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Tesla's Holiday Update improves Camp Mode and driving visualization
Today, Tesla began pushing its "holiday update" to its vehicle fleet. The changes include one present for EV owners who appreciate the great outdoors (though not enough to sleep on the ground): Camp Mode. The feature, reported by Electrek, allows Tesla's vehicles to maintain airflow, temperature and interior lighting. You can also play music and power devices, which could come in handy for tailgating too.
Rivian will repurpose used EV batteries for solar power in Puerto Rico
Rivian is known for pushing the boundaries of battery tech. Not only is the startup working on the first all-electric pickup for the US market, it's also planning "Rivian-to-Rivian" charging, which will allow its vehicles to charge each other, and it designed a camp stove add-on that takes advantage of the EV's battery pack. Now, the company wants to turn its used batteries into an energy storage system for a solar power microgrid in Puerto Rico.
High-density EV battery could offer 600-mile range on a single charge
Innolith AG, a Swiss startup that specializes in inorganic lithium-ion batteries, is developing a high-density battery that could provide 600 miles (1,000 km) of EV range on a single charge. The company plans to cram 1,000 Wh/kg into the rechargeable battery, a "world's first," and cut manufacturing costs by ditching "exotic and expensive materials." To put that in perspective, the longest-range EV on the market (the top-level Tesla Model S) offers up to 315 miles of range thanks to a 100 kWh lithium-ion battery. What's more, Innolith says its use of inorganic electrolytes removes the primary cause of EV battery fires.
Denmark lands Europe's first Better Place EV battery swapping station
Better Place continued on its quest of global EV-battery-switching domination, Tuesday, bringing its special drop-and-swap charging solution to the fine folks of Gladsaxe, Denmark. An automated robot arm ceremoniously traded out the battery in a Renault Fluence Z.E., marking the beginning of a nine-month roll out across the country. The aptly titled Battery Switch station is the first of its kind in Europe and the first of 20 to be installed in Denmark. It was a monumental occasion, to be sure, one that could have only benefited from a performance of Michael Jackson's Heal the World as sung by Danish humanoid (and ladies' man) Geminoid-DK. Full PR after the break. [Thanks, Tesoo]
