Why are Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid owners advised not to plug in?
Which SUV is cheaper to rent as a plug-in hybrid than with a standard petrol?
Here’s our look back at the Reversal Week—right here at the Green Car Report—for the week ending July 21, 2023.
One of the most received news of the week is on Monday, when almost Ford F-150 Lightning $ 10,000 off brought the base Pro back to $51,990. But to put it all together, that means the base Lightning Pro is now only 25% more expensive than last year.
Ford F-150 Lightning 2023
There are plenty of great deals available—if you’re willing to expand your shopping into rentals. Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid current Less rental cost than non-hybrid Wranglerthanks in part to the Commercial Electric Vehicle Tax Credit that subsidizes a wide range of electric vehicle leases.
Tesla announced last weekend that it make the first Cybertruck in Austin — though it doesn’t include details about the eagerly awaited electric truck or even whether this suggests mass production will ramp up sooner rather than later. But on Wednesday, in its quarterly financial update, it revealed some more tech tidbits about its Cybertruck—most notably, Cybertruck battery cells will be increased by 10% in terms of power density compared to what’s used in the Model Y. However, it doesn’t say whether this means more range than the 250 to 500 miles originally claimed. The company is said to be ready for a high-nickel version, so there could be room to grow beyond this in the near future.
2022 BMW i4 M50
According to the results from the latest JD Power APEAL study, looking at the first 90 days of ownership, Owner satisfaction drops for Tesla, while it’s for other EVs. Standout with high satisfaction ratings this year are the BMW i4 and Genesis GV60.
The list of automakers that confirm the switch to Tesla’s NACS charging connector continues to grow. Nissan on Wednesday has become Japan’s first automaker plans to adopt NACS on new electric vehicles arriving in the U.S. in 2025, with converters due in 2024.
Tesla turbocharger
As part of a series of potentially weight-saving, range-increasing research and development work being undertaken by the Volkswagen Group in the United States, VW confirms development of high-power wireless charging—with a potential charge that matches DC’s fast-charging territory. There is no confirmation of the Tesla NACS charging port yet, although it is under review.
Hyundai revealed the look of Hyundai Santafe 2024, which is likely set to continue to include Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid versions. In short, it’s a lot more aggressive and angular, with added looks and functionality that Hyundai says makes it optimized for the outdoors. It could also be a better fit for the upcoming Ioniq 7 electric SUV.
2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron
All Audi’s electric SUV achieves Top Safety Pick+ a nod from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the organization highlighted this week. That includes the 2024 Q8 E-Tron family — formerly known as the E-Tron SUV and Sportback — as well as the Q4 E-Tron family. Although it does not include the exclusive E-Tron GT sedan.
Toyota RAV4 Prime and Lexus NX 450h+ should not be charged in cold weather as part of the recall these plug-in hybrids for a faulty component may result in a fire. This is the first recall involving the propulsion of this much-loved PHEV that is not a software fix.
BrightDrop EV410
This is an important week for EV-related news—including future EVs, revised expectations, and new markets. For example, GM has halt production of BrightDrop . electric trucks at the assembly plant in Canada due to a reported battery shortage — all while the automaker claims to be ramping up. In the second quarter, GM sold less than 2,000 of its EVs that weren’t Chevy Bolt EVs or soon-to-be discontinued EUVs.
Mazda is planning two electric models for North America to be introduced between 2025-2027, and it is looking to localize US electric vehicle production shortly thereafter. But as a recent report highlighted, Mazda electric car made in Mexico are looking for more and more possibilities.
According to one report, Tesla and BYD are looking to make electric cars affordable in India—not together, but independently. According to the report, Tesla could use India as an export base, while BYD may be pursuing a partnership with a local company that could cover batteries and a full line of electric vehicles.
revenge jeep
And the Jeep brand seems to have back to EV plans for Europe. Jeep unveiled the Avenger last year with the intention of selling a petrol version in very limited quantities in the Continent — but reportedly, since expanding the availability of the fuel tank and exhaust model as part of what Jeep’s head of Europe calls a “pragmatic” decision that won’t affect the brand’s goal of using all electric vehicles there by 2030.
Finally, the EU has added new requirements for DC fast charging stations are closer together in Europe. It includes a heavy-duty truck-assisted charging network and a requirement for hydrogen refueling stations by 2031—though if the formation of hydrogen grids by the US and Europe so far is any indication, the plan may need some tweaking along the way.
_______________________________________
