The motors have been developed in different sizes and suit a slew of applications.
The largest 21-inch motor weighs just 40 kg (88 lbs) yet packs a serious punch.
Other motors suit electric scooters, motorcycles, drones, and aircraft.
Most electric vehicles on the market have electric motors located between the wheels but a company named Donut Labs has just unveiled an in-wheel motor that could shake up future EVs. This intriguing motor, now in its second generation, can be used by any type of vehicle and can be produced in a variety of different sizes. Donut Labs also says its solution can significantly speed up the development cycle of electric vehicles.
The flagship motor presented at CES fits into a 21-inch loop and packs some serious punch, churning out up to 845 hp and 3,171 lb-ft (4,300 Nm). That’s not a typical torque figure, however, and is likely calculated at the wheels rather than at the crankshaft like an ICE. Nevertheless, the motor still packs a serious punch, which is made all the more impressive because it weighs just 40 kg (88 lbs).
Vehicles using these in-wheel motors would need one at each corner, and Donut could eliminate the need for traditional half-shafts, CV joints, and other components typically used by cars. While this all sounds rather wonderful, it’s worth noting that in-wheel motors add a significant amount of unsprung mass to a vehicle, and it’s no different here.
Four other in-wheel motors have also been presented by Donut Labs, each in different sizes. One is catered towards semi-trucks and delivers 268 hp and 2,212 lb-ft, another is a 12-inch unit for electric scooters with 20 hp, there’s a tiny 4.7-inch motor for drones with 4 hp, and a 17-inch motor designed for motorcycles and producing 201 hp.
Donut Labs believes the global electric transportation market could grow from $550 billion to $4.4 trillion by 2032, and its motors are already used by several vehicles. For example, its parent company – Verge Motorcycles – produces an electric motorcycle, and a Latvian company dubbed Oruga also manufactures EVs designed for off-roading with its motors. Australian firm Hyper Q Aerospace also uses these trick motors in its electric aircraft.
When combined with Donut’s in-house platform, the innovative new motors can apparently “reduce the resource requirements for vehicle development by up to 95% compared to the current level.”
This leasing deal is available throughout the US and valid until March 3.
New financing deals could help buyers save over $12,000 on a higher-spec ID.4.
It’s becoming harder and harder to resist leasing a new EV in the US, thanks to a growing number of competitive deals offered by automakers. The latest deal comes from VW and it’s for the outgoing 2024 ID.4. While this isn’t the current model year, the ID.4 has plenty going for it and can be quite the bargain.
Buyers can lease the ID.4 for just $149 per month for 24 months, with $999 due at signing. Factor in that $999, and leasing an ID.4 for the equivalent of just $190 per month is possible. It’s generally not advisable to put cash down on a lease because GAP insurance will only cover the remaining balance and not the downpayment if the car is totaled or stolen. Admittedly, the $999 downpayment for the ID.4 is relatively small, particularly compared to a recent leasing deal for the Nissan Ariya that had an exorbitant $3,329 downpayment.
The cheapest ID.4 to lease is the base Standard trim, carrying an MSRP of $39,735 and capped at 10,000 miles per year. To put this leasing deal into perspective, the entry-level Tesla Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive can be leased for $199 per month for 36 months with a $2,999 downpayment, equating to $282 per month.
Other compelling deals are on offer, Cars Direct notes. For example, the ID.4 Pro is being offered with $13,350 in lease cash and the lease rate has been cut from 4.4% to 0%. The good news doesn’t stop there for shoppers.
All 2024 ID.4 models have 0% APR for 72 months. Previously, the APR had only been 0% for the Standard and S RWD models. Thanks to this cut from the old 6.9% APR / 72-month financing deal on the ID.4 S Plus to this new 0% APR could represent a saving of up to $12,300.
VW has also announced it’s offering a $10,500 customer bonus for those who lease or purchase a new and unused 2024 ID.4. All current deals are valid until March 3, 2025. If you’d like to get behind the wheel of the electric SUV without breaking the bank, head to the VW website and type your postcode into the ‘Your Local Offers’ section to see which deals you may be eligible for.
Approximately 500 Chinese workers have been brought to Brazil to build a local factory.
Some of these workers were found to have been living in “slavery-like conditions”.
BYD’s ongoing troubles in Brazil show no signs of abating after a labor inspector revealed the carmaker brought in hundreds of Chinese workers to build a factory using irregular visas. This news comes shortly after an investigation led by labor authorities indicated workers were living in “slavery-like conditions,” promoting fierce rebukes from BYD and Jinjiang, the contractor at the center of the stir.
According to Liane Durao, a labor inspector for Brazil’s Ministry of Labor, the 163 workers hired by Jinjiang for the local BYD factory and rescued from living in indecent conditions, are leaving or have already left Brazil. She added that BYD would be fined for each employee found to have worked in the “irregular” arrangement, but didn’t say what the fines would amount to.
Speaking with Reuters, Durao said that BYD has agreed to change the conditions of its employees working on building the factory. Approximately 500 workers were brought from China to Brazil. According to a source close to BYD, the carmaker was under the impression that work visas had been issued properly and that all employees had come to work voluntarily.
Soon after the scandal broke, BYD said it severed ties with Jinjiang. Representatives of the carmaker recently met with local labor authorities and contractors to speak about how to protect the rights of workers at the plant.
Labor inspectors found that 163 staff were housed in tightly packed dorms, did not have mattresses, and had to share just one toilet between 31 workers. They also had limited access to cooking facilities, and pots of prepared food were left in the open without refrigeration.
