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While it’s hard to come across offroad trails within urban areas, it’s also hard to find roads without any potholes or gravel here and there. Now, having a surprise pothole or section of gravel at 24mph wouldn’t seem like much of a worry for a 4-wheeled vehicle, but on a scooter, it could be enough to get your heart going. Fortunately, NIU‘s KQi 300X makes those worrying potholes a lot smoother.

For urban commuting through rough roads, it’s not only the safety but the comfort that starts to compound the longer your commute is.

That all-terrain suspension comes from a dual-tube hydraulic setup providing a 45mm stroke making the KQi 300X ideal for rough rides especially if you have a decently long commute and want some less strain on your wrists. It also has an IP55 water-resistant rating in case you need to commute in the rain or perhaps run into some slush in the winter season.

Okay before we get deeper into the handling let’s get into some of the basics. The KQI 300X comes with a max range of 60km per charge coming out of a 48v, 608wh battery with a charge time of 6 hours. 

And for the top speed, the motor is rated for 500w with 1000w of peak power bringing this scooter up to 32kph on the road and 38 kph off road. That power makes it possible to ride up hills with a 25% grade and the Sine Wave Controller is able to enhance motor efficiency while doing it.

Alright now back to the handling aside from the all-terrain suspension NIU also included  XL 10.5″ x 2.5″ wide tires to give the scooter a bit more shock absorption and comfort. Another cool feature here for the tires is the Self-healing Tubeless tires which is going to save a ton of time if you happen to get a flat. 

Up top NIU included some wide handlebars measuring 21.3 inches giving you a bit more confidence when it comes to steering, and again stacking that up with thicker tires and suspension can make the difference for long rides.

And for controls, the KQi 300X comes with a Twist Throttle, a sleek-looking display, a power button, a bell, and a triple-braking system that includes front and rear disc brakes as well as an electronic regenerative rear brake that can give you some extra juice for when you really need it.

For even more control options the KQi 300X has Bluetooth connectivity allowing you to access your riding statistics, Customize your speed, set Cruise control, and Set a Charging Limit all through the NIU app. 

For safety on the road, the KQi 300X has a high-powered Halo headlight, braking lights, turn signals as well as side reflectors to help keep you visible to other riders or drivers on the road.

When it comes to security, you can lock your NIU kick scooter for peace of mind and to carry it with you you can use the quick locking feature to make it a bit easier. 

Overall the wide deck, robust front suspension, and bigger wheels all stack up to make it a breeze to roll off sidewalks and run through potholes all while riding in comfort. 

To check out NIU on socials you can find them @niumobility and for more of their lineup you can check out their website here.

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Mercedes-Benz EVs to get Tesla Supercharger access in February

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Mercedes-Benz EVs to get Tesla Supercharger access in February

From February 2025, US Mercedes-Benz EV drivers will be able to charge their cars at over 20,000 Tesla Superchargers in the US and Canada.

Drivers based in Canada will gain access to the Tesla Supercharger network later in 2025.

Authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships will provide a free software update for compatible vehicles to ensure smooth and easy Plug & Charge operation at Tesla Superchargers. Customers with vehicles in scope
will be contacted directly to schedule their software update.

The Mercedes me Charge service will integrate drivers into the Tesla Supercharger network, enabling easy Plug & Charge functionality when they charge at Superchargers. Mercedes me Charge also offers public charging at Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging, IONNA, Electrify America, EVGo, ChargePoint, and more.

Mercedes me Charge gives drivers charger locations, real-time charger availability, status, and pricing for all in-network charging points through both the Mercedes-Benz app and the MBUX infotainment system. Charging can also be initiated via the Mercedes-Benz app or the MBUX infotainment system.

Tesla Superchargers will be integrated into Mercedes-Benz’s “Navigation with Electric Intelligence”. This feature automatically navigates drivers to the most efficient, time-saving route, including transparent charging stops and charging times.

“The fast-growing network of charging points available in Mercedes me Charge will now expand to over 110,000 public charging points across the United States and Canada, providing Mercedes-Benz drivers with an industry-leading charging experience whenever and wherever they choose to charge,” said Franz Reiner, chairman of the board of management at Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG.

