Pinoy Trend News

21/09/2023

The Jaguar I-Pace is an agile and sporty electric crossover. Used prices are dramatically falling, and these attractive EVs are becoming quite affordable in the second-hand market. However, before going out and buying one, prospective owners might want to take a step back.

The Jaguar I-Pace uses LG Energy Solution batteries, the same manufacturer that produced batteries for the Bolt, Bolt EUV, and Kona Electric. There were several isolated incidents in which these vehicles caught fire, sparking questions about the battery packs.

In November 2020, LG Energy Solution initially denied that its battery cells were the source of the fires, but agreed to corporate with the manufacturers. However, nearly a year later, LG Energy Solution agreed to pay GM $1.9 billion and Hyundai around $623 million as part of a recall.

The origin of these potential battery fires was a folded anode tab, courtesy of the Korean battery supplier. Equipped with the same manufacturer’s battery packs, the I-Pace hit the news as early as 2021 due to battery fires. In the summer of 2022, an owner’s 2019 I-Pace caught fire while charging in his Florida home.

Owner Gonzalo Salazar said JLR hadn’t helped him very much and left him with the task of cleaning up all the debris left on the road.

In May 2023, Jaguar issued a recall for 6,367 I-Paces, affecting vehicles of all model years (2019 to 2024). The recall surrounded the battery packs overheating, which could give rise to a battery fire. Jaguar says it can complete an OTA software update for the fix, though it can only be done at Jaguar centers. Moreover, the manufacturer says it will replace modules or the entire battery, if necessary, free of charge.

But a new lawsuit thickens the plot. A woman in California reported that her I-Pace, already on its second battery (installed in 2021), stalled while driving in April 2023. She was “stranded in the middle of a street and blocking people from exiting their parking spaces.” Upset with Jaguar’s dealings of the matter, she sued.

The suit says the British automaker knew about the battery issues well before issuing the recall. Moreover, many owners have reported other battery-related issues with the crossover.

Since April of this year, the car has consistently had problems! A few months ago, it started turning off suddenly!! Yes, suddenly even while driving! This was very alarming. I took it to the dealer in Cincinnati where it stayed for almost a month to be fixed! – Kentucky I-Pace owner

Another owner, whose NHTSA report was featured in the lawsuit, expressed outrage over a similar experience.

Was driving vehicle downhill on a small hill in Palm Springs when multiple error messages appeared in rapid succession on the information display, including ‘traction battery fault – safe to drive with caution’. This was immediately followed by “pull over and stop the car” but before I had the chance to do so ALL the systems in the car ceased to operate and all electrical systems shut down. The breaks would not work, the steering would not work. I was still traveling down hill and unable to stop the car. The car continued for approximately 1/2 a mile and went through two stop signs. – California I-Pace owner

Nevertheless, current I-Pace owners must only charge their vehicles to around 75% before receiving their updates. Only time will tell who is truly at fault for the I-Pace’s numerous potential issues.

Jaguar I-Pace Battery Class Action Lawsuit: LG Chem Batteries Again?

Source: Trending Buzz Week

21/09/2023

Mercedes-Benz Cars reports 515,746 global car sales during the second quarter of 2023 (up six percent year-over-year). The total sales during the first half of the year improved by 4.6 percent year-over-year to slightly over 1 million units.

The most important thing is that sales of rechargeable cars significantly increased, accounting for almost one fifth of the total volume.

In Q2 2023, the company sold 95,910 plug-in passenger cars (51 percent more than a year ago), which translated into 18.6 percent share.

Battery electric car (BEV) sales almost doubled year-over-year to 61,211 units (including about 4,900 electric Smart cars), taking 11.9 percent of the total volume. That’s a new record.

Plug-in hybrid car (PHEV) sales also increased, but only by seven percent year-over-year to 34,699 and it’s clear that the main focus and the highest potential lies in BEVs right now.

