Basketball Superstar Yao Ming Receives His NIO ES9

cleantechnica.com Aug 5, 2026

Basketball Superstar Yao Ming Receives His NIO ES9

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 5, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Basketball legend Yao Ming received delivery of a NIO ES9 on August 5, marking his entry into the Chinese electric‑luxury market. The former NBA star placed his order minutes after the model’s launch, but a two‑month wait delayed receipt, underscoring the high demand for NIO’s premium SUVs. The ES9, priced at 498,000 yuan (≈$73,777) or 390,000 yuan with a battery‑leasing plan, is part of NIO’s push toward 20,000 deliveries, with the 10,000th unit shipped on June 26. Waiting periods for the ES9’s top trims extend to 13‑14 weeks, while lower trims clear in three to four weeks, highlighting a tiered supply bottleneck as the brand scales.

💡 Why It Matters

· Yao Ming’s high‑profile adoption spotlights NIO’s brand cachet and intensifies scrutiny of its production capacity amid rapid growth.

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Waymo opens up robotaxi service in Dallas to everyone

Waymo has removed the waitlist for its robotaxi service in Dallas, allowing all residents and visitors to download the app and hail autonomous vehicles immediately. The move follows the company’s expansion across the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Riders cannot yet request rides to Dallas Love Field Airport, though testing continues there. Waymo’s Dallas fleet consists of all‑electric Jaguar I‑Pace vehicles managed by Avis Budget Group for depot operations, charging, and maintenance. The service had previously paused in May due to heavy rain and flooding concerns.

💡 By opening its Dallas robotaxi to the public, Waymo demonstrates the scalability of autonomous mobility in diverse urban environments, setting a benchmark for regulatory and operational readiness in major cities.

bringatrailer.com · Aug 5

19k-Mile 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo at No Reserve

A 19,000‑mile 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo, finished in Volcano Gray Metallic with black leather, is listed for auction with no reserve. The vehicle, originally delivered to Porsche Marin in Mill Valley, California, was acquired as a Certified Pre‑Owned in June 2020 and has since accumulated 18,000 miles. It features a twin‑turbo 2.9‑liter V6, seven‑speed PDK dual‑clutch transaxle, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, and a rear differential lock. Optional packages include Sport Chrono, SportDesign, and Premium Package Plus, adding launch control, a dash‑mounted chronograph, panoramic sunroof, and heated/ventilated seats. The listing includes a window sticker, owner’s manual, service records, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Utah title.

💡 The auction offers a rare opportunity to acquire a high‑performance, low‑mileage Porsche Macan Turbo without a reserve price, potentially attracting serious collectors and enthusiasts seeking a well‑equipped, certified pre‑owned model.

bgr.com · Aug 5

This New Satellite System Could Control Speeding Drivers Brakes – Here’s How

The European Commission is studying a satellite‑based system that would automatically reduce a vehicle’s speed when it exceeds the posted limit. New cars would carry a device that links to orbiting satellites, using GPS and 5G signals to pinpoint location and receive real‑time speed‑limit data. If a vehicle speeds, the system would intervene and slow the car until it complies, with a brief override option for emergency maneuvers. The proposal differs from the existing ISA, which only warns drivers. Approval could see deployment by 2030.

💡 By enforcing limits in real time, the system could curb speeding‑related crashes, offering a proactive safety layer beyond driver alerts.

cleantechnica.com · Aug 5

BYD Achieves Record Exports With 124% Growth

BYD reported a 20.5% rise in overall passenger‑vehicle sales and a 31% jump in battery‑electric vehicle (BEV) sales for the month, marking its second‑best BEV month on record. The company’s export volume reached 180,538 units in July, surpassing its previous peak of 175,349 set in June and representing a 123.6% increase over July 2025’s 80,737 deliveries. The July export figure also edged up 3% from June 2026. While domestic demand in China remains weak, the surge in overseas shipments is the primary driver of BYD’s growth, and analysts expect the export trajectory to continue as the firm expands its international distribution network.

💡 BYD’s export boom shows the Chinese automaker can offset a sluggish home market by rapidly scaling overseas, reshaping global EV supply dynamics.

interestingengineering.com · Aug 5

High energy density lithium metal battery pack to power 1850-pound evtol aircraft

Boston‑based SES AI has signed a framework agreement with Doroni Aerospace to design high‑energy‑density lithium‑metal battery packs for Doroni’s H1‑X personal eVTOL aircraft. The deal, valued up to $1.09 million with an initial $65,000 commitment, will unfold in multiple phases during 2026‑27, supplying batteries for the H1‑X’s ground and flight‑test program slated to start in 2027. SES AI will employ its Molecular Universe AI platform to produce cells targeting roughly 400 Wh/kg, incorporating safety‑validated designs and health‑monitoring technology. The H1‑X is a two‑seat, 1,850‑pound aircraft capable of 100‑mile range, 120 mph top speed, and 25‑minute charging, relying entirely on battery performance for lift and cruise. Options exist to expand the partnership into serial production.

💡 Demonstrating viable lithium‑metal packs at near‑400 Wh/kg could set a new benchmark for eVTOL endurance, accelerating the shift toward electric urban air mobility.

cleantechnica.com · Aug 5

BYD Commercial Vehicle Sales Jumped 149% in July

BYD reported that its total commercial electric‑vehicle sales reached 8,139 units in July 2026, a 31.7% increase from June and a 149.2% rise year‑over‑year. The figure combines 620 electric buses, which grew 90.8% month‑over‑month but only 1.6% compared with July 2025, and 7,519 non‑bus commercial vehicles, up 28.4% from June and 183.1% from July 2025. The surge pushes BYD’s overall commercial EV volume to more than double the same month last year, underscoring rapid adoption of its electric platform across fleets. The data were released as part of a series tracking BYD’s monthly sales, and the company highlighted the expanding presence of its buses in markets such as London. Analysts note the growth reflects government incentives and expanding charging infrastructure.

💡 The jump propels BYD to the forefront of global fleet electrification, forcing operators to consider its platform as the default choice for large‑scale EV deployment.