Author: Jacob Sullivan

Electric vehicle sales in the United States increased 6.1% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter, reaching their highest quarterly volume in a year, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates. Automakers sold an estimated 262,649 electric vehicles in the three months through September. However, sales were down 39.5% from the same period in 2025, when buyers accelerated purchases ahead of the expiration of federal incentives, making it the strongest quarter on record for US EV sales. Despite the year-over-year decline, the latest figures suggest the market has continued to recover from the correction that followed the…

Geely Auto plans to introduce its main Geely brand to Canada in 2027, expanding its international presence as Chinese automakers explore opportunities in the North American market. The company has begun establishing local operations and developing a retail and service network ahead of the planned launch, but has not yet disclosed its initial vehicle lineup, powertrain options or pricing. In a statement on Friday, Geely said further details about its products and retail locations would be announced as preparations progress. The company is working with local partners to establish sales and after-sales support for Canadian customers. Geely Builds Canadian Retail…

Clemson University students have developed Deep Orange 17, a solar-powered electric vehicle prototype designed to generate more energy than it consumes during a typical urban commute. The two-door coupé, nicknamed Luminetta, was developed by 16 students who recently completed Clemson’s Master of Science in Automotive Engineering program. The project was carried out with support from BMW’s research and development team and Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. Solar Power Integrated Into Vehicle Design Deep Orange 17 incorporates more than 1,700 photovoltaic cells into its exterior surfaces. The solar system is designed to generate electricity while the vehicle is…

Lucid Motors has denied reports that it is considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, stating that the company has sufficient liquidity to continue operating well into next year. The statement came after the company’s shares plunged more than 50% during trading following reports that it was evaluating restructuring options. Bloomberg News reported the sharp market reaction, while TechCrunch published Lucid’s response denying the claims. Company Rejects Bankruptcy Claims Nick Twork, Lucid’s chief communications officer, said reports suggesting the company was considering bankruptcy or other restructuring scenarios were inaccurate. “The company has sufficient liquidity to carry its operations well into…

Rivian has raised its vehicle delivery forecast for 2026 after reporting stronger-than-expected second-quarter performance, signaling growing confidence despite a more challenging environment for electric vehicle sales in the United States. The electric vehicle manufacturer now expects to deliver between 65,000 and 70,000 vehicles this year, up from its previous guidance of 62,000 to 67,000 units. The revised outlook represents a notable increase from the 42,247 vehicles Rivian delivered in 2025. Strong Second Quarter Rivian said it produced 12,613 vehicles and delivered 12,194 vehicles during the second quarter, exceeding its earlier expectation of 9,000 to 11,000 deliveries. The company attributed the…

Polestar will be unable to sell new vehicles in the United States beginning with the 2027 model year after the US Department of Commerce declined to grant the company an exemption under the Connected Vehicle Rule. The decision means Polestar’s model-year 2027 vehicles and future variants will not be eligible for sale in the US market, while vehicles produced through the 2026 model year, including the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4, can continue to be sold. Exemption Request Rejected The Connected Vehicle Rule restricts the sale of connected vehicles manufactured by companies, or using certain software suppliers, that are controlled…

Volvo Cars has introduced Plug & Charge functionality for its EX90 electric SUV in the United States and plans to extend the feature to the upcoming EX60 when deliveries begin later this year, simplifying the public charging experience for EV drivers. The technology allows charging sessions to start automatically when a vehicle is connected to a compatible charger, eliminating the need for mobile apps, RFID cards, or manual payment processes. Automatic Authentication and Payment With Plug & Charge activated, drivers only need to plug the charging cable into the vehicle. Authentication and payment are processed automatically between the vehicle and…

Rivian has confirmed another round of layoffs affecting several hundred employees as the electric vehicle manufacturer continues efforts to reduce losses and move toward long-term profitability. The company said the workforce reduction will impact less than 2% of its total employee base and primarily affect teams within its service and customer operations departments. Cost-Cutting Continues The latest restructuring comes as Rivian intensifies its focus on operational efficiency despite recent product launches and growing software revenue. “We recently restructured a handful of teams within Rivian as we work to profitably scale our business,” the company said in a statement. At the…

Rivian’s upcoming R2 electric SUV has achieved efficiency figures comparable to Tesla’s Model Y Performance, according to newly released U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification data, highlighting increasing competition in the high-volume electric crossover segment. The EPA figures show the Rivian R2 Performance AWD and the 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance both achieve a combined efficiency rating of 105 MPGe and consume 32 kWh of energy per 100 miles. However, Rivian’s vehicle is rated for an EPA-estimated driving range of 330 miles (531 km), compared with 306 miles (492 km) for Tesla’s Model Y Performance. Rivian Narrows Tesla’s Efficiency Lead…

A proposed US requirement mandating that vehicles produced within the North American trade zone contain at least 50% US-made components would likely present greater challenges for Mexico’s automotive sector than for Canada’s, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said. The proposal is being discussed as the United States, Canada and Mexico begin the review process for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Vehicle Content Requirements Under Discussion According to Bloomberg, Carney said vehicles assembled in Canada already meet the proposed threshold on average, while many vehicles produced in Mexico would face greater difficulty complying with the requirement if it were implemented.…

Polestar has reintroduced the Polestar 2 to the Canadian market, offering a single Long Range Dual Motor variant priced from CA$69,900 (US$50,328) as the company expands its presence with a three-model lineup in the country. The return of the electric fastback completes Polestar’s Canadian portfolio, which now includes the Polestar 2, Polestar 3 SUV, and Polestar 4 coupe SUV. Orders for the 2027 model are now open. Single Fully Equipped Configuration For the Canadian market, Polestar is offering the Polestar 2 exclusively in a Long Range Dual Motor configuration. The model delivers 310 kW of power, accelerates from 0 to…

Lucid Group has appointed Silvio Napoli as its chief executive officer, effective immediately, as the electric vehicle manufacturer seeks to strengthen execution and navigate ongoing production challenges. Napoli’s appointment follows an earlier announcement in April that he would assume the leadership role. He succeeds Marc Winterhoff, who had been serving as interim CEO and will now return to his previous position as chief operating officer, reporting directly to Napoli. Leadership Transition Lucid Chairman Turqi Alnowaiser said the board remains confident in the company’s direction under Napoli’s leadership. “On behalf of the Board, we are pleased to have Silvio as CEO…

General Motors has unveiled the GMC HUMMER X concept alongside the opening of its new Advanced Design studio in Pasadena, California, presenting a pair of electric vehicle concepts intended to explore future design, manufacturing and mobility ideas. The concepts, which include both truck and SUV body styles, are not planned for production and serve primarily as design studies developed by the company’s advanced design and engineering teams. New Pasadena Design Campus Opens The GMC HUMMER X made its debut at GM’s new 148,000-square-foot Advanced Design campus in Pasadena. The facility spans three buildings and houses approximately 100 employees, including designers,…

Slate Auto will begin accepting non-refundable preorders for its low-cost electric vehicle on June 24, marking the next step toward customer deliveries planned for later this year. The electric vehicle startup, backed by investors including Jeff Bezos and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, informed prospective customers via email that preorder pricing and vehicle details will be announced on June 24. Customers who have already placed a refundable $50 reservation will receive priority access and an earlier delivery window before preorders open to the broader public. Preorders Open June 24 According to information published on the company’s preorder page, prospective…

Polar Semiconductor and Nexperia have entered into a manufacturing partnership under which Polar’s semiconductor foundry in Minnesota will produce next-generation power MOSFET devices for the Dutch semiconductor company. The agreement is designed to support rising demand for power semiconductors used in artificial intelligence server infrastructure, robotics, industrial equipment and automotive applications. Under the collaboration, Nexperia will develop a portfolio of power metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) covering multiple voltage classes and package formats, while Polar Semiconductor will provide manufacturing capacity through its U.S.-based wafer fabrication facility. The companies did not disclose financial terms of the agreement, planned production volumes or…

Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality has launched what it describes as the world’s first electric Ice Explorer vehicle as part of its Columbia Icefield Adventure attraction in Jasper National Park, introducing an electrified glacier touring vehicle designed to reduce emissions and improve the visitor experience. The new Electric Ice Explorer is now operating on the Athabasca Glacier as part of the regular Columbia Icefield Adventure fleet. According to Pursuit, the vehicle charges through onboard bifacial solar panels and regenerative braking systems while operating in one of the world’s most environmentally sensitive tourism environments. The vehicle was developed in partnership with Noble…

Volvo Cars has officially opened U.S. orders for its new EX60 electric SUV following the model’s North American debut in New York City, as the company expands its lineup in the competitive mid-size electric vehicle segment. Customer deliveries in the United States are expected to begin later this year. The EX60 will initially be offered in P6 and P10 all-wheel-drive configurations, while a higher-performance P12 AWD version is scheduled to arrive later. Volvo said the EX60 is its longest-range electric vehicle so far. The future P12 AWD variant is projected to achieve up to 400 miles of range under the…

BMW has introduced a preferred pricing programme for BMW and Mini electric vehicle drivers using Ionna charging stations across the United States. Under the programme, drivers who start charging sessions through Plug & Charge or the My BMW App will receive a 20% discount on charging costs through Sept. 30, 2026. BMW said the discount is automatically applied within the vehicle’s digital ecosystem, aiming to simplify access to public fast-charging infrastructure for EV owners. The automaker said the initiative is intended to support the broader adoption of electric vehicles as reliable public charging networks become increasingly important for both daily…

BMW has announced pricing and technical specifications for the BMW iX3 50 xDrive in the United States and Canada, ahead of the launch of the company’s first production vehicle based on its Neue Klasse electric vehicle platform. The iX3 50 xDrive will start at $61,500 in the United States and 75,900 Canadian dollars in Canada, BMW said. The electric SUV is scheduled to enter the U.S. market on Sept. 25, while the Canadian launch is planned for autumn 2026. See also: BMW Debuts China-Specific Neue Klasse iX3 and i3 at Auto China BMW has already begun deliveries of the iX3…

New York has allocated an additional $30 million to its Drive Clean Rebate programme, offering incentives of up to $2,000 per vehicle to encourage the adoption of electric and plug-in hybrid cars, state officials said. The programme, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), provides point-of-sale rebates ranging from $500 to $2,000 depending on the vehicle’s electric range. Higher incentives are available for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) with longer zero-emission driving capability. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the funding during Earth Week, framing the move as part of broader efforts to reduce emissions…