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Ford Pro released its second-generation EV charger Tuesday, the Series 2 AC Charging Station 80 amp. The new EV charger is designed to simplify and improve the experience, making it easier than ever for fleets to go electric.

Ford Pro unveils Series 2 EV charger

“We’re committed to helping businesses make the transition to electric easy with a single-minded focus on curated commercial charging solutions,” Ted Cannis, Ford Pro CEO, explained after releasing its latest charging solutions.

The team at Ford Pro learned from its first-generation chargers, taking into account feedback from business and fleet owners to develop the Series 2 EV charger. Now available for pre-order, the Series 2 AC Charging Station features:

  • An improved detachable cable and connector to reduce charging time and repairs due to damaged or disconnected cables.
  • A wide range of connective options with pre-configured cellular and optional Wi-Fi and Ethernet (for places with restricted coverage).
  • Enhanced security with RFID to limit unwanted charger access. Fleet operators can enable limited charging sessions for specific individuals or vehicles by specifying the day and time for access.
  • A new LCD screen to display step-by-step instructions on how to initiate charging and other important info like charge duration, energy use, fault alerts, and more.
  • Temperature sensors to monitor for overheating
  • Extended operating temperature range of -40F to 122F. It can also operate at an altitude of 3,500 mm.
  • A 3-year warranty on charger parts and labor with 24/7 tech support to enhance uptime.

The new EV charger will also come with Ford Pro’s “one-stop shop” suite of products for all business needs, including charging, software, services, financing, and more, under one convenient bundle.

Ford-Pro-EV-charger
(Source: Ford Pro)

Ford Pro’s smart charging software ensures vehicles are charged when needed. The integrated technology helps fleets optimize how, when, and where cars are charged. It also includes utility reimbursement reporting for home-based drivers and performance tracking to maximize the cost of ownership.

Ford Pro also revealed new 180 kW and 240kW DC fast charging options Tuesday, giving businesses and fleet operators more versatility with more powerful, shorter charging times.

There are several incentives and rebates to help businesses and fleets go electric. Incentives can include up to a 30% federal tax credit on charging and installation, up to $7,500 on the purchase of a qualified EV, and hundreds of federal, state, and local options.

Ford-Pro-EV-charger
(Source: Ford Pro)

To help businesses take advantage of incentives available to them, Ford Pro curated a list that can be found here.

The new Series 2 EV charger is available now for pre-order. You can check it out by going to the link: https://ford.to/Series2ChargerPreorder.

Ford Pro offers several all-electric vehicles ready to tackle any mission, including the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro and Ford E-Transit electric van. The company saw a 22% increase in QoQ at the end of Q2 in customers using Ford Pro Charging solutions, with over 4,200 chargers under contract.

In Europe, Ford Pro launched the all-electric E-Tourneo Courier and E-Transit Courier earlier this year, expanding EV options for customers.

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Honda to unveil sporty new electric motorcycle in September

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Honda to unveil sporty new electric motorcycle in September

Honda is set to pull the covers off a new electric motorcycle on September 2, teasing the upcoming reveal with camouflaged images on the brand’s social media. The upcoming unveiling is sparking speculation that this could be one of the first models in Honda’s long-promised push into more powerful motorcycle electrification.

The teasers show the shape of a motorcycle with fairly conventional proportions, including a two-up seat, standard riding posture, single-sided rear swingarm, and no visible foot-forward scooter ergonomics, which suggests this will be an honest-to-goodness motorcycle rather than an e-scooter. The bodywork looks sporty but subdued, lacking the aggressive fairings of a supersport, which may point to a street-oriented commuter or naked bike. In fact, it looks a lot like the EV Fun Concept unveiled by Honda last October in Milan, seen above.

Street commuter bikes are common among electric motorcycle makers. They capitalize on the strengths of electric drivetrains without requiring the long range associated with touring motorcycles. It’s a move we’ve seen play out time and again among brands like Can-Am, Kawasaki, Ryvid, and others who have produced smaller, urban-focused electric motorcycles in the last few years.

This aligns with Honda’s previously stated plans. The company announced years ago that it would introduce at least 10 electric motorcycle models by 2025, ranging from commuter vehicles to high-performance machines. So far, its progress has been modest, with small-scale launches focused around electric scooters and prototype testbeds like the CR Electric motocross bike.

