Prototype ride: 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV rethinks regen braking

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototypeThe 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 stability on slick roads...

Rivian software update to enable launch mode, easier wheel swaps

2025 Rivian R1SRivian owners won't need a service-center visit to switch tires and wheels Gen 1 Rivians will gain launch control Framework for third-party apps is completed Rivian offers regular over-the-air updates, and it's listening to customer feedback to lay out what it prioritizes, whether the good, the bad, or the ugly. In a fireside chat at the...

Rivians getting native text messaging in 2025, but not via CarPlay

2025 Rivian R1SRivian's chief software officer confirmed the company's EVs will get text messaging capabilities in 2025 The text messaging solution will utilize native text-to-speech via a new voice tech stack Google Cast and native YouTube application will come in the next software update Two years ago, Rivian Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid told owners...

VW has no plans for 2-speed transmissions in EVs

2025 Volkswagen ID.7VW 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. On Thursday at the 2024 Los Angeles auto show Kai Grünitz, head of global research and development for Volkswagen, told...

Rivian CEO: The world doesn’t need another Tesla

RJ Scaringe during media roundtableRivian CEO RJ Scaringe sees few compelling sub-$50k EVs Scaringe is amused by the interest in Scout CEO believes it's important to have a variety of EV choices "The world doesn't need another one of those," said Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, referring to Tesla. "We think Tesla has done an amazing job," said Scaringe, during a roundtable session last...

VW Tiguan and Atlas hybrids in the works, but not soon

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan2025 VW Tiguan debut didn't include hybrid model VW dealers are asking for hybrids A hybrid Tiguan and Atlas are planned, but not for years On Wednesday the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan debuted ahead of the 2024 LA auto show, but notably absent was a hybrid model. In a roundtable with Green Car Reports and other media on Thursday, Thomas Schäfer...

Rivian CEO: Dealer laws are “as close as you can get to corruption”

RJ Scaringe during media roundtableRivian CEO RJ Scaringe pointed to a "horrific state-by-state level of rules" Dealers' lobbying efforts have made it hard for Rivian to interact directly with customers Rivian's aware it has a service backlog, views it as a short-term problem Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe isn't a fan of U.S. dealership franchise laws. These laws work against the EV maker...

Mercedes In-Drive moves braking system inside EV’s electric motor

Mercedes-Benz In-Drive brake systemMercedes In-Drive system mounts the brakes to the electric motor In-Drive is a friction-based braking system Mercedes has In-Drive in active testing, hasn't given a timeline for production Mercedes-Benz is rethinking how the braking system works, and where it's located, in upcoming EVs. In Germany last week, Mercedes-Benz engineers showed Green...

Mercedes developing micro-converters for parallel wiring, mixed batteries

Mercedes-Benz micro-convertersMercedes-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...