EDITOR'S CHOICE

Inside the Design of Zoox, Amazon's Quirky, Self-Driving Car

23 May 2022 | Synopsis

"First founded in 2014 and acquired by Amazon in 2020 for $1.2 billion, Zoox has spent nearly the last decade building an autonomous vehicle from scratch. Their goal is not to sell the car, but to build the rideshare service of tomorrow to challenge Uber and Lyft."

"Without being integrated into the body of the car, the pods --[estimated to be serviceable up to 400k miles] -- can easily be pulled out for repair, or upgraded as technology advances."

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These Cheap E-Bikes Are Taking Over The Streets

23 May 2022 | Synopsis

"With the recent rise in electric bike popularity and advances in technology, e-bike manufacturers have shifted their focus away from premium options and toward affordability, to reach budget-minded cyclists and commuters.

"All of this means that e-bikes are no longer just a rich man's toy, with a host of solid options now available for under $1,500."

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Eco-Pulse Hybrid-Electric TBM 960 Aircraft Headlines French Aerospace Firm's Sustainability Initiatives

23 May 2022 | Synopsis

"Daher takes on the role of primary integrator in the project, while Airbus leads development of the high-energy-density main battery system, capable of storing 350 kW at a weight of 350 kg. Airbus will also work out aerodynamic and acoustic integration of the systems and flight control computer, while Safran provides the..." six 50 kW electric motors.

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Survey: Majority of World's Car Buyers Are Ready to Go Electric

23 May 2022 | Synopsis

"52% of respondents to EY's annual Mobility Consumer Index who are looking to buy a car want an EV, according to the survey of 13,000 people in 18 countries...That's a leap of 22 percentage points in two years, and the first time that EV interest exceeded 50%..."

"Buyers in Italy (73%), China (69%) and South Korea (63%) were the most interested..." Americans and Australians least interested.

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In The Future, You'll Commute To Work On A Skateboard, Says Hunter Boards CEO

22 May 2022 | Synopsis

"The 'micro mobility' industry, which encompasses small vehicles such as scooters, bikes, and mopeds, is fast-growing in urban areas. The global micro mobility market was valued at $44 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $214 billion by 2030...Americans took 136 million trips on bikes, e-bikes, and scooters in 2019 - a 60% jump from 2018...

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GM Patent: Dual Charge Ports Could Allow Electric Trucks a Lot of Energy Flexibility

22 May 2022 | Synopsis

"...a patent application for a dual charge port setup that could help get the most out of Ultium battery system in the automaker's electric pickup trucks.

"Using a series of controllers and switches, as well as the pack's built-in ability to operate as two different packs in series or in parallel, the application describes different charging scenarios for the dual-layer vehicles."

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New Taxis In Athens, Thessaloniki Must Be Electric Starting 2026

22 May 2022 | Synopsis

"All new taxis in Athens and Thessaloniki must be electrically powered starting on January 1, 2026, according to a new climate law that seeks to gradually abolish transportation that relies on fossil fuels.

"The measure for zero-carbon vehicles will also apply to one-third of rental cars as of that date."

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Almost Half Of Brits Would Not Consider An Electric Car In the Next Decade

22 May 2022 | Synopsis

"A study of more than 1,000 Brits by insurance firm NFU Mutual found 45 percent of respondents said they would not consider swapping petrol or diesel for electric power in the next decade.

"Of those respondents, 58 percent said they felt battery range was their main reason for ruling out an electric vehicle (EV), while 58 percent also cited a lack of charging points. Some 44 percent also said the time taken to recharge an EV would also put them off."

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Is Cognitive Bias Blocking the Rise of Electric Cars?

21 May 2022 | Synopsis

"Until now, initiatives related to the energy transition generally focused on the technological and financial barriers to their realization...However, many studies show that individuals do not automatically adopt the behaviors most beneficial for themselves or society, often due to a lack of access to complete information."

"...consumers wrongly believe that the autonomy of current batteries is not sufficient to cover their daily journeys. This underestimation is substantial, the researchers estimating it at around 30%."

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High Registration Fees Hamper Adoption of Electric Vehicles

21 May 2022 | Synopsis

"An analysis conducted by Consumer Reports finds that the proposed fee - which would be at least $200 per year for EV drivers - would be nearly three times as much as what the average new gasoline vehicle buyer would pay in gas taxes but would do little to increase the state's highway funding."

"Such fees, if set at levels much higher than what a typical driver would pay in gas taxes, could also discourage someone from buying an EV."

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Moving EV Manufacturing in Europe Into the Fast Lane

21 May 2022 | Synopsis

"While Poland, Hungary, and Sweden have already secured gigafactories, Germany, France, Spain, and the Czech Republic are getting ready to construct their own.

"On a broader level, it is worth noticing that the EU currently holds a favourable position in electromobility... Investment in the electrical industry in Europe is 2.5 times greater than in China..."

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Car Companies Can't Build Enough Electric Cars to Keep Up with Booming Demand

21 May 2022 | Synopsis

"Although car companies are trying rapidly grow their EV production to take advantage of economies of scale, they're also taking care not to overbuild..."

"...building high-volume, relatively low-priced electric vehicles is a new thing...We just don't know how many people are out there waiting for them."

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