Important Innovations

  Nio, EV Maker Taking on Tesla  Source:  Nio                                                                           Hot Global Stock Shanghai based electric vehicle maker Nio wants to take on Tesla and be the "Tesla killer".  It's share price on the NYSE has been soaring.  It's up 1000% since it cratered in March at $3.00.  It is now up to $26.50, Big Wall Street houses like Citi are calling it a buy.  They've put a target price of $33.20 on it because of it's "very strong order backlog", its efforts to cut battery costs and its growing market share.  Nio is back by two Chinese tech giants, Tencent and Baidu. The Nio EV car, shown above, is an example of Nio's fashionable, futuristic design in EVs. Nio's Different Approach Nio's business approach is innovative.  It has heavily focused on creating a brand, including selling Nio hats and merchandise on line. It offers battery-swapping, mobile power vans and "Nio Houses" which

French Carmaker Promises Lineup of Electric Innovation                                                                                 Source:  Renault Megane eVision French carmaker Renault unveiled a very sporty electric car concept called "Megane eVision".  The company is betting on medium sized, family vehicles to try to turn itself around and move away from losses.  Under new CEO Luca de Meo, the company is on a new trajectory with a big push on electric vehicles.  The strategy is also to focus on its most profitable models and push up prices. Innovation Packed EV's Promised The new electric vehicle has SUV style large wheels but is much smaller.  CEO DeMeo says a whole new generation of innovation packed EV's will be coming from Renault.  The new car will be the first built on vehicle architecture developed jointly by Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi called the CMF-EV platform.  The final model to go into production will be unveiled in 2021.  Renault currently mak

  Segway's C80 e-Moped                                                       Source:  Segway New Electric Moped To Get Around In E-bikes are the one of the hottest sectors of electric travel.  In fact, analysts at Bloomberg New Energy Fund expect the global number of electric bikes to hit 600 million by 2040.  Enter a new e-bike.  The Segway eMoped C80.  This is Segway's first ever Moped style ebike.  Segway was founded in New Hampshire by entrepreneur Dean Kamen who invented an innovative, self-balancing, 2-wheel scooter.  Segway was bought in 2015 by Ninebot of Beijing and is now China headquartered.  The new ebike is loaded with advanced  technology. eBike Capabilities The C80 has a 50 mile plus range on a single charge and costs $1,899 to pre-order.  Segway says the ebikes will start shipping in November.  It is loaded with anti-theft technology.  It has an air-lock system,  GPS tracking, keyless operation via your smartphone,  NFC tags, smart seat detection and auto-lock m

  Rise of Solar Power                                   Source:  Stock Image of Solar Panels A Greener World According to the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Fatih Birol, solar is the "new king of the world's electricity markets".  In its annual World Energy Outlook, the IEA forecast that solar power will overtake coal as the largest means of energy production in 2025. Solar vs Coal The question is how did the world reach this green turn of events?  The answer is that in many countries, solar power is now cheaper than coal and gas.  Also, a number of nations have set strong targets to cut emissions and reduce fossil fuel use.  And, solar projects have become less expensive to manufacture and install. Fast Forward The IEA projects that over the next ten years, renewable energy will equal 80% of new power generation.  However, there is one big need to support the switch to renewable energy:  an investment of at least $460 billion in energy grids

  Launch of new iPhone 12 Series with 5G                                                         Source:  Apple Mini and Pro Versions At its Hi, Speed virtual event, Apple launched its iPhone 12 series with 5G connectivity.  There is a mini version, the iPhone Mini  with a 5.4 inch screen for $699.  And there are the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro version, both with 6.1 inch displays and the iPhone 12 Pro Max with a 6.7 inch display. The larger phones start at $799.  The Pro versions have three cameras. Apple says the new phones will support millimeter wave 5G, which is the fastest available in the US, and works with lower frequency bands as well.   Can Wireless Network Technology in the US Fully Support the new iPhone? Many experts believe that US wireless networks need to catch up with the iPhone 12's 5G connectivity to enable consumers to enjoy the full 5G experience.  Some say that catch-up process could take a few years.  But, Verizon says the phone will work with its ultrawideba

  Driving Sales to Reach 500,000 Vehicle Sales Target                                                  Source: Tesla Model S Model S in US and China Days after reporting a record quarter for car sales, Tesla is now cutting the price of the long range, Model S by 4%.  That brings the price of the electric sedan down to $71,990 from $74,990 in the US.  Tesla also trimmed the price of the Model S by 3% in China.  Earlier this month, Tesla cut the starting price of China-made Model 3 sedans by 8% to $36,805. Elon Musk's Targets for Tesla At a recent annual Shareholders' Meeting, Musk forecasted that Tesla's 2020 deliveries will increase between 30 and 40%.  That equals 477,250 to 514,500 vehicles delivered in the year 2020. Cutting the price on top vehicles is designed to increase sales. Musk wants Tesla to have eventual production of 20 million vehicles a year, which would make Tesla the world's largest automaker.

  2020 To Be Record Year For EVs in Europe                                                  Source:  Audi New Analysis In the first half of 2020, electric vehicles comprised 8% of car sales in Europe.  According to a new analysis by NGO Transport and Environment, EV's are on track to triple their market share for all of 2020 in Europe.  This is very significant growth despite the COVID pandemic clobbering overall vehicle sales.  The actual number of EV's sold in Europe is expected to double to 1 million for the year 2020. European Regulations and Incentives In the broader picture, several factors are helping to increase electric vehicle sales.  The European Union is tightening car emission standards and will continue to ratchet-up standards to reach its 2030 EU climate goals on carbon emissions.  Plus, Germany and France have put attractive EV purchase incentives into place. Overall, electric and plug-in hybrid EV's will account for 10% of European car sales in 2020.  The b