Think “bicycle” and most people imagine a handlebar, wheels, and pedals attached to a diamond frame. A chain converts the power generated by leg muscles into mechanical energy to drive the contraption forward. That’s been true for nearly 150 years. A new bike I’ve been testing from a small Dutch startup hopes to change your… Continue reading Byar Volta is a shaft-driven e-bike that might never need charging
Author: The Verge Online News
Tesla workers say they had to cut corners to meet production goals
Over half a dozen current and former Tesla employees claim that aggressive production goals have forced workers to take shortcuts when manufacturing its cars in a new report from CNBC. They also accuse Tesla of creating harsh working conditions, especially for employees working in the “GA4” production tent where assembly is not fully automated. Employees… Continue reading Tesla workers say they had to cut corners to meet production goals
Chinese EV startup Seres halts US launch, lays off 90 people in Silicon Valley
Seres, the Chinese EV startup formerly known as SF Motors, is laying off 90 people in its Silicon Valley office, the company announced in a staff meeting held earlier today. The US launch of its first electric SUV, the SF5, is also now on hold, according to a recording of the meeting obtained by The… Continue reading Chinese EV startup Seres halts US launch, lays off 90 people in Silicon Valley
Former Tesla employee admits uploading Autopilot source code to his iCloud
Guangzhi Cao, a former engineer at Tesla, admitted in a court filing this week that he uploaded zip files containing Autopilot source code to his personal iCloud account in late 2018 while still working for the company. Tesla sued Cao earlier this year for allegedly stealing trade secrets related to Autopilot and bringing them to… Continue reading Former Tesla employee admits uploading Autopilot source code to his iCloud
Bird is making Paris its ‘second home,’ as city cracks down on scooter riding
Bird is planning to build a new hub in Paris and hire 1,000 people over two years to help spur the growth of its scooter-sharing service across the European continent. Bird CEO Travis VanderZanden said the hub will be the Santa Monica-based company’s “second European home.” Bird first launched its dockless, electric scooter rental business… Continue reading Bird is making Paris its ‘second home,’ as city cracks down on scooter riding
Fake noise will be added to new electric cars starting today in the EU
All new models of electric cars sold in the European Union must now make artificial noise under certain conditions, reports BBC News. Acoustic Vehicle Alert Systems (aka, AVAS) will need to be installed in new models of hybrid and electric cars introduced from today onward, and all existing models by July 2021. With an AVAS… Continue reading Fake noise will be added to new electric cars starting today in the EU
BMW executive calls EVs ‘overhyped’ at company event about EVs
BMW executive and board member Klaus Fröhlich told reporters this week that the shift to cars powered by electricity is “overhyped,” and said that there is “no” consumer demand for them. Curiously, Fröhlich made these comments at an event where BMW proudly announced it will accelerate plans to release 25 cars that are partially or… Continue reading BMW executive calls EVs ‘overhyped’ at company event about EVs
Faraday Future fires dozens of employees on unpaid leave
Sputtering electric vehicle startup Faraday Future has fired dozens of employees who have been on unpaid leave for months, including manufacturing workers hired to staff the company’s factory in Hanford, California, The Verge has learned. The workers received benefits during this furlough, which started in late 2018, and it had already been extended once already.… Continue reading Faraday Future fires dozens of employees on unpaid leave
Bird is launching an electric moped this summer
Scooter-sharing company Bird is adding an electric moped to fleets in “select markets” this summer. Called the “Cruiser,” it’s the first seated vehicle Bird has offered. The Cruiser can be used like a bike, with the electric motor offering assistance to make pedaling easier. But customers will also be able to simply ride with their… Continue reading Bird is launching an electric moped this summer
Ferrari’s first plug-in hybrid can go from 0–62 mph in 2.5 seconds
Ferrari has announced its first plug-in hybrid car, the SF90 Stradale. Alongside its V8 turbo engine, which the company claims has the highest output of any 8-cylinder in its history, the car has a total of three electric motors (two on its front axes and one on its rear). Combined, the combustion engine and motors… Continue reading Ferrari’s first plug-in hybrid can go from 0–62 mph in 2.5 seconds