Connect with us

Published

on

A special-purpose vehicle developer out of South Korea has introduced a new line of electric golf carts that can bring more technology and comfort to the game. While these innovative Cruise LABE EVs won’t help shave strokes off your score, they provide luxury, protection from the elements, and a slew of cool features sure to impress others on the links… maybe even the girls on the drink carts.

Daeji Precision Company is a Korean manufacturer founded in 1975 specializing in special-purpose vehicles. Over its nearly 50-year history, it has developed vehicles for Hyundai, Samsung, and the Korea International Trade Association.

Its current lineup consists of unique builds such as eco-friendly liquid snow removal vehicles, water cannon trucks, and even “protest suppression vehicles.” However, Daeji P&I caught our eye as an upcoming exhibitor at the PGA America Show, where it will showcase its Cruise LABE line of electric golf carts.

While golf is a sometimes frustrating but ever-evolving game thanks to advancements in club technology, the vessels that putt players around have remained relatively the same for decades. Some courses have adopted all-electric versions of the Club Cars you’d probably recognize, yet some still use noisy gas versions that never seem to fit in amongst the calm, pristine landscapes they navigate.

While the open design of these golf carts is beneficial on perfect days, the solutions for days where the weather could be better leave much to be desired. You’re either too hot with nowhere to cool down, getting pelted by drizzle as you cruise to the next hole, or too cold to truly enjoy yourself. Sure, there are zippable cloth walls for those cooler months, but they really slow the game down when you continuously have to open and close them to keep the heat in.

Daeji has a solution, and it’s an exciting one. The company is promoting a line of electric golf carts that can comfortably transport 4-6 passengers and their clubs inside a new design that protects players from stray balls and less-than-ideal weather with HVAC and a slew of cabin features.

It’s about time the electric golf cart evolved

Daeji P&I’s Cruise LABE line of electric golf carts provides a fresh, sustainable, all-weather solution to commuters on and off the tee box. Designed for golfers, these carts can also serve short-route travel options in smart cities, national parks, and resorts.

Available in a four-seat signature version and a six-seat presidential limousine variant, the Cruise LABE takes the golf cart to a premium level you may see in the clubhouse and around the course, but usually not within the vehicles to get you around.

Each cart comes equipped with heated seats, air circulation with the capability to add heating and air conditioning, mini bar storage, a thermoelectric refrigerator, and removable doors. The electric golf carts also come equipped with taller roofs for more headroom and an extendable sliding feature to keep your clubs dry or out of the sun.

Be gone with the days of torn, tired Club Car seats and windscreens that won’t stay up or are cracked. The Cruise LABE line of electric golf carts brings a new level of luxury to golf – a sport that already comes with its own level of prestige and comfort – it’s about time those vehicles matched the lifestyle.

72-volt lithium-ion batteries power each cart, enabling speeds up to 8 km/h (5 mph) in auto mode and 22 km/h (~14 mph) in manual mode. Maybe you’re merely a spectator on the course, or you’ve played so poorly that day you call it quits after nine holes (it happens); the Cruise LABE electric golf cart can make the rest of the round much more comfortable, whether you start DJ’ing on the included speaker, enjoying a beverage, or just relaxing in one of the leather seats.

Since these are manufactured in Korea, we have not determined their prices, but we have inquired. Following the Daeji P&I exhibit of the Cruise LABE electric golf carts with the PGA of America this month, we hope we see them on some US courses soon if they’re not already there.

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

Continue Reading

Environment

What makes a Honda a Honda? Prologue engineers help us find out!

Published

on

By

What makes a Honda a Honda? Prologue engineers help us find out!

On today’s informative episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got Honda engineers Jason Hwang and Emilio Sanchez to talk us through some of the things that make the GM Ultium-based Honda Prologue EV feel like a real Honda, and why that matters.

Jason and Emilio talk about some of the choices they made to make the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX feel different from its GM-branded cousins, and explain why this was much more than a case of badge-engineering. Give it a listen, then let us know what you think of the Prologue and ZDX in the comments.

Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Learn more by clicking here.

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news!

Got news? Let us know!
Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!

Read more: All my favorite EVs, racecars, and robots from Electrify Expo Austin.

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

Continue Reading

Environment

The Eastern US’s first CFI-funded EV charging hub comes online

Published

on

By

The Eastern US's first CFI-funded EV charging hub comes online

The first EV charging hub funded by the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program in the Eastern US is now online in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

The town installed the region’s first DC fast chargers (four ports), along with four Level 2 chargers, at 59 North Main Street in South Deerfield.

