Connect with us

Published

on

General Motors is showing off its first Chevy Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) in its latest video. With instant torque, stealth-like abilities, and impressive performance, the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV PPV is designed to tackle any demands.

Meet the first Chevy Blazer EV PPV model

The Chevy Blazer, arguably GMs most iconic SUV nameplate, is entering the electric era. After teasing the electric SUV at CES 2022, GM officially revealed the Chevy Blazer EV last July.

Although the electric Blazer features GM’s updated design, like the gas-powered version, the similarities end there.

Based on the Ultium platform, GM upgraded the Blazer with modern design, performance, and technology. The company initially said the Blazer EV would be available in four trims, the 1LT, 2LT, SS, and RS versions, and a Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) edition.

Last July, we got our first glimpse of the Chevy Blazer EV PPV during the model launch. GM said the police-rated EV would be based on the performance “SS” model using the largest Ultium battery in its lineup.

GM’s fleet management business, “GM Envolve,” released a new video Monday, giving us a closer look at what we can expect from the Police-rated Blazer EV.

First Chevy Blazer EV PPV (Source: GM Envolve)

The Chevy Blazer EV PPV features several police-specific features, including a certified speedometer, heavy-duty suspension, underbody skid plates, and 20-inch steel wheels.

Powered by a 400V AWD system, the electric Blazer is capable of up to 498 hp and 531 lb-ft of instant torque. The Ultium platform enables an optimized weight distribution and low center of gravity for dynamic driving to meet the demands of law enforcement.

The electric Blazer PPV’s 105 kWh battery provides a GM-estimated range of 250 miles with traditional emergency equipment.

Chevy has included a number of features to help make law enforcement’s daily tasks easier with things like keyless entry and contactless ignition. Once the key fob is detected, the vehicle will start. Meanwhile, if the key fob leaves, the Blazer will enter “Protected Idle,” where the car is powered and unlocked, ready for a quick response.

Inside, the police-rated Blazer EV has several standard features, including a rear camera mirror, available disabled back door handles, and more.

With 400V DC fast charging, the Blazer EV PPV can add up to 71 miles of range in 10 minutes or 141 miles in roughly 30 minutes.

Chevrolet released finalized pricing and range for several Blazer EV trims last week. The 2LT AWD will start at $56,715 with 279 miles of range, while the RS AWD and RS RWD will start at $60,215 and $61,790, with 279 miles range and GM estimated 320 miles range.

The company says the Chevy Blazer RS AWD will be the first to launch this summer, followed by the RS RWD and 2LT AWD, set to begin production this fall.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Eve Energy rolls solid-state batteries off new assembly line to power humanoids, flying cars

Published

on

By

Eve Energy rolls solid-state batteries off new assembly line to power humanoids, flying cars

What a headline and what a future evolving before our eyes. Chinese battery expert EVE Energy inaugurated a new production base yesterday, and to celebrate the feat, rolled one of its new all-solid-state batteries off the production line.

EVE Energy Co., Ltd. is a Chinese battery manufacturer approaching 25 years in the industry. It develops, manufactures, and delivers lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems to OEMs around the world.

The company’s current production footprint includes facilities in at least four regions of China, in addition to a plant in Malaysia and Hungary. In 2021, EVE shared plans to erect a new lithium-ion battery research and development center and manufacturing plant in Chengdu, in the Sichuan region of southwest China.

Since then, EVE Energy has made impressive strides beyond traditional lithium-ion cells and into highly coveted all-solid-state technology. Yesterday, EVE Energy officially opened its new solid-state battery production base in Chengdu and even produced one of its new “Longquan II” cells (pictured above).

Advertisement – scroll for more content

EVE solid-state
Source: EVE Energy

EVE to build 500k solid-state cells per year in Chengdu

EVE Energy shared details of yesterday’s solid-state production base inauguration in a release today. The new 11,000-square-meter (118,400-square-foot) facility in Chengdu is officially open, but will continue development and expansion through 2026.

As initially announced in 2021, EVE Energy’s Chengdu facility will be constructed in two phases – the first of which is expected to be completed in December. Phase one will offer the capacity to manufacture 60-Ah batteries and EVE’s “Longquan II” solid-state cells – the first of which rolled off the production line yesterday.

The Longquan II is a 10-Ah all-solid-state cell with an energy density of up to 300 Wh/kg. Per EVE Energy, mass production of these ultra-dense cells will eventually power humanoid robots, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and AI equipment.

At its new Chengdu base, EVE has already vowed to fully commit funding, equipment, and R&D resources to achieve an energy density of 400 Wh/kg by 2025. The company also stated that this week’s production launch of the Longquan series “marks a crucial step forward for Eve Energy in solid-state battery industrialization.”

Following phase one’s completion by year’s end, EVE said phase two will bolster the facility’s annual production capacity to 500,000 cells, equating to 100 MWh by December 2026.

There was no mention of any specific solid-state cells developed for electric vehicles. Still, EVE Energy is inching toward mass production of the technology while producing higher energy densities to support automotive OEMs, perhaps one day.

