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Mercedes grabs a spot on the Formula E grid from 2018
Mercedes is set to become the latest in a long line of traditional car makers entering the world of Formula E. The company confirmed today that it's signed an agreement to reserve a spot on the grid of the electric racing championship from the 2018/19 season. With the all-electric series set to expand from 10 teams to 12 in season five, Mercedes can now decide whether it will take one of the two new available openings.
Mercedes will put an 'EQ' badge on its best electric cars
After confirming that it has quietly been working on a new sub-brand that will host a contemporary line of EVs, Mercedes today unveiled at the Paris Motor Show what it believes is the future of electric mobility. It's called Generation EQ and the first we're seeing of it is the new 402bhp SUV coupe concept pictured above, complete with twin electric motors, zero-emission drivetrain technology and a range of up to 311 miles. Like VW, Mercedes is putting it cars firmly in Tesla territory.
Formula E's New York City race is set for Brooklyn next year
We already knew Forumla E was planning to race in New York City and now we have more details about the event. The all-electric race series announced during a press conference today that the final race of the 2016-2017 season, the New York City ePrix, will take place in the area around Pier 11 and the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook. The two-day event is currently scheduled for July 29-30, 2017 with a 1.21-mile course that winds around the terminal's parking lot with two straightaways that run down the side of Pier 11.
Ecotricity disputes Tesla's fastest charger claim, loses
Tesla and Ecotricity, a British energy provider using renewable sources, have a rocky relationship. Years ago the two came together to work on Tesla's Supercharger network in the UK, but disagreements led to a feisty lawsuit and an out of court settlement. Since then the pair have been exchanging blows through the UK's Advertising Standards Authority; Tesla filed a complaint about Ecotricity's website that was ultimately dismissed in April. Ecotricity submitted its own concerns about Tesla's site which, in a ruling published today, has also been thrown out by the regulator.
Faraday Future partners with a Formula E team
Despite only being on many people's radar for just over six months, electric car company Faraday Future has managed to keep itself firmly in the spotlight. It's already unveiled a prototype of its FFZero 1 supercar, struck up a deal with Aston Martin and announced plans for two EV factories. Oh, and it's working on self-driving technology as well. Some of those projects are still a way off, but today the company confirmed it'll soon jump into the world of Formula E, by way of a sponsorship and technical partnership with the Dragon Racing team.
Boston Dynamics made a robot dog that can do your dishes
While it may not be as heartwarming as Cal Worthington's dog, Spot, Boston Dynamic hopes its newest quadrupedal robot, SpotMini, will find a place in your home. The SpotMini is a smaller version of BD's existing BigDog line of robotic pack animals. It's roughly 55 pounds -- compared to the Alpha Dog's 240 -- and stands about two feet tall. Unlike the larger versions, SpotMini doesn't rely on hydraulics. It's completely electric -- reportedly the quietest Dog that BD has ever built -- and can run for up to 90 minutes between charges.
Volkswagen plans to launch 30 electric cars in 10 years
With an $18.2 billion emissions scandal weighing heavy on its bank balance, Volkswagen is hoping electric cars will offer a brighter future. At a recent press conference, company CEO Matthias Müller unveiled "Together - Strategy 2025," a new initiative designed to put 30 new electric vehicles on the road within 10 years. The idea, Müller says, is "to learn from mistakes made, rectify shortcomings and establish a corporate culture that is open, value-driven and rooted in integrity."
Tesla offers Model X owners shades to block out the haters
Tesla's Model X has an enormous windshield that arches over the back of your head, offering an expansive view of the world outside. But when it's particularly hot or sunny, all that glass can be a distraction or uncomfortable for everyone trapped inside. To help, Tesla has opted for the simplest of solutions -- removable windshield sunshades. As Teslarati reports, the company is now emailing Model X owners to offer them one of these new sun-blockers. They fit snugly around the back of the rear-view mirror, covering much of the glass that sits above the driver.
The Prophix smart toothbrush will film the inside of your mouth
While your dentist may recommend using an electric toothbrush over a manual one, even with the added power, it's possible to miss spots while cleaning your teeth. The forthcoming Prophix smart video toothbrush from Onvi aims to improve your brushing efficiency by showing you a live stream of the inside of your mouth -- on your phone.
Tesla's Destination Charging network expands to Europe
By the end of 2017, Tesla hopes to have doubled the size its Supercharger network. It wants more than 1,200 locations and 7,000 individual chargers dotted throughout North America, Europe and Asia, which will go some way towards reducing range anxiety. Before that becomes a reality, the company is hoping to extend the number of official charging points with its free Destination Charging network. Available in the US and Asia for some time now, Destination Chargers are located in easy-to-access locations like hotels or restaurants to give you a quick juice between journeys. Now, they're rolling out across Europe.
