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Just weeks after announcing plans to showcase its solar EV technology to the public in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), startup Aptera Motors is taking things a step further. The company recently shared intentions to begin selling its nascent vehicles in the UAE, kicking off the new market entry with 53 production builds of an exclusive “Union Edition” model for early adopters in the Middle East.

Before this week’s latest Aptera Motors update, the solar EV startup touted the latest details of its production-intent build process, which included delivering the first production-ready solar EV body to Aptera’s headquarters in Carlsbad, California.

Earlier this month, Aptera said it would attend DRIFTx in Abu Dhabi—a conference in the UAE that, according to Anthony, “promotes investment in groundbreaking ideas such as Aptera.” With DRIFTx underway later this week, Aptera has already shared news that includes expanding to a new market outside its native US—the Middle East.

Aptera UAE
Source: Aptera Motors

Aptera to enter UAE, begin delivering solar EVs by 2026

Aptera Motors shared details of its global expansion to the UAE in a recent release that included quotes from both of its founders and co-CEO, including the following from Steve Fambro:

We are thrilled to announce Aptera’s expansion into the UAE, a key milestone in our journey towards delivering solar mobility everywhere possible. We see immense potential in the UAE for solar mobility to thrive and look forward to integrating into the market’s vast opportunities for sustainable transportation initiatives like Aptera.

To commemorate this expansion, Aptera intends to produce 53 UAE-exclusive builds of its solar EV called the Union (or Etihad) Edition. This unique design pictured above features a gold exterior, “Solar Chill” technology to pre-cool the cabin, custom interior trim, and markings throughout, paying homage to the anniversary of the Union.

Rather than seeking big investors in the UAE (that isn’t to say those talks aren’t still happening), Aptera Motors has chosen a familiar mode of operation for garnering more funds in the Middle East—it’s asking its own fans to invest.

Now, until they are sold out, any Aptera customer who invests AED 100,000 (~$27,000) can secure one of the 53 Union Edition solar EV build slots.

Learn more about Aptera’s presence at DRIFTx and its plans for the UAE here. As always, you can reserve a US version of the Aptera Solar EV using this link for $70 down.

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Is this the interior of Tesla’s upcoming ‘Robotaxi’?

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Is this the interior of Tesla's upcoming 'Robotaxi'?

Tesla has released a new video that includes some footage of a previously unseen vehicle interior. Could it be an early concept of the interior of the Robotaxi?

For the last few years, Tesla has been working on a vehicle designed from the ground up to be a self-driving vehicles. The company has been referring to it as ‘Robotaxi’.

CEO Elon Musk insists that Tesla is still dedicated to delivering its promised self-driving capability to existing vehicles delivered since 2016 through software update, but it also decided to build a new vehicle designed entirely around the fact that it will be driverless.

Not much is known about the vehicle other than hints that it won’t have a steering wheel or pedals, and that it will be “Cybertruck-like” in terms of design.

Now, Tesla has released a new video, which Musk wanted to make clear he wasn’t involved in, to try to encourage shareholders to vote for his $55 billion compensation package and moving the company’s state of incorporation to Texas:

In the video, many pointed out a shot of the interior of a vehicle that doesn’t match anything Tesla has released to date:

The image shows what appears to be a two-seater vehicle without steering wheel and a center display similar to what is found in current Tesla vehicles.

The seats are unlike what you would find in modern vehicles and something closer to what you would find in public transit, like a train:

Tesla plans to unveil its ‘Robotaxi’ on August 8th. The automaker has recently accelerated its timeline for the vehicle and plans to bring it to market as soon as next year.

Do you think this is an early concept for the Tesla Robotaxi interior? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Mercedes-Benz just opened more DC fast chargers at Buc-ee’s in Texas

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Mercedes-Benz just opened more DC fast chargers at Buc-ee’s in Texas

Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging just opened more DC fast chargers at Buc-ee’s stores in the Dallas-Forth Worth area.