Mercedes says a North American Charging Standard NACS to CCS1 adapter for current CCS1-compatible EVs will be available at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships for purchase in the US for $185 in Q1 2025. Customers will be notified when adapters are available to purchase. They’ll be available from Canadian dealerships in Q2 2025, with pricing to be confirmed closer to market introduction.

The German automaker says it will introduce NACS ports in its EV lineup beginning in 2025.

Read more: The latest US EV sales and charger growth – in numbers


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Model Y Juniper refresh spied uncamouflaged for first time in winter testing

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Model Y Juniper refresh spied uncamouflaged for first time in winter testing

Tesla’s Model Y “Juniper” refresh has been spotted for the first time undergoing winter testing in China, in anticipation of an imminent reveal.

The refreshed Model Y has been expected for some time, and is expected to include many of the improvements of the 2023 Model 3 refresh. The headline features of that vehicle are a new front-end, more efficiency, and a quieter cabin. But there were a lot of other interior improvements as well (and one big de-provement, the deletion of steering column stalks).

And we know that it’s coming soon, because there have been plenty of sightings and leaks lately, though all have been camouflaged to hide front and rear end design changes.

In October, Chinese social media said the refresh was about to enter trial production, and just days later we saw a photo of the refreshed Model Y outside the Shanghai factory. Then last month, we heard that mass production would start in Shanghai in January, so we can expect that very soon as well.

And while Tesla said in 2024 that there’s no Model Y refresh coming “this year”, 2024 is over now, and there have been plenty of recent indications that the refresh is imminent.

Well, now that time has apparently come, and photos were posted today of the vehicle undergoing uncamouflaged winter testing in Northeast China.

As expected, the refresh gets rid of the “duck lips” of the previous Model Y, just as Tesla did with the Model 3 refresh, and as camouflaged photos have suggested. The rear end also matches previous leaks we’ve seen, with a sleeker rear end and use of the “TESLA” text badging rather than the Tesla logo (which is also not present on the rear of the Model 3 refresh).

The front end is a more dramatic redesign than the Model 3, though, which gained a lower nose but still retained traditional headlights. The Model Y goes further with a Cybertruck-like light bar across the whole front end, rather than the distinct headlights of the Model 3.

Social media rumors also suggested that an official unveil is imminent, so we may find out more within days. Stay tuned.

What do you think of the look of the Model Y Juniper?


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Tesla board members officially settle excessive compensation case for nearly $1 billion

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Tesla board members officially settle excessive compensation case for nearly  billion

A judge has officially approved a settlement in a case brought by Tesla shareholders against board members who will now have to return stock, cash, and give up on stock options worth a total of nearly $1 billion.

Let me start this article with a quote from Tesla CEO Elon Musk:

Tesla will never settle a case where we’re in the right, and never contest a case where we’re in the wrong.

Today, Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick approved a settlement agreement between Tesla and all its board members from 2017 to 2020 and the Police and Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit on behalf of Tesla shareholders over what the shareholders believed to be excessive compensation.

The agreement was first reported in July 2023, but it is only now being officially approved and we learn a few more details.

Shareholders believed that members of Tesla’s board were compensating themselves excessively with hundreds of millions of dollars between 2017 and 2020 when the average compensation of a board member of a S&P500 company is just north of $300,000.

Under the settlement, the board members agree to return to Tesla $277 million in cash, $459 million in stock options and to forgo $184 million worth of stock options awarded for 2021-2023.

That adds up to nearly $1 billion.

The board members include Kimbal Musk, Elon’s brother, Brad Buss, Ira Ehrenpreis, Antonio Gracias, Stephen Jurvetson, all close friends of Elon Musk and people who have financial dealings with Musk outside of Tesla, Linda Johnson Rice, Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, Hiromichi Mizuno and Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle Corp and also a close friend of Musk.

As part of the settlement, Tesla or the board does not admit to any wrongdoing.

Musk didn’t take compensation as part of the board, but he is embroiled in a similar case over his own $55 billion CEO compensation package, which was rescinded by the same judge after she found that it wasn’t negotiated or presented to shareholders in good faith.

The board members who received this “excessive compensation” also happened to be the one who “negotiated” Musk’s CEO compensation package.

The case is heading to the Delaware Supreme Court, as reported earlier today.

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