Test drive: 2024 Subaru Solterra feels fit for the blue highways

2024 Subaru SolterraSolterra efficiency is in the same ballpark as Hyundai Ioniq 5 and VW ID.4 Even with improvements, it's one of the slower-charging electric crossovers X-Mode off-road mode gives the Solterra impressive AWD traction and finesse Subaru’s vehicles have never completely fallen in line with the mainstream. As I spent more time with the...

EV battery costs dropped 90% in last 15 years

Mercedes-Benz Alabama battery factoryThe average price of a lithium-ion battery pack for a light-duty EV has decreased 90% over the past 15 years, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates. In 2023, the DOE estimates pack prices averaged $139/kwh on a usable-energy basis for production at scale, meaning at least 100,000 units per year. That's still not quite at the magical...

2025 Nissan Leaf is now cheaper than Versa economy car

2025 Nissan LeafThanks to incentives, the 2025 Nissan Leaf is now the automaker's cheapest model regardless of powertrain type, reports CarsDirect, undercutting the gasoline Versa economy car. The base 2025 Nissan Leaf S starts at $29,280 with destination, but through September 3 it's eligible for $7,500 in NMAC Special APR cash, which is essentially a rebate...

Rivian R2 charge port moves to left rear, like Tesla

Rivian R2Rivian confirmed rear left charge port location in upcoming R2 models Had previously indicated rear right for streetside charging and Rivian’s own networks Means R2 owners will have an easier time using Supercharger stations Front, rear, left, right? Automakers still can’t agree on where to place EV charge ports on the vehicle. But it...

2025 Volvo EX90 price hiked $3,300, still missing features

2025 Volvo EX90The 2025 Volvo EX90 now costs $81,290 The updated pricing includes a $3,300 price increase due to material costs The 2025 Volvo EX90 is in production in South Carolina The 2025 Volvo EX90 has gotten $3,300 more expensive ahead of the planned start of U.S. deliveries later this year, reported Automotive News. Volvo's website now lists the base...

Acura teases concept previewing US-built EV on its own platform

Acura electric SUV concept, 2024 Pebble Beach teaserAcura teased an electric SUV concept that will debut in Monterey next week The production version of the electric SUV concept will ride on Acura and Honda's own BEV platform Acura will build the electric SUV in its Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio Acura is due to debut an electric SUV concept at this month's 2024 Monterey Car Week, and Friday it...

VW ID.Buzz conversion vans brings good vibes into electric era

Volkswagen ID.Buzz.Box by Peace VansA camper conversion of the VW ID.Buzz is in the works Deliveries of the VW ID.Buzz conversion van will begin in November The camper conversion is being done by a third-party independent of VW A Seattle-based company is offering Volkswagen ID.Buzz camper van conversions that channel the grooviness of VW Microbus hippie-mobiles. Peace Vans, which...

PHEVs and EVs outsold gas-powered cars in China in July

BYD Shark plug-in hybrid pickupElectric cars and plug-in hybrids outsold non-hybrid internal-combustion cars in China—the world's largest new-car market—in July, reports Reuters. Sales of plug-in cars increased 37% last month from the same period a year earlier, reaching a record 50.7% market share, according to the report, which cites data from the China Passenger...

NACS or CCS: ChargePoint EV chargers follow Tesla Magic Dock

ChargePoint Omni PortAs automakers and charging networks move to adopt the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) for EV fast charging, ChargePoint is releasing new hardware that combines Tesla and non-Tesla connector types. The ChargePoint Omni Port can accommodate NACS and Combined Charging Standard (CCS) connectors, as well as the SAE J1772 connector for AC...