Mercedes-Benz Cars global plug-in car sales in Q2 2023:

BEVs: 61,211 (up 96% year-over-year) and 11.9% share

PHEVs: 34,699 (up 7% year-over-year) and 6.7% share

Total: 95,910 (up 51% year-over-year) and 18.6% share

When excluding the Smart brand, Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars sales of BEVs more than doubled (up 123 percent year-over-year) to 56,300.

In terms of models, the EQ family is quickly expanding. Here are models for which we have data:

EQE Sedan: 9,000

EQE SUV: 10,000

EQS SUV: 5,400

other BEVs: 31,900 (excluding Smart)

Detailed results:

So far this year, Mercedes-Benz Cars sold more than 187,000 plug-in cars, including over 112,000 all-electric cars.

Mercedes-Benz Cars global plug-in car sales in Q1-Q2 2023:

BEVs: 112,850 (up 93% year-over-year) and 11.1% share

PHEVs: 74,758 (down 5% year-over-year) and 7.3% share

Total: 187,608 (up 36% year-over-year) and 18.4% share

For reference, in 2022, Mercedes-Benz sold some 117,800 all-electric cars (excluding Smart).

Mercedes-Benz Vans

from left: Mercedes-Benz EQT, EQV, eSprinter, eVito, eCitan

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Vans announced 119,505 vehicle sales in Q2 2023 (up 19 percent year-over-year), including 5,100 BEVs (up 18 percent year-over-year). BEVs account for 4.3 percent of the total volume (the same level as a year ago).

The van lineup, includes the EQV, eSprinter, eVito/eVito Tourer, and EQT/eCitan.

Detailed results:

Mercedes-Benz All-Electric Car Sales Almost Doubled In Q2 2023

Source: Trending Buzz Week

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21/09/2023

The new Cadillac Escalade IQ rides on the Ultium platform from General Motors. It uses two electric motors powered by a monstrous battery pack. It boasts a 55-inch display screen that, for all intents and purposes, is the dash. It’s about as modern a vehicle as you’ll find in the halls of GM, but when it eventually goes on sale later in 2024, you won’t find a feature offered for free on the most inexpensive economy cars.

Of course, we’re talking about Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lest we forget, GM announced in March 2023 that its future EVs wouldn’t have compatibility for this extremely popular item. The reason as stated by the automaker was one of complexity. In short, GM feels its advancing tech for EVs will be best served using an in-house interface instead of handing control to Apple or Android systems. The automaker will develop its Google-based Ultifi tech to be the sole interface between driver, passengers, and vehicle apps.

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“As we scale our EVs and launch our Ultifi software platform, we can do more than ever before with in-vehicle technologies and over-the-air updates,” said GM Chief Digital Officer Edward Ku**er. “All of this is allowing us to constantly improve the customer experience we can offer across our brands.”

To say GM has faced some pushback on this decision is an understatement. Insideevs readers flooded the comments on our news post expressing displeasure, stating things like “seems a good way to alienate customers” and “this is an absolutely horrible idea.” Automakers have also made thinly veiled jabs towards GM in the months following the announcement, such as Ford CEO Jim Farley stating that 70 percent of Ford customers used Apple or Android, and that cutting it wouldn’t be customer-centric.

Curiously, GM’s decision to cut the popular feature is – for now at least – relegated to EVs. In an email to Motor1.com, a spokesperson confirmed this while further clarifying that there would be no differences in functionality between advanced driver-assist systems offered in EV and ICE models. GM also stated that, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality is blocked, people will still be able to pair their phones to the vehicle for calls, messaging, and music.

As for the Cadillac Escalade IQ, the large SUV will have a starting price in the neighborhood of $130,000 when it enters production in the summer of 2024. Full details on all its tech systems, including the user interface to access them, will be detailed closer to its on-sale date.

$130K Cadillac Escalade IQ Doesn’t Offer Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

Source: Trending Buzz Week

21/09/2023

Change is inevitable – it is a constant. And yet, despite the predictability of unpredictability, many changes hit us totally out of the blue.

About a month ago I got word from our amazing producers and hosts of the InsideEVs Podcast – Domenick Yoney, Tom Moloughney, Kyle Conner, and Martyn Lee – that they would be moving on to start their own show. Considering the incredible work that quartet has put in over the last three-plus years at building a loyal audience and a quality podcast, I knew they’d be a tough act to follow.

But the show must go on, as they say.

And hey, since we need a new podcasting crew, we might as well go out and get some of the most intelligent and compelling content creators in the EV world today, right?

Over the next weeks and months, you’ll hear from our new group of podcast ringers: Laycee “Miss GoElectric” is an insightful veteran of the InsideEVs Podcast and her own media empire, while the inimitable Hazel Southwell has been doing science-y deep thinking and reporting for outlets ranging from ESPN to Ars Technica. To hear him say it, superstar video host Alex Goy has been driving things – electrically powered and otherwise – since he “still had hair.” Finally, Patrick George, esteemed former editor-in-chief of Jalopnik and director of The Drive, will be a frequent contributor, as well.

I’m really excited about the future of the podcast and sincerely hope we’re able to keep you interested, watching live, and participating in the conversation over the months and years to come.

This Week

Nothing like kicking off a new version of the show with a whole host of fascinating topics. This week we’ll be debating the mass and merits of the newly announced 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, picking up the trail of updates that point towards an on-sale Tesla Cybertruck, and chatting about how GM might be worse at actually manufacturing EVs than upstart Rivian.

Oh, and there’s a bulletproof BMW i7… if we have time.

We’ll also chat with Brett T. Evans about his first drive of the Lucid Air Sapphire, and the group will make some picks about classic cars we’d most like to submit for EV conversion.

Please mark your calendars to join us at 9:30AM Eastern!

The InsideEVs Podcast 2.0 Debuts Tomorrow At 9:30AM Eastern!

Source: Trending Buzz Week

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20/09/2023

Chinese EV startup Zeekr has recently begun its expansion in Europe with two models, the 001 mid-size liftback and the X compact crossover.

The premium EV brand owned by Geely Auto is currently offering both models for pre-order in Sweden and the Netherlands, and it plans to expand availability further.

Besides these two EVs, Zeekr sells a third model in China, the 009 minivan, which is quite remarkable for a brand that was only founded in 2021.

As you can imagine, Zeekr doesn’t plan to stop here. The brand has just teased a high-performance variant of the Zeekr 001, which is called the 001 FR. The automaker has shared two photos of the car on the social media app X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by some really bold claims.

“Plaid is dull. The is a new type of beast. Standby for more information.”



The reference to the Tesla Model S Plaid is very clear and will obviously get a lot of attention. The fact the Zeekr 001 FR is pictured on a racetrack also speaks volumes about the company’s intentions with the new model.

Compared to the regular 001, the FR variant features a motor sports-inspired body kit with a more aggressive front bumper, a sharp front splitter, larger air intakes, side skirts, bigger wheels shod with performance tires, as well as a roof spoiler at the back doubled by a fixed rear wing, and a sporty bumper that integrates a massive diffuser.

According to Reuters, Zeekr said on August 10 that its first luxury sports car will be priced above 1 million yuan ($140,000) in China, slightly undercutting the Tesla Model S Plaid which starts around $147,000.

The Zeekr 001 FR will launch within weeks, with the first batch of cars to be delivered this year, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told the news agency.

Nothing is known about the Zeekr 001 FR’s powertrain, but it will need to be stellar to make Tesla’s Plaid look dull. Currently, the most powerful variant of the regular 001 features a dual-motor powertrain that makes 536 horsepower (400 kilowatts) and 516 pound-feet of torque. This enables it to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 124 mph.

China’s Zeekr Teases 001 FR Performance EV, Says “Plaid Is Dull”

Source: Trending Buzz Week

20/09/2023

BYD, one of the largest plug-in electric vehicle manufacturers, announced that its cumulative production of New Energy Vehicles (NEV) – battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles – just reached 5 million. The jubilee vehicle happens to be a Denza N7.

It’s a major achievement, which no other OEM has accomplished yet, although Tesla is close with more than 4.6 million all-electric vehicles produced as of the end of June 2023. In the case of BYD, sales are divided almost equally between BEVs and PHEVs with a minor advantage for BEVs (over 2.5 million BEVs and almost 2.5 million PHEVs).

According to the Chinese manufacturer, it took just nine months to move from three million NEVs to five million NEVs:

Most recently, BYD set a new record of more than 260,000 plug-in electric cars sold in a single month, while the volume between January and July exceeded 1.5 million (on track for potential 3 million units in 2023).

Not only is the production and sales volume quickly increasing, but BYD is also accelerating its export efforts, reaching 92,469 units sold outside China during the first seven months of this year. That’s more than in all of 2022.

Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of the company, at the ceremony held at BYD’s global headquarters to celebrate this momentous achievement, said:

“Today marks a historic moment for BYD as we witness our 5 millionth new energy vehicle rolls off the production line. On this special occasion, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our customers across the globe for their trust in our products, our partners in the industry for this journey shared together, and every one of our employees whose hard work and dedication have made this landmark possible.”

The number of 5 million NEVs includes not only cars (BYD and luxury Denza brand) but also commercial vehicles (vans, trucks and buses). According to BYD, its buses now are used in more than 400 cities in 70 countries (but the vast majority in China), while cars are available in over 54 countries.

BYD Celebrates Five Million Plug-In Vehicles Produced

Source: Trending Buzz Week

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20/09/2023

A jarring dashcam recording showcases how a Tesla Model X, running on autopilot, rammed into a stationary police vehicle on February 27, 2021, on a highway near Montgomery County, Texas.

The footage, obtained by the Wall Street Journal, showcases a Tesla Model X driving at 54 miles per hour on the rightmost lane of a highway. After passing multiple parked emergency vehicles, a police SUV with its lights flashing appears stationary in the center of the rightmost lane, which the Tesla fails to detect.

There are at least six vehicles on the scene before the crash, many of which are flashing lights. An attentive driver would have likely recognized them and slowed down or changed lanes. The EV then rams into one of the police SUVs, injuring five officers and hospitalizing the subject of the original traffic stop, as per the video.

Autonomous driving experts WSJ spoke to suggested that the police vehicle’s strobing lights might have created a hazy image that the car’s software likely did not recognize. The system detected an obstacle in its path 37 yards and 2.5 seconds before the crash, which is obviously too short of a distance for a safe stop from 54 mph.

The police revealed that the driver was intoxicated, and the Model X alerted him 150 times in a 45-minute span to apply slight force to the steering wheel, to which he complied. However, the intoxication possibly explains why he needed more than three alerts per minute to keep his hands on the steering wheel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating 16 such instances of Teslas crashing into emergency vehicles to determine the cause of the accidents.

In one document, the NHTSA mentioned that the forward collision warning (FCW) systems were activated immediately before the impact while the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) intervened in half of the collisions. NHTSA also mentioned that “on average in these crashes, the autopilot aborted vehicle control less than one second prior to the first impact.”

The 2019 Model X uses cameras and radar to detect objects in its environment. Tesla has mentioned several times on its website that autonomous features are to be used under active driver supervision.

Tesla is forging ahead with advancements in its self-driving hardware and software. CEO Elon Musk said recently that the Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite is “very close” to achieving full autonomy.

The Austin-based carmaker is reportedly fusing artificial intelligence capabilities with its self-driving software, with an aim of reaching SAE Level 4 or 5 autonomy by the end of this year. Currently, Tesla vehicles are capable of Level 2 autonomy.

Watch Tesla Model X On Autopilot Crash: Driver Rams Into Police Car, NHTSA Probe Underway

Source: Trending Buzz Week

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20/09/2023

As the first commercial owner of a Tesla Semi fleet, PepsiCo is in a unique position to get not only first-hand information about the all-electric Class 8 vehicle but also provide feedback to the manufacturer.

While PepsiCo may be limited by its contract with Tesla when it comes to the amount and type of information it can disclose to the public, the company has provided interesting insight into the Tesla Semi ownership experience over the past few months.

Now, we get to learn more about Tesla’s first commercial vehicle courtesy of a new video that offers a look into how the Semi is helping PepsiCo achieve its sustainability goals. Posted by The North American Council For Freight Efficiency (NACFE) on its Vimeo channel and picked up by Teslarati, the video takes a look at Pepsi’s electric depot in Sacramento, California, which is home to 21 Tesla Semis, among other commercial EVs.

Before delving into the video, it must be said that NACFE is the organizer of the Run on Less freight efficiency challenge, in which PepsiCo will enter at least one Tesla Semi next month.

Running for three weeks starting September 11, the Run on Less event is expected to offer the first independent performance data on the Semi, and that’s obviously a big deal.

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And now for the interesting stuff in the video, we learn that Pepsi is running its Tesla Semi fleet in Sacramento for around 12 hours a day (mostly during daytime), delivering beverages predominantly under 100 miles on a daily basis.

According to Amanda DeVoe, Pepsi’s Transformation and Strategy Director, the use of EVs is most advantageous for this type of short-range travel from the company’s distribution warehouse in Sacramento to where it will deliver beverages.

That said, Dejan Antunović, Pepsi’s Electrification Program Manager, noted that three of the 21 Tesla Semi trucks used at the Sacramento facility are “dedicated to the long-haul” routes, which range from 250 miles to 450 miles. Obviously, Tesla’s Megachargers have been a huge help with that, helping minimize downtime. For example, the Semi is said to go from 5-10 percent to 95 percent state of charge in 20 to 30 minutes of charging.

Antunović said that the Semi’s technology, particularly regenerative braking, has also been a great help for Pepsi, especially on the challenging routes that include the Donner Pass.

“Going across Donner Pass and back from [Sacramento] to Nevada, we’re able to, on the trip back, actually zero out, in terms of state of charge improving due to regenerative braking… It extends range for us in a way that is invaluable.”

And if you were wondering what drivers think about the Semi’s cabin and central driving position, they describe both as being very comfortable. Check out the video to learn more about how the Tesla Semi is transforming Pepsi’s – and soon America’s – short- and long-haul trucking.

Here’s How Pepsi Runs Its 21 Tesla Semi Trucks At Sacramento Depot

Source: Trending Buzz Week

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19/09/2023

Jaguar reports 15,467 global retail car sales during the second quarter of 2023, which is nearly two percent more than a year ago. The Land Rover brand noted a much higher growth rate of 36 percent, allowing the broader Jaguar Land Rover group (part of Tata Motors) to noticeably rebound to 101,994 (up 29 percent year-over-year).

Sales results in Q2 2023 and YTD:

Jaguar: 15,467 (up 2%) and 30,901 (up 4%)

Land Rover: 86,527 (up 36%) and 173,982 (up 36%)

Jaguar Land Rover: 101,994 (up 29%) and 204,883 (up 30%)

The all-electric Jaguar I-Pace, on the other hand, is fading. The model noted just 1,339 units in Q2 (down 38 percent year-over-year), which is the eighth consecutive quarter of year-over-year decline. BEV share also decreased from 14.3 percent a year ago to 8.7 percent recently.

During the first half of 2023, a total of 2,798 Jaguar I-Pace were sold (down 33 percent year-over-year), which was about 9.1 percent of the brand’s total volume.

For reference, in 2022, Jaguar I-Pace sales amounted to 7,307 (down 27 percent year-over-year). Cumulatively, over 60,000 Jaguar I-Pace were sold globally.

