Latest news with #JamesChung
Courier-Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
New World record: How far can this electric SUV really go?
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. An ordinary Polestar 3 has shattered the world record for the longest distance travelled by an electric SUV on a single charge. The record-breaking drive took place on UK public roads under real-world conditions, including rain, and lasted 22 hours and 57 minutes to complete. The journey was led by three drivers — Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker, and Richard Parker — all of whom have previous experience in endurance runs. Polestar shatters EV distance record A team in the UK has shattered the world record for the longest distance travelled by an EV on a single charge, James Chung reports. Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 0.00% 0:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:32 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Polestar shatters EV distance record world... more record for the longest distance travelled by an EV on a single charge, James Chung reports. A team in the UK has shattered the... more ... more Polestar 3 was used to break the world record for the longest distance travelled by an EV on a single charge. Picture: YouTube/Polestar. MORE: Grim warning over 'death trap' Lambo Clarke currently holds the world record for the longest journey completed on a single charge with an electric motorcycle, which was set earlier this year. The team departed in the early hours of 2am to take advantage of clear morning roads, travelling mostly on flat roads throughout Norfolk in the UK. They rotated drivers every three hours and drove a standard Polestar 3 equipped with 20-inch wheels and Michelin Sport 4 EV tyres. By the end of the journey, the car recorded an average energy efficiency of 12.1 kWh/100 km, and according to InsideEVs, their average speed during the record run was 40.7 kilometres per hour. Three drivers rotated throughout the challenge. Picture: YouTube/Polestar. The Polestar 3 travelled 935km on a single charge. Picture: YouTube/Polestar. MORE: Carmaker's fury over Albo's new road tax This record-setting journey demonstrates the rapid advancements in EV battery technology and efficiency. The Polestar 3 was fitted with a Long Range battery and a single rear motor and exceeded its WLTP range by approximately 221 kilometres. The total distance travelled was an astonishing 935.4 km before needing to be recharged. And while the WLTP range for the Polestar 3 is 704 km, the Polestar still had 20 per cent battery remaining when it reached that distance. And even after the gauge hit 0 per cent, the SUV managed to travel an additional 12.8 kilometres before reaching a charger and coming to a stop. The crew started the challenge at 2am in the morning. Picture: YouTube/Polestar. The effort was overseen by Guinness World Records judge Paulina Sapinska, while the UK-based fleet management company Webfleet independently verified the video footage, odometer readings, GPS data, and battery percentage. Matt Galvin, Managing Director of Polestar UK, says the record-breaking result is a testament to the improvements in electric vehicles over the years and their robust range capabilities. 'While Kevin, Sam and Richard pushed the Polestar 3 to the boundaries of its range capability, it goes to show how battery range has improved exponentially over the past few years,' he said. 'For a large luxury SUV to go way beyond a London-to-Edinburgh distance is truly impressive.' Trip information. Picture: YouTube/Polestar. MORE: Bizarre 'Nintendo' solution to huge road problem Reflecting on the achievement, Clarke said efficiency records are becoming harder to set. 'Since we first started setting records, we've noticed how much more driving it's taking to achieve them,' he said. 'I'm pleased to be setting the first electric SUV journey record, and doing it in such a capable EV like the Polestar 3 has been a real pleasure.' In Australia, the Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor is priced from $127,718.90 drive-away. 2025 Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor electric car. Picture: Supplied Originally published as Polestar 3 shatters new EV range record
Courier-Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
China's ‘Mario Kart' solution to road rage
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Chinese carmaker XPeng has unveiled a quirky new feature that could address one of Australia's biggest driving problems - road rage. And the EV maker's solution might be one of the cleverest ways to deal with bad drivers. The feature, called 'Road Rage Reliever', lets frustrated drivers 'throw' virtual emojis at the offender's car by using the vehicle's AR head-up display found in the new XPeng models. And it will look familiar to anyone who has enjoyed a game of Mario Kart, the Nintendo game that allows you to toss items at other road users while you race. Xpeng's solution to road rage Chinese car company Xpeng will allow drivers to shoot virtual emojis at other cars with its new Road Rage Reliever feature, according to James Chung. Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 40.76% 0:00 00:00 / 00:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:24 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Xpeng's solution to road rage more more drivers to shoot virtual emojis at other cars with its new Road Rage Reliever feature, according to James Chung. Chinese car company Xpeng will allow...... ... more XPeng will allow drivers to throw virtual emojis at other cars. Picture: Instagram/em3rging XPeng revealed the feature in the all-new P7. Picture: XPeng MORE: China's RAM ute dupe to land in Aus Video circulating on social media shows the feature being introduced during the unveiling of the P7 which offers a massive 87-inch AR-HUD. During a live demonstration, XPeng showed how drivers can express their frustration by throwing virtual emojis onto the car in front by pressing a button on the steering wheel. XPeng claims the feature offers a safer way to release frustration without engaging in aggressive driving. XPeng's Road Rage Reliever feature. Picture: X/@42how_ MORE: China unveils plan to smash Tesla in Aus However, the idea has received mixed opinions. Users online praised the feature as being the perfect solution for people with road rage, while others worry it could lead to further incidents caused by driver distraction. 'So you tap the screen while driving....I wonder what happens when driving distracted,' one user on Instagram said. 'Ummm does this distract the drivers?,' another said. 'This will not distract the driver in the slightest....,' another user said sarcastically. 