Ford dissolves EV unit, Doug Field out as Farley chases 8% margin
Ford is dissolving its standalone electric vehicle division — and losing the executive who built it. The automaker said today that Doug Field, its chief EV, digital, and design officer, will leave the company next month after nearly five years leading Ford’s push into software-defined EVs.
In his place, Ford isn’t bringing in another Silicon Valley hire. It’s folding the EV, digital, and design group into its global manufacturing operations under COO Kumar Galhotra, in a new unit called Product Creation and Industrialization.
Solid-state EV batteries are coming sooner than expected after another breakthrough
After achieving a breakthrough earlier this week, Greater Bay Technology said it aims to launch the world’s first mass-producible all-solid-state battery this year.
Velotric Earth Day e-bike sale offers up to $562 savings, score up to $6,822 savings on EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra + X power stations, more
Leading our mid-week Green Deals is Velotric’s Earth Day e-bike sale with up to $562 savings, like the Fold 1 Plus Folding e-bike that is getting a FREE cargo rack seat pad at its $1,399 low, among other models. There’s also a special promotion with up to $6,822 savings on EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Ultra and DELTA Pro Ultra X Portable Power Stations and bundles to some of their best prices starting from $3,853, as well as Segway’s budget-friendly E2 Plus Electric Scooter down at $280. From there, we have a collection of chainsaws, pole saws, pole hedge trimmers, and multi-functionality combo kits from Greenworks, EGO Power+, and Worx at their best prices in months, and much more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the other hangover deals at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Earth Day sales on Lectric e-bikes and Jackery power stations, and more.
Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
Tesla ‘Full Self-Driving’ crashed through railroad gate seconds before train
A Texas Tesla owner says he punched the accelerator to outrun an oncoming train after his car on “Full Self-Driving” drove itself through a lowered railroad crossing arm as the train closed in on the tracks.
Joshua Brown, who says he has logged more than 40,000 miles using Tesla’s driver assist, described the incident as the first time FSD has ever “let me down.”
Volkswagen upgrades the ID.3 EV with a new name, new style, and nearly 400 miles range
The first “true Volkswagen” is here. Volkswagen revealed the all-new ID.3 Neo with extensive upgrades, including a refined interior and exterior design and a driving range of nearly 400 miles (630 km) on a single charge.
Tesla taped out AI5 chip, Musk says — nearly 2 years behind schedule
Tesla has taped out its next-generation AI5 self-driving chip, CEO Elon Musk said overnight, a key milestone that sends the final design to the foundry for fabrication.
The tape-out comes nearly two years after Tesla originally promised AI5 would be in vehicles, and it still leaves volume production more than a year away.
SOLARAMA – big proof from Aptera and big savings for solar + EV drivers
On today’s solar-powered episode of Quick Charge, Aptera’s CEO shares more proof that his company’s solar car concept has legs, joining dozens of Electrek readers who are topping off their car (and home) batteries with the power of the sun!