Jaguar I-Pace sales:

2018: 6,893

2019: 17,355

2020: 16,457

2021: 9,970

2022: 7,307 (down 26.7%) and 11.9% share

2023 is now on track to become the slowest year for Jaguar I-Pace sales – potentially around 5,000 units.

It’s hard to be optimistic about the Jaguar I-Pace, as the 2024 model year will retain its existing powertrain, while competition becomes more fierce, both on the performance/range level and in regards to pricing.

Next year should bring a major change to Jaguar and Land Rover electrification, as a new wave of all-electric models will arrive. The first will be an all-electric Range Rover BEV, scheduled for market launch in 2024.

Jaguar is set to become a 100 percent all-electric luxury brand with multiple new models, including a 4-door GT (scheduled for unveiling in 2024 and assigned to the production facility in Solihull, United Kingdom).

Some of the new BEVs might get a driving range of up to 450 miles.

Jaguar I-Pace Sales Faded Again In Q2 2023

Source: Trending Buzz Week

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19/09/2023

In the latest 7 Series images released by BMW, the window glasses appear severely cracked, but structurally intact. The body is punctured with hundreds of bullet holes, but the interior appears calm and serene. There are no shards of glass lying on the floor or the seats, and the stitched leather looks as good as new. That’s because the vehicle in question isn’t the regular 7 Series, it’s the latest Protection model.

The BMW i7 and the 7 Series G70 models have undergone the VR9 treatment, which is among the highest levels of ballistic certification for civilian vehicles. Developed by BMW in-house, and manufactured at the BMW Plant Dingolfing, the i7 Protection would be the world’s first protection sedan with an all-electric powertrain, as per the German automaker.

The i7 Protection’s body is made from armored steel, and BMW says it can sustain 7.62 X 54 R ammunition, which as per one website, are armor-piercing rounds. For protection against bullets, the exterior comprises hot-formed steel alloy, while the roof and underbody are also made from armored materials for protection from aerial attacks and explosives.

On the ICE version, the fuel tank incorporates a special casing that can seal itself upon being hit by a bullet to prevent fuel loss.

The tires too appear purpose-built. It gets 20-inch alloys and Michelin PAX run-flat tires, which can run at 50 miles per hour even with total pressure loss. The images reveal a thick sidewall, which could be one of the few visual differentiators between a regular 7 Series, and the armored one.

Speaking of differentiators, BMW says it wanted to make the protection models look as discreet as possible, which is why the run-flat tires and the flag holder above the front fenders are the only unique visual elements.

Customers can also accessorize the Protection models with items like a fresh air-supply system, fire extinguishers with automatic and manual discharge, flashing lights, and radio transceivers among others.

The i7 Protection would use motors from the i7 M70. The two motors will deliver 544 horsepower and 549 pound-feet of torque. With all the armor weighing it down, the sprint from 0-62 mph is rather leisurely at 9.0 seconds. The top speed is limited to 99 mph.

The exact range figures haven’t been released yet, but BMW says the estimated WLTP efficiency is 30 kilowatt hours per 100 kilometers. Considering the i7’s 101.7 kWh of usable battery capacity, the estimated range would be around 210 miles. That’s considerably lower than the range of the regular i7 M70, which has an estimated range of 295 miles.

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The sedan will match the luxury of its non-ballistic counterpart with swanky features like the BMW Curved Display, 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system, and reclining seats with footrests among a plethora of other features BMW pampers its 7 Series customers with.

Although the 31-inch 8K retractable screen doesn’t seem to be a standard fitment on this model. But again, someone who needs protection from armor-piercing rounds regularly probably doesn’t have time to sit back and stream movies.

