7,000 Global LEVC Electric Taxi Sales, Renault Scenic Vision Concept, Bike to Work Day — EV News Updates

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May 20th is World Bee Day, and National Bike to Work Day. Along with those special celebrations, we have news on free electric cab rides this week, fun concept cars, Volvo customers now having access to more than 270,000 charging points in Europe, growing electric taxi sales, and more. Read on.

Electric Cars

Renault Scenic Vision concept car

“Renault is writing a new chapter in its history with the Scenic Vision, an innovative concept car that brings the brand’s vision for a greener, safer and more inclusive future to life.”

Renault Scenic Vision concept car.

“The Scenic Vision embodies the brand’s sustainable development commitments and encapsulates them in a single vehicle. Its intelligent design and manufacture incorporate methods that the Renault Group and its brands will use to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040 and worldwide by 2050. Notably, this includes Renault aiming for an entirely electric range by 2030.

“Outside, the Scenic Vision showcases Renault’s future all-electric family cars. Inside, it invites travelers into a new time, a future where technology and innovation will make the world more sustainable and more environmentally-friendly.”

Renault Scenic Vision concept car.

LEVC celebrates milestone of 7,000 global electric taxi sales with free cab rides

Joerg Hofmann, CEO of LEVC, commented: “LEVC is proud to have sold 7,000 electric TX taxis across the globe. The iconic black cab can now be seen from Paris to Madrid and Cairo to Tokyo; it truly is a vehicle for everyone, everywhere.

“As the iconic ‘black cab’ is an integral part of the London landscape, we wanted to mark 7,000 global sales of our TX in the capital. As the British population will also be celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s reign of 70 years, we felt it was appropriate to bring a classic British street party theme to our three celebration cabs.

“The black cab has been a familiar sight on city streets for more than a hundred years and today’s TX has never been more fit for purpose. Offering unrivaled accessibility, capable of zero emissions  and eliminating range anxiety, the TX is the ideal choice for both cab-drivers and passengers in any city.”

Electric taxi from LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company).
Electric taxi from LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company).

“From today (Thursday 19th May) until Thursday 26th May, there will be three unique ‘celebration cabs’ roaming around central London. Each will be kitted out with a unique exterior, as well as a special surprise inside for passengers to enjoy, celebrating not only 7,000 global TX sales but also the upcoming Jubilee.

“Over the next seven days, anyone who hails one of the three distinctive taxis will be able to travel from their pick-up point to any destination within the North and South Circular*, with the fare being picked up by LEVC.”

Polestar reports strong start to 2022 with record sales, continued growth and market expansion

“Polestar, the premium electric performance car brand, has announced record sales for the first four months of 2022 as well as excellent global order intake fuelled by continued expansion into new and existing markets. In the first four months of the year, vehicle sales more than doubled to approximately 13,600 and the Company’s order take more than tripled to nearly 23,000 compared to the same period in 2021.

“During the period, Polestar increased its global presence to 23 markets, up from 19 at the end of 2021, putting the company on track to meet its target of 30 markets in aggregate by the end of 2023. New markets in the Middle East and Europe will be joined by Spain and Portugal imminently. Plans are underway to begin operations in Israel and Italy later in 2022.

“In addition, Polestar has announced a global partnership with the car rental company Hertz to supply 65,000 cars over the next five years.”

Chioma Nnadi arrives at the 2022 Met Gala in a Polestar 2.

Announcing Switch Live at The Classic presented by myenergi

“Visitors to the award-winning three-day event will be treated to not only the world’s biggest feast of retro racing all set on the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit but also an opportunity to test drive an impressive selection of electric cars on the beautiful open roads in the countryside surrounding the famous Formula 1 venue.”

Switch

Volkswagen and Mahindra sign Partnering Agreement for MEB electric components in Chennai

“Volkswagen and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) are exploring the use of MEB electric components for Mahindra’s new “Born Electric Platform”. Both parties announced today that they have signed a Partnering Agreement on 18th May to evaluate the scope of collaboration. Mahindra intends to equip its “Born Electric Platform” with MEB electric components such as electric motors, battery system components and battery cells. The Partnering Agreement evaluates the scope of collaboration – it indicates binding rules for the evaluation phase as well as the non-binding scope of supply. The binding supply agreement will be negotiated in a continued constructive and legally compliant way to conclude by the end of 2022.”

