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One month after debuting its new compact G6 SUV atop its latest EV platform, XPeng Motors has reportedly rolled its first production model off the assembly in China. The EV automaker previously promised a launch and deliveries this quarter, so the G6 could be arriving to customers soon.

The G6 made its official debut in China in late April. XPeng Motors describes its fifth EV model as an “ultra smart coupe SUV.” The G6 is also XPeng’s first production model to sit atop the automaker’s next-generation SEPA 2.0 platform architecture, enabling it to offer many new performance features, including faster charging and a massive range increase (469 miles).

XPeng has also introduced new production practices with the G6 SUV as well. At the time of its debut, the company declared the EV as China’s only mass-produced, die-casted front and rear integrated aluminum body, including cell-integrated body (CIB) technology that optimizes cabin design with added vertical space and increased battery safety.

Although the G6 has made its debut, it has not officially launched yet – so it’s unknown how its trims will exactly break down or how they will be priced. Previously, XPeng executives said the G6 will begin deliveries in Q2 2023, priced between RMB 200,000-300,000 ($28,500-$42,650).

However, XPeng Motors hasn’t even shared a progress update of its own. Instead, a leak has given us an idea of how far along the upcoming coupe SUV actually is.

Credit: XPeng Motors

As reported by CnEVPost, the featured image above was leaked on social media in China, showing XPeng’s production crew posing with the first G6 model off the assembly line. XPeng Motors itself has yet to share any content announcing the milestone, although that should be imminent now.

During the automaker’s Q4 2022 earnings call this past March, XPeng chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng shared massive expectations for the G6 – stating the company’s monthly sales target will be two to three times the P7 sedan.

All the more reason to get this latest model out to consumers, especially after the automaker shared an anticipated timeline to officially launch and begin deliveries of the G6 before the end of Q2. XPeng Motors could still hit that original target or, at the very least, shouldn’t be quite far off, especially if the Chinese EV automaker is, in fact, already rolling G6 models off its lines.

We will know for sure when XPeng comes out and shares its own update, whether it’s on social media or through a press release. Either way, we should learn more about trims and pricing, as well as when those initial deliveries will begin, starting in China.

XPeng Motors has previously stated the G6 was specifically designed as a multimarket EV, although it will not be called the G6 outside of China. We are sure to learn more in the coming weeks as Q2 comes to a close.

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BP celebrates the opening of its first TA DC fast charging hub in Florida

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BP celebrates the opening of its first TA DC fast charging hub in Florida

Executives from TravelCenters America (TA) and BP were joined by local elected officials at a ribbon cutting for the two companies’ first DC fast charging hub on I-95 in Jacksonville, Florida – the first of several such EV charging stations to come online.

Frequent road-trippers are no doubt familiar with TA’s red, white, and blue logo and probably think of the sites as safe, convenient stops in otherwise unfamiliar surroundings. The company hopes those positive associations will carry over as its customers continue to switch from gas to electric at a record pace in 2025 and beyond.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey to bring new forms of energy to our customers as we support their changing mobility needs, while leveraging the best of bp and TA,” explains Debi Boffa, CEO of TravelCenters of America. Boffa, however, was quick to – but TA is quick to point out that TA isn’ no’t leaving its ICE customers behind. “While this is significant, to our loyal customers and guests, rest assured TA will continue to provide the same safe and reliable fueling options it has offered for over 50 years, regardless of the type of fuel.”

The charging hub along the I-95 offers 12 DC fast charging ports offering up to 400kW of power for lickety-quick charging. While they’re at the TA, EV drivers can visit restrooms, shop at TA’s convenience store, or eat at fast food chains like Popeyes and Subway. Other TA centers offer wifi and pet-friendly amenities as well – making them ideal partners for BP as the two companies builds out their charging networks.

As we expand our EV charging network in the US, I am thrilled to unveil our first of many hubs at TA locations,” offers Sujay Sharma, CEO of BP Pulse Americas. “These sites are strategically located across key highway corridors that provide our customers with en route charging when and where they need it most, while offering convenient amenities, like restaurants and restrooms.”

Electrek’s Take

TA/BP charging center concept for HDEVs; via BP.

As I type this, BP has more than 37,000 EV charging ports operational globally, and plans to have more than 100,000 in service by 2030. The company made headlines in 2022 when it announced that its EV chargers were “on the cusp” of being more profitable than its gas pumps. Three years on, it seems like that’s a done deal.

