Author: Isabelle Fournier

Slate Auto has announced pricing for its all-electric Slate Truck, with the pickup starting at $24,950 as the company prepares to begin customer deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2026. The startup said the vehicle will be available for preorder with a $300 deposit and will be sold directly to consumers as either a pickup or an SUV, with owners able to convert between body styles after purchase. Entry-Level Electric Pickup The Slate Truck starts at $24,950, while the Squareback and Fastback SUV variants are priced from $29,950. Slate Auto said more than 180,000 customers have already placed reservations for…

Rivian has removed the entry-level Dual Standard versions of its R1T pickup and R1S SUV from its online configurator, leaving higher-priced variants as the new entry point for its flagship electric vehicles. The change follows earlier comments from the company indicating that the Dual Standard models would be phased out as Rivian continues refining its product lineup. Entry Prices Increase Before being discontinued, the R1T Dual Standard carried a starting price of $72,990, while the R1S Dual Standard started at $76,990. With those models no longer available, the Dual variants equipped with the larger battery pack become the new entry-level…

Fire Cloak has been selected to continue supplying electric vehicle fire-containment blankets across the Formula E championship for the 2026 season. The UK-based company said its fire blankets are designed specifically for incidents involving lithium-ion battery systems and will remain available for use throughout the all-electric racing series. Focus on Battery Fire Safety The blankets are intended to help contain fires associated with thermal runaway, a condition in which overheating battery cells trigger a chain reaction that can spread through a battery pack. Fire Cloak said its product is among the first to receive certification under DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11, a…

Rivian has begun delivering its new R2 electric SUV to customers, marking a significant milestone for the U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer following the start of series production earlier this year. The company also announced that existing R2 reservation holders are now being invited to configure their vehicles and place final orders, as Rivian ramps up production of its latest battery-electric model. Deliveries Follow April Production Start The R2 entered series production in April 2026 at Rivian’s manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, after more than two years of development. https://twitter.com/Rivian/status/2064332349484028333 Rivian first unveiled the midsize electric SUV in March 2024 and…

PepsiCo and Gatik have signed a multi-year agreement to expand the deployment of autonomous trucks across PepsiCo’s North American supply chain, building on an existing partnership that began in 2022. The agreement covers the use of Gatik’s driverless freight technology within PepsiCo’s regional transportation networks, where products are moved between manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and other operational sites. Autonomous freight operations are already running daily in Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjNqnMnf_G4 Gatik described the arrangement as the largest commercial autonomous freight deployment to date, highlighting the growing role of autonomous trucking technology in large-scale logistics operations. Focus on Regional Supply…

Rivian has expanded its proprietary fast-charging network to more than 1,000 DC fast-charging ports across the United States, marking a new milestone in the company’s efforts to build out charging infrastructure for electric vehicle drivers. According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), the Rivian Adventure Network (RAN) now operates more than 1,000 charging ports spread across 148 locations nationwide. The milestone follows the opening of four additional sites during the past month, adding a total of 44 charging stalls to the network. Expansion of Proprietary Charging Network The Rivian Adventure Network was first…

Orange EV has reported record order volumes for its electric terminal trucks, including a single customer order for 600 vehicles, as demand for zero-emission yard equipment continues to grow in North America. The Kansas-based manufacturer said deployment of the 600-truck order is already underway, with full implementation expected in 2026. The orders also include supporting infrastructure such as charging systems, battery energy storage solutions, uptime guarantees and extended warranty packages. Large-Scale Fleet Electrification Gains Momentum Orange EV said the latest orders reflect a broader shift in the market from pilot programs toward large-scale electrification of yard operations. According to the…

New data from automotive research firms Edmunds and Cox Automotive indicate that more U.S. consumers are trading gasoline-powered vehicles for electric vehicles, although analysts caution that it remains too early to determine whether the trend reflects a lasting market shift or a temporary response to higher fuel prices. According to Edmunds, the percentage of new EV buyers trading in a gasoline-powered vehicle increased from 67.1% in January 2026 to 72.1% in April 2026. The data also showed an increase in repeat EV purchases. In January, 26.2% of EV buyers traded in an existing electric vehicle for a new one. By…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into how Rivian services rear suspension components on its vehicles following reports from two owners who experienced a loss of vehicle control while driving. The investigation is being conducted by the agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), which said both affected vehicles had previously undergone service work. One of the vehicles had also been involved in a collision before repairs were carried out. Investigation Focuses on Rear Toe Link Component According to the ODI, Rivian identified in March 2025 that the rear toe link—a key suspension component that…

Interest in electric vehicles among Canadian consumers has increased for the first time since 2022, according to a new study by JD Power, although the country’s EV consideration rate remains well below that of the United States. The 2026 Canada Electric Vehicle Consideration Study found that 34% of Canadian new-vehicle shoppers are now considering an electric vehicle, up from 28% in 2025. The six-percentage-point increase marks the first year-on-year improvement since JD Power began tracking EV purchase consideration in Canada four years ago. The research suggests that new government incentives and rising fuel costs have contributed to renewed consumer interest.…

