RollAway aims to be Cruise America for EV era

While many Americans aspire to own an RV, renting from companies like Cruise America is also a popular option. Now a Silicon Valley startup aims to offer an electric alternative. RollAway broke cover in 2023, announcing plans to rent out a fleet of electric RVs based on General Motors BrightDrop vans. It’s now accepting online…

Audi Q5 and A7 PHEV recalled due to fire concerns

Audi is recalling 4,616 plug-in hybrids because of a battery issue that could lead to fires. The recall includes certain 2022 and 2023 Audi Q5 plug-in hybrid crossovers, as well as 2022 Audi A7 plug-in hybrid hatchbacks. These vehicles may have defective battery modules that could overheat, presenting a fire risk, according to the National…

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV rethinks regen braking

The 2026 Mercedes CLA EV gets true one-pedal driving Mercedes put a focus on efficiency and energy recuperation with the CLA EV Mercedes hasn’t said how much the 2026 CLA EV will cost; it debuts in 2025 Up until now, many automakers have chosen to dial back regenerative braking in EVs because of concerns over…

Mercedes-Benz electric van concept coming in spring 2025

Mercedes-Benz will preview its Van.EA electric van architecture with a concept vehicle this spring. The automaker confirmed plans for the van concept Friday, releasing a teaser image indicating that, despite its dedicated EV platform, the concept and the next-generation electric vans it heralds will look like exactly what they are. Van.EA will be the first…

Electric BMW M3 teased, likely has 4-motor powertrain

 BMW M on Wednesday released images of a prototype of what is probably its upcoming electric M3 sports sedan. Posted to the performance division’s official Instagram page, the photos show a camouflaged sedan with the same exaggerated wheel arches as the prototype BMW M has been using to test a four-motor layout for future performance…

EV batteries could last longer with varied charging, use patterns

New electric vehicle battery chemistries and configurations are constantly under development, but a new study highlights the importance of testing them under realistic conditions. Published in the journal Nature Energy by researchers from Stanford University and the Energy Department’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and first spotted by Electrek, the study follows up on research into battery…

What didn’t make the cut

Earlier this week we named five Green Car Reports Best Car To Buy 2025 finalists.  The Chevrolet Equinox EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, Porsche Macan Electric, Rivian R1S, and Volkswagen ID.Buzz all made it to the final round.  One of these will earn the annual distinction, and over the next week we’ll take a deeper look…

2025 Lucid Gravity reshapes SUV universe

Lucid Gravity follows efficiency approach of Air sedan 450 miles of EPA range, 3.4-sec. 0-60 mph, available third row Grand Touring arriving soon, Touring coming later in 2025 Something felt amiss as I hustled this prototype 2025 Lucid Gravity around cloverleaf ramps near Lucid’s California Bay Area headquarters last week. I’d flown around faster than…

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Universal plug-and-charge coming to all EVs starting in 2025

A consortium of stakeholders aims to roll out a universal plug-and-charge protocol for the U.S. in 2025, allowing all electric vehicles to automatically start charging at public stations simply by plugging in. Announced Wednesday, the initiative is being undertaken by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the federal government’s Joint Office of Energy and Transportation,…

Kit promises “nimble” 150-mile electric MX-5 Miata

Offers better power-to-weight ratio, only 220 pounds more than original Miata Required creative use of space to accommodate 42 kwh—and 150-mile range Electrogenic claims conversion is fully reversible Electrogenic has launched an electric conversion kit for the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which the U.K.-based company claims will preserve the sports car’s nimble handling traits. In a…

Stellantis aims to halve EV battery cost by 2030 with lithium-sulfur

Stellantis on Thursday announced an agreement with Texas-based Zeta Energy to develop lithium-sulfur batteries that could significantly reduce cost and pack weight, while boosting charging speed. The automaker and Zeta Energy claim lithium-sulfur chemistry can deliver comparable volumetric energy density to current lithium-ion battery cells, but at less than half the price per kwh. Sulfur…

Trump tariffs would make vehicles more expensive, EV or not

Tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico could add $2,100 for U.S.-assembled vehicles Mexico-made pickup trucks might cost $8,000-$10,000 more Proposed tariffs could also drive up the cost for EVs like $35k Chevy Equinox EV The incoming Trump administration’s proposed 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico could hit the Detroit Three automakers hard,…

