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Lucid (LCID) is housing the first prototypes of its upcoming midsize EV, which will start at about $50,000, in Nikola’s former headquarters. After opening its new Phoenix Hub facility this week, Lucid is taking another big step toward launching its new midsize platform.

Lucid’s first midsize EV models are coming soon

Lucid celebrated the grand opening of its new Phoenix hub this week, adding over 884,000 square feet to its Arizona footprint.

The new facilities, acquired from Nikola in April, will serve as Lucid’s research and development hub as it enters its next growth stage.

“These new facilities provide Lucid with immediate and substantial capacity for advanced manufacturing activities, as well as developing product innovations and testing components and systems,” Lucid’s senior vice president of operations said at the event (via Arizona Commerce Authority).

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The new hub will support Lucid’s main manufacturing plant in Casa Grande as it ramps up production of its first electric SUV, the Gravity.

It will also be home to the first midsize EV models, which Lucid said will launch with prices starting at around $50,000.

According to FOX 10’s Steve Nielson, Lucid’s first midsize EV models are already inside the new Phoenix facility. During an exclusive interview, Nielson said, “Inside of this building are the first prototypes of a midsize SUV that will be priced under $50,000.”

However, other local media have conflicting reports. The Phoenix Business Journal reported that Lucid’s interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, said the new hub will have “a pilot line where we build the first vehicles for our midsized platform,” but added “that’s currently still in development.”

We got a sneak peek of the midsize SUV last September after Lucid revealed a teaser, showing a blurry outline of the upcoming EV.

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Lucid midsize electric SUV teaser image (Source: Lucid)

Lucid’s midsize platform is slated to enter production in late 2026. The first two models based on the platform are expected to be a midsize electric SUV and sedan, starting at under $50,000.

Former CEO Peter Rawlinson previously said that Lucid’s new midsize EVs are aimed “right in the heart of Tesla Model 3, Model Y territory.” Lucid told Electrek that there will be a third vehicle based on the platform, but didn’t confirm any other details.

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Lucid Air (left) and Gravity (right) Source: Lucid

For now, Lucid will focus on ramping up Gravity production. The Lucid Gravity GT is available starting at $94,900 with a range of up to 450 miles. Later this year, a more affordable Touring trim will be added to the lineup, priced at $79,900.

Lucid plans to produce 20,000 vehicles this year, more than double the roughly 9,000 it made in 2024. It’s also expanding into new overseas markets, including parts of Europe and the Middle East.

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Eve Energy rolls solid-state batteries off new assembly line to power humanoids, flying cars

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Eve Energy rolls solid-state batteries off new assembly line to power humanoids, flying cars

What a headline and what a future evolving before our eyes. Chinese battery expert EVE Energy inaugurated a new production base yesterday, and to celebrate the feat, rolled one of its new all-solid-state batteries off the production line.

EVE Energy Co., Ltd. is a Chinese battery manufacturer approaching 25 years in the industry. It develops, manufactures, and delivers lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems to OEMs around the world.

The company’s current production footprint includes facilities in at least four regions of China, in addition to a plant in Malaysia and Hungary. In 2021, EVE shared plans to erect a new lithium-ion battery research and development center and manufacturing plant in Chengdu, in the Sichuan region of southwest China.

Since then, EVE Energy has made impressive strides beyond traditional lithium-ion cells and into highly coveted all-solid-state technology. Yesterday, EVE Energy officially opened its new solid-state battery production base in Chengdu and even produced one of its new “Longquan II” cells (pictured above).

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EVE solid-state
Source: EVE Energy

EVE to build 500k solid-state cells per year in Chengdu

EVE Energy shared details of yesterday’s solid-state production base inauguration in a release today. The new 11,000-square-meter (118,400-square-foot) facility in Chengdu is officially open, but will continue development and expansion through 2026.

As initially announced in 2021, EVE Energy’s Chengdu facility will be constructed in two phases – the first of which is expected to be completed in December. Phase one will offer the capacity to manufacture 60-Ah batteries and EVE’s “Longquan II” solid-state cells – the first of which rolled off the production line yesterday.

The Longquan II is a 10-Ah all-solid-state cell with an energy density of up to 300 Wh/kg. Per EVE Energy, mass production of these ultra-dense cells will eventually power humanoid robots, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and AI equipment.

At its new Chengdu base, EVE has already vowed to fully commit funding, equipment, and R&D resources to achieve an energy density of 400 Wh/kg by 2025. The company also stated that this week’s production launch of the Longquan series “marks a crucial step forward for Eve Energy in solid-state battery industrialization.”

Following phase one’s completion by year’s end, EVE said phase two will bolster the facility’s annual production capacity to 500,000 cells, equating to 100 MWh by December 2026.

There was no mention of any specific solid-state cells developed for electric vehicles. Still, EVE Energy is inching toward mass production of the technology while producing higher energy densities to support automotive OEMs, perhaps one day.

