$7,500 “EV credit” provides extra sales thrust for Lucid Air

2023 Lucid Air TouringLucid announced Thursday that it’s offering a $7,500 “EV credit” on select configurations of the Air Touring and Air Grand Touring—if they’re ordered by March 31, 2023. The Lucid Air Grand Touring starts at $139,500 and offers an EPA-rated range of up to 516 miles or, in its Grand Touring Performance guise, 1,050 hp...

Tesla is mulling Mexico plant, report suggests

2023 Tesla Model X  -  Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.Tesla may be considering a Mexican factory to further grow manufacturing capacity, according to a recent Reuters report—and it's potentially closing in on locations in the states of Nuevo Leon or Hidalgo. The automaker hasn't confirmed plans for a new factory, but job postings have hinted at plans to build one in Monterrey, a city close to...

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid maximizes 3rd row, hits 34 mpg

2024 Toyota Grand HighlanderToyota has revealed a somewhat larger, more passenger-friendly version of its three-row Highlander, called Grand Highlander. Simply put, the Grand Highlander offers a similar look and packaging to the Highlander, and the same eight-passenger capacity, but with a more upright design in back—plus what appears to be a little added wheelbase and...

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid maximizes 3rd row, hits 34 mpg

2024 Toyota Grand HighlanderToyota has revealed a somewhat larger, more passenger-friendly version of its three-row Highlander, called Grand Highlander. Simply put, the Grand Highlander offers a similar look and packaging to the Highlander, and the same eight-passenger capacity, but with a more upright design in back—plus what appears to be a little added wheelbase and...

Google says it’s finally ready to give EV drivers the fastest route

Google's Android-based infotainment in the Polestar 2Google claims that it has made its Maps product much more useful to electric vehicle drivers, with the addition of power-level information for chargers—and the smarts to tap into that for customized route planning and directions. The company reports that it has distinguished stations with a charging power of 150 kw or higher with a...

Sono crash-tests its Sion solar EV, says panels “behave as predicted”

Sono Sion crash testSono Motors announced Tuesday that it had completed the first crash tests of its Sion EV, which has solar cells integrated with every body panel. The company said in a press release that those panels "behave as predicted," with no splintering of the polymer-based material in a 31-mph frontal crash test, confirming no additional risk to vehicle...

Lexus RZ 450e EV priced, puts the priority on features not range

2023 Lexus RZ 450eLexus has announced pricing for its first electric vehicle for the U.S., the 2023 RZ 450e electric luxury crossover, just before it heads to dealerships later this month. The RZ 450e comes in two different trim levels, Premium and Luxury, with both offered only in all-wheel-drive form. In Premium form, the RZ 450e, as it’s badged, costs...

California bill proposes $2,000 for converting gas vehicles to EVs

Chevrolets E-10 ConceptA California bill would offer residents a rebate of up to $2,000 to convert an existing internal-combustion car or truck to an EV. Spotted by Green Car Congress, California Senate Bill 301 would establish a Zero-Emission Aftermarket Conversion Project (ZACP) with up to $2 million in annual funding for EV conversion rebates to supplement...

Review: 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid improves in most measures

2023 Honda Accord HybridSouthern California might be known for its sunshine and warmth, but it gets rain and, in the mountains, snow. It wasn’t enough to deter the redesigned 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid from climbing more than 5,000 feet to Palomar Mountain, from the hallmark coastal sunshine to unusual bluebird snow. The curving ascent showed off the impressive...

VW recalls some ID.4 EVs for drive-system issue

2021 Volkswagen ID.4Volkswagen is recalling 20,904 ID.4 EVs—all from the 2021 model year—to address an issue that stems from faulty drive-system control software. In the affected vehicles, current software may cause the battery management control module to reset or the pulse inverter to deactivate, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety...

BMW’s next-gen Neue Klasse EVs will be made in Mexico

BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí in MexicoBMW's next-generation EVs will be built in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, alongside two European production sites, the automaker confirmed in a press release Friday. That may allow these new EVs, and their related battery production facility, to qualify for U.S. tax credits and supply-chain incentives. These models, based on a dedicated platform...

Electrify America slaps frequent EV chargers with 15% price hike

2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 at Electrify America DC fast-charging stationElectrify America plans to raise EV charging prices in March, with frequent users seeing the biggest price hike. Members of the company's Pass+ frequent charging program will see rates increase to $0.36 per kwh, while non-members will pay $0.48 per kwh. Both rates increase by $0.05 kwh, but Pass+ members also pay a $4.00 a month fee (which remains...