2023 Fisker Ocean One on 2040-cars

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Fisker abandons solid-state EV batteries

Henrik Fisker's eponymous electric car startup has abandoned plans to develop solid-state battery technology, citing its lack of near-term viability (among other complications) in an interview with The Verge.  Fisker said the company felt it was "90 percent there" on solid state tech, but that the final 10% proved too challenging given the constraints of current technology. He feels the move to solid state battery composition will require a significant breakthrough followed by years of development.  "I think personally, they’re at least seven years out, if not more, in terms of any sort of high-volume format," he said. "... once you have a breakthrough in that technology, you need probably three years to set up high-volume manufacturing, and then you need another three years to do durability testing. So even if somebody invented it today, it would be at least probably six years out." "[W]e have completely dropped solid-state batteries at this point in time because we just donÂ’t see it materializing," Fisker said. "Would we do something in the future? If we do, it would be something completely new, and we obviously have a battery team thatÂ’s looking at the current technology thatÂ’s here. But the solid-state battery that we worked on, that just doesn't have a future at this point in time in the near future." As to whether Fisker's abandonment of solid-state tech had anything to do with the company settling a lawsuit brought by QuantumScape, Fisker cited the settlement's non-disclosure clause and nothing more. Fisker has shied away from promoting solid state battery development since the introduction of its production-intent Ocean electric SUV, which is going to be produced in partnership with automotive supplier Magna.  Meanwhile, others in the industry remain committed to solid-state battery tech, at least for the time being. Toyota said just months ago that it intends to introduce a solid-state prototype some time in 2021, with production viability coming as soon as 2025. That would be sooner than Fisker predicted, but not outrageously so, and if anybody has the resources to rapidly develop next-generation automotive powertrains, it's Toyota.  Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Fisker Emotion | CES 2018

Fisker cancels roadside assistance service in the United States

Fisker is reportedly in talks with several companies about a potential take-over, but a deal hasn't been announced yet and its troubles aren't over. The brand has notified owners of the Ocean, its only production model, that it will no longer provide a roadside assistance service. "We have an important update regarding our Roadside Assistance services that we want to share with you. Despite our best efforts, we regret to announce that Fisker Roadside Assistance is no longer available," the brand wrote in an email sent to its customers in May 2024. Several owners posted a screenshot of the email on Reddit, and a spokesperson for Fisker confirmed that roadside assistance is no longer available in our market in a statement sent to website CarScoops. Roadside assistance has already been canned in markets across Europe. Details about the service still appear on Fisker's website. Roadside assistance was available in all 50 states, 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year. The plan was valid for six years or 60,000 miles after the sale date, whichever came first. It covered a wide range of problems including mechanical disablement, a loss of power, a flat tire, and a lockout. Crucially, the fine print notes that Fisker "reserves the right to revise or discontinue specific roadside assistance benefits at any time without notice or refund, reimbursement, or credit to the owner." Fisker's recent financial problems are well documented, but the company seemingly believes there's a light at the end of the tunnel. It added three stores to its American dealer network in May 2024: Newport Fisker in Orange County, Fisker of San Jose, and Belford Fisker in New Jersey. These outlets will initially help the brand liquidate its inventory of left-over 2023 cars, which received a big price cut earlier in 2024. However, Fisker reportedly sent its staff members an email warning of company-wide layoffs that could start on June 28, 2024. Green Fisker Electric

Fisker Ocean Extreme gets EPA-rated 360 miles on a charge

Two months ago, Fisker Inc. expected the U.S. EPA to declare that its dual-motor Ocean Extreme SUV possessed an estimated range rating of 350 miles. The verdict is in, with the government agency going even better by certifying the Ocean Extreme on the standard 20-inch wheels as able to go an estimated 360 miles on a charge. This version of the Ocean fits a 113-kWh battery and a dual-motor drivetrain making 550 horsepower. Fisker's press release touting the EPA result noted the Ocean "has the longest range of any new electric SUV under $200,000 sold in the United States today." That clunky specific is because Faraday Future attests that it's FF 91 SUV will go 381 miles on a charge with its 142-kWh battery.  After testing in Europe earlier this year, the Ocean Extreme on 20-inch wheels earned a range rating of 440 miles on the WLTP cycle. When tested on the optional 22-inch wheels, range only dropped to 436 miles. One hopes the same tiny difference will hold here. The automaker says it has received all of the necessary paperwork from the EPA, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to allow it to sell cars in every state and Washington, D.C. Each sale will also earn Fisker four Zero Emission Vehicle credits from CARB. The CEO said, "We plan to send out communications today to our first customers." With deliveries here commencing on schedule, all 5,000 examples of the Ocean One Launch Edition should meet their new owners by the end of September, around the same time the top-trim Ocean Extreme — the serial production version of the Ocean One Launch Edition without all the standard goodies — begins deliveries. Fisker expects to produce between 32,000 and 36,000 units in 2023, compared with its previous target of 42,400 cars. Some of those could be the Force E off-roading version that fits a stouter roof rack, new front and rear bumpers, tow hooks at both ends, and 33-inch tires on 20-inch wheels, plus optional grab handles, tiedowns, and rubber floors. If that happens, Henrik Fisker said the package can be retrofitted to the top two trims, the Ocean Extreme and Ocean Ultra.