Important Innovations

  Lexus Electrifies Its Lineup                                                  Source:  Lexus RZ 450e's New Technologies Lexus has unveiled its first electric vehicle for the US market and its second for Europe and China.  The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e will hit US showrooms by the end of 2023.  It's a sleek, compact SUV with a totally new all-wheel drive system and unique, acoustic glass windows that cut the sound from other vehicles surrounding the car to maintain some peace and quiet inside the EV.  In China and Europe, the RZ joins the entry level, electric UX SUV as Lexus beefs up its EV lineup.  Toyota EV Platform Lexus, which is Toyota's luxury brand, is using the same electric architecture platform that Toyota is using for its new EV, the 2023 bZ4X.  The EV platform is skateboard-like and places the batteries, motors and suspension system under the floor of the car.  That opens up space in the interior of the EV.  The architecture can be scaled to design many different typ

  So Important, BMW CEO Zipse Does the Unveiling                                                  Source:  BMW A New Electric Standard Bearer for BMW BMW's flagship 7 Series lineup has a new standard bearer - the fully electric sedan i7.  It is the first all-electric vehicle in the 7 Series for the luxury automaker.  i7 is a luxurious, electric, "executive" sedan that will hit the streets in early 2023. For BMW, this EV is so important that CEO Oliver Zipse did the unveiling and repeatedly called the EV a "no compromises" luxury sedan.  It can be pre-ordered for delivery in 2023.  The pricing starts at the "no compromises" threshold of $119,300. Tech Specs The new EV, known as the i7x Drive 60, pumps out 536 hp.  In 2023, a more powerful version, known as the i7M 70 model, will produce 660 hp.  BMW's Design Chief Adrian van Hooydook says the EV is human centric with "electric and tech magic".  When the owner approaches the EV, a light gre

  All-Electric, Super-Fast, Very Stylish Tesla's Big Money-Making Sports Car 2023 is set to be a blockbuster year for Tesla.  Three hotly anticipated new models will go into production, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk.  The models include the Cybertruck, the Tesla Semi and the Roadster sports car.  The new Roadster, which Tesla says is the world's fastest car, is a big money-maker for Tesla, even though it hasn't even gone into production yet.  The limited-edition Founder's Series Roadster is already sold out at $250,000 each.  1000 of the EVs have been bought, sight unseen, generating $250 million for Tesla.  These EVs won't be produced and delivered until next year.  Tesla is now taking $50,000 deposits to order the standard Roadster, priced at $200,000 for delivery in 2023.  The Roadster is an unusually hot and lucrative car. The Roadster's Alluring Appeal The appeal is the EV's unprecedented speed, good looks, sleek sporty design and zero emissions tech

  Green Zero Emissions Commuting                                             Source:  Sea Change Green Waves of Energy in San Francisco Bay In a first of its kind in global public transportation, a hydrogen powered ferry is being prepared to launch on San Francisco Bay this summer.  The Sea Change ferry is totally propelled by hydrogen fuel cells and emits only water and heat. Unlike the rest of the maritime industry of tankers, ocean liners, pleasure boats, tugs and more that spew noxious diesel fuel pollution, the hydrogen ferry is totally emissions free and does not pollute the environment.  The developers say it is clean, efficient and makes sense economically on scale - meaning it has the potential to be a profitable and growing commercial business operation.  Non-Polluting Maritime Operations  The Sea Change is the beginning of green waves of energy on the water.  The ferry is 70 feet long, can accommodate 75 passengers and will make multiple stops along the San Francisco waterfr

  Hot New EV Entry in the Mid-Size Sedan Global Market                                                                      Source:  Mercedes-Benz EQE Has Looks, Range, Tech & More Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled an all-electric new sedan, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE.  It is a smaller but very distinctive version of the new MB EQS, which is MB's very hot flagship vehicle in the global automotive marketplace.  With the EQE, the design, range, technology and infotainment features are very impressive.  For example, the infotainment screen is 56 inches long and spans the full width of the dashboard.  It is called the Hyperscreen and it combines a digital gauge cluster, central touchscreen and a screen for the front passenger.  The EV is getting great reviews from the automotive press. MB Is Debuting Several Versions of the EQE First to reach dealerships in late 2022 is the EQE350+ with a single motor mounted on the rear axle and rear-wheel drive.  The EV has a 90.6-kWh battery, pack

  Hot New EV Entry in the Mid-Size Sedan Global Market                                                                      Source:  Mercedes-Benz EQE Has Looks, Range, Tech & More Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled an all-electric new sedan, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE.  It is a smaller but very distinctive version of the new MB EQS, which is MB's very hot flagship vehicle in the global automotive marketplace.  With the EQE, the design, range, technology and infotainment features are very impressive.  For example, the infotainment screen is 56 inches long and spans the full width of the dashboard.  It is called the Hyperscreen and it combines a digital gauge cluster, central touchscreen and a screen for the front passenger.  The EV is getting great reviews from the automotive press. MB Is Debuting Several Versions of the EQE First to reach dealerships in late 2022 is the EQE350+ with a single motor mounted on the rear axle and rear-wheel drive.  The EV has a 90.6-kWh battery, pack