When asked about the situation in Brazil, China‘s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the government requires Chinese-funded enterprises to operate in accordance with local laws and regulations.
BYD and Jinjiang denied the accusations and published a video that showed construction workers stating they “cherish” the work and wanted to stay at the site. No less than $620 million has been invested in the Brazilian factory. It will have the capacity to build 150,000 vehicles annually and is supposed to be up and running this year.
The new Staria Electric will likely use Hyundai’s latest 84 kWh battery pack.
Hyundai is expected to sell the EV in its home market as well as in Europe, Australia, and Thailand.
Production of the new model could kick off in mid-2026.
The Hyundai Staria family will soon welcome a new all-electric member. Hyundai already offers passenger and panel-van versions of the model, in ICE and a hybrid form, but now it’s the time to add an all-electric derivative into the mix.
This particular prototype was snapped at a parking lot in South Korea without an inch of camouflage, providing us with an unimpeded look at its design. Unsurprisingly, it looks mostly identical to existing models in the Staria range but does have a distinctive front end.
The Staria Electric does not need a front grille that stretches across almost its entire width. Instead, the EV gets a tiny grille in the middle of the bumper that’s no bigger than a license plate. Positioned next to this grille is the charging port while located towards the base of the bumper are two additional – and equally small – air vents. The main headlamps used by the Staria Hybrid appear identical to those found on the hybrid model, meaning they’re a little larger than the ICE models.
These photos from Clien also show the prototype’s two-tone paint scheme, with a silver lower half and a black upper half and top. The all-electric Hyundai ST1 and the related Iveco eMoovy LCVs, both based on the Staria, that were unveiled last year may provide us with some insight about the upcoming Staria Electric.
No technical details about the electric minivan have been confirmed at this stage, but it could feature a single electric motor putting out 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, just like the ST1 and eMoovy. Moreover, the LCVs’ 800V architecture supports ultra-fast charging and V2L functions. Chances are it will also be equipped with Hyundai’s fourth-generation battery pack. This is an 84 kWh unit that debuted in the Ioniq 5 N and has subsequently been added to the facelifted Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
Although we have no images of the interior, we expect it to be largely carried over from the rest of the lineup. If it takes after the 2024 Staria Hybrid, available features should include a digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment display, likely with version-specific graphics, automatic climate control, heated and ventilated seats, and an array of ADAS systems.
Hyundai is believed to be designing the Staria Electric with European markets in mind, but will also sell it in countries including Australia and Thailand. Production will reportedly start in mid-2026, with customer deliveries commencing later that year.
The flagship version of the new crossover is expected to pack 510 hp like the Model 3 Performance.
Tesla has fitted the prototype with basic aero covers, likely hiding upgraded brakes underneath.
The refreshed Model Y’s launch will likely start with standard trims before the Performance variant.
Tesla is deep into developing the thoroughly updated Model Y, and this new version of the world’s best-selling EV is shaping to be a significant upgrade over the current model. Several prototypes have been spotted in recent months, and earlier this week, a bright red model was filmed up close in Palo Alto, California. This prototype is particularly interesting because it could be the new Performance variant.
Several spy videos shared to X show the new Model Y under wraps with a Tesla engineer behind the wheel. As with other recent sightings, the car has no camouflage across the sides and instead, only some black covering up the front and rear fascias. Much like the refreshed Model 3, the new Model Y will be differentiated from the model it replaces with these new fascias rather than different door skins.
Although the front of the car is hidden by black cladding, some small but intriguing details are visible. For example, the front bumper looks different than any of the regular prototypes we’ve seen testing in the past. It appears to have sharper air vents on the sides, similar in shape to those found on the new Model 3 Performance. The rear fascia may also be hiding a small enlarged lip spoiler, adding to the SUV’s edgier look.
Tesla has also equipped this Model Y tester with some rudimentary aero covers. It’s hard to say exactly why it’s done this, as other prototypes have had their wheels exposed, and in all likelihood, the wheel options for the new Model Y will be identical to the Model 3. Indeed, these rims look like the same 19-inch ‘Nova’ wheels offered on the sedan, prompting Drive Tesla Canada to suggest the marque may be hiding them to shield the enlarged brakes and calipers of the Model Y Performance.
Although it’s unclear whether this prototype is the new Performance version of the the Model Y Juniper, one thing is certain: Tesla will introduce a new flagship variant of the SUV. The rollout strategy for the updated Model Y will likely mirror that of the revamped Model 3, where the standard version debuted first, followed by the Performance model a few months later. While nothing has been officially confirmed, this staggered timeline seems logical, giving Tesla time to perfect the Performance specs.
In terms of grunt, the new EV should rock the same powertrain as its lower sibling, meaning it should also deliver 510 hp and 546 lb-ft (740 Nm).
As promised, here is the mobile video of the ultra red Model Y Juniper that I saw yesterday.
The video is not the best because my window has washer fluid on it and I closed it while trying to open it all the way. The video was shot in 4k 60fps but X max upload size is 1080p. But… pic.twitter.com/eoGd4E6PT5
The robot mower has a 21.4 kWh battery pack and can operate for up to 10 hours.
John Deere has also presented an autonomous articulated dump truck at CES.
The company’s self-driving vehicles include a suite of sensors and a Nvidia GPU.
The automotive industry is in the midst of a revolution, with electric powertrains and autonomous driving systems now more commonplace than ever. While automakers battle to perfect self-driving cars and electric SUVs, industries like agriculture and landscaping are quietly deploying their own fleet of cutting-edge tech. At CES 2025, John Deere rolled out a range of autonomous and electric machines that might not just lighten workloads but could redefine how certain jobs get done.
