Fisker announces new electric vehicle; Lime expands in L.A.; SpaceX tests Starship heat shields
L.A. Gears Up for More Scooters
Neutron Holdings Inc.’s Lime Scooters have received a permit to operate an additional 2,500 scooters in the City of L.A., the Business Journal reports. Lime currently manages 3,000 dockless e-scooters throughout the city, but the new expansion grants it access to the Downtown, Koreatown, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Echo Park and Hollywood areas of the city.
SpaceX Tests Starship Heat Shields
Hawthorne-based SpaceX is testing the heat shields on its Starship vehicle, designed for interplanetary travel. According to Engadget, the shields are being tested to withstand temperatures up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, roughly the temperature it would encounter when hurtling back to Earth. SpaceX’s main method of keeping the Starship cool involves installing microscopic pores on the exterior of the Starship that allow it to breathe, emitting methane and cooling liquid as the shuttle rushes to re-orbit Earth.
Move over, Musk — there’s a new electric sport utility vehicle in town, and it’s made by Newport Beach-based Fisker Automotive Inc. According to Socaltech, Fisker is promising to ship an electric SUV that costs less than $40,000 by “the second half of 2021.” The vehicle is expected to have an electric driving range of 300 miles and the firm is also working on a pricier, luxury model. Fisker Automotive was founded by Henrik Fisker in 2007, but sold in 2014 to Chinese firm Wanxiang Group to avoid bankruptcy after reportedly hemorrhaging $1.4 billion in investor and government funds. Tesla CEO Elon Musk introduced its Model Y electric SUV on March 14.
Tech reporter Samson Amore can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 556-8335. Follow him on Twitter @samsonamore
