Future EVs might keep battery packs cool in this different way

Polestar 5 prototypeSouth Korean battery supplier SK On is looking at a different type of cooling method for electric vehicle battery packs. Last week, SK On put the focus on immersion cooling at InterBattery 2025, a South Korean battery trade show. Instead of circulating coolant or air around battery cells and modules, this method involves immersing them in a...

Aptera tests solar-powered EV, after dropping in-wheel motors

Aptera Sol alpha prototype"Real-world validation testing" completed on inboard-motor setup Aptera switched to the layout, instead of in-wheel motors, for its future solar EV Per-mile energy consumption remains in line with previous layout Aptera last week announced that it had completed the first round of "real-world validation testing" of its solar-assisted 3-wheeled...

Stellantis proposes multi-speed transmission for EVs

Stellantis STLA Medium platformStellantis is experimenting with multi-speed transmissions to improve the efficiency of electric vehicles, a recently surfaced patent filing indicates. Published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Feb. 27, 2025, but originally filed by the automaker in 2023, the patent application deals specifically with adding a second...

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs. Toyota Land Cruiser: Boxy hybrid SUVs diverge

Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe HybridThese two hybrids demonstrate the span of SUVs today In real-world driving, Santa Fe Hybrid gets nearly double the mpg Land Cruiser hybrid sacrifices much for the sake of off-road prowess, higher towing ratings Some SUVs are intended for serious truck duty, like towing and off-roading. Others are focused around comfort and family duty, with a...

Rivian patented active aero wheel covers

2025 Rivian R1T California Dune EditionRivian is looking to patent wheel covers with active aerodynamic elements to further improve the efficiency of its electric vehicles. Smooth wheel covers—like the ones available on the updated 2025 Rivian R1S and R1T—can help reduce aerodynamic drag, but they're generally fixed in place, and thus not optimized for all scenarios. In its...

2022-2023 Ford F-150 Lightning may charge quicker after software update

2022 Ford F-150 LightningEarlier Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks may charge at a faster rate at DC fast-chargers thanks to an over-the-air (OTA) update. News of the update, available for 2022 and 2023 models, was first reported by InsideEVs Thursday and confirmed to Green Car Reports by Ford spokesperson Sam Schembari, who explained that the update raises the...