EV charging stations give bump to nearby businesses, research confirms

Volta chargingPublic charging stations don't just drive EV adoption; they also increase consumer spending at nearby businesses, a new MIT study found. The study is based on data from over 4,000 charging stations in California and 140,000 businesses, using anonymized credit and debit card transactions to track changes in spending. Researchers used data from 2019...

Volvo’s 10 new and updated models include long-range plug-in hybrids

2025.5 Volvo XC90Volvo has 10 new and updated models set to arrive in the next two years Some of the new and updated models will be long-range plug-in hybrids Volvo's backtracked on its commitment of an all-electric lineup by 2030 Long-range plug-in hybrids will be among 10 new and updated models Volvo plans to launch over the next two years, reports Automotive...

Lab-grown hides, shrooms, bamboo promise lower CO2 vs leather

Cadillac Sollei conceptLeather alternatives could play a large role on lowering CO2 Plant-based materials are being investigated as leather alternatives The leather industry is pushing back on sustainable alternatives Leather alternatives could have a lower environmental impact than traditional leather made from animal hides, but may still require some development work...

VW recalling certain 2003-2024 ID.4s due to air bag inflator

2024 Volkswagen ID.4Volkswagen is recalling a small number of ID.4 electric vehicles that may have improperly installed airbag inflators. The recall includes just 837 vehicles from model years 2023 and 2024. In these vehicles, nuts securing the primary inflator of the passenger front airbag may have been left loose at the factory. This could cause airbags to inflate...

Waymo reportedly talking with Hyundai about Ioniq 5 self-driving taxis

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5The Hyundai Ioniq 5 could become Waymo's next self-driving taxi, deploying a new generation of the Google spinoff's Waymo Driver autonomous-driving system, Reuters reports. Officials from Wayne and Hyundai have met more than three times to discuss use of the Ioniq 5 in Waymo's self-driving tax service, according to the report, which also states...

Redwood Materials will help BMW recycle EV batteries

BMW Vision Neue Klasse X conceptBMW will turn to Redwood Materials for recycling of batteries from its EVs, plug-in hybrids, and mild hybrids in the U.S., the automaker announced Thursday. The agreement, which covers the BMW, Rolls-Royce, and Mini brands, as well as BMW's motorcycles, will see Redwood work directly with BMW dealerships, distribution centers, and other U.S...

Over 50% of Honda Accord sales are now hybrids

2025 Honda Accord hybridHybrids now account for over 50% of U.S. Honda Accord sales, the automaker said Monday while detailing pricing for the 2025 Accord. The Accord introduced Honda's two-motor hybrid system for the 2014 model year, and was offered as a hybrid intermittently before that, but Honda got more serious about growing hybrid sales with the mid-size sedan's...

GM opens Tesla Supercharger access, makes customers pay for adapters

Chevrolet EVs at a Tesla Supercharger stationGM EVs can now charge at over 17,800 Tesla Superchargers Most Superchargers will require an adapter Unlike Ford and Rivian, GM charges $225 for the adapter General Motors on Wednesday announced that it will begin shipping North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters that will give its EV owners access to more than 17,800 Tesla Supercharger DC...