Philippa Kaur

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Great Scott! This Flying Car Could Roll Out Sooner Than You Think

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Flying cars have been part of the public imagination for so long, it’s almost hard to believe they could be anything other than flights of fancy. Yet, startup Aska’s A5 $789,000 flying car is preparing for takeoff. In fact, you can pay a $5,000 deposit to get on the preorder list. (CNET is looking forward to a future flight demo here at CES 2023, where the Aska A5 debuted.)How soon is soon? The Federal Aviation Administration’s OK could land “within a month,” Aska cofounder and CEO Guy Kaplinsky said after the car’s Thursday unveiling. Aska hopes to start its ride-hailing service in 2026.(For more, check out our must-see reveals of CES, most futuristic tech and quirkiest future tech and gizmos.)Powered by electric batteries backstopped by a small gas engine, the four-seat prototype on display in Las Vegas is about the same size as a large SUV, but topped with large wings sporting propellers like a helicopter. It fits in a conventional parking space and needs an area about the size of a helipad for a vertical takeoff or landing. It can be charged at home or conventional EV stations and its gas engine, which can provide an additional 50 miles of range, is powered by premium gasoline. Aska debuted its first flying car prototype in 2019 and started taking preorders in 2021 with an expected 2026 ship date for the first aircraft. Flying cars sound exciting, but the engineering and regulatory challenges are formidable. A flying car like the Aska A5 or the $300,000 Alef Model A from Alef Aeronautics face significant compromises compared with roads-only cars and sky-only aircraft.But who doesn’t want to hop over the traffic? The Aska A5 can fly at a maximum speed of 150 mph and travel 250 miles on a single charge. That could cut a 100-mile car trip down to just 30 minutes.A closer look at the back of the Aska A5 flying vehicle.
Bree Fowler/CNET
Aska’s Kaplinsky sees the A5 flying car tackling long commutes, allowing them to move to more affordable communities further away from big cities and reduce the number of regular cars they own, he said, adding that most people would probably use them when needed through a ride-sharing service.
“This is going to impact society and generations to come,” Kaplinsky said. “Our generation, you know, it takes time to pick up, but for our kids this is going to be normal. “That’s what we want. We want to provide them a better quality of life.”While the Aska A5 flying vehicles will need pilots initially, Kaplinsky predicted that by 2030 they will be fully autonomous, communicating with each other to avoid in-air collisions. Until that happens, air-traffic controllers will keep tabs on the flying cars just like they do small planes, he said.Aska’s factory in Mountain View, California, can make about one or two of them a month, Kaplinsky said. But don’t run out and buy that house in the country just yet. Aska still needs approvals from the FAA and other agencies to make the flying car flight- and street-legal before the company can really take off. More

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    in Future Cars

    Great Scott! This Flying Car Could Roll Out Sooner Than You Think

    Flying cars have been part of the public imagination for so long, it’s almost hard to believe they could be anything other than flights of fancy. Yet, startup Aska’s A5 $789,000 flying car is preparing for takeoff. In fact, you can pay a $5,000 deposit to get on the preorder list. (CNET is looking forward to a future flight demo here at CES 2023, where the Aska A5 debuted.)How soon is soon? The Federal Aviation Administration’s OK could land “within a month,” Aska cofounder and CEO Guy Kaplinsky said after the car’s Thursday unveiling. Aska hopes to start its ride-hailing service in 2026.(For more, check out our must-see reveals of CES, most futuristic tech and quirkiest future tech and gizmos.)Powered by electric batteries backstopped by a small gas engine, the four-seat prototype on display in Las Vegas is about the same size as a large SUV, but topped with large wings sporting propellers like a helicopter. It fits in a conventional parking space and needs an area about the size of a helipad for a vertical takeoff or landing. It can be charged at home or conventional EV stations and its gas engine, which can provide an additional 50 miles of range, is powered by premium gasoline. Aska debuted its first flying car prototype in 2019 and started taking preorders in 2021 with an expected 2026 ship date for the first aircraft. Flying cars sound exciting, but the engineering and regulatory challenges are formidable. A flying car like the Aska A5 or the $300,000 Alef Model A from Alef Aeronautics face significant compromises compared with roads-only cars and sky-only aircraft.But who doesn’t want to hop over the traffic? The Aska A5 can fly at a maximum speed of 150 mph and travel 250 miles on a single charge. That could cut a 100-mile car trip down to just 30 minutes.A closer look at the back of the Aska A5 flying vehicle.
    Bree Fowler/CNET
    Aska’s Kaplinsky sees the A5 flying car tackling long commutes, allowing them to move to more affordable communities further away from big cities and reduce the number of regular cars they own, he said, adding that most people would probably use them when needed through a ride-sharing service.
    “This is going to impact society and generations to come,” Kaplinsky said. “Our generation, you know, it takes time to pick up, but for our kids this is going to be normal. “That’s what we want. We want to provide them a better quality of life.”While the Aska A5 flying vehicles will need pilots initially, Kaplinsky predicted that by 2030 they will be fully autonomous, communicating with each other to avoid in-air collisions. Until that happens, air-traffic controllers will keep tabs on the flying cars just like they do small planes, he said.Aska’s factory in Mountain View, California, can make about one or two of them a month, Kaplinsky said. But don’t run out and buy that house in the country just yet. Aska still needs approvals from the FAA and other agencies to make the flying car flight- and street-legal before the company can really take off. More