BMW has kept the price a secret, and the model will be exclusive to Europe. The i7 M70 has an MSRP of $168,500 in the US, so expect the armored version to cost more. What do you think of the i7 Protection? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

BMW i7 Protection Is A Fortress On Wheels, Can Sustain Armor-Piercing Bullets

Source: Trending Buzz Week

19/09/2023

In the rapidly growing electric bike market, consumers today are spoiled for choice with the sheer amount of options available. Both traditional bike companies like Trek, Giant, and Cannondale, as well as new, upcoming brands are making waves in the e-bike scene. In the US in particular, Rad Power Bikes stands out as one of the most popular when it comes to commuting and all-around duty.

According to Rad Power Bikes, there are more than 550,000 of their e-bikes on US streets, and as such, claim to be the number one e-bike brand in America. It’s easy to see why their bikes are so attractive. On the one hand, they’re easy to use and simple. On the other hand, they’re cheap and easy to maintain. Clearly, Rad Power has nailed the formula for a no-frills urban electric commuter, and its sales figures are a testament to this. That being said, Rad Power has recently released a special edition version of its popular RadCity 5 commuter. The key element of this special-edition e-bike is its unique colorway called Tiger Orange.

According to Rad Power Bikes, the RadCity 5 is meant to “elevate commuters’ rides with more nimble handling, better maneuverability, and enhanced comfort with an upgraded stem and handlebar. The more relaxed and commanding riding experience is optimized for getting around city streets.” In reality, its design is very similar to a standard non-electric commuter bike with its relaxed ergonomics making hours on the saddle a breeze. Adding to its mass appeal is the fact that the bike is offered in both step-through and step-over configurations, making it accessible to a wide range of riders.

On the performance side of the equation, the RadCity 5 packs a surprising amount of punch – contrary to what its simple styling may have you believe. It’s rocking a 750-watt geared hub motor. This works in tandem with an intelligent five-level pedal assist that makes use of a 12-magnet cadence sensor. Though not as fancy as a torque sensor, this setup should provide a smooth pedal assist according to the selected level. As for the battery, Rad Power has equipped the RadCity 5 with a 672-watt-hour battery pack capable of returning anywhere from 28 to 50 miles of range on a single charge.

Pricing and availability-wise, the Rad Power RadCity 5 is available for pre-order for $1,999 USD. For more information on the RadCity 5 as well as the rest of Rad Power’s offerings, feel free to visit their official website in the link below.

New Limited Edition Rad Power RadCity 5 Commuter E-Bike Launched

Source: Trending Buzz Week

19/09/2023

The Lucid Air is nothing short of an engineering marvel. A 924-volt electrical architecture pushing up to 1,234 horsepower in a luxury sedan package is truly incredible. However, the Air has had its fair share of growing pains.

This March, Lucid Airs were subject to a recall involving potential power losses stemming from faulty contact switches. The recall included 637 Airs, but Lucid says that only around six percent of those sedans actually have the defect.

Since then, the electric sedan has seen three more recalls. The first recall notice regards the car’s backup camera not loading. Some owners reported the backup camera would take an incredibly long time to load or it would load only sometimes. Lucid says that an OTA update is now available as a fix. Affecting just 59 units built from November 24, 2021, to January 29, 2023, this affects the fewest vehicles.

The second recall is also fixable through a software update. This recall is more serious and affects the car’s propulsion. Though extremely rare, the vehicle’s system won’t alert drivers when a Lucid Air has a power module inverter failure. Without the alert, the car would appear to suddenly lose power. This recall affects nearly 800 Airs built from October 22, 2021 to June 29, 2023.

Lucid’s final recall affects every sedan built to June 13, 2023, though many have already been fixed. Unlike the others, this requires servicing. The windshield wiper arms are susceptible to ceasing functioning, thanks to what appears to be an improperly secured nut. To correct this, the vehicles must have their wiper arm nut re-torqued. Lucid says it has already re-torqued 2,431 nuts, fixing the issue.

Lucid also pointed out that less than two percent of owners have reported the arms loosening.

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6,200 Lucid Airs Affected By Up To Three Recalls

Source: Trending Buzz Week

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