GM folds BrightDrop into Chevrolet

General Motors is folding BrightDrop, initially envisioned as a standalone business focused on electric vans for commercial fleets, into its Chevrolet division. GM said the move will open up sales for BrightDrop vans to Chevy’s larger dealer network. BrightDrop has sold vans through its own dealerships, but now all Chevy dealers will have the opportunity…

Armored Lucid Air Sapphire goes bulletproof for $475K

The tri-motor Lucid Air Sapphire provides a quick means of escape from trouble, but should no escape route be available, there’s now an armored version as well. California-based U.S. Armor Group has made the electric luxury sedan bullet-resistant. The company will outfit an Air Sapphire with composite armor that it claims is 10 times stronger…

VW working on synthetic leather made from hemp

Volkswagen is working with German startup Revoltech on a hemp-based substitute for leather upholstery to help further lower the environmental impact of its vehicles. The new material could see use in VW models by 2028, the automaker said. VW claims the hemp-based material can be produced at existing factories, and can be recycled or composted…

Nissan Leaf gets 20-kw bidirectional charger for US

Nissan Leaf owners are getting a new, higher-power, bidirectional charger option Using the FE-20 bidirectional charger won’t void the Leaf’s warranty Nissan didn’t say how much the FE-20 bidirectional charger costs Nissan has approved an updated bidirectional charger for use with its Leaf EV, giving owners another option for using their cars as mobile energy…

Polestar hires former Vinfast boss as new CEO

Polestar named Michael Lohschelle as its new CEO Michael Lohscheller’s resume includes Opel, Vinfast, and Nikola Volvo spun off Polestar  Polestar has appointed Michael Lohscheller as its new CEO, replacing Thomas Ingenlath, who has led the EV brand since it was spun off from Volvo, following the latter’s resignation. The change takes effect Oct. 1,…

Hyundai plans plug-in hybrid SUV for 2026, 21 EVs by 2030

Hyundai will launch plug-in hybrid SUVs as a “bridge to electrification” in 2026, but still plans to launch 21 EVs globally by 2030. Announced during the automaker’s 2024 CEO Investor Day presentation Wednesday, a new plug-in hybrid powertrain will use two electric motors to enable all-wheel drive, with a combustion engine acting primarily as a…

E-fuel plant should serve as “role model”

Porsche aims to scale production of synthetic fuel Porsche’s R&D boss believes synthetic fuel will play a big role in reducing emissions Ferrari’s counting on synthetic fuel too; Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru are investigating whether e-fuels can keep ICE alive Porsche is confident that synthetic “e-fuels” will displace a significant amount of conventional gasoline use…

Porsche won’t make EVs with simulated shifts

Porsche EVs won’t pretend to be gas-powered cars The automaker explored the idea of programmed shift points Porsche has two EVs in its lineup and a third en route Porsche isn’t likely to follow Hyundai’s lead in EV powertrain programming, at least when it comes to programmed sounds. Porsche development driver Lars Kern told Drive…

“Can’t force people to change their minds”

Honda’s CEO doesn’t believe consumers can be incentivized to change to EVs Honda’s spending $700M to retool plants and $3.5B to built a battery plant for mass EV production The exec believes the future is electric, but it’ll take time Electric cars and hybrids are currently having an inverted moment.  Speaking with The Drive at…

Lucid reportedly developing three affordable EVs

Lucid has three affordable EVs in the pipeline The project “mid-size program” will encompass a crossover SUV, probably a sedan, and possibly a hatchback Lucid’s model will put an emphasis on efficiency Lucid is developing three affordable EVs priced below the Air sedan and the upcoming Gravity SUV, CarBuzz reports. The automaker is currently working…

EV market softening “a temporary blip”

Lucid’s CEO Peter Rawlinson believes the future is electric. Rawlinson told The Verge at 2024 Monterey Car Week in California that “I think we’re seeing a temporary blip. I think any talk of retrenchment into hybrids is a blind alley. I think hybrids offer the worst of all.” The comment by Rawlinson came days before…

