electric

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatch could spawn a drop-top sibling, if community interest proves strong enough. Posts by Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess and Volkswagen passenger cars CEO Ralf Brandstätter on online platforms Twitter and LinkedIn reveal the brand is "pondering" a two-door convertible spin-off to its five-door ID.3 electric small hatchback, as the first drop-top member of its burgeoning ID electric vehicle range.

Huawei, the world's largest telecommunications equipment maker, could be about to launch a range of electric vehicles. Sources close to Huawei have told news outlet Reuters the Chinese phone company is in talks with a number of car makers as it seeks to break into the automotive sector. While the company has denied the claims, it's understood to be discussing potential partnerships with state-owned Changan Automobile, as well as a BAIC Group subsidiary, to help manufacture the vehicles.

Tesla’s Fremont factory in California has reportedly halted production of the Model 3 and Model Y, due to an ongoing semiconductor shortage. It is not yet clear what volume of cars will be affected, however, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg earlier this week the line would likely be down until March 7.

British sports car specialist Lotus has unveiled a render of its E-R9 concept; the result an in-house design study imagining an all-electric race car for the 2030 season. The Lotus E-R9 features a fighter jet-style canopy, situated on a single-piece carbon-fibre wing. Strong aesthetic inspiration appears to have been drawn from the Red Bull X2010, which was developed as the “ultimate speed machine” for the 2010 PlayStation 3 video games Gran Turismo 5.

The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV electric vehicles have been unveiled in the US – though the city hatch and SUV’s left-hand-drive architectures mean they’re unlikely to reach Australian shores. The Bolt name was first applied to Chevrolet's city-sized 'light' electric hatch in late 2016 – this morning's unveiling sees that maiden hatchback receive a mid-life facelift, alongside the introduction of a high-riding Bolt EUV small SUV.