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Vyas Shenoy, a Ford engineer behind the advanced Pro Power Onboard technology on the Ford F-150 Lighting electric truck, says the feature means more to him than just having portable energy.

Ford has sent shockwaves across the auto industry with the introduction of its fully electric F-150 Lightning. If you haven’t seen one of these out in the wild yet, just wait. They are something.

The Lightning continues winning customers over, selling a record 2,436 in October to remain the best-selling electric truck across the US despite rising competition. A total of 11,196 Lightning pickups have been sold through October 2022 as Ford ramps production going into next year.

Lightning drivers are finding their electric truck has more capabilities than their gas-powered peers could dream of, which is why Ford calls it the “smartest, most innovative F-150 yet.”

The Ford F-150 Lighting includes an innovative feature called Pro Power Onboard that essentially turns the vehicle into a powerful mobile energy power bank.

With up to 9.6 kW power spread across 11 outlets, drivers can “tap in” whenever and wherever energy is needed. Drivers have found convenient ways to utilize the power, for example:

  • When thousands of customers lost power during Hurricane Nicole, Bob Hathaway used his Ford Lightning to make the most of it by powering the coffee maker and toaster (he even let the neighbors tap in for energy).
  • Remy Oktay, a student from Lafayette high school, needed help getting his electric plane to Pennsylvania, so several Ford F-150 Lightning owners stepped up, charging the plane in hour intervals.
  • A film crew turned to Ford’s electric vehicles to power their movie set (everything down to the coffee maker) placed deep in the woods.

Meanwhile, the brains behind the technology, Vyas Shenoy, a Ford engineer, says the electric truck’s portable power capabilities “is a perfect testimony to life coming full circle” after growing up with electricity being a luxury.

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Vyas Shenoy parents next to a Ford F-150 Lightning Source: Ford LinkedIn

Ford Engineer – F-150 Lightning Pro Power an “emotional feature”

Shenoy grew up in a small village in Southern India where the electricity could be out for several weeks at a time. In a LinkedIn post on Ford’s page, Shenoy explains:

Where I grew up in India, we had mandatory electricity cuts every day. And during a monsoon, we had to live without electricity for weeks because the trees had fallen, and it was flooded. There was no developed infrastructure to support the grid because all the power was going to the big cities.

Even everyday items for many of us, like battery-powered flashlights, were hard to come by. Shenoy says, “those were real commodities,” adding around grade 11, “we started getting 12-volt batteries – a portable charger with a 12-volt battery and two fluorescent tubes that could be used for study.”

Meanwhile, he added, “they were very expensive and a luxury to afford.”

Shenoy was determined for a better life, earning a Bachelor of Engineering and Diploma DME (GL) degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manipal University in India.

He wanted more. Shenoy wished to pursue higher education in the US, but again, it was expensive.

Imagine a person struggling to get a battery for studies now investing in a higher education in America.

To help his son achieve his dreams, Shenoy’s father gave him property rights to the family house. Shenoy hopped on the opportunity, taking a loan against the property and making his way to the US without knowing anyone.

My mission is zero to hero.

Shenoy earned a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from the University of Michigan and then took a job with Ford, where he has helped develop Pro Power Onboard on the F-150 Lightning.

Shenoy’s parents visited him over the summer, and knowing their struggle, he brought Ford’s electric truck to the house to show them what he has been working on. He said, “my parents were on cloud 9.”

Thinking back, Shenoy feels immense pride in what he has accomplished with the Lightning, adding:

I’ve seen what it is to be without electricity growing up, getting my education under that kerosene lamp. And now to be on this aspirational journey working with a fantastic team on a technological breakthrough product at Ford that can provide up to 9.6 kW of power through an electric truck is a perfect testimony to life coming full circle. I’ve seen the other side of life without electricity, and I’m contributing to a future where we don’t have to worry about things like that.

Electrek’s Take

We have followed Ford’s electric journey closely this year as drivers test new ways to use innovative features like Pro Power Onboard in their new Lightning trucks.

Hearing Shenoy’s story gives a new meaning to “coming full circle,” and the automaker’s electric journey is just starting. Ford’s Pro Power Onboard showcases another strength in which electric vehicles can benefit users with portable power.

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Newly unveiled electric bike motor is ‘world’s lightest, most efficient’

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Newly unveiled electric bike motor is 'world's lightest, most efficient'

TQ, the German force behind some of the lightest and quietest e-bike motors on the market, just took a leap forward – again. Barely weeks after debuting the lightweight HPR60 e-bike drive system, the company has introduced the HPR40, now claiming the title of the lightest and most efficient mid-drive motor in the world.

Tailored for road and gravel e-bikes, the HPR40 clocks in at just 1.17 kg (2.6 lb). That means it has slashed nearly half the weight of the previous HPR60, which weighed 1.92 kg (4.2 lb).

