This article was originally published by Martin Banks on Clean Fleet Report , a publication that gives its readers the information they need to move to cars and trucks with best fuel economy, including electric cars, fuel cells, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and advanced diesel and gasoline engines.

The most exciting thing to happen to the Corvette brand was the introduction of the C8 Corvette that rolled off the assembly line in 2019 for the 2020 model year. The mid-engine design was the first of its kind in Corvette history, and we couldn’t get enough of it.

Moving into the 2021 model year, Chevrolet might have another surprise in store for us — an electric C8 Corvette. So, what do we know about the electric C8, and when can we get our hands on one?

While the idea of an electric C8 Corvette is exciting, Chevy isn’t going to jump into the electric sportscar race with both feet quite yet. Instead, it looks like the next step up this ladder is a Corvette ZR1 Hybrid , which is rumored to hit the streets in time for the 2023 model year.

We’re expecting to see more than 900 horsepower from this gas-electric hybrid once it finally rolls off the assembly line. Spycams have caught footage of some form of Corvette on the test tracks, but it doesn’t appear to be the ZR1 that we’re so excited for—primarily because the lack of drive axle nuts on the front wheels means it’s not AWD like the ZR1 Hybrid is reported to be.

With a hybrid Corvette on the horizon, what does that mean for the potential for an electric C8 ‘Vette? Right now, everything we’re seeing is rumors. But in the automotive industry, that doesn’t mean much. The C8 mid-engine Corvette was just a rumor a couple of years ago, and now you can bring one home if the mood strikes.

Right now, industry experts believe that an electric C8 is possible, but we’ll probably have to take baby steps, meaning we’ll probably see a hybrid before they make the transition to a fully electric vehicle.

This isn’t a bad thing. It means Chevy will have plenty of time to perfect its electric supercar technology before they roll it out in something as iconic as the Corvette.

It will be a while before we can bring home either a hybrid C8 Corvette or a fully electric supercar. Right now, experts are looking at 2023 as the first potential date for one of these new models to roll off the assembly line.

We’ll likely know more in the coming years, as more information emerges. We can speculate, but until we get an official announcement from Chevy, all we have is spycam footage and guesswork.

SHIFT is brought to you by Polestar. It’s time to accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility. That is why Polestar combines electric driving with cutting-edge design and thrilling performance. Find out how .

Here’s why investment in ebikes is booming

In case you’ve been sleeping under a rock or hiding in your car, I’m here to share the news – ebike investments are booming. Just yesterday, Rad Power announced a $154M funding round, bringing their funds raised this year to over $300M.

But what’s driving the investment boom? Why are ebikes so hot right now? What makes a company a good investment, and how does the market differ from Europe vs the US?

I sat down with Clement Pointillart, Executive Director of growth-equity fund Verlinvest , and Bailey Morrow, Director of consumer and frontier tech at Silicon Valley Bank , to find out what’s really happening in the world of ebike investment behind the headlines.

Notable ebike investments in 2021

February: Super73 (Netherlands) raised $20M

February: Rad Power (US) raised $150M

March Rebike (Germany) an ebike reseller company, raised $10M

April: Dott (Netherlands) micromobility raised $80M to roll out ebikes

June: Vässla (Sweden) raised $11M

September: Dance (Germany) raised $16.5M

September: VanMoof (Netherlands) raised $128M

October: Rad Power (US) bikes raised $154M

And it’s not only ebikes for purchase by consumers raising money.

March: Lime (US) micromobility raised $50M

October: Tier micromobility (Germany) raised $ 200M

What’s driven the massive uptick in ebike investment?

Both Pointillart and Morrow attribute the mammoth increase in ebike investments to several factors:

COVID-19 got people back on their bikes to reduce their time spent on public transport. Cities made cycling safer: London introduced temporary cycling lanes , and New York limited seven miles of streets to pedestrians and cyclists .

Pointillart asserts:

Legislative and infrastructural changes in the US mean that ebikes are no longer classified as motor vehicles, and can therefore be ridden on the road. In February, an E-BIKE act introduced a 30% US federal tax credit for electric bicycle purchases .

Pointillart also sees a trend of ebike purchases or subsidized by employers to aid employee retention.

