Category: Green Technology

The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric sedan has a price tag for the U.S., and it sets the 361-mile version that outdoes the Tesla Model 3 in range at $46,615. Base versions of the Ioniq 6 start at $42,715 with a 240-mile range. That positions Ioniq 6 prices just below those of the Ioniq 5 crossover.

Volkswagen has traditionally looked to suppliers like Bosch for the design of some of its core components; but VW sees big gains in efficiency from optimizing them, with “all-in-one” componenta rather than modules, and keeping expertise in-house, the company said Tuesday. The approach, which sounds much like what Tesla has used for its vehicles, could bring economies of scale as well.

Toyota is considering ramping up EV production in Kentucky at its existing factory there as soon as 2025, according to a report. The move might potentially take advantage of the federal EV tax credit as well as incentivized batteries from a new North Carolina factory.

Lexus has provided an update on its yoke interface and steer-by-wire system, and timing appears not to have changed as a result of Tesla’s recent decision to start offering steering wheels again on Model S and Model X. The Lexus yoke won’t arrive with that interface at launch in the U.S., but at some future date—just as the automaker has previously said.

The Alabama-made 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 electric SUV costs much more than the gasoline version, the brand revealed last week. But if you consider its likely $3,750 tax credit and an ownership-cost advantage, the luxurious crossover might not seem quite as expensive.

The sounds emitted by the Rivian R1T and R1S electric trucks were created from actual recorded bird calls, recorded at Yellowstone National Park. How’s that for an Easter Egg?

According to Porsche, one-pedal driving in EVs isn’t efficient. The more aggressive regenerative-braking settings in some models, including those from Tesla, allow drivers to use the brake pedal only for full stops in ordinary driving. And they lose energy when both accelerating and decelerating, the German automaker argues—so encouraging coasting is always going to be better, it argues.

California’s Sakuu has claimed the first 3D-printed battery cells for EVs. The company also claims that 3D printing may enable solid-state chemistries sooner, enable custom form factors, and take less energy and raw materials to make.

And are plug-in hybrids emitting more CO2 than manufacturers claim, even when they have a full charge? That’s what is claimed by the European environmental group Transport & Environment, based on a real-world test recently conducted together with Graz University of Technology.

Which state opted to join California’s EV mandate this week?

This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending February 17, 2023.

In a review of the 2023 Kia Niro EV, we find that while this 253-mile EV has improved incrementally in every way versus its predecessor, it backslides on value—especially when you start to lay out how it compares by the numbers.

The federal government acted to put Tesla’s $15,000 Full Self-Driving on a tighter leash. The NHTSA said that Full Self-Driving Beta poses “an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety,” with the announcement of an over-the-air recall of more than 360,000 vehicles that will adjust a number of ways the system behaves and responds. It results after an engineering analysis by the agency.

Coordinated with a Super Bowl ad about “premature electrification,” Ram revealed the production version of its 1500 REV electric truck, which appears to be nothing close to the design revolution shown by the brand’s recent Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept.

A plant that could produce battery cells enabling Ford EV affordability was announced for Michigan. The facility will be owned and run by Ford but will employ technology from CATL and make LFP (lithium iron phosphate) cells.

With the LFP battery tech headed to the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning over the next year, and we looked into what makes it superior for certain kinds of budget-minded buyers.

Unrelated to the battery announcement, Ford this week halted F-150 Lightning production over a battery-related issue that involved a fire outside its Dearborn plant. Ford didn’t stop Lightning sales in the wake of the issue, which it continues to evaluate.

Earlier in the week, we looked at how Tesla might open its Supercharger network to other EVs and augment its proprietary connectors to access government funding. And then on Wednesday it happened, with the Biden administration laying out technical requirements for companies claiming federal funds for the $7.5 billion national EV charging network. That includes Tesla, which will open up some of its network—for a price, of course.

There will be three EV debuts from Cadillac in 2023, the GM luxury brand announced Wednesday, with production starting in 2024 for all three. Don’t expect them all to come to the U.S. immediately, either, as they’ll be given staggered rollouts across world markets.

There’s now a production electric convertible! Don’t get your hopes up too much, though; the Mini Cooper SE Convertible confirmed this week is only arriving to Europe, in a very limited-edition form.

