Test drive: 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ half-steps into future

2024 Lexus RX 450h+One of the most important vehicles in the Lexus lineup, the RX, finally plugs in. The 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid arrives on the scene with 37 miles of electric range from the Toyota RAV4 Prime’s powertrain, in a more eye-catching and softer-to-the-touch package. As I found in a recent drive of the RX 450h+, this translates to a...

Will Toyota Prius Prime gain EV route planning smarts?

2024 Toyota Prius PrimeAmong the new features of the Toyota C-HR plug-in hybrid recently launched in Europe is an efficiency-boosting trip planner that could be useful to Toyota's U.S. plug-in hybrid customers. Called Predictive Efficient Drive, this feature analyzes traffic conditions and learns the driver's behavior and regular routes to maximize use of electric mode...

DOE rule may encourage more plug-in hybrids, fewer EVs

2023 Kia Niro plug-in hybridThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled a revised rule that would effectively give automakers more flexibility with pending EPA rules for model years 2027 to 2032—and more time to ramp up EV sales compared to an earlier proposal. The final rule for Petroleum-Equivalent Fuel Economy Calculation released late Tuesday softens what had been...

Rivian adapters arrive in April, enable Tesla Supercharger waypoints

Rivian R1T at Tesla SuperchargerRivian will begin shipping free North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters to customers in April, giving them access to over 15,000 Tesla Supercharger fast-charging stations across North America, the automaker announced Monday. Compatible Supercharger sites will be added to roughly 16,000 pubic chargers customers already have access to...

Fisker pauses production, with glut of undelivered EVs

2023 Fisker Ocean pre-production at Magna Steyr plant in Graz, AustriaFisker has paused production of its Ocean electric SUV for six weeks as it seeks to draw down inventory and secure additional financing. To the funding point, Fisker confirmed Monday that it has secured "a financing commitment from an existing investor" of up to $150 million. The company has about 4,700 vehicles in inventory worth about $200...