NASA pours $67 million into solar electric spacecraft engines
NASA is big on solar electric propulsion (the Dawn spacecraft uses it, for instance) for a good reason: while the engines aren't powerful, they supply thrust for a very long time before giving up the ghost. And it now looks like the agency is ready to double down on that super-efficient tech. It just awarded a $67 million, 3-year contract to Aerojet Rocketdyne in hopes of developing an advanced solar electric propulsion system. The new technology could deliver twice as much thrust, and would be up to 10 times more efficient than chemical engines -- both big deals for deep space missions.
Nissan's 'mind-reading' Leaf projects driver reactions on the road
Nissan is no stranger to weird concepts for automobiles. Remember the automaker's Teatro for Dayz selfie wagon? To celebrate the 5th anniversary of its all-electric Leaf, Nissan developed a version of the car that can read a passenger's mind... sort of. After scanning brain waves of first-time test-drivers in the EV with a headset, the special-edition Leaf projected one of over 30 comic-esque messages on the road outside in real time. In other words, folks outside of the vehicle could "see" a general translation of what the driver was thinking. Luckily this is just a concept, so the thoughts that pass through your mind in fits of road rage will remain safe from public view -- for the near future, at least.
Tesla's Model S gets a fresh look and faster charging
While Tesla's upcoming Model 3 has dominated headlines in recent weeks, the company isn't neglecting the vehicle that has helped make an affordable option possible: the Model S. Addressing rumors that the luxury electric sedan would soon get a welcome revamp, Tesla confirmed today that the car now boasts a new front fascia and headlights, as well as a few other upgrades.
Electric rollerblades go offroad with tank treads
Polish inventor Jack Skopinski recently debuted his latest electric people-mover: a set of battery-powered "off-road" rollerblades that handle dirt trails as well as they do city streets. Each boot is outfitted with a 350 W DC motor that propels the rider for up to 12 miles at speeds topping 9 MPH. Rather than proper wheels, these rollerblades sit atop rubber treads enabling riders to scoot across grass, gravel and dirt tracks with ease, if the promotional video (below) is any indication. The entire system is controlled by a wired, hand-held remote.
New electric GT racing series to feature Tesla's Model S
As soon as next year, Formula E will have some company. The Electric GT World Series was announced this week, aiming to field 10 teams for its first season in 2017. What's more, the new series will be the first all-electric GT racing series. The plan is for those 10 teams to put 20 cars on the track at seven different races during the first year. In true GT (Gran Tourer) form, the series will use production cars that are available for consumer road use. Series officials say there's only one current vehicle that fits the bill: the Tesla Model S.
Aston Martin is partnering with Faraday Future on electric cars
British luxury carmaker Aston Martin has signed a deal with Chinese tech company LeEco (formerly LeTV) and electric-car startup Faraday Future. As Reuters reports, the plan was revealed at a news conference in Frankfurt, Germany. Aston Martin is forming a joint venture that will work to develop an all-electric take on the Rapide S. That car was announced last year as an 800-horsepower saloon with a 200-mile range. With the tech giant's help, Aston Martin hopes to bring it to market in 2018.
Hyundai teases the Ioniq, its first all-electric vehicle
Hyundai is planning to officially debut its Ioniq EV next month, but there's something rather unique about the new model. Not only will it arrive in an all-electric version, but the automaker will have gasoline-electric and plug-in electric hybrid options, too. Hyundai says that this is the first time a vehicle will be sold with three different environmentally-friendly powertrain options to choose from. Today the company offered a second look, which includes interior and exterior renders, following the first teaser earlier this month.
Porsche green lights its all-electric Mission E concept
You might have to wait a few years to get behind the wheel of one, but the first all-electric Porsche is happening. The automaker announced that its Mission E, a concept first revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, will go into production. Porsche says that it'll invest 700 million euros (around $762 million) at its main site in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen to help with the project. Among the renovations are a new paint shop and assembly facility alongside an expansion of the engine shop to build the electric motors and a larger body shop. In total, the company expects Mission E production to create 1,000 new jobs.
California unbans the use of electric skateboards in bike lanes
In 1977, California banned the use of powered skateboards on state streets; largely because the only reliable source of power back then was noisy two stroke gas engines. However with the development of larger-capacity and quieter lithium-based battery power, skateboards have become about as noisy and polluting as bicycles. That's why, last Sunday, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 604, which once again makes riding powered skateboards in the bike lane legal.
The Liberty Trike is a 21st century Rascal
Tired of being shuttled about like a sack of potatoes by your current electric getaround? Want to at least pretend that you're getting a workout while scooting to the supermarket? Then you're going to want to take a magic tricycle ride aboard the Liberty Trike. This power-assist three-wheeler, which is currently in the midst of an already-funded Indiegogo campaign, will retail for roughly $2,000 when it's expected to hits the streets next October.