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    in Future Cars

    This $789,000 Flying Car Could Get Off the Ground Faster Than You Think

    Flying cars have been part of the public imagination for so long, it’s almost hard to believe they could be anything other than flights of fancy. Yet, startup Aska’s A5 $789,000 flying car is preparing for takeoff. In fact, you can pay a $5,000 deposit to get on the preorder list. (CNET is looking forward to a future flight demo here at CES 2023, where the Aska A5 debuted.)How soon is soon? The FAA’s OK could land “within a month,” Aska cofounder and CEO, Guy Kaplinsky, said after the car’s Thursday unveiling. Aska hopes to start its ride-sharing service in 2026.Read more: Check out our must-see reveals of CES, most futuristic tech and craziest future tech and gizmos.Powered by electric batteries backstopped by a small gas engine, the four-seat prototype on display in Las Vegas is about the same size as a large SUV, but topped with large wings sporting propellers like a helicopter. It fits in a conventional parking space and needs an area about the size of a helipad for a vertical takeoff or landing. It can be charged at home or conventional EV stations and its gas engine, which can provide an additional 50 miles of range, is powered by premium gasoline. The Aska A5 can fly at a maximum speed of 150mph and travel 250 miles on a single charge. That could cut a 100-mile car trip down to just 30 minutes.A closer look at the back of the Aska A5 flying vehicle.
    Bree Fowler/CNET
    Aska’s Kaplinsky sees the A5 flying car tackling long commutes, allowing them to move to more affordable communities further away from big cities and reduce the number of regular cars they own, he said, adding that most people would probably use them when needed through a ride-sharing service.”This is going to impact society and generations to come,” Kaplinsky said. “Our generation, you know, it takes time to pick up, but for our kids this is going to be normal. “That’s what we want. We want to provide them a better quality of life.”While the Aska A5 flying vehicles will need pilots initially, Kaplinsky predicted that by 2030 they will be fully autonomous, communicating with each other to avoid in-air collisions. Until that happens, air-traffic controllers will keep tabs on the flying cars just like they do small planes, he said.Asks’s factory in Mountain View, California can make about one or two of them a month, Kaplinsky said. But don’t run out and buy that house in the country just yet. Aska still needs approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies to make the flying cars flight- and street-legal before the company can really take off. More

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    in Electric Cars

    Meet every electric vehicle on sale in the US for 2021 and its range – Roadshow

    There could be a vehicle plug in your not-too-distant future.
    Ford

    Welcome to what feels like the start of the electric vehicle revolution. EVs are quickly becoming more popular vehicle choices, and it isn’t just Tesla selling darn good models. There are actually well over a dozen EVs on sale in the US today.With that in mind, here’s a list of every electric vehicle on sale in the US and how far each will go on a single charge, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.Editors’ note: This list only includes vehicles that have been certified by the EPA. More EVs might be in the news, but they will not be added to this compilation until they’re officially about to go on sale in the US.

    Audi E-Tron

    222 miles

    Audi

    On the surface, Audi’s first purpose-built battery electric road car hasn’t changed much since its 2019 debut, with only minor tweaks and a few revisions to its options. Yet a combination of software and hardware updates have helped the electric SUV squeeze a few extra miles out of its 95 kilowatt-hour battery, climbing to an EPA estimated maximum range of 222 miles. Somewhat sweetening the pot, the E-Tron’s starting price (including destination) has also dropped to $66,995 for the base Premium model.

    Read more.

    Chris Paukert/Roadshow

    The E-Tron has been joined by a new Sportback variant. The underpinnings, powertrain and tech are all the same as the aforementioned electric SUV, but the E-Tron Sportback features a slightly lower roofline and a windswept and silhouette — coupe-like, if you squint. You’d think that the more aerodynamic profile would net more range, but the Sportback’s sportier tuning only returns about 218 miles per charge. It’s pricier, too, starting at $70,195.

    Read our 2021 Audi e-tron Sportback preview.

    BMW

    BMW’s i3 has always been a little weird looking and expensive at $45,445, but it does offer a few things nothing else in the class can match. The biggest of these is its carbon-fiber chassis, which increases stiffness, reduces weight and looks great on a spec sheet. The i3 is definitely meant to be a city car with a relatively short range — up to 153 miles. But it’s easy to park and a nice place to spend time, so we can’t fault it too much.

    Read more.

    Steven Ewing/Roadshow

    The Bolt EV was the mainstream car industry’s first real, practical answer to Tesla’s electric juggernauts. It’s an affordable little hatchback that doesn’t stick out like the i3 and today, it packs plenty of all-electric range at 259 miles — a nice increase over its initial 236-mile range. With a starting price of just $36,620, the Bolt has positioned itself as the perfect alternative to Tesla’s impossible-to-spec $35,000 Model 3.

    Read our 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV review.

    Chevrolet Bolt EUV

    247 miles

    Steven Ewing/Roadshow

    The Bolt EUV tucks the Bolt EV’s battery pack and electric car platform beneath a slightly taller and longer body. The increased weight and aerodynamic profile cost the electric utility vehicle a bit of range, dropping to a still-decent 247 miles, according to the EPA. Other reasons you may want to consider the larger EUV include its increased capacity for cargo and second-row passengers and to get your hands on — or rather, hands off — GM’s Super Cruise advanced driver assistance tech. The bigger Bolt strikes this summer starting at $38,495. 

    Read more.

    Nick Miotke/Roadshow

    Ford’s Mach-E may be a Mustang in name alone, but it’s an EV through and through. This electric SUV is offered in a variety of configurations, from the single-motor “Select” spec starting at $43,995 to the Premium AWD Extended range model at $54,400. At its best, the rear-driven California Route 1 Edition cruises for up to 305 miles with a full charge.Later this year, high-performance Mach-E GT and GT Performance models will join the lineup, boasting up to 634 pound-feet of torque and a 0-60 sprint in just 3.5 seconds. We’ll update when the EPA gets its hands on them. Until then, here’s what Ford is offering:Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD: 211 milesFord Mustang Mach-E AWD Extended: 270 milesFord Mustang Mach-E RWD: 230 milesFord Mustang Mach-E RWD Extended: 300 milesFord Mustang Mach-E RWD California Route 1: 305 miles

    Read our 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E preview.

    Hyundai

    Hyundai is getting way more into the EV game, but the car that started it out for them was the Ioniq Electric, and you can still get it. It’s basic in almost every sense of the word, but its range has gotten a nice increase since its debut to 170 miles. This bad boy lists for just a hair over $30,000, and that makes it a decent deal. 

    Read our 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric review.

    Hyundai

    The Kona Electric is one of the most exciting new EVs you can buy right now. It has excellent range, weird-but-fun styling, tons of standard equipment and all the other killer Hyundai stuff (including a great warranty). The Kona EV is a lot quicker and more fun to drive than you’d expect, while its range of 258 miles puts it among the upper-echelon of modern battery-electrics. With a price tag starting at $36,990, you’re getting a lot for your money. 

    Read our 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric review.

    Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

    Jaguar was one of the last companies we’d have expected to release a purely electric SUV. But it did, and the decision ended up working in its favor. The I-Pace looks like nothing else, drives like a Jag and offers a real alternative to the Tesla Model X. The I-Pace is a practical beast: Having been designed from the ground up to be an EV, it has plenty of space for people and things and a substantial range of 234 miles.

    Read our 2020 Jaguar I-PACE review.

    Kandi K27

    59 miles

    Kandi

    No, we’re not joking. This newcomer has the distinction of being the least expensive new electric car you can buy today: The K27 costs a no-haggle, no-nonsense $19,999. And that’s before the $7,500 federal tax credit, which brings the cost down to $12,499. That’s cheap for any new car, but that price also only gets you a ridiculously short range of just 59 miles per charge and an… unorthodox aesthetic.

    Kia

    Kia’s Niro EV is Kia’s best effort yet at making a fully battery-electric SUV that offers good range for not a lot of money (239 miles, $38,500 to start), and it surprised us when we drove it for the first time. It’s more fun than its looks or specs would suggest, and it’s packed with a deep roster of standard features that make modern Kias so hard to beat for value.

    Read more.

    Mini Cooper SE

    110 miles

    Mini

    You may not remember this, but Mini was actually an early pioneer of modern EVs. Back in 2009, the automaker underwent a large-scale test of electric Mini E hatchbacks, building hundreds and leasing them to hand-picked consumers and utility companies. It gave up on the tech after a couple years, and it’s taken until now for the brand to offer a BEV for sale. The 2021 Mini Cooper SE Electric promises to be one of the most affordable EVs on the market. Priced from $29,900 plus delivery, when you factor in the full federal tax credit and potential state and local incentives, you could own one for well under $20,000. There’s a catch, of course: limited range. The Mini Electric is only estimated at 110 miles of range, about as short an e-leash as you’ll find today. It’s not a compliance car sold only in California-emissions markets — Mini says the SE is a 50-state model.

    Read our 2020 Mini Cooper SE Electric review.

    Jon Wong/Roadshow

    Ah yes, the granddaddy of all affordable electric cars. There is a reason that the Leaf is the world’s bestselling EV by a factor of a zillion. And if you’ve spent time in one recently, you’ll know it’s easy to see why. The Leaf is a simple, well-built and affordable electric car that offers reasonable range — 149 miles — but still feels like the future.The Leaf Plus is Nissan’s answer to cars like the Tesla Model 3, the Kona Electric and the Bolt. It has the Leaf line’s best range yet at 226 miles, and while it’s not as cheap as the standard Leaf, it offers more for your money. More what? Power and torque mostly. Some of its tech is a little old, but that means it’s well-proved at this point.

    Read more.

    Polestar

    The second plug-in model from the fledgling Polestar brand is also its first to run completely on battery power. The Polestar 2 fastback — a sort of tall, liftback sedan chimera — hits the ground running with impressive interior appointments and gorgeous Scandinavian style. The Polestar 2 boasts a range of 233 miles per charge. We think that’s more than enough range for daily driving and then some, but the 2’s starting price of $61,200 puts it in the unenviable position of being cross-shopped with the much longer-ranging variants of the Tesla Model S and Y.

    Read our 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 review.

    Chris Paukert/Roadshow

    Porsche’s first battery-electric car arrives to take on the Tesla Model S. It initially went on sale in Turbo and Turbo S forms, packing 670 and 750 horsepower, respectively. The Turbo starts at $150,900 while the more powerful S comes in at $185,000. This year sees the addition of a new rear-drive Taycan base model, starting at $81,250. The EPA-estimated ranges have also been revised, improving across the board for 4S and Turbo models. That lines up somewhat with our independent testing, where we found the Turbo’s previous EPA numbers to be a bit conservative.Porsche Taycan Performance: 200 milesPorsche Taycan Performance Battery Plus: 225 milesPorsche Taycan 4S Performance: 199 milesPorsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus: 227 milesPorsche Taycan Turbo: 212 milesPorsche Taycan Turbo S: 201 miles

    Read more.

    Tesla Model 3

    353 miles

    Tesla

    This is the EV to which all other midpriced electric vehicles have to answer. The Model 3 is just that good. It’s comfortable, fun to drive, has tons of cargo space and one of the best ranges in its class. For 2021, Tesla simplified the Model 3 lineup, dropping from six configurations to three optimized specs:Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus: 263 milesTesla Model 3 Long Range AWD: 353 milesTesla Model 3 Performance AWD: 315 miles

    Read more.

    Tesla Model S

    412 miles

    Tesla

    The Model S has been around in more or less the same form since 2012. It’s gotten several updates to its hardware, styling and performance — and is still the reigning champ of all-electric range. It’s also $79,990 before adding things like different wheels, paint or Tesla’s dubiously named Full Self-Driving feature, which feels like a lot for one of the oldest vehicles here.Like the smaller Model 3, its lineup has been revised for 2021. However in this case, it ditched its Standard Range model to make room for the new top-spec Plaid and Plaid Plus, which Tesla promises will be “the quickest production cars ever.” Tesla also estimates that these super sedans will boast 390 miles and “over 520 miles” of range, respectively. Unfortunately, the EPA hasn’t yet confirmed those claims, and the Plaid pair don’t go on sale until the fall. We’ll update when they do. For now, here’s the new breakdown:

    Read more.

    Tesla Model X

    371 miles

    Tesla

    The Tesla Model X is like the Model S in that it’s fast and expensive, but it’s also bigger, roomier and has the craziest doors to be found on a production car this side of the Lamborghini Aventador. Thanks to a similar update to the Model S, the X Standard Range is no more, but improvements to the Long Range Plus mode increase max range to 371 miles on a single charge. That’s not bad for something so big. There will also be a Model X Plaid — but not Plaid Plus — in the fall 2021. Until then, here’s how the Model X line shakes out:

    Read more.

    Tesla Model Y

    326 miles

    Tesla

    Think of the Tesla Model Y as the larger, frumpier version of the Model 3: Smaller than the Model X, the Y still offers seating for seven (somehow) and the same powerful electric powertrain. According to the EPA, it’ll do an impressive 326 miles on a full charge in Long Range Spec. The Performance model offers better performance (of course), but at the cost of a few miles range versus last year. And, like the rest of Tesla’s lineup, the Standard Range model is no more.

    Read more.

    Tim Stevens/Roadshow

    The XC40 Recharge’s $20,000 premium over the combustion-powered XC40 is a hard pill to swallow, but if you look past the sticker, the price is somewhat justified. For starters, the $54,985 EV’s 486 pound-feet of performance are a class beyond the standard T5 powertrain’s 258 torques, as are its all-new Android Automotive cabin tech and luxurious interior appointments. We just wish its range was equally impressive: The 208 miles it offers is a touch low for this class and price range.

    Read our 2021 Volvo XC40 preview.

    Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

    Taking the place of the humble E-Golf is Volkswagen’s first dedicated electric vehicle in the US, the 2021 VW ID 4. The first deliveries of its electric SUV should begin later this year. The performance is fine and the styling is unobtrusive, but its promise of utility, capacity and up to 250 miles of range make the ID 4 a fairly practical choice for families looking to go electric. The Tesla Model Y offers more range and better driving dynamics, but starting at $41,190 before incentives, the VW is more budget-friendly.

    Read our 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 review.