Before its own self-imposed disruption of Dieselgate, VW saw plug-in hybrids as a “bridge” to EVs. After years of saying that hybrids and PHEVs for the U.S. will only divert the focus from its fully electric models, VW appears to be returning to that old messaging.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced Wednesday that his Garden State will take a path to adopt California’s 2035 end date for new internal-combustion vehicles, other than plug-in hybrids. With the recent defeat of an effort to scrap Virginia’s adoption of the rules, there’s now a cohesive East Coast bloc mandating more EVs.

Meanwhile, seven automakers earlier this week filed testimony that solidly backs California’s ability to mandate EVs as part of tougher emissions standards—in response to a challenge from 17 Republican-led states opposing this case that tangles with states’ rights.

A Ford patent application proposes a dual-charge-port solution that could, with bidirectional charging capability, charge multiple EVs in series from the same station—or allow them to provide power to each other or to the grid. The tech looks like it could be a useful part of Ford’s plan to help businesses cut costs and electrify their fleets.

Ford has also patented the combination of a solid-axle and hub-motor combination for EVs, and it reminds us of the setup used by Lordstown Motors in the Endurance—a setup Ford had said wasn’t durable enough for the F-150 Lightning. Might it make sense after all in a future off-roader?

Redwood Materials is reportedly likely to receive a $2 billion U.S. Department of Energy loan applying toward its $3.5 billion recycling and manufacturing facility in Nevada, and getting a jump on a U.S. supply chain for battery materials.

A potential cold-weather stalling issue is prompting Toyota to recall some 2021 RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrids. It’s a software fix, but in this vehicle that means a service appointment at the dealership.

Results from a study sponsored by a petro-refining trade group suggest that Midwest motorists will pay an additional 8 to 12 cents per gallon of gasoline due ethanol policy supported by the region. Would a cohesive fuels standard including electricity generation serve everyone better?

According to a report summing up California sales, Tesla took 11% of the state’s market in 2022, passing GM, Honda, and others. It did that with only EVs, and no pickups yet, as EVs surged to 17% of the California market in 2022.

And is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration going to take seriously a petition that seeks pedestrian sounds on nine million older hybrids and EVs? It’s extremely unusual for the agency to open such a wide-ranging investigation on one petition, so this may mark several auto-safety firsts.

In a review of the 2023 Kia Niro EV, we find that while this 253-mile EV has improved incrementally in every way versus its predecessor, it backslides on value—especially when you start to lay out how it compares in all the numbers.

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability has at last been put on a tighter leash by the federal government. After an engineering analysis and prompts by the NHTSA, Tesla will conduct an over-the-air recall of more than 360,000 vehicles because Full Self-Driving Beta poses “an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.” Among the many items Tesla will need to adjust in a software update include the system’s yellow-light behavior, the duration of stops, its operating speed (based both on signs and driver), and its observation of lane rules.

A Ford patent application proposes a dual-charge-port solution that could, with bidirectional charging capability, charge multiple EVs in series from the same station—or allow them to provide power to each other or to the grid. The tech looks like it could be a useful part of Ford’s plan to help businesses cut costs and electrify their fleets.

And according to a study sponsored by a petro-refining trade group, Midwest motorists will pay an additional 8 to 12 cents per gallon of gasoline due to the region’s own political push to get more ethanol and E15 out to stations. Would a new fuels standard that takes into account electricity generation and the big picture be more useful?

On Wednesday, the U.S. DOT and the Biden administration laid out requirements for the hardware, and charging network interfaces, for companies looking to claim federal funds on the buildout of the $7.5 billion federal EV charging network. Among many key contributing pieces: Tesla will open up some of its network—for a price, of course.

With an executive order from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Wednesday, the Garden State officially takes a trajectory to adopt California’s 2035 end date for new internal-combustion vehicles, other than plug-in hybrids. New Jersey’s adoption of these standards, along with the defeat of a recent effort to scrap Virginia’s adoption of them, helps form a more cohesive East Coast bloc mandating more EVs.

Meanwhile, seven automakers earlier this week filed testimony that solidly backs California’s ability to mandate EVs as part of tougher emissions standards—in response to a challenge from 17 Republican-led states opposing this case that tangles with states’ rights.

