Category: Electric Vehicles

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a groundbreaking research initiative that could transform electric vehicle charging through an innovative solar paint technology. This cutting-edge development promises to generate substantial energy directly from a vehicle’s painted surface, potentially revolutionizing how electric vehicles are powered.

The concept goes far beyond traditional solar panel integration, imagining an entire vehicle’s surface as a potential energy generator. Unlike previous attempts by companies like Lightyear and Aptera to incorporate solar panels into vehicle design, Mercedes-Benz is exploring a comprehensive solution that could entirely reimagine electric vehicle energy production.

The electric vehicle (EV) market continues to evolve with rapid technological advancements, and now Mazda is making a powerful entry with its all-new EZ-6 sedan. This latest EV promises a remarkable range of up to 600 km (373 miles) on the CLTC cycle, aiming to address one of the biggest challenges in EV adoption: range anxiety.

The EZ-6’s extended range is powered by a robust 68.8 kWh battery and a 190 kW (254 hp) electric motor. For those wanting even more distance, Mazda also offers an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) version. This variant pairs a 93-hp gasoline engine with a 160 kW electric motor, reaching a total range of up to 1,301 km (808 miles). According to CarNewsChina, the EZ-6 can recharge from 30% to 80% in a swift 15 minutes, enhancing convenience for EV drivers.

How long has a traditional car battery lasted for you—three years? Maybe five? According to a recent report by transportation data analytics company Geotab, electric vehicle (EV) batteries are breaking that mold, potentially lasting over 20 years with minimal degradation. As reported by EV Magazine, these advanced batteries retain power efficiency far longer than previously expected.

Geotab’s study, which analyzed data from nearly 5,000 electric vehicles, revealed that EV batteries degrade at a rate of only 1.8% per year, even in vehicles with high usage. This marks an improvement from the company’s 2019 study, which showed a 2.3% annual degradation rate. With this reduced wear and tear, modern EV batteries not only last for two decades or more, but they’re also increasingly designed with abundant, cost-effective, and eco-friendly materials.

It’s 2028, and you’ve been driving your electric vehicle (EV) for a year. The transition has been smoother than expected—your battery has never died mid-trip, and convenient charging stations are readily available, thanks to the now-robust U.S. charging network.

At the dawn of the 20th century, electric vehicles were more popular than gasoline-powered cars. However, by the 1930s, higher costs, slower speeds, shorter ranges, and the inconvenience of charging pushed EVs out of the market. At the time, environmental concerns weren’t top of mind for car buyers, but today we know that gasoline emissions contribute significantly to air pollution and climate change, accounting for roughly 16% of the U.S.’s greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning away from gasoline is now critical for a sustainable future.

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have achieved a significant milestone by demonstrating the first 270-kW wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging technology. This development follows their earlier record-setting achievement of a 100-kW wireless charger demonstrated in March.

In partnership with the Volkswagen Group, the team showcased the wireless power transfer of 270 kW on a Porsche Taycan EV. This compact high-power system addresses the challenges faced by light-duty passenger vehicles, such as space, weight, and volume constraints, which complicate the accommodation of large and heavy conventional wireless power transfer systems.

China’s Farasis Energy has unveiled a groundbreaking electric vehicle (EV) battery, boasting exceptional range, climate temperature tolerances, and charge cycle lifespan. This innovative battery can operate normally between -22°F (-30°C) and 149°F (65°C), and it maintains 70% state-of-health (SOH) even after thousands of charge cycles.

The new battery was showcased at the ASEAN Automotive Supply Chain Conference held in Thailand on June 18 and 19. The conference focuses on regional integration within the automotive industry, highlighting trends, innovations, and challenges while bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders. It aims to facilitate discussions on supply chain optimization, technological advancements, and collaborative strategies to enhance competitiveness and sustainability in the ASEAN automotive sector.

An MIT spinout company, 24M, has developed a groundbreaking electric vehicle (EV) battery capable of delivering an impressive 1,000-mile range on a single charge. This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce range anxiety, a major concern among potential EV buyers.

Range anxiety, the fear of running out of battery power before reaching a charging station, has been a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of EVs. While many EVs on the market today offer a range of 300 to 400 miles, 24M’s new battery could extend that range to 1,000 miles, potentially making EVs more appealing to a broader audience.

Pedal-electric, semi-enclosed bicycle/car hybrids are rapidly gaining popularity, and one of the newest contenders is the Hopper. This innovative vehicle, developed by Hamburg-based startup Hopper Mobility, has already garnered significant attention on the streets of Germany. Initially announced as a concept in 2020, the Hopper offers a blend of convenience and eco-friendliness, designed to navigate both bike lanes and roads.

The Hopper, reminiscent of the Veemo, is a three-wheeled vehicle featuring an open-sided body that provides substantial weather protection. It places the rider in a comfortable, car-like driving position. Legally classified as an e-bike, the Hopper benefits from being able to bypass traffic by using bike lanes and paths while also being road-legal.

Chinese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle manufacturer EHang successfully conducted its first passenger demonstration flight in Abu Dhabi. The EH216-S pilotless vehicle launched from the Emirates Falcons Aviation Club with Mohamed Al Dhaheri, a board member of Multi Level Group (MLG) and EHang strategic partner, as the sole passenger.

This milestone passenger flight followed earlier demonstrations of the electric aerial vehicle (EAV) without passengers at the DriftX mobility expo in Abu Dhabi. Huazhi Hu, founder, CEO, and chairman of EHang, emphasized the significance of this event: “After securing approval for passenger-carrying demo flights and conducting the debut flight, we will actively foster collaboration and communication between the GCAA and the Civil Aviation Administration of China to expedite the progress towards commercial flights of our pilotless aircraft in the UAE. This will become a milestone in the advancement of Abu Dhabi and the global air mobility sector.”

With electric vehicle (EV) drivers often grappling with range anxiety, the promise of a 1,300-mile range on a single charge seems like a dream come true. While such mileage has remained elusive in mainstream EVs, a breakthrough from Beijing-based Tailan New Energy suggests that this could soon become a reality.

According to a press release from Tailan, the key to this unprecedented range lies in their automotive-grade, all solid-state power pack. This innovation claims to more than double the energy density of existing batteries on the market, setting a new benchmark for EV performance.

In the realm of eccentric vehicles, few can rival the spectacle of the Screw Bike—a mesmerizing electric creation that defies convention with its four custom-built omnidirectional wheels, poised sideways for seamless self-balancing akin to a Segway, and capable of maneuvering in any direction. It’s a marvel of ingenuity that pushes the boundaries of traditional transportation.

Leading this audacious venture is British YouTuber James Bruton, renowned for his expertise in self-balancing technology and omnidirectional wheels. His repertoire includes crafting a self-balancing bicycle with a sideways-mounted omni-wheel and numerous self-stabilizing robot projects. Yet, the Screw Bike represents a bold new frontier in his exploration.