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Tesla has hired an experienced semiconductor manufacturing executive to help ramp up its battery cell production.

Over the last few years, Tesla has been ramping up its own battery cell production – a new business for the automaker.

Tesla had unveiled a new tabless cell technology enabling a bigger cell format called 4680.

The automaker was able to ramp up production to support its Model Y production at Gigafactory Texas, and more recently, it switched its 4680 production line to produce a new version of the battery cell for the Cybertruck.

Tesla’s SVP of energy engineering, Drew Baglino, says that battery production is not a bottleneck in Cybertruck’s production ramp and that Tesla even has weeks of battery inventory.

While the battery production ramp seems to be going well, there have been several recent reports about the 4680 cells still being far from achieving the specs and cost that Tesla announced at its ‘Battery Day‘ event in 2020.

The automaker talked about a 5x in energy capacity, 6x in power, and a massive reduction in cost.

The reports claimed that Tesla is having issues with its cathode mix and dry electrode production.

Now, Electrek has learned that Tesla has hired a new manufacturing expert, John Paul Daly, from the semiconductor industry to help improve battery production at Gigafactory Texas.

Daly has updated his LinkedIn profile to confirm he is now in charge of “Tabless and Assembly Operations” at Tesla.

He was hired away from Infineon Technologies where he was ‘Director of Equipment Engineering’. Daly spent the last 30 years in various positions in semiconductor manufacturing – most recently in executive roles at Infineon, NXP Semiconductors, and Freescale Semiconductor.

Daly described his own career:

With over 30 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, I am a seasoned director of equipment engineering at Infineon Technologies, a leading global provider of microelectronics solutions. My mission is to ensure the optimal performance, reliability, and efficiency of the equipment and processes that support the production of high-quality and innovative products for various markets, such as automotive, industrial, and power.

Tesla has been looking at the semiconductor industry as an influence on its own manufacturing effort. CEO Elon Musk said that Tesla looks to replicate the accuracy and scale of the semiconductor business in the battery and EV manufacturing world.

The company is also looking at its factory layouts as a computer chip – looking to optimize every aspect and utilize as much space as possible.

Therefore, it makes sense for Tesla to recruit people from the semiconductor industry to improve its manufacturing efforts.

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Batch eCB.3 launches as a comfy commuter e-bike with 28 mph top speed

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Batch eCB.3 launches as a comfy commuter e-bike with 28 mph top speed

There’s a new step-through commuter in town, and it’s packing more punch than you might expect. The just-launched Batch eCB.3 is built for everyday comfort but has the power to take your commute up a notch – literally, with pedal assist all the way up to 28 mph (45 km/h).

At its heart is a 500W Vinka rear hub motor, rated as a Class 3 system for 28 mph pedal-assist cruising. That means you can glide past traffic or fly through your errands with a serious tailwind, all without breaking a sweat. The 48V and 15 Ah (720Wh) battery gives it a generous helping of range, and a torque sensor means your pedaling effort is rewarded with smooth, proportional motor support.

Torque sensors are becoming increasingly common on commuter e-bikes as they help create a more natural and intuitive ride experience compared to often jumpier cadence sensors.

Built on a 6061 hydroformed aluminum step-through frame, the eCB.3 is all about accessibility and comfort. The company says that the upright riding posture, Cionlli saddle, and suspension seat post make it a pleasure to ride, while a Zoom hydraulic suspension fork with 80mm of travel helps smooth out cracks, bumps, and potholes. Kenda 27.5” x 2.4” tires give riders a solid contact patch with the road or light trails, offering added stability and traction.

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Stopping duties are handled by Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors, giving riders reliable and consistent braking power in any weather. Shifting comes courtesy of a Shimano Altus 8-speed derailleur, which Batch says offers enough range to tackle everything from steep hills to long flats with ease. It’s not the most elegant transmission out there, but the bike is also designed for mid-level riders and lacks the top-shelf gear found on more expensive models.

All told, this is a commuter e-bike that attempts to balance comfort and capability with an accessible frame style and a mix of suspension seat post with a hydraulic suspension fork. It’s not trying to be flashy, but it is trying to make your daily ride smoother, faster, and more fun.

Electrek’s Take

I love seeing more bikes enter the market that make e-biking easier and more accessible for casual riders. The Batch eCB.3 isn’t here to break power records or climb mountains – it’s here to make daily trips more enjoyable. And with 28 mph assist, solid components, and a thoughtful comfort-first design, it looks like it’s hitting that target dead on with a classically inspired Class 3 e-bike with decent components.

The $1,999 price seems a bit high for the component level, in my opinion, but I don’t call the shots – I just report on them.

What do you think of Batch’s latest offering? Let’s hear your opinion in the comment section below.