Production and shipments of the Ford F-150 Lightning remain stopped, while sales of the truck continue. Ford, meanwhile, is working on the issue behind a vehicle fire that happened in the inspection lot of its Dearborn plant. We’ll keep you updated on whatever it leads to.

And is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration going to take seriously a petition that seeks pedestrian sounds on nine million older hybrids and EVs? It’s extremely unusual for the agency to open such a wide-ranging investigation on one petition, so this may mark several auto-safety firsts.

The Biden administration has laid out technical requirements for companies claiming federal funds for the $7.5 billion national EV charging network. It defines U.S.-made, adds rules for hardware and uptime, and to some degree lays out the required consumer interface. That includes the “portion” of the Tesla Supercharger and Destination charger network expected to be opened to non-Tesla EVs.

The debut of three new EVs from Cadillac in 2023, with production starting in 2024 for all three models, was confirmed by the brand Wednesday by the brand’s top executive. There will be staggered rollouts depending on the market though, so don’t expect these models to all arrive in the U.S.—although production of the Celestiq flagship is due as planned in December.

A potential cold-weather stalling issue is prompting Toyota to recall some 2021 RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrids. It’s a software fix, but in this vehicle that means a service appointment at the dealership.

And a convertible EV exists! Overseas, that is. BMW confirmed that it will produce a Mini Cooper SE Convertible—in a very limited-edition form, and only for Europe, in a move that teases the potential of a future fully electric family of models.

Ford Monday confirmed a Michigan battery plant that, starting in 2026, will make cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) EV batteries using tech from China’s CATL. In the meantime, the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning are set to get this tech over the next year.

A battery issue has halted Ford F-150 Lightning production, although that hasn’t affected sales quite yet. With an analysis underway, it’s also not yet clear whether this is an issue that might lead to a recall.

Before its own self-imposed disruption of Dieselgate, VW saw plug-in hybrids as a “bridge” to EVs. After years of saying that hybrids and PHEVs for the U.S. will only divert the focus from its fully electric models, VW appears to be returning to that old messaging.

Standards for federal EV charging sites are due soon. Will Tesla open its Supercharger network to other EVs and augment its proprietary connectors to access that government funding?

And Ford has patented the combination of a solid-axle and hub-motor combination for EVs, and it reminds us of the setup used by Lordstown Motors in the Endurance—a setup Ford had said wasn’t durable enough for the F-150 Lightning. Might it make sense after all in a future off-roader?

Leading into a Super Bowl ad yesterday about “premature electrification,” Ram showed the production version of its 1500 REV electric truck, emphasizing that it’s nothing close to the design revolution shown by the brand’s recent Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept.

According to a report summing up California sales, Tesla took 11% of the market in 2022 in the Golden State, passing GM, Honda, and others. And it did that with only EVs, and no pickups yet, as EVs surged to 17% of the California market in 2022.

A $2 billion U.S. Department of Energy loan is reportedly likely to help Redwood Materials’ $3.5 billion recycling and manufacturing facility in Nevada get a jump on a U.S. supply chain for battery materials. The loan will help give the company, started by former Tesla CTO JB Straubel, some runway to build up a sustainable process.

And a plant that could produce battery cells enabling Ford EV affordability is reportedly set for Michigan. The facility with CATL is expected to make LFP (lithium iron phosphate) cells, according to reports, with official announcements likely due today at a Ford event.

Which EV maker is now offering a $7,500 “EV credit?”

This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending February 11, 2023.

In a first drive of the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid, we found that while this longtime top-selling sedan isn’t as distinctive as its predecessor, it’s improved in efficiency, refinement, and most measures that matter on the drive. It’s sportier, too.

The Lexus RZ 450e has been priced starting at $59,650, and while that makes it no great value, this first U.S.-bound EV from Lexus loads on the features and appears to offer the luxury ambience those loyal to the brand see as a hallmark.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was revealed this week with seating for up to eight and fuel economy up to 34. With just a little more space at the third row and cargo area, it should bring families who considered the Highlander in the first place more of what they’re looking for.

Electrify America last week announced nationwide price hikes for EV fast-charging that add up to about 15% more for frequent customers. The higher rates do correlate to a higher cost of electricity across the U.S. versus a year earlier—although there’s none of the extreme volatility of gas prices.