    Every EV available for 2021

    Make/Model/Trim

    Best Range

    MSRP

    Audi e-tron

    222

    $66,995

    Audi e-tron Sportback

    218

    $70,195

    BMW i3

    153

    $45,445

    Chevrolet Bolt EV

    259

    $36,620

    Chevrolet Bolt EUV

    247

    $38,495

    Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1

    305

    $51,500

    Hyundai Ioniq Electric

    170

    $34,250

    Hyundai Kona Electric

    258

    $38,565

    Jaguar I-Pace

    234

    $71,000

    Kandi K27

    59

    $19,999

    Kia Niro Electric

    239

    $40,265

    Mini Cooper SE Hardtop 2 door

    110

    $30,750

    Nissan Leaf S Plus

    226

    $39,220

    Polestar 2

    233

    $61,200

    Porsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus

    227

    $110,720

    Tesla Model 3 Long Range

    353

    $48,490

    Tesla Model S Long Range

    412

    $79,990

    Tesla Model X Long Range

    371

    $89,990

    Tesla Model Y Long Range

    326

    $51,490

    Volvo XC40 AWD BEV

    208

    $55,085

    Volkswagen ID 4

    250

    $41,190

    A few truly charming electric cars have disappeared from the list this year and will be missed, but overall the list is longer than ever. That means more choices running a wider gamut of ranges, prices and body styles. That’s good news for electric car enthusiasts, early adopters and regular drivers looking for flexible and reliable transportation. And there will be more to come even by the end of 2021 — from the newly announced Ford F-150 Lightning to budget-friendly offerings like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and more. We’ll be updating the list as more models are certified by the EPA, so check back often.For a list of just our favorite electric vehicles, check out our best electric cars for 2021 roundup. There’s also our list of the best kids electric cars for 2021, because it’s never too early to cultivate a love of cars — electric or otherwise.

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    in Electric Cars

    Hybrid, electric or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles: Which is the best for you? – Roadshow

    Battery-electric cars, like the Model Y, are just one option.
    Tesla

    The day’s of electrification relegated to a couple cars is gone. Hybrid, battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles are here to stay and their quickly moving to become real candidates for your next car. Still, these many forms may be confusing for buyers, even though they have similar goals. That is, to increase efficiency and move toward reduced-emissions driving.Read more: Best electric cars for 2021Read on below as we break down each kind of electrified vehicle, plus their pros and cons so you can make the best buying decision for your electrified vehicle. There are lots of good things, but some negatives you may want to be aware of when making your decision.Yeah, even truck’s are in on the mild-hybrid game.
    Jon Wong/Roadshow
    Mild hybrid A mild hybrid system is the simplest and most cost-effective way of adding electric drivetrain components to a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE). In a mild hybrid system, the ICE will often shut itself off entirely under no-load conditions such as coasting down a hill or coming to a stop. The hybrid system allows the ICE to be restarted almost instantaneously and can power ancillary systems on the vehicle such as the stereo or air conditioning. Some mild hybrid systems will feature regenerative braking or will offer power-assist or torque-fill to the ICE, but all lack the ability to run solely on electric power. Advantages Can power many of a car’s electrical systems.Stop-start system saves fuel during idle.Can reduce turbo lag by torque-filling until the engine comes on boost.Lighter weight compared to other electrified vehicles.Lower complexity.Lower cost. Disadvantages Increased cost and complexity versus internal combustion-only engines.No full-EV mode.The OG hybrid.
    Craig Cole/Roadshow
    Series hybrid The series hybrid — also known as power split or parallel hybrid — is what most people think of when they think of a hybrid vehicle. These use a downsized ICE to provide power at higher speeds and in higher load conditions, and a battery-electric system to move the vehicle at low speeds and low-load conditions. This allows the ICE to work in its ideal efficiency range, thus providing excellent fuel economy, especially in city driving conditions. Advantages Excellent efficiency at around-town speeds.Gasoline-powered ICE for longer range (and longer journeys).Offers a good compromise between efficiency, usability and overall cost. Disadvantages Typically higher cost than a purely ICE-driven vehicle of the same size.Maximizing efficiency means reducing power output.The RAV4 Prime has a whole lot of electric range to it.
    Emme Hall/Roadshow
    Plug-in hybrid The plug-in hybrid is the next logical step forward from the series hybrid system. These cars move closer to the fully electric vehicle side of the continuum, with the ability to go longer distances on electric power alone. The plug-in part of their name comes from their ability to be plugged into an electric car charging station, rather than just relying on the ICE and regenerative braking for battery power, thus effectively eliminating range anxiety. Another area where plug-in hybrids differ from either mild hybrids or series hybrids is in the size of their battery pack. This is what gives them their extended EV-only range. Advantages Increased range over battery electric vehicles (BEVs) due to range-extending gasoline engine.Lower purchasing cost compared to BEVs.Lower running cost compared to series hybrids. Disadvantages More expensive to buy than series hybrids or mild hybrids.Larger battery packs mean more weight.More complex than mild hybrids.Everyone knows the Model 3.
    Nick Miotke/Roadshow
    Battery electric Battery electric vehicles are mostly what they sound like: A big battery with at least one electric drive motor wired to it. Oh, and tons of complex software to manage the thousands of individual cells that make up that big battery. Mechanically speaking, BEVs are the least complex of all the vehicles we’re covering when you consider that even the simplest multi-cylinder internal combustion engine has many hundreds of moving parts, while an electric motor only has its rotor. Purely electric vehicles are becoming more and more common, thanks to innovation from relatively new companies like Tesla and industry stalwarts like General Motors and Nissan. Advantages Mechanical simplicity means less maintenance than ICE.Tons of instant torque.Nearly silent operation.Electricity is cheap, for now.No tailpipe, therefore no emissions and no emissions testing.Low center of gravity is great for vehicle handling. Disadvantages More expensive than similar size series hybrids or ICE vehicles.Limited range.Lengthy charging times.Charging station infrastructure still up and coming. Impractical for most people unless you have 240-volt Level 2 charging at your home or parking spot.Higher weight than similarly sized vehicles.Uncertain environmental impact for end-of-life battery disposal.The Hyundai Nexo is only available in select areas.
    Daniel Golson/Roadshow
    Hydrogen fuel cell A fuel cell takes hydrogen and oxidizes it to create an electrical charge, which is then channeled into a battery and used by electric motors. This technology has been around in automobiles for a few decades, but due to costs, size of components and a relative lack of infrastructure, there aren’t many companies still working with it. Miniaturization of tech in the last few years has made hydrogen FCVs more commercially viable, and we’re starting to see more interest from manufacturers like Honda and Hyundai. Advantages No need to charge; simply fill your car with hydrogen and go.Silent operation, much like a BEV.Only emission is water. Disadvantages Hydrogen prices fluctuate wildly, oftentimes more expensive than fossil fuels.Limited refueling network outside of select cities such as Los Angeles or San Francisco.Hydrogen tanks can eat into passenger compartment or cargo room if the vehicle wasn’t designed from the ground up for fuel cells.