CEO Tavares marks a new era for Stellantis in India

“During media interactions, Stellantis N.V. CEO Carlos Tavares outlined India’s strategic importance for Stellantis and his vision to evolve its operations as part of the Dare Forward 2030 global strategic plan.

“The merged companies that formed Stellantis have invested over €1 billion since 2015 to develop a sustainable footprint in the country and grow its brands in line with the Government of India’s plan to develop the auto industry through its ‘Make in India’ initiative under the leadership of the Hon. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

“India is already a major sourcing hub for vehicles, components and mobility technologies and hosts the heart of Stellantis ICT while strongly contributing to the global software development. With its diverse talent base and its demonstrated R&D and engineering expertise, Stellantis India is at the core of Stellantis.”

Electric Trucks

Lunaz Applied Technologies reveals anatomy of upcycled recycling truck ahead of nationwide roll-out

“Ahead of a landmark nationwide roll-out of industrial upcycled electric vehicles (UEVs), Lunaz Applied Technologies (LAT) reveals its earliest and most ambitious design and powertrain requirements. Following a preliminary development phase, which consumed a total of 240 collective years of intensive development by the brand’s engineering and design functions, LAT has met every target outlined in the illustration, in doing so creating the world’s first UEV recycling truck.

UEV design, development and technology changes visual

“These critical vehicles, which are based on the Mercedes-Benz Econic platform, are cleaner, cheaper and better equipped than their all-new battery electric counterparts. Following the significant inflow of government contracts, these UEVs will be operating recycling collection routes for several councils, including a number of London boroughs.

“In upcycling end-of-life Mercedes-Benz Econic recycling trucks, LAT has leveraged the same peerless design and engineering expertise responsible for creating the globally celebrated Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Range Rover and Jaguar UEVs that belong to the Lunaz Design brand. These products recently received considerable media attention after Lunaz investor David Beckham gifted his son Brooklyn Beckham a Jaguar XK140 at his recent nuptials.”

EV Charging

Volvo Cars brings simplicity to public charging with new in-app integration

“Drivers of fully electric Volvo cars in Europe now have a wider choice of public EV charging networks at their fingertips following the integration of the Plugsurfing platform directly into the Volvo Cars app.”

“By enhancing the functionality of the Volvo Cars app, Volvo customers now have access to more than 270,000 charging points across the continent and across borders, while also being able to pay for charging all from a single and seamless gateway.”

Biking

Bike to Work — or anywhere — for fuel savings

Image by Cynthia Shahan, CleanTechnica.

Environment

Lamborghini’s bees busy supporting environmental bio-monitoring

On the occasion of World Bee Day on 20 May, the growing population of 600,000 Lamborghini bees is busy monitoring CO2 levels in the area surrounding the super sports car manufacturer’s Sant’Agata Bolognese headquarters. With 13 hives established in the Lamborghini Park apiary, around 120,000 of the bees forage within the local area and provide data for the company’s environmental bio-monitoring program, initiated in 2016 as part of its commitment to safeguarding the ecosystem.”

Lamborghini on World Bee Day. Image courtesy of Lamborghini.

The technology behind the bee studies

“Through its partnership with the Audi Environmental Foundation, last year Lamborghini established new ‘technological’ beehives, featuring instrumentation to measure the internal and external temperature, humidity and wind speed. They also contain electronic scales to weigh the hive, in order to remotely monitor whether the bees are collecting enough nectar and pollen and whether the family is growing in line with expectations. The two technology beehives have an integrated SIM that can transmit the measured data.”

Biomonitoring project with bees. Image courtesy of Lamborghini.

Roe v. Wade draft bodes ill for air, wetlands and EPA

“Science and the US Supreme Court are on course to become oil and water, much to the joy of Big Oil and to the dread of those who support actions that protect our planet. That’s the implication of the reasoning of Justice Samuel Alito in his leaked draft of the high court’s potential ruling to restrict reproductive rights by overturning Roe v. Wade.”

Tesla

Tesla Semi truck spotted in California — as reservations re-open

Tesla Model 3 converted to an ultimate off-roader with tank chains in place of wheels

The finished project: Tesla Model 3 converted to an off-road tank with chains instead of wheels. Credit: The Real Life Guys / YouTube via Tesla Oracle

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