Important Innovations

  Mercedes' Vision EQXX Prototype                                                                      Source: Mercedes Benz Electric Car With Maximum Range and Efficiency Mercedes Benz has a highly advanced technology experimental platform on wheels.  It's called the Vision EQXX prototype and MB technologists have been developing it and experimenting with it for a year and a half on the roads of Germany.  The EV just set another record for maximum range and efficiency, clocking 747 miles on a single charge. The electric sedan is being called the world's most efficient, innovative and technologically advanced EV, which is exactly what Mercedes' engineers were tasked to create.  No telling if or when it will go into production.  But experts say we will see much of its notable technology breakthroughs going into future Mercedes Benz vehicles. Shaped Like a Teardrop The Vision is a 4-passenger, road legal sedan that is shaped like a teardrop with the back narrower than the

  Claims to Be World's Most Efficient Vehicle                                             Source:  Aptera Motors Driving on Sunshine San Diego, CA based Aptera Motors is a startup focused on developing very high efficiency electric vehicles.  It has developed one of the most promising solar powered vehicles going into production.  Aptera's 3-wheeled solar electric car is revolutionary travel technology.  Aptera is designed for an average daily commute of 40 miles without any recharge.  It can travel 40 miles a day on pure sunshine converted to electricity by its integrated solar panels. It charges as it drives. And if the travel distance is greater than 40 miles, a charge will add an additional 1,000 miles of range.  That is the longest range delivered by any electric vehicle to date.  This solar EV may be the benchmark zero emissions car to beat.  The price starts at $25,900. Many Upgrades Are Being Incorporated Aptera has been testing, tweaking and upgrading its Beta prototyp

  ZipCharge Go - Portable EV Charger Take the EV Charger With You While You Drive At the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, a UK tech startup ZipCharge unveiled a portable electric vehicle charger that fits into the trunk of an electric vehicle.  It's called ZipCharge Go. And it could be a gamechanger for EV drivers running low on a charge and without access to a nearby charging station.  This portable power bank can add up to 40 miles worth of ride time. The inventors say it is a solution to EV range anxiety and could serve as a catalyst to accelerate EV sales. One of the biggest barriers to widespread use of electric vehicle is "charging anxiety" and this removes the anxiety by taking the charger with you. ZipCharge says Go provides easier, cheaper and more convenient charges. How Does It Work? ZipCharge is designed to be charged at home using a 3-prong plug.  It can be used to charge the EV at your garage or parking space, which the inventors say is much le

Lincoln's 2022 Electric SUV Source:  Rivian.  Top - e-platform.  Bottom - Rivian  R1S SUV Startup Rivian  Forging the Way with Unique E-Vehicle Platform Reports indicate that Lincoln will be a big beneficiary of Ford's $500 million investment in Detroit e-vehicle startup Rivian.  Amazon is also investing in the company.  Lincoln is expected to use Rivian's skateboard-styled platform for a Lincoln electric SUV coming out in 2022.  This would be the first example of Ford's plans to co-develop a vehicle based on Rivian's electric car platform. Rivian's e-Vehicles Rivian's platform is a highly modular, battery-electric design.  It resembles a skateboard.  The system can deliver up to 700 horsepower.  It fits batteries up to 180 kilowatt hours in size.  Rivian is using the platform for its own R1T pick-up truck and R1S SUV that will go into production in late 2020.  Rivian says the SUV gets 400 miles in range.  And in 30 minutes, the batte