SCOOTER SOLUTION PURE POWER TESLA TAKEOVER
As part of its bid to become the largest micro-mobility provider in Europe , micro-mobility provider Bolt has launched a fleet of 1,100 shared eScooters across Brussels .
The scooters are made of aluminium and are able to reach a maximum speed of 25 km / h and contain a range of up to 40 km on a single charge . All of the company ’ s eScooters are charged with 100 % green energy and made from 100 % recyclable materials .
“ As the leading European transportation platform , our mission is to make urban travel more affordable , convenient , and responsible ,” the company said .
“ Driving greater scooter adoption is key to that , helping cities improve air quality , reduce CO2 emissions and cut congestion .”
To celebrate the launch of the service , Brussels riders were given the opportunity to unlock Bolt scooters for free and could ride for as low as € 0.01 per minute until the 1st of July .
Volvo Car Group intends to establish a joint venture with leading Swedish battery company Northvolt to develop and produce more sustainable batteries , tailored to power the next generation of pure electric Volvo and Polestar cars .
“ Working closely with Northvolt will also allow us to strengthen our in-house development capabilities ,” said Håkan Samuelsson , chief executive at Volvo Car Group .
As a first step for the 50 / 50 joint venture , Volvo Car Group and Northvolt aim to set up a research and development centre in Sweden that will begin operations in 2022 .
The centre is intended to build on the battery expertise within both companies and develop next-generation , state-of-the-art battery cells and vehicle integration technologies , specifically developed for use in Volvo and Polestar cars .
“ Volvo Cars and Polestar are industry leaders in the transition to electrification and perfect partners on the journey ahead as we aim to develop and produce the world ’ s most sustainable battery cells ,” said Peter Carlsson , Co- Founder and CEO of Northvolt .
American electric vehicle maker Tesla is set to enter the Indian market with its Tesla Model 3 car expected to go on sale by the end of 2021 .
According to sources Elon Musk ’ s company will “ set up shop in India ” by the end of this year , starting with only one model – the Model 3 . It has already registered the Indian subsidiary as Tesla India Motors and Energy with its headquarters to be based in Mumbai .
It is yet unclear whether Tesla will launch the Model 3 ’ s expensive AWD variant to India , with the manufacturer working to reduce local production costs .
“ The government will make sure the production cost for Tesla will be the lowest when compared with the world , even China , when they start manufacturing their cars in India . We will assure that ,” said transport minister Nitin Gadkari .
India ’ s fledgling EV market accounted for just 5,000 out of a total 2.4 million cars sold in the country last year as lack of charging infrastructure and the high cost of EVs deterred buyers .
42 ISSUE 29 JUNE 2021 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU