Although high-power DC fast-chargers are important for widespread EV adoption, potential customers also need to know that they have the basics covered—with places to charge regularly, over a few hours, or overnight, not just when they go on a weekend road trip. That’s why General Motors is looking to its network of franchised dealers… More…

The rental-car giant Hertz on Monday announced plans to add 100,000 Tesla vehicles to its fleets in North America and Europe by the end of 2022, along with some of its own charging infrastructure. Starting in November, customers will be able to rent the Tesla Model 3 at airport and neighborhood locations “in U.S. major markets and select… More…

After being dropped from the automaker’s United States EV plans, the Mercedes-Benz EQC electric crossover SUV could make it here after all, in second-generation form. Mercedes told U.S. dealers that a redesigned EQC, as well as an electric C-Class, will arrive around 2025, Automotive News (subscription required) reported Saturday. In a first drive… More…

Apple is seeking lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for its much-discussed EV project, but talks with major suppliers BYD and CATL have stalled, Reuters reported Friday. Talks with the two Chinese firms, which were first confirmed by White House economic advisor Jared Bernstein earlier this year, were halted over Apple’s request for dedicated… More…

Volkswagen Group of America CEO Scott Keogh has reportedly called the Biden administration’s proposed tax credit for electric cars built at unionized factories “fundamentally wrong.” The interview, for the SiriusXM show “In The Driver’s Seat,” isn’t scheduled to air until November 2, but industry trade journal Automotive News (subscription… More…

Tesla keeps a wide range of sensor data from its cars for up to a year, according to a new report from the Dutch government’s forensics lab. First reported by Reuters, the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) said Thursday said it had decrypted Tesla’s data-storage system, discovering the extent of the data Tesla collects from its cars. Tesla was… More…

The term “record-setting” has applied to nearly every set of quarterly Tesla sales and delivery results, for years. But on Wednesday, Tesla made clear in its third-quarter call that it’s time to accelerate the build-out of its Supercharger network, so as to accommodate that rapidly expanding fleet of Tesla vehicles. As we… More…

After switching to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells for Chinese-market Model 3 and Model Y electric cars, Tesla plans to expand use of the cells to global markets—with local production. Tesla said in its third-quarter earnings report released Wednesday that LFP chemistry will be used in all standard-range vehicles globally. That… More…

A California incentive for plug-in cars is about to be reduced by half. Effective November 2, the California Clean Fuel Reward (CCFR) for electric cars and plug-in hybrids will go from $1,500 to $750. The program, as recently noted by CarsDirect, requires delivery of a qualifying vehicle by November 1 if buyers want to claim the larger amount… More…

Volvo and Polestar electric cars are getting a new Range Assistant app as part of an over-the-air (OTA) software update, the two brands announced Tuesday. The app helps drivers more closely track available range, gives tips for more efficient driving, and includes a more efficiency-focused setting for the climate control, the two brands said. A… More…

America’s franchised dealer network is often portrayed as a pinch point to widespread electric vehicle adoption. But with a few relatively minor tweaks, it could become more of an asset and express lane for EV makers and a market shift. That starts with how dealerships introduce people to the idea of EVs. Just as a salesperson wouldn’t… More…

Multiple automakers have developed EV skateboard platforms to streamline vehicle development. A new Citroën concept car takes that idea a little further. The Citroën Skate concept is a modular EV consisting of a basic skateboard platform that can be equipped with different themed pods. Designed for autonomous driving in dedicated traffic… More…

With the arrival of the 2022 C40 Recharge, Volvo is truly starting to lay the groundwork for a future after internal combustion engines. The C40 Recharge isn’t the automaker’s first electric car, but it’s the first model to be sold solely as an EV. There will be no gas-powered equivalent of the C40 Recharge. And it’ll only… More…

As it prepares to launch a handful of electric vehicles, Stellantis on Monday confirmed a joint venture with LG Energy Solution for North American battery production. A memorandum of understanding between the two companies calls for a a factory to produce battery cells and modules, which will be supplied to Stellantis assembly plants in the United… More…

Foxconn recently announced manufacturing partnerships with Fisker and Lordstown Motors. And on Monday it launched its own EV brand called Foxtron. The Taiwanese firm most famous for contract manufacturing the Apple iPhone unveiled the first three Foxtron models at its Hon Tai Tech Day event. Those three vehicles, which Foxconn said are still in… More…

Toyota on Monday announced plans to invest $3.4 billion in U.S.-built batteries through 2030. It’s part of a $13.5 billion global battery development investment made in September by Toyota Motor Corporation that included a push for reducing battery cost by 50% and improving efficiency by 30% over current EV tech. Of that, Toyota plans to… More…

Global nickel demand could outstrip supply within the next few years, potentially limiting EV battery supplies, according to a new report from the Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy. First spotted by E&E News, the report predicts that by 2024 annual global demand for nickel will rise from the current 2.5 million metric tons (2.7 million tons)… More…

Tesla had the highest-ranked electric cars in the annual Kogod Made In America Auto Index, which estimates the domestic content of new cars sold in the United States. The Tesla Model 3 took third place in the overall rankings, while the Model S and Model Y were part of a five-way tie for fifth place, along with the Ford Expedition full-size SUV… More…

The Tesla Model 3 compact sedan, Lucid Air large sedan, and Rivian R1T pickup truck are the range and efficiency leaders in their respective classes. The three automakers have a key technology choice in common, beyond exclusively making battery electric vehicles: They each favor cylindrical batteries. Late last month at the company’s… More…

Startup Electric Last Mile Solutions (ELMS) this week announced two new battery partnerships. Chinese battery supplier CATL will provide its cell-to-pack technology to startup ELMS for use in its Indiana-assembled electric delivery vans. ELMS is also partnering with startup Ample to use the latter’s modular battery-swapping system. A… More…