Tesla aside, EV buyers aren’t staying loyal to EVs

2023 Chevrolet Bolt EVWhile Tesla continues to post industry-leading loyalty numbers, there are now some indications that households are less loyal to EVs from other brands, according to a new study from S&P Global Mobility. "Nearly half of those non-Tesla EV households that have acquired a new electric vehicle still purchase an internal combustion vehicle the next...

Grounded G2: 250-mile electric RV builds on GM Ultium EV tech

Grounded G2 electric RVA Detroit-based startup wants to turn General Motors electric vans into RVs. Called Grounded, the startup on Wednesday announced the G2, an RV based on the GM BrightDrop Zevo 600 van. Grounded claims deliveries will start later this month. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive G2 is a follow-up to the Grounded G1 launched earlier this year. But where...

GM delays electric trucks a year, with no Chevy Bolt EV extension

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV with GM Ultium Home energy systemGeneral Motors announced Tuesday that it is delaying scaled-up production of its full-size electric pickups for a whole year, to late 2025. That extra year of time, idling GM’s Orion Assembly in Michigan, won’t be filled by additional production of the Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, however. Those models are still due to go out of...

BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce will adopt Tesla charge port US and Canada

2022 BMW i4 M50BMW announced Tuesday that it will adopt the Tesla charge port and corresponding North American Charging Standard (NACS) for battery electric models in the U.S. and Canada starting in 2025. Drivers of BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce EVs with CCS charge ports will gain access to Tesla Supercharger stations, using an adapter, starting in early 2025...

Nissan EV concept reimagines the minivan around solid-state batteries

Nissan Hyper Tourer conceptNissan has revealed the third of four advanced EV concepts headed for a debut at the Tokyo auto show later this month. Called the Hyper Tourer Concept, it fits in alongside the Hyper Urban and Hyper Adventure concepts. It reconceives the minivan, assuming a future in which autonomous-driving technology will allow people to enjoy the company of...

2024 Nissan Leaf becomes eligible for $3,750 EV tax credit

2024 Nissan LeafThe 2024 Nissan Leaf is now eligible for a $3,750 federal EV tax credit, Nissan confirmed Monday in a press release. The credit—half the maximum amount of $7,500—can be applied to any new 2024 Leaf models purchased and placed in service by Dec. 31, 2023. The confirmation comes after several months of ambiguity on whether the Leaf would...

Rivian EVs’ software update makes towing an all-terrain experience

Rivian R1T towing Rivian service vanThrough its latest software update officially rolling out beginning Monday to its R1S electric SUV and R1T electric pickup, Rivian is introducing an overhaul to its drive mode interface plus a “reimagined towing experience” that makes modes accessible (and useful) during towing. The changes, which are part of release 2023.38.0, bring a...

2024 Kia EV6 Long Range gets lower price with Light trim

2023 Kia EV6 GTThe 2024 Kia EV6 gets a new trim that gives buyers more range at a lower price. News of the 2024 EV6 Light Long Range was originally found by Green Car Reports' partner side CarsDirect, citing a dealership order guide, but GCR has since confirmed the new model's arrival with Kia USA. The Light Long Range will cut the price of the EV6's larger...

Toyota electric sports car, crossover EV concepts previewed

Toyota FT-Se conceptToyota on Monday teased two fully electric concept cars that appear to make a fresh, coordinated design statement and may hint at production models in the works for later in the decade. Both concepts, headed for a Tokyo auto show debut later this month, play to the transition of mobility to “a lifestyle partner closely aligned with each...

Do engine block heaters boost mpg, reduce cold-weather emissions?

2020 Dodge Charger GT AWD kicks up snow at the Winter Driving Encounter in Winter Park, CO. All vehicles become less efficient in cold weather. In a recent study, researchers in freezing Finland focused on whether engine block heaters could help increase efficiency in internal-combustion vehicles. Conducted by the University of Eastern Finland and Tampere University, the study, published in the journal Applied Energy, produced some...

$8B hydrogen hubs might cut some fossil-fuel use in trucking

Hyundai Xcient Fuel CellThe White House on Friday announced funding for seven regional hydrogen hubs, a major step toward scaling up hydrogen production for transportation uses. The seven regional hubs—Mid-Atlantic, Appalachian, California, Gulf Coast, Heartland, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest—will get $7 billion in funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure...

Review: 2024 Lexus TX 550h plug-in hybrid is the lone star of TX

2024 Lexus TX 550h+The 2024 Lexus TX is exactly what it needs to be—almost, in one of its versions. It’s a big, boxy three-row SUV with adult-size space in all rows, wide-opening doors, loads of flat-folding cargo versatility, and low lift heights—plus a TX 500h hybrid version, as well as an available TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid version that can go up...