Hello, dear readers and riders! Welcome to our final EV news roundup for the month of October. This week, we’ll be taking a look at an e-Motorcycle with 1,000+ computer chips, off-roading EVs, the first megawatt-level battery energy storage system, and more. As always, send your tips, questions, or feedback to stephanie@thevintagent.com. Let’s roll.
An EV Off-Roader that Performs Like a Mini Jeep
Le Bagnole is a 1000lb ADV EV, and an alternative take on what one needs to spend money on for advantures. [Kilow]
Leave it up to the French to design something totally unique and practical. EV startup Kilow recently revealed its compact electric off-roader, La Bagnole. Part petite pickup and UTV, the tiny 1,000-lb EV can conquer rugged terrain thanks to its modest yet powerful 16kW powertrain. The lil’ La Bagnole can fit two passengers and 650L of cargo or gear.
A Moto-Robot you can ride
Do you need it, or does it need you? Maybe neither! DaVinci of the AI variety. [DaVinci]
The Davinci DC100 is a smart self-balancing e-Motorcycle equipped with more than 1,000 computer chips and 200 advanced sensors. This helps the bike keep track of the surrounding environment, road conditions, motor and battery temperature, and movement status. America’s First Megawatt-Level Storage System Earlier this week, Electrify America opened the first ever megawatt-level battery energy storage system for EV charging stations in California. The new system allows for increased independence from the grid by collecting energy during off-peak hours or from its solar canopy.
Zero Partners with BDR
Zeros exploring remote places? That’s looking more possible every year. [Zero]
Zero Motorcycles just announced its new partnership with Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) to make electric ATV riding more accessible. While all of the details of the new partnership haven’t been revealed, the BDR crew will display EV charging stations on its digital maps and use electric bikes to scout out two new BDR-X routes.
BMW Thinks It’s Hydrogen
BMW’s CEO is gambling on hydrogen as the next fuel, while still building EVs. Why? If it can be made cheaper, it’s much simpler and potentially less environmentally destructive. [BMW]
Luxury automaker BMW thinks that hydrogen is the next big thing. During a recent interview, Oliver Zipse, chairman of BMW AG, stated, “After the electric car, which has been going on for about 10 years and scaling up rapidly, the next trend will be hydrogen. When it’s more scalable, hydrogen will be the hippest thing to drive.” The company, which has been experimenting with the use of hydrogen for years, is currently developing fuel-cell systems for a production version of its hydrogen-powered iX5 SUV. According to Zipse, the car will be available in the US within the next five years.
Biden Doles Out $2.8B to Boost Electric Battery Production in US
Made in America? Maybe, but the USA is 15 years behind China in committing to battery production… [Reuters/ Kevin Lamarque]
Earlier this week, President Joe Biden announced $2.8B in grants to increase EV battery production in the US. Twenty companies received grants that ranged from $50M to $480M, including Mercedes and Tesla. The grants aim to expand America’s supply of EV battery components and reduce reliance on China. According to a recent article published in The Economic Times, American automakers need more time from legislators to meet the country’s mineral requirements for electric vehicles. The Inflation Reduction Act currently requires car manufacturers to have 50% of critical minerals used in electric batteries come from US allies or North America by 2024. This number rises to 80% by the close of 2026. Auto makers, including Volkswagen, believe the industry cannot keep up. VW is also entering into direct purchase agreements in preparation for the worst natural and supply chain shortages it has ever seen.
Studies Show EV’s Carbon Footprint Will Decrease Over Time
Simply driving EVs will decrease our carbon footprint significantly, argues this report. [Autoweek]
Recent reports indicate that electric vehicles have a lower lifetime carbon footprint than traditional combustion-engine cars at just 19,000 miles. At the 200,000-mile marker, ICE vehicles will emit 66 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, while battery EVs account for 39 tons, according to the report. Not a miraculously lower figure, but significant. The problem of consumption and lifecycle carbon are not addressed in the report, which assumes a simple swap of EVs for ICEs, with no changes in behavior.
Lucid’s First At-Home EV Charger
Lucid is entering the fray on home EV power stations: even if EVs are overtaken by hydrogen, we still need battery storage for homes… [Lucid]
Lucid Motors recently debuted its first at-home charger. The wall-mounted unit, priced at $1,200, can be used both indoors and outside, produces 80 miles of range per hour of charging, and charges at 19.2kW.
Stephanie Weaver is the EV Editor at The Vintagent, and a Philadelphia-based freelance writer. When she’s not locked to her laptop, she can be found riding horses and motorcycles.
EV’s . Study the science , engineering and the consequences of EV’s ;
They aint about the environment .
They aint about benefiting you in any way shape or form .
What they are ALL about is the furthering of Hyper-Anarcho- Capitalism .. solely for the benefit of the hyper wealthy ( which none of you even remotely qualify ) and Silicon Valley oligarch ( drank the KoolAid ) delusional… to your’s , mine and the environments detriment . Period !!!
” The Mindset ” 101 for Dummies
So wake up .. use what little critical thinking you have left .. smell the toxins .. and just walk away … or not
I’m done !