New EPA truck emission rules still fall short of California regs

2014 Peterbilt 579The EPA on Tuesday announced finalized rules for tougher truck emissions standards, but environmental groups feel they don't go far enough. The new standards, which take effect beginning with the 2027 model year, apply to heavy-duty trucks, buses, and vans. This is first update to emissions standards for these mostly diesel-powered vehicles in...

USPS aims to only buy electric delivery vehicles from 2026 on

USPS Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV)  -  Oshkosh DefenseThe United States Postal Service (USPS) on Tuesday said it would buy only electric delivery vehicles from 2026 on, an about-face from the agency's original plan to continue with internal-combustion powertrains for most of its next-generation fleet. The USPS plans to acquire 106,000 vehicles between now and 2028, of which at least 66,000 vehicles...

California’s $3B plan will double its public EV charger count

2023 Nissan Ariya at EVgo charging stationCalifornia has approved a $2.9 billion plan that will more than double the number of EV chargers in the state, and will greatly expand charging infrastructure for electric buses and commercial trucks. "California is bringing our roads and highways into the 21st century with electric vehicle chargers in every community, in every corner of our...

2024 Hyundai Kona revealed with “EV-led design,” hybrid version

2024 Hyundai KonaThe second generation 2024 Hyundai Kona has broken cover with updates styling and a first-ever hybrid version. The Kona hybrid will join the existing Kona Electric and gasoline powertrains at launch, Hyundai confirmed in a press release. A sportier gasoline Kona N Line will be launched alongside these variants, with a more hardcore Kona N likely...

Rivian R1T crash-tested by IIHS, earns top safety distinction

2022 Rivian R1T IIHS crash testingThe Rivian R1T is the first electric pickup truck ever run through the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing regimen—and it received high marks. The IIHS announced on Friday that the R1T had earned its highest Top Safety Pick+ safety award. The award, which applies to 2022 and 2023 R1T models, encompasses crash-test scores...

Why might the manual gearbox return in some performance EVs?

2019 Hyundai Veloster N - Best Car To Buy 2020With a handful of exceptions, most electric vehicles don't have (or need) multi-speed transmissions. According to some well-respected EV engineers and executives, they may even detract from performance. As such, a performance EV is an odd place to see a manual gearbox. Yet a couple of experiments have cropped up recently, suggesting automakers are...

Data shows Tesla and Nissan are tops in EV reliability

2022 Tesla Model 3Tesla and Nissan currently top Consumer Reports' rankings for most-reliable EVs, although survey data still indicates EVs generally have more problems than other vehicle types. The Tesla Model 3 is now the second most reliable new EV available, according to CR. It was topped only by the Kia EV6, but because the Kia was new for the 2022 model year...

Toyota starts to see how its EVs can aid the power grid

2023 Toyota bZ4X to be used in V2G pilot project with utility OncorToyota is the latest automaker to work with an electrical utility on ways to use EVs to aid the grid. The automaker on Thursday announced a pilot project with Texas-based utility Oncor for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which allows EVs to discharge power back into the grid. Other automakers and utilities have already expressed interest in V2G...

Report: Winter EV driving range varies widely by model

2021 Audi E-Tron SUVAll electric cars experience some range loss in cold weather, but the amount varies widely by model, according to a new report from battery analysis firm Recurrent. The company, which produces battery health reports for used EVs, published a similar report last year. This time, though, it has more data, with model comparisons based on information...

In just five US metro areas, EVs could save 2,500 lives annually

2023 Chevrolet Bolt EVAlthough we tend to focus on carbon emissions and the effect on climate and the atmosphere, a new Cornell University study highlights that choosing an EV is an investment in better local air quality. Published in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, the study looked at the economic and health impacts of changes in air quality in...