Nissan Ariya getting Tesla Supercharger access Dec. 10

Nissan Ariya owners will be able to charge their electric vehicles at Tesla Supercharger stations starting Dec. 10, the automaker announced Wednesday. Nissan plans to fit new EVs sold in the U.S. with North American Charging Standard (NACS) ports starting in 2025, but existing vehicles will be able to charge at Supercharger stations using a…

Hybrids as reliable as non-hybrids, Consumer Reports finds

Hybrids continue to excel in reliability, while plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles are improving, according to a new Consumer Reports survey. The publication’s 2025 Automotive Report Card showed the same rate of problems for hybrids as non-hybrids, based on reliability and owner satisfaction data from Consumer Reports’s member surveys. “Today’s hybrids deliver reliability that is…

Next-gen Lexus EV reportedly delayed

Lexus is delaying production of its next-generation electric flagship, reports Japanese media outlet NHK. Previewed by the Lexus LF-ZL concept first seen at the 2023 Tokyo auto show, this model was originally slated to launch in 2026 but will now arrive in 2027, allowing time for more development work, according to the report. The LF-ZL…

2026 BMW iX bridges the Neue Klasse EV current

Refreshed iX electric crossover gets 10% more efficient 2026 iX will have three new model designations BMW refined the suspension tuning If you’ve been following EVs, then BMW’s Neue Klasse (noo-ay class-eh) should sound familiar. Even though the “new class” sounds as French as it does German to this anglophone, BMW uses it to classify…

2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV shakes like V-8 Hellcat

Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust was developed to get V-8 sensory experience into EVs All 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EVs will include it Hardware and energy use is similar to subwoofer, generates V-8 sound and vibes Paradoxically, to get a new Dodge muscle car with the signature V-8 sound, you’ll need to go with the EV.  The…

VW has no plans for 2-speed transmissions in EVs

VW sees no need for multi-speed transmissions in EVs It tested a manual transmission for performance EVs More efficient EVs might be more expensive, VW says It seems Volkswagen won’t be following Porsche or Mercedes-Benz into the arena of multi-speed transmissions for EVs. On Thursday at the 2024 Los Angeles auto show Kai Grünitz, head of…

Kia EV6 recalled for loss of drive power

Kia is recalling 62,872 EV6 electric vehicles because onboard charging control units could become damaged and trigger a reduced-power driving mode. The recall covers 2022-2024 models, which have integrated charging control units that may become damaged by certain electrical loads, preventing them from charging the vehicles’ 12-volt batteries, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety…

Fisker Ocean recalled for roll away issue

With Fisker Group still in bankruptcy, the Fisker Ocean electric SUV is the subject of yet another recall, this time for a fault that could cause vehicles to roll away. The recall encompasses 7,745 vehicles, representing all 2023 and 2024 Oceans produced for the U.S., according to a disclosure on Monday from the National Highway…

2025 Audi E-Tron GT gets an $18,800 price hike

The revamped 2025 Audi E-Tron GT range receives performance improvements, bigger battery packs, and a simplified lineup, along with a $126,795 starting price that makes the entry point for this model $18,800 higher than it was with the outgoing 2024 model. That higher 2025 price, which includes the mandatory $1,295 destination charge, buys the new…

Jaguar buying back nearly 3,000 I-Pace EVs over fire risk

JLR will buy back 2,760 2019 Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs due to a fire risk that the automaker and safety regulators have determined has not been adequately addressed in previous recalls. These vehicles—from the first model year of Jaguar’s sole EV—were included in multiple recalls to address the potential for overheating battery packs, the most…

Porsche might develop gas and hybrid versions of its EVs

Porsche will continue developing internal-combustion engines longer than planned, including potentially adding hybrid variants to some planned all-electric models, CFO Lutz Meschke said during a Q&A session with Automotive News and other media on the automaker’s third-quarter financial results. Porsche previously said that it expected 50% of its global sales to be electric vehicles and…

California will give $7,500 rebates if Trump kills EV tax credit

California will provide its residents with $7,500 rebates for electric vehicles if the incoming Trump administration eliminates the federal EV tax credit, Governor Gavin Newsom declared Monday. Trump’s transition team has indicated that killing the federal EV tax credit is a priority, as it’s viewed as an easy target in a likely Republican-controlled Congress and…

Honda’s ready to build prototype solid-state batteries for EVs

Honda on Thursday unveiled what it calls a demonstration production line for solid-state batteries, with aims to commercialize the technology later this decade. Located in Sakura City, in Japan’s Tochigi Prefecture, the 295,000-square-foot facility is intended to establish the process for eventual mass production, as well as determine costs and some final cell specifications, Honda said.…

Northvolt battery maker files for bankruptcy

Swedish battery firm Northvolt filed for U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday, with CEO Peter Carlsson stepping down the following day. Northvolt needs to raise between $1 billion and $1.2 billion to restore itself to full operations, Carlsson told Reuters and other media Friday. On Thursday, the company said it only had enough cash to…

Mercedes developing solar paint for EVs

Mercedes-Benz is developing a solar coating for EVs In ideal conditions it could provide many miles of additional EV range per day Mercedes wouldn’t say how the solar paint would be applied to a car Mercedes-Benz is trying to come up with any and all new ways to increase efficiency, which it believes is the…

Mercedes tech may enable EV batteries with mixed cell types

Mercedes-Benz has its eyes on solid-state batteries with its partnership with Factorial for battery cells, but the automaker’s already thinking one step beyond that. In the future, Mercedes envisions mixed battery packs with different types of cells all wired in parallel rather than today’s series arrangement. The enabling factor to this is a new micro-converter…

Jaguar EV concept teased ahead of Dec. 2 debut

Jaguar will unveil a concept car previewing the look of its future electric vehicles on Dec. 2, during Miami Art Week. The automaker released a teaser image of the concept, called the Design Vision concept, on Wednesday, showing a bulging rear fender, but also some more angular elements that appear to be a departure from…

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 smooths the electric SUV form

Ioniq 9 will seat up to seven, has fully reclining first and second Aims for 335 miles of range, 24-minute 10-80% fast-charging Capable of downloadable Features on Demand, energy sharing Hyundai’s upcoming three-row EV, the 2026 Ioniq 9, may get closer than any contemporary vehicle to straddling the boundaries between SUV, wagon, and minivan. Although…

Electric Ram REV delayed to first half of 2025

Stellantis is delaying the start of production of the Ram 1500 REV electric pickup truck to the first half of 2025, Reuters reports. Production was originally scheduled to start before the end of this year, making the REV a 2025 model, but is being pushed back to ensure quality, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said on…

Stellantis details 690-mile range for STLA Frame platform

STLA Frame platform can handle electric, range-extended electric, hybrid, and ICE powertrains Towing capacity maxes out at 14,000 pounds, which exceeds rivals by 4,000 pounds Stellantis again confirmed Ram 1500 REV electric truck will have up to 500 miles of range On Tuesday, Stellantis filled in some further info about the STLA Frame platform that…

2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali multitasks to the max

Sierra EV Denali stands out with a GM-estimated 460 miles Midgate setup allows flexibility for items nearing 11-feet long Versatility from air suspension, rear-wheel steering, Super Cruise “I’ve been on that route, and it’s not a route for a full-size pickup—let alone one weighing nearly 9,000 pounds.” That was what I noted, partly in disbelief,…

Green Car Reports expanding email newsletter

Green Car Reports’ email newsletter is shifting to a new afternoon delivery schedule, while we add new coverage in the mornings to your inbox. In order to provide more timely news at more convenient times, Green Car Reports’ daily email newsletter will be split into two starting next week. The current daily headlines newsletter that arrives…

EV battery prices to drop by 50% by 2026

EV battery prices have been falling, and they could decline even more steeply over the next two years, according to a new Goldman Sachs report. On the pack level, global average battery prices declined from $153 per kwh in 2022 to $149 in 2023, according to the report, which predicts that they’ll continue dropping to…

Which electric cars have the most range?

For 2025, dozens of EV variants top 300 miles of range The top-ten list contains pickups, SUVs, crossovers, sedans, and a hatchback Standouts like Lucid Air and Hyundai Ioniq 6 manage market-leading range without huge battery packs Less than a decade ago, 300 miles seemed like the holy grail for EV driving range. Now, even…

Next-gen Jaguar EV prototype teased

Jaguar has finally provided a glimpse of the first of what the automaker claims will be a full lineup of electric vehicles. The automaker on Thursday showed a heavily camouflaged of a four-door grand tourer, sporting an exaggerated hood and fastback-like profile—likely with a liftgate rather than a trunklid at the rear. It will be…

Future Stellantis EVs might flex 800V at 400V Superchargers

Patent enables higher charge rates from lower-voltage DC fast chargers Solution adds a series of relay switches and a capacitor It’s a smart workaround for Tesla V3 Superchargers, which can’t charge at 800 volts Stellantis is working on hardware to boost the output of low-power DC fast-chargers for electric vehicles that can handle that extra…

2025 Polestar 3 gets less expensive, longer range RWD model

The 2025 Polestar 3 just got cheaper with the addition of a single-motor, rear-wheel drive model to the lineup. Now live on Polestar’s configurator, the rear-wheel drive powertrain drops the 3’s base price to $68,900 with a $1,400 destination charge. That’s down from $74,800 previously, when only a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup was available. 2025…

2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid may not be moving enough

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid gets its 38-mpg powertrain from Toyota Styling and packaging is mostly unchanged, price is $2,550 to $3,400 more than non-hybrid Lacks much of the engaging, responsive driving experience that’s distinguished Mazda Among mainstream, gasoline-fueled vehicles, with only a few exceptions, our advice to most shoppers is simple: If there’s a hybrid, get…

Karma Invictus positioned as Revero performance variant

The Invictus is a limited-edition performance version of the Karma Revero PHEV Only 30 units of the Invictus will be built at a later, unannounced, date Karma hasn’t said how much the Invictus costs Karma Automotive this week unveiled yet another update of the long-lived Revero plug-in hybrid. The Karma Invictus is a more performance-focused…

Tesla Model S Plaid reports for police duty

The next Tesla to become a cop car is the Model S Plaid UP.FIT, a division of Unplugged Performance created the police package for the Model S UP.FIT has also made a police-spec Cybertruck Unplugged Performance is displaying a new Tesla police car from its UP.FIT division at the 2024 SEMA show in Las Vegas.…

Electric Mazda SUV arriving in 2027, CX-5 hybrid under development

Mazda on Thursday provided an update on its powertrain development efforts, which will emphasize bringing more development work on all-electric and hybrid powertrains in-house going forward. After launching the low-range MX-30 crossover, which has already been discontinued in the U.S., with all-electric and range-extended powertrains, Mazda has leaned on partners for electrification. A hybrid version…

Honda previews first electric performance motorcycle

Honda on Tuesday unveiled a performance electric motorcycle concept as part of what the company says will be an ongoing emphasis on two-wheeled electrification. Previewing a production model scheduled to go on sale in 2025, the Honda EV Fun concept aims to “provide a new emotional experience that is very different to ICE motorcycles,” according…

Rivian R2 will get Arizona-made batteries from LG

Batteries bound for U.S. Rivian R2 models will come from Arizona LG will supply Rivian with 67 gigawatt-hours over five years 4695 format is set to be shared with R3, R3X Next-generation cylindrical battery cells for the Rivian R2 SUV will come from LG Energy Solution and its Arizona plant, the battery supplier and U.S.…

Politics may be weighing less on EV interest, despite election

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election reaches its conclusion, politics may be playing less of a role in EV interest, data from research firm AutoPacific shows. AutoPacific’s EV Consumer Insights Study from June 2024—when election rhetoric was already charged—surveyed 12,000 Americans, including a mix of electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid owners, non-owners with interest in…

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQE electric SUV costs $79,050

Base prices for EQE SUV lineup carry forward unchanged EQE SUV continues with CCS charge port, amid shift to Tesla NACS Base model is priced for the EV tax credit (purchase), but it appears not to qualify Mercedes-Benz continues to offer its EQE electric vehicle in both sedan and SUV body styles, with the latter…

Second EV phase begins around 2027, third around 2035

As the automaker prepares to launch its first all-electric models, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser believes electric vehicles are about to undergo rapid change. The auto industry is now coming to the end of the first phase of EV development, Walliser said in a recent interview with Autocar. The second phase, which Walliser expects to begin…

Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX fall short in crash tests

The 2024 Acura ZDX and 2024 Honda Prologue electric SUVs have failed to earn safety awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The two electric vehicles performed well in multiple tests, but came up short in the small overlap front test, earning only an “Acceptable” rating, the IIHS said Thursday in a press…

Polestar delivers brand’s first EVs not made in China

Polestar on Friday confirmed its first customer deliveries of U.S.-built electric vehicles. Every Polestar model to date has been manufactured in China, but the 2025 Polestar 3 is assembled at a South Carolina plant shared with Volvo. Production started there in August following software-related delays. First U.S. Polestar 3 deliveries The Polestar 3 is a…

Ford adds NACS adapter supplier due to slow Tesla supply chain

Ford is now shipping a new North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapter to customers to help provide access to Tesla Supercharger stations more quickly. First reported by InsideEVs, the new NACS adapter comes from Lectron, and will be distributed alongside the existing design from Tesla. They have the same specifications as the Tesla-provided adapters, with…

Aptera finally built a production-intent working 3-wheel EV

Aptera on Wednesday announced that it had completed a working production-intent version of its high-efficiency, three-wheel solar EV. This vehicle, the first in a series, is the first to combine a production-spec powertrain and carbon-fiber body with Aptera’s in-house designed software and battery pack, according to a company press release. Aptera production-intent vehicle Solar hardware, a production-intent…

Hyundai Ioniq 9 3-row EV SUV teased, debuts in Nov

Hyundai on Wednesday released the first teaser for the Ioniq 9, a three-row electric SUV the automaker will unveil in November. Judging by the teaser images, the Ioniq 9 will have the upright profile of a traditional SUV, albeit with a raked-back roofline that’s likely a concession to aerodynamics. It will be based on the…

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQE gets more range, bigger battery

Certain 2025 Mercedes EQEs get a larger 96.0-kwh battery Mercedes updated the EQE’s regenerative brake system software for 2025 The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQE costs $79,050 The Mercedes-Benz EQE electric sedan gets a handful of updates for the 2025 model year, including a bigger battery pack for certain models. The EQE 350+ and EQE 500 4Matic…

Over half of US EV and PHEV sales in 2023 were SUVs

SUVs were 53% of EV and 83% of PHEV sales in 2023 They’re heavier and less aerodynamic—thus less efficient—than cars Broadly, SUVs emit 20% more CO2 than cars regardless of powertrain Reflecting overall industry trends, most electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids sold in the U.S. in 2023 were SUVs, according to the Department of Energy…

Scout Terra vs. Rivian R1T: Comparing electric trucks

The Scout Terra electric truck has the Rivian R1T in its sights, along with a bevy of other electric pickups. Said to enter production in 2027, the Scout Terra will be an off-road, adventure-ready electric truck that cribs from Rivian’s playbook. Although billed as a production-intent concept that’s 85% of what will be made in…

Stellantis to test solid-state batteries in Dodge Charger Daytona EVs

Stellantis will test solid-state battery cells from Massachusetts-based Factorial in a fleet of Dodge Charger Daytona electric vehicles starting in 2026, the two companies announced Wednesday. The test fleet “will enable the validation of Factorial’s technology and assessment of its performance in real-world driving conditions,” the companies said. It will also help Stellantis gauge whether Factorial’s…

2025 Kia EV9 carries on with $700 price increase

Kia’s EV9 three-row electric SUV carries over into its second model year essentially unchanged, but with a $700 price increase for the Light Long Range model. Pricing for the 2025 Kia EV9 starts at $56,225 (with the mandatory $1,325 destination charge added in) for the Light Standard Range, the only model with the smaller 76.1-kwh…

California police call EVs “nearly unusable”

California police forces see the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y as too tight for police duty There’s no official Tesla police package, and few other EV options Police-duty F-150 Lightning pickups have been better received—and other patrol EVs are on the way Tesla electric cars have convinced many civilians to make the switch from…

Apple worked with China’s BYD to develop EV batteries

Prior to ending its much-discussed electric-vehicle project, Apple worked with Chinese automaker BYD on batteries, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday. A partnership between the two companies started around 2017, according to the report, with the goal of developing lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells for the Apple car. BYD has much experience with this tech, claiming cooling and safety…

Honda recalls hybrids due to possible fuel leaks

Honda is recalling approximately 720,000 vehicles in the U.S.—including several hybrid models—due to fuel pumps that may crack and leak. The automaker announced that recall Tuesday, noting that 2023-2024 Accord and Accord Hybrid sedans, 2025 Civic and Civic Hybrid sedans, and 2023-2025 CR-V Hybrid crossovers were included. But it didn’t break out specific numbers for…

