As we roll along in the third quarter of 2022, GM’s long-promised EV lineup is beginning to materialize and gain some serious momentum. The American automaker now has several EVs on the market and has even more in its production pipeline. In recent media appearances, CEO Mary Barra has relayed confidence in GM’s autonomous technology and has reiterated the company’s goal to usurp Tesla as the leader in EV production. Can GM pull it off?
ChargePoint (CHPT), a leading EV charging provider, released its fiscal Q2 2023 earnings on Tuesday as industry expectations pick up on the heels of significant investments. The EV charging company beat forecasts as demand for electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure accelerates.
The enjoyment of driving the all-new 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid began with getting 45.4 mpg on combined highway and in-town driving through Southern California. This compact pickup is smaller than the mid- and full-size trucks roaming our streets, but size alone doesn’t explain how it sips fuel.
A smaller, but not small pickup
Unexpected Efficiency
Clean Fleet Report spent a week in the 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid XL, powered by a 2.5-Liter gasoline engine and a 94kW electric motor. The total system 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque drives the front wheels through an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). An eCVT is not like a traditional CVT as it has no pulleys or belts. Instead, it has a simple planetary gear set and two electric motors. One is for driving power, while the other is to start the engine, charge the battery and provides the regenerative braking that converts kinetic energy into electric energy and stores it in the battery when applying the brakes or coasting.
An efficient engine and electric power
There are driver selectable drive modes of Eco, Normal, Sport, Tow/Haul and Slippery. We didn’t need the latter as things are pretty dry in SoCal these days, but the first three can be used strategically for efficiency and performance.
The EPA has rated the Maverick Hybrid’s fuel economy at 42 mpg city/33 highway and 37 combined. In 225 miles driving through Southern California we averaged 45.4 mpg with the best fuel economy on an all-city 45-mile run where the average was a stellar 46.7 mpg. This was achieved by the computer seamlessly switching between all-electric and hybrid operation in response to drive demands and conditions, which usually meant electric for in-town or in stop-and-go traffic and hybrid on the highway. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.
Hitting the Road
This may sound a bit odd, but you don’t start the Maverick Hybrid as much as power it up. Our XL trim level had an old-school key, while the higher trim level Maverick Lariat has a button. Turning the key does not turn on the engine, unless you are in extremely hot or cold weather and have the heater or A/C on. What you hear is nothing at all, requiring looking at the dash cluster gauge to know it is time to shift into a gear and take off.
In addition to the bed, the Maverick’s got other storage tricks
The Maverick Hybrid does not offer all-wheel drive, unlike is its stablemate, the Maverick with the EcoBoost gasoline engine. The cargo payload of 1,500 pounds is the same on all Mavericks, regardless of the engine, but the tow rating for the EcoBoost engine goes up to 4,000 pounds, while the Hybrid maxes out at 2,000 pounds.
The several sheets of plywood we loaded into the bed, weighing-in at 500 pounds, were easy to haul around. We tested the Tow/Haul drive mode, but at this weight didn’t notice much difference from driving in the Normal mode. The added weight did not have a negative effect on cornering and stopping, nor the acceleration of the peppy hybrid engine. The Maverick Hybrid or EcoBoost were not designed to be a heavy-duty work trucks, but more for the weekend warrior doing DYI projects or used for active lifestyles activities such as biking and kayaking. For these purposes it is a viable option to a larger truck or a compact crossover.
The Maverick hybrid, at 3,674 pounds, felt solid and stable on the highway, and handled well under moderate cornering that produced little body lean. No need to push things by asking the Maverick to do something it was not designed to do, but the 17-inch Continental Pro Contact tires performed well for their size, and handled stops confidently with the 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS. The electric-power steering was properly tuned to feel connected to the road, making for a fun drive that is more similar to a crossover than a truck. All of this resulted in minimal cabin noise.
Interior: Basic and a Bit Retro
Basic, but up-to-date
The 2022 Maverick Hybrid comes in three trim levels of XL, XLT and Lariat. Clean Fleet Report drove the Maverick XLT that came with power windows and door locks, floor liners, single zone manual climate control with a particulate air filter, two 12V and two USB ports with one each of Type A and C. The 8-inch touchscreen housed the Bluetooth, Apple Car Play, Android Auto and the AM/FM stereo with six speakers. FordPass Connect offers convenience features such as remote door lock and unlock, remote keyless entry and engine start. The 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot can accommodate multiple devices, as far as 50-feet away.
The seats in the Maverick XLT are covered in a durable and comfortable cloth, with the fronts manually adjustable. Our Maverick came with the optional XLT Luxury Package ($2,345) giving us heated front seats and 8-way power adjustments for the driver. The front cabin headroom can easily accommodate those over six feet tall. The center armrest has a soft vinyl surface and opens for storage, and there are storage nooks through the cabin, including on the dash next to the touchscreen, and in the center console tray and door pockets.
The rear is bit cozier, but the bench seat is perfectly fine for three adults on short in-town trips, or attaching two child seats and making the Maverick an everyday haul-around-the-kids-and-run-errands driver. There is rear under-seat storage, and a clever design on the front doors to accommodate a large drink bottle or cup.
Exterior: All Truck
Size-wise, the Maverick really isn’t all that small. It is about 11 inches shorter than the midsize Ford Ranger but one inch longer than the Ford Explorer. Once upon a time there was the Ford Courier (1972-2007) that was a true compact pickup. Don’t confuse or equate the all-new Maverick with that diminutive truck, as they have nothing in common except for the blue oval on the front grille.
Light and plug where it’s needed
The Maverick design is all Ford truck, without being menacing. The XL has smooth body side panels sans chrome with the black grille, bumpers and trim on the crew cab that all look great against the very cool retro steel wheels. The above-mentioned XLT Luxury Package includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a gray bar on the grille, full-size spare, heated exterior power mirrors, LED box lighting, trailer hitch with a 4-pin connector, bed tie-down locking rails, spray-in bedliner, manual rear sliding window, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 400W inverter.
Ford says the Maverick is “Built Ford Tough”; after pulling a trailer and hauling a bed full of lumber, the Maverick XLT Hybrid earned its tough stripes. The Flexbed has been designed for multi-purpose use, and may be one of the reasons you consider buying a Maverick.
The Maverick is its 68.7-inches tall (just over five-foot, seven inches), so at five-foot, nine inches I was able to look over the cab. This lack of bigness is what will make the Maverick so appealing, as it will fit in a garage, six footers can easily sit in the front seats, and a big plus is being able to reach over the cargo box sides and touch the bed floor. If you have ever needed to off-load or tie-down anything on a midsize or full-size pickup, you will appreciate the approximate 50-inch box height.
Ready for work or play
The box itself has some handy features, such as being able to position the tailgate flat or at an angle, 10 tie-downs, four D-link bed connectors, slots to drop-in a 2×4 to raise the floor above the wheel wells, an in-box storage compartment and LED lighting. On the base XL there is no power in the bed, but stepping-up to the XLT and Lariat means there will be the opportunity to power generators, lights and other equipment. There are built-in threaded holes to create your own cargo hauling system, or order any of Ford’s 45 cargo attachments that should cover all needs.
The Maverick has exterior color options of Alto Blue Metallic, Iconic Silver Metallic, Carbonized Grey Metallic, Shadow Black, Hot Pepper Red Metallic, Cyber Orange Tri-coat Metallic, Oxford White, Cactus Grey, Velocity Blue Metallic and Area 51, which was the color on our test vehicle.
Convenience and Safety
The 2022 Ford Maverick Clean Fleet Report tested had standard or optional convenience features of a tilt and telescoping steering column, electric parking brake, remote keyless entry and start, security keypad on the driver-side door, a tire pressure monitoring system, a theft deterrent system and a power locking tailgate.
Safety systems include wiper-activated LED headlamps, rear view camera, seven airbags (front, side, driver knee, and overhead) and Ford Co-Pilot360. This advanced driver assist system (ADAS) includes the pre-collision assist with emergency braking.
Pricing and Warranties
The 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid comes in these models. Prices include the mandatory $1,495 destination and delivery fee.
