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Barcelona-based Silence has just unveiled its Silence S04 electric car, which will be produced in two models with varying power and speed levels.

Silence is best known for multiple models electric maxiscooters, the S01, S02 and S03. The 60 mph scooters are larger than most in the industry, but now Silence is going even bigger. And adding two more wheels.

The S04 electric car was unveiled at the opening of the company’s new Barcelona headquarters. Two models were announced for the L6e and L7e categories, which represent different legal classifications for quadricyles in Europe.

The small S04 “cars” use offset seating, fitting two passengers in the short 2.33 meter (7’7″) long vehicle. The minimalistic design allows two cars to fit in a typical car parking spot, according to the company. With offset seats, part of the car’s rear includes storage next to the rear passenger.

The L6e version will have a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), a 6 kW motor and can be operated by drivers with a simple AM moped license, usually meaning they are licensed for 50cc mopeds. This license is common for younger riders aged 14-16 in many European countries.

The L7e version has a higher top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) and a larger 14 kW motor. It will require a standard car driver’s license.

The models also offer different battery sizes, with a smaller 5.6 kWh trolley-style wheeled battery in the lower power version and a larger 11.2 kWh battery in the higher power version. Silence rates the cars at 149 km (92 miles) of range on the WMTC standard.

The wheeled batteries are quite similar to those developed by Silence for the company’s electric scooters, though feature higher capacity.

The Silence S04 will start at €7,500 (approximately US $8,730), and there will also be a possibility to purchase the vehicle without batteries. Using a model similar to Gogoro’s electric scooter battery swapping, Silence will install battery swap stations in Barcelona to test a new battery swapping pilot. Drivers would buy the car without paying for the battery, then would enroll in a battery swapping program for €20 per month.

These types of quadricyles are becoming popular options in Europe, where legal classifications exist to promote their use. Small electric “cars” like the Citroen Ami and Renault Twizy offer the benefits of enclosed electric vehicles, but with limited speed and power that is more appropriate for the tight confines of urban driving.

Such Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs) have only recently started appearing in the US, though are mostly limited to imported Chinese models that are not legal for on-road use as they are not registered with the NHTSA and lack the necessary DOT homologation.

via: ElectricHunter


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MasterChef presenter John Torode says allegation he used racist language upheld in report

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MasterChef presenter John Torode says allegation he used racist language upheld in report

MasterChef presenter John Torode says an allegation he used “racial language” was upheld in a report as part of a review into the behaviour of his former co-presenter Gregg Wallace.

The report, led by law firm Lewis Silkin, found 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated.

There were also two standalone allegations made against other people.

In a statement posted on his Instagram page, Torode said he was one of those people, but added that he had “no recollection of the incident” and said he “did not believe that it happened”.

He commented: “Following publication of the executive summary of the investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld.

“For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion.

“The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.

“I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened.

“However, I want to be clear that I’ve always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. I’m shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.”

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Gregg Wallace: Over half of allegations against MasterChef presenter substantiated, including one of unwanted physical contact

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Gregg Wallace: Over half of allegations against MasterChef presenter upheld, including one of unwanted physical contact

An investigation into Gregg Wallace’s “inappropriate behaviour” on MasterChef has found that more than half of the allegations against him have been substantiated, including one of “unwanted physical contact”.

MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK shared a summary of its report into historical allegations of misconduct against the 60-year-old presenter, carried out by independent law firm Lewis Silkin over seven months.

The report also said the number of sustained allegations made Wallace’s return to MasterChef “untenable”.

The investigation heard evidence from 78 witnesses, including 41 complainants.

There were 83 allegations against Wallace, and 45 of them were substantiated. All were related to MasterChef.

While the majority of the substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated.

One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated.

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Nearly all the allegations against Wallace were related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018, with just one substantiated allegation taking place post-2018.

Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014
Image:
Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014

Ahead of the publication of the summary, Wallace had said he had been “cleared of the most serious and sensational accusations” made against him.

Additionally, the report summary found that there were also 10 standalone allegations about other people between 2012 and 2018/2019, two of which were substantiated. Those people were not named in the summary.

The investigation found that complaints had previously been raised with the production company between 2005 and 2024.

Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024
Image:
Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024

While the report flagged inadequate reporting procedures prior to 2016, when Endemol merged with Shine ahead of Banijay acquiring Endemol Shine in 2020, it said there were significant improvements to HR processes and training after 2016.

While the investigation said some formal action was taken by the BBC in 2017, it also noted the corporation held no information regarding concerns raised over Wallace centrally, resulting in issues being addressed as a first offence.

Sky News has tried to contact Gregg Wallace for contact today.

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Man arrested for alleged sexual assault ‘on set of EastEnders’

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Man arrested for alleged sexual assault 'on set of EastEnders'

A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and sexual assault – which reportedly took place on the set of EastEnders.

The alleged incident happened on the set of the BBC soap at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, according to The Sun newspaper.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed a man in his 50s was arrested after the report in Eldon Avenue, Borehamwood, on 7 May.

The man is accused of sexual assault and common assault in relation to two victims, the force said.

The suspect is on bail while inquiries continue, police added.

EastEnders said in a statement: “While we would never comment on individuals, EastEnders has on-site security and well-established procedures in place to safeguard the safety and welfare of everyone who works on the show.”

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