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Christian de Looper

Christian de Looper

Contributor

Christian de Looper is a long-time freelance writer who has covered every facet of the consumer tech and electric vehicle space over the past decade-plus. Christian's byline can be found in the largest and most influential consumer tech publications on the internet. He got his start covering mobile for Talk Android, then moving to a five-year stint as a mobile contributor at Digital Trends, covering new smartphones, the rise and rollout of 5G, and the many mergers and attempted telecom mergers that took place during that time. During that time, he also covered mobile technology for the likes of TechRadar, and began covering other areas of the consumer tech industry. Today, he covers automotive and electric vehicles for Digital Trends, including all the latest and greatest EVs and everything that happens in the EV industry. He also covers personal audio for PCMag, smart home and home theater for Tom's Guide, consumer tech reviews for BGR, and general consumer technology for Forbes Vetted, and tech design for Design Milk. Since 2012 when he first began writing about consumer technology, he has also appeared in publications like Lifewire, Mashable, US News & World Report, AP Buyline, and CNN Underscored. He’s attended all the biggest trade shows in the industry, including CES, MWC, and IFA, and personally reviewed all the biggest and most important gadgets over the past ten years.

Christian studied music production at a small music school in Minnesota, where he both learned how to produce music and discovered his passion for writing. In college, he found himself wanting a job, but couldn’t go to one in person without a car or a driver’s license — so he turned to online work. He soon started writing for small phone blogs (his first big gig was at Talk Android), building his byline over time.

Christian's lack of a driver's license wasn't because of a poor driving ability. He spent the first 14 years of his life in Canberra, Australia, where he spent hours on his PlayStation 2 and honing his drumming skills. After his father got a job in Paris, France, Christian spent the next five years of his life there, learning French and developing an interest in music production. In Paris, he graduated from high school, and with the U.S. citizenship that he got through his American mother, he soon moved to Minnesota to pursue a higher education in music technology. After college, Christian moved to Los Angeles but eventually settled in Santa Cruz, California, where he now lives with his wife, daughter, and cat. When he's not hanging out with his family or working, he can be found playing PlayStation or developing a new hobby (his latest is leather-working). Oh, and he's a pretty good driver now too.

Main screen of the Mini infotainment system

Mini’s infotainment system is very charming, but still needs work

Mini's new infotainment system brings a lot of charm, but while it's decently designed, it still needs work. Here's why.
Hyundai Ioniq 9 driving

Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs. Kia EV9: Electric SUV sisters battle it out

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is finally on the way, and we have an idea of what the production model will look like. But how will it compare with the Kia EV9?
Hyundai Ioniq 9 driving

Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs. Rivian R1S: Should you spend more?

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is set to be a great choice for those who want an affordable electric SUV, but how does it compete with the more expensive Rivian R1S?
Telo MT1 on the beach

This tiny electric truck could be the most affordable yet

Looking for an electric truck, but don't want to spend much? The tiny Telo MT1 could be the cheapest electric truck yet.
ChargePoint Home EV charger plugged into car.

When the grid died, these EV owners powered their homes with their cars

In an era of increasingly hard-hitting disasters, some people are turning to their EVs as a part of their recovery plan.
Infotainment system in the Lincoln Nautilus

The Lincoln Nautilus gives me hope for legacy automakers’ infotainment systems

The Lincoln Nautilus offers Ford's new approach to in-car infotainment — and it gives me hope that the legacy automakers could finally get it right.
Electrify America charging stations

These EVs come with the best free charging deals

EV manufacturers often offer great fast-charging deals — but not all of them. Which EV makers have the best offers?
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

If you’ve been planning on buying an EV, now might be the time

Planning on buying an EV? You may want to consider doing so sooner, as President-elect Donald Trump's team may be considering killing the EV tax credit.
Kia EV4 Front

Kia EV4: everything we know so far

Kia is set to release a few more cars in its EV lineup, including the Kia EV4, which was announced as a sedan, but has also been spotted as a hatchback.
Kia EV9 front exterior

Kia EV5: everything we know so far

Kia is expanding its much-loved lineup of electric cars -- and has gone as far as to launch the Kia EV5 in Australia.
White Kia EV3

Kia EV3: everything we know so far

Kia is expanding its series of electric vehicles, and has finally started rolling out its low-cost electric vehicle, the Kia EV3.
Scout Motors Terra truck front

Could extended range EVs be commonplace? Experts think so

Extended range EVs offer a gas-powered way to improve on electric vehicle range -- but could these EREVs become more common over time?
Scout Motors Traveler SUV in a forest

Scout Traveler SUV vs. Rivian R1S: modern electric SUVs compared

Scout Motors has unveiled the Traveler SUV, one of its two new electric vehicles, but how does that electric SUV compare with the Rivian R1S?
Scout Motors Terra driving front