'Imagine throwing a bunch, then they crash, and then you crash. Drivers shouldn't be allowed more distractions,' another commented. While there is visible criticism, other users saw the humorous side of things. 'Now add proximity chat at the same time with a timer. Turn the streets into a COD lobby,' One user said. 'Being visible only to you makes it ineffective, but if it was to both it'd end up being a game,' another said. XPeng revealed the feature in the all-new P7. Picture: XPeng Inside the P7. Picture: XPeng MORE: Famous sports car hints at bold EV future According to XPeng, the feature is optional, and drivers must decide when it's safe to use. The XPeng P7 is being considered for the Australian market, but there is no confirmation yet on whether Australians will have the opportunity to see this vehicle on local roads. Additionally, it remains uncertain if the innovative Road Rage Reliever feature will be included if the car does become available. However, if introduced, it could be a surprisingly fitting addition considering the Australia's driving habits. Did somebody say Mario Kart? In September 2024, a survey conducted by the insurer NRMA involving 1,464 drivers from two states highlighted a concerning trend in Australia's driving behaviour. The survey results revealed that 71 per cent of respondents had witnessed tailgating, 67 per cent had observed drivers excessively honking their horns, 60 per cent had noticed the use of hand gestures, and 58 per cent had seen motorists deliberately cutting in front of others. Originally published as China's 'Mario Kart' solution to road rage
The Australian
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Australian
Zoomo demands crackdown on illegal e-bike modifications across Australia
A leading e-bike company is demanding urgent action from authorities as illegally modified bicycles surge in popularity across Australia. Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to navigate congested CBD streets faster than cars or scooters, making them an ideal choice for food delivery workers. James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MAY 10 2024. GENERIC. Economy, cost of living, budget. Food delivery rider in the CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers MORE: Dua Lipa's $1m flaunt stuns onlookers Unlike cars or motorcycles, e-bikes don't need to be registered or require a licence to ride, making them an efficient alternative provided they fall within certain power limits under Australian law. Gema Martínez Casanova, operations manager for populae e-bike brand Zoomo, says the proliferation of illegal e-bikes undermines legal e-bikes. 'It's quite frustrating because we try to create a really safe and reliable product for our customers,' she says. 'We understand e-bikes, there's a big increase in usage with e-bikes, and there are a lot of people who don't like them because they have this idea of e-bikes going 45 km/h on the pathway.' James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen In most states and territories, e-bikes are classified as 'pedal-assisted cycles' and must comply with the European Standard for Power-Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194). This standard typically limits the power from the electric motor to 250W and mandates that the motor stop propelling the bike when the speed reaches 25 km/h. Despite Zoomo's commitment to adhering to legal standards and ensuring customer safety, the situation is worsened by gig economy workers who seek faster delivery times and opt for bikes that can be modified to exceed legal limits. 'We can't do anything, because the customer wants to make more deliveries per hour, so of course they are going to go for a vehicle that goes faster,' Gema said. 'So not only do we have to compete by always trying to be better on our hardware and customer experience on a legal side, but also we have to be aware of the illegal bikes in the industry. 'We really respect the law, but we would like everyone to be applying the same rules. 'We create such a safe, reliable product, and we also employ a lot of people in Australia, but at the end of the day, we won't be able to compete. A general view of a food delivery bike rider during lunch hour in the CBD in Sydney. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard MORE: $185m scandal engulfs China EV giants 'So we urge the authorities to do more on illegal e-bikes. We see it everyday when a rider is riding up hill, not pedalling and travelling more than 6km per hour.' Many riders are also turning to e-bike conversion kits, which allow them to retrofit a standard bicycle with an electric motor, battery, and control system. These kits are widely available online, and their power can exceed 1000 watts, reaching speeds well over 60 km/h. A leading industry body has reported a surge in these unregistered and high-powered e-bike models entering the Australian market. A food delivery rider riding through Sydney's CBD. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Electric micromobility devices, including e-bikes, are growing in popularity. Picture:NewsWire/ Monique Harmer MORE: Car boss' wild call to end Aus tax breaks The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both state and federal governments to urgently enforce existing national laws that regulate e-bikes, as growing numbers of unregistered, high-powered models are being used in commercial operations across Melbourne. 'The rules are already there under the Road Vehicle Standards Act. But they're being ignored by overseas sellers, by delivery platform operators, and increasingly by riders who use these bikes for commercial gain,' VACC CEO Peter Jones says. 'It's one thing to ride a compliant e-bike recreationally. 'But when you're using a 1000-watt machine all day in city traffic to deliver for a company, you're operating a commercial vehicle. That must come with legal responsibilities, just like it would for a van, a ute or a motorbike.' NSW authorities are also intensifying efforts to enforce safety laws against e-bike riders who have illegally modified or tampered with their bikes, according to The Daily Telegraph. NSW police conducted a month-long operation, during which they checked 305 e-bikes and fined 32 riders. They discovered that 28 bikes had been modified or adjusted to exceed the legal speed limits set by manufacturers. Operation Kilowatt has cracked down on e-bike riders in the Northern Beaches. Picture: Jeremy Piper Over the past year, high-visibility police operations have been conducted across New South Wales in areas such as the Sydney CBD, Sutherland Shire, Eastern Suburbs, and Byron Bay, resulting in hundreds of fines being issued to e-bike riders who breached regulations. James Chung Digital Content Creator James is a Digital Content Creator at and is part of the News Corp Australia's digital real estate team. His previous experience includes working for Sky News Australia.
