Toralf Nitsch’s Post

Since #hybrids seem to be having a moment, I’m curious: do you know who is credited with making the first one? I’ll give you a few hints. I think the answer will surprise you. His last name is the name of the brand he created, and they’ve been making cars for over 100 years. They’re one of the few brands that have vehicles that often appreciate in value. They make luxury sports cars and SUVs, but the latter is relatively recent. It’s not Kiichiro Toyoda. The answer to this question is Ferdinand Porsche. This is from Porsche’s website,  “..now working with the Vienna-based k.u.k. Hofwagenfabrik Ludwig Lohner & Co, Ferdinand designed what was the world’s first-ever hybrid car – the ‘Semper Vivus’. Unlike the Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton, the Semper Vivus – which in 1901 launched as the production-ready Lohner-Porsche ‘Mixte’ – had a combustion engine, but that’s where Ferdinand’s genius kicked in. The engine powered a generator that sent a charge to the wheel hubs to drive them.” It wouldn’t be for another 30 years, in 1931, that he would start the company that we all know today, but I think it's pretty incredible when we look back at the history of automotive. What I also find interesting about everything that’s happening in automotive today is that it’s really just the past happening in reverse. Electric to hybrid to gas to hybrid to electric. Coming full circle.

The automotive world is on the cusp of a revolution, with a wave of innovative new brands entering the market. These brands are challenging the status quo with their bold designs, cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability. These brands are all making waves in the automotive industry with their unique and innovative products. They are all worth keeping an eye on as they continue to grow and develop. Polestar is an electric performance car brand, jointly owned by Volvo and its Chinese mothership, Geely. Polestar 3 is the performance SUV for the electric age equipped for bi-directional charging, which means that in the future there might be an option for vehicle-to-grid and plug-and-charge capabilities. #innovation #technology #business

🌍 Panoramic view from yesterday of our @MisterGreenEU ReDrive Centre in Amsterdam in the Netherlands! No sales pic, so showing off, but just a picture of beautifull hard working people with a mission. Since our journey began in 2008, MisterGreen Lease has been on a mission: making electric driving affordable for everyone. But we didn’t stop there—our vision has always included keeping these vehicles on the road for at least 10 years. Why? Because electric cars have an exceptionally low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), making this a sustainable reality. With the worldwide drop 👇 in value of these stunning Tesla’s over the past year, we’re more motivated and urged than ever to bring them back to life through our ReDrive program. It's not just about extending the lifecycle of electric cars; it's about making sustainable driving accessible to everyone. 🚗💡 In 2013, I made a promise to my uncle in Venlo (NL): "One day, you’ll drive a beautiful electric car for less than €500 per month." That day is here. We now do 130 ReDrives (used-Tesla Leases) per months. Just last week, my co-founder and I reflected on our mission and shared this thought: "Every city deserves a Tesla ReDrive Centre." We couldn’t agree more. 🌟 Let’s keep these cars on the road and redefine what sustainable mobility truly means. 🚘⚡ #ElectricCars #Sustainability #ReDrive #Tesla #MisterGreenEU

⚡️Electric Dreams vs Reality: The Truth of EV Slowdown 🔋 Polestar's CEO Thomas Ingenlath unravels the not-so-bright side of the EV industry in a recent interview. Behind the EV hype lurk supply chain issues, tech challenges, and market preparedness. Polestar a pioneer under Volvo Cars and GEELY navigates the tight rope of ambition and practicality. The CEO reveals internal struggles of scalability & sustainability, and the external market and infrastructure stressors. A must-read for industry insiders, green warriors and tech lovers, it offers a unique peek into the intricacies of steering an EV brand in unpredictable times. Keen to delve into this insightful narrative? How have your views on the EV market changed? Share your thoughts below for a robust discussion on transport's future.

Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/g_WPtqr7 #Polestar plans to have a line-up of five #performance #EVs by 2026. Polestar 2, the electric performance fastback, launched in 2019. Polestar 3, the #SUV for the electric age, launched in late 2022. Polestar 4, the SUV coupé transformed, is launching in phases through 2023 and into 2024. Polestar 5, an electric four-door GT and Polestar 6, an electric roadster, are coming soon. The Polestar 0 project supports the company’s #ambitious goal of creating a truly climate-neutral production car by 2030. The #research initiative also aims to create a sense of urgency to act on the climate crisis, by challenging employees, suppliers and the wider automotive industry, to drive towards zero. Polestar Theo Kjellberg Brent Ellis #Polestar3 #Polestar3production #automotiveindustry

Exciting times ahead for Polestar and the electric vehicle industry! As someone deeply passionate about sustainable innovation, I'm thrilled to share that under the visionary leadership of CEO Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar is boldly embracing an all-electric future. Last week's monumental $1 billion funding milestone is set to propel us into new markets, reinforcing our commitment to leading the charge in electric mobility. With the launch of their high-margin electric SUVs, the Polestar 3 and 4, they are not just expanding their global footprint but also setting new benchmarks in EV technology and design. Despite the challenges, Q4 deliveries and the acceleration of the Polestar 4 sales in Europe and Australia highlight the resilience and the growing appetite for electric vehicles. It's a pivotal moment for the industry, and as Thomas Ingenlath points out, those delaying their EV plans risk falling behind. The journey towards electrification is not just about innovation but also about belief in a sustainable future. Polestar is here to lead by example, not just compete. They crafting a legacy of premium performance EVs that promise not just to meet but exceed the expectations of the discerning driver. As we gear up for an electrifying future, let's remember that embracing change and innovation is the key to staying ahead. Here's to driving forward, together. #Polestar #ElectricVehicles #Sustainability #Innovation #Leadership

‘The EV market is stalling’. ‘Nobody wants an electric car’. Yes, these are genuine headlines. But despite what some commentators and sections of the press would still try and have you believe, the momentum and enthusiasm within the EV industry is palpable right now. If you were ever in any doubt, you only have to pay a visit to Goodwood Festival of Speed to see the progress that’s being made, with the event dominated by EVs and cutting-edge innovation. It was a pleasure to attend and explore Electric Avenue with some of InstaVolt’s key partners and customers. Something that really stood out to me was the breadth and depth of design on display. Manufacturers are bringing forward a diverse range of vehicles, covering all levels of the market, and including affordable family EVs that will be crucial as we move from early adopters to mainstream. BYD, Ford, Porche, Lotus, Jaguar Land Rover, MG, Polestar, Hyundai, Renault, BMW, Mini Cooper…. the list goes on. So, are EVs dead? Quite the opposite. The industry is very much alive, charged and ready to accelerate! #evs #electricvehicles #electricfleet #FOS #goodwood Simon Smith Jo Kerr Imogen Willoughby Christian Storm The Goodwood Group

Looking forward to seeing Canoo EVs join the UK's last mile fleets in the near future, as the business get the green regulatory light for green deliveries; as reported in ElectricDrives. Further good news, a new EV that's not another SUV... #evs #emobility #sustainability

Problems in the Polish state electric car? Will we see the announced Izera models? According to the original plan, electric cars from the ambitious Polish, essentially state-owned car company ElectroMobility Poland were supposed to come on the market last year. Several postponements followed, and recently there have been major changes in the company. According to the original plans, the Polish company wanted to launch the first two electric models under the Izera brand last year. These are to arise from concepts presented in 2020. At the end of 2022, it reported that it had signed an agreement with the Chinese concern GEELY regarding the provision of a license for the Geely SEA e-platform. And she added that the Chinese company will also be a technology partner in the first series of Izera electric cars. After this agreement, information appeared about the postponement of the start of production until the end of 2024. However, more recent information already spoke about moving the start of production to the end of next year. About a month ago, the supervisory board of Electromobility Poland, responsible for Izera electric cars, was dismissed. A week ago, the president of Electromobility Poland, Piotr Zaremba, who led the company since 2018, resigned. There are many question marks in this project. What worries me the most is whether we will see Polish electric cars? #emobility #electriccars #ev

ElectricDrives reports on Polestar starting up U.S. EV manufacture. Smart move: this is a nascent market that won't be nascent much longer. It's also cranking up production in China. The headlines: - Polestar 3 production starts in Chengdu, China, and sets sights on the USA. - CEO Thomas Ingenlath emphasises the transformative milestone for Polestar’s three-car lineup. - Production in South Carolina, USA, marks a significant move, aligning with Polestar’s global expansion plans. #evs #electricvehicles #emobility #sustainability