Tesla car culture is full of hacks and shortcuts, some more effective than others. One, known as the “wet towel” trick, required the Tesla Charging department — or whatever remains of it — to publicly tell customers to knock it off.
The “wet towel” trick involves wrapping a damp, cool cloth around a Supercharger cable handle as a way to presumably speed up the charging time. The Supercharger has temperature monitors that keep it from overheating as it charges Tesla vehicles. Some Tesla owners believe that cooling down the charging handle will trick the temperature monitor into topping off their vehicles faster.
Here's the problem, at least in Tesla's telling: If the sensor in the charging handle believes that the temperature is lower than it actually is while it’s charging, the towel-wrapped charger can create a "risk of overheating or damage" according to the company.
This may sound like the biggest “duh” statement in tech news history but it’s taken more than two months for Tesla to warn its customers not to do the “wet towel” trick on their cars, even after it became a well known “hack” on other auto news websites and Reddit forums. The official Tesla Charging account on X posted a warning on Wednesday in response to an article from InsideEVs.com explaining the dangerous car charging trick.
Placing a wet cloth on Supercharger cable handles does not increase charging rates and interferes with temperature monitors creating risk of overheating or damage. Please refrain from doing this so our systems can run correctly, and true charging issues can be detected by our…
This kind of epic communication breakdown is what happens when a major automaker doesn’t have a public relations department. Tesla dissolved its entire PR team in 2020 and Elon Musk publicly refused to hire one on his X account the following year saying he didn’t want to “spend money on advertising & manipulating public opinion,” according to Electrek.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-warns-against-wet-towel-charging-trick-two-months-too-late-190237430.html?src=rss
Tesla has started selling a couple of new accessories for the Cybertruck, including a $300 tailgate shield. It's a custom-made padding for the vehicle, designed to hang off its tailgate and protect it from any equipment you're hauling.
We gotta say, it's admittedly quite amusing to see Tesla selling an accessory to protect the Cybertruck when one of the vehicle's promotional videos shows someone shooting guns at it. When the company debuted the model, it also staged a demonstration to show that it can withstand a sledgehammer. Still, if you regularly put, say, a road or a mountain bike in the bed of your truck, the shield could prevent it from banging up against the vehicle's tailgate and cause scratches and other cosmetic imperfections. To mount the pad, you'll need to insert its straps into the tailgate gap while it's halfway open, so you may need a friend to help you out.
In addition to the tailgate shield, Tesla is now also selling a $100 jumpseat that you can attach to your Cybertruck. The vehicle's tailgate can fit up to three jumpseats, and you can install them even with a shield on. Tesla recommends the jumpseat for tailgating parties, picnics, sporting and other outside events. And once your activity is done, you can fold the collapsible seats up for storage.
Tesla also offers the Cybertruck Jumpseat for $100 per unit on the Tesla Shop.
“Relax anywhere. The Cybertruck jumpseat is wrapped in a durable cordura nylon fabric and features cyber-style thermoformed backrest and alloy g-hooks. Fit up to three jumpseats along the Cybertruck… pic.twitter.com/Ci7XQ0o7us
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-now-sells-a-300-cybertruck-tailgate-shield-to-protect-your-bulletproof-truck-110037148.html?src=rss
Tesla has introduced a Model 3 option with 363 miles of range that will cost less than $35,000 after federal tax credits. The Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel-Drive is now on Tesla's configurator with deliveries slated between July and August 2024.
Performance-wise, it fits between the base model and Long Range AWD option, with a 125 MPH top speed and 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds. The AWD option is a $5,000 upgrade, though, so you're paying a lot for an extra 0.7 seconds of acceleration. For comparison, Hyundai's Ioniq 6 LR has roughly the same range and price, but isn't eligible for the federal EV tax credit.
The Model 3 Long Range RWD is now Tesla's cheapest EV, if you take the tax credit into account. That's because the base $38,990 Model 3 RWD version uses lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from CATL in China, so it's ineligible for any federal rebate.
The new model arrives amid a decline in EV battery prices. The price for LFP cell in China dropped over 51 percent to $53 per kWh over the last year, Bloomberg recently reported. That in turn has led to LFP battery packs at $75 per kWh, meaning EVs can be priced the same or less than combustion vehicles in China. Western efforts to match China's battery production will only increase overcapacity and likely keep prices down.
Early this year, Tesla launched its refreshed Model 3 in the US. The new version has some mild styling changes on the exterior, along with new interior materials, ventilated front seats, a 17-speaker audio system option and a new eight-inch rear display.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-brings-the-model-3-long-range-rwd-to-the-us-for-42490-120016482.html?src=rss
The only byproduct from the prototype, which has a liquid hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen-electric propulsion system, was water vapor. The company suggested the test flight points to a future of emissions-free regional aviation in an industry that still relies heavily on fossil fuels. But it would say that.
This is apparently the first liquid hydrogen-powered eVTOL flight. Joby Aviation repurposed its existing battery-powered air taxi, installing a fuel tank that can store up to 40 kilograms of liquid hydrogen to reduce the battery load for the craft.
It’s the end of the line for Redbox and its DVD rental kiosks. Its parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late June but has shifted its filing from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7, which means it intends to liquidate its business altogether. Redbox kiosks, typically in groceries and convenience stores, used to rent out movie DVDs and Blu-ray discs as well as video games.
Further back in time, now. The German navy is taking a leaf from Japan’s government and … upgrading its floppy disk drives. The country’s fleet of submarine frigates has operated on old-fashioned 8-inch floppy disks (yeah — the big ones) since they were commissioned back in the 1990s. Replacing the floppy disk system won’t be an easy task. These disks pretty much control everything on the ships from airflow systems to power generation.
You can get the Mini with a $150 or a $50 roaming plan.
SpaceX
SpaceX started offering select users its new Starlink dish model, small enough to fit in a backpack, in late June. Despite its easy-to-carry size, the Mini used to require an existing $150 standard service plan — you could only tack on the Mini Roam service for an additional $30 a month. Now, you can get it on its own with a roaming service.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-hydrogen-powered-air-taxi-completes-523-mile-test-111557165.html?src=rss
Joby Aviation says a hydrogen-powered version of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft successfully completed a 523-mile test flight. The only byproduct from the prototype, which has a liquid hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen-electric propulsion system, was water vapor. The company suggested that the test flight points toward a future of emissions-free regional aviation in an industry that still relies heavily on fossil fuels.
This is believed to be the first liquid hydrogen-powered eVTOL forward flight. Joby kept the same shell and most of the guts of its battery-electric air taxi but it reduced the battery load and installed a fuel tank that can store up to 40 kilograms of liquid hydrogen. This is pumped into a fuel cell system to produce electricity, water and heat. The electricity generated from the fuel cell powers the air taxi's six electric motors while the batteries deliver extra power during take off and landing.
Joby is set to start commercial operations of its air taxi as soon as 2025. While the eVTOL doesn't need a runway, it's limited to a range of 100 miles before it needs to be charged up, making it a good option for short hops like from your home to the airport. Should the hydrogen-powered model ever go into production, it could result in emission-free inter-city aviation that's faster than travelling by road or traditional planes. It'll be quicker to refuel a hydrogen-powered air taxi than to recharge an eVTOL too.
“Imagine being able to fly from San Francisco to San Diego, Boston to Baltimore or Nashville to New Orleans without the need to go to an airport and with no emissions except water," Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt said in a statement. "That world is closer than ever, and the progress we’ve made towards certifying the battery-electric version of our aircraft gives us a great head start as we look ahead to making hydrogen-electric flight a reality."
However, Bevirt is confident that there will be sufficient support from governments for hydrogen and green hydrogen supply and distribution. The US allocated $7 billion to set up green hydrogen hubs across the country under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. "The world is shifting to a hydrogen economy and aviation is one of the most important use cases for that green hydrogen supply," Bevirt told Inc.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/joby-aviation-says-it-completed-a-523-mile-test-flight-of-a-hydrogen-powered-air-taxi-154111466.html?src=rss
Ford is reviving that most '70s of cars, the Capri, though pretty much in name only. Resembling not at all the original two-door pony-style fastback that debuted in 1968, the new Capri will instead be a four-door electric vehicle built on Volkswagen's MEB platform and be sold only in Europe.
The Capri looks like it was designed by executive committee, with styling that resembles the Polestar 2, but far more nondescript. Ford calls it a "sports coupe for the family," and the only thing vaguely as rebellious as the original is the paint scheme, either in bright yellow or blue.
