crest mono- and bi-tone exterior coloration choices. Not dangerous for a luxurious SUV that begins at $55,150. The Lexus RZ 450e, in the meantime, begins at $59,850 for the Premium All-Wheel-Drive model with 18-inch wheels.

Electric Vehicles, News

Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi Officially Adopt Tesla’s NACS EV Charging Port

It might have been daring of Tesla to call the port and connector it invented in 2012 the “North American Charging Standard” — however after greater than a decade, it is starting to dwell as much as its identify. CCS dominated on the time, and for a protracted whereas solely Teslas used NACS, however that has modified over the previous few months. So far, main producers including Ford, GM, Rivian, Mercedes, Volvo/Polestar, and Subaru have dedicated to the usual.

Although it took some time, it is simple to see why NACS has begun to take off. Elon Musk’s firm made NACS “open source,” basically permitting different producers to implement it with out having to pay any charges. Then there are its advantages; Tesla claims it may ship extra energy, extra effectively, than CCS, which is turning into extra necessary as charging wattages enhance. It permits entry to Tesla’s huge and ever-growing supercharging community too, which arguably eases one of many largest points standing in the best way of EV takeup. Almost everybody appears to learn from the change to NACS. The largest losers appear to be Tesla house owners, who’re set to lose unique entry to what’s arguably the most effective charging community in North America.

Electric Vehicles, News

Tesla Is Officially Developing A Wireless Inductive Charger For Its EVs

The information got here in the Tesla Cybertruck episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage” on YouTube, particularly throughout his check drive of the automobile with Moravy and von Holzhausen. “Oh, we’re working on the inductive charging,” defined Von Holzhausen. “So you don’t need to plug something in at that point. You just pull in your garage, drive over the pad, and you’re charging.”

Tesla had beforehand teased the rollout of a wi-fi charging mat, however this was the primary time that anybody from the corporate had stated something about it. At the corporate’s Investor Day occasion in March, the corporate launched a promotional picture that confirmed one thing that positive appeared like a charging mat in a house storage. So far, although, it is simply been a sluggish drip of knowledge, however now that Tesla has talked about it, hopefully, extra info will comply with before the 9 months from the Investor Day picture that in the present day’s information took.

Electric Vehicles, News

Prospective Tesla Model 3 Buyers Are In For A Price Jump: Here’s Why

While it might very properly be that Tesla might convey again the $3,750 tax credit score subsequent 12 months, there isn’t any denying that the corporate will discover it extraordinarily troublesome to take action, given the tightening of government regulations surrounding element sourcing and the origin of battery supplies. The new laws, taking impact in January 2024, prioritize home manufacturing, demanding the next share of batteries and supplies be sourced from North America. This places Tesla in a bind, as its present provide chain leans closely on abroad companions.

Currently, it’s believed that the entire affected Tesla Model 3 variants use LFP battery cells that come from China. For these automobiles to proceed to qualify for the tax credit, Tesla would want to modify to battery cells which can be regionally sourced and made within the U.S. Currently, it’s unclear if Tesla has taken steps to implement this modification. If sure, there’s a risk that the $3,750 tax credit score would possibly make a comeback.

However, if Tesla decides it will be financially unviable for them to equip these automobiles with dearer, regionally sourced elements, it might set off a significant overhaul of the 2024 lineup. This might contain discontinuing the RWD and Long Range variations, introducing new variants with larger native content material, or elevating costs to offset the prices.

Electric Vehicles

Panasonic’s Powdered-Battery Tech Could Ease EV Range Anxiety, Speed Up Charge Times

Sila is looking it “Titan Silicon.” To Wired, Gene Berdichevsky mentioned: “Titan Silicon is a nanocomposite material. It’s like raisin bread, where the raisins are the silicon, and there’s the squishy matrix around the raisins with a big outer rind on the particle itself. The rind holds the space, and the bread moves aside when the raisins expand. The scaffold is not holding the silicon—it’s accommodating the expansion.” 

According to Panasonic, silicon-based batteries will permit upwards of 10 occasions the capability of older lithium- and graphite-based batteries. If that involves fruition anytime quickly (and that is an enormous “if”), it may possibly doubtlessly change how EVs are perceived, pushed, and charged. 

Currently, there are not any concrete plans as to the place or when this expertise will hit the mainstream, except for the upcoming Mercedes G-Class. However, in a press launch, Panasonic says it is focusing its efforts on North America for EV battery manufacturing.