Subtle badging
XL $21,490
XLT $23,955
Lariat $27,355
The 2022 Maverick comes with these warranties:
Hybrid Components – Eight years/100,000 miles
Bumper-to-Bumper – Three years/36,000 miles
Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance – Five years/60,000 miles
Corrosion – Five years/Unlimited miles
Observations: 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid
The XL is a bargain proposition starting at $19,995, but even after adding the mandatory delivery fee of $1,495, the 2022 Maverick is still the most affordable and practical pickup on the market. If you need more power, all-wheel drive and additional towing capability, checkout the the Maverick EcoBoost.
Covering a wider range of truck users now
Since this is the first truck many people buy, they will not be disappointed with what Ford has delivered. If more conveniences and a bit fancier truck is your style, then take a look at the XLT and Lariat models. The Maverick handles smooth and has ample acceleration with either engine option. The entry level Maverick XL comes standard with a high efficiency hybrid engine, but if you want more towing power and all-wheel drive, then opting for the gasoline EcoBoost engine should handle your on and off-road needs.
The 2022 Ford Maverick can easily slot into the role currently held by a crossover or SUV. It can be a light-duty delivery vehicle, used by ranchers or farmers needing an inexpensive runabout, outdoor enthusiasts and households wanting a versatile DIY project vehicle. Do you have a teen headed off to college? Consider handing them the keys to a Maverick XL.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Ford.
Clean Fleet Reportis loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
First Solar, the largest American solar panel maker, today announced that it will invest up to $1.2 billion to ramp up production of US-made solar panels. The announcement follows the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act two weeks ago, which incentivizes domestic clean energy manufacturing.
Sitting at the bus stop, breathing toxic exhaust fumes may be a thing of the past soon as electric school buses roll out in several districts around the US. But the pace is not moving as quickly as it should be as many decision-makers are failing to grasp the benefits for students, the school, and the environment.
Susan Wojcicki became the CEO of YouTube in 2014 but held talks about a job as Tesla’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Elon Musk’s second-in-command before that.
Even though this is not an official Tesla design, it does embody Elon’s ethos of combining cars, electricity and rocket boosters.
Source: Electric Vehicle News
Car modifications are a mystery to many car owners. The same way crypto is for some people, but still a lot of usbuy Dogecoinand enjoy having benefits from that. Why don’t we look at car modifications and try to understand them too?
Most people don’t bother changing anything with their car as it’s generally just a vehicle to carry them from point A to B. They go with the idea that if it works, there’s no reason to change it. That’s a respectable point of view, especially considering how much certain car modifications can cost. However, it’s never a bad idea to see what kind of modifications are available.
Different cars invite different modifications
For instance, you might want to add a car modification that adds a bit more security and safety to your vehicle, or you might want to add cosmetic improvements to fix damage to your car. There are a number of helpful car modifications like this and we highly recommend doing a bit of research to see what you can do to your vehicle.
But are modifications worth the money, or are they just a luxury to have? In this post, we’ll be discussing some car modification options and if they’re a good value or not.
Is It Like in the Movies or TV?
When people think about car modifications they often think about films that depict fancy flashy cars with spoilers and neon underneath the body. While these are technically modifications, they’re not the same as what most people would install on their cars.
A modification is, by definition, any kind of upgrade or change that is added to your vehicle. This could mean the aforementioned bodywork modifications, but it can also include something like new seats, an upgraded entertainment system or additional storage. Cars are versatile and customizable vehicles, making them perfect for general modifications regardless of their purpose.
While it’s true that modifications can be similar to what you’ve seen on TV, it’s a good idea to remember that modifications don’t need to be flashy. They can be purely functional instead of being cosmetic.
Don’t Cars Come the Way They’re Intended to be Driven?
Absolutely! But that doesn’t mean that modifications are completely useless or pointless.
In fact, there are many situations where a car modification can actually add value to a vehicle, make it safer and also improve the overall driving experience. We’ll be going through some of these modifications below, but it’s worth keeping in mind that just because your car was fairly expensive, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be improved!
