This week’s roundup of electric vehicle (EV) news is all about technology!  While today’s EVs are inherently considered ‘high tech’, some of their features may really surprise you.

For example, it’s incredible to think that for the first time ever, a fleet of vehicles, spread across the country, was able to receive updates over-the-air, enabling a fix to their braking system.  Well, that’s exactly what Tesla just did.  Tesla’s virtual fix to the Model 3s earned them a previously unattained ‘Recommendation’ from Consumer Reports.

Here’s another first time ever — a muscle car ad that feels compelled to add among its hyperbole, “the world’s fastest 0-100-mph production car,” a disclaimer that it’s not really.  The Dodge Challenger Demon Ad added fine print that its claim doesn’t apply to electric vehicles. That’s a gas, am I right?

With any new technology, there is concern that the solutions they provide may be outpaced by the problems they create. However, a new report from the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that EV charging could play a more significant role (with a value in the billions of dollars) in capturing unused solar energy during the day.  That is some serious problem-solving. In other technology solution news, China is developing battery tracking systems to manage their recycling efforts.  This holistic approach will monitor the vehicle batteries from their manufacturing and throughout their lifecycle.

How many EVs and their batteries will that be?  As with any new technology adoption, the rate is dependent on policy. According to the International Energy Association, a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization, it will be ~13 million EVs by 2020.  By 2030, that number could be between 125 million and 220 million depending on how aggressively climate reduction goals are implemented worldwide.

If you are the adventurous-techy type it may be worth your time to check out a new business in Chattanooga.  Adventure Sports Innovation is offering thrill seekers electric body boards, electric unicycles, and rides in the Swincar E-spider.

Also, don’t forget to sign the NexCar Pledge to show your support for electric vehicles, receive regular updates about the clean transportation sector, and tell the car industry and our leaders that America wants electric vehicles!  To receive this weekly newsletter in your inbox, sign up here.