A new European study finds that plug-in hybrids pollute more than advertised, while in the U.S. the EPA appears ready to give them more emissions leeway. The European Commission study showed that new plug-in hybrids registered in 2021 averaged emissions of 139.5 grams of CO2 per kilometer, which was 3.5 times higher than what Europe's WLTP... PHEVs pollute more than billed, but EPA just gave them a pass
A new European study finds that plug-in hybrids pollute more than advertised, while in the U.S. the EPA appears ready to give them more emissions leeway. The European Commission study showed that new plug-in hybrids registered in 2021 averaged emissions of 139.5 grams of CO2 per kilometer, which was 3.5 times higher than what Europe's WLTP... 
When it comes to overall carbon emissions, EVs are cleaner than internal-combustion cars, but how much cleaner can depend on when they're charged, according to a recent Bloomberg New Energy Finance blog post. A grid more reliant on renewable energy will shrink the carbon footprint of EVs charging from it. Emissions associated with charging can... 
Battery supplier CATL is developing faster-charging battery cells for Tesla, according to Bloomberg (via Automotive News). CATL chairman Robin Zeng mentioned this project in an interview with Bloomberg in Hong Kong on Monday, in which he also confirmed that CATL is supplying equipment for Tesla's Nevada battery factory. Zeng also mentioned Tesla's... 
Jaguar is recalling a small number of earlier-build I-Pace electric SUVs due to "multiple technical issues" that elevate the risk of battery fires. Just 258 U.S. vehicles made between March 1, 2018 and May 31, 2018 (all 2019 models) are included in the recall. Jaguar delivered the first I-Pace in North America in October 2018, and it was the first... 
A new plug-in hybrid version of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class crossover SUV is coming to the U.S. for the 2025 model year, the company confirmed this past week. Called the GLC 350e, the plug-in hybrid is scheduled to reach showrooms in the second half of the year, with pricing to be announced closer to that time. It's based on the current-generation... 
BMW continues to preview its next-generation EVs with a new concept car, while also providing a bit more detail on some of the engineering for these new models, which are due to start production next year. The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X is an electric SUV that forecasts a model due to start production in Debrecen, Hungary, in 2025. It follows the... 
Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are recalling nearly 150,000 EVs in the U.S. over an electronics issue that may cause 12-volt batteries to lose charge while driving. The recall population includes 98,878 Hyundai and Genesis EVs from model years 2023 and 2024—including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Genesis GV60, Genesis Electrified GV70... 
As it seeks to address production issues with its current Ultium battery cells, General Motors may be considering something even more complex. First spotted by Motor1, a recently filed GM patent application discusses battery cells with Lego-like shapes meant to accommodate cooling channels. Instead of building battery modules out of a solid mass... 
Shell plans to eliminate some of its current gas stations while putting further emphasis on EV charging. "We are upgrading our retail network, with expanded electric vehicle charging and convenience offers, in response to changing customer needs," Shell said in its 2024 Energy Transition Strategy report (via Yahoo! Finance). That includes plans to... 
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled a revised rule that would effectively give automakers more flexibility with pending EPA rules for model years 2027 to 2032—and more time to ramp up EV sales compared to an earlier proposal. The final rule for Petroleum-Equivalent Fuel Economy Calculation released late Tuesday softens what had been... 
Rivian will begin shipping free North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters to customers in April, giving them access to over 15,000 Tesla Supercharger fast-charging stations across North America, the automaker announced Monday. Compatible Supercharger sites will be added to roughly 16,000 pubic chargers customers already have access to... 
Fisker has paused production of its Ocean electric SUV for six weeks as it seeks to draw down inventory and secure additional financing. To the funding point, Fisker confirmed Monday that it has secured "a financing commitment from an existing investor" of up to $150 million. The company has about 4,700 vehicles in inventory worth about $200... 
The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX has completed another efficiency run—this time in the Arabian desert. The EQXX has managed two previous long trips on a single charge—previously covering 746 miles from Stuttgart, Germany, to the Silverstone racetrack in the U.K. on the second trip. The focus of this third trip, in which the EQXX covered... 
Gen X and Millennials tend to buy more EVs than Baby Boomers, but the older generation is still in control of EV policy, a pair of recent studies show. Experian's fourth quarter 2023 Automotive Market Trends report, released Thursday, noted that 9.4% of new vehicles purchased by Gen X in 2023 were electric. Gen X purchased the most new vehicles of... 
Up to 80% of brake-dust particles have an electric charge, which could serve as a means of controlling brake dust and improving air quality, according to a new study from the University of California, Irvine (via Green Car Congress). The study, which was funded by fees paid by Volkswagen as part of its 2016 diesel-emissions cheating settlement... 
Chinese automaker Nio is partnering with battery supplier CATL for research into longer-life EV batteries, including for use with Nio's battery-swapping service. The two companies "will jointly carry out discussions, make technological breakthroughs and innovation, and promote product applications," according to a Nio press release, with CATL... 
App-based features pitched as a way to become a safer and more efficient driver may end up reporting you as a higher-risk driver to insurers, The New York Times reports. New cars, EV or not, have substantial data-gathering capability thanks to their array of onboard sensors, which is sometimes presented to consumers as a way to improve driving or... 
BMW is relying on Shell Recharge Solutions to offer customers streamlined access to EV charging stations across multiple networks. The automaker on Wednesday announced an agreement with Shell Recharge Solutions that it claims will provide access to more than 100,000 public chargers through the My BMW app. These chargers are not only part of... 
Volvo is looking to quicken EV charging times by relying on software rather than upgrades to batteries and other hardware. The automaker on Monday announced a partnership with U.K.-based Breathe Battery Technologies to access that company's "algorithm-enabled charging software" with its battery management systems—with the goal of optimizing...