Rivian looked to nature for the sounds in its R1T and R1S

2023 Rivian R1TEVs are by nature far quieter, so more thought needs to go into the sounds they make when doing routine things. Rivian saw this as an opportunity to reinforce the outdoorsy branding of its R1T electric pickup truck and R1S electric SUV, choosing sounds inspired by nature. Even without an internal-combustion engine, cars make lots of sounds. From...

Does Toyota CEO change signal it’s going all-in on EVs?

Gill Pratt at World Economic Forum, DavosA leadership change at Toyota doesn't seem to have changed the automaker's EV strategy. Akio Toyoda recently announced a step over to chairman after 14 years as CEO of the automaker founded by his grandfather, with Koji Sato anointed as the next Toyota CEO. But the automaker's stance on EVs—that they're not the only solution to addressing...

Tesla heat pump detailed, gives a boost to winter EV range

Tesla Model Y with heat pumpTesla last week outlined some of the details that distinguish its heat pump system that’s now included throughout its vehicle lineup. The electric vehicle maker claims that its design performs well in very cold weather, where other heat pumps fall short. Depending on the exact situation, Tesla claims, its cars might be using as little as a...

Ram Charger inductive charging robot: How it will work for Ram EV

Robotic inductive Ram Charger for future Ram EVThe first widely available factory original wireless charger in the U.S. might arrive not from Tesla or one of the Chinese EV makers, but from Stellantis. As it revealed its Ram electric truck concept last week, Ram gave a future inductive charging robot center stage. “We know from our Real Talk tour that our customers aren’t just...

Hyundai Ioniq 5 with e-corner tech turns on a dime

Hyundai Ioniq 5 with e-corner modulesAn electric powertrain allows for a lot more possibilities for improving low-speed maneuverability, as Hyundai recently demonstrated. The automaker's Hyundai Mobis mobility-tech division has developed a hardware set called "e-corner" that allows a vehicle's individual wheels to rotate up to 90 degrees. The system was first shown in 2021, and the...

Rivian R1T crash-tested by IIHS, earns top safety distinction

2022 Rivian R1T IIHS crash testingThe Rivian R1T is the first electric pickup truck ever run through the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing regimen—and it received high marks. The IIHS announced on Friday that the R1T had earned its highest Top Safety Pick+ safety award. The award, which applies to 2022 and 2023 R1T models, encompasses crash-test scores...

Hyundai N performance EV brand teases hydrogen fuel cell tech

Hyundai N Vision 74 ConceptHyundai's N performance division is preparing to launch its first battery-electric cars, but it's considering performance fuel-cell vehicles as well. Hyundai released a short video Friday showing off the development process for its N vehicles and teasing the first production electric N model, the Ioniq 5 N, a sportier version of the Ioniq 5...

Beyond GM and Sony EV projects, Honda goes solo on solid-state tech

Honda solid-state battery prototype manufacturingHonda has established EV partnerships with General Motors and Sony, but the automaker is going it alone on solid-state battery tech. Honda plans to invest 43 billion yen ($290 million at current exchange rates) to build a demonstration solid-state battery production line in Sakura, a city in Japan's Tochigi Prefecture, slated to open in spring...

2024 Cadillac Celestiq rises as $300,000 electric flagship

2024 Cadillac CelestiqAfter showing a concept car this summer, Cadillac on Monday unveiled the production version of its Celestiq flagship EV, confirming a $300,000 price tag for the hand-built electric hatch. The price seems more Rolls-Royce than Cadillac, but the production process will also resemble the British firm's low-volume method. Starting in December 2023 the...

GMC Sierra EV Denali teased ahead of Oct. 20 debut

GMC Sierra EV Denali teasedThe next electric GMC pickup truck has a reveal date. On Friday, GMC teased the Denali edition of its upcoming Sierra EV with a video, and confirmed its debut date of Oct. 20. The production truck appears to be nearly identical to that of the renders teased in 2021 with large C-shaped LED daytime running lights and inset LED charging indicators. A...