Daily Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Telegraph
Zoomo demands crackdown on illegal e-bike modifications across Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. A leading e-bike company is demanding urgent action from authorities as illegally modified bicycles surge in popularity across Australia. Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to navigate congested CBD streets faster than cars or scooters, making them an ideal choice for food delivery workers. James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MAY 10 2024. GENERIC. Economy, cost of living, budget. Food delivery rider in the CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers MORE: Dua Lipa's $1m flaunt stuns onlookers Unlike cars or motorcycles, e-bikes don't need to be registered or require a licence to ride, making them an efficient alternative provided they fall within certain power limits under Australian law. Gema Martínez Casanova, operations manager for populae e-bike brand Zoomo, says the proliferation of illegal e-bikes undermines legal e-bikes. 'It's quite frustrating because we try to create a really safe and reliable product for our customers,' she says. 'We understand e-bikes, there's a big increase in usage with e-bikes, and there are a lot of people who don't like them because they have this idea of e-bikes going 45 km/h on the pathway.' James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen In most states and territories, e-bikes are classified as 'pedal-assisted cycles' and must comply with the European Standard for Power-Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194). This standard typically limits the power from the electric motor to 250W and mandates that the motor stop propelling the bike when the speed reaches 25 km/h. Despite Zoomo's commitment to adhering to legal standards and ensuring customer safety, the situation is worsened by gig economy workers who seek faster delivery times and opt for bikes that can be modified to exceed legal limits. 'We can't do anything, because the customer wants to make more deliveries per hour, so of course they are going to go for a vehicle that goes faster,' Gema said. 'So not only do we have to compete by always trying to be better on our hardware and customer experience on a legal side, but also we have to be aware of the illegal bikes in the industry. 'We really respect the law, but we would like everyone to be applying the same rules. 'We create such a safe, reliable product, and we also employ a lot of people in Australia, but at the end of the day, we won't be able to compete. A general view of a food delivery bike rider during lunch hour in the CBD in Sydney. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard MORE: $185m scandal engulfs China EV giants 'So we urge the authorities to do more on illegal e-bikes. We see it everyday when a rider is riding up hill, not pedalling and travelling more than 6km per hour.' Many riders are also turning to e-bike conversion kits, which allow them to retrofit a standard bicycle with an electric motor, battery, and control system. These kits are widely available online, and their power can exceed 1000 watts, reaching speeds well over 60 km/h. A leading industry body has reported a surge in these unregistered and high-powered e-bike models entering the Australian market. A food delivery rider riding through Sydney's CBD. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Electric micromobility devices, including e-bikes, are growing in popularity. Picture:NewsWire/ Monique Harmer MORE: Car boss' wild call to end Aus tax breaks The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both state and federal governments to urgently enforce existing national laws that regulate e-bikes, as growing numbers of unregistered, high-powered models are being used in commercial operations across Melbourne. 'The rules are already there under the Road Vehicle Standards Act. But they're being ignored by overseas sellers, by delivery platform operators, and increasingly by riders who use these bikes for commercial gain,' VACC CEO Peter Jones says. 'It's one thing to ride a compliant e-bike recreationally. 'But when you're using a 1000-watt machine all day in city traffic to deliver for a company, you're operating a commercial vehicle. That must come with legal responsibilities, just like it would for a van, a ute or a motorbike.' NSW authorities are also intensifying efforts to enforce safety laws against e-bike riders who have illegally modified or tampered with their bikes, according to The Daily Telegraph. NSW police conducted a month-long operation, during which they checked 305 e-bikes and fined 32 riders. They discovered that 28 bikes had been modified or adjusted to exceed the legal speed limits set by manufacturers. Operation Kilowatt has cracked down on e-bike riders in the Northern Beaches. Picture: Jeremy Piper Over the past year, high-visibility police operations have been conducted across New South Wales in areas such as the Sydney CBD, Sutherland Shire, Eastern Suburbs, and Byron Bay, resulting in hundreds of fines being issued to e-bike riders who breached regulations. Originally published as Zoomo calls for stricter regulations amid illegal e-bike domination