Ford
Two models will be available in launch, base and Premium versions, both termed "Extended Range." The base is a 282-horsepower single-motor rear-drive model with a 77-kWh battery pack, 390 miles or range (WLTP) and a 28-minute charge time from 10-80 percent.
The Premium model is all-wheel-drive with two motors and 335 horsepower. The slightly larger 79kWh battery accepts a 185 kW charge (50 kW more than the base), so it can get from 10-80 percent in 26 minutes. Range on this model is just slightly reduced to 368 miles, according to Europe's WLTP standard. As for performance, the base model can zip from 0-62MPH in 6.4 seconds, while the Premium can do it in 5.3 seconds.
Ford
The Premium model gets a few other add-ons, including 20-inch alloy wheel instead of 19-inch, along with ambient lighting, a B&O sound system and hands-free tailgate.
On the tech side, the Capri offers automated lane changes, cyclist detection when opening doors and a massaging driver's seat. The 14.6-inch vertical touchscreen even slides out to reveal a storage compartment, while the front armrest caches a "MegaConsole" with 0.6 cubic feet of space.
Ford recently unveiled another EV in Europe named after a classic model, the Explorer. Like the Capri, it's nothing like the original either in looks or spirit, being a compact crossover rather than a pickup or SUV.
With availability in Europe only, you'll be able to buy a Capri on its namesake Italian island, but nowhere in North America. It'll be built in Germany and starts at €49,400 (around $53,590) for the base model and €53,000 ($57,490) for the Premium pack, according to Ford's French website.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ford-revives-the-capri-after-30-years-as-a-four-door-ev-140013729.html?src=rss
The US Department of Justice and Boeing have reached an agreement that the latter will plead guilty to a conspiracy to defraud the US government charge stemming from two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, the New York Times reports.
In May, the DOJ announced that Boeing violated its 2021 deal to pay penalties and compensation, as well as implement major safety changes — just four months prior, a cabin panel blew off an Alaska Airlines flight while it was at 16,000 feet in the air. The DOJ offered the company a plea deal on June 30, giving it one week to accept or face a trial.
Boeing had struck a deal in 2021 over these crashes with the agency, promising to implement major safety changes and engage in no wrongdoing for three years. In May, the DOJ announced the company had violated the agreement, and on June 30 it offered Boeing a choice: accept a plea deal within one week or go to trial.
If the new agreement is approved by the court, Boeing will have to pay a fine of $487.2 million — however, part of it could be covered by payments made in the original agreement. Boeing will also be required to invest at least $455 million in safety and compliance over the next three years and have a DOJ-appointed third-party monitor its progress.
The deal was criticized as insufficient for the crash victims. "This sweetheart deal fails to recognize that because of Boeing's conspiracy, 346 people died," Paul Cassell, a lawyer representing some of the families, said. "Through crafty lawyering between Boeing and DoJ, the deadly consequences of Boeing's crime are being hidden."
In 2021, Boeing agreed to pay its customers $1.77 billion in compensation after authorities grounded the 737 Max plane for a year and a half. The deal also included the company paying $243.6 million in fines and $500 million into a crash-victim fund for the heirs, relatives and legal beneficiaries of the passengers killed in the flights near Indonesia and Ethiopia.
The Federal Aviation Administration's Aircraft Evaluation Group (FAA AEG) determined that the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) activated while both planes were in flight and was the likely point of failure. Two Boeing 737 Max flight technical pilots deceived the FAA AEG two years before the first crash, concealing information about an important change to the MCAS. If approved, the new deal will be Boeing's first new felony in decades.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/boeing-agrees-to-plead-guilty-to-conspiracy-to-defraud-the-us-government-124009566.html?src=rss
The EV market is hotter than ever in the US, but there are only a handful of options for families who need three rows of seats and tons of storage space. There's the Rivian R1S, a beautiful and well-reviewed car, but one that's firmly in luxury territory with a starting price of $75,900. Tesla's Model X is similarly pricey, and its tiny rear row isn't suited for adults (the smaller Model Y's third row option is even worse). That's why Kia's EV9 is such a big deal. It offers even more internal space than the company's massive Telluride, and it starts at a more palatable $54,900 (along with a $1,495 destination charge).
It makes sense why car makers were more focused on smaller EVs up until now. Large batteries are expensive, and many people don't really need three rows of seats. But I'm a dad of two kids still using child car seats, and we also need to travel with my two parents on occasion. So the additional room is a must. And even without rear passengers, we often need extra room to lug two kids' worth of gear to local parks (especially if we bring along our wagon stroller).