  Solar Powered Falcon Soar                                                  Source:  Falcon Solar Highly Innovative Aircraft Concept Falcon Soar is one of the world's most innovative, new concept planes.  Designed by Lazlo Nemeth, the award-winning founder of Lasky Design in Budapest, Hungary, the solar powered aircraft greatly resembles a falcon. In fact, the designer says the design was inspired by the bodies of birds of prey.  Birds are incredibly energy efficient and agile.  Falcon Soar, with solar panels embedded across the top of the plane and its wings, is designed to emulate the flight and the efficiency of soaring falcons.  As a solar power aircraft, there are no emissions and no damage to the environment. Ridding the Skies of Plane Greenhouse Gas Emissions Falcon Soar is designed to be a passenger plane that is highly efficient and sustainable.  The concept plane is a takeoff point for using solar energy to power flying and to start ridding the skies of toxic greenhouse

  A Car That Defies Traditional Car Designs                                                       Source:  Genesis All-Electric Genesis X Speedium Coupe South Korea based automaker Hyundai's luxury car division Genesis has debuted its new electric car concept - the Genesis X Speedium Coupe.  The global automaker says that the new EV showcases the future of Genesis' luxury electric vehicle design.  Speedium was designed by Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donekerwolfe who is the 2022 World Car Person of the Year.  He says the vehicle embodies the brand's design philosophy of Athletic Elegance in a very progressive way. The new concept vehicle is getting rave reviews. What's in the Name Genesis X Speedium Coupe? Speedium is a South Korean racetrack and for the EV design team it represents the love of motorsports.  Coupe encapsulates the fun of driving new designs.  The concept car is reflective of reductive design in which less is more.  The vehicle has subtle curves, v

  Lincoln's First All-Electric Vehicle                                                       Source: Lincoln Built With Rivian Electric Technology Lincoln has released a teaser image of its first, all-electric concept vehicle that will officially be unveiled April 20, 2022, possibly at the New York Auto Show.  The company says that the battery electric vehicle (BEV) will set the direction for its future lineup of electric vehicles.  Lincoln is Ford's luxury car division.  Interestingly, some of new EV startup Rivian's electric technology will be at the base of the vehicle.  Ford has a 12% stake in Rivian. Rivian Base The new EV concept, which has yet to be named, appears to be rather large and a crossover, which would provide the vehicle with more aerodynamics and longer range.  Rivian's electric vehicle base, which is known as an electric skateboard, will form the EV's base. The car's battery will be encased on the floor of the vehicle. Lincoln's SUV Direct

  $40 Billion Investment Over the Next Decade                                                  Source:  Honda Millions of Honda EVs to Go Into Production Japanese automotive giant Honda is investing $40 billion to electrify its car lineup.  The investment over the next decade will cover R&D and production.  Honda says that by 2030 it will have launched 30 new EVs, including two SUVs and a mini-car.  The company is also accelerating production to 2 million electric vehicles per year. Big Battery Push Honda is simultaneously focusing on the development of solid-state batteries that are lighter, faster to recharge and provide longer range than current lithium-ion batteries used to power EVs.  Honda expects to bring its own solid-state batteries to the global market in the second half of this decade.  It is also exploring potential next-G battery partnerships globally.  Honda believes that the new batteries will significantly reduce the cost of EVs and greatly extend their miles-range

  $40 Billion Investment Over the Next Decade                                                  Source:  Honda Millions of Honda EVs to Go Into Production Japanese automotive giant Honda is investing $40 billion to electrify its car lineup.  The investment over the next decade will cover R&D and production.  Honda says that by 2030 it will have launched 30 new EVs, including two SUVs and a mini-car.  The company is also accelerating production to 2 million electric vehicles per year. Big Battery Push Honda is simultaneously focusing on the development of solid-state batteries that are lighter, faster to recharge and provide longer range than current lithium-ion batteries used to power EVs.  Honda expects to bring its own solid-state batteries to the global market in the second half of this decade.  It is also exploring potential next-G battery partnerships globally.  Honda believes that the new batteries will significantly reduce the cost of EVs and greatly extend their miles-range

From Canada, the 2022 Taiga Nomad                                                  Source:  Taiga Motors No Pollution, Zero Emissions, Less Noise Canada based Taiga Motors, known for its electric jetskis, has invented an all-electric snowmobile called the Taiga Nomad, which is in harmony with nature.  It glides over the snowy countryside without spewing noxious fumes and loud noise.  The Taiga is relatively quiet and emissions free.  It's a great way to enjoy the beauty of the wintry outdoors without polluting it.  The electric vehicle is a world first of its kind. And it's not just a concept under development.  It is on the market and being delivered to customers. Tech Specs and Features Taiga will offer two versions of the Nomad - the Standard and Performance. Both have a 23 kWh battery.  Standard Nomad produces 90 hp, 125 pound-feet of torque and has a range of 62 miles.  Performance Nomad produces 120 hp, 125 pound-feet of torque and has an 83 mile range.  The battery can b

  From Canada, the 2022 Taiga Nomad                                                  Source:  Taiga Motors No Pollution, Zero Emissions, Less Noise Canada based Taiga Motors, known for its electric Jet skis, has invented an all-electric snowmobile called the Taiga Nomad, which is in harmony with nature.  It glides over the snowy countryside without spewing noxious fumes and loud noise.  The Taiga is relatively quiet and emissions free.  It's a great way to enjoy the beauty of the wintry outdoors without polluting it.  The electric vehicle is a world first of its kind. And it's not just a concept under development.  It is on the market and being delivered to customers. Tech Specs and Features Taiga will offer two versions of the Nomad - the Standard and Performance. Both have a 23-kWh battery.  Standard Nomad produces 90 hp, 125 pound-feet of torque and has a range of 62 miles.  Performance Nomad produces 120 hp, 125 pound-feet of torque and has an 83-mile range.  The battery ca