Fisker Ocean recalled due to regen brake issue

The Fisker Ocean has been recalled once again, this time for an issue that could lead to an unexpected reduction in regenerative braking. The recall includes 7,745 Ocean electric SUVs from model years 2023 and 2024 (the only two in which the Ocean was sold before Fisker filed for bankruptcy). Software issues in these vehicles…

Battery maker Northvolt shutting down R&D in California

Swedish battery firm Northvolt is shutting down a research and development facility working on lithium-metal batteries in California and moving all development work to its R&D hub in Vasteras, Sweden, the company said Tuesday. Northvolt had been conducting some development work on lithium-metal battery technology—an alternative to the currently prevalent lithium-ion chemistry—through Cuberg, a wholly-owned…

Karma reveals Ivara SUV concept, plans more PHEVs

Karma on Friday unveiled the Ivara concept at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, one of the premier events of 2024 Monterey Car Week that ran last week in California. Joining it on Karma’s stand were the previously revealed Kaveya sports car and Gyesera sport sedan. The Kaveya was shown in Monterey with a revised interior…

EV collision repair costs 20% more than for gas models

EV collision repairs continue cost more than those of internal combustion vehicles, according to a new report from Mitchell International, which provides tech for the auto insurance and collision repair industries. The report, based on second-quarter 2024 data, shows similar rates of EVs and 2021-and-newer gasoline vehicles being declared total losses by insurance companies. EVs…

These apps provide the route-planning smarts some EVs lack

Good EV route planning shortens trips by connecting the fastest compatible chargers at the right time. Not all automaker apps and interfaces provide the tools for the quickest EV road trips. Even if your EV has charger-savvy route planning, independent apps can suggest better options. It doesn’t take electric vehicle owners long to understand that,…

Rivian Travel Kitchen no replacement for Camp Kitchen

A new portable Travel Kitchen designed for Rivian R1 vehicles lets you cook and camp Two induction burners plug into any 120-volt outlet with 15 amps It costs $1,400 and includes a cutting board  Near the base of Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado, a group of journalists and Rivian engineers and executives gathered around a…

Polestar 3 electric SUV starts production in US

After some delay, the Polestar 3 electric midsize SUV has started production at Volvo’s plant near Charleston, South Carolina, paving the way for the start of customer deliveries in the U.S. shortly. It joins the related Volvo EX90 which has been in production at the plant since June. U.S.-built Polestar 3s will be sold locally,…

Acura Performance EV concept revealed in Monterey

Acura on Thursday unveiled a striking SUV concept that previews the next electric vehicle it has in the pipeline. The new Performance EV concept was unveiled at 2024 Monterey Car Week currently underway in California, and previews a vehicle due to enter production in late 2025 at parent company Honda’s sprawling Marysville Auto Plant in…

EVgo aims to improve charging reliability

EVgo is looking to tackle the issue of charging reliability with upgraded hardware and more extensive diagnostics. In a press release, EVgo said it was making progress in bringing its public chargers up to date. Since 2022, the company says it has upgraded, replaced, or decommissioned older equipment at more than 500 charging spots in…

Charging satisfaction is on the rise

DC fast-charging usage has improved, according to Power Ease of charging and payment acceptance were the biggest differentiator between Tesla’s network and others Some 19% of those surveyed said they’d encountered inoperable chargers Customer satisfaction with public EV charging continues to improve, with Tesla remaining on top, according to a new J.D. Power study. While…

2025 Genesis GV60 gets less expensive base AWD model

The 2025 Genesis GV60 receives minor changes and a minor price increase for its third model year on sale in the U.S., Genesis announced last week.  Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available, along with a new Capri Blue exterior paint color. The 19-inch-wheel option for all-wheel-drive models has also been broken out…

2024 Subaru Solterra feels fit for the blue highways

Solterra efficiency is in the same ballpark as Hyundai Ioniq 5 and VW ID.4 Even with improvements, it’s one of the slower-charging electric crossovers X-Mode off-road mode gives the Solterra impressive AWD traction and finesse Subaru’s vehicles have never completely fallen in line with the mainstream. As I spent more time with the brand’s first…

