Author: Clara Weiss

General Motors has released a detailed overview of bidirectional charging technology available across several of its electric vehicle models, highlighting how EV batteries can provide backup power for homes and support electricity grids during periods of high demand. The automaker said bidirectional charging capabilities are available on select models, including the Chevrolet Equinox EV, GMC Sierra EV and Cadillac LYRIQ, through vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications. The technology enables electric vehicles to function not only as transportation assets but also as energy storage resources capable of supplying electricity when needed. Vehicle-to-Home Backup Power General Motors explained that vehicle-to-home functionality…

Carvana has secured the option to invest in electric vehicle startup Slate Auto, according to corporate filings reviewed by TechCrunch, linking the online used-car retailer to one of the latest entrants in the U.S. EV market. Documents filed with Delaware’s Division of Corporations show Carvana received a warrant to purchase shares in Slate Auto in 2025, around the same period the startup was assembling its $650 million Series C financing round. The filings do not disclose how many shares the warrant covers or whether Carvana has exercised its right to acquire them. Carvana declined to comment on the arrangement, while…

Hyundai Motor America has expanded its 2026 Tucson Hybrid lineup with the addition of a new Night AWD trim and two front-wheel-drive variants aimed at broadening the model’s appeal across different price points. The new Tucson Hybrid Night AWD arrives as the flagship version of the range, while newly introduced SE and SEL front-wheel-drive trims reduce the hybrid SUV’s entry price to $30,950. Hyundai said the Night AWD is available at dealerships now. Night AWD Adds Blacked-Out Styling Package The Tucson Hybrid Night AWD is based on the Limited trim and carries a starting price of $44,175, including Hyundai’s $1,600…

Ford plans to introduce five new vehicles in Europe by the end of the decade, including two all-electric models that will be developed through its partnership with Renault. The upcoming electric vehicles are expected to use Renault’s Ampere electric vehicle platform while incorporating Ford-specific design and engineering characteristics. Two Electric Models Planned The first of the Renault-based Ford electric vehicles is expected to launch in 2028, with a second model following thereafter. Ford has not disclosed details about the vehicles, though Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley has previously indicated that the models are likely to compete in smaller vehicle segments.…

Lucid has issued a recall affecting more than 2,000 Air Pure Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) sedans in the United States and Canada due to a defect that could lead to a loss of propulsion while driving. According to documents filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Transport Canada, the recall covers 2,039 vehicles in the United States and 34 vehicles in Canada from the 2024 and 2025 model years. Issue Linked to Gen 4 Inverter The recall involves a specific version of Lucid’s Gen 4 inverter, which converts direct current (DC) electricity from the battery into alternating…

Volkswagen’s assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is celebrating its 15th anniversary after producing more than 1.85 million vehicles since operations began in May 2011. The facility, which represents Volkswagen’s only vehicle assembly plant in the United States, has received approximately $4.3 billion in investment over the past 15 years and currently employs more than 4,000 workers. The anniversary comes shortly after the plant achieved a major production milestone. In April 2026, Volkswagen assembled its one-millionth Atlas-family vehicle, including both the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models. Production of the Atlas began in December 2016, and the SUV lineup has become…

Ford Motor and SK On are restructuring part of their North American battery partnership as Ford pivots toward energy storage and away from some planned electric vehicle battery production. SK Innovation said this week that SK On has completed the restructuring of BlueOval SK, the companies’ battery joint venture. Under the new structure, the Tennessee battery facility will now operate independently under the name SK On Tennessee, ending the original joint venture arrangement for that site. While SK On takes direct control of the Tennessee operation, Ford confirmed that its former BlueOval SK facility in Glendale, Kentucky, will transition into…

Nissan has abandoned plans to produce electric vehicles at its factory in Canton, Mississippi, according to a report by Nikkei, marking a major reversal in the company’s U.S. electrification strategy. Nissan North America confirmed that the automaker had discontinued the project following a strategic review, citing a sharp slowdown in U.S. electric vehicle demand after government EV incentives expired. See also: Nissan LEAF Robotaxi Pilot Planned in Tokyo Through Wayve and Uber Partnership The company had already suspended production of a new model year of the Japan-built Nissan Ariya for the U.S. market due to current market conditions. Nissan originally…

Rivian has started series production of its mid-size electric SUV, the R2, at its plant in Normal, Illinois, the company said, with first customer deliveries expected later this spring. Initial customer-specification vehicles have rolled off the production line but are still undergoing final quality checks and internal validation before being handed over to buyers. “We are on track to begin handing over keys to our first customers later this spring,” Rivian said in a statement, without specifying an exact delivery date. The R2 marks Rivian’s entry into a more affordable segment compared to its earlier R1 models, following a strategy…

Volkswagen will halt production of its ID.4 electric sport utility vehicle at its Chattanooga Plant in the coming days, shifting the facility’s focus to production of the second-generation Atlas combustion-engine SUV. The move comes as Volkswagen prioritizes higher-volume models in the U.S. market, where the Atlas remains one of the brand’s best-selling vehicles. The three-row Atlas is currently Volkswagen’s second-best-selling model in the United States after the Tiguan. Volkswagen said the Chattanooga plant will stop ID.4 production by mid-April, with remaining 2026 model year inventory expected to meet customer demand through 2027. “The Chattanooga plant has been, and will continue…