Last year, Zhao Ruirui, executive vice president of EVE Energy’s research institute, shared plans to launch all-solid-state batteries for Chinese passenger cars in 2026, beginning with hybrid EVs.

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Volkswagen vows to make EVs more affordable, starting with the ID.Polo and a new SUV

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Volkswagen vows to make EVs more affordable, starting with the ID.Polo and a new SUV

It’s official. Volkswagen is shaking up its EV naming strategy. After confirming the ID.2 will launch as the ID.Polo, Volkswagen promises its new family of entry-level EVs “will make electric driving more affordable than ever.” The ID.Polo is just the start with an electric T-Cross and much more coming soon.

Meet the Volkswagen ID.Polo

Volkswagen is reviving some of its most popular nameplates for its next-generation electric vehicles. Starting with the ID.Polo next year, Volkswagen will begin transferring names from ICE models to its new family of EVs.

The all-electric ID.Polo “is just the beginning,” according to Thomas Schäfer, VW brand CEO. As the production version of the ID.2all concept from 2023, the 25,000 euro ($29,000) entry-level electric car, the Polo EV, is expected to be a cornerstone of Volkswagen’s electrification strategy.

“A model like the Polo shows just how powerful a name can be,” Martin Sanders, Volkswagen’s sales boss, said, adding, “it stands for reliability, personality and history.”

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The ID.Polo is just the start. Volkswagen has several new affordable EVs on the way, including the ID.Cross, an electric counterpart to the T-Cross.

Volkswagen said its new family of EVs marks the beginning of a new era, promising to make electric driving more affordable than ever.

The ID.Polo will evolve into an electric hot hatch, featuring a sporty GTI variant. Sanders said the ID.GTI Concept will go into production as the ID. Polo GTI, which is also launching next year. It will offer “outstanding dynamics and plenty of driving pleasure,” Sanders ensured.

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Volkswagen ID.Polo and ID.Polo GTI (Source: Volkswagen)

Volkswagen will showcase the ID.Polo and ID.Polo GTI for the first time at the Munich Motor Show, starting on September 8.

The day before, September 7, Volkswagen will unveil the ID.Cross concept. It’s also slated to arrive in 2026 as the electric counterpart to its best-selling T-Cross SUV.

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Segway’s electric go-karts are joining forces with the world’s largest indoor karting chain

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Segway's electric go-karts are joining forces with the world's largest indoor karting chain

Segway just smashed the accelerator pedal on youth motorsports, teaming up with indoor karting giant K1 Speed in a new partnership that blends electric micromobility with high-octane (high-electron?) thrills and fun.

The collaboration will see Segway become the official sponsor of K1’s Junior and Teen Challenge GP leagues, while also putting Segway’s high-performance scooters and go-karts directly in front of the next generation of electric racing fans.

Segway will serve as the official sponsor of K1 Speed’s Junior and Teen Challenge GP leagues, a racing series that pits the best young go-kart racers against each other at K1 tracks across the country. Winners will even take home some fun prizes like the Segway GoKart Pro 2.

“Segway’s partnership with K1 Speed perfectly reflects our passion for performance, innovation, and inspiring the next generation of riders,” said Alex Connelly, head of emerging business development at Segway. “By bringing our products directly to K1 fans and powering the Junior and Teen Challenge GP leagues, we’re creating opportunities for more people to experience even more everyday thrills!”

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K1 Speed operates over 100 locations across 30 states and 10 countries, all using fully electric go-karts, making this partnership a perfect alignment in both spirit and tech. “Segway’s incredible reputation as a front-runner in electric mobility aligns perfectly with our use of fully electric go-karts,” said K1 co-founder Susan Danglard.

The partnership also brings more access to Segway’s other micromobility products, such as their range of electric scooters that cover everything from commuting to high-performance riding. Segway’s most exciting electric vehicles, including the Max G3 e-scooter, F3 commuter scooter, GT3 performance scooter, and the GoKart Pro 2, are now available for purchase directly from K1’s website. That last one might be the most fun of all: the GoKart Pro 2 is a 3-in-1 electric vehicle that hits speeds of up to 27 mph (43 km/h), transforms into a self-balancing scooter, and even doubles as a racing simulator controller for PC gaming.

Oh, and yes… it’s designed for both kids and adults. So parents, don’t pretend you’re buying one just for the kids.

Electrek’s Take

We’ve seen branding deals before that are just that… all about branding. But this feels like much more than just a cross-promo play. It’s a real look at how electric mobility brands can build cultural relevance with young riders early – and maybe even help grow the next generation of e-racing pros while they’re at it.

By getting kids and teens into EVs, without the focus being on the EV itself, it helps cement the idea that these aren’t some new alternatives… they’re just the best way to build transportation devices, whether it’s for commuting, adventuring, or just plain fun racing!

K1’s electric karts are a bit faster than Segway’s, but they’re also built to be abused all day, every day. That Segway kart looks pretty fun for a personal option!

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