EVs at the Super Bowl, Camping Still Going Strong, Yosemite’s Firefall Returns, and Other News

Here’s what you might have missed this week in outdoors, innovation, and EV news.

Did You Catch the EV Commercials During the Super Bowl? 

The 2024 Super Bowl aired yesterday, with the Kansas City Chiefs coming out on top. Whether you tuned in for the national anthem, the commercials, the halftime show, or the big game itself, you likely saw another winner in addition to the Chiefs: electric vehicles. Manufacturers such as BMW, Wolkswagen, and Kia all spent big to promote their all-electric offerings. 

Read More (via Electrek)

It’s Firefall Season in Yosemite: Here’s How to Catch It

Each year in February, a popular phenomenon lights up Yosemite National Park in California. When the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall at a specific angle, it creates a striking visual: It looks like the waterfall is on fire. This “firefall” is estimated to be visible on clear evenings between February 10 and 25 this year, with prime viewing February 19 to 24—but if you’re planning to go on a weekend, make sure to get reservations in advance.   

Read More (via AFAR)

RV Sales Are Slowing—But Camping Is Still Going Strong

RV sales saw a huge boom during the Covid-19 pandemic, with a nearly 40 percent increase in shipments between 2020 and 2021. According to Montana’s Q2 News, sales are now starting to come back to pre-pandemic levels—but that doesn’t mean camping is slowing down. “People are getting out and using their RVS more, because now they have them,” says Diane Eichler, Senior Vice President of Marketing at KOA.

Read More (via Q2 News)

Lightship Secures Major Funding for Its Electric Trailer

Electric RV startup Lightship has made headlines in the past year with its eye-catching, aerodynamic L1 trailer, promoting itself as the first all-electric RV manufacturer. With a fresh $34 million series B financing, the company is ready to accelerate production of the trailer and realize its “bold vision for the future of recreational travel.” We can’t wait to see what’s next for this exciting company. 

Read More (via PR Newswire)

KOA’s New Chatbot Can Help You Plan Your Next Camping Trip

AI has arrived and, by all accounts, it’s here to stay. Kampgrounds of America (KOA) is the latest outdoor industry company to join the trend, announcing an AI-powered chatbot that can help you answer questions, find campgrounds, plan trips, and even provide recipes and recommendations. 

Read More (from Woodall’s Campground Magazine)

EV Sales Reach 8 Percent of New Vehicle Market

S&P Global Mobility predicts that EVs will make up 8 percent of the total new vehicle market in the U.S. this month, which is not a notable increase compared to the previous month. You may have seen recent reports on how EV sales are slowing, but analysts are still predicting a steady market growth. According to Bloomberg, EVs could reach a 13 percent market share in 2024, trailing Europe, where EVs already make up 16 percent of new vehicle sales. 

Read More (from Green Car Reports)

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