EV battery costs dropped 90% in last 15 years

The average price of a lithium-ion battery pack for a light-duty EV has decreased 90% over the past 15 years, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates. In 2023, the DOE estimates pack prices averaged $139/kwh on a usable-energy basis for production at scale, meaning at least 100,000 units per year. That’s still not quite…

2025 Nissan Leaf is now cheaper than Versa economy car

Thanks to incentives, the 2025 Nissan Leaf is now the automaker’s cheapest model regardless of powertrain type, reports CarsDirect, undercutting the gasoline Versa economy car. The base 2025 Nissan Leaf S starts at $29,280 with destination, but through September 3 it’s eligible for $7,500 in NMAC Special APR cash, which is essentially a rebate that…

Rivian R2 charge port moves to left rear, like Tesla

Rivian confirmed rear left charge port location in upcoming R2 models That changes from plans on rear right for streetside charging and Rivian’s own networks R2 owners should have an easier time using Supercharger stations Front, rear, left, right? Automakers still can’t agree on where to place EV charge ports on vehicles. But it appears…

Nissan testing paint technology to lower cabin temps

A new type of paint could lower vehicle cabin temperatures Lower cabin temperatures could reduce EV energy consumption The paint might make it to production, but on a special-order basis Nissan is testing paint that could help lower cabin temperatures and reduce energy use from air conditioning. The paint incorporates “metamaterial,” a composite that contains…

ChargePoint EV chargers follow Tesla Magic Dock

As automakers and charging networks move to adopt the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) for EV fast charging, ChargePoint is releasing new hardware that combines Tesla and non-Tesla connector types. The ChargePoint Omni Port can accommodate NACS and Combined Charging Standard (CCS) connectors, as well as the SAE J1772 connector for AC charging that…

Will take years for competition to catch up

The 2025 Lucid Air Pure is the most efficient vehicle sold in the U.S. Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson said competitors are years behind Rawlinson believes efficiency is the key to EVs Lucid Group CEO Peter Rawlinson is confident that the automaker has built up a substantial advantage in EV efficiency. The 2025 Lucid Air Pure…

Tesla testing 320+ kw output with Superchargers and Cybertruck

While the future of Tesla’s Supercharger team still remains uncertain, the automaker is testing higher outputs at some of its DC fast-charging stations. YouTuber TesLatino recently posted on X (formerly Twitter) about finding a Supercharger station with a significantly higher output than normal. Instead of the typical peak around 250 kw, TesLatino saw a peak…

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in gains standard equipment

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid adds standard features for the new model year, but its fuel-efficient powertrain remains unchanged. Heated front seats are now standard on all grades, while the SEL grade gains a standard heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof. A Black Edition appearance package returns as an option on the SEL grade…

Rivian Large+ battery is a software-locked Max Pack

Some Rivian R1 vehicles with the Max Pack battery will get labeled Large+ Vehicles with the Large+ battery pack feature a software locked usable capacity It’s unclear if Rivian will allow Large+ owners to unlock the extra battery capacity later Rivian is selling its revamped 2025 R1T and R1S with the largest Max Pack software-locked…

EV buyers want maintenance at the dealership, study suggests

U.S. dealers heavily rely on after-sale services and products for revenue EV buyers are willing to see dealerships manage EV maintenance, for a subscription fee Study also found dealerships can still do more with EV education EVs have lower maintenance needs than internal-combustion vehicles, but a new survey suggests that buyers may be interested in…

2024 BMW i4 M50 dials up the numbers, not the fun

The M50 is the top-performance model of the BMW i4 lineup Acceleration numbers aside, it’s not the best handling or riding i4 The M50 offers less driving range than other i4s but charges quickly and predictably Until BMW’s lineup of Neue Klasse vehicles arrives in 2025, with the “outsider” i3 EV far in the rearview…

One out of three US cars sold might be electric by 2027

Bloomberg New Energy Finance expects EV sales to grow exponentially General Motors has criticized President Biden’s EV sales goals as unrealistic California aims to end the sale of most vehicles with an ICE by 2035 EVs could make up almost a third of U.S. new-car sales by 2027, assuming current policies remain in place, according…

2025 BMW i5 starts at $68,275

The 2025 BMW i5, the all-electric version of the 5-Series midsize luxury sedan, returns essentially unchanged for its second model year. The entry point to the i5 lineup is the single-motor rear-wheel drive i5 eDrive40, which costs $68,275 with the mandatory $1,175 destination charge. It’s still rated at 335 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque,…

Electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class arriving in 2026

An electric iteration of Mercedes’ compact sedan is just around the corner. On Friday, Autocar reported Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said the Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV will arrive in two years. The electric sedan was confirmed during the automaker’s second-quarter earnings call. Källenius said the electric C-Class will arrive alongside the electric GLC-Class SUV. Both the…

2025 Hyundai Kona Electric spreads the V2L wealth

Prices are up across the board for the Hyundai Kona Electric in 2025, but so is standard equipment. The ’25 Kona Electric also gains a new trim level: the N Line, which gets sporty trim inside and out, to mirror the version that’s sold with a gas engine.  Regardless of trim, the electric Kona continues…

Uber and BYD team up for EVs and autonomous vehicles

Uber partnered with BYD for 100,000 EVs for the ride-hailing service The partnership could get BYD into the U.S. while skirting retail sales Uber’s targeting a zero-emissions platform by 2040 and going all-electric by 2030 in some markets Uber on Wednesday announced a partnership with BYD to bring 100,000 of the Chinese automaker’s EVs to…

Next-gen VW EVs reportedly delayed by software issues

Volkswagen’s reportedly having software issues with its next-gen EVs The software issues could lead to years-long delays for next-gen vehicles VW invested $5B in Rivian to get the startup automaker’s electrical architecture Volkswagen’s next-generation EV platform is being delayed due to software issues, reports Autoblog, citing German media outlets. Ongoing issues with the Volkswagen Group’s…

Supercar maker sells EV division to focus on gas V-12s

Gordon Murray Group sold Gordon Murray Technology Gordon Murray Technology was the EV division for the automotive group CEO Phil Lee doesn’t see the EV supercar market developing, focusing on V-12s The winds of the all-in EV future are shifting for everyone from mainstream automakers to niche supercar companies. On Monday, Autocar cited comments from…

Tesla Cybertruck reporting for police duty in California

The Tesla Cybertruck’s being turned into a police car The Irvine Police Department said it’s taking delivery of its police-spec Cybertruck soon The conversion to police spec is being handled by UP.FIT The world hasn’t gotten quite bad enough for the emergence of RoboCop, but the first police Cybertruck will soon report for duty in…

Alfa Romeo Junior EV might come to US

Alfa Romeo Junior is the automaker’s first EV The Junior wasn’t slated for the U.S., but Alfa Romeo might shift its plans If the Junior comes to the U.S. it might only be sold in certain states Alfa Romeo is considering bringing its Junior crossover—the automaker’s first EV—to the U.S., reports Automotive News Europe. The…

Toyota reportedly building battery plant for Lexus

A new Toyota battery plant is reportedly in the works The Japanese plant would make batteries for Lexus EVs Toyota is building a battery plant in North Carolina as well Toyota plans to build a Japanese EV battery plant for its Lexus luxury brand, the Nikkei business daily reported Friday. Circulated by Reuters, the report…

Bigger isn’t always better for EVs

Ford’s CEO acknowledged small EVs are key to mass adoption and profitability Ford currently doesn’t make a small EV in the U.S. Ford was a proponent of pickup trucks and SUVs, killed its cars and small SUVs Ford is shifting away from large EVs like the F-150 Lightning pickup truck to emphasize smaller models in…

What are the fastest-charging EVs?