Meet John Deere’s Robot Mower: The Quiet Giant
One of the most intriguing new products unveiled by John Deere is an electric robot lawnmower. Looking a little bit like a robot designed for a battlefield in a Hollywood movie, the lawnmower is powered by a 21.4 kWh battery. This should give it enough charge to be able to operate for up to 10 hours, making it perfect for large commercial-grade lawns.
The robot uses four pairs of stereo cameras to give it a 360-degree view of the world. Beyond the lawnmower being able to operate autonomously, the electric powertrain has its own advantages over traditional gas-powered mowers. For example, because it’s much quieter, workers could start jobs earlier in the morning.
While it seems unlikely that driverless cars will replace human-operated ones in the foreseeable future as full autonomy is still making baby steps that are often troubling, mowers like this could become commonplace much sooner. John Deere cites a recent study revealing that 84% of landscape business owners struggle to find and retain qualified labor.
Robots to the Rescue, Says John Deere
“Our agriculture, construction, and commercial landscaping customers all have work that must get done at certain times of the day and year, yet there is not enough available and skilled labor to do the work,” said John Deere Chief Technology Officer Jahmy Hindman.
“Autonomy can help address this challenge. That’s why we’re extending our technology stack to enable more machines to operate safely and autonomously in unique and complex environments. This will not only benefit our customers, but all of us who rely on them to provide the food, fuel, fiber, infrastructure, and landscaping care that we depend on every day” Hindman added.
Beyond the Lawn: Deere’s High-Tech Fleet
Three other self-driving vehicles have been presented by John Deere in Las Vegas. The first is the second generation of its autonomous tractor, complete with 16 cameras and a Nvidia GPU. John Deere is also looking to bring its autonomous vehicles to construction sites, unveiling an articulated dump truck that can carry over 92,000 lbs of materials. Vehicles like these are becoming more common in quarries and mine sites around the world, promising to improve productivity.
The second high-tech tractor presented by John Deere is specifically designed with orchards in mind. It’s diesel-powered and pulls sprayers through nut orchards. These typically need to be sprayed six to eight times per year, and John Deere added a LiDAR to ensure the truck doesn’t get lost or confused in densely packed orchards where GPS signals may be blocked.
Maybe you can’t stop progress, and things right now point to fully autonomous vehicles becoming, at some point, the new norm. While companies like John Deere claim that they will help business owners who need more skilled labor, we can’t help but wonder if they’ll eventually also cost all workers their jobs…
Donald Trump is expected to abandon the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
Elon Musk has previously throws his support behind the removal of EV subsidies.
Tesla might need the subsidies more than Musk realizes after sales fell in 2024.
Elon Musk spent more than $270 million to help get Donald Trump into office, likely believing that a Trump-run administration would help his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX. Musk’s personal wealth has soared by over $200 billion since the election, thanks primarily to the surging price of Tesla shares. However, according to one analyst, Tesla profits could fall by as much as 40% this year when Trump steps into the White House.
Ryan Brinkman from JPMorgan believes if the incoming President eliminates the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which he is widely expected to do, it “poses a significant earnings risk for Tesla”. The EV maker had a strong Q4 but overall 2024 global sales weren’t as strong as expected, with 1,789,226 vehicles delivered, slightly fewer than in 2023. This marked the first time in over a decade that Tesla didn’t increase its annual sales.
According to Brinkman, “the slowing of deliveries even ahead of a likely subsidy removal we think has the potential to refocus investors on the deterioration in deliveries, revenue, gross profit, EBIT, EPS, and FCF estimates across all periods.” He added that Tesla could have the most to lose from the shifting regulatory backdrop and may see its profits fall by roughly $3.2 billion, or 40%.
The analyst added that during the Trump administration, shares of BEVs sales could fall in “nearly every geography,” and suggested that Tesla “does not appear to us on track to dominate the global auto industry amidst the electrification transition, which we view as only the starting point for present valuation,” as quoted by Business Insider. JPMorgan also estimates that in 2024, Tesla’s global share of BEV sales fell from ~15.5% to ~13.7%.
Curiously, Elon Musk has publicly supported the abolishment of the EV tax credit. He believes scrapping the credit will hurt rival brands, including GM, Ford, and Hyundai, which rely heavily on the subsidies to make their EVs more affordable. As Tesla has the first-mover advantage in the EV space and is the current market leader, it can develop and sell its EVs at a lower cost than most of its rivals and – in theory – could grow its share. We shall wait and see if he’s proven right, or whether JP Morgan analyst’s predictions of gloom come to pass.
2/ JPM note from this morning. This analyst has a Sell rating on $TSLA so it presents a more negative view than others with Buy or Hold ratings.
Tesla Inc 4Q Deliveries In Line w/ JPM But Below Street, Representing More Risk to 2024 Consensus EPS Which Has Already Fallen -36%;…
Mike Johns ordered a Waymo robotaxi in Los Angeles to take him to the airport.
Instead, it started doing circles, forcing Johns to contact customer support for help.
Waymo claims he wasn’t charged and that software updates will prevent similar glitches.
Waymo continues to lead the way in the development and introduction of robotaxis, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfected the technology. Not only did its autonomous cars spark an NHTSA investigation over crashes, but in August last year, dozens developed a weird habit of gathering together at a parking lot in San Francisco and honking their horns in the middle of the night. Last month, one of them took a passenger on a rather dizzying ride in Los Angeles.
In December, Mike Johns ordered a Waymo to ferry him to the airport, where he had to catch a flight. It picked him up, but then proceeded to drive around in circles in the parking lot rather than actually taking him where he needed to be.