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Lucid’s (LCID) luxury electric SUV is about to get much more affordable

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Lucid's (LCID) luxury electric SUV is about to get much more affordable

Lucid Motors (LCID) just rolled out the first discounts on its new Gravity SUV. The limited-time offer shaves $3,000 off, but Lucid says an even more affordable version will be available soon.

The Lucid Gravity SUV is getting more affordable

The Lucid Gravity has it all. With up to 450 miles of driving range, a Chevy Suburban-sized interior, advanced software, and the soul of a sports car, the Gravity is, as Lucid calls it, “the ultimate uncompromising SUV.”

Lucid is bouncing back after a magnet shortage disrupted production in the first half of the year. The company plans a major ramp-up over the next few months, with the Gravity expected to make up most of its production and deliveries in the second half of the year.

As Lucid shifts into high gear, it’s now rolling out some of the first discounts for the Gravity SUV. In an email sent out to community members near its Cherry Creek studio in Denver, Colorado, Lucid said, “Big news — For the first time ever, Lucid is offering a $3,000 incentive on the revolutionary Lucid Gravity SUV.”

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The offer, shared on X by user Kyle Connor, is limited and only applies to vehicles currently on site at the Lucid Cherry Creek Studio. Lucid said it only had four Gravities available, each ready for immediate delivery.

Although the deal is exclusive, Lucid is promoting Gravity leases starting at $1,299 per month on its website with a $2,000 Loyalty Offer.

Lucid-Gravity-SUV-more-affordable
Lucid Gravity Grand Touring (Source: Lucid)

The Gravity Grand Touring is currently the only trim available on Lucid’s website, priced from $94,900. However, by the end of the year, it will launch the more affordable Gravity Touring, starting at $81,550.

Lucid’s global communications boss, Nick Twork, replied to a user on X, confirming that we will hear more details on the Gravity Touring before the end of the year.

Lucid-Gravity-interior
The interior of the Lucid Gravity (Source: Lucid)

Twork also confirmed the company is implementing a second shift at its AMP-1 manufacturing plant in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Lucid will continue to offer the $7,500 EV tax credit for Gravity buyers through the end of the year. The Lucid Air is also available with a $7,500 Air Credit and a $2,000 Loyalty or Conquest bonus. Lucid said you must take delivery by October 31 to qualify for the offer.

Want to test Lucid’s luxury EVs for yourself? We can help you get started. You can use the links below to find Lucid Air and Gravity models in your area.

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New Florida bill to require license for e-bikes, updates driver’s licensing test

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New Florida bill to require license for e-bikes, updates driver's licensing test

A newly filed bill in Florida is aiming to change the way the Sunshine State regulates high-speed electric bicycles. If it passes, it could have significant implications for riders and retailers alike.

The proposed legislation, HB 243, was filed by Republican Representative Yvette Benarroch and is set to be considered during Florida’s upcoming legislative session. The bill introduces several new requirements for electric bike and scooter riders, including a mandatory driver’s license or learner’s permit for anyone operating a Class 3 e-bike – that’s an e-bike capable of pedal assist at speeds between 21 to 28 mph (32 to 45 km/h).

While Florida law currently allows anyone over 16 to ride all legal classes of electric bikes without a license, this new bill would tighten that significantly. It also seeks to add e-bike and scooter safety content to the learner’s permit course and Class E driver license test, meaning future drivers would need to demonstrate knowledge of how to safely interact with these smaller electric vehicles.

In addition to licensing, HB 243 would:

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  • Create a new “electric motorcycle” category for higher-speed electric vehicles, likely intended to encompass bikes like those from Sur Ron and other light electric dirt bike makers.
  • Ban riders under 16 from operating any electric motorcycle with 750W or more of power.
  • Require e-bike and scooter riders to yield to pedestrians on shared paths and use audible signals when passing.
  • Mandate crash reporting for incidents involving e-bikes and scooters.
  • Establish penalties for tampering with a motor or speed limiter on an electric bike.

While the House bill has been filed, there’s no Senate companion bill yet, and HB 243 is not law at this time. But if passed, it would mark a significant shift in how Florida classifies and regulates electric micromobility vehicles.

Electrek’s Take

This is one of the more heavy-handed e-bike regulation proposals we’ve seen at the state level, and it raises real questions about access, enforcement, and equity. Adding e-bike content to driver’s ed makes a lot of sense – there are a lot more micromobility EVs on the road now, and drivers need to understand how to safely share the road. But requiring a license for an e-bike that passes over the 20 mph Class 2 threshold? That’s a big step away from treating e-bikes like bicycles and toward treating them like mopeds or motorcycles.

E-bikes have long been an alternative for folks who don’t want to deal with the regulatory and bureaucratic hassle of motor vehicles, and treating Class 3 e-bikes like motorcycles feels like a step in the wrong direction.

As always, we’ll be keeping a close eye on this bill as it moves (or stalls) in the Florida legislature. For now, it’s just a proposal – but it could signal a broader trend toward tighter e-bike regulation across the US.

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