How German Cities Are Rethinking Women's Safety — With Taxis
Such schemes have proved hugely popular with users, but their effectiveness in changing overall conditions remains a matter of debate. While countries ranging from India to the US have launched initiatives offering women-only taxi services, German cities are among the first globally to provide subsidies for women's nighttime cab rides.
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Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
2025 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter - Big, Boxy And Beautiful
The 2025 eSprinter arrived this year in an improved version of its-already rollicking self. It's still got a gaping maw of a rear cargo space and still only two seats up front, and it collects garbage on road trips faster than anything made out there - there is no back seat to chuck bags, cups, chinese food containers and other refuse into. That's part of its charm. What's New For 2025 The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter was all-new for last year. This year brings new battery sizes, configurations, tech upgrades, and always-welcome safety enhancements. The core chassis and electric motor design remain consistent, but the feature package and flexibility expand significantly. Body At first the unit seems impossibly large - and it is - but enter and exit a bunch of times and it's a snap. You're basically a box on four wheels, with a snazzy slanted front windshield with you sitting on high, surveying the road. Despite its sheer size, it doesn't inspire any sort of misbehaviour as might happen in pickups or SUVS. People respect it on the road. Inside, And Tech It's not plush or even particularly luxurious. There isn't any center console, so you find cupholders and side pockets where you can. Nor is there a backseat – there is a wall. You see behind you via your side mirrors and the rear-view mirror is a camera that works surprisingly well, once you put your trust in it. You just go slow at first. The latest in tech is here for you, too, including a voice control assistant but you can also operate the system via a touchscreen, touchpad, and touch-sensitive steering-wheel-mounted buttons. You can go for a 10.3-inch touchscreen display, and subscribe to cloud-based services supporting fleet owners. The optional Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), now featuring the latest software generation, offers innovative AI-based technology and an intuitive operating system. It can be operated via Voice Control, the touchscreen, or the touch control buttons on the standard multifunction steering wheel. With Intelligent Voice Control and natural language understanding, the system responds to the verbal cue 'Hey Mercedes.' MBUX also features learning capabilities and can calculate the optimal charging strategy—either to reach your destination quickly or to ensure a desired state of charge (SoC) upon arrival. Nice touches include heated and pivoting front seats, a heated windshield, electric folding exterior mirrors, air-conditioning, an electric sliding door and step, a digital rearview mirror and other great stuff. Minuses include not being able to recline your seat to take a nap or just daydream. Again, we're not talking first-class seating. Visibility is very good when you get used to the cameras and side mirrors. The sound of the audio system was good, not unbelievable. Motor For 2025, the eSprinter is available with a new, smaller 81-kWh battery, offering an estimated 150 miles of range (realistically adjusted from the more generous European WLTP figures). When plugged into a DC fast charger, it can recover up to 80% charge in about 32 minutes while you read, or snooze in the rear cargo area. All 2025 eSprinters are rear-wheel drive and deliver up to 295 lb-ft of torque, with two motor options: 134 or 201 horsepower. With this battery, maximum payload is rated at up to 3,516 pounds, depending on configuration. The larger 113-kWh battery from the previous year also returns, offering around 250 miles of range. It requires roughly 42 minutes on a Level 3 charger to reach 80% capacity. Payload capacity drops slightly with this battery, topping out at 2,624 pounds. The Drive The eSprinter has a fixed top speed of 75 MPH. It gets there eventually—0 to 60 takes about 12 seconds, and that's with an empty cargo area. 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The ECO Assist display even tells the driver when to lift off the pedal, allowing the van to select the optimal level of recuperation. The result is a driving experience tailored to efficiency, comfort, or a mix of both. Pricing The sticker on the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter starts at $61,250, going up to about $71,460 with all options and delivery fee. Ideas for customization The eSprinter can be upfitted to a mobile workshop or a spacious delivery van. eXpertUpfitter solutions, such as shelving systems, workbenches or heavy-duty wood floors for heavy loads offer further available customization options for the load compartment. The load capacity is 488 cubic feet and the permissible gross vehicle weight is 4.25 tons. Safety Mercedes provides the eSprinter with a plethora of standard driver-assistance technology including blind-spot monitoring, crosswind assist, and automated emergency braking. It also warns the driver if it detects signs of drowsiness or inattention – over and over and over again. Key safety features include standard automated emergency braking, standard blind-spot monitoring and standard driver-attention monitor. Warranty The all-electric Mercedes-Benz eSprinter comes with a Battery Certificate and a maintenance package that includes the first four years of service in the purchase price. Mercedes doesn't pay for any scheduled maintenance, but they offer a limited warranty covering four years or 50,000 miles, a powertrain warranty that covers four years or 50,000 miles. Electrical components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. Conclusion: Mercedes has made an already-great machine greater.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
The winners and losers from the 2024-2025 Formula E season
There have been many highs and lows for drivers, teams and the Formula E championship across the 2024-25 season. From rain-soaked races and incredible comebacks to disappointing debuts, these are the biggest winners and losers from the all-electric championship's latest season. Winner: Oliver Rowland The first person in our winners list has to be Oliver Rowland, the newly-crowned Formula E World Champion. Rowland became the 10th different champ from all 11 seasons, and delivered a dominant display that is not often seen in the electric championship. Four wins and a further three podiums across the first nine races cemented Rowland as the clear favourite as the season passed its halfway point, but a slip in results followed and Rowland didn't find himself on the podium again after winning Nissan's home race in Tokyo. Still, it's a big achievement for the boy from Barnsley, who is currently celebrating by taking his team to Ibiza for some well-earned merriment. Loser: Zane Maloney First in the losers list has to be Zane Maloney, the only full-time driver on the grid not to score a single point. Not only that, but he sits 24th in a 22-driver championship, with reserve drivers Felipe Drugovich and Sergio Sette Camara both managing lock in top-10 results during the Berlin weekend. Zane Maloney, Lola Yamaha ABT Formula E Team It was his rookie season, and the Lola Yamaha ABT hasn't looked like the easiest beast to tame, but it's still a disappointing end to his debut campaign. Winner: Taylor Barnard McLaren's Taylor Barnard enjoyed a very impressive debut season in Formula E, even if he said he didn't 'feel like a rookie' as early as the second round in Mexico City. The youngster got the call up to deputise for Sam Bird last year following an injury, replacing him for three rounds, but after Jake Hughes' departure got the full-time seat at the team for 2024-25. He started his campaign in style by securing his first podium at round one in Sao Paulo, before achieving back-to-back podium finishes in Jeddah, and claimed his first pole position. More silverware in Tokyo and Shanghai followed, and Barnard finished the season fourth in the drivers' table. Despite McLaren's departure from the championship, Barnard is expected to join one of the Stellantis-powered teams for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Loser: Robin Frijns Finishing 19th in the drivers' championship is not what I expect from Robin Frijns. The Envision driver has participated in 117 E-Prix, winning two races and picking up 16 podiums in that time, but this season was one of his worst. Robin Frijns, Envision Racing His best result was seventh place in London, which doesn't look great when you consider that his team-mate Sebastien Buemi won in Monaco and achieved a further two podiums in London and Jakarta. Winner: Mahindra Last season was a rough one for Mahindra. 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Norman Nato, Nissan Formula E Team His disappointing performances also hit the team's chances at the championship, which slipped away and into Porsche's hands. What's more, there's still no official announcement yet on whether he'll retain his seat for next season. Winner: Cupra Kiro Talking of turnarounds, it doesn't get much better than Cupra Kiro. After finishing last in the standings a year ago, the team had a huge cash injection over the off-season courtesy of Forest Road and made a deal with Porsche to use its previous generation powertrains. The result? The team's best season in Formula E in a decade. Dan Ticktum was the star of the show, using his talent to secure his first career podium in Tokyo before then collecting a maiden win in Jakarta and finishing off the season with a debut pole position. The only downside to its season was David Beckmann, who only scored a single point in London. Loser: Hankook Formula E's tyre supplier took quite the battering this year in conversations between teams and drivers, after the all-weather tyre proved unsuitable at the high number of rain-affected races this year. With wet races in Shanghai, Monaco, Tokyo and Berlin, as well as soggy sessions in Miami and Mexico, the Hankook iON tyres received plenty of criticism. Maximilian Guenther, DS Penske 'It is not a wet tyre, it doesn't work in the wet at any point,' McLaren's Sam Bird explained after Monaco. 'Even the guys at the front can say it doesn't even work in the wet. All the drivers have said similar things [about introducing a full wet tyre] for quite a while, not just with the current supplier. The cars are getting so quick now, I think Formula E should consider bringing a form of wet tyre to the races.' understands that Bridgestone will be introducing both a slick and a wet compound when it takes over as the championship's official tyre supplier from the 2026-2027 season. Winner: Porsche The German manufacturer' took home both the teams' and manufacturers' honours in London, a first for it in Formula E. It was a solid effort from both Pascal Wehrlein and Antonio Felix da Costa across the 16 rounds, but despite the pair's 10 podium finishes there was a feeling that there could have been more on the table. Da Costa was the victim of bad luck across several races, with Wehrlein involved in a heavy shunt during the first race in Sao Paulo that saw his car flip and impact the barrier. However, there have been moments of weakness at the team in terms of strategy, and speculation that the two team-mates don't see eye to eye. Read Also: Oliver Rowland clinches Formula E title as Nick Cassidy wins second Berlin E-Prix The key mindset that led Oliver Rowland and Nissan to the Formula E title FIA reveal changes to improve Formula E driver safety after rise of hand injuries To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Expert Organization Celebrates Centennial - 100 Years of DEKRA: Safety in a Changing World
STUTTGART, Germany, July 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On 30th June, 2025, DEKRA celebrates its 100th anniversary – with a clear focus on the future. What began in 1925 with voluntary vehicle inspections is now a global expert organization for safety, sustainability, and digital trust. On its centennial, DEKRA reaffirms its commitment to tackling the major challenges of our time – in line with its anniversary motto: "Securing the Future." DEKRA was founded on June 30, 1925, in Berlin as the "Deutscher Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungs-Verein" (German Motor Vehicle Inspection Association) – at a time when the automobile was beginning to reshape the world. Its mission: voluntary technical inspections to bring safety to a new era of mobility. A century later, this initiative has evolved into a global expert organization with 48,000 employees in around 60 countries – all pursuing one clear goal: enabling safety and trust in a changing world. What began in 1925 with vehicle inspections has grown into a comprehensive portfolio across mobility, industry, environment, and digital technologies. DEKRA tests both physical and digital products, processes, and systems. "Safety is not static – it evolves with the world we live in," says CEO Stan Zurkiewicz. "Our task is to help shape key areas of transformation – mobility, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and sustainability – with expertise, responsibility, and foresight." Shaping Germany – Expanding Globally DEKRA's history is marked by constant progress. When periodic vehicle inspections became mandatory in Germany in 1951, DEKRA played a key role in their implementation. The 1960s and 1970s brought a focus on education and research, including the founding of DEKRA Akademie (1974), the Research and Development department (1968), and Accident Research (1978) – the latter with the aim of learning from data. After German reunification, DEKRA took over responsibilities from the former East German vehicle authority and built a comprehensive inspection network in the new federal states. Shortly thereafter, the company entered international markets, including France, Spain, China, and the United States. Since then, DEKRA has pursued a globally focused strategy – while maintaining strong roots in its home market of Germany. Read full version: About DEKRA For 100 years, DEKRA has been a trusted name in safety. Founded in 1925 with the original goal of improving road safety through vehicle inspections, DEKRA has grown to become the world's largest independent, non-listed expert organization in the field of testing, inspection, and certification. Today, as a global partner, the company supports its customers with comprehensive services and solutions to drive safety and sustainability forward—fully aligned with DEKRA's anniversary motto, "Securing the Future." In 2024, DEKRA generated revenue of 4.3 billion euros. Around 48,000 employees are providing qualified and independent expert services in approximately 60 countries across five continents. DEKRA holds a Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing it among the top 1% of the world's most sustainable companies. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE DEKRA Asia Pacific Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
