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We currently sit three weeks away from NIO Day 2023, the annual event held by one of China’s leading EV automakers that caps off the year with new and exciting technologies to come. We know NIO intends to unveil a new flagship model during the event and it’s rumored to be the automaker’s top-of-the-line sedan, possibly named the ET9. Here’s what we know.

NIO Day is an event we look forward to toward the end of each year, as it never fails to showcase new EV models and adjacent technologies. Due to the Pandemic, NIO Day 2020 was actually held in January of 2021, when the automaker unveiled its flagship sedan, the ET7.

NIO Day 2021 came as scheduled later that year and included the debut of the ET5 sedan, as well as plans to expand to new markets around the globe by 2025, including the US. Those plans for North America have wavered a bit recently, but NIO Day continues to deliver.

2022’s event included unveilings of NIO’s ES8 and EC7 SUVs, pushing the automaker’s lineup to eight available EVs. Later this month at NIO Day 2023, we know that EV family will grow by at least one – but what model we see unveiled remains somewhat of a mystery.

NIO Day 2023
Credit: NIO/Weibo

NIO Day 2023 takes place December 23

According to an announcement from cofounder and CEO William Li on its mobile app this week, NIO Day 2023 will take place on December 23 at the Xi’an Olympic Sports Center located in the Shaanxi Province of northwest China.

Li also revealed that NIO intends to unveil a new flagship EV model during the event, sparking a blaze of speculation about what the public can expect. NIO’s model nomenclature consists of a letter and a number – the higher the number, the more premium the EV.

The company’s current lineup consists of five SUVs and three sedans, the most premium being the aforementioned ES8 SUV. However, there have been rumors swirling for over a year that NIO has been developing an ultra-luxury sedan to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.

Per a report from CnEVPost, Edison Yu’s team of analysts at Deutsche Bank believe that luxe sedan is in fact on the agenda for NIO Day 2023, and it will be called the ET9. Per a research from Edison Yu sent to investors:

Then at the end of Dec, the company will unveil its new flagship vehicle at NIO Day featuring the latest technologies. Our guess is this could be an ultra high-end sedan ‘ET9’ that would be comparable with Maybach.

The team also said the new top-tier sedan will be produced in low volume and exist as a halo EV to add to the prowess of the growing brand. When speaking to this NIO Day 2023 debut, whatever model it may end up being, William Li relayed the EV will feature the company’s latest tech and will “become the global technology benchmark for smart EVs.”

There’s a genuine chance Deutsche Bank is incorrect and NIO’s next sedan is called the ET8 to match its SUV counterpart, but we’d expect the model to be called either the 8 or the 9. Either way, it is reportedly expected to cost over CNY 1 million ($141,500).

Regardless of the name, we are sure to see a new EV model come out of NIO Day 2023. We will be tuning and will be sure to report back as we learn more. Check back soon.

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QOTD: is Volvo planning a low cost, electric Robotaxi rival?

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QOTD: is Volvo planning a low cost, electric Robotaxi rival?

It’s probably nothing. Just a playful post on social media from a random Volvo account celebrating an obscure concept car from the early aughts. It couldn’t possibly mean that Volvo is actually going to build the thing … right?

The post in question went live on the Volvo Cars Heritage Facebook feed last week, and it was simple enough. You can check it out for yourself, below.



See? Just a few pictures of the 3CC, a concept that Volvo designers at the time intended to be “future proof” and developed with an eye towards sustainability. It was an early hybrid, with regenerative braking and slick aerodynamics along with gullwing doors and a 1+2 seating arrangement to ease entry and egress.

Nothing to get that excited about, right? Except – why the (wink wink, nudge nudge) at the end? Could Volvo really be dropping wild hints about new product on their museum site? Is that wild speculation, wishful thinking, or just sloppy reporting?

Well, as the newly-minted “Weekend Editor” here at Electrek (thanks, Fred!), there’s no one to rein me in until Monday morning, at the earliest – so we’re gonna run with it, whatever it is.

It sure looks like a Robotaxi

I’m not going to accuse Elon of stealing design ideas from Volvo any more than I’m going to accuse Volvo of stealing the 3CC concept’s design from the OG Honda CRX HF. That said, they really do seem to share some conceptual DNA, don’t they?

OK, so we’ve got some convergent evolution here – safe to say. But on the automation side of things? On the real, “the stock is worth basically zero if true self driving isn’t achieved” side of the equation?

