Electrify America adds road-trip chargers next to Wall Drug

Electrify America chargersWorking to fill gaps in its network, Electrify America is adding charging stations in new locations, including one site near a famous roadside attraction. The Volkswagen-funded charging network on Wednesday announced groundbreaking of charging sites in South Dakota and Wyoming. These will be the first Electrify America stations in those states...

Mercedes EQC electric SUV is reportedly back on for the US—in 2025

2021 Mercedes-Benz EQCAfter being dropped from the automaker's United States EV plans, the Mercedes-Benz EQC electric crossover SUV could make it here after all, in second-generation form. Mercedes told U.S. dealers that a redesigned EQC, as well as an electric C-Class, will arrive around 2025, Automotive News (subscription required) reported Saturday. In a first drive...

California EV incentive is getting smaller in November

2020 Bentley Bentayga HybridA California incentive for plug-in cars is about to be reduced by half. Effective November 2, the California Clean Fuel Reward (CCFR) for electric cars and plug-in hybrids will go from $1,500 to $750. The program, as recently noted by CarsDirect, requires delivery of a qualifying vehicle by November 1 if buyers want to claim the larger amount...

Volvo and Polestar EVs to get Range Assistant app as part of OTA update

Volvo Range Assistant appVolvo and Polestar electric cars are getting a new Range Assistant app as part of an over-the-air (OTA) software update, the two brands announced Tuesday. The app helps drivers more closely track available range, gives tips for more efficient driving, and includes a more efficiency-focused setting for the climate control, the two brands said. A...

Report: Nickel shortage could pinch EV battery supplies, affect costs

Mercedes-Benz battery productionGlobal nickel demand could outstrip supply within the next few years, potentially limiting EV battery supplies, according to a new report from the Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy. First spotted by E&E News, the report predicts that by 2024 annual global demand for nickel will rise from the current 2.5 million metric tons (2.7 million tons)...

Tesla tops all other EVs in Made in America index

2020 Tesla Model 3Tesla had the highest-ranked electric cars in the annual Kogod Made In America Auto Index, which estimates the domestic content of new cars sold in the United States. The Tesla Model 3 took third place in the overall rankings, while the Model S and Model Y were part of a five-way tie for fifth place, along with the Ford Expedition full-size SUV...

China’s GAC announces hydrogen combustion engine

GAC Motors, 2018 Detroit auto showChinese automaker GAC Motor claims to have successfully tested a hydrogen combustion engine, although it's unclear if the engine will ever reach production. Instead of using fuel cells to generate electricity, GAC designed an internal-combustion engine to burn hydrogen in place of gasoline or diesel. The resulting engine has a fairly high thermal...