10-80% is typically seen as a benchmark for EV road-trip charging Peak charge power can be misleading, and in many cases it’s more about efficiency Relatively few of today’s EVs charge from 10-80% in less than 30 minutes There’s much ado about getting electric vehicle charging times closer to the five minutes or less needed…

GM delays electric truck plant, punts Buick EV

GM’s Orion Assembly Plant won’t build electric trucks until mid-2026 Buick’s EV timeline just became TBD The Cruise self-driving robotaxi will no longer use the Origin purpose-built vehicle General Motors is again delaying a planned ramp-up of electric pickup trucks, as well as the first Buick EV for the U.S., reports Bloomberg (via Autoblog). Manufacturing…

Trump sanctions sparked Chinese smartphone maker to build EVs

Donald Trump hates electric cars—particularly Chinese electric cars—but his administration’s sanctions against China’s Xiaomi in early 2021 sparked the company’s decision to build an EV, CEO Lei Jun told Reuters at a company event Friday. Best known for its smartphones, Xiaomi launched its first EV earlier this year. It’s the product of a move Lei…

Vinfast delays US factory as issues mount

Vinfast delayed U.S. production of its EVs by three years Vinfast lowered volume targets for 2024 Vinfast has fallen behind sales targets despite pivoting its sales model Vinfast on Saturday announced that its North Carolina factory would be delayed, while also lowering its 2024 annual delivery target. In a press release discussing its second-quarter financial…

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 9 three-row electric SUV arriving in 2024

Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV will arrive in 2024 The electric three-row SUV will likely be called the Ioniq 9 Interior packaging, range, and powertrain outputs are expected to be similar to the Kia EV9 Hyundai will unveil an electric three-row crossover SUV later this year, the automaker has confirmed. The unnamed three-row crossover will debut…

Genesis GV60 gets the first Magma treatment, in 2025

Genesis confirmed its GV60 Magma for production in 2025 The first public look at the production model comes this week at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed Genesis plans a Magma for every model The rolling design statement that is the Genesis GV60 gets a performance edition in 2025. The South Korean luxury brand confirmed…

Polestar 6 electric convertible may get spicy BST edition

Polestar’s Concept BST contemplates a spicy 6 electric convertible The 6’s still on the docket for 2026 Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath says more BST editions are coming  While the Polestar 3 SUV swings for efficient performance and the Polestar 4 swings for body-style-curious buyers, the upcoming Polestar 6 might be swinging at Tesla. Still two…

These hybrids have AWD, top 40 mpg, cost less than $30,000

Spoiler alert: They’re all Toyotas. Need some traction for a snowy winter commute, on a tight budget? If so, one of the market’s low-priced, high-mpg all-wheel-drive hybrids may be your best bet.  There aren’t all that many all-wheel-drive hybrids to begin with. But if we set the cost ceiling in bargain territory by today’s standards,…

Deal lays path to solid-state batteries for a million VW EVs annually

VW’s PowerCo could eventually make up to 80 gigawatt-hours of solid-state cells annually QuantumScape and PowerCo will combine forces to scale up production Production timeline and location weren’t specified Volkswagen’s PowerCo battery unit and the solid-state battery tech firm QuantumScape on Thursday announced a path toward the industrialization and mass-production of solid-state lithium-metal batteries for…

Mazda goes hybrid with 2025 CX-50 crossover SUV

Mazda taps Toyota’s hybrid system for its CX-50 crossover 219 hp, up to 38 mpg combined Prices start from $35,390  Mazda has confirmed it will add a hybrid edition of its popular CX-50 crossover SUV to the lineup for 2025. Hybrids get a revised front end, an available red leather interior, and new wheels. Mazda…

Audi A6 E-Tron to be detailed this summer

The A6 E-Tron is an all-electric version of the long-running Audi A6 sedan Will be based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture used by the Audi Q6 E-Tron and Porsche Macan Electric Previewed by a 2021 concept Audi will unveil the A6 E-Tron, an all-electric version of the stalwart sedan, later this summer. This…

New electric cars coming in 2025-2026

We’ve already brought you vehicles like the Acura ZDX, Honda Prologue, and Chevrolet Equinox EV. We’ve driven them, but now it’s time to preview vehicles we know to be in the pipeline, but haven’t had hands-on time with just yet. These vehicles due in the next two model years represent the next wave: Those planned before $7,500…

2025 BMW iX continues with minor changes

The 2025 BMW iX electric SUV enters its fourth model year with small equipment changes, but nothing mechanical. An eSim enabling 5G connectivity is now standard across the board, while a Dynamic Handling Package is now optional on the iX xDrive50 model. This includes active steering and air suspension, both of which are also available…

Pickups could save the most on fuel as EVs vs. gasoline

Pickup truck drivers stand to save the most by going electric, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Pickups tend to be bigger than other vehicle types, meaning they use more energy and thus offer greater potential for savings when the cost of that energy is reduced, the DOE recently noted. And reducing consumption…

Fisker trying to sell Ocean EVs for $14,000

Fisker has asked the judge overseeing its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings for permission to sell remaining Ocean electric SUVs to a leasing firm at a fraction of their original price, Reuters reported Wednesday. The company hopes to offload 3,321 Oceans to American Lease at a price of $14,000 each, according to the report, which cites…

Hybrids, PHEVs make up record sales share

Hybrids and plug-in hybrids accounted for a record 11% of U.S. car sales in the first quarter, reports Automotive News, citing data from Cox Automotive. Sales of hybrids more than doubled in Q1 compared to a year earlier, the Cox data showed, while plug-in hybrid sales rose 59% in the quarter. Owner loyalty was also…

For the 2025 Polestar 4, genre is a construct

The 4 packs a 102-kwh battery pack, with up to 200-kw fast charging Range? It’s 270 miles in two-motor form, 300 miles with one (both estimated) No 800-volt charging, but the Polestar 4 has Android firmware on deck About that rear glass…or the lack of it… Polestar has marched through its debut as a brand…

Audi E-Tron GT recalled for brake hose tear

Most Audi E-Tron models are being recalled for a brake hose tear risk The same recall was issued for most Porsche Taycan models The recall affects the 2022-2024 E-Tron GT and RS E-Tron GT Audi is recalling 9,653 E-Tron GT models to replace front brake hoses that could tear and leak fluid. The recall encompasses…

Rivian teases five vehicles in investor presentation

Rivian teased five future vehicles that are in the works The teaser comes alongside the new that VW invested $5 billion into Rivian The upcoming vehicles might include a smaller pickup truck and SUVs along with less expensive EVs Rivian hinted at five new electric vehicles in the works in an investor presentation held on…

2025 Volvo EX90 launching with battery drain issue

The three-row electric crossover SUV can lose up to 3% of charge while parked, initially Features such as Apple CarPlay and front cross-traffic alerts will activate later with a software update Plug & Charge and bidirectional charging initially won’t be available either Production of the 2025 Volvo EX90 electric SUV started earlier this month in…

EV owners report more new car problems than industry average

Electric vehicles fall far below gasoline-powered vehicles in initial quality, in J.D. Power’s latest survey Polestar, Rivian and Tesla weren’t ranked, but the survey didn’t score them highly Owners don’t like vehicle functions embedded in touchscreens  On average, owners of new EVs reported more problems than owners of internal-combustion vehicles in the 2024 J.D. Power…

Volvo EX30 delayed until 2025 in US due to tariffs

Volvo’s newest model, the EX30 small electric crossover has been delayed until 2025 Volvo cited tariffs imposed by the U.S. on EVs made in China, where the EX30 was set to be produced Volvo accelerated the shift in production away from China to its factory in Ghent, Belgium The Volvo EX30 small electric crossover will…

Volkswagen takes a $5B stake in Rivian

Volkswagen just bought a $5 billion stake in Rivian The cash infusion will help bring the smaller Rivian R2 to market The deal gives VW access to Rivian’s software and zonal electronics platform The Volkswagen Group will invest up to $5 billion in Rivian, laying the groundwork for collaboration on future EVs, the two automakers announced…

2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid minivan costs at least $41,895

Gas-electric Kia Carnival debuts for 2025 Powertrain delivers a net 242 hp Three levels of brake regeneration are controlled by shift paddles   Kia on Monday announced prices for the new hybrid version of its Carnival minivan. The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid starts at $41,895 (including the mandatory $1,395 destination charge) for the base LXS…