Last year, Zhao Ruirui, executive vice president of EVE Energy’s research institute, shared plans to launch all-solid-state batteries for Chinese passenger cars in 2026, beginning with hybrid EVs.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Volkswagen vows to make EVs more affordable, starting with the ID.Polo and a new SUV

Published

on

By

Volkswagen vows to make EVs more affordable, starting with the ID.Polo and a new SUV

It’s official. Volkswagen is shaking up its EV naming strategy. After confirming the ID.2 will launch as the ID.Polo, Volkswagen promises its new family of entry-level EVs “will make electric driving more affordable than ever.” The ID.Polo is just the start with an electric T-Cross and much more coming soon.

Meet the Volkswagen ID.Polo

Volkswagen is reviving some of its most popular nameplates for its next-generation electric vehicles. Starting with the ID.Polo next year, Volkswagen will begin transferring names from ICE models to its new family of EVs.

The all-electric ID.Polo “is just the beginning,” according to Thomas Schäfer, VW brand CEO. As the production version of the ID.2all concept from 2023, the 25,000 euro ($29,000) entry-level electric car, the Polo EV, is expected to be a cornerstone of Volkswagen’s electrification strategy.

“A model like the Polo shows just how powerful a name can be,” Martin Sanders, Volkswagen’s sales boss, said, adding, “it stands for reliability, personality and history.”

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The ID.Polo is just the start. Volkswagen has several new affordable EVs on the way, including the ID.Cross, an electric counterpart to the T-Cross.

Volkswagen said its new family of EVs marks the beginning of a new era, promising to make electric driving more affordable than ever.

The ID.Polo will evolve into an electric hot hatch, featuring a sporty GTI variant. Sanders said the ID.GTI Concept will go into production as the ID. Polo GTI, which is also launching next year. It will offer “outstanding dynamics and plenty of driving pleasure,” Sanders ensured.

Volkswagen-ID-Polo-EV-GTI
Volkswagen ID.Polo and ID.Polo GTI (Source: Volkswagen)

Volkswagen will showcase the ID.Polo and ID.Polo GTI for the first time at the Munich Motor Show, starting on September 8.

The day before, September 7, Volkswagen will unveil the ID.Cross concept. It’s also slated to arrive in 2026 as the electric counterpart to its best-selling T-Cross SUV.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Segway’s electric go-karts are joining forces with the world’s largest indoor karting chain

Published

on

By

Segway's electric go-karts are joining forces with the world's largest indoor karting chain

Segway just smashed the accelerator pedal on youth motorsports, teaming up with indoor karting giant K1 Speed in a new partnership that blends electric micromobility with high-octane (high-electron?) thrills and fun.

The collaboration will see Segway become the official sponsor of K1’s Junior and Teen Challenge GP leagues, while also putting Segway’s high-performance scooters and go-karts directly in front of the next generation of electric racing fans.

Segway will serve as the official sponsor of K1 Speed’s Junior and Teen Challenge GP leagues, a racing series that pits the best young go-kart racers against each other at K1 tracks across the country. Winners will even take home some fun prizes like the Segway GoKart Pro 2.

“Segway’s partnership with K1 Speed perfectly reflects our passion for performance, innovation, and inspiring the next generation of riders,” said Alex Connelly, head of emerging business development at Segway. “By bringing our products directly to K1 fans and powering the Junior and Teen Challenge GP leagues, we’re creating opportunities for more people to experience even more everyday thrills!”

Advertisement – scroll for more content

K1 Speed operates over 100 locations across 30 states and 10 countries, all using fully electric go-karts, making this partnership a perfect alignment in both spirit and tech. “Segway’s incredible reputation as a front-runner in electric mobility aligns perfectly with our use of fully electric go-karts,” said K1 co-founder Susan Danglard.

The partnership also brings more access to Segway’s other micromobility products, such as their range of electric scooters that cover everything from commuting to high-performance riding. Segway’s most exciting electric vehicles, including the Max G3 e-scooter, F3 commuter scooter, GT3 performance scooter, and the GoKart Pro 2, are now available for purchase directly from K1’s website. That last one might be the most fun of all: the GoKart Pro 2 is a 3-in-1 electric vehicle that hits speeds of up to 27 mph (43 km/h), transforms into a self-balancing scooter, and even doubles as a racing simulator controller for PC gaming.

Oh, and yes… it’s designed for both kids and adults. So parents, don’t pretend you’re buying one just for the kids.

Electrek’s Take

We’ve seen branding deals before that are just that… all about branding. But this feels like much more than just a cross-promo play. It’s a real look at how electric mobility brands can build cultural relevance with young riders early – and maybe even help grow the next generation of e-racing pros while they’re at it.

By getting kids and teens into EVs, without the focus being on the EV itself, it helps cement the idea that these aren’t some new alternatives… they’re just the best way to build transportation devices, whether it’s for commuting, adventuring, or just plain fun racing!

K1’s electric karts are a bit faster than Segway’s, but they’re also built to be abused all day, every day. That Segway kart looks pretty fun for a personal option!

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending