Volkswagen

The months-long test included over 1,000 charging cycles, with the batteries retaining 95 percent of their energy capacity, according to QuantumScape, a San Jose-based startup backed by Volkswagen and Bill Gates. That’s better than the industry standard of completing 700 charging cycles while retaining 80 percent capacity. Most EVs use “wet” lithium-ion batteries containing liquid electrolytes to move energy around. Solid-state batteries, which have been slow to come to market, promise faster charging speeds, more capacity, and longer range vehicles.

An electric station wagon is a far cry from last week’s flood of sleek Japanese two-door EVs. Still, this shooting brake version of the Volkswagen ID.7 is actually planned for release next year in Europe.

VW is teasing the three-row version of its electric Microbus ahead of its official reveal next week. This is the version that will go on sale in North America in 2024. (The two-row version is currently available in Europe — look out for Thomas Ricker’s review this weekend in The Verge!) And while there’s not much to look at here — just some headlights, really — the longer Buzz is sure to generate some, well, buzz, especially among #Vanlife aficionados and families. You can watch the livestream of the debut here on June 2nd.

The factory will be built in South Carolina and will result in the creation of 4,000 jobs, according to a tweet from Governor Henry McMaster. Scout is the classic off-road truck and SUV brand that Volkswagen is resurrecting as an EV-only marque in a bid to take on Ford, Rivian, GM and other outdoors-oriented automakers. A US-based factory will help future Scout EVs qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit.

911 million shares of Porsche (get it!) are now being traded in Frankfurt after parent company Volkswagen carved off a 12.5 percent slice of the iconic brand for public ownership. The Porsche IPO is expected to be one of the largest in European history. Shares are currently trading at €84 adding about €75 billion to VW’s coffers. Not bad for a day’s work.