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Mere weeks after officially debuting its AFEELA EV in front of crowds at CES, the joint venture between Sony and Honda has a unique strategy for how its future customers will be able to afford it. Although we don’t yet know the EV’s starting MSRP, Sony Honda Mobility is already admitting it’s “a bit expensive” due in part to all the technology it will come equipped with to ensure its longevity (hint hint).

Despite Sony bringing some form of a vehicle presence to CES in Las Vegas the past four years, the most recent event felt like the first time an EV with Sony’s DNA could become an genuine consumer model, thanks to a collaboration with Honda announced in March of 2022.

Those initial discussions evolved into an official joint venture called Sony Honda Mobility Inc., which was officially signed over the summer and is expected to bring an EV to several global markets by 2026. Honda will provide its e:Architecture for the JV to build upon, while Sony Mobility Inc. will call in favors to parent Sony Corp. for access to its software and sensor technology. Not to mention its vast catalog of music and video content (ever heard of Ghostbusters?).

At CES, we got our first official look at the EV from the Sony Honda joint venture, which will exist as part of a new automotive brand called AFEELA. Loaded with advanced technology including 45 different sensors, Sony and Honda expect AFEELA to be an EV customers enjoy and keep fresh for years.

Perhaps up to an entire decade? That might be the best way to justify its pending price tag.

Sony Honda Mobility wants you to lease its EV for ten years

When the AFEELA EV begins sales in 2025, Sony Honda Mobility Chairman and CEO Yasuhide Mizuno believes the best route for customers will be a lease, but not your typical three-year option. He spoke to journalists following the CES reveal:

Replacing the car every three to five years is a very traditional methodology. But now, big change. This car is always updating; therefore, we try to utilize customers over five to 10 years.

Ten years is one hell of a commitment for a vehicle you’re not necessarily buying equity in, but the Japanese joint venture thinks AFEELA will have the necessary tech and computing power to stay relevant well into the 2030s.

In addition to the 45 sensors previously mentioned, Mizuno stated that the upcoming EV will come with an 800 trillion operations per second (TOPS) chip from Qualcomm, capable enough to enable Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous driving (if and when those levels become more safe and regulated for widespread use).

An 800 TOPS chip is a ridiculous amount of computing power considering most EVs are currently using chips in the double-digits in terms of TOPS, part of the reason why the joint venture is expecting a fairly high starting price. Per Mizuno:

The car itself is a bit expensive, but subscription payments are not so damaging.

So… rather than pay more money up front to own the EV, you can lease it for ten years? That strategy makes sense to an extent, especially given the computing power and ability for Level 4 autonomous driving being promised, but wouldn’t be easier to make 5-6 years of payments to own the vehicle, than enjoy 4-5 years without a car payment?

Additionally, Sony Honda Mobility Inc. states that future AFEELA customers can refuse updates to their EV to pay less on their lease each month, but if they want their vehicle to stay up-to-date, they must pay the same monthly fee for the entirety of the lease, even as the car drifts further from being shiny and new.

All in all, this remains a tough decision to even fathom given that we have zero inclination of where the Sony Honda EV might start on the price scale.

Looking ahead, Mizuno said the first AFEELA EV will likely be built in the US at a new manufacturing facility Honda is planning to erect in Ohio. Mizuno also stated that the joint venture is planning an entire EV lineup and the AFEELA sedan eventually be joined by an electric SUV next, followed by a second sedan or possible minivan.

The AFEELA EV is expect to go on sale in the US and Japan in mid- to late-2026, followed by Europe by late-2026, early-2027.

Electrek’s Take

I don’t know. I’m in my second three-year lease and feel like that’s plenty of time for the industry to innovate past a given model and get a consumer’s eyes wandering onto what may be next.

Just look at how far EVs in particular have evolved since 2019. Look how many new models there are from many more automakers young and old, not to mention advanced charging capabilities and emerging technologies that could be an industry-wide game changer like solid-state batteries.

That’s a big ask from a joint venture that is looking to reach production on its first ever EV together. It’s not like Honda has BEVs down pat yet, either. It’s practically in R&D phase when it comes to that technology. I’m sure the infotainment and content options will be great from Sony, but cars are a whole other monster, even when considering the fact that EVs are more like computers than ever.

