Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 review: The electronics giant’s latest affordable, fun ridable

The Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 continues to build upon Xiaomi’s strong start in the electric scooter space, making small tweaks to features that needed improvement, yet having enough sense to leave the good stuff alone. The result is an electric scooter that still feels every bit like a Xiaomi, but has now become the company’s best rendition yet.

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Source: Charge Forward

Volvo, Daimler and Traton to build high-power charging network for commercial EVs in Europe

Commercial vehicle manufacturers Volvo Group, Daimler Truck and the Traton Group have agreed to create a joint venture to build and operate a high-power public charging network for heavy-duty long-haul trucks and coaches across Europe.

The planned JV, which will be equally owned by the three firms, is scheduled to start operations in 2022. The parties have committed to invest a total of €500 million. The plan is to deploy at least 1,700 charging points on and close to highways, as well as at logistic centers and destination points, within five years. The new charging network will be open and accessible to all commercial vehicles, regardless of brand.

“Innovative partnerships like these will enable the much-needed change that will benefit our customers and the entire industry,” said Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of the Volvo Group. “This is both a historical milestone in the transformation towards fossil-free transport and a breakthrough that shows Volvo Group’s commitment to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.”

“Today’s signing announcement underlines all of the partners’ strong commitment to making CO2-neutral trucks a reality,” said Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck. “It is remarkable that three fierce competitors in the area of trucks and vehicle technology are taking action together to start establishing the needed charging infrastructure.” 

“The Traton Group, together with our brands Scania and MAN, will be part of the solution when it comes to a CO2-neutral world,” said Traton Group CEO Christian Levin. “A collaboration with strong competitors like Daimler Truck and Volvo Group might seem unusual. However, this unique cooperation will make us faster and more successful in delivering the transformational action needed to tackle climate change. Our joint venture will be a strong push for the rapid breakthrough of battery-electric trucks and coaches, the most efficient and sustainable transport solutions.”

Porsche reveals 2021 sales figures, more than doubles Taycan sales

Porsche just released its 2021 sales figures, and you’d never know there was any kind of supply problems from looking at them. Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) had its best year ever in 2021, up 22 percent from the pandemic-stained 2020 and 14 percent above the record set in 2019.

Even bigger news? It was Porsche’s electrified lineup that led the charge in 2021.

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Source: Charge Forward

In a ‘world first,’ battery-grade lithium, vital for EVs, is produced from mica in granite

In what it claims is a “world first,” British Lithium has produced lithium at pilot scale from the mica in granite in its new government-backed pilot plant near Roche in Cornwall, England.

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Source: Charge Forward

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV faces off against 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

Two electric pickups from GM and Ford makers take surprisingly different approaches to electrifying the full-size truck

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV unveiled today by General Motors CEO Mary Barra shows the largest U.S. auto company’s determination to hang onto its core large-pickup market even as vehicles of all sorts accelerate the transition from gasoline to electric power. Reservations for the Silverado EV pickup will open at 1 pm ET today on Chevrolet’s website.

The first model to be delivered, in spring 2023, will be a WT (work truck) at a price GM hasn’t yet specified. In autumn 2023, Chevy will add a fully-loaded RST First Edition version for private buyers, at $106,695 including a mandatory delivery fee. Both versions to be delivered in 2023 will have more than 400 miles of range, it says. Ultimately, Chevrolet will offer Silverado EV models at prices from $40,000 up, including the standard RST, an off-road Trail Boss version, and more.

The electric Silverado will compete directly against the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, which is due to hit the market by mid-June, many months before the Chevy. That truck generated intense interest, with Ford having logged more than 200,000 reservations and closed off the list due to the overwhelming demand. Ford has announced new battery plants and assembly sites for its first electric pickup, and boosted production several times.

While the two trucks are similar in many ways, GM has taken a different tack than Ford in creating an electric version of its well-known full-size pickup. The Silverado EV—along with its electric GMC Sierra sibling that will follow—is far more distinct from its gasoline counterpart than is the Ford Lightning. The differing approaches underscore each company’s beliefs about what customers want in a pickup.

Specs similarities

Both the Chevy and Ford come solely as four-door, crew-cab trucks with mid-size beds. Both have motors front and rear, and fully independent suspension, a first in full-size pickups for each make. Single-motor versions will be offered as well. Chevy quotes up to 664 horsepower (488 kilowatts) and more than 780 lb-ft of torque from its Ultium powertrain; Ford’s comparable numbers are up to 563 hp (420 kW) and 775 lb-ft.

Each has long range—Chevy promises two models with 400-mile estimated ratings, Ford offers a version with 300 miles—from large battery packs that exceed 100 kilowatt-hours, though neither maker will release precise capacities. Both include DC fast charging, with Ford citing up to 150 kilowatts and GM touting up to 350 kW (using a clever technical trick that allows its 400-volt battery pack to charge at 800 volts). Chevrolet offers optional offboard power up to 10.2 kW; Ford’s option runs up to 9.6 kW. Each can charge other EVs with the necessary charging cable.

The key metric of towing capacity is similarly close: specific models of the Silverado EV and F-150 Lightning can each tow up to 10,000 pounds, though Chevy quotes up to 1,300 pounds of payload against Ford’s 1,800 pounds. Both trucks have a front trunk—Chevy calls it the “eTrunk,” Ford went all out and named it the “Mega Power Frunk”.

It’s in the cargo beds that specs start to diverge. The 2024 Silverado EV bed is 59 inches long, against the Ford’s 67 inches. But the Chevy’s optional ‘Multi-Flex Midgate’ is effectively a split rear-seat back that folds down to extend the bed length by letting cargo pass through the rear wall of the cab. Split into two parts, it allows long cargo (e.g. lumber or a kayak) to be loaded into the back portion of the cabin, while retaining one passenger seat beside it if desired. The length from the tailgate to the back of the front seat is more than 108 inches.

2024 Chevy Silverado EV: Electric Avalanche heir claims 400 miles, eventual $39,900 base price

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EVGM’s first fully electric Chevy pickup will offer an estimated 400-mile range when it’s delivered next year, with a base model arriving later at $39,900, the company confirmed with a reveal of the truck at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on Wednesday. The truck was revealed in coordination with a keynote address from CEO Mary…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews