Rivian confirms 390-mile R1S Max Pack for fall deliveries

2023 Rivian R1SRivian on Tuesday confirmed that it will be delivering Max Pack versions of its R1S, in Dual Motor form, starting this fall. According to Rivian, the R1S Max Pack will accelerate to 60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds and offer three rows of seating. With the announcement, part of a quarterly financial update for shareholders released Tuesday, the...

Rivian R1T, Mini Cooper SE, Kia EV6 top EV ownership study

2023 Rivian R1TIndustry newcomer Rivian is already wowing owners not just with its R1T electric truck but as part of a well-rounded assessment of the ownership experience. The Rivian R1T was ranked highest in satisfaction in results released Tuesday from an annual study focusing on EV ownership from survey giant J.D. Power. It’s followed, in order of...

Research: Tires and brakes emit more particulates than tailpipes

Goodyear tire made from 70% sustainable materialCurrent emissions regulations are focused on what comes out of vehicle tailpipes, but a new study claims more than half of road-vehicle particulate emissions—fine particles that can pollute surrounding air and water—comes from other sources. Conducted by Imperial College London, the study (via Green Car Congress) estimates that in 2021...

Vinfast drops VF 8 lease price, confirms US deliveries start March 1

Vinfast VF 8Vinfast on Monday confirmed plans to begin U.S. deliveries March 1, as a report indicated the automaker is planning to lower lease prices. Vinfast had reported the first batch of 999 U.S.-bound VF 8 electric SUVs shipped out in late November, following the delivery of 100 vehicles to customers in its home country of Vietnam in September. The...

Nissan accelerates EV plan for Europe and Japan, but not US

Nissan Chill-Out concept  -  December 2021Nissan announced Monday that as part of an accelerated shift to electrified and fully electric vehicles it sees 55% of global mix made up by “electrified” vehicles by 2030—up from its previous 50% forecast. Although after the solidification of various pieces of Biden administration EV policy, it hasn’t set any higher target...

Study: Heated surfaces could help boost range in some EVs

Ford E-Transit with experimental heated interior surfacesIn cold weather, energy needed to heat vehicle interiors can negatively impact EV range. Ford claims its engineers have found a solution—for delivery vehicles, at least. As part of a research project with the European Commission, Ford engineers fitted an E-Transit deliver van with heated armrests, floor mats, door panels, and sun visors, as...

Nissan will use electric semis to deliver Ariya EV in California

Nikola Tre electric semi trucks delivering Nissan vehicles in the Los Angeles areaNissan Ariya electric SUVs are making part of their journey to dealerships on electric semi trucks. The automaker said in a press release said it will use up to four battery-electric Class 8 semis to haul vehicles from the Port of Los Angeles to dealerships. Tractors are being provided by Nikola and Kenworth. They haul traditional car carriers and...

Review: Mazda MX-30 EV masquerades as an exotic, misses what matters

2022 Mazda MX-30 EVThe MX-30 EV is a confusing one. It embodies a unique package not shared with any gasoline model and its design details transcend its sub-$40,000 price tag. Yet it sends out some of the disappointing signals of the so-called compliance cars from a decade earlier. For the most part, these were electric conversions of small cars—the Fiat 500...

Sono Sion solar car project goes dark, though firm seeks to sell it

Sono Sion production modelGermany’s Sono Motors announced Friday that it will “terminate its Sion passenger car program,” effective immediately, while instead focusing on its solar solutions. Buried within the announcement was a glimmer of hope for those who would like to see the affordable solar car make it to market: Sono intends to sell its Sion...

Study: Gas-vehicle resale worries could drive subscriptions

Lincoln boutiques and dealershipsAutomakers are trying out subscription models for EVs as an alternative to traditional buying or leasing, but a new Deloitte report argues they may also play a somewhat surprising role in gasoline-car sales. With expected growth in EV adoption, concerns over the resale value of internal-combustion cars may drive subscription models, according to...

Here are the EVs and plug-in hybrids with top IIHS safety ratings

2023 Top Safety Pick awards by the IIHSDespite more stringent standards, a number of electric cars and plug-in hybrids were recognized with Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick awards for 2023. The IIHS strengthened requirements in a number of areas in 2023, and as a result only 48 models received awards, compared to 65 for 2022 (including eight EVs). Of that...