What are the chances these two companies hit it out of the park on their first try? Enough so that consumers keep theirs for ten years without technically owning it?

I’m not saying people won’t commit to a five to ten year lease for an AFEELA EV, I just wonder how many of them see it through maturation, or how many of them bow out early for something newer that goes farther.

I’d be remiss to not mention that I am happy to see this joint venture, despite its brand nomenclature (not AFEELIN it at all), develop something that seems viable and looks sleek. But let’s see how much this thing actually costs.

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Tesla and Rivian are settling their battery tech theft lawsuit

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Tesla and Rivian are settling their battery tech theft lawsuit

Tesla and Rivian have been embroiled in a lawsuit in which the former accused the latter of having stolen battery technology by poaching Tesla employees.

It sounds like the two automakers are finally about to settle the lawsuit, which has been going on for 4 years.

In 2020, Tesla filed a lawsuit against Rivian over allegedly stealing trade secrets by hiring former Tesla employees and encouraging them to bring documents. Rivian has denied the allegations.

When Tesla filed the lawsuit, it wasn’t clear what trade secrets Tesla was claiming Rivian had stolen. However, we noted that the employees listed in the lawsuits were two recruiters, an EHS manager, and a manager of Tesla’s charging networks.

The automaker claimed that these employees brought “documents consisting of highly sensitive trade secret, confidential, and proprietary engineering information” when they went to work for Rivian.

A year later, Tesla expanded the lawsuitclaiming more specifically that Rivian was “stealing the core technology for its next-generation batteries.”

At first, the companies tried to settle out of court, but it didn’t work out, so the lawsuit was moved to court last year.

Over a year later, we now learn that Tesla had notified the court that it expects to file to get the lawsuit dismissed after reaching a conditional agreement with Rivian. The company didn’t disclose the details of the settlement (via Bloomberg):

Tesla didn’t disclose specifics about the agreement in a court filing, but told a California state judge that it expects to seek dismissal of the case by Dec. 24 upon satisfactory completion of the terms.

Neither Tesla nor Rivian have commented on the reported settlement.

While Tesla has claimed that it somewhat open-sourced its patents, we have previously noted that it’s not exactly the case. Tesla claims to let other companies use its patented technology as long as they themselves don’t sue them over patent rights.

And in this specific case, Tesla alleges that Rivian has specifically hired employees to steal technologies. Again, Rivian has denied the allegation.

Electrek’s Take

The terms are unknown, but in similar cases, it often involves things like some level of access to make sure that no proprietary technology is being used or has been used.

The lawsuit is not exactly clear, but based on the timeline and the allegations of “next-gen batteries”, Tesla could have been talking about its 4680 battery cells, although those are cells. It could also be the structural battery pack.

Rivian is expected to use a taller 4695 battery from LG Energy Solutions for its next-generation vehicles.

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Kempower, Proviridis partner on novel electric semi truck charging solution

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Kempower, Proviridis partner on novel electric semi truck charging solution

French infrastructure specialists Proviridis have partnered with EVSE manufacturer Kempower to deliver a novel, underground charging solution for electric semi trucks designed to easily integrate into existing truck depots.

By installing its high-powered charging cabinets underground and integrating the charging cables into a solid metal pipe, Kempower and Proviridis have been able to make room for high-powered charging points in an existing truck depot that didn’t have enough space to install either conventional EVSE or overhead “drop lines.”

For the pilot, the metal pipe is painted in a striking yellow color to make it easier to see while maneuvering the lot, and keeping the dispensers themselves more protected than conventional concrete bollards. The 600 kW power cabinet is positioned a few yards away – a typical space-saving Kempower solution – and connected to the charge points by underground cable.

Proviridis believes their solution provides enough of a competitive advantage that fleet buyers looking to electrify will be eager to give it a try.

“The product is durable across a wide spectrum of temperatures and conditions, requires minimal ventilation, and can cater for a wide range of customer needs,” explains Olivier Verdu, Technical Director at Proviridis. “These are features which perfectly place the Kempower solution for this type of charging configuration in a logistics environment.”