These US states come up short on public chargers per EV

The total number of U.S. EV charging stations has increased by 32% since 2023, but that growth has been unevenly distributed among the states, Here Technologies found in a new study. Here, which provides map data to automakers for use with navigation systems and location-based services, ranked charging infrastructure based on how far EV drivers…

VW reportedly plans 8 cheaper electric models by 2027

Volkswagen plans to launch eight affordable electric vehicles by 2027, CEO Thomas Schåfer said in a recent interview with German publication Auto Motor und Sport (via Reuters). “We have to produce our vehicles profitably and put them on the road at affordable prices,” Schåfer said in the interview.  One of those affordable models will be…

Kia marks 80th anniversary with EV restomod

Kia is celebrating its 80th anniversary The automaker commissioned an electric conversion of its Pride hatchback A pair of 10-kwh batteries provide up to 120 miles of range in the restomod Kia turns 80 this year, and to celebrate the automaker’s U.K. division commissioned an electric restomod of a humble Pride hatchback. The EV conversion…

BMW i7 and i5 recalled for steering issue

Two BMW electric sedans are being recalled over steering components that could break, requiring more effort to turn the wheel. The recall includes 202 BMW i5 sedans from model years 2024 and 2025 and just 21 BMW i7 sedans, all 2024 models, plus non-electric versions of both. The recalled vehicles may have steering spindles manufactured…

What is a self-driving car?

A self-driving car is a vehicle that can transport passengers safely from point A to point B without any human intervention. These vehicles can range from privately owned vehicles to commercial fleet vehicles dubbed robotaxis to something in between, such as most recently Tesla’s Cybercab concept and its 20-passenger people-mover, the Robovan.   While the stuff of…

Toyota exec says shift to EVs will lead to job losses

Eliminating internal-combustion engines would also eliminate many jobs related to engine-related technology, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda told Reuters and other media Thursday. “If electric vehicles simply become the only choice, including for our suppliers, those people’s jobs would be lost,” said Toyoda, who previously held the job of CEO and is also the grandson of…

GM PowerBank home energy storage arrives, could outflex Tesla

General Motors is now rolling out its PowerBank energy-storage battery packs, providing the first real competition to the Tesla Powerwall home energy-storage system directly from an automaker. While other automakers have discussed energy-storage products, and the Ford F-150 Lightning can be had with a home backup power system, GM appears to be the first to…

GM adopting LFP batteries, could cut $6,000 from EVs

General Motors on Tuesday filled in some details on plans to use cost-cutting lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells in future EVs. Now it has a number for the level of cost-cutting that’s potentially gone into the next Bolt EV. As reported by InsideEVs, GM executives said at an investor conference that LFP cells would…

GM is pulling the plug on Ultium name

General Motors will drop the Ultium name from the modular EV batteries and related components used in all of the automaker’s current and planned U.S.-market EVs, CNBC reports. The hardware will remain the same, but GM will erase the Ultium name other than for production operations such as its Ultium Cells LLC battery joint venture…

Toyota debating when to end pure gas-car sales in US

Toyota knows the end is coming for pure gas-powered cars Electrified models, mostly hybrids, accounted for 48% of Toyota’s U.S. sales in September Toyota has a three-row electric SUV on the way in 2026 Toyota believes it’s nearing the point where sales of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will overtake pure…

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser aims off-road for $57,900

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid SUV arrives at U.S. dealerships in late October with a base price of $57,900. That price includes a mandatory $1,450 destination charge and applies to the Land Cruiser 1958 grade—one of two available. An unnamed higher-level grade starts at $63,900 with destination, and adds features like heated and cooled…

Mercedes-Benz Van.EA prototypes out testing

Mercedes-Benz is testing prototypes of its next-generation electric vans ahead of their scheduled debut in 2026. Unlike the current eSprinter and other smaller electric models sold in Europe that are based on existing combustion models, the new vans will debut a dedicated EV platform called Van.EA. Every Mercedes van introduced after 2026 will use this…

Yamaha to help develop Caterham Project V electric sports car

Caterham is turning to Yamaha to help develop its Project V electric sports car, the company announced Wednesday. A production version will use a Yamaha-developed powertrain, as well as technology from the Japanese company for “vehicle motion control,” according to Caterham. A prototype is being developed by Tokyo R&D, an engineering company with experience building…

Volvo CEO wants Europe to ban new gas car sales still

Volvo is holding off on plans to make its lineup all-electric by the end of this decade, but the automaker’s boss still supports Europe’s planned phaseout of new internal-combustion vehicle sales halfway through the next decade. Volvo and 49 companies recently signed a declaration urging the European Union not to change its current timeline, which…

2024 Ford F-150 Hybrid smooths out

The Ford F-150 Hybrid powertrain has been updated for 2024 Hybrid F-Series models no longer shudder and judder The F-150 Hybrid costs $59,345, delivers good value for money Ford fixed the F-150 Hybrid. Based on how well the Hybrid now drives, hauls, and generates its way to higher mpg, it probably should have been the…

Jeep considering hybrids without a charge port for US

After seeing success with its 4xe plug-in hybrids, Jeep may add some conventional hybrids to its U.S. lineup as well, reports Automotive News. Standard hybrids are “definitely one of a range of things we are looking at for sure,” Jeep global product planning VP Matthew Nyquist said in a video conference call with Automotive News…

Rivian CEO saddened EVs became political

GM and Rivian’s CEO have something in common, based on comments made in recent days: Neither thought EVs would become a political lightning rod. On Thursday while speaking at the New York Times’ Climate Forward event Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said “I think it’s really important that we don’t make EVs a political…

Minivans shift to hybrid, except Honda Odyssey

The redesigned Kia Carnival has a hybrid option with 33 mpg combined Standard as a hybrid, the Toyota Sienna gets 36 mpg or 35 mpg with all-wheel drive The Chrysler Pacifica is the only plug-in hybrid minivan, with a 32-mile electric range  The Chrysler Voyager may be back as the base model of the Pacifica,…

Lightyear gets $11M to pivot from solar EV to supplier

Lightyear secured approximately $11 million (10M Euros) of funding The funding will help the restructured business sell solar hardware Lightyear’s moved on from attempting to build its own EVs Lightyear has secured 10 million euros (approximately $11 million at current exchange rates) to fund a new business of selling solar hardware for other companies’ vehicles,…

GM CEO surprised EVs became political

GM CEO is “surprised” EVs are political Barra said GM is on track to be EV-only by 2035 if customers are ready GM’s Corvette boss didn’t commit to an electric Corvette, but one’s already been confirmed GM’s top executive is surprised that EVs became a political lightning rod. “It did surprise me; I never thought…

Drivers misusing and abusing Tesla Autopilot system

A study found Tesla drivers are distracted while using Autopilot Tesla’s Autopilot is a hands-on driver-assist system, not a hands-off system The study notes more robust safeguards are needed to prevent misuse Driver-assist systems like Tesla Autopilot are meant to reduce the frequency of crashes, but drivers are more likely to become distracted as they…

Lab-grown hides, shrooms, bamboo promise lower CO2 vs leather

Leather alternatives could play a large role on lowering CO2 Plant-based materials are being investigated The leather industry is pushing back Leather alternatives could have a lower environmental impact than traditional leather made from animal hides, but may still require some development work, according to a new report from research firm IDTechEx. Plant-based material and…

Over 50% of Honda Accord sales are now hybrids

Hybrids now account for over 50% of U.S. Honda Accord sales, the automaker said Monday while detailing pricing for the 2025 Accord. The Accord introduced Honda’s two-motor hybrid system for the 2014 model year, and was offered as a hybrid intermittently before that, but Honda got more serious about growing hybrid sales with the mid-size…

New plug-in hybrids for 2025

Are plug-in hybrids an on-ramp to fully electric vehicles, or undue cost and complexity? Are they something consumers asked for, or something created by bureaucrats and regulators? At least in some respects the answer includes all of the above. It’s complicated.  Plug-in hybrids’ greater complexity is intended to pay off by greening the ownership experience…

Fisker Ocean customers have to pay for recall repairs

Owners of recalled Fisker Ocean electric vehicles will have to pay for repairs, according to a notice on the bankrupt automaker’s website. First spotted by Autoevolution, Fisker’s website states that, for any recalls that require physical inspections and potential repairs, the automaker will provide parts free of charge but will not cover any of the…

2025 Honda Accord hybrid gets 44 mpg for $34,750

The 2025 Honda Accord hybrid sees minimal changes and a $760 price increase over the 2024 model. The hybrid version of Honda’s mid-size sedan costs $34,750 with the mandatory $1,095 destination charge. In keeping with Honda’s strategy of positioning hybrids as higher-end grades, the cheapest hybrid Sport grade is priced above the gasoline-only LX and…

GM and EVgo crib gas-station look for 400 EV fast-charging stops

General Motors and EVgo will add 400 EV fast chargers at gas-station-like “flagship” sites in major U.S. metropolitan areas beginning in 2025. These sites will feature 350-kw DC fast chargers in a pull-through configuration under canopies—much like gas pumps—and they’ll get “ample” lighting and security cameras, GM and EVgo confirmed Thursday with the announcement. Co-branded…

Italy says Europe’s 2035 gas-engine ban is “absurd”

Italian officials want the European Union to review a plan to end sales of new internal-combustion cars by 2035 earlier than scheduled. “The ban must be changed,” Italian energy minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin told Automotive News Europe last week on the sidelines of the TEHA business forum in Cernobbio, on the shores of Italy’s Lake…

Solar-powered curbside EV charging concept taps streetlights

A California-based company aims to add curbside EV charging and solar and wind power to streetlights. Beam Global’s BeamSpot incorporates solar panels and small wind turbines to generate some of its own energy, with built-in battery storage to maximize use of it. While normal streetlights generally have only enough power for illumination, the renewable-energy additions…

GM and Hyundai might partner for EV batteries, fuel cells

General Motors and Hyundai signed a memorandum of understanding that could lead to the two automakers collaborating on green tech such as fuel-cell vehicles and EV battery manufacturing. The non-binding memorandum announced Thursday is the first step toward a partnership between GM and Hyundai. The potential partnership would focus on using the automakers’ combined economies…

These EVs are top-rated for safety by the IIHS

The 2024 Subaru Solterra joins a handful of other electric vehicles in earning the industry’s toughest safety award with a Top Safety Pick+ recognition, the IIHS revealed Thursday.  The IIHS toughened requirements to earn its highest Top Safety Pick+ and second-tier Top Safety Pick awards for 2024. Some 91 models still qualified for at least…

Lucid midsize SUV to cost less than $50,000

Lucid has given the first sneak peek at its upcoming midsize SUV. On Tuesday at the automaker’s technology and manufacturing day, Lucid revealed on Twitter (now known as X) a teaser image of a midsize SUV. Lucid said production is set for late 2026 and added that the crossover will cost less than $50,000. Lucid…

Northvolt cutting costs, undergoing strategic review

Swedish battery maker Northvolt is undertaking a strategic review that could lead to job losses as the company aims to cut costs and scale back ambitious expansion plans, Reuters reported Monday. “No final decisions have been made on the precise nature of any (workforce) resizing,” Northvolt said in a statement to Reuters. The company has…

Small SUVs halve lifetime GHG emissions as EVs vs. gas

A small electric SUV with 300 miles of range produces 52% fewer life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions than a comparable gasoline vehicle, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Greenhouse gas emissions from production and distribution are currently around double that of gasoline production and distribution, the DOE notes, but that’s more than offset by…

GM’s Endurance Mode will be for EV racing

General Motors is looking to patent an “Endurance Mode” to help electric race cars go the distance. Not to be confused with a certain ill-fated electric pickup truck, Endurance Mode is designed to emphasize range over outright pace, according to a GM patent application published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on…

Electric Scout concepts debut Oct. 24

Scout lives. On Tuesday, Scout Motors confirmed its electric SUV and truck concepts will debut on October 10. Scout Motors returns from the history books thanks to Volkswagen. The iconic brand is part of Volkswagen Group, but is said to be operated independently and is being treated as a start-up automaker. Scout is being billed…

2024 BMW i4 recalled because chassis beam may crack

BMW is recalling 1,150 i4 electric cars because a part of the chassis may crack and compromise structural integrity. All recalled cars are 2024 models, encompassing three versions of the i4 available for that model year. That includes the base single-motor i4 eDrive40, dual-motor i4 xDrive50, and the range-topping i4 M50. 2024 BMW i4 M50…