As ever, money talks.

SOURCE | IMAGES: BP.

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E-quipment highlight: Toro e2500 THL and TS Electric Ultra Buggies

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E-quipment highlight: Toro e2500 THL and TS Electric Ultra Buggies

The new e2500-THL and TS electric Ultra Buggies from Toro offer construction and demo crews a carrying capacity of 2500 lbs. (on the TS model), six-and-a-half foot dump height (on the THL), nearly 13 cubic ft. of capacity, and hours of quiet, fume-free operation.

Despite the second Trump administration’s loosening grip on emissions regulations, the fact remains that a growing number of municipalities in both red and blue regions of the US are continuing to clamp down on noise regulations, which means that construction crews with quiet running electric equipment will be able to get jobs that crews stubbornly holding on to diesel and gas won’t. Toro absolutely gets it, which is why its e2500-THL and TS Ultra Buggy line will be welcomed by smart crews with open arms.

For their open-mindedness, those crews will be rewarded with machines powered by 7 kWh’s worth of Toro HyperCell lithium-ion battery. That’s good enough for up to eight hours of continuous operation, according to Toro – enough for two typical working shifts.

And, thanks to the Toro Ultra Buggies’ narrow, 31.5″ width, they can easily navigate man doors on inside jobs, as well, making them ideal for indoor demolition and construction jobs. A zero-turn radius and auto-return dump mechanism that ensures the tub automatically returns to the proper resting position make things easy for the operator, too.

Toro says that each of its small (for Toro) e2500 Ultra Buggy units can replace as many as five wheelbarrows on a given job site. Pricing is expected to start at about $32,000.

Electrek’s Take

Electric equipment makes job sites cleaner, quieter, and safer than they are under diesel or gas power – and as more municipal and private sector RFPs begin to enforce ZEV requirements and quiet hours, more and more viable electric alternatives to ICE power will start to show up on more and more job sites (regardless of who is in the White House).

SOURCE | IMAGES: Toro, via Construction Equipment.

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GM is using California wildfires to pilot mobile DC fast chargers

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GM is using California wildfires to pilot mobile DC fast chargers

GM has deployed three of its HYDROTEC hydrogen gensets to the Los Angeles area as a way to help generate power for EV drivers and emergency vehicles recovering from the devastating effects of the recent wildfires.

GM is providing a number of mobile charging solutions to Californians recovering from the recent wildfires – including a trio of Yoshi Mobility propane chargers capable of DC fast charging two EVs at once, a single biofuel powered mobile charging station from InCharge capable of DC fast charging five EVs, and three more of its in-house HYDROTEC hydrogen powered gensets.

“GM is extending targeted local support to our customers and employees who have been impacted by the California wildfires,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president global commercial growth strategies and operations. “We’re finding ways to help get people back on the road and using our resources to make a difference in the recovery in the weeks and months to come.”

The mobile charging station rollout is part of a broader response to the fires from GM that includes “planned” philanthropic contributions to nonprofits serving affected communities, employee giving campaigns to benefit the American Red Cross Los Angeles region and the California Fire Foundation, and a complimentary subscription to Crisis Assist Services, which enables customers with OnStar-equipped vehicles to get information about the fires, receive routing guidance, and access immediate emergency assistance from an OnStar advisor.

GM also says it’s providing customers with damaged or destroyed GM vehicles assistance toward the purchase or lease of a new GM vehicle, subject to certain terms and conditions, which may include certain qualifications and restrictions. The company will also help cover collision repair deductible costs for damage to GM vehicles incurred from the wildfires – again, subject to certain qualifications and restrictions.

Electrek’s Take

GM Readies Test Fleet Of Heavy Pickups Powered By Green Hydrogen
Medium-duty hydrogen utility truck; via GM.

While it’s certainly commendable for GM to take steps in an effort to support wildfire victims, it feels like a company that made more than $19 billion in gross profits in 2023 (and over $20 billion in 2022; 2024 numbers aren’t out yet – but the company did well enough to spend more than $6 billion buying back its own stock) could have done better than announcing “planned” donations and asking its employees to pony up. By my math, GM shareholders could have given each of the 163,000 global employees the company had in 2023 a $36,000 one-time bonus in lieu of those stock buybacks.

That said, how many companies are doing nothing at all? Good on GM for trying, then – here’s hoping others step up, too.

SOURCE | IMAGES: General Motors.

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