There are, of course, legitimate reasons to be wary of large EVs. Like any massive vehicle, they're more dangerous for pedestrians, especially when coupled with the near-instant torque power of EVs. They're also far worse for the environment than smaller cars, because they require those aforementioned large batteries and all the rare earth material they contain. If I lived in a city with usable public transportation, I'd give up on the EV9 in an instant. But for now I'm stuck traversing Atlanta suburbs, so the EV9 (ideally a pre-owned one in a few years) is our best worst option.
A Tesla Cybertruck parked next to the Kia EV9.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
Design
Like Kia’s EV6, the EV9 (available in Light, Land, Wind and GT-Line configurations) looks striking up close. It doesn't shy away from being a large SUV — its boxiness is a feature, not a bug. And what it lacks in curves, it makes up for with polygonal body panels that look futuristic without being garish like Tesla’s Cybertruck. From the front, the EV9 pairs vertical headlights with customizable LEDs. (You have to buy additional lighting patterns separately, though, a truly unfortunate choice by Kia.)
Kia didn't stray too far from the original EV9 concept it revealed in 2019, and that's a good thing. There aren't any rear-hinged suicide doors, but I don't miss them. Structurally, standard door frames are safer for passengers, especially during accidents.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
Interior
Upon opening the driver side door, you're greeted with an elegant setup: well-cushioned seats with comfortable mesh headrests; Kia's 30-inch "Triple Panorama Display," which features a gauge cluster, HVAC controls and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen; and tons of clean and usable space. It's similar to the EV6's setup, but a bit less cluttered since gear controls are handled by a stalk on the steering wheel, instead of a dial by the cupholders.
Even though it features a massive screen, the EV9 also has a combination of physical and capacitive buttons. You can change the temperature, mode and fan speeds with rocker switches on the driver and passenger side (rear passengers also have easily reachable HVAC controls). You can also control heating and cooling using the small display next to the infotainment screen, but I found that a bit awkward while driving. It was sometimes obscured by the steering wheel, and there wasn't much feedback when changing settings on the screen.
Kia's infotainment software is zippy and responsive, befitting the EV9's modern displays. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto support also makes it easy to connect your phone without fiddling for cables. The EV9 has a large wireless charging pad that should fit my iPhone 15 Pro Max just fine, and there's enough room to squeeze in even bigger phones. It was a bit finicky to find the right wireless charging zone, so much so it made me wish Kia had implemented MagSafe or the newer Qi2 standard to keep my phone in place. I'd recommend always having a USB-C cable handy to take advantage of the EV9's fast charging port.
I was blown away by the GT-Line EV9's 14-speaker Meridian system, which has just enough low-end oomph (thanks to an open-air subwoofer) for music and precise clarity for voices while listening to podcasts and audiobooks. Meridian says its DSP (digital sound processing) optimizes sound for the EV9's cabin, and it also upmixes audio for 5.1 surround sound (or the equivalent with many more speakers).
The EV9 is chock full of ambient lighting at night.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
The company's Intelli-Q Equalization also transforms audio as the EV9's in-cabin noise changes — instead of just raising or lowering the volume, it can emphasize specific frequency ranges to cover something like tire noise. In my testing, the Meridian system sounded great during both noisy highway driving and relaxed local trips. I definitely noticed when the Intelli-Q software kicked in, but it wasn't unbearable like older cars that would just get louder on the highway. (You can also adjust the level of automatic sound equalization, and audio purists can disable it entirely.)
The EV9's second row captain's chairs are just as comfortable as the front seats, but they have cushioned headrests instead of flexible mesh. As much as I like the second row, though, my family would likely be better off with the 7-seat arrangement from Light or Wind EV9 models. Those rely on a bench seat instead of two captain's chairs, which my wife prefers when she needs to ride beside my two-year old.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
The EV9's third row seats are comfortable as well, but as in many three-row SUVs, most adults won't have much legroom to work with. I was able to squeeze in my 5-foot 8-inch frame, but I wouldn't call the experience ideal. Anyone riding in the EV9's last row will likely have to bargain with the person in front of them for some leg space. It's also worth noting that the second row is immovable with child seats, since they lock seat belts down. So be sure to have the second row at a comfortable spot for rear passengers before hooking up child seats.