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Whispers from Honda have hinted at an upcoming street bike, and some observers believe this new model could be the production version of that EV Fun Concept from EICMA Milan Motorcycle Show. Whether it uses Honda’s swappable batteries like the EM1 e: remains to be seen, but it’s likely to target daily riders in urban markets rather than aiming for long-range touring or high-speed sport performance.

Honda has been characteristically cautious in its entry into the electric space, especially compared to startup rivals and brands like Zero, LiveWire, and Ryvid. But the September 2 reveal may signal a new chapter as the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer finally takes electric motorcycles more seriously.

We’ll be watching closely to see what Honda brings to the table, especially as legacy brands start feeling pressure from both regulators and riders to electrify their lineups.

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Report: Ferrari were SO impressed by the Xiaomi SU7, they bought one

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Report: Ferrari were SO impressed by the Xiaomi SU7, they bought one

With its tire-blistering acceleration and record-setting performance, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has been getting attention throughout the auto industry, impressing everyone who’s seen it. That “everyone” now seems to include the OG supercar brand, itself.

CarNewsChina posted pictures from a Weibo user that reportedly show a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra exiting the storied Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. According to a Chinese blogger going by 西米露在博洛尼亚 (which seems to translate to “Sago Dessert in Bologna”), the prancing horse brand is actively benchmarking the Chinese hypercar for its own upcoming EV.

The SU7 Ultra was definitely coming from inside Ferrari’s facility. After verification, we learned this specific vehicle was officially purchased by Ferrari for testing, and the development of their next-generation electric platform.

西米露在博洛尼亚

Yet another Chinese auto blogger, 苏黎世贝勒爷, claims that Ferrari representatives visited Xiaomi headquarters last year, allegedly to discuss the joint development of next-generation high-performance EV motors.

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra made its debut last year, promising 1,548 hp, sub 2.0-second 0-60 mph times, and a top speed well over 200 mph – all at a price lower than a Tesla Model S Plaid or Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. The car sold out almost immediately after it was unveiled, racking up some 50,000 orders almost overnight.

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The new electric benchmark


Xiaomi SU7 Ultra at Fiorano; via Weibo user Piniluoshan.

In the automotive world, “benchmarking” is a process in which car companies systematically tear down each others’ competitive products to compare everything from sound insulation, vehicle ride and handling, component materials, and even manufacturing methods against their own or against other industry leaders. The goal is to evaluate performance, cost, quality, and other key metrics, effectively figuring out “where they stand” in the market.

If Ferrari really did buy an SU7 to benchmark it against their own upcoming electric supercar, it’s more than just a curiosity – it could mean that the highest tiers of automotive innovation have shifted from West to East. Maybe forever.

Featured image via Xiaomi; sources throughout the post.


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Chevy teases new Bolt w/NACS, front fascia redesign, rear brake lights

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Chevy teases new Bolt w/NACS, front fascia redesign, rear brake lights

We’re finally getting our first teases of the upgraded 2027 Chevy Bolt, built on GM’s battery/motor platform formerly known as Ultium. So far, so good for the vehicle, which will be revealed later this Fall.

Chevy took to social media today to tease the 2027 Chevy Bolt, saying, “You asked, we listened. The #ChevyBolt is back and better than ever. More this fall. 👀”

Chevy ended the original Bolt program with the 2023 model, which was loved by a loyal group of customers (including myself). Some of the major gripes, including charging speed and rear brake lights, already look to be addressed. Also, a new more aggressive fascia is debuting.

Electrek’s take

GM has done an incredible job keeping the 2027 Bolt under wraps. It will be the first GM vehicle with a native NACS port after the Cadillac Optiq-V, which we spied in Seattle last week.

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Hopefully, the new Bolt will have improved charging speeds over and above the 54kW that previous Bolts adhered to. One possible downgrade is that the old Bolt’s amazing wireless CarPlay/Android Auto system will likely be replaced by GM’s move to Android’s built-in experience. For a few years, the Chevy Bolt was the most affordable long-range EV, and it won our 2022 Electrek car of the year for its versatility and price.

I would, of course, like to see the new Bolt as a hot hatchback, but GM CEO Mary Barra has hinted that it will likely take more of the EUV’s SUV form factor. Things like AWD options, SuperCruise, pricing, power and range are yet to be revealed, but stay tuned to Electrek for the latest on Bolt developments.

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