Electrek’s Take

While traditional charging equipment can cause up to 20% of an existing truck depot’s parking capacity to be lost, the Kempower products have already gained recognition for the efficient size footprint of its overground Satellites. If this underground version proves to be even better, you can expect to see a lot more Kempower installations near you.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Kempower.

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For a limited time, save $500 on a Centris folding eBike from Buzz Bicycles

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For a limited time, save 0 on a Centris folding eBike from Buzz Bicycles

In honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, eBike specialist Buzz Bicycles is offering an exclusive discount for Electrek readers on its Centris Class 2 Folding Bike.

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Buzz Bicycles is back with an exclusive new deal

Buzz Bicycles has been a mainstay on Electrek for a few years now, as we have covered several of its electric bikes, which suit riders of all skill levels and help them “Buzz through life.” Buzz is an omnichannel eBike brand that prioritizes direct-to-consumerism and has found success in its mission to deliver ultimate transportation solutions at an excellent value for its growing base of eBike enthusiasts.

The company strives to deliver riders a “Wow moment,” which is usually brought on as they feel the pedal assist function kick in. This feature delivers all you need to conquer hills and longer rides while enjoying new adventures with friends.

The Buzz team has utilized decades of industry experience into its portfolio of eBikes, all conceived and designed in Dayton, Ohio. The company, which operates under the United Wheels umbrella alongside brands like Huffy Bicycles, Niner Bikes, and Batch Bicycles, has adopted an ethos that the freedom of riding should be fun and accessible for everyone, no matter what adventure lies ahead.

By leveraging the global presence of its parent company, Buzz Bicycles can make good on its promise to deliver affordable eBikes that are comfortable, powerful, and safe, much like the Centris Folding eBike, which is as versatile and compact as it is fun. The exclusive deal Buzz Bicycles is offering on the Centris makes it even more fun. You can take advantage of it below.

But first, you’ll want to learn about the capabilities of this foldable eBike to truly understand its value, as well as what accessories are available to level up your purchase.

Buzz Bicycles

The Buzz Centris is an easy to ride foldable eBike for all

The Buzz Centris is a Class 2 Folding eBike built for comfort and convenience no matter where you take it. At full size, the Centris’ step-through frame offers a low step-over height of just 16 inches, perfect for riders of all sizes, enabling easy transitions from ground to saddle for its riders.

When you’re not riding, the Centris from Buzz Bicycles folds neatly to 34 inches in length and 22 inches in height, making it easy to store at home or to carry in a vehicle on the way to your next ride. Furthermore, the assembled bike only weighs 68 pounds, making it easy to transport.

You can easily navigate tougher terrain on the Centris thanks to the eBike’s 20″ x 4″ knobby tires and front suspension. The bike is powered by a 48V, 500-watt-hour (Wh) battery pack that can propel it to a top speed of 20 mph for an all-electric range of up to 40 miles on a single charge.

Additionally, this folding model from Buzz Bicycles comes equipped with both a front and rear rack, offering versatile cargo-carrying options so you can customize your ride with a variety of Buzz accessories.

Like all Buzz eBikes, the Centris is tested and deemed compliant with the UL2849 standard. This standard covers the entire electric bicycle system, including the motor, battery, controller, and charger, offering the highest safety standards for added peace of mind.

The Centris Class 2 folding bike from Buzz is available in two colors: Gloss White or Matte Black. This $1,199 eBike is currently reduced to $899 – and you can score an additional $200 off with this exclusive promo, but only for a limited time.

With the purchase of any Buzz eBike, including the Centris, you are guaranteed the following:

  • 10-year limited warranty (lightweight aluminum frame protected for full 10 years)
  • 2-year limited warranty (electrical components covered by 2-year warranty for peace of mind)
  • 6-month limited warranty (additional bike components protected by a 6-month warranty)
Buzz Bicycles

Are you interested in the Centris from Buzz Bicycles? You’ve come to the right place. Starting today, while supplies last, you can take advantage of an additional $200 off the sale price by using promo code “ELECTREK200. That’s a $500 discount in total!

Don’t wait, because this deal only runs through 11:59 PM on December 8, 2024.

We highly recommend perusing Buzz’s entire lineup of products. They are designed for commuters and casual riders, with technology and features that help you quickly feel comfortable riding. If you are new to the world of E-transportation, Buzz Bicycles is the brand for you. 

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