Some cars seem to beg for upgrades
Car modifications can also include tuning upgrades. Certain vehicles have highly customizable components that allow you to change the way the car works. For example, you could help improve the fuel economy of certain vehicles by making changes like changing the spark timing. There are plenty of other modifications that can provide useful features, so it’s a good idea to speak to your local mechanic about your vehicle and what your goals are.
However, it’s worth keeping in mind that modifications won’t make an inexpensive car just as good as a more expensive one. However, it can improve the overall performance and functionality of a vehicle if you’re willing to invest a bit of time and money into it.
Work with a Trusted Local Mechanic
Most modifications are safe to perform, but there are some that should only be carried out by a trusted local mechanic with a strong reputation or a partnered garage. If something goes wrong with these modifications, you can at least rely on them to help you fix things. It’ll also give you more peace of mind working with someone who is experienced in car modifications.
Make sure you let them know what your intentions are with your car modifications. Let them know that you want to add a specific feature or tune your vehicle. They’ll let you know what options are available for your particular vehicle and they’ll give you a fairly accurate quote of how much it’ll cost. Looking for multiple quotes is never a bad idea, but you’ll want to stick to the same mechanic if possible.
Car Modifications You Should Try
So with that out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the car modifications that are almost certainly worth your money.
New Seats
Swapping out your seats is a fantastic idea if you’re looking for more support for your body. This often improves the performance of your vehicle because you’ll have an easier time steering and handling the pedals. You could also modify the passenger seats to make it a more comfortable experience for everyone in your vehicle.
Upgraded Sway Bar
A sway bar, or anti-roll bar, is designed to keep your car level when you turn. This helps to prevent it from leaning and potentially tipping over. However, most sway bars can be adjusted to ensure that your vehicle actually remains level at all times when turning. This can offer more comfort while driving and will also improve your safety.
Cold Air Intake Kits
The temperature in your engine can also improve your vehicle’s efficiency. Cold air is denser than warm air, meaning it contains a lot more oxygen. A cold air intake kit helps by pulling more cold air into your engine, providing it with more oxygen. This can result in better mileage, improved acceleration and also added horsepower.
This is a fantastic modification regardless of your vehicle and is well worth the investment. However, it can produce a loud growl in your engine that some people might not enjoy, but this can actually be a positive for people who want their car to sound different.
Car Mods You Should Be Wary Of
There are some modifications that you might be drawn to because they’re talked about often or suggested by others. However, they might not be a great idea if you’re looking to improve the overall performance of your vehicle.
Large Wheels
In most cases, new wheels don’t really count as a modification. However, there are certain modifications that can change the width of your wheels or even the size of your tires. These are commonly seen on large vehicles such as SUVs. These changes can improve the appearance of your vehicle, but it’s ultimately highly subjective and depends on your tastes.
The reason we wouldn’t recommend this is because it can have an impact on the performance of your car. In fact, wider wheels can actually stress out the engine and suspension of your vehicle. They can even make turning your vehicle a little more difficult depending on the car itself. They will also affect your fuel economy.
Instead of wider wheels, we suggest changing up your current wheels to something a little different. For example, new mag wheels can look fantastic if you’re after a unique appearance–and they don’t negatively affect your driving experience. Mag wheels can be a fantastic modification, and it’s typically something you can do at home as well.
Large Spoilers
Also known as wings, these large spoilers are typically found on sports cars to make them more aerodynamic by producing downforce when the car is at speed. That’s kind of the key aspect to remember here; it only affects performance when the car is going very fast. If you put a large spoiler on a regular car, it doesn’t really accomplish much.
Getting a large spoiler for your vehicle can make it look a little more sporty and interesting, but it does nothing for the overall performance of the vehicle. Get this modification only if you’re looking to change the appearance of your vehicle!
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With fall just around the corner, it might be time to start getting those trees trimmed up and ready for cooler weather. That’s where today’s New Green Deal comes into play, as it’s a down at $79. Coming in 15% below its normal going rate, you’ll find that this pole saw can also function as a standard chainsaw making it a for your yard care routine, all without using a single drop of gas. We also have a wide selection of Tesla and e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.
