This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes an NYC program to give out free e-bikes to delivery riders, a new bicycle handlebar designed with help from Onlyfans, Vammo’s 1 million battery swaps, a new e-moto/e-snowmobile project, Lift electric hydrofoil boards, and more. Read more…
Volkswagen confirms new £25K ID.2X is coming next year as the electric T-Cross replacement
In September, Volkswagen will unveil the electric T-Cross at IAA Mobility, dubbed the ID.2X. CEO Thomas Schäfer confirmed the mini electric SUV’s name on Thursday, which is expected to go in 2026 starting at around £25,000 ($31,000). Read more…
Recycled EV battery materials offer better performance, study finds
The accelerating EV revolution means we have a growing need for sustainable battery production. We can’t just move away from fossil fuels and exhaust another natural resource. Thankfully, new research suggests that recycled EV battery materials can go a long way towards solving the problem. A new study conducted by Imperial College London and commissioned by clean technology group Altilium… Read more…
Hyundai and Kia are working on structural battery packs
Hyundai and Kia are looking to combine battery-pack cases with vehicle structural components for greater packaging efficiency. In a patent filing published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Nov. 14, 2024, and first submitted by the automakers to that agency Oct. 26, 2023, Hyundai and Kia discuss having a vehicle’s floor… Read more…
All the best EV (and PHEV) rebate deals we could find for February 2025
Cynics will point at big rebates and claim they mean the vehicle isn’t selling, but that just exposes them as auto industry noobs. A rebate is a powerful finance tool that helps dealers overcome obstacles like negative equity, poor credit, down payment requirements, and interest rate objections – and, ultimately, get a deal done. Read more…
Toyota’s Third-Generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell Promises More Range
Despite slow sales of the Mirai FCEV, the automaker is not giving up on hydrogen. Read more…
Geely launches Galaxy L7 EM-i hybrid SUV in heated race with BYD
The Galaxy L7 EM-i’s official guide price starts at RMB 119,800 ($16,490), and its main competitor is the BYD Song Plus DM-i.
Just 2 days ago, Geely launched the Galaxy L6 EM-i hybrid sedan to compete with the BYD Qin L DM-i.
XPeng makes its debut in the UK with the G6 SUV
Chinese brand XPeng has officially made its debut in the UK today, where it’s started taking orders for the G6, the first model it’s bringing to the country. The G6 starts at £39,990 in the Standard Range configuration with a 66 kWh LFP battery, and £44,990 in the Long Range trim with an 87.5 kWh NMC battery. The former is… Read more…
Porsche Will Cut 1,900 Jobs Amid Sluggish EV Growth
The staff reduction comes on top of other rounds of layoffs that affect 2,000 people. Read more…
Zeekr closes deal to integrate Lynk & Co, CEO unveils 2025 product plans
The Zeekr brand will launch three new models in 2025 and the Lynk & Co brand will roll out two new models.
In 2025, the entire Zeekr company is targeting 40 percent growth with 710,000 vehicles sold for the year.
BYD holds lithium mining rights in Brazil, report says
BYD acquired mining rights to two plots of land in a lithium-rich part of Brazil in 2023, Reuters reported.
BYD’s mineral rights are located in the Jequitinhonha Valley, known as Brazil’s lithium valley.
Volkswagen unveils more details of its affordable electric car
Volkswagen is getting ready to shake up the EV market with a new, budget-friendly addition to its fleet. This compact city car, potentially named the ID.ONE and slated for release in 2027, is designed to make electric mobility accessible to a wider audience with a target price of around €20,000. The company has released design sketches, giving a glimpse into… Read more…
OsecoElfab offers pressure relief for Li-ion batteries
OsecoElfab has launched a portfolio of pressure-relief solutions designed for lithium-ion battery applications in the e-mobility sector, marketed under the OE Lion brand.
The specialised rupture discs support custom battery design, enabling manufacturers to create safer, simpler and more cost-effective Li-ion batteries. Read more…
IEA: power use to soar through 2027, but renewables will keep up
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) newly released “Electricity 2025” report predicts that global power consumption will jump nearly 4% annually through 2027. That’s like adding an entire Japan’s worth of electricity use every year for the next three years. Read more…
Great Wall Motor plugs into Nio’s charging network
Great Wall Motor is the 17th brand to have a charging service partnership with Nio.
Nio currently has 2,665 supercharging stations in China offering 12,334 chargers and 1,688 destination charging stations offering 13,133 chargers.
Xpeng says its orders in 1st week after Chinese Spring Festival 7.6 times 2024’s same period
In the first week after the Chinese Spring Festival, Xpeng’s order intake broke the industry norm that February is usually a low point for sales, Xpeng said.
The strong orders came mainly from the P7+ and Mona M03, both new models that have been on the market for just a few months.
Oil-backed senators introduce bills to kill $7,500 EV tax credit, add $1,000 tax on electric cars
Republican Senators have introduced bills to not only kill the $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles but also add a $1,000 tax at the purchase of new EVs. Read more…
Meet the Chevy Blazer EV.R, packing +1,300 horsepower from three electric motors
Chevy just unveiled a ferocious new Blazer EV.R prototype. Based on the new Blazer EV SS and NASCAR’s tri-motor powertrain, the prototype delivers over 1,300 horsepower. Read more…
Hyundai officially launches its flagship IONIQ 9 in Korea, next stop is the US
Hyundai just launched its first flagship EV, the IONIQ 9, in South Korea. The IONIQ 9 is the largest Hyundai electric SUV with “best-in-class” interior space and features more driving range than any other EV in its lineup. For those of you in the US, get ready. You’re up next. Read more…
Mercedes-Benz DC fast chargers are rolling out in Canada
The Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging network is expanding into Canada, with more than 2,500 fast chargers planned across Canada and the US. Read more…