Three new Mercedes DC fast charging stations are at Buc-ee’s in Fort Worth, Temple, and Royse City. Mercedes asserts that every one of its chargers offers up to 400 kW of power.

It’s also adding 12 more charging stations at Buc-ee’s in the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston metro areas – also known as the Texas Triangle, home to 68% of Texans:

Buc-ee’s isn’t your typical convenience store – they’re huge, with some stores covering over 50,000 square feet, and they offer a wide variety of items, including snacks, beverages, fresh food, clothing, home decor, and Texas-themed merchandise. It’s known for its homemade fudge, jerky, and beaver nuggets (caramel-coated corn puffs). Most Buc-ee’s locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In November 2023, Mercedes announced it had made an agreement with Buc-ee’s to build EV charging hubs at most of its existing stores. Mercedes is aiming to have around 30 online by the end of the year. There are currently 48 Buc-ee’s locations across the US South, 34 of which are in Texas.

When I spoke to Mercedes-Benz High Power Charging CEO Andrew Cornelia last year, he was passionate about the importance of placing EV chargers near amenities that travelers need.

Mercedes offers open access for all EV drivers, including roaming with other charging networks. Its charging hubs support contactless payments with credit cards or smartphone wallets.

The first Mercedes DC fast charging station came online last November at its headquarters in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Mercedes-Benz plans to deploy 2,500 high-powered chargers in 400 hubs by 2027.

Texas is the US’s No. 1 producer of clean energy and ranks fourth in public EV charging. However, to meet driver demand, the state needs around 95,000 more public chargers by 2027.

Read more: America, Mercedes-Benz wants you to indulge in retail therapy while you’re DC fast charging


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Polestar (PSNY) stock faces potential Nasdaq de-listing after failing to file its annual report

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Polestar (PSNY) stock faces potential Nasdaq de-listing after failing to file its annual report

Another EV stock may be removed from the Nasdaq exchange. After failing to file its annual report, Polestar (PSNY) received a notice from the Nasdaq as the company faces a possible de-listing.

Polestar, Volvo’s former high-performance unit, was established as an EV brand in 2017 under Geely’s control.

Since launching the Polestar 2, its first all-electric vehicle, the brand has expanded into 27 markets globally. The electric car has even become a top seller in several key markets like Norway, Sweden, and Germany.

However, like many EV startups, Polestar has hit its fair share of hurdles. After cutting guidance late last year (from 80K to 60K), Polestar still missed its target, delivering 54,600 vehicles last year.

In February, Volvo announced plans to sell 62.7% of its stake in Polestar as it looks toward its next growth stage. Volvo also confirmed it will “not provide further funding to Polestar” outside of its existing $1 billion outstanding convertible loan.

The news came after Polestar announced plans to cut 15% of its global workforce amid slowing EV sales earlier this year.

Polestar-de-listing
2024 Polestar 2 (Source: Polestar)

Polestar stock facing potential Nasdaq de-listing

After failing to file its annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, Polestar received a deficiency notice from the Nasdaq.

The notice states Polestar is not in compliance with its listing rules, which require the timely filing of periodic financial reports.

Polestar-4-price
Polestar 4 (Source: Polestar)

Polestar said the notice has no immediate impact on the company’s listing. However, under the Nasdaq listing rules, Polestar has 60 days to submit an action plan. If Nasdaq accepts it, Polestar could be issued an additional 180 days from the notice date, or until November 2024, to regain compliance.

The company has already received consent from lenders under its nearly $1 billion 3-year loan facility for the late filing. Polestar says it is fully committed to regaining compliance.

Polestar is working to file the annual report “as soon as practicable” and to report Q1 2024 earnings shortly after.

Polestar-de-listing
Polestar (PSNY) stock chart over the past 12 months (Source: TradingView)

Polestar stock was down over 13% on Monday following the potential de-listing notice. PSNY shares are now down over 50% this year, hitting their lowest prices since going public.

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