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    in Electric Cars

    Vanderhall Brawley is the electric UTV we've been waiting for – Roadshow

    I’m always on the lookout for the next cool dirt-mobile, and Vanderhall has my curiosity piqued with the all-electric Brawley. This electron-powered enclosed side-by-side has a range of up to 200 miles with four electric motors producing 404 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. It will be the first high-performance electric UTV when it comes online as a 2022 model.Vanderhall, famous for its whack-a-doo three-wheeled vehicles, teased a four-wheeled dirt-slinger called the Navarro last November. The Brawley looks to be the next iteration of that concept, albeit with a name change.

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    Visually the Brawley looks like it’s had a lot of inspiration from the Jeep Wrangler in the front end with its slotted grille and round headlamps peeking out from behind. However, with 22 inches of travel, 35-inch tires and internal bypass shocks, it’s likely going to be able to handle the whoops at a much faster pace. Also included is four-wheel steering, which seems like a bit of overkill with such a short wheelbase — but hey, if you want to turn on a dime, this is the machine for you. Energy for those 200 miles is stored in a 40-kWh or 60-kWh battery running on 300-volt architecture. That’s not going to allow for crazy-fast charging like in the 800-volt Porsche Taycan and Hyundai Ioniq 5, but DC fast charging is available to give you 80% of a charge in under an hour. I’m feeling a little Jeepish just posting this photo.
    Vanderhall
    Further, the company did not specify if those are 200 pavement miles or dirt miles. In my experience, a 60-kWh battery paired with a light-weight vehicle is only going to last that long on the pavement. I’d expect the dune-bashing as shown in the company’s promo video to yield a range closer to 50 or 60 miles on a charge. That soft sand offers a lot of resistance, y’all.The Brawley has a removable roof section and also comes with heating and air conditioning, a stereo system and optional heated seats. There is room for four adults in the two-door Brawley.One thing I don’t see on the Brawley is a spare tire, which is a bit worrisome. Hopefully Vanderhall adds a mount to the rear before launch. I’m certainly not going off-road without a spare, and neither should you. Vanderhall did not release pricing or availability, but you can preorder your Brawley starting July 15 on the company’s website.
    Vanderhall Brawley electric off-roader is part Jeep, part UTV

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