Nissan confirms electric Juke, Leaf replacement among EVs for Europe

Nissan Chill-Out conceptNissan will build a Leaf replacement, as well as electric versions of two popular crossovers, in the U.K. for European sales. The Leaf replacement, along with electric Juke and Qashqai crossovers, will be built at Nissan's Sunderland factory—long the automaker's hub for European production—and will be inspired by three recent concept...

Report: VW’s Scout turns to Magna to develop electric pickup and SUV

Teaser for Scout Motors electric SUV and pickup truckThe Volkswagen Group's Scout EV brand may outsource development of its upcoming electric pickup truck and SUV to Magna, according to a new report. VW has given Magna Steyr, the division of the automotive supplier that builds the rugged G-Class for Mercedes-Benz in Graz, Austria, an order worth $492 million to develop the models, Automotive News...

Wireless charging aligns for automated use in EVs, plug-in hybrids

WiTricity and Siemens wireless charging stationSAE International finalized methodology this past week for an important hardware component of EV wireless charging systems. The organization announced a single wireless charging standard—officially J2954—in 2020. As part of the finalization process of that standard, the organization has settled on a methodology for hardware that aligns...

Review: 2024 Audi SQ8 E-Tron EV hustles in a hush

2024 Audi SQ8 E-TronBig, powerful electric luxury SUVs with sub-5-second acceleration times and ranges of 300 miles or more are now ubiquitous. That certainly wasn’t the case in 2019 when Audi E-Tron deliveries started, or in 2017, when Audi powertrain and chassis development chief Siegfried Pint promised me that the E-Tron’s tri-motor system would make...

Tesla Superchargers might cost extra $1 a minute above 90%

Tesla SuperchargerTesla has updated its billing policy with a "congestion fee" aimed at increasing throughput at its Supercharger DC fast-charging stations. According to the Supercharger fees page on Tesla's website, updated earlier this week, users will now be charged $1 per minute to charge above 90% capacity. Tesla notes that this applies to "busy" stations...

2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe recalled, owners told not to charge

2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xeJust ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Stellantis issued a recall that advises owners of some Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrids not to plug in—and tells them not to park the SUV near buildings or other cars. In 32,125 Wrangler 4xe models—certain models from the 2021-2024 model years—a potential battery issue could lead...

As EV market grows, it’s attracting buyers with top-tier credit

2024 Kia EV6 GTThe U.S. EV market grew significantly in the first half of 2023, but the average EV buyer still has very strong credit, a new study found. The study, conducted by credit giant TransUnion with S&P Global Mobility, found that high average credit scores for EV buyers remained the norm between the second quarter of 2022 and the same period in...

Stellantis-CATL battery partnership seeks affordable EVs for Europe

Citroën ë-C4Stellantis and battery supplier CATL on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding that could pave the way for more affordable EVs in Europe. The non-binding memorandum outlines the supply of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells and modules by CATL to Stellantis for European production within an unspecific timeframe. The two companies are...

Here’s how your old Prius battery will help build new EVs

2008 Toyota PriusRedwood Materials, the battery recycling effort started by Tesla alum JB Straubel, sees its mission as critical for ramping up domestic content in American EVs—as well as for helping automakers meet sustainability targets. Last month, Redwood detailed one way it’s actually making that process happen on the ground: It’s started an...

Could Ferrari be readying in-wheel motors for performance EVs?

Ferrari SF90 XX StradaleA recently-surfaced Ferrari patent application hints at in-wheel motors for future performance road cars. In a filing published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Nov. 2, 2023, filed the previous April, the Italian performance automaker appears to be working to integrate motors together with friction brakes, as part of a...

Honda shows hydrogen fuel-cell module set to power CR-V

Honda next-generation hydrogen fuel-cell moduleHonda this week provided a few more details about its next-generation fuel-cell module, at the 2023 European Hydrogen Week in Brussels. Co-developed with General Motors, the new module was first shown at the 2023 Tokyo auto show, and it has already been confirmed for use in North America. Honda has already confirmed a Europe-bound energy storage...