Herald Sun
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Herald Sun
Zoomo demands crackdown on illegal e-bike modifications across Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. A leading e-bike company is demanding urgent action from authorities as illegally modified bicycles surge in popularity across Australia. Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to navigate congested CBD streets faster than cars or scooters, making them an ideal choice for food delivery workers. James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MAY 10 2024. GENERIC. Economy, cost of living, budget. Food delivery rider in the CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers MORE: Dua Lipa's $1m flaunt stuns onlookers Unlike cars or motorcycles, e-bikes don't need to be registered or require a licence to ride, making them an efficient alternative provided they fall within certain power limits under Australian law. Gema Martínez Casanova, operations manager for populae e-bike brand Zoomo, says the proliferation of illegal e-bikes undermines legal e-bikes. 'It's quite frustrating because we try to create a really safe and reliable product for our customers,' she says. 'We understand e-bikes, there's a big increase in usage with e-bikes, and there are a lot of people who don't like them because they have this idea of e-bikes going 45 km/h on the pathway.' James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen In most states and territories, e-bikes are classified as 'pedal-assisted cycles' and must comply with the European Standard for Power-Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194). This standard typically limits the power from the electric motor to 250W and mandates that the motor stop propelling the bike when the speed reaches 25 km/h. Despite Zoomo's commitment to adhering to legal standards and ensuring customer safety, the situation is worsened by gig economy workers who seek faster delivery times and opt for bikes that can be modified to exceed legal limits. 'We can't do anything, because the customer wants to make more deliveries per hour, so of course they are going to go for a vehicle that goes faster,' Gema said. 'So not only do we have to compete by always trying to be better on our hardware and customer experience on a legal side, but also we have to be aware of the illegal bikes in the industry. 'We really respect the law, but we would like everyone to be applying the same rules. 'We create such a safe, reliable product, and we also employ a lot of people in Australia, but at the end of the day, we won't be able to compete. A general view of a food delivery bike rider during lunch hour in the CBD in Sydney. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard MORE: $185m scandal engulfs China EV giants 'So we urge the authorities to do more on illegal e-bikes. We see it everyday when a rider is riding up hill, not pedalling and travelling more than 6km per hour.' Many riders are also turning to e-bike conversion kits, which allow them to retrofit a standard bicycle with an electric motor, battery, and control system. These kits are widely available online, and their power can exceed 1000 watts, reaching speeds well over 60 km/h. A leading industry body has reported a surge in these unregistered and high-powered e-bike models entering the Australian market. A food delivery rider riding through Sydney's CBD. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Electric micromobility devices, including e-bikes, are growing in popularity. Picture:NewsWire/ Monique Harmer MORE: Car boss' wild call to end Aus tax breaks The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both state and federal governments to urgently enforce existing national laws that regulate e-bikes, as growing numbers of unregistered, high-powered models are being used in commercial operations across Melbourne. 'The rules are already there under the Road Vehicle Standards Act. But they're being ignored by overseas sellers, by delivery platform operators, and increasingly by riders who use these bikes for commercial gain,' VACC CEO Peter Jones says. 'It's one thing to ride a compliant e-bike recreationally. 'But when you're using a 1000-watt machine all day in city traffic to deliver for a company, you're operating a commercial vehicle. That must come with legal responsibilities, just like it would for a van, a ute or a motorbike.' NSW authorities are also intensifying efforts to enforce safety laws against e-bike riders who have illegally modified or tampered with their bikes, according to The Daily Telegraph. NSW police conducted a month-long operation, during which they checked 305 e-bikes and fined 32 riders. They discovered that 28 bikes had been modified or adjusted to exceed the legal speed limits set by manufacturers. Operation Kilowatt has cracked down on e-bike riders in the Northern Beaches. Picture: Jeremy Piper Over the past year, high-visibility police operations have been conducted across New South Wales in areas such as the Sydney CBD, Sutherland Shire, Eastern Suburbs, and Byron Bay, resulting in hundreds of fines being issued to e-bike riders who breached regulations. Originally published as Zoomo calls for stricter regulations amid illegal e-bike domination