Worried that he was going to miss his flight, Johns got in contact with Waymo’s customer support who quizzed him on what was going on. “It’s circling around a parking lot,” he told the operator. “I’ve got my seatbelt on, I can’t get out of the car. Has this been hacked? What’s going on? Why is this thing going in a circle? I’m getting dizzy.”
At one stage, the Waymo operator can be heard asking Johns if he had the Waymo app on his phone and instructing him to tap the My Trips button on the lower-left corner, presumably in an attempt to pause the ride. Johns replies that Waymo itself should be able to take over the car and shouldn’t need to use his phone.
After five long minutes of circling the same traffic island, Waymo’s team managed to regain control of the Jaguar I-Pace. The errant robotaxi finally snapped out of its loop and got Johns to the airport, though not without leaving him shaken and frustrated.
Speaking to CBS News, Waymo stated that it had identified the issue as a software glitch and assured everyone that it’s been addressed to prevent future looping incidents. To its credit, the company didn’t charge Johns for the ride.
“Where’s the empathy? Where’s the human connection to this?” John said after the weird experience. “It’s just, again, a case of today’s digital world. A half-baked product and nobody meeting the customer, the consumers, in the middle.”
The Pentagon’s updated list includes 134 companies that have some business operations within the US.
CATL is licensing its battery technology to Ford for its planned $3.5 billion battery plant.
News of CATL being added to the list slashed its market value by roughly $4.4 billion.
CATL, the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of EV batteries, is one of several companies that the Pentagon will blacklist in June 2026 for alleged ties to the Chinese military. Tencent – China’s largest tech firm – has also been added to the list, meaning it will be unable to work with the U.S. Department of Defense and local U.S. businesses with military contracts.
The updated list now includes 134 companies, all of which have some business operations within the United States. CATL denies being a Chinese military company and said it’s planning to dispute its inclusion in the list. It may also pursue legal action after the move contributed to a 2.8% drop in its share price, cutting its market value by $4.4 billion.
Speaking with The New York Times, a CATL spokesman said the company has “never engaged in any military-related business or activities” and that being added to the Defense Department’s ‘1260H list’ “does not restrict CATL from conducting business with entities other than the Department of Defense and is expected to have no substantially adverse impact on our business.”
Many of the world’s most popular EVs use batteries sourced from CATL, and even some Teslas sold in several markets have CATL batteries. The business is also licensing its battery technology to Ford, which will use the tech to build battery packs at a $3.5 billion factory in Michigan.
According to senior China fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Craig Singleton, CATL’s control of data collected by EV charging stations and battery management systems may allow for Chinese government spying. He told The Washington Post that Chinese law requires CATL to provide government access to all of its proprietary and customer data.
The updated list was published shortly after China’s Commerce Ministry added 10 US firms to its “unreliable entities list.” In 2021, Xiaomi was added to the 1260H list but successfully sued the Pentagon and was removed, arguing it had no ties to the Chinese military.
The inclusion of Tencent on the list is also notable. It owns WeChat and is valued at more than $480 billion. After news broke of it being in the crosshairs of the Defense Department, its shares fell by approximately 7.3%, slashing $35.4 billion from its market value.
Hyundai’s new CEO views Musk and Trump’s friendship as a positive force for EV growth.
Munoz highlights US investments as strategic decisions, not reliant on Biden’s incentives.
The company’s new $5.5 billion Georgia factory will produce electric and hybrid vehicles.
The new president and chief executive of Hyundai isn’t concerned about Elon Musk’s close relationship with Donald Trump. Jose Munoz, who took the top job at the carmaker on January 1, added Hyundai has invested heavily in the US as it views it as its “most important market,” and not because of incentives provided under the Biden administration.
Elon Musk spent more than $260 million helping get Trump back into office and will co-lead a non-government agency aiming to cut wasteful government spending. While the billionaire business tycoon could get in the ear of Trump and try to urge the government to help Tesla and hinder its competitors, Munoz actually views the friendship between Musk and Trump as a positive.
“I don’t see that as a concern, honestly,” Munoz said in a recent interview with Bloomberg. “If anything, having someone who is close to the US industry and to the EV world, I think it should be positive for the industry. I think it’s in his own interest and probably in the interest of the country to trigger investments and growth and also to ensure that we maintain competitiveness in our country.”
Trump is expected to abolish the federal EV tax credit and Musk has previously supported scrapping the subsidy, too, believing it will help Tesla in the long run and hurt its rivals. Despite this, Munoz notes Hyundai made the decision to make significant EV investments in the US during the first Trump administration and not because of the favorable policies introduced by Joe Biden.
Local investments
“We haven’t invested in the US because of IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) or because of incentives in general,” he said. “It’s not a good policy to just simply make an investment because of the incentives, because they can come and go. We believe the US market is the most important for us today and it’s going to continue to be the most important in terms of not only the absolute but also the growth and therefore, investing and localizing is a good strategy. I think we are in a better place today than we were four or five years ago.”
Hyundai recently opened a $5.5 billion EV factory in Georgia. This site has already started to build the all-electric Ioniq 5 and it will ultimately house a further five EVs from the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands. The site will also produce several hybrid models, and has a total capacity of 300,000 units annually but has the flexibility to expand to up to 500,000 units.
European firms could face fines of up to €15 billion ($15.5 billion) if they don’t meet the new, stricter targets.
Stellantis, Ford, Mazda, Subaru, Leapmotor and Toyota will pool emissions with Tesla to comply with EU’s regulations.
