GOP Senators go after inflated EV efficiency in fleet standards

2023 GMC Hummer EV PickupIn their ongoing effort to push back against stricter emissions standards expected to lead to more EV sales, Senate Republicans have drafted a bill calling for regulators to change the way EV efficiency is calculated. Dubbed the Recalculating Electric Vehicle Efficiency for Accuracy and Legitimacy (REVEAL) Act, the bill questions the methods the...

$25,000 Jeep EV will be an electric Renegade

2023 Jeep RenegadeStellantis 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 was confirmed in...

Will plug-in hybrids be plugged in, or will they add oil demand?

2025 Ram 1500 RamchargerThe global fleet of internal-combustion vehicles will peak in 2025, but plug-in hybrids may determine whether this leads to decreased oil demand, according to new analysis from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). Sales of internal-combustion vehicles already peaked in 2017, and BNEF expects them to be 29% below that peak in 2027. While BNEF still...

Feds: 90% of eligible EV purchases get tax credit at point of sale

2024 Honda PrologueThe majority of EV purchasers eligible for a federal tax credit have gotten the credit as a point-of-sale rebate since that option was added at the beginning of the year, The Treasury Department said in a press release. As part of a revamp of the federal EV credit enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), credits of up to $7,500 for new EVs...

2025 Nissan Leaf carries over, loses EV tax credit eligibility

2025 Nissan LeafThe 2025 Nissan Leaf carries over but loses its eligibility for the federal EV tax credit this model year. It's already been a roller coaster. After new regulations that were phased in last August, the 2024 Leaf became eligible for a $3,750 credit in October. Then at the start of the year the Leaf fell back out of eligibility until it met the...

Nissan Ariya recalled for something EVs rarely have: An oil leak

2023 Nissan Ariya e-4orceNissan is recalling a small number of 2023 Ariya electric SUVs for an issue that rarely affects EVs: an oil leak. The recall includes just 84 vehicles, but all are thought to have damaged O-rings in their motor assemblies that can lead to oil leaks within motors, "causing abnormal wear and debris," according to the National Highway Traffic Safety...

Tesla Supercharging is losing edge vs. other public EV charging

Tesla chargingOther EV charging networks are catching up to the Tesla Supercharger network in customer satisfaction, according to a new J.D. Power study. The Tesla Supercharger network hasn't necessarily gotten worse in this areas, but other networks are improving, the study found. It still has the highest level of customer satisfaction among fast-charging...

Which states align with California EV mandate in 2024?

2024 Volkswagen ID.4Republican 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...

Survey: Fewer Americans seek EVs, as attention shifts to hybrids

2024 Kia EV9Consumer interest in EVs has declined, with car shoppers showing more interest in hybrids, according to a new AAA survey. Only 18% of U.S. adults surveyed said they were "likely" or "very likely" to buy a new or used EV, down from 23% last year. And 63% of respondents said they were “unlikely or very unlikely” to make an EV their next...

These big, thirsty SUVs don’t rate well for safety

2024 Jeep Wagoneer crash-test impacts conducted by the IIHSDrivers of big, gas-guzzling SUVs may feel safer towering over other vehicles, but that isn't necessarily the case, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS on Thursday released safety ratings for three full-size SUVs. The Jeep Wagoneer received a Top Safety Pick award (one level below the highest Top Safety Pick+)...