Despite being smaller, it still delivers a respectable 40 Nm of torque and up to 200W of peak power, making it ideal for riders seeking subtle assist rather than brute force. This isn’t about raw horsepower; it’s about efficiency and seamless integration.

Don’t expect to see it on the next 750W Lectric or Aventon, but look for it on higher-end gravel and road e-bikes where riders are looking for a modest boost instead of a powerful burst.

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Unlike motors that have been rebadged from their original use on mountain bikes or commuters, TQ designed the HPR40 from scratch for lighter frames, aiming to remain nearly invisible on a bike’s bottom bracket and with controls hidden inside the handlebar. The result is a drive system that blends into the bike like a whisper, offering performance without the bulk.

At the heart of the HPR motor is TQ’s Harmonic Pin-Ring Transmission, which is a refined drivetrain rearranged to live fully inside a bike in place of the bottom bracket. This clever design eliminates noisy gears, reduces friction, and lets the motor engage instantly with zero lag. While that might sound like many mid-drives we regularly see from manufacturers like Bosch, TQ’s is so small and so deeply integrated that it’s barely visible to a casual observer.

The HPR40 pairs with a 290Wh battery that weighs just 1.46 kg (3.2 lb) and is hidden inside the downtube. There’s also a water bottle-sized 160 Wh range extender available, keeping total system weight under 2.7 kg (6 lbs). That’s one of the lightest fully integrated e-bike systems out there.

Control comes via a hidden handlebar remote hidden under the handlebar tape, and a sleek end-cap LED display keeps essentials in view without disrupting aesthetics. This stripped-down interface reinforces TQ’s philosophy: get out of the rider’s way. Or as New Atlas humorously described it, “it’s almost as if the company is daring riders to start a fresh round of mechanical doping scandals.”

TQ’s HPR40 isn’t just a fancy new drive system in a display booth, it’s already built into the new Canyon Endurace:ONFly, a sub‑10 kg (22 lb) e-road bike that tips the scales at just 9.9 kg. The Endurace:ONFly marries TQ’s whisper-soft assist with Canyon’s aerodynamic finesse, offering riders a bike that feels analog but rides electric.

The HPR40’s high torque density means riders can double their pedaling output with a modest 200 W boost. That translates to better climbs, longer rides, and a natural ride feel, all without the compromises of heavier systems. Considering that many riders can put out around 200W of constant power by themselves, the effect is like having a tandem rider along helping out, except that he only weighs 6 pounds.

The move shows that not every drive maker is merely chasing horsepower and torque figures. Instead, by merging elegant design, noticeable yet natural power, and light weight, TQ is proving that electric assistance doesn’t have to scream. It can whisper.

Electrek’s Take

Here’s the real story: the HPR40 isn’t just a technical footnote, it’s a signal. It shows that electric bike engineering is transitioning from brute force toward a future that also includes invisible, intuitive power systems. For riders chasing the delicate line between analog feel and electric assist, this is a breakthrough.

And considering that many riders are reaching an age where their mind wants to do the kind of rides that their body might no longer be capable of, systems like these can keep those riders in the saddle for longer. That’s many more years of keeping the good times rolling (and keeping the body young by continuing regular exercise).

Now the question is whether other brands will follow suit. Will we see this ultra-light motor trickle down into commuter e‑bikes or adventure-ready gravel rigs? If so, the day when an e‑bike feels exactly like a bike, but gives you a little assist when you need it most, just got much closer.

TQ is playing a long game: subtle, smart, and purpose-built. The HPR40 is merely the first move, and if this is any indicator, the next wave of e-bikes may feel less electric and more… old school?

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Elon Musk claims Tesla delivered its first car fully autonomously from factory to customer

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Elon Musk claims Tesla delivered its first car fully autonomously from factory to customer

Elon Musk claims Tesla has delivered its first car fully autonomously from the factory to a customer’s home “across town.”

If true, I’d argue that this is actually a bigger deal than its “Robotaxi” with supervisors, but there are still questions about the value of such a system.

The Tesla CEO announced on X:

The first fully autonomous delivery of a Tesla Model Y from factory to a customer home across town, including highways, was just completed a day ahead of schedule!!

Musk has been known to stretch the meaning of the words “fully autonomous” over the years, but he did give a few more details:

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There were no people in the car at all and no remote operators in control at any point. FULLY autonomous! To the best of our knowledge, this is the first fully autonomous drive with no people in the car or remotely operating the car on a public highway.

This would be somewhat of an improvement from its recently launched Robotaxi service, which involves a Tesla employee in the passenger seat at all times, ready to hit a kill switch.

However, Musk’s last comment is not valid. Several companies have tested fully autonomous driving with no one in the driver’s seat or in the car, and Waymo has even started offering rides to paying passengers on freeways.

Highway driving is part of Waymo’s operations in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, although it is currently only available to employees through Waymo’s internal app in the latter two markets.

Musk says that a video of the milestone is coming soon.

The milestone comes after Tesla has been moving its vehicles autonomously from the end of the line to its delivery lots at factories in the US for the last few months.

Electrek’s Take

With in-car supervisors at all times and numerous issues arising in just the first few days of operations, Tesla’s Robotaxi launch fell short of expectations. For anyone who had previously experienced Tesla’s Supervised Full Self-Driving or a more comprehensive product like Waymo, it didn’t feel special.

An autonomous drive with no one in the car, including highway driving from the factory to a customer’s home, can be more impressive, albeit with some potential caveats.

“No people in the car at all and no remote operators in control at any point.” In some sense, Tesla’s FSD and Robotaxi programs would be able to do that too, it’s just that Tesla is not confident that they can do it reliably enough over long periods of time to remove the supervision.

Which raises the question: what’s different with this?

No one in the car, so Tesla doesn’t take the safety concerns as seriously? That would be weird, as the safety of people outside of the vehicle, aka other road users, also needs to be considered.

It’s possible that Tesla tested the particular route for this drive several times and then remotely, even potentially with a trailing car, as it was spotted several times in recent months, monitored it with someone ready to stop it at all times.

It wouldn’t be that far from what Tesla already operates, and not something scalable until we see data that shows Tesla can consistently do this safely over hundreds of thousands of miles.

Ultimately, that remains the main issue. Tesla is big on making videos and making showy statements when it comes to self-driving, but it has never released any relevant data. Ever. Let’s see it.

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The GMC Sierra EV pickup just got way more affordable

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The GMC Sierra EV pickup just got way more affordable

The 2026 GMC Sierra EV is already over $27,500 cheaper than the outgoing model. With new deals dropping this month, the electric pickup is even more affordable.

The 2026 GMC Sierra gets more affordable and capable

After introducing the new Elevation and AT4 variants for the 2026 model year, GMC said the Sierra EV is now “right in the heart of the premium truck market.” It looks like GMC wasn’t just talking.

The 2026 GMC Sierra EV Elevation starts at $64,495. That’s $27,795 less than the 2025 Denali edition, which has a base price of $92,290 (which we had the opportunity to try out).

After launching new lease deals and other discounts this month, the 2026 GMC Sierra EV is surprisingly affordable. The base Sierra EV 4WD Elevation is listed for lease at just $559 per month. In comparison, monthly leases for the 2025 model year start at $949.

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The offer is for a 36-month lease with $5,599 due at signing and based on an MSRP of $64,495. However, the deal is only good until June 30, 2025.

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2026 GMC Sierra EV AT4 (left) and Elevation (right) trims (Source: GMC)

Since the Elevation and Denali trims start under the $80,000 threshold, they qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit (as long as it’s still available).

GM is offering more ways to save on the 20,25 model year, including 2.9% APR for 72 months and a $3,000 Purchase Allowance.

2026-GMC-Sierra-EV affordable
2026 GMC Sierra EV AT4 (Source: GM)

The 2026 GMC Sierra EV is available with three battery pack options: Standard, Extended, and Max Range, boasting a range of up to 478 miles.

With an all-electric powertrain, the Sierra is more capable than ever. The base Elevation trim offers a best-in-class rating of up to 605 horsepower and can tow up to 12,300 lbs.

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2026 GMC Sierra EV AT4 with MultiPro Tailgate (Source: GM)

It also comes with a few added perks, including GMC’s MultiPro Tailgate, a flexible tailgate system with six different configurations that make hauling even easier.

Inside, the electric pickup features a 16.8″ infotainment system with Google built-in. GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance system comes standard on AT4 and Denali trims.

The new AT4 model features an added 2″ of ground clearance, a lifted coil suspension, perimeter grille illumination, and 35″ all-terrain tires. It also has an exclusive Terrain Mode, which maximizes torque, control, and more using GM’s new software.

2026 GMC Sierra EV trim Starting Price
(MSRP including $2,05 DFC)
Max Driving Range
Elevation (Standard Range) $64,495 283 miles
Elevation (Extended Range) $72,695 410 miles
AT4 (Standard Range) $81,395 390 miles
AT4 (Extended Range) $91,695 478 miles
Denali (Standard Range) $71,795 283 miles
Denali (Extended Range) $79,995 410 miles
Denali (Max Range) $100,695 478 miles
2026 GMC Sierra EV prices, battery, and trim options (Source: GMC)

With DC fast charging speeds of up to 350 kW, the 2026 Sierra EV can gain about 100 miles of range in roughly 10 minutes.

After cutting lease prices last month, Chevy’s electric pickup, the Silverado EV, may also be worth considering right now.

Want to see what the electric pickup is all about? You can use our link to find 2025 and 2026 GMC Sierra EV models available at a dealer near you (trusted affiliate link).

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