The sale of carbon credits accounted for roughly 3% of Tesla’s $72 billion in revenue during Q1-Q3 2024.
A group of the world’s largest car manufacturers want to pool their European Union emissions with Tesla this year to avoid massive fines. This year, overall fleet emissions in the bloc will need to fall from 106.6 grams of CO2 per kilometer traveled down to 93.6 grams, and individual car manufacturers have specific targets they must hit.
According to documents released by the EU Commission, Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Stellantis, Subaru and Leapmotor intend to create a ‘Superpool’ with Tesla. These brands account for a combined 33% of the total vehicle market and a 30% share of the total EV market in Europe.
Tesla’s Carbon Credits Will Help, But It’s Not a Silver Bullet
“Considering 2024 sales, the Tesla pool significantly narrows the emissions gap for automakers within the group, bringing them to within just 4g of the target,” Automotive Research Lead at Rho Motion, Will Roberts, said.
However, Roberts cautioned that the math isn’t entirely in their favor. “Despite the weight of the world’s largest BEV manufacturer, this does not guarantee fines are avoided by this pool. Tesla has sold fewer vehicles in 2024 than 2023, and a continuation of that trend would not be helpful. Furthermore, Toyota, Subaru and Mazda have all been slower to get BEVs on the road and with Toyota alone selling three times more vehicles than Tesla, the offset effect only goes so far.”
These aren’t the only car companies to have created a pool. Mercedes-Benz’s group emissions were 17.3g above its target in 2024, and it was facing €1 billion in fines. For 2025, Mercedes and Smart will pool with Volvo and Polestar. The four firms have an 8% share of the market and a 20% share of the EV market.
Other Major Automakers Are Holding Out
Several of the world’s largest automakers have yet to announce pooling for 2025, despite every one of them currently being above the required targets for this year. These include Honda, VW, Kia, BMW, SAIC, Hyundai, Suzuki, and Renault Nissan Mitsubishi.
Pooling essentially works like this: automakers purchase emissions credits from other brands to lower their fleet averages. Tesla, as the industry’s reigning king of emissions credits, is cashing in big time. According to Reuters, nearly 3% of Tesla’s $72 billion in revenue from the first nine months of 2024 came from selling carbon credits.
And that’s just the beginning. UBS analysts led by Patrick Hummel estimate that Tesla’s compensation could exceed €1 billion in Europe alone this year if it monetizes its entire emissions credit surplus, as reported by Bloomberg.
The former chair of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association and current Renault chief executive Luca De Meo has previously said that European car brands are starring down up to €15 billion in fines if they don’t meet 2025 targets.
The small firm has previously said it’s received 50,000 pre-orders for the car.
Solar panels across the body can add 40 miles of range per day.
Many important specifications about the car remain unconfirmed.
Aptera has unveiled the production-intent version of its long-awaited three-wheel EV on the eve of CES in Las Vegas. It’s been four long years since the car was first unveiled as a concept, and more than two years since production was initially penciled in to start. Since that time, development of the car has continued in earnest, and according to the brand, it’s now “poised to redefine the future of mobility.”
The design of the production model is largely identical to the original concept, meaning it continues to look more like a spaceship than a conventional EV. Pininfarina played an important role in perfecting the aerodynamics of the car at its wind tunnel in Turin, Italy. Aperta says the car has one of the lowest drag coefficients of any production passenger vehicle, but hasn’t publicized a number just yet.
It’s not just the design of the EV that’s intriguing. As much of the bodywork is covered in solar panels, the brand claims most drivers will be able to enjoy daily use without ever needing to plug in to charge. If parked outside, the car can generate enough electricity for 40 miles (64 km) of driving per day. When fully charged, it can travel up to 400 miles (644 km).
A 42 kWh battery pack has been squeezed beneath the car’s slippery surfaces. Soon after the small brand graced the world stage, it said that 25 kWh, 40 kWh, 60 kWh, and 100 kWh battery packs would be available, but this no longer seems to be the case. Many technical details about the car also remain under wraps, including how much power it has and what sort of performance times it’ll be able to deliver.
Speaking about the launch of the production-intent model in Las Vegas, the senior vice president of Business Unit Mobility at Pininfarina, Giuseppe Bonollo, said: “Aptera has truly pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in vehicle design and efficiency. We have always made aerodynamics an essential component in design at Pininfarina. We are therefore thrilled to have supported the aerodynamic validation of the Aptera vehicle with truly unique results.”
As of the brand’s most recent update in November 2024, it said it had 50,000 pre-orders for the car. Pricing and availability details have not been finalized, but the company’s website says prices will range from $25,900 to roughly $46,000.
The fire occurred in the early hours of December 31 at a Tesla dealership in Georgia.
No injuries were reported after the Tesla Cybertruck caught fire and sustained damage.
This marks the second Cybertruck destroyed in a week following an unrelated incident.
Just a few hours before a Tesla Cybertruck carrying explosive devices was detonated in Las Vegas, another one was badly damaged elsewhere in the US. The difference is that this Cybertruck caught fire while it was sitting at a Tesla dealership lot in Decatur, Georgia.
Limited details are known about this incident, and it hasn’t received all that much coverage, as it was overshadowed by the aforementioned more high-profile and shocking blast that ripped through a Cybertruck outside a Trump hotel. Nevertheless, footage shows the rear of this example in Georgia has been extensively damaged in the inferno, and it’s unlikely the truck will be repaired.
Local fire crews were called to the fire at around 3 a.m. on December 31. While they were able to extinguish the flames, they couldn’t do so before much of the bed was charred. Given that the Cybertruck has high-strength stainless steel panels, the sides of the bed have been charred but not totally destroyed. The same cannot be said about the plastic fender flares and the rubber tires, as they’ve simply melted.
