BMW adds all-wheel-drive i5 EV, plug-in hybrid to 5-Series lineup

2024 BMW i5The BMW 5-Series lineup adds two more plug-in variants for the 2025 model year. The automaker confirmed Tuesday that the 2025 BMW 550e xDrive plug-in hybrid will join the lineup for the new model year, along with a third version of the all-electric BMW i5 that launched for 2024 as part of a redesigned 5-Series range. BMW slots the plug-in hybrid...

GM not quite all-in on EVs, will add plug-in hybrids in US

2015 Chevrolet VoltFive years after the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Volt, it appears General Motors is ready to bring plug-in hybrids back to its North American lineup. The news was reported by several sources following the automaker's quarterly and 2023 earnings call—including CNBC, which cited comments made by GM CEO Mary Barra during the call. GM's...

Which 2024 EVs qualify for the $7,500 EV tax credit?

2023 Tesla Model Y  -  Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.The list of electric vehicles qualified for the EV tax credit in calendar year 2024 has been released. And as expected, it’s very short. Noteworthy Tesla omissions include most of the Model 3 lineup (the Performance version is the only one that now qualifies), as well as the Model X Plaid and the entire Model S lineup. And as anticipated by...

EV tax credit shifts to rebate Jan. 1, and not all dealers are ready

Mercedes-Benz dealership in New York CityMany U.S. car dealerships have not registered to begin offering the federal EV tax credit at the point of sale when that option becomes available Jan. 1. More than 7,000 dealerships have registered with the IRS to offer tax credits of up to $7,500 as point-of-sale rebates, the U.S. Treasury Department said Friday. But there are nearly 17,000...

Audi and Porsche have a safer mobile charging cable for EV, PHEV models

2024 Audi e-tron GTAudi and Porsche are conducting a recall of 240-volt Level 2 AC charging cables for EVs and plug-in hybrids. The recall covers 93,196 Audi vehicles in the U.S. from model years 2019 to 2024, including the E-Tron and E-Tron Sportback, Q4 E-Tron and Q4 E-Tron Sportback, and E-Tron GT EVs, as well as the Q5 plug-in hybrid. Porsche is recalling 41,345...

Toyota Crown PHEV aims for electric miles, home backup capability

Toyota Crown Sport PHEVThe Toyota Crown is getting an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid variant in Japan. Known as the Toyota Crown Sport PHEV, the new model was unveiled Monday. It's based on the Japanese-market Crown Sport crossover SUV unveiled in October. It's one of multiple Crown body styles, including the high-riding Toyota Crown hybrid sedan that's available now in...

Reliability survey: Vehicles that plug in are more trouble-prone

2021 Audi Q5 plug-in hybridThe reliability of electric cars and plug-in hybrids is improving, but they still remain more trouble-prone than cars without plugs, according to a new Consumer Reports survey. On average, EVs had 70% more problems than internal-combustion vehicles, the survey found. Electric cars, electric SUVs, and electric pickups are all among the...

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...

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...

Toyota’s $8M battery boost heralds US-made EVs, plug-in hybrids

2023 Toyota Prius PrimeToyota on Tuesday announced an expansion of its planned North Carolina battery plant to accommodate additional volume for EVs and plug-in hybrids. A new investment of nearly $8 billion will add eight EV and plug-in hybrid battery production lines to the two previously announced, Toyota said in a press release. Toyota previously announced that the...