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XPeng Motors has officially unveiled its new P7+ BEV sedan, the first of its lineup to ditch LiDAR sensors in favor of pure vision cameras, similar to Tesla. XPeng is hailing the P7+ as the “world’s first AI car,” which utilizes the technology across several features within the sedan.

The P7+ is a new AI-centric evolution of XPeng Motors’ ($XPEV) flagship sedan, the P7, which we got a chance to test drive back in 2022. That original model saw a refresh in its own right in February of 2023, as the BEV made its way over to new markets in Europe alongside the G9 SUV.

The incoming P7+ variant has been on Electrek’s radar since rumors began to swirl that the Chinese automaker was considering a model without LiDAR sensors and, instead, prioritized pure vision cameras, similar to Tesla’s self-driving technology.

Spy images from February 2024 showed a new camouflaged model being tested without the popular ADAS sensors, but it was not confirmed at the time which XPeng BEV that was. It was simply codenamed the “F57.”

This past July, XPeng Motors confirmed the BEV would be called the P7+ and would, in fact, operate without LiDAR. Details were light, but XPeng shared that the sedan would debut at over 5 meters (16.4 feet) long and come loaded with advanced technology, including pure vision cameras.

During an event held in Shenzen, China, earlier today, XPeng officially unveiled the P7+ and shared details of said technology, as well as when orders and initial deliveries are scheduled to begin.

  • XPeng P7+
  • XPeng P7+

XPeng P7+ to launch, begin deliveries in China in November

Throughout the live event, XPeng Motors posted consistent updates about the P7+ on its Weibo page, sharing many of the specs and advanced technologies it has been equipped with. Its makers describe the P7+ as a new “three-in-one species” that offers the posture of a coupe, the space of an SUV, and the comfort of an MPV, all complimented by luxury executive-level interiors.

The new all-electric sedan measures a length, width, and height of 5,056 mm, 1,937 mm, and 1,512 mm, respectively, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm. That’s a bit larger than its P7i sibling in every direction. Customers will be able to choose from two different LFP battery packs offering capacities of 60.7 kWh and 76.3 kWh that translate to (CLTC) ranges of 620 km (385 miles) and 710 km (441 miles), respectively.

XPeng states that the P7+’s exterior was optimized for aerodynamics. It achieves a drag coefficient of Cd 0.206 and consumes as little as 11.6 kWh of power per 100 km (62 miles). During the live event, the automaker demonstrated that the P7+’s interior can hold 33 20-inch suitcases, hailing it as the largest cargo space (2,221 total liters) of any vehicle in its class under RMB 300,000 ($42,370).

In terms of pure vision, XPeng shared more details of the new approach to ADAS and self-driving, calling its technology “Eagle Eye.” The automaker relayed that its camera sensors collect visual information more accurately and clearly than traditional cameras and can scope out an area as large as 1.8 football fields. XPeng also stated that its Eagle Eye advanced cameras are limited by city or road conditions and have “door-to-door” and “parking space-to-parking space” intelligent driving capabilities.

XPeng said the P7+ will utilize AI across several of its core systems, including ADAS and smart driving, power usage, energy control, and thermal management. The automaker hasn’t shared official pricing for the sedan’s variants yet but mentioned the RMB 300,000 price point several times during the event.

We expect to see official pricing in November when XPeng plans to launch the P7+ in China, followed by initial deliveries shortly thereafter. Pre-sales will begin during the Paris Auto Show on October 14, 2024.

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Lectric Ebikes may be launching a new XP 4 this week, and it could change everything

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Lectric Ebikes may be launching a new XP 4 this week, and it could change everything

Lectric Ebikes appears to be preparing for a major new product launch, teasing what looks like the next evolution of its wildly popular folding fat tire electric bike. Based on the clues, it looks like a new Lectric XP 4 could be inbound.

In a social media post released over the weekend, the company shared a minimalist graphic reading “XP4” along with the message “Tune in 5.6.2025 9:30AM PT.” That date – this Tuesday – suggests we’re just hours away from the big reveal of the Lectric XP 4.

If true, this would mark the next generation of the most successful electric bike in the U.S. market. The current model, the Lectric XP 3.0, has become an icon of accessible, budget-friendly electric mobility. Starting at just $999, the XP 3.0 offers a foldable frame, fat tires, a 500W motor, a rear rack, lights, and hydraulic brakes – all packed into a highly shippable design that arrives fully assembled. It’s the kind of package that has helped Lectric claim the title of best-selling e-bike brand in the U.S. for several years in a row.

With the XP 3.0 still going strong, the teaser raises plenty of questions. Will the XP 4.0 be a modest update or a major leap forward? Could we see new features like torque-sensing pedal assist, a location tracking option, or upgraded performance? Or is Lectric preparing a more comfort-oriented variant, maybe even with upgraded suspension or even more accessories included standard?

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The teaser image, which features stylized stripes in grey, blue, and black, may hold some clues. One theory is that the colors represent new trim options or component upgrades. Another possibility is that Lectric is preparing multiple variants of the XP 4.0 – perhaps targeting commuters, adventurers, and off-road riders with purpose-built versions. We took the liberty of a bit of rampant speculation late last year, so perhaps that’s now worth a revisit.