U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian plans to introduce vehicle-to-home (V2H) functionality for its upcoming R2 electric sport utility vehicle, although the capability will not be available at launch, according to a company executive. During a Reddit ask-me-anything session, Wassym Bensaid, Rivian’s head of software, said the R2’s powertrain has already been engineered to support operation as a large-scale household backup battery. https://www.reddit.com/r/Rivian/comments/1thuw6p/ama_with_wassym_bensaid_rivian_chief_software/ However, Bensaid said the functionality depends on the development of a compatible bi-directional charging system, which Rivian is still working to finalize. According to Bensaid, the company is developing a redesigned charger and metering device that would enable…

LiveWire Group has acquired the assets of Oregon-based electric dirt bike startup Dust Moto, marking the company’s first acquisition and its entry into the electric off-road motorcycle segment. The Milwaukee-based company, whose majority shareholder is Harley-Davidson, said the acquisition expands its electric two-wheel portfolio beyond on-road motorcycles and will accelerate development of Dust Moto’s electric dirt bike platform toward production. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. LiveWire said additional product launch details are expected during the second half of 2026. The acquisition represents the first corporate takeover in LiveWire’s history and forms part of the company’s broader strategy…

Volkswagen has confirmed the return of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz to its North American lineup for the 2027 model year after a one-year hiatus, while also reaffirming plans to continue offering the Volkswagen ID.4 in the region despite weak recent sales. The ID. Buzz will return for model year 2027 in four trim levels: Pro S RWD, Pro S 4Motion, Tourer 4Motion and Pro S Plus 4Motion. Volkswagen said the updated lineup also introduces revised colour combinations and wheel designs. A new ID. Buzz Tourer variant has been developed specifically for North America based on the European “Good Night Package.”…

Kia has lowered prices for the 2026 model year of the Kia EV6 in the United States while adding new charging features and revising equipment packages across the line-up. The updated EV6 now starts at $37,900 before destination charges, representing a $5,000 reduction compared with the previous model year, according to Kia. See also: Kia Cuts 2030 EV Sales Target to 1 Million Units, Keeps Broader Electrification Plans The entry-level EV6 Light SR rear-wheel-drive model carries the new starting price, excluding a destination fee of $1,545. At the upper end of the range, the EV6 GT-Line all-wheel-drive version is priced…

The 2026 Toyota bZ, formerly known as the bZ4X, has delivered higher-than-expected driving range results in independent real-world testing, exceeding its official U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates. Toyota Motor updated the model for the 2026 model year, focusing on range, charging performance, and usability. The vehicle now has an EPA-estimated range of up to 314 miles, representing an increase of roughly 25% compared with the previous version. See also: Toyota to Invest $1 Billion in U.S. Plants as EV Production Plans Advance In testing conducted by Edmunds, the 2026 bZ XLE Plus achieved a range of 331 miles on…

General Motors is facing a proposed class action lawsuit in the United States over alleged software and electrical defects in its Cadillac Lyriq electric sport utility vehicle. The complaint, filed on April 2 in Washington on behalf of two drivers, alleges that defects in the Lyriq’s software and electrical systems can render the vehicle inoperable, preventing it from starting, charging or operating. According to the filing, affected vehicles may require towing and extended service periods, with some repairs reportedly taking weeks or months. The plaintiffs allege that General Motors was aware of the issues through internal testing, engineering reports, warranty…

The joint venture between Volkswagen Group and Rivian, known as Rivian Volkswagen Group Technologies (RV Tech), has completed winter testing of its software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture, marking a milestone in the development of next-generation electric vehicles. The multi-month testing programme took place in Phoenix and Arjeplog, involving teams from Volkswagen, Audi and Scout Motors. Reference vehicles used in the tests included the Volkswagen ID.EVERY1, alongside models from Audi and Scout. According to Volkswagen, the tests validated both hardware and software performance under real-world and extreme conditions. Initial trials in Arizona focused on finalising software functions, while subsequent winter testing in…

Lexus has unveiled the eighth-generation ES sedan in the United States, introducing battery-electric variants for the first time in the model’s history as part of its broader electrification strategy. The new ES lineup includes two fully electric versions, the Lexus ES 350e and Lexus ES 500e, both equipped with a 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery integrated into the vehicle floor. The front-wheel-drive ES 350e delivers 165 kW of power, while the all-wheel-drive ES 500e features dual motors with a combined output of 252 kW. According to Lexus, the ES 350e offers an estimated driving range of up to 307 miles, while…

Japanese automaker Honda Motor has cancelled plans to launch three electric vehicles in the United States, including two models from its upcoming Honda 0 Series and a performance SUV from its luxury brand Acura, as shifting market conditions and policy changes reshape the company’s electrification strategy. The affected models include the Honda 0 SUV, the Honda 0 Sedan, and the Acura RSX, which had been scheduled for release in the United States over the next several years. Prototypes of the Honda 0 Series vehicles were first presented during CES 2025 in Las Vegas, generating expectations that the models would form…

Mind Robotics said on Wednesday it has secured $500 million in a Series A funding round co-led by venture capital firms Accel and Andreessen Horowitz to accelerate the development and deployment of artificial intelligence-enabled robotics systems for industrial manufacturing. The financing, expected to close later this month, follows a $115 million seed round led by Eclipse Capital in late 2025. As part of the investment, Sameer Gandhi will join Mind Robotics’ board of directors. Mind Robotics is developing a robotics platform designed to perform complex industrial tasks that require dexterity, adaptation, and reasoning—capabilities that traditional factory robots often struggle to…