Fat public EV charging cables are a magnet for thieves

Copper remains lucrative for thieves, enough that public EV charging cables are now a target, reports the Associated Press. Charging cables contain large amounts of copper, prices for which are now at record highs. And charging-station operators are reporting increased instances of cut cables and thefts, according to the AP. Two years ago, Electrify America…

Electric BMW M3 coming to “beat everything”

An electric BMW M3 variant is in the works BMW M division’s boss expects his electric sports car to “beat everything” The electric M3 variant, possibly called i3 M, probably won’t arrive until 2026 or 2027 Luxury automaker BMW, known for making sports car icons, has mapped out a performance plan for its next-gen EVs.…

Ferrari plots first EV—for $500,000 or more

Ferrari’s first EV due in late 2025 Production to take place at new “e-building” plant May not be a traditional supercar It was only a decade ago that Ferrari was vehemently against launching an electric car, but the automaker known for its loud gas engines has been working on one for several years and plans…

Why do EVs cost more to insure than hybrids in 2024?

As more data rolls in from the insurance industry, an unfortunate trend has persisted for electric vehicles: They cost more to insure.  And there are enough of them in the vehicle fleet now to underscore that it’s no longer a matter of insurance companies covering themselves for the unknowns of a new vehicle type.  Based…

2024 Volvo S60 Recharge PHEV is better in charge

It’s been nearly a decade since Volvo first started rolling out plug-in hybrids in the U.S., and while the formula for them hasn’t changed a whole lot, a couple of important details have.  One of them is that Volvo’s made the batteries larger every few years, leading to more plug-in electric range, improved hybrid drivability,…

Flagship performance EV ups efficiency, range

The 2025 Audi E-Tron GT gets a boost in range, efficiency, and power as part of a mid-cycle refresh revealed Monday. Styling hasn’t changed much from what we’ve become familiar with since the E-Tron GT was unveiled in 2021, although there are new front fascia designs for the different grades. Audi has put more effort…

$25,000 Jeep EV will be an electric Renegade

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said in a recent interview that a $25,000 Jeep EV is coming to the U.S. soon. Now we know that it will expand on the Renegade nameplate, which was previously given to a small gasoline crossover that was discontinued after the 2023 model year. First spotted by MoparInsiders, the Renegade name…

Could leased batteries lead to more affordable EVs?

Honda, Mitsubishi Corp. to partner on battery-lease business It’s a Japan-only experiment, for now Company would also manage second and third battery lives—up to recycling Vinfast tried this model—and reconsidered   Battery leasing has long been considered as a way of helping make EVs more affordable, and it appears that Honda is embarking on a…

Which states align with California EV mandate in 2024?

Republican governor Glenn Youngkin says Virginia no longer will follow California emissions rules Most northeastern states continue to follow California rules and their EV mandates States in the loose union also include Nevada and Minnesota, minus the EV mandate   Virginia will stop following California’s stricter emissions standards, which would have put the state on…

2025 Polestar 3 swings for efficient performance

Two-row, five-seat electric SUV Estimated range: 279 miles (Performance Pack), 315 miles (base) 0-60 mph, 4.8 seconds (base); 4.5 seconds (Performance Pack) Price: $80,300, Launch Edition; may be eligible for Federal incentives Polestar’s new electric SUV has been delayed by software issues, and it has seen sister brand Volvo has cut its funding, leaving the…

Final US mpg rules through 2031 go easy on gas trucks, SUVs

The federal government on Friday revealed vehicle efficiency standards for 2027-2031 that improve the fleet fuel efficiency of new cars and trucks—slightly.  The final rules for Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), announced Friday by the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), set the prescribed improvement at 2% annually for passenger cars and…

Volvo starts production of EX90 EV in US

Production of the 2025 Volvo EX90 electric SUV for the U.S. market is now underway in Charleston, South Carolina, Volvo confirmed Wednesday. Unveiled in November 2022, the EX90 was originally scheduled for first deliveries in early 2024, but it was held back due to software issues. Volvo now plans to deliver the first U.S. customer…

Versus cars, SUVs emit about 20% more CO2—EV or not

SUVs are bad for the environment regardless of their powertrain SUVs accounted for 48% of the global market in 2023 Larger SUVs are worse for the environment than smaller models Global SUV sales continue to grow and, EV or not, so do their emissions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). SUVs accounted for a…

GM might cool EV charge ports like microchips

Faster DC charging has required a new generation of cable cooling, but General Motors is also looking at cooling of the charge port, a patent filing indicates. Published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) April 25, 2024, and originally filed by GM October 18, 2022, the patent application in question deals with…

2026 Chevy Bolt EV will be most affordable US EV

When the Chevrolet Bolt EV returns next year it will be the most affordable EV in the U.S., Marissa West, president of General Motors North America, said in a recently published interview with Automotive News. GM discontinued the Bolt EV at the end of 2023 but has since then emphasized it’s coming back. The next-generation…

2024 Chevy Equinox EV delivers 300 miles for under $40k

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV is one of this year’s most important new electric vehicles. Nominally a compact crossover SUV with 285 to 319 miles of EPA-estimated range, it’s priced competitively, with prices starting at $43,295 (including a mandatory $1,395 delivery fee).  And an entry-level trim starting at $34,995 remains promised for “later this year.”…

2021-2023 VW ID.4 recalled for screen issues, software

Volkswagen is recalling nearly 80,000 of its ID.4 electric vehicles in the U.S.—plus more than 8,000 in Canada—due to gauge clusters and infotainment systems that either unexpectedly reset or don’t start up in the first place.  The issue, which likely covers some or all of the many flickering screens and sudden reboots that owners have…

Tesla Model Y rival set for May 30 reveal

Stellantis on Wednesday released a new teaser video for the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S showing that the electric SUV has the Tesla Model Y in its sights. A voiceover declares that Jeep is “taking on America’s bestselling EV brand,” setting up a race between a Wagoneer S (albeit a pre-production one) and a Model Y…

Younger US drivers are more open to Chinese EVs

Younger U.S. drivers are more open to driving vehicles from Chinese brands than their older counterparts, according to a new AutoPacific survey. But concerns about how Chinese brands manage data privacy were high regardless of age. No vehicles from Chinese brands are currently sold in the U.S., and that’s unlikely to change due to new…

Lawmakers demand emissions data for $8B federal hydrogen hubs

Two House Democrats are demanding that the Department of Energy report projected lifecycle emissions for seven federally-funded hydrogen hubs. First reported by Politico, Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Don Beyer of Virginia wrote a letter to the Energy Department’s of Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) asking for clarification on the emissions from the…

2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST arrives for civilians

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV full-size electric pickup truck was first delivered in Work Truck specification to fleet buyers nearly a year ago; but only now can civilians take one home. The first retail version to arrive is the top-of-the-line 2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST First Edition. We had a chance to spend several hours…

GM is mulling a Chevy Camaro EV

The last Chevrolet Camaro left the factory in late 2023, putting the vaunted muscle-car nameplate on hiatus. But General Motors president Mark Reuss wants to see the Camaro make a comeback as an EV, according to Motor Trend. GM would take a different approach than rival Ford, which has applied the Mustang name to the…

Michelin doesn’t want you to buy as many EV tires

The tire maker Michelin provides original-equipment tires for seven out of 10 EVs sold in the U.S. And yet it acknowledges that EV drivers shouldn’t be buying as many tires as they are.  It’s a technology challenge on multiple fronts. EVs wear through tires quicker, as they weigh more and their torque-rich motor systems tear…

Aptera finishes crowdfunding, seeks more capital for solar EV

Aptera late Wednesday announced the end date for its crowdfunding stage, as it seeks private capital on its way “towards high-volume production” of its high-efficiency, three-wheel solar EV.  The company’s Regulation A crowdfunding, which bypasses traditional investors and the stock market and emphasizes smaller amounts, will end on June 30, it says, and it’s engaging…