At the same time though, Lectric’s penchant for launching new models at unbelievably affordable prices has never run up against such strong pricing headwinds as those posed by uncertainty in the current US-global trade war fueled by rapidly changing tariffs for imported goods.

lectric xp 3.0 hydraulic
Previous versions of the Lectric XP e-bike line have seen sky-high sales

Whatever the case, Lectric’s knack for surprising the industry with high-value, customer-focused e-bikes means expectations will be high. The brand has built a loyal following by delivering reliable performance at a price point that few can match, and any major update to the XP lineup is likely to ripple across the market.

As a young and energetic e-bike company, Lectric is also known for throwing impressive parties around the launch of new models. It looks like I may need to hop on a red-eye to Phoenix so I can see for myself – and so I can bring you all along, of course.

Be sure to tune in Tuesday at 9:30AM PT to see what Lectric has in store – and you can bet we’ll have all the details and first impressions as soon as they drop.

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U.S. crude oil prices fall more than 4% after OPEC+ agrees to surge production in June

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U.S. crude oil prices fall more than 4% after OPEC+ agrees to surge production in June

Logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

Andrey Rudakov | Bloomberg | Getty Images

U.S. crude oil futures fell more than 4% on Sunday, after OPEC+ agreed to surge production for a second month.

U.S. crude was down $2.49, or 4.27%, to $55.80 a barrel shortly after trading opened. Global benchmark Brent fell $2.39, or 3.9%, to $58.90 per barrel. Oil prices have fallen more than 20% this year.

The eight producers in the group, led by Saudi Arabia, agreed on Saturday to increase output by another 411,000 barrels per day in June. The decision comes a month after OPEC+ surprised the market by agreeing to surge production in May by the same amount.

The June production hike is nearly triple the 140,000 bpd that Goldman Sachs had originally forecast. OPEC+ is bringing more than 800,000 bpd of additional supply to the market over the course of two months.

Oil prices in April posted the biggest monthly loss since 2021, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have raised fears of a recession that will slow demand at the same time that OPEC+ is quickly increasing supply.

Oilfield service firms such as Baker Hughes and SLB are expecting investment in exploration and production to decline this year due to the weak price environment.

“The prospects of an oversupplied oil market, rising tariffs, uncertainty in Mexico and activity weakness in Saudi Arabia are collectively constraining international upstream spending levels,” Baker Hughes CEO Lorenzo Simonelli said on the company’s first-quarter earnings call on April 25.

Oil majors Chevron and Exxon reported first-quarter earnings last week that fell compared to the same period in 2024 due to lower oil prices.

Goldman is forecasting that U.S. crude and Brent prices will average $59 and $63 per barrel, respectively, this year.

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Chicago plans more, and more equitable public charging as EV sales climb

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Chicago plans more, and more equitable public charging as EV sales climb

Electric vehicles’ share of the market continues to climb in America’s second city, with BEV registrations up more than 50% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period last year. Great news, but charging hasn’t up – but a new plan from Chicago Department of Transportation aims to build up enough infrastructure for the city to keep up.

In a bid to keep up with the rapid growth of EVs, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT is currently seeking public feedback on a plan called “Chicago Moves Electric Framework.” The city’s first such plan, it outlines initiatives that include a curbside charging pilot through the city’s utility, ComEd, and expanded charging access in key areas throughout the city.

Unlike other such plans, however, the new plan aims to focus on bringing electric vehicle charging to EIEC and low income communities, too.

“Through this framework, we are setting clear goals and identifying solutions that reflect the voices of our residents, communities, and regional partners,” said CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney. “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago.”

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Neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago experience a disproportionate amount of air pollution and diesel emissions, largely due to vehicle emissions according to CDOT. Despite that, most of Chicago’s public charging stations are clustered in higher-income areas while just 7.8% are in environmental justice neighborhoods that face higher environmental burdens.

“Too often, communities facing the greatest economic and transportation barriers also experience the most air pollution,” explains Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By prioritizing investments in historically underserved areas and making clean transportation options more affordable and accessible, we can improve both mobility and public health.”

The Framework identifies other near-term policy objectives, as well – such as streamlining the EV charger installation process for businesses and residents and implementing “Low-Emission Zones” in areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution by limiting, or even restricting, access to conventional medium- and heavy-duty vehicles during peak hours.

The Chicago Moves Electric Framework includes the installation of Level 2 and DC fast charging stations in public locations such as libraries and Chicago’s Midway Airport, “supporting not only personal EVs but also electric taxis, ride-hail and commercial fleets.”

Chicago has a goal of installing 2,500 public passenger EV charging stations and electrifying the city’s entire municipal vehicle fleet by 2035.

Electrek’s Take

Chicago Drives Electric | ComEd Press Conference
ComEd press conference at Chicago Drives Electric, 2024; by the author.

I hate to sound like a bed-wetting liberal here, guys, but Chicago is getting EVs absolutely right with big utility incentives on both vehicles and infrastructure, a governor willing to stand behind smart environmental policy, and a solid push for more and better infrastructure in the areas where they’ll do the most good. They’re even thinking of the children.

Here’s hoping more cities follow suit.

SOURCE: ComEd, via Smart Cities Dive; featured image by EVgo.

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