Electric vehicle range on the highway, GM charging, Toyota electric sports car, Cybertruck cost: The week in reverse
Which mass-produced electric vehicle available in the US will be put to the test by battery swapping in Europe?
Why is Rivian supposedly redesigning its batteries?
This is our review of Week In Reverse – here at Green Car Reports – for the week ending December 9, 2023.
Green Car Reports called it four finalists for “Best Car To Buy 2024”.. What are these four plug-in models new this year and which are the cleanest, most environmentally friendly and best for gentle driving?
2024 Fiat 500e
Fiat revealed 500e pricing, range and feature details for the long-awaited US version of this second generation electric small car. The 2024 Fiat 500e starts at $34,095 and has a range of 149 EPA miles. Just don’t expect the $49 monthly lease payments for the previous generation car.
Fiat’s parent company, Stellantis, announced that it is testing Ample electric vehicle battery replacement on 100 Fiat 500e electric cars that are part of the company’s Free2Move car-sharing service – and that means The battery is fully charged in five minutes. This trial is intended to test whether battery swapping can be scaled up or expanded to other upcoming electric vehicles from Stellantis’ many brands, including Jeep and Dodge.
2024 Lucid Air
The Lucid Air Series 2024 The price starts at $78,900 in the Pure version, and the restructured availability of features allows some elements such as the metal or glass roof to become independent of the version. Additionally, Lucid says a redesigned Grand Touring – the model that makes the most of the Air range’s larger battery – will feature an updated powertrain with better thermal performance for longer periods of “spirited driving.”
The British special sports car manufacturer Morgan announced this on Wednesday XP-1 electric tricycle, with an in-house developed powertrain and a weight of only around 1,500 pounds for this two-seater. Although still a prototype, this model could evolve into a vintage-style alternative to the long-awaited Aptera.
Morgan XP-1 prototype
Toyota has introduced a compact electric vehicle called Urban SUV concept, for the European market. Could it be an evolution of the bZ compact SUV concept that Toyota showed off last year and that could potentially also be available in the US?
Toyota also released more information about it Electric sports car concept FT-Se was shown at the Tokyo Auto Show last month. Roughly the same size as the Supra but slightly lower and wider, Toyota says it demonstrates the potential of next-generation energy-dense battery technology.
Toyota FT-Se concept
If GM is willing to ramp up its EVs, it will get a little more support. The Fast charging network for electric vehicles of GM and Pilot Travel Centers has announced the opening of its first 17 locations. The goal is to provide multiple 350 kW connections at each location with up to 2,000 stands and 500 locations – including 25 locations by the end of 2023 and 200 locations by the end of 2024.
Rivian is developing one simplified battery for R1S and R1T Electric trucks that could save thousands of dollars in costs? Although these trucks’ packs pack more energy into less volume, their easier manufacturability and lower cost may show there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
Ford Intelligent Backup Power – F-150 Lightning
Ford, on the other hand, has taken the F-150 Lightning’s bi-directional charging capability a step further with a new partnership that explores integrating its vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology with smart thermostats. This could lead to cleaner energy, less strain on the grid, etc Lower energy bills for F-150 Lightning owners.
Updated results on the latest electric vehicle offerings from Consumer Reports highlight what needs to be highlighted for anyone considering an electric vehicle: The EPA electric vehicle range is not a highway number. However, CR found that some models from Mercedes-Benz and BMW actually exceeded the EPA range of 70 mpg – a great thing – while others, including Lucid and Tesla, were below it.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+
Jeep and Dodge parent company Stellantis is the newest automaker Fighting California’s emissions regulations, claiming they give a competitive advantage to several other automakers that opted for an early deal with the state’s Air Resources Board. To comply with stricter California regulations, Stellantis has already announced plans to reduce sales of non-hybrids in California emission states.
According to a recent Bloomberg report Prices for lithium, which is important for electric vehicles, are falling– as well as those for other important battery materials. It’s a refreshing turnaround after a surge in commodity prices in 2022 that ultimately played a role in the affordability and profitability of electric vehicles. Excess production capacity as the market grows could now provide automakers with additional flexibility, potentially leading to more affordable electric vehicles.
The U.S. Departments of Energy and Treasury have released proposed regulations on the foreign entity of concern requirements under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 – and they will play a big role in how the electric vehicle market continues to evolve. Whether it’s the origin of critical materials or the corporate ownership behind brands, many Additional electric vehicles will not be eligible for tax credits in 2025.
2025 Tesla Cybertruck – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
The first destination deliveries of the Tesla Cybertruck are reportedly costing $121,985. Meanwhile, the EPA confirmed that the Tesla Cybertruck is eligible for a $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit– However, the EPA’s 2023 listing of the Cybertruck left many questions about Tesla’s planned Cybertruck pricing and arrival dates.
And as food for thought heading into the weekend, electric vehicles currently account for a third of the luxury vehicle market, according to a recent summary from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Still, electric vehicles account for less than 2% of the non-luxury vehicle market. It is one of many indicators of a one-sided US electric vehicle market in terms of price and affordability. While interest in electric vehicles is high, survey giant JD Power recently argued that there is one “Lack of mass market” for electric vehicles. In this complex situation, where some suggest that demand for electric vehicles is waning, the deciding factor may simply be the lack of offerings priced and positioned to suit the mass market.
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