Fiat shows 600e and tiny Topolino for Europe, 500e EV still US-bound

2024 Fiat 600eFiat on Wednesday revealed two more EVs—one smaller, and one larger, than the reborn 500e the automaker has confirmed for U.S. sales starting in early 2024. The Fiat 600e is a small crossover with a name that references the classic Fiat 600 of the 1950s. The five-door 600e is presented as a more practical alternative to the three-door 500e…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews

Stellantis details platform for mid-size EVs, starting with Europe

Stellantis STLA Medium platformStellantis on Wednesday revealed some technical highlights of its STLA Medium platform, one of four dedicated EV platforms in development for future electric models. The automaker revealed its STLA platform strategy two years ago this month, unveiling STLA Medium alongside the STLA Small, STLA Large, and STLA Frame platforms, but up until now it…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews

French postal vans will test Michelin airless tires

Michelin Uptis airless tire on French postal vanMichelin will test airless tires on French postal vans, providing more real-world experience with tire designs that could be beneficial to EVs. La Poste, the French postal service, plans to fit Michelin Uptis airless tires to 40 delivery vans by 2024, according to a Michelin press release. Three vehicles should already be in service by the time…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews

Bespoke, electric: How the first Rolls-Royce EV took form

2024 Rolls-Royce SpectreThe prestige luxury brand Rolls-Royce announced in 2021 that it would be going fully electric by 2030. That seemed a particularly bold assertion for a brand that up until then hadn’t ever offered an EV. But now the first of the fully electric Rolls-Royce, the Spectre coupe, is headed for first deliveries late this year, and the brand’s…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews

Rivian made progress ramping up EV production in Q2

2023 Rivian R1TRivian built 13,992 vehicles and delivered 12,640 vehicles in the second quarter of 2023, the automaker reported Monday. These new Q2 numbers are up significantly versus the 9,395 vehicles made and 7,946 delivered in the first quarter. And they show that Rivian isn’t falling much farther behind on deliveries. A Rivian press release said these…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews

Supplier claims a third more winter EV range with thermal tech

Porsche Taycan ZF EVbeat prototypeAutomotive supplier ZF recently unveiled a Porsche Taycan prototype with a number of new components that the company claims can boost cold-weather range by up to a third. The key to this is what ZF calls a central thermal management system that handles temperature control for both the powertrain and cabin. This is based around a central…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews

Dealer markups of hybrids can erase ownership cost advantages

2023 Toyota Prius PrimeDealer markups on hybrid cars—plug-in or not—are getting steeper, which could cancel out the decrease in ownership costs afforded by their increased fuel efficiency. CarsDirect reports that one California dealership has added a $10,995 markup to the redesigned 2023 Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, bringing the advertised price from…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews

Report: Ford and GM EV strategies solid, but Tesla will stay top seller

Tesla SuperchargerTesla may be on a downward trajectory in its share of the U.S. EV market. But even by the time the 2027 model year rolls around, the U.S. maker of exclusively EVs will stay on top. That said, the strategies of Ford and GM “both appear relatively solid,” despite being very different from each other; and GM and Stellantis particularly…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews

Polestar EVs get Tesla charge port in 2025, Supercharger access in 2024

2024 Polestar 3The electric vehicle brand Polestar announced on Thursday that it plans to adopt the Tesla charge port. The change will go into effect in 2025, with all new Polestar vehicles sold in North America from that time forward getting the Tesla port, called North American Charging Standard (NACS). In mid-2024, Polestar drivers will also gain…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews

GM details hardware for using EVs as home power backup

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV with GM Ultium Home energy systemGeneral Motors on Wednesday detailed its first bidirectional vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging hardware, allowing EVs to serve as a home backup power source. The Ultium Home V2H Bundle includes an AC home charger, dubbed the PowerShfit Charger, that allows vehicles to discharge power from their battery packs, along with an Enablement Kit that adds an…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews