Author: Isabelle Fournier

Rivian said it is again extending free access to its Autonomy+ driver assistance software, giving owners more time to use the company’s hands-free driving features before the system transitions to a paid offering. In an email sent to customers this week, Rivian said all new Rivian R1S and Rivian R1T vehicles will receive a 60-day trial of Autonomy+, with full access available through April 4. The extension also applies to existing owners, temporarily unlocking the complete Autonomy+ feature set. See also: Rivian Expands U.S. Incentives With Lease Cash, 0% Financing and Costco Discounts The trial includes Rivian’s recently introduced Universal…

Plug, a U.S.-based digital marketplace focused exclusively on electric vehicles, has raised $20 million in a Series A funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, as it looks to scale operations amid rising volumes of used EVs entering the secondary market. The round included participation from Galvanize and existing investors Autotech Ventures, Leap Forward Ventures and Renn Global. Founded in Santa Monica and launched in 2024, Plug said it has facilitated more than $60 million in used electric vehicle transactions to date, with sales in the fourth quarter of 2025 alone exceeding its full-year 2024 volume. The funding comes as…

Kia America has released pricing details for the 2026 Niro EV, offering the compact electric crossover in two trim levels as it continues to expand its battery-electric lineup in the United States. The 2026 Kia Niro EV will be available in Wind and Wave trims, priced at $39,700 and $44,700 respectively. Both prices exclude a $1,495 destination and handling charge, as well as taxes, title and dealer fees, the company said. See also: Kia Reveals Updated Niro Design, Leaves EV Future Unclear Kia said both versions of the Niro EV come standard with a technology-focused interior featuring dual 10.25-inch displays,…

A group of Colorado auto dealers has filed a lawsuit against the state, challenging its decision to grant Scout Motors a license to sell vehicles directly to consumers, escalating opposition to the new Volkswagen-backed brand’s retail strategy before it has begun production. More than one-third of Colorado’s Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche dealers submitted the lawsuit on Jan. 20 in Denver District Court, arguing that the state’s Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles misinterpreted dealer franchise laws when it approved Scout’s direct-sales license in December. The dealers are not suing Scout Motors itself, but the state agency that authorized the…

The third-generation 2026 Nissan LEAF has received recognition in two categories at the 2026 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards, earning titles as Best New Model and Best Electric Vehicle Under $35,000, adding to a growing list of industry accolades since its debut. Editors at Kelley Blue Book cited the LEAF ’s combination of updated design, extended driving range, fast-charging compatibility and pricing as key reasons for the awards. “The latest LEAF stands out by pairing meaningful range improvements and modern technology with an accessible price point that remains competitive in the current EV market,” Kelley Blue Book editors said…

Rivian said it has partnered with Pantone to create a custom color known as “Rivian Green,” positioning the hue as a core brand identifier expected to debut on its upcoming R2 sport utility vehicle when production begins in the first half of 2026. The company announced the collaboration on Jan. 20, describing Rivian Green as an evolution of Launch Green, the color introduced with its first-generation R1 vehicles. Rivian said the new shade has been formally certified by Pantone and will serve as a visual anchor as the automaker expands its lineup with more affordable models. According to Rivian, the…

Canada’s agreement with China to reduce tariffs on a limited volume of electric vehicles is expected to benefit manufacturers that already hold North American certification and have expanding overseas operations, according to analysts cited by Bloomberg. The deal, announced last week, allows up to 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles to enter Canada each year at a most-favoured-nation tariff rate of 6.1%, down from the 100% tariffs imposed in 2024. The move marks a significant shift in Canada’s EV trade policy and could reshape competition in the domestic market. See also: Canada to Allow Limited Imports of Chinese EVs at Reduced Tariffs…

Acura has confirmed that the fourth-generation RDX compact SUV will feature the brand’s first two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain, marking a key step in its electrification strategy. The new RDX is expected to reach dealerships within the next two years. Ahead of the transition, production of the current 2026 RDX at Acura’s East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio will be suspended later this year, the company said. See also: Acura Ends ZDX Production as Focus Shifts to New RSX EV and Hybrids The RDX will be Acura’s first model to adopt a two-motor hybrid system, expanding the brand’s powertrain offerings to include…

Electric vehicle sales in the United States fell 2% in 2025 to 1.28 million units, as a sharp decline in the final quarter followed the expiration of a nationwide federal tax credit, according to data released by Kelley Blue Book. Sales dropped to 1,275,714 battery-electric vehicles for the full year, down from 1,301,441 units in 2024. The downturn was concentrated in the fourth quarter, when EV sales fell 36% year on year to 234,171 units — the first full quarter after the tax credit ended at the end of September. See also: Hyundai U.S. EV Sales Rise 7% in 2025…

Stellantis will discontinue its plug-in hybrid vehicle lineup in North America beginning with the 2026 model year, ending sales of some of the region’s best-selling PHEVs as the automaker adjusts its electrification strategy, according to a report by The Drive. The move means the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid will no longer be offered in the U.S. and Canada from the 2026 model year onward. Stellantis said the decision reflects shifting market conditions and customer preferences. See also: Jeep Unveils Recon Electric SUV with Focus on Off-Road Performance “With customer demand shifting, Stellantis…

Lucid is again facing criticism over delays to promised software features for its Gravity sport utility vehicle, with customers highlighting the absence of hands-free driving capability that the company had previously said would arrive in 2025. The issue resurfaced this week after Lucid Chief Executive Marc Winterhoff outlined the company’s longer-term autonomy strategy in an interview with Bloomberg TV. Winterhoff said Lucid plans to introduce point-to-point Level 2++ assisted driving on city streets and highways later this year using its existing DreamDrive Pro hardware in partnership with NVIDIA. He added that the company is targeting Level 3 capability by 2028…

Kia posted its strongest-ever sales performance in the United States in 2025, crossing the 800,000-vehicle mark for the first time, even as deliveries of its battery-electric models declined, underscoring a shift in demand toward hybrids and conventional SUVs. Kia America said it sold 852,155 vehicles in the United States last year, marking its third consecutive annual record and lifting the brand to its highest U.S. market share to date. The automaker attributed the growth to a broad lineup spanning internal combustion, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. See also: Volkswagen U.S. EV Sales Rise in 2025 as Combustion Models Decline Several…