Electric Vehicle News

Green Deals: 4-pack of C by GE Smart LED Light Bulbs $20, more

Best Buy offers a 4-pack of C by GE Smart LED Light Bulbs for $19.99. Free shipping is available on orders over $35 or you can opt for in-store pickup. You’d typically pay $30 or more for this bundle. On top of the usual LED benefits here, you can count on additional savings with smart scheduling features and more. Best of all? These bulbs use Bluetooth connectivity, so you won’t have to worry about adding another hub to your smart home. Rated 4.3/5 stars.

Head below for more deals on smart outlets, lights, and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best Tesla accessories.

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Source: Charge Forward

Tesla’s new 244-mile range Model Y is far from ‘unacceptable’ and will sell like hotcakes

Tesla’s new 244-mile range Model Y was previously called “unacceptable” by Elon Musk, but we believe it’s far from the case and will sell like hotcakes.

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Source: Charge Forward

Tesla incidents of ‘accelerating by themselves’ were due to driver using wrong pedal, NHTSA says

The incidents of sudden acceleration involving Tesla vehicles where drivers said that the vehicles were “accelerating by themselves” were due to user errors, according to a NHTSA investigation.

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Source: Charge Forward

GM updates its logo for 5th time in history for upcoming electric transition campaign

GM is starting a huge campaign this week in the US and will be rolling out in phases globally to highlight the automaker’s move to electrification. The campaign was done by McCann as well as the logo and type, which was developed in-house. It’s a big change and will envelop all of its products, including its legacy ICE vehicles.

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The post GM updates its logo for 5th time in history for upcoming electric transition campaign appeared first on Electrek.


Source: Charge Forward

Volkswagen Group Components previews mobile charging robot

Volkswagen Group Components has revealed a prototype of its mobile charging robot, which is designed for fully autonomous charging of vehicles in places such as parking garages.

The charging robot is started via an app or Car-to-X communication, and operates autonomously. It independently steers to the vehicle to be charged and communicates with it. The entire charging process, from opening the charging flap to connecting the plug and decoupling it, takes place with no human involvement. To charge several vehicles at the same time, the robot connects a mobile energy storage unit to the vehicle, then repeats the process to charge other vehicles. Once the vehicle is fully charged, the robot collects the mobile energy storage unit and takes it back to the central charging station.

“A ubiquitous charging infrastructure is, and remains, a key factor in the success of electric mobility. Our charging robot is just one of several approaches, but is undoubtedly one of the most visionary,” explains Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components. “We are developing solutions to help avoid costly stand-alone measures. The mobile charging robot and our flexible quick-charging station are just two of these solutions.”

The mobile charging robot has reached prototype status and will now undergo further development. One of the prerequisites for market maturity is Car-to-X communication to facilitate the autonomous charging process.

In the future, Volkswagen Group Components will be responsible for all Volkswagen Group charging activities and charging systems. The charging robot will be integrated into an overall charging system. “Our developments do not just focus on customers’ needs…they also consider the economic possibilities they offer potential partners,” says Schmall. The idea is to enable parking operators to quickly and simply electrify every parking space, with no need to construct a large number of fixed charging stations.

CARB approves $29 million investment in two clean-car programs

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved $28.64 million in new funding to support two statewide incentive programs aimed at bringing clean vehicle technologies to low-income and underserved communities.

California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) provides incentives to purchase low-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and Clean Cars 4 All incentivizes lower-income California drivers to scrap their older, high-polluting cars and replace them with EVs or hybrids.

The fiscal year 2020-21 Funding Plan provides $25 million for HVIP, $3 million for Clean Cars 4 All, and $640,000 for a fiscal reserve. The new investment will help to keep these popular air district-run programs operating until the state legislature appropriates more funding.

The new funding will allow HVIP to reopen to new applicants—the program has been on hold since November 2019. To date, HVIP, which provides point-of-sale price reductions on zero-emission trucks and buses, has enabled fleets to buy more than 7,500 zero-emission and low-emission trucks and buses. More than two thirds of vehicles purchased through the program are operating in disadvantaged and low-income communities, which are disproportionately burdened by harmful air pollutants and subject to heavy truck traffic.

HVIP now provides incentives for zero-emission trucks and buses from two dozen manufacturers, including several big rig trucks. The new plan includes an emphasis on immediate support for zero-emission short-haul (drayage) trucks.

Through the Clean Cars 4 All program, low-income Californians have scrapped more than 9,500 old cars and replaced them with new or used EVs or hybrids.

“It’s critical that we clean up the way we move people and goods and these investments will help accelerate that change,” CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols said. “These programs will help remove the dirtiest cars and trucks from our roads and highways, and provide access to the cleanest vehicles for low-income families, and California communities hardest hit by pollution.”