StreetScooter, EU Quota, BJEV, Chery, Nikola, FF

The post van is here: Deutsche Post DHL and Ford have officially launched the StreetScooter Work XL. Its base is the Ford Transit equipped with a custom-made electric drive and chassis so that the post also likes to call it their own personal ‘e-van’. Being essentially bigger than even the latest StreetScooter Work L, it features a modular battery system delivering 30 kWh to 90 kWh for a range of between 80 km and 200 km. A pre-series of 150 pieces is to see the light of the day before the year’s end, followed by another 2,500 units in 2018. While the e-vans will first be utilised by DHL, the firm said it may sell to third parties and also showed approval of partner Ford, with who it may cooperate further in the future. On top, a second StreetScooter facility is planned with the location to be specified next month.
dpdhl.com (Work XL), electriccarsreport.com (spec), reuters.com (further cooperation, new facility)

EU sales quota for PEV likely: Despite denial from Brussels, diplomats and sources close to the issue say an EV sales quota is “increasingly likely” and may come as soon as 2025 or 2030. The German Ministry for the Environment even went on public record saying it expects such a proposal by the EU Commission by autumn. Clearly, the climate among EU officials has heated up and calls for enforceable targets as well as constructive cooperation from carmakers are becoming ever louder. A minimum fleet quota would likely include plug-in hybrids not just EVs though and the EU said it is committed to technological neutrality in general.
climatechangenews.com, reuters.com (German Ministry of Environment)

1.7bn for EV development: BAIC’s subsidiary Beijing Electric Vehicle (BJEV) that specialises in EVs only has gathered 1.67 billion dollars in its latest round of financing. The money will be used to come up with the new models while expanding production capacities. Reportedly, Daimler holds a minority stake of BJEV since this June.
autonews.gasgoo.com

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Nikola goes off-road: As its fuel cell truck is open for reservation already, Nikola Motors is looking to catch new customers with a quad dubbed UTV, for utility “task” or “terrain” vehicle, or Nikola Zero officially. It sits four under the roll cage and boasts four motors, one in each wheel. The battery comes in three versions, 75, 100, and 125 kWh. Prices shall start at 35,000 dollars with reservations taken from January 2018 through a new Nikola unit called Nikola Powersports.
trucks.com, cloudfront.net (spec, pdf)

Chery seeks to charm the European market with the introduction of a plug-in family and some simply hybrid cousins. The first model to hit our shores will be a compact SUV due to debut at the IAA. Furthermore, the Chinese firm wants to set up distribution as well as an R&D centre in Europe.
automotiveworld.com

FF to quit FE? Rumour has it that Faraday Future will leave the electric racing series due to its on-going financial difficulties, The Verge reports. A final decision has yet to be made but could mean a premature end for a manufacturer that only entered the Formula E last year as Dragon Racing’s technical partner.
theverge.com