Author: EVAI

A California-based company aims to add curbside EV charging and solar and wind power to streetlights.

Beam Global’s BeamSpot incorporates solar panels and small wind turbines to generate some of its own energy, with built-in battery storage to maximize use of it. While normal streetlights generally have only enough power for illumination, the renewable-energy additions provide the power for “meaningful” EV charging, Beam Global said.

Standing 40 feet tall (30 feet without the wind option), the BeamSpot streetlight charger can generate 1 kw each from solar and wind if both are specified. Battery capacity is 15 kwh. Beam Global claims charging output of up to 5.76 kw. Altogether, the company estimates the BeamSpot can add 220 miles of range after a day of charging.

Beam Global claims the BeamSpot can be installed in existing streetlight foundations while avoiding the more complex construction and permitting processes for conventional EV chargers. That could allow for quicker expansion of EV charging infrastructure in urban areas without taking up precious sidewalk space—all while giving apartment dwellers a place to charge.

Proposed streetlight charging station for Kansas City (via Kansas City MEC)

Some municipalities in the U.S. have shown interest in streetlight EV chargers, to varying degrees. Two companies—AmpUp and EVSE—announced recently that they had been contracted by the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting to add 150 chargers to streetlight poles in the city. That’s part of a mayoral target to add 10,000 streetlight EV chargers throughout the City of Angels.

Seattle in 2022 announced plans to install curbside EV chargers, albeit only by request. Kansas City and New York began testing the concept in 2021, with the latter reporting high utilization rates.

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General Motors and EVgo will add 400 EV fast chargers at gas-station-like “flagship” sites in major U.S. metropolitan areas beginning in 2025.

These sites will feature 350-kw DC fast chargers in a pull-through configuration under canopies—much like gas pumps—and they’ll get “ample” lighting and security cameras, GM and EVgo confirmed Thursday with the announcement.

Co-branded for both EVgo and GM Energy, most sites are expected to have up to 20 chargers, with some offering more. GM and EVgo are looking at locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, and Texas..

The new sites will utilize a prefabricated construction process developed by EVgo where possible to expedite construction and offer flexibility for possible future expansion, the companies said, confirming that the first site is scheduled to open next year.

GM and EVgo began collaborating on a coast-to-coast charging network in 2022, with EVgo-supplied chargers installed at Pilot and Flying J travel centers. The first of those locations opened in late 2023, with many sporting the canopies and pull-through stalls GM and EVgo now plan to apply to the urban “flagship” sites, but with more of a focus on locations along highway corridors.

The two companies plan to install 2,850 charging stalls, with most up and running by the end of the year. The effort surpassed 1,000 charging stalls in August 2023, and is expected to reach 2,000 by year’s end. Some funding will be reallocated toward the new metropolitan charging sites to ensure they offer the planned “premium” experience, GM and EVgo noted.

• Cadillac’s Escalade gained an electric sibling that shares nothing but a name
• The Escalade IQ will have 460 miles of range thanks to a 200-plus-kwh battery pack
• The Escalade IQ will cost $129,095

Cadillac’s icon has gained an electric variant.

On Wednesday, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ debuted with a GM-estimated 460 miles, 200-plus-kwh battery pack, 55.0-inches of screens on the dashboard, and trademark design. Cadillac estimates the electric luxury SUV will cost $129,095, including a $1,395 destination charge when entering production in 2024 at GM’s Factory Zero.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

The electric luxury SUV rides on the same platform as the GMC Hummer EV and Silverado EV pickup trucks. At the center of the chassis sits a 24-module 200-plus-kwh battery pack, which we estimate at 205 kwh. The Escalade IQ features an 800-volt electrical architecture capable of adding 100 miles of range in 10 minutes on a 350-kw DC fast charger, according to GM. Bidirectional charging capability will be standard.

Escalade IQs will have an electric motor on each axle providing all-wheel drive and up to 750 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac said the big SUV will launch from 0-60 mph in less than five seconds when in Velocity Max mode. One-pedal driving and GM’s regen on demand will be standard.

Cadillac estimates the Escalade IQ will tow up to 8,000 pounds.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

Cadillac said the Escalade IQ sits between the regular- and long-wheelbase versions of the gas-powered mode, and at 224.3 inches long it’s within 2.7 inches of the long-wheelbase model. Notably, at 136.2 inches long the electric Escalade’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than the gas-powered long-wheelbase Escalade. This was accomplished by moving the futon wheels forward 11.8 inches, which in turn reduced the front overhang. A 12.2-cubic-foot front trunk sits under the long hood.

Cadillac’s cribbed the rear-wheel steering system from the Hummer EV and Silverado EV for the Escalade IQ. This enables the SUV to drive diagonally into a parking spot, though it’s called Cadillac Arrival Mode rather than Crab Walking here, and trims the turning radius by 6.5 feet to 39.4 feet. A four-wheel independent suspension is paired with four-corner air suspension and adaptive dampers.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

The Escalade IQ looks like an Escalade, but features its own distinct design. The blocky, squared off shape carries over with vertical lighting elements, but the front reflects the brand’s latest take on its backlight grille design in the shape of a Cadillac shield. The roofline’s a bit more aerodynamic with a gentle slope, and it has a 15% lower coefficient of drag than the gas-powered model. Large 24-inch wheels wrapped in 275/50R24 tires measuring 35 inches fill the wheel wells.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

Inside, the Escalade IQ goes big with a full-width 55.0-inch bank of screens consisting of 35.0 inches devoted to the digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen, as well as a 20.0-inch passenger screen. A fourth screen is an 11.0-inch center console touchscreen for climate controls and vehicle settings. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will not be on board as part of GM’s decision to ditch the smartphone mirroring platforms with its upcoming EVs.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

With three rows of seats, the Escalade IQ seats seven passengers. An Executive Second Row package swaps in second-row bucket seats with heating, cooling, and massage functions, same as the front seats. Additionally, the package features a rear center console with fold-out airline-style tables, twin 12.6-inch rear entertainment screens, and wireless smartphone chargers. Controls will be housed in an 8.0-inch touchscreen. But no Escalade IQ will feature real leather upholstery, with Cadillac opting for synthetic leather upholstery.

GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver-assist system will be standard. Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, automatic parking system, and a surround-view camera system will all be standard. 

Note–This story was updated with official pricing and revised range

While nothing has been promised or is happening now between GM and Hyundai, the potential is huge.

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The 2024 Subaru Solterra joins a handful of other electric vehicles in earning the industry’s toughest safety award with a Top Safety Pick+ recognition, the IIHS revealed Thursday. 

The IIHS toughened requirements to earn its highest Top Safety Pick+ and second-tier Top Safety Pick awards for 2024. Some 91 models still qualified for at least one of the awards, with 38 earning the Top Safety Pick+ award. That compares to 65 models which earned one of the IIHS awards for 2023, when the agency also updated its criteria to make its awards tougher to obtain.

The following electric vehicles earned a TSP+:

• Genesis Electrified G80
• Genesis GV60
• Genesis Electrified GV70
• Hyundai Ioniq 5
• Hyundai Ioniq 6
• Rivian R1T
• Subaru Solterra
• Tesla Model Y RWD

A handful of models earned the lower Top Safety Pick award. That list includes:

• Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 Sportback
• Audi Q8 E-Tron and Q8 Sportback
• Lexus RZ
• Kia EV9
• Nissan Ariya
• Rivian R1S
• Tesla Model Y AWD
• Toyota Prius Prime
• Volkswagen ID.4

2024 Tesla Model Y. – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

The IIHS introduced a tougher side crash test for 2023, using a heavier barrier traveling at a higher speed when impacting a car. An “Acceptable” or “Good” score was sufficient to earn a Top Safety Pick award last year, but for 2024 only the top “Good” score qualifies vehicles for an award.

Vehicles also needed an “Acceptable” or “Good” rating in the updated pedestrian front-crash prevention test for 2024. This test combines daytime and nighttime scenarios, which were previously scored separately.

The IIHS also introduced an updated moderate front-overlap test for 2024, which adds a second crash test dummy behind the driver and looks closer at rear seat safety. An “Acceptable” or “Good” score on this test was needed for the Top Safety Pick+ award, while a “Good” rating on the old test was needed for a Top Safety Pick award.

As before, vehicles also needed a “Good” score in the IIHS’ small-overlap front crash tests and “Good” or “Acceptable” headlights on all trim levels to earn either award.

There’s been a lot of talk about EV safety, although not necessarily related to crash performance. The IIHS warned last year that fires aren’t an EV safety concern, but weight is. That was backed up by a recent study, which found that EVs may be too heavy for U.S. highway guardrails.

Meanwhile, the CEO of Stellantis recently argued that quicker acceleration is an EV safety asset—although that’s debatable. Don’t expect the IIHS to incorporate that into its safety evaluations.

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