The firefighters believe the blaze could have started in the EV’s batteries, but they are still investigating the incident, and chances are Tesla, too, will do its part to get to the bottom of the fire.
As with most other EVs on the market, the Cybetruck’s battery pack is located in the floor and sits between the front and rear axles. There’s no word on whether the truck was charging at the time of the blaze, and it’s not clear why the damage appears to be limited to the bed.
The German brand has a 4.99% stake in Xpeng since mid-2023.
Two new EVs using a co-developed architecture will launch in 2026.
It’s not yet clear when the first of these new stations will be built.
Xpeng and Volkswagen are deepening their ties in China with the construction of a large super-fast charging network across the nation. The network will include more than 20,000 chargers across 420 cities and, in the future, could grow to include co-branded charging stations.
The two automakers have signed a memorandum of understanding for the partnership but have not said when these new stations will roll out. The chargers will be “high-powered liquid-cooled super-fast” units and will be accessible to owners of both Xpeng and VW’s Chinese models.
In a statement, executive vice president of Volkswagen Group China, Olaf Korzinovski said, “Through our strategic collaboration with XPENG, we will form one of the largest Super Fast Charging Networks in China enabling people to seamlessly integrate e-mobility into their daily lives not only in the metropolises but also in remote cities.”
VW and Xpeng are working closely to expand their presence in China. In mid-2023, the German brand purchased a 4.99% stake in Xpeng for $700 million. They announced work on a new electrical and electronic (E&E) architecture that will underpin all future EVs produced by VW in China. The companies will establish two project houses that will allow VW and Xpeng engineers to work together on the new systems.
The first production models to be launched through the partnership will be a pair of mid-range vehicles from VW, which should launch in 2026, and the first to be an SUV. A key advantage of the new architecture is that it reduces the number of ECUs required by 30%. It will also allow for the faster implementation of advanced automated driving functions and have support for over-the-air updates.
VW is also developing a new China Main Platform (CMP) alongside its joint venture partnerships with SAIC and FAW. This architecture will be used by more affordable models, including at least four VW vehicles.
The electric sedan is targeted squarely against the Tesla Model S and Lucid Air.
Shoppers can place a $200 refundable deposit to secure their spot in line.
The finished version is tipped to deliver 483 hp and has 300 miles (483 km) of range.
Honda and Sony are looking to convince prospective EV buyers that they should opt for a sleek and innovative sedan known simply as ‘1’. The new model has been in the works for several years, and at CES, the Afeela brand has opened its reservation book for California customers.
The two companies say the Afeela 1 “pursues an interactive relationship between people and vehicles” and will reach the hands of customers in mid-2026. It’s not cheap. Afeela will sell the EV in two guises, with prices kicking off from $89,900, including a 3-year complimentary subscription to select features, including Afeela Intelligent Drive, Afeela Personal Agent, and entertainment content. The base model is known as the Origin while the flagship is dubbed the Signature.
Like some other new players in the EV market, Afeela will begin deliveries of the flagship model before the arrival of the 1 Origin. The Signature starts at $102,900 and features things like 21-inch wheels, a rear entertainment system, and a central camera monitoring system. Afeela also seems to have taken a leaf out of Tesla’s playbook and will only sell the electric sedan in three color options: Tidal Gray, Calm White, and Core Black.
With prices starting at $89,900 and topping out at $102,900, the Afeela 1 is priced head-to-head against the Lucid Air and the Tesla Model S. Interested buyers will need to cough up a $200 refundable deposit to get in line to buy one when sales begin later this year. Afeela hasn’t announced when the car will be available outside of California.
Afeela presented a moderately updated version of last year’s prototype at CES. It promises the production model will be good for 300 miles (483 km) of range and that the EV will support the Tesla Supercharging network at launch. Presumably, the production model will have the same 91 kWh lithium-ion battery pack as the prototype, driving a pair of electric motors that deliver 483 hp.
One of the most important features is Afeela Intelligent Drive. This is the brand’s proprietary ADAS and uses cameras, radars, ultrasonic sensors, and LiDAR to provide advanced driver-assistance functions. However, it’s not yet clear what level of autonomy it offers.
EVs lost market share in Germany last year, now making up just 13.5% of all new car sales.
While EV sales dropped, hybrid sales grew by 12.7%, and PHEVs saw a 9.2% increase.
In December 2023, the German government scraped incentives of up to €4,500 for EV buyers.
While major markets, including the United States and China, reported growth in electric vehicle sales throughout 2024, the same thing can not be said about Germany. In fact, sales of EVs plunged in the country last year, falling by 27.4%, as important subsidies were cut and the German economy struggled. According to one analyst, 2024 represented a “lost year for electro-mobility” in the country.
Germany is Europe’s largest and most important car market, but the figures don’t make for easy reading. In total, only 380,609 new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold in the country last year, a sharp fall from 2023’s numbers and a slump that dragged EV market share down to just 13.5%. For a country often regarded as a bellwether for automotive trends in Europe, it’s a bleak showing.
The Rise of Hybrids Amid EV Slump
As EVs struggled, traditional hybrids enjoyed a much rosier year in Germany. Hybrid sales jumped 12.7%, with 947,398 examples. That represents a 33.6% share of all new cars sold. Sales of plug-in hybrids also grew during the calendar year, rising by 9.2% to 191,905 units. Despite this jump, they still have a relatively small 6.8% share of the market.