There’s some convergent evolution there, too, because while Tesla’s been developing its highly publicized FSD software, Volvo’s parent company, Geely, has been working hand in hand with Alphabet (read: Google) to develop their own fully autonomous taxi for Waymo through the ZEEKR brand.

Is it really that crazy to imagine an updated 3CC concept fitted with the same Waymo sensor array they’re putting on Hyundais (read about that here) being shown off just in time to steal Tesla’s thunder from October 10th? Especially on the heels of the EX30’s growing success in Europe?

It’s not – and think that’s exactly what’s going to happen. That’s my take, anyway. What’s yours? Head on down to the comments and let us know if you think Volvo has what it takes to launch a Robotaxi rival in the comments.

ORIGINAL CONTENT FROM ELECTREK.

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E-quipment highlight: JLG E313 electric telehandler

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E-quipment highlight: JLG E313 electric telehandler

Designed for both all-terrain and off-road use, the all-electric E313 telehandler from JLG is a new, low-noise solution for moving materials around indoor construction, urban, residential, and municipal projects.

With a 3,500-pound maximum lift capacity and 13-foot maximum lift height with a five foot forward reach, the new JLG E313 is a first-of-its-kind all electric telehandler designed to silently load and unload trucks and flatbeds, moving materials around, or accessing work at-height in single-story work environments.

Oh, and it can do all those things indoors.

“As job sites evolve, machines need to evolve with them,” says John Boehme, JLG’s senior product manager for telehandlers. “Our new E313 electric-powered telehandler transforms how work is done in emission-free spaces and noise-sensitive environments by delivering a quieter, more efficient working experience.”

Based on the AUSA 4 meter/1,600 kg T164E battery powered electric telehandler, the JLG version ships with JLG’s universal skid-steer coupler system. That allows the E313 to attach to various existing JLG telehandler and skid-steer loader attachments, including carriages, forks, and buckets. The E313 also features an integrated hitch for hauling tools and trailers around the job site, increasing job efficiency by reducing the need for additional tractors on-site.

Charged up

The E313 uses six 48V lithium ion batteries sending power to an electric motor mated to a two speed transmission with two wheel drive and steer. The 18.6 kWh battery pack (6 x 3.1 kWh batteries) is good for up to four hours of continuous run time, and can be recharged in two to three hours on a L2 AC charger, or overnight on standard 100V.

JLG’s ClearSky Smart Fleet telematics management system is standard.

SOURCE | IMAGES: JLG, via Heavy Equipment Guide.

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Bollinger delivers first B4 electric work trucks to customers

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Bollinger delivers first B4 electric work trucks to customers

It’s got a long way to go, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step – and the first delivery of Bollinger B4 electric trucks to Nacarato Truck Centers is now in the history books!

With the delivery of the first five 2025 Bollinger B4 Chassis Cabs to Nacarato Truck Centers earlier this week, Bollinger Motors is officially generating revenue as an OEM. The MSRP of these first-ever customer B4s totaled fully $800,000.

The delivery comes just a few days after the official start of Bollinger production began at the company’s Livonia, Michigan production center.

The newly delivered B4 Chassis Cabs feature 158-kwh battery packs sending power to an energy efficient, 323 hp electric motor that produces 675 lb-ft of torque at 0 rpm, giving the big trucks surprising off-the-line performance and all the power they need to get the job done.

Nacarato Truck Centers will sell four vehicles to commercial fleet customers and use one vehicle for its own internal parts deliveries between across its 13 locations.

Dealers make the difference

Our nationwide dealership network is one of our core strengths, and with partners like Nacarato Truck Centers, our customers’ sales and service needs are in good hands,” said Jim Connelly, chief revenue officer for Bollinger Motors. “We are excited to see the B4 going to work on the streets of the Nashville area, and across the country.”

The 2025 Bollinger B4 Chassis Cab carries a $158,758 MSRP, and qualifies for federal clean vehicle tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act of $40,000 per vehicle for the B4 Chassis Cab. Additional rebates may be available in your area, so reach out to your local Bollinger dealer for more information.

Connelley was good enough to join us as a guest on Quick Charge last week after the start of B4 production was announced, and we think it’s worth sharing that episode again, below, for anyone who missed it. Enjoy!

Bollinger CRO Jim Connelley on Quick Charge

SOURCE | IMAGES: Bollinger Motors; via email.

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