Unfortunately, the US version of the EV9 won't have second-row seats that can swivel 180-degrees to face the third row, because they don't meet federal safety standards. That feature, which was a major part of Kia's initial EV9 publicity blitz, will be available in South Korea and other countries.
The EV9's trunk space with the third row of seats folded down.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
For cargo, the EV9 sports 20.2 cubic feet behind its third row seats, and a more usable 43.5 cubic feet of storage when the third row is folded flat. If you push down the second row seats as well , you can fit in up to 81.7 cubic feet of gear. There's a front trunk, or frunk, underneath the hood too, but it's not as useful as other EVs. It can hold 3.2 cubic feet in the rear-wheel EV9, and an even more minuscule 1.8 cubic feet in the all-wheel drive models. In both cases, you have just enough room to hold Kia's level 1 charging cable and a few other small items.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
Driving
On the road, the EV9 feels like a paradox. Similar to Rivian's R1S, it's a large SUV that's surprisingly quick and nimble for its size. I was able to effortlessly glide through local traffic, launch quickly from stoplights and pass cars on the highway with ease. It wasn't as easy to maneuver as my 2019 Volvo XC90, but I was still impressed since the EV9 is a far boxier car.
After visiting my parent's home, a 45-mile highway trip each way, the EV9 dropped from 80 percent charge to 52 percent. The AC was blasting heavily to combat Georgia's heat and humidity, so that range felt about right. Just be aware that an EV's estimated mileage can easily change depending on AC usage, external temperatures and how fast you're driving.
My wife, who hasn’t spent much time with EVs, noted that she didn’t feel like she was actually driving while behind the wheel of the EV9. On well-paved roads, it rides smoothly without much discernible road noise. My wife took a while to adjust to the EV9’s touchy brakes — it’s easy to slam the vehicle to a halt — but that’s something I’ve noticed on many EVs. You can use the EV9’s paddle shifters to adjust regenerative braking, which puts a bit of power back into the battery and doesn’t use the car’s traditional brake pads.
In its most extreme form, the EV9’s regenerative braking allows for one-pedal driving, which allows you to completely stop the car simply by lifting your foot off of the accelerator. It’s an odd feature to get used if you’ve only ever driven gas cars, but it’s one of those things that EV owners learn to love quickly.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
It would be nice to see Kia offer adaptive suspension on the EV9 eventually, since you can feel the impact of rough roads and large bumps far too easily. For a car that scales up to near $80,000 — like our GT-line review unit — smarter and smoother suspension should at least be an option. Without it, the EV9 doesn't feel nearly as luxurious as the Rivian R1S as driving conditions get worse.
I didn’t have much trouble parking the EV9 in most lots, but backing out of spaces could sometimes be painful. That was particularly true in locations designed for smaller cars–I’m looking at you, Trader Joe’s. It took me six bouts of reversing and precarious turning to make it out of one spot at my local Regal Cinema. Even then, I could only leave in one direction, thanks to a slew of other large cars (including a particularly ugly Cybertruck) sitting around me.
Thankfully, the EV9’s high-resolution cameras, proximity sensors and 360-degree overhead camera (on the GT Line only) helped me get out of tight spots. But even with those assists, it was still more annoying than the chunky Pacifica hybrid minivan I used to own.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
Charging
The Kia EV9 supports 210 kilowatt fast charging, and it’s compatible with both 400- and 800-volt chargers. Using the most powerful 800V hardware (which admittedly isn’t always easy to find), the EV9 can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 24 minutes. Using a local Electrify America charger, which clocked in at 150kW, the EV9 went from 21 percent of battery to 90 percent in 39 minutes.
I don’t have a Level 2 charger at home, which could completely juice up the EV9 in six to seven hours, but I was able to plug it into a Level 1 charger using a standard 120V outlet overnight. That typically added an additional 10 to 15 percent of charge after eight to 10 hours. This level of charging may not be feasible for the long term, but it’s helpful if you don’t have the ability to add a Level 2 system at home, or if you’re traveling and need to add a bit more juice to reach the next fast charger.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
Pricing and the competition
The Kia EV9 starts at $54,900 (not including destination charges) for the "Light" model, which includes rear-wheel drive, 215 horsepower and 230 miles of range. Leasing options start at $487 a month on average, with $2,000 due at signing for a 36-month term. These numbers could also change depending on the offers Kia makes available, as well as what local dealers are willing to charge.