Petrol-powered cars remain the most common powertrain type in Germany, accounting for 35.2% of all sales. Last year, 991,948 were sold, representing a 1.4% gain. Diesel car sales slowed by 0.7%, with 483,261 units – enough for a 17.2% share.
The main reason for the slump in EV sales across the country was the government’s controversial decision to drop subsidies in late December 2023. Local buyers had previously been offered up to €4,500 (~$4,700) when purchasing an EV, while manufacturers would receive €2,250 (~$2,300). Local transport minister Volker Wissing wanted to see the EV market stand on its own two feet without government assistance, but things haven’t panned out that way – at least not in 2024.
Not all hope is lost for Germans hoping to get some assistance in acquiring an EV, though. The nation will elect a new leader on February 23, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz has suggested a new support program on the European level could be introduced. Several politicians have joined the chorus, arguing that the auto industry needs more help, especially as the EU pushes forward with its plans to ban the sale of new combustion-engine cars in the coming years.
Winners and Losers in the Brand Race
Amid the turmoil, Germany’s auto market saw a mix of triumphs and tragedies among automakers. Unsurprisingly, Volkswagen held its dominant position, selling 536,888 cars (a 3.4% increase) and capturing a 19.1% market share. But not everyone shared in the good news. Tesla, for example, took a massive hit, with sales dropping 41% to just 37,574 units—proof that even the electric giant isn’t immune to subsidy cuts and economic uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Toyota saw an impressive 27% jump in sales, bolstered by its strong hybrid lineup, and Peugeot posted a massive 44% increase. On the flip side, luxury brands like Audi (-18.1%) and BMW (-0.1%) struggled to gain traction, while smaller players like Polestar (-49.4%) and BYD (-30.2%) got caught in the EV sales freefall.
Even smaller players in the market experienced widely contrasting outcomes. Lexus saw a remarkable 75.3% jump in sales, while Aston Martin (-46%) and Maserati (-48.3%) faced sharp declines. Surprisingly, some startups like Lucid delivered attention-grabbing results despite extremely modest volumes, with 392 units sold—a 296% surge—indicating that there’s still a niche audience willing to invest in ultra-premium electric vehicles, even amid a challenging market.
The Las Vegas police say the Cybertruck limited the surrounding damage in the valet area.
Musk suggested on X that Tesla might be able to get the truck running again.
However, he also thinks that some media gave off the wrong impression, and wouldn’t rule out suing them.
Tesla’s CEO Elon has hinted at a potential legal battle with media outlets over their coverage of a Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas last week. At the same time, the world’s richest man has also used the tragic incident as an opportunity to highlight the electric truck’s strength.
It was initially unclear what had caused the Tesla to explode shortly after it was parked just outside the lobby of the Trump hotel. In an article covering the blast, Business Insider’s headline caught the attention of conservative commentator Robby Starbuck, who suggested that Musk should contemplate suing outlets that framed the story in a disparaging way. The offending title? “Tesla Cybertruck explosion in front of Trump hotel in Las Vegas leaves 1 dead, 7 injured.”
While that statement is factual, Starbuck suggested that “these headlines are sabotaging Tesla’s brand by making people think it caught fire.” It seems Musk agrees with that assertion, as he replied “Maybe it is time to do so,” implying that suing the media could be the answer.
While most car manufacturers would probably think having one of their vehicles involved in an alleged targeted attack would be a PR nightmare, it didn’t take Musk long to start trying to spin the incident into a positive.
In a subsequent post on X, Musk said “The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken.” He later added, “I’m pretty sure we could get it running again too.”
The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards.
Musk’s sentiment was backed up by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sheriff Kevin McCahill, who said “The fact that this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage that occurred inside the valet because it had most of the blast go up through the truck and out.”
This isn’t the first time Musk has promoted the strength of Tesla’s electric pickup truck after a devastating accident. In November, a Cybertruck was destroyed in Guadalajara, Mexico, after crashing into a statue. While an 18-year-old woman was thrown from the EV and found lying on the pavement in critical condition, Musk jumped on X and re-posted images of the crash, saying the “Cybertruck is tougher than a bag of nails.”
The new GV60 will launch in Korea in Q1, Australia in Q3, but no timeline has been given for the US.
Genesis has yet to announce detailed specifications about the new model.
An enlarged 84 kWh battery pack like the latest Ioniq 5 and EV6 is likely.
The Genesis GV60 – the Hyundai Motor Group’s most premium cousin to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 – has been updated before its global launch this year. The mid-life update for the electric crossover is relatively minor but does bring some new features that shoppers should welcome.
No significant changes have been made to the overall shape and size of the GV60, and the alterations made to the front and rear fascias are hard to spot. Look a little closer, and you will notice that the front bumper is new and looks slightly sportier than the outgoing model. Genesis has also changed the front grille, positioning it slightly lower, re-shaping it, and making it smaller. The split headlights also feature the firm’s new Micro Lens Array technology.
The Korean brand has also crafted new 21-inch wheels for the GV60 and has now finished the fenders in the same color as the rest of the body, rather than black plastic as before. While this is only a smaller change, it makes the EV feel slightly more premium. The rear bumper also now matches the rest of the body, rather than being in a contrasting shade of silver.
Making the interior of the new GV60 stand out is the firm’s new 27-inch Integrated Cockpit display that includes the infotainment system and instrument cluster, just like the facelifted GV70. Genesis has rounded out the changes with a newly designed steering wheel.
Genesis has yet to announce market-specific details for the new GV60, nor has it confirmed powertrain or pricing details. The outgoing model had the 77.4 kWh battery pack as the original Ioniq 5 and EV6 models, but both of these have been refreshed and now come standard with an 84 kWh. In all likelihood, the GV60 will get this same enlarged battery.