The Government of Canada has announced C$10.6 million in funding to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide, as part of its broader push to accelerate adoption of zero-emission transport. Natural Resources Canada said the investment will support 14 projects expected to deliver more than 1,600 new EV chargers across the country. The announcement was made in Toronto during the EV & Charging Expo. While specific deployment locations and charger types were not disclosed, the funding level suggests most installations will likely be Level 2 chargers, with a smaller portion allocated to DC fast-charging units. The initiative forms part of Canada’s…

Volvo Cars has opened order books in Canada for its all-electric EX60, marking the brand’s entry into the mid-size electric SUV segment in the market. The automaker said customer deliveries of the P10 all-wheel-drive variant are scheduled to begin in late 2026, with a starting price of 77,500 Canadian dollars. The model was first unveiled in January and is produced at Volvo’s main plant in Torslanda, alongside combustion-engine and hybrid models such as the Volvo XC60 and Volvo V60. Volvo has positioned the EX60 as a key step in its electrification strategy, describing it as a “game changer.” It is…

Rivian Automotive reported first-quarter vehicle deliveries above analysts’ expectations, suggesting stabilizing demand for its electric pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles following a slowdown last year. The company delivered 10,365 vehicles between January and March, exceeding estimates of 9,678 units compiled by Visible Alpha. Rivian also reiterated its full-year delivery forecast of between 62,000 and 67,000 vehicles. Production in the first quarter reached 10,236 vehicles, also above analyst expectations of 9,852 units. Rivian’s performance follows a decline in deliveries in the fourth quarter of last year, when the expiration of a $7,500 U.S. federal electric vehicle tax credit reduced incentives…

US electric vehicle maker Lucid Group reported a decline in first-quarter deliveries for 2026, citing a supplier-related issue that temporarily disrupted shipments of its Gravity SUV. The company said it delivered 3,093 vehicles during the January–March period, down 42% from the previous quarter and slightly below the same period last year. Production, however, remained higher at around 5,500 units, reflecting a gap between output and deliveries. Lucid attributed the decline to a quality issue involving second-row seats in the Lucid Gravity, which halted deliveries for 29 days. The issue also led to a recall of more than 4,000 vehicles after…

Honda Motor said seven of its manufacturing plants in the United States have received the 2025 ENERGY STAR certification for Outstanding Energy Efficiency from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The recognition highlights energy efficiency improvements across Honda’s manufacturing operations as the company works to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions as part of its broader decarbonization strategy. See also: Honda, DriveOhio Pilot Shows AI Can Detect Road Defects With High Accuracy Facilities receiving the certification for 2025 include the Marysville and East Liberty auto plants in Ohio, which earned the designation for the 20th consecutive year. The Indiana Auto…

Rivian appears set to discontinue the Dual Standard variants of its R1 lineup as the company prepares for the debut of its next-generation model, the Rivian R2. The automaker recently sent customers an email stating that the “Dual Standard is ending,” indicating that the entry-level battery configurations of both the Rivian R1S and Rivian R1T will soon be phased out. Seee also: Rivian Targets Rapid U.S. Launch for R2 Electric SUV The R1S Dual Standard currently starts at $76,990 and offers an estimated 270 miles (435 km) of range. The higher-spec R1S Dual begins at $83,990, featuring a larger battery…

Lawmakers in Washington State are moving forward with legislation that could allow electric vehicle manufacturers Rivian and Lucid Motors to sell vehicles directly to customers, following a similar exemption previously granted to Tesla. The proposal, known as Senate Bill 6354, would modify existing state law that generally requires automakers to sell vehicles through franchised dealerships. Tesla remains the only manufacturer currently exempt from the rule in Washington. Under the proposed legislation, Rivian and Lucid—which already operate showrooms in the state—would be allowed to complete vehicle sales directly to consumers. The bill advanced quickly after being introduced on Feb. 19 and…

The Canadian government has begun issuing permits allowing a limited number of electric vehicles from China to enter the domestic market at a sharply reduced tariff, marking a partial easing of restrictions introduced during recent trade tensions. Between March 1 and August 31, Canada will permit up to 24,500 electric vehicles imported from China to be sold with a tariff of 6.1%, instead of the previously imposed 106.1% duty. The permits are being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis by Global Affairs Canada. The policy forms part of a broader agreement reached earlier this year between Canada and China that…

Rivian said it is accelerating the expansion of its service infrastructure, planning to open more than 50 new Service Centers by next year as it prepares for higher vehicle volumes tied to the upcoming launch of its R2 electric SUV platform. The U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer expects its global service network to exceed 150 locations by the end of 2027. Larger facilities will be built in regions with high concentrations of Rivian owners, while customers in less populated areas will increasingly be supported through mobile service operations. Mobile Service has become the company’s most widely used maintenance channel, prompting Rivian…

Nissan has decided not to introduce a lower-cost entry-level version of its redesigned LEAF electric vehicle for the 2026 model year in the United States, abandoning plans for a smaller-battery trim intended to reduce the starting price. The updated LEAF, featuring a taller crossover-like design, extended driving range and a built-in North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for access to Tesla Superchargers, will instead launch with a single battery configuration. See also: Nissan Starts Production of Third-Generation LEAF at Sunderland Plant The 2026 LEAF S+ is priced from $29,990 before destination charges, or about $31,485 including fees, positioning it among…