One Weekend in Vegas With the Nation’s Auto Dealers
After bottoming out early in the pandemic, profits and spirits are soaring — and people were ready to party.
Steeper fleet fuel economy standards finalized, will bring more hybrids and EVs sooner
On Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalized tougher fleet fuel economy standards for vehicle fleets that will mean an adjusted, industry-wide average of about 49 mpg across new passenger vehicles and light trucks in 2026. The standards, which are a step steeper than the administration’s original proposal, boost... Toyota’s U.S. Sales Fell 15% in the First Quarter Amid a Chip Shortage
The company struggled to produce vehicles in the first three months of the year, a sign that shortages could last longer than executives had hoped.
CATL improves cell-to-pack tech, claims advantage over Tesla 4680 cells
Battery supplier CATL on Wednesday announced its third-generation cell-to-pack technology, claiming this new version produces more power than the latest Tesla battery tech. Cell-to-pack refers to the direct integration of cells into a battery pack, without the modules used in most current pack designs. CATL claims the latest iteration of this... Automakers back EPA rules, amid opposition from 16 states and ethanol interests
Major automakers are siding with the EPA in a court battle over tougher emissions standards, Reuters reported Wednesday. Texas and 15 other states, along with ethanol groups, have challenged the EPA's emissions rules under the Biden administration, which aim to reinstate tougher rules after a rollback by the previous administration. The Alliance... Jobs Data May Show Peak Employment
Despite strong job growth, all the positions lost during pandemic may not be regained.
Kia EV9 production, Lotus electric SUV, health effects of an EV shift: Today’s Car News
Kia plans to deliver its EV9 electric SUV, at least to Europe. Lotus revealed a production-bound electric SUV. And a report sums the health effects of EV policy supporting making all new cars electric. This and more, here at Green Car Reports. The Kia EV9 electric SUV is confirmed for a 2023 arrival in Europe. It’s one of 14new EV models... Report: US policy shift to EVs, renewable energy could save $1.2 trillion in health costs
A rapid shift of new-vehicle sales to all-electric would bring tremendous health and climate benefits, according to the latest periodic report from the American Lung Association (ALA). The report, called Zeroing in on Healthy Air, makes electric vehicles and renewable electricity sources more urgent than ever—and the need for supporting... Sports car maker Lotus reveals a lightweight electric SUV
Lotus on Tuesday revealed the Eletre, its first SUV and one of several electric models planned to launch over the next few years. Previously known by its codename Type 132, the Eletre will start production later this year at a new factory in Wuhan, China, Lotus said in a press release. This will make it the first Lotus produced outside the United... Kia EV9 electric SUV confirmed for 2023 in Europe: US timing later?
Kia on Tuesday confirmed that a production version of its Concept EV9 electric SUV will launch in Europe in 2023, but it did not discuss United States launch timing. The automaker had already confirmed 2023 timing for the EV9 earlier this month, but it didn't clarify which market. Kia America could not confirm to Green Car Reports either a U.S... Vinfast in North Carolina, USPS ups EV order, battery recycling and the supply chain: Today’s Car News
Vinfast wants to mass-produce EVs in the U.S. in around two years. Battery recycling looks more important than ever in light of the supply-chain issues and EV interest. And the USPS expanded its EV order, but what does that mean? This and more, here at Green Car Reports. Yesterday the Vietnamese automaker Vinfast announced plans to produce EVs in... EV batteries should last 15 years, says former Tesla CTO Straubel
Typically, electric vehicle battery packs are lasting longer—and for more miles—than originally intended. According to former Tesla CTO and co-founder JB Straubel, EV battery packs should last about 15 years—a key piece for the timeline as Straubel’s current venture, Redwood Materials, ramps up as part of a supply chain for... USPS ups its order of electric mail trucks, amid continued controversy
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is increasing orders for electric mail trucks, amid continued criticism of conservative electrification targets for the fleet. It's the latest development on a yearlong drama, after the postal service announced a long-term agreement with defense contractor Oshkosh Defense that planned on just 10% of trucks... Vinfast plans to build EVs in North Carolina starting in 2024
Vietnamese automaker Vinfast on Tuesday announced a North Carolina EV factory, aiming to start production in 2024. First reported by local newspaper The News & Observer and subsequently confirmed by Vinfast, the factory will be located at Triangle Innovation Point "megasite" in Chatham County, near the state capital of Raleigh. According to... EV partisan divide, higher mpg penalties for automakers, solid-state Porsche 911: Today’s Car News
Automakers will soon have to pay more for selling gas-guzzlers. Porsche is reportedly mulling solid-state battery tech in its 911 sports car. And does a partisan divide exist regarding EV policy? This and more, here at Green Car Reports. The federal government has reinstated higher penalties—and collecting them—for automakers that fail... Poll finds bipartisan support for policies supporting EV adoption
The increasingly partisan divide in Congress over electric-vehicle-related policy spending may be disconnected from reality. That’s one of the potential conclusions from a national poll released Monday by the Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA), a policy and advocacy trade group representing the industry around EVs. The poll... Report: Porsche is working on a 911 sports car powered by solid-state batteries
An electric Porsche 911 powered by solid-state batteries is in the works, according to a recent report from German publication Manager Magazin (via Ecomento). While the electric sports car will reportedly appear in some form later this decade, it's unclear whether this is a one-off experiment or something genuinely being prepared under research... Feds reinstate higher fines for automakers failing to meet mpg standards
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a rule reinstating higher penalties for automakers that fail to meet fuel efficiency standards, Reuters reported Sunday. In its final days, the Trump administration delayed implementation of a 2016 rule that more than doubled penalties for automakers that failed to meet... Nissan and Toyota EV tax credit, Stellantis-LG battery plant, cobalt and EV affordability: Today’s Car News
The parent company of Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler teams up with LG for a battery plant in Canada. We look at how cobalt prices—and some bad U.S. decisions over resource control—may lead to EV-affordability issues. Toyota and Nissan are introducing more EVs just in time for buyers to claim the full EV tax credit. And is cost more... Toyota and Nissan EVs: With $7,500 tax credit phaseout soon, don’t miss the affordability window
The runway is looking shorter for two new affordable electric vehicles from Toyota and Nissan. That’s because both brands are getting quite close to a sales barrier that will no longer allow buyers to claim the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit—which could make quite a difference for those considering a Toyota bZ4X or Nissan Ariya...