In certain markets, the current car is available in Standard RWD guise with 225 hp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) or as a dual-motor model with 429 hp / 483 hp with Boost Mode enabled. Similar power figures can be expected for the new car.
Korean sales of the new GV60 will start later this quarter before it lands in other markets like Australia in Q3. Genesis hasn’t said when the updated EV will touch down in the US.
The battery features an innovative triple-layer structure designed to improve safety and durability.
Researchers say the battery retains 87.9% of its performance after 1,000 charging cycles.
Beyond EVs, this battery is suitable for smartphones, wearable devices, and large-scale energy storage.
Electric vehicle batteries have come a long way in recent years, but researchers around the world continue to explore and develop new ways to make them even better. Recently, a team from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in Korea created an innovative new lithium metal battery that has a “triple-layer solid polymer electrolyte.” It’s capable of extinguishing itself in a fire and retains strong performance even after many charging cycles.
A Smarter, Safer Battery Design
Let’s break it down. In traditional solid polymer electrolyte batteries, lithium can form small, tree-like structures called dendrites during charging and discharging. While the name might sound harmless, dendrites can damage the internal connections in a battery, significantly increasing the risk of fires and explosions. This long-standing challenge has made it difficult to maximize the potential of lithium metal batteries—until now.
In a peer-reviewed study recently published in the journal Small, the DGIST team detailed their innovative triple-layer electrolyte structure designed to enhance battery safety and performance. This clever design includes soft outer layers that ensure good contact with the electrodes, while a strong middle layer improves the battery’s structural integrity.
The electrolyte is further enhanced with a fire suppressant (decabromodiphenyl ethane), a high concentration of lithium salt, and zeolite, which bolsters its overall strength. While the specifics may sound highly technical, the result is a safer, more reliable battery.
The innovation doesn’t stop at fire safety. According to the team behind its development, including principal researcher Dr. Kim Jae-Hyun, the battery design boasts exceptional longevity, retaining approximately 87.9% of its performance after 1,000 charging and discharging cycles. That’s a significant improvement compared to most current batteries, which typically lose 20–30% of their capacity over the same number of cycles.
To put it in perspective, theoretically, an EV with a 300-mile range using this new battery would still retain 87.9% of its capacity, providing over 260 miles of range, even after 300,000 miles of driving.
Additionally, researchers report that the battery can extinguish itself in the event of a fire. This unique combination of durability and safety has the potential to make a substantial impact on the battery industry.
Principal researcher Dr. Kim Jae-Hyun explained the potential impact: “This research is anticipated to make a significant contribution to the commercialization of lithium metal batteries using [solid polymer] electrolytes, while providing enhanced stability and efficiency [to] energy storage devices,” Dr. Kim said. In simpler terms, this technology could lead to safer, longer-lasting batteries for a range of applications.
More Than Just EVs
While electric vehicles are an obvious use case for this technology, the applications extend much further. These advanced batteries could be used in everything from smartphones and wearable devices to large-scale energy storage systems. So, whether you’re scrolling TikTok, tracking your steps, or powering an entire grid, this battery tech might just make your life a little safer—and a lot more efficient.
Tesla’s Model Y proves its safety claims after two SUV-on-roof crashes leave occupants unharmed.
In Canada, a full-size GMC Yukon was rear-ended, sending it onto the electric crossover’s roof.
Another Model Y in California held strong as a Chevy perched on its roof during a multi-car pile-up.
While Tesla’s panoramic glass roof on the Model Y may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s hard to argue with its resilience. Crash tests, as well as real-world accidents, have repeatedly shown that the Model Y’s roof is incredibly strong. Elon Musk has even said it can support the weight of an elephant, and it looks like Tesla’s commitment to safety may have helped to avoid two potentially fatal accidents in North America over the past couple of weeks.
A Yukon Takes Flight Straight Onto a Model Y
The most recent incident happened in Ontario, Canada, where a gray Tesla Model Y became the unlikely victim of a chaotic multi-vehicle crash. According to the Burlington Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Tesla driver had pulled onto the left shoulder due to slowing traffic on the westbound QEW near Royal Windsor Drive. Moments later, a GMC Yukon rear-ended the Model Y after being struck by a pickup truck, somehow launching itself onto the Tesla’s roof.
From the photos, it seems as though the front of the Yukon struck the left corner of the Model Y’s rear, and due to the size discrepancy between the two (and perhaps because of the Model Y’s sloped roof), the Yukon slid over the glass panel and landed on top of the electric crossover. In a posting on social media, the Model Y’s driver, who was inside the vehicle with her husband and two children, reported that all four occupants walked away unharmed.
The damage done to the Model Y is pretty extensive and most of the driver side has been destroyed and, in all likelihood, won’t be repairable. Importantly, the roof remained strong and didn’t cave in, like a weaker metal roof may have.
Chevy Lands On Top Of Another Model Y
This isn’t the only recent case of an SUV unexpectedly turning a Tesla Model Y into a landing pad. Just before Christmas in Orange County, California, a black Chevy hit a white Model Y and also ended up precariously perched on the Tesla’s roof. In this instance, the EV’s roof also appears to have withstood the impact valiantly. A red Toyota GR Corolla and a silver Hyundai were also involved in the crash.
With both Teslas keeping their occupants safe in these crashes, we can’t help but wonder if the bulbous design of the SUV’s rear-end somehow served as a ramp, allowing the SUVs to slide onto them easily. What do you think? Would a similarly-sized SUV with a more upright rear-end suffer the same fate?
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