Production announcements continued to pile in—but the emphasis was south of the border for this week’s news. Next-generation Neue Klasse EVs from BMW will be made in Mexico starting in 2027, the company confirmed earlier this week. It’s likely Mexico will make the vast majority of U.S.-bound EVs built on the upcoming dedicated platform underpinning smaller to midsize EVs and using cylindrical battery cells.

A Tesla EV and battery plant for Mexico is also in the works, according to multiple reports. While the reports don’t agree on exactly where within Mexico that facility might be, it’s the latest in a series of operations shifts that may help automakers get an American sourcing and materials advantage.

And a battery plant set to be run by Ford but use technology from China’s CATL is reportedly set for Michigan. Due to make LFP cells, potentially for the Mustang Mach-E and other models, it could be a key to Ford EV affordability.

Has an EV price war already arrived? Based on a series of recent statements from automakers, even as some of them, including Ford, struggle with supply-chain issues and the EV production ramp, it seems so. But as analysts recently pointed out, Big 3 automakers will need the cash-cow profits of full-size pickups in order to support investments in EVs.

Another sign of heated-up price competition arrived from the upper ranges of the EV market. Lucid announced a $7,500 “EV credit” applying to some versions of the Air Touring and Air Grand Touring—if they’re ordered by the end of March. Sound familiar to something Tesla tried in December?

Subaru has confirmed to Green Car Reports that there is no plan for a Crosstrek Hybrid beyond 2023. A new-generation Crosstrek made its debut Thursday, and with the recent arrival of the Solterra, plus California’s tighter requirements for upcoming plug-in hybrids, the 17-mile PHEV was already living on borrowed time.

Hyundai will soon once again offer electric vehicles via a monthly subscription, with a single payment that includes insurance, roadside assistance, and maintenance. Based on 1,000 monthly miles, Hyundai’s Evolve+ EV subscription starts at $699 a month for the Kona Electric and $899 a month for the Ioniq 5.

According to Volkswagen’s top U.S. executive, the brand is considering either a hybrid or plug-in hybrid pickup truck for America. Timing is unclear, and the project appears to close the door on the VW electric truck that had been seriously on the table before the formation of a standalone Scout brand.

Volkswagen also this week recalled more than 20,000 U.S. ID.4 EVs from the 2021 model year for an issue that could suddenly shut down the drive system. While VW has had various software-related issues, this is the first one affecting propulsion.

In a first crash-test of the Sono Sion, the company found that the panels “behave as predicted,” it said, with no additional risk to occupants or bystanders. That’s an important achievement for this first mass-produced solar electric car, with solar panels integrated within all its body panels.

California legislators have proposed a bill, supported by SEMA, that would offer residents a rebate of up to $2,000 for converting gasoline cars to EVs. That helps with an inconvenient truth: that even if California shifts to EVs as rapidly as planned, it needs to shift the already-in-use fleet away from internal combustion, too.

Google claims that its Maps navigation now distinguishes “very fast” chargers of 150 kw or higher, as part of EV route planning in models with Google built-in that may approach the functionality built into Tesla models.

And Stellantis revealed two new teaser photos of the production Ram 1500 REV electric truck, and much more info and a full look is due Super Bowl Sunday—that’s today.

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Hyundai will soon, once again, offer electric vehicles via a monthly subscription, with a single payment that includes insurance, roadside assistance, and maintenance. Based on 1,000 monthly miles, prices for the EV subscription, called Evolve+, start at $699 a month for the Kona Electric and $899 a month for the Ioniq 5. And of course it’s all coordinated via its own smartphone app.

According to VW’s top U.S. executive, the brand is considering either a hybrid or plug-in hybrid pickup truck for America. Timing is unclear, and the project appears to close the door (for now) on the Volkswagen electric truck that had seriously been on the table before the formation of the standalone Scout brand.

Subaru has confirmed to Green Car Reports that there is no plan for a Crosstrek Hybrid beyond 2023. A new-generation Crosstrek made its debut Thursday, and with the recent arrival of the Solterra, and California’s tighter requirements for upcoming plug-in hybrids, this 17-mile PHEV may have been living on borrowed time.

And in two new teaser photos of the production Ram 1500 REV electric truck, the Stellantis truck brand on Thursday showed that the front end of its production EV will likely look a lot like the concept truck it revealed last month at CES. More is due to be revealed on Super Bowl Sunday, February 12.