Both agree that battery innovation has also driven the acceleration of interest in ebikes, with batteries faster to charge, stronger, lighter, and longer-lasting than ever before.

— Companies like Cowboy are leading the charge for fast long-life batteries.

Changes in consumer behavior are also responsible for ebike investments. According to Morrow, there’s a significant millennial trend where “the next generation of consumers are buying fewer cars and have less desire to own big purchases like houses. They prioritize sustainability as a lifestyle choice.”

What’s the reason for all the investment in direct-to-consumer ebikes over micromobility?

While micromobility continues to attract funding, the direct-to-consumer market has several upsides.

Morrow asserts:

With micromobility , you’re not tied to a brand. It’s about whatever is closest to you and convenient. There’s no brand loyalty. With a VanMoof or a Cowboy, you are building brand loyalty.

Further, there is a much higher margin from a standalone purchase of ebikes. Micromobility ebikes also have problems with a decrease in lifetime value and low resale value.

Morrow also notes that investing in consumer bikes takes out the political challenge of working with local governments that that can take away your city operating permit for various reasons, like bikes incorrectly parked and bike rider behavior.

What kinds of factors make investors put their money towards one ebike company over another?

I asked Pointillart what makes an investor choose a brand. He explained:

He gave the example of companies offering group bike tours every weekend to build a community around their brands. “Creating community creates a feeling of belonging, that will create stickiness, and will create positive word of mouth.”

The importance of localization in the direct-to-consumer market

According to Morrow, your local market is critical:

Pointillart believes:

America remains the holy grail for ebike investors

Expansion to the US is the next step for many ebike companies. Morrow explains:

She notes VanMoof’s intention to ship 10 million bikes and believes:

Investor interest in ebikes shows no sign of waning. It’s a highly competitive market and it will be interesting to see how brands use their funds for R&D and to cement brand loyalty. Additionally,  I think we can expect to see a substantial amount of M&A activity in the first half of 2022.

Real Musk fanboys travel to their funeral in a Tesla hearse

At SHIFT, we get up close and personal with many Tesla fans. For most, it’s an all-encompassing passion where their car and “The Cult of Tesla” play a big part in their life.

But, as we all know, life inevitably comes to an end. But fortunately, Tesla fans in the UK can take their passion beyond the mortal coil by traveling to their funeral in a Tesla electric hearse.

This week, Co-Op Fundercare, UK’s largest funeral provider, launched its first Tesla electric hearse to serve environmentally-conscious communities in London.

The company will also be adding two Nissan electric hearses to its electric fleet. The cars are adapted from the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf passenger vehicle equivalents. The hearses’ exterior structures are made from recycled composite materials,  enhancing their sustainability credentials.

Even better, electric vehicle charging points are becoming a standard feature across all new Co-op Funeralcare centers — a handy spot to charge your EV!

It’s not the first time we’ve combined the words Tesla and funeral. Earlier this year, we brought you the opportunity to buy your very own Tesla Model S hearse for a mere $200,000.

Why not branch out from Tesla to other Elon Musk industries?

For true Elon Musk fans, you can take your dedication beyond the world. A few years back, memorial spaceflight startup Elysium Space could get you a ride (well, your ashes) on a SpaceX rocket for a mere $2,490 per person.

So, the average funeral costs around $8,000. But, the cost of cremation is less than $3,000 making it combined with a space flight practically a bargain — definitely, one way to go out with a bang.

And, if we take a leaf from Elon’s other business interests, why not get Neuralink involved? Imagine a future where your cloud-based brain powers Tesla auto functions autonomously?

Or your voice powers the voice feedback in the infotainment system? Or, your brain waves uploaded and now controlling a Tesla hearse autonomously as it takes you to your very own funeral? That’d be very cool.

Then, take a look at Tesla fan, Jeremy Judkins. He wants to be “put into a Gigapress and stamped into a Tesla” or, at a minimum, “stamped into the charge port area/trunk. Really, if you look at it like that, the options are limitless …

On a budget? Don’t worry, there’s always the option to turn your ashes into a vinyl record that plays your song of choice. Surely, it would have to be The Elon Musk song ?