Scout Terra vs. Tesla Cybertruck: retro and futuristic, head to head

The Scout Terra represents the relaunch of the Scout Motors brand, but how does it compare with the Tesla Cybertruck? We put the two head-to-head.
Scout Motors Terra truck front

What is an EREV? Hybrid electric vehicle tech explained

Scout Motors recently announced two new EREVs -- but what exactly is an EREV, and how does one differ from a traditional plug-in hybrid?
Scout Motors Terra truck front

Scout Motors Terra electric truck: everything we know

Scout Motors has been revived, and it has unveiled a new electric truck called the Scout Motors Terra. Here's everything we know so far.
Scout Motors Traveler SUV in a forest

Scout Motors Traveler SUV: everything we know so far

Another electric SUV is on the way. Volkswagen Group has announced that it's bringing back the Scout name for the new Scout Motors Traveler SUV.
Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Ride Elite automotive platforms

Qualcomm wants to power your next car with the Snapdragon Cockpit and Ride Elite platforms

Qualcomm is making deeper investments into the automotive industry through the new Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite platforms.
Tesla Cybercab at night

Are self-driving cars the death of car ownership?

Plenty of companies are investing in self-driving car tech, but if that tech becomes a reality, what does it mean for car ownership?
GMC Sierra EV

The 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali is $10K cheaper than the 2024 model

The 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali has been announced, and it's thankfully a whole lot cheaper than the 2024 model -- without sacrificing things like range.
Tesla Cybercab at night

Everything we know about the Tesla Cybercab

Tesla has finally unveiled the Tesla Cybercab, its vision for the future of autonomous driving. Here's everything we know about the new vehicle so far.
Charging a Chevy Blazer EV

Is DC fast charging really that bad for your EV’s battery? We asked the experts

There are plenty of recommendations about how you should charge your EV, like that you shouldn't DC fast charge often. But does doing so really have an impact?
A 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV RS charge port.

EV bidirectional charging: what it is and how to get it

Electric vehicles could soon be used as batteries to power your home and supply power to the grid. But why would you want that, and how can you make use of it?
ChargePoint Home EV charger plugged into car.

Which EVs come with the best free EV chargers?

Charging at home makes owning an EV a whole lot more convenient, and most EVs come with a free charger. But who offers the best free home charger?
Chevy Blazer EV on a street

2025 Chevrolet Blazer vs. 2024 Blazer: everything new this year

Chevrolet has launched the 2025 iteration of the Blazer EV. How does it stack up with the 2024 model, which was considered one of the best-value EVs?
Tesla's Cybertruck.

Ram 1500 REV vs. Tesla Cybertruck: premium trucks battle it out

The Tesla Cybertruck may make headlines for its crazy design, but it makes a case for itself in performance. How does it compare with the Ram 1500 REV?
Rivian R1S Gen 2.

Rivian R1S (2nd-generation) vs. Kia EV9: Should you pay more?

The second-generation Rivian R1S has a lot to offer, and many consider it to be the best electric SUV. How does it compare with the Kia EV9, which is cheaper?
Tesla Model 3 Highland Front

Norway has more EVs than gasoline cars on the road. Why?

According to new reports, Norway now has more electric vehicles on its road than gas-powered cars. But why is that, and what can the U.S. learn from it?
A Lucid Gravity electric SUV on the road.

Lucid Gravity: range, charging, price, release date, and more

Another top dog in the world of electric SUVs could be on the way. The Lucid Gravity has been announced, and is set to finally launch next year.
Ford F-150 Lightning

Ram 1500 REV vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Classic trucks go electric

Both the Ram 1500 REV and the Ford F-150 Lightning clearly have a lot to offer when it comes to electric trucks. But is one clearly better than the other?
Factorial solid-state battery

The state of solid-state batteries: We may be on the cusp of an EV revolution

Electric vehicles may finally be on the cusp of unlocking up to 1,000 miles of range and faster charging speeds, through solid-state battery tech.
ChargePoint Home EV charger plugged into car.

The best level 2 home EV chargers

Are you tired of your slow Level 1 home charging cord for your electric vehicle? Check out this list of the best Level 2 home EV chargers you can buy.
bmw i hydrogen next concept fuel cell vehicle 2019 frankfurt motor show

Battery EVs vs fuel-cell EVs: Could hydrogen power your next car?

While battery EVs have a huge lead, there are still plenty of proponents of hydrogen EVs, or fuel-cell EVs. Could FCEVs actually take over? Well, probably not.
Apple CarPlay installed in car.

Here’s everything new in CarPlay for iOS 18

iOS 18 is on the way, and it brings with it a series of great new features -- including plenty of improvements to CarPlay. Here's what's new.