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Yadea, a global leader in electric mobility including scooters, mopeds, e-bikes, and more, has just launched two new full-suspension electric scooters. The Yadea Artist offers a lightweight, affordable ride, while the Yadea Elite Max adds more power and performance to the package.

The Yadea Artist e-scooter, which has now launched in the US for $499, is the company’s newest lightweight offering that sheds the pounds but doesn’t skimp on the features.

Despite being the smallest offering in Yadea’s new scooter lineup, it still offers full-suspension with a dual swingarm design. Both the front and rear suspension use rubber elastomer suspension, and having tested the scooter last week while visiting one of Yadea’s eight factories, I found it to be quite comfortable over bumps and gaps in the road. I even rode over speed bumps much faster than I thought I ever could on a fairly lightweight 18.6 kg (41 lb) e-scooter. Helping matters are the relatively large (by scooter standards) tires that measure 9″ in diameter and provide even more shock absorption.

The 350W continuous-rated and 600W peak-rated motor can climb 20% inclines and provides plenty of power for urban commuters without adding extra bulk. An integrated 36V 7.7 Ah battery offers 275 Wh of capacity, or enough for around 30 km (18.6 miles) of range.

Turn signals are mounted in the handlebar ends and face both forward and rearward, giving cars a better indication of what you’re planning to do at the next intersection.

There are three speed modes, though the fastest tops out at just 15.5 mph (25 km/h). That was my one complaint upon testing the scooter myself, and I wished I could have twisted that throttle just a bit further for more speed.

Speaking of which, I loved seeing that there’s a true half-twist throttle on the Artist instead of the more common but less functional thumb throttle. Twist throttles have been standard on powered two-wheelers for a century and offer more precise control, so it’s great to see them becoming more common on standing electric scooters.

The good news is that anyone hoping for more speed will find it in the Yadea Elite Max e-scooter, which was also launched today. The scooter reaches 20 mph (32 km/h) in the US, though the European version is still limited to the same 15.5 mph (25 km/h) limit of the Artist e-scooter.

The Yadea Elite Max also offers more power, with its hub motor rated for 500W continuous and 1,000W peak power. That allows the Elite Max to tackle steeper hills with up to a 25% grade.

The larger 48V 10Ah battery with 480 Wh of capacity is said to offer a maximum range of 34 miles (55 km) per charge.

The 10″ tubeless tires are self-healing and the suspension uses a similar dual swingarm design as the Artist, offering great shock absorption on rough streets and cobblestones.

The aluminum frame is forged instead of welded in several key locations such as around the headtube, providing both a stronger and better-looking structure to the scooter. Similar turn signals to those on the Artist also find their way onto the Elite Max. Both scooters can also make use of the Yadea smartphone app, giving riders control over smart-locking of the scooter, regenerative braking settings, speed mode changes, and more.

Priced at just $749 at launch, the Yadea Elite Max is one of the best deals right now in powerful full-suspension electric scooters.

Electrek’s Take

I just tested both of these scooters a few days ago, along with their big brother, the Yadea Elite Prime. That 1,500W scooter is fun, but probably more than I really need. In fact, the Artist feels pretty darn perfect for me, and I like the lightweight design. However, the extra speed, power, and range of the Elite Max is hard to pass up for those that can spare an extra 10 pounds.

At these prices, Yadea is coming in hot with attractive new offerings that are stable, fun to ride, and most importantly, offer some serious value for commuters and recreational riders alike. While I could use a bit more speed on the lightest offering, it’s great seeing faster and more powerful scooters in the lineup too.

Electrek’s Micah Toll getting an up-close look at Yadea’s three newest dual-suspension electric scooters

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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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