The "Light Long Range'' model gets you a bigger battery with 304 miles of range for $59,200 and a slightly weaker 201hp motor. Higher-end trims are nearly twice as fast with 379hp all-wheel drive motors. That includes the $63,900 "Wind" EV9 and the $69,900 "Land" model, both of which have 280 miles of range.
At the top end, there's the flagship GT-Line model we reviewed, which starts at $73,900. It has a bit less range (270 miles) than mid-range choices, but it also has just about every feature Kia could throw in, including a 12-inch heads-up display on the windshield, 21-inch alloy wheels and the 14-speaker Meridien sound system.
While its price escalates quickly, the EV9 is still a better deal than every other three-row EV on the market. The Rivian R1S starts at $75,900, and it currently leases for $699 a month with at least $8,500 in signing fees. The aging Tesla Model X starts at $77,990. Those cars are also both significantly faster than the EV9, and they offer better ride options like adaptive suspension.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
Wrap-up
After eagerly awaiting the perfect family EV for years – following my time with the Rav4 hybrid, Sienna hybrid and the Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid – I’m surprised it’s coming from Kia and not a more established brand like Toyota. The EV9 is spacious, more affordable than other EVs and it drives (mostly) like a dream. It charges quickly, and most models have more than enough range to deal with the occasional road trip. Simply put, the Kia EV9 is everything I’ve been looking for in a three-row family EV.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/kia-ev9-review-everything-i-want-in-a-three-row-family-ev-150048944.html?src=rss
A three-mile stretch of Interstate 94 in Michigan will be converted into America’s first smart highway.
Axios reports that the Alphabet-backed startup Cavnue has started constructing the smart highway as part of a new pilot project that could spur other construction projects across the country. Another project, a "Smart Freight Corridor" on State Highway 130 by Austin, Texas, is also being developed.
The new smart road is big, long tracking system for Michigan’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) and for drivers on the highway. The smart highway is designed to inform both MDOT and drivers about potential issues ahead, such as obstacles in the road, accidents or traffic jams. It's hoped that the project will help relieve traffic congestion, prevent accidents and help authorities provide efficient responses to roadway emergencies.
The pilot program of the highway is located between Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan. There are future plans to extend the smart highway to 40 miles in six more phases that would connect to both cities once the pilot program is complete.
The smart highway works with a series of poles placed every 200 meters (about 655 feet) along the road that hold sensor pods, compute pods and communication equipment. There are also cameras along the highway that monitor every stretch of roadway and take images that are analyzed by AI and machine learning algorithms to identify hazardous driving conditions. Alerts are sent to MDOT and drivers connected to the roadway.
Cavnue says its technology can connect with "any vehicle that has connectivity features." A spokesperson said "Most modern cars with built-in navigation features fit into this category — a vintage old-timer would not."
America has some catching up to do when it comes to building and implementing smart highways. Great Britain, for instance, started working on its first internet-connected road in 2014.
Update, July 2, 7:20PM: This article was updated with additional information from a Cavnue spokesperson, and also to clarify that one additional project, rather than two, is currently under way in Texas.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/michigan-is-building-the-nations-first-smart-highway-213004576.html?src=rss
China’s leading EV manufacturer, BYD, is catching up with Tesla in sales, according to sales figures published by Reuters. The company posted a 21 percent increase in electric vehicle sales throughout the second quarter. This totals 426,039 EVs from April to June, which is just 12,000 fewer vehicles than Tesla’s estimated deliveries for the same time period. This places BYD in a good position to become the world’s leading vendor.
Tesla just reported a five percent drop in deliveries for the most recent quarter, which is the first time the company has ever experienced two straight quarters of decline. It produced 410,831 units and delivered 443,956 EVs in Q2. Production decreased by over 20,000 units compared to quarter one. Analysts like Barclays predicted an even steeper drop, so this is (sort of) good news for the company.
BYD is part of China’s industrial strategy to topple US carmakers, though there’s one sure-fire way to stem the tide. Automakers should manufacture cheaper electric vehicles. BYD is becoming a global phenomenon because it makes budget-friendly EVs that aren’t pieces of junk. Some manufacturers have taken note. Look at the Nissan Leaf, for instance, or the Hyundai Kona. One company that seems to have ignored the memo entirely? Tesla.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/chinas-byd-is-catching-up-with-tesla-in-sales-153900131.html?src=rss