The Electrify Expo, held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, celebrated its 5th year, aiming to educate consumers about electric vehicles (EVs). Showcasing various electric products, the event featured brands like BMW and Tesla. Founder B.J. Burtwell emphasizes dispelling common misconceptions about EVs, such as high costs, long charging times, and limited range. The Expo concludes its Orlando event on Sunday at 5 p.m., continuing to tour seven major cities throughout October. This event provides an opportunity for attendees to explore and learn about advancements in electric technology firsthand.

Volvo's new ES90 electric vehicle features an 800-volt battery system, offering a range of 435 miles and the ability to charge from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes. This technology places Volvo alongside other high-end manufacturers like Porsche and Tesla. The effectiveness of such fast charging relies on the availability of compatible infrastructure, which is expanding. CEO Jim Rowan highlights the ES90’s blend of advanced tech, design, and comfort. EVs contribute to reducing pollution and lowering ownership costs due to cheaper electricity. The community has positively received the ES90, praising its potential impact on future Volvo models, despite its undisclosed price.

General Motors has a long history in electric vehicles, predating Tesla with the EV1 in 1996 and the Chevy Volt in 2010. Today, GM offers the Equinox EV, an affordable compact SUV starting under $30,000 after tax credits, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and a 319-mile range. While it doesn't match Tesla's autonomy, its Super Cruise system provides capable highway assistance. The Equinox EV boasts a large infotainment screen, Google integration, and is built on GM’s Ultium platform, shared with other models like the Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq. Despite Tesla's competitive pricing with included Autopilot, the Equinox remains a solid choice for first-time EV buyers, offering a feature-rich package and becoming one of the most popular EVs in the U.S. with over 18,000 units sold in Q4 last year.