These new charging stations, funded with $2.46 million from the CFI program, are conveniently located near Interstate 91 in Franklin County, the most rural county in Massachusetts, which serves drivers from Connecticut up to the Canadian border.

The hub also features local and regional bus stops and designated bike lanes with secure onsite bike racks. The chargers are meant to cater to everyone: from local residents and visitors to municipal EVs and commercial vehicles that service the region’s businesses, like those in food and beverage manufacturing.

Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, sees this as a model for future projects:

Multi-modal charging hubs in communities are key to giving more people the choice to ride and drive electric. The Town of Deerfield is showing leadership in building out convenient charging infrastructure that brings new transportation choices to rural and disadvantaged communities while supporting local commerce.

In recent years, Deerfield has experienced increased climate change-driven flooding from nearby rivers, including the Deerfield River, the Connecticut River, and the Bloody Brook. The project incorporates environmental engineering designed to mitigate and adapt to the effects of flooding and climate, including the installation of permeable asphalt and rain gardens, planting of native trees, grasses, and shrubs, and the creation of new greenspace in the center of Deerfield.

The Biden-Harris administration’s CFI Grant Program is expanding EV infrastructure nationwide. It offers grants for projects that complement and expand upon the initiatives of the NEVI program in urban, rural, and disadvantaged and low-income communities. So far, the CFI Grant Program has allocated over $1 billion to nearly 100 projects across the US, encouraging private investments and expanding the EV charging network to make EV ownership more practical and convenient.

Read more: The US reaches milestone of 200,000+ public EV charging ports


If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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

Continue Reading

Environment

Kia’s new low-cost EV4 was just spotted in the US for the first time

Published

on

By

Kia's new low-cost EV4 was just spotted in the US for the first time

Kia’s upcoming EV4 electric sedan was just spotted testing in the US for the first time. The low-cost EV is expected to make its big debut by the end of the year. Here’s a look at the new model.

The EV4 will round out Kia’s new “EVs for all” master plan launched last year. Kia showcased three new models, the EV3, EV4, and EV5, during its first annual EV Day in October 2023.

During the event, Kia outlined its new global strategy to “lead and accelerate the EV revolution” with a wide range of models priced from $30,000 to $80,000.

Kia plans to rapidly expand its lineup with a series of smaller, lower-priced models. It launched the EV9, its first three-row electric SUV, which is already proving to be a hot seller in the US. Starting at under $55,000, the EV9 is still a great deal compared to others in its class, but Kia plans to go even lower.

The EV3 and EV4 are expected to be among the most affordable electric vehicles when they arrive in the US.

Kia's-EV4-US
Kia EV4 (back) showcased alongside (from left to right) the EV9, EV3, EV5, EV4, and EV6 (Source: Kia)

Kia’s new EV4 is now testing in the US

Ahead of its official debut, Kia’s new EV4 sedan was recently caught driving on US streets for the first time.

The latest image from KindelAuto doesn’t reveal much more than what’s been shown in the past, but the fact that it’s now testing in the US is significant.

Kia EV4 caught on US streets for the first time (Source: KindelAuto)

Kia’s EV3 is already on sale in Korea, starting at around $30,000 (42.08 million won). Earlier this week, the company said its new compact SUV is now available across Europe, starting at around $38,000 (36,000 euros) with a “segment-leading range” of up to 375 miles (WLTP).

Next up will be the EV4. Kia is expected to officially reveal the new EV by the end of the year, with deliveries starting in 2025. It could be as soon as next week at the 2024 LA Auto Show.

Kia's-EV4-US
Kia EV4 concept (Source: Kia)

The interior will feature Kia’s advanced new ccNC infotainment system with dual 12.3″ navigation and driver display screens. An otherwise minalimalistic design is expected inside.

Kia’s EV4 will also be available in a hatchback variant. Although the hatch is likely aimed at European buyers, it was also recently spotted testing in the US for the first time.

Kia's-EV4-US
Kia EV4 concept interior (Source: Kia)

We will learn official prices closer to launch, but the EV4 is expected to start at around $35,000 to $40,000.

Kia is teasing five new vehicles for the US, at least one being a new EV, that will debut at the LA Auto Show next week. Will it be the EV3? EV4?

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

Continue Reading

Trending