An EV Bubble? Startups Ride Tesla Hype to ‘Staggering’ Money
Following its announcement of an upcoming battery that can deliver a range of 400 miles on a single charge and last 1 million miles, Tesla's stock jumped 13% on July 13 amid a resurgence of investor interest in makers of all-electric vehicles, also known as BEVs or Battery Electric Vehicles.
"Electric vehicle makers with names like Fisker, Karma and Rivian got jolts of new investment last week, at a time when Tesla's rampaging stock price has made the sector unexpectedly hot. Analysts said the level of these investments — especially in the relatively untested Karma and Fisker — smacks of a hype cycle.
"'The EV uprising is real, but the scale of investment into what I would view as fledgling companies is staggering,' said Ram Chandrasekaran, a transportation analyst at consultancy Wood Mackenzie."
Read the article at E&E News.
EV Connect Partners with Greenlots to Enable Convenient Access to EV Charging Stations Across N America
To improve the electric vehicle (EV) driver experience, EV Connect and Greenlots, a member of the Shell Group, have announced the completion of the driver roaming integration between the companies’ charging networks.
Built on a previously announced agreement for inter-network roaming, users of the EV Connect charging smartphone application will be able to locate, initiate sessions, and pay for charging at Greenlots charge stations and vice-versa, later this year.
“We use open standards to make charging network interoperability a centerpiece of improving range confidence for EV drivers, and this milestone with Greenlots makes a significant contribution to that effort,” said Jordan Ramer, CEO of EV Connect.
Ford Will Let You Return Your New Car If You Lose Your Job
In an effort to appeal to customers worried about the uncertain economy, Ford will allow anyone who loses their job within a year of buying a new Ford car, truck or SUV to return it at no cost.
Under the terms of a new financing program called the Ford Promise plan, Ford Credit will pay for the difference between what the car is worth at that time and what the customer still owes, up to $15,000.
There are numerous restrictions. For instance, the job loss can't be within 30 days of signing the purchase or lease contract and it must be involuntary. Self-employed Ford buyers can take advantage of the program if they're forced to declare personal bankruptcy. The offer only applies to those vehicles purchased or leased on June 26, 2020, or later.
Read the article at CNN.
5 “Surthrival” Tips for the Time of the Pandemic
Here are 5 “Surthrival” Tips to help you survive and thrive during the time of the pandemic. One way to face the challenges of these times is to equip yourself for change by pursuing NAFA Certification programs.
Click Here to learn more about NAFA Certification.
Amazon Begins Rolling Out Bigger UPS And FedEx-Style Delivery Trucks
Amazon.com is launching a new fleet of bigger, boxier trucks like those favored by rival package carriers UPS and FedEx, as it fights to fix widespread pandemic-fueled delivery delays that sent customers into the arms of competitors like Walmart.
More than 2,200 heavy-duty Utilimaster "walk-in" delivery trucks have been ordered from Shyft Group, a Michigan-based speciality vehicle company. The new vehicles can carry more and bigger packages than the Mercedes-Benz, Fiat Chrysler, and Ford vans Amazon contractors dispatch around the country.
Amazon is under pressure to make good on one- and two-day deliveries promised to customers who subscribe to its $119 annual Prime service. Orders for food, computers, toys and exercise equipment surged after states issued stay-at-home orders to battle the pandemic, overwhelming Amazon's network and adding days and even weeks to delivery times.
Read the article at Autoblog.
