Honda Insight nixed, Niro EV refreshed, Tesla Boombox redux, California hits 35% EV in 2026: Automotive News Today
Honda has confirmed there will be a Civic Hybrid. Tesla is “doing” in fixing its Boombox. Leaf and Niro’s lineup is refreshed. And California sets its own rules for more electric vehicles. This and more, here at Green Car Report.
California this morning officially published the Proposed Regulations for the development of the Advanced Clean Auto II rule. After distillation, the rules aim to boost sales of light battery-powered, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles combined with 35% of new light vehicle purchases as of model year 2026. It will account for 68% of those vehicles by 2030 and 100% by 2035.
Honda has confirmed that it plans to phase out its Insight hybrid sedan soon—To make room for the upcoming return of the Civic Hybrid, as well as other hybrid models. It’s all part of an effort to make hybrids a higher part of the automaker’s sales in the US.
Tesla’s Boombox feature has been the subject of a recall campaign again, as the recent recall doesn’t guarantee that the cars are compliant whenever they’re on the move. A “do-over” is released in an over-the-air update now also includes Summons and Smart Summons in ensuring that federally authorized pedestrian sounds can be heard.
At this week’s New York auto show, Nissan revealed a refreshed version of the Leaf. The 2023 Nissan Leaf builds on last year’s price cut to the lineup, making room for the pending arrival of the Ariya, and simplifying the lineup to just two models. There are also some new design details to distinguish these five new models of EV, which have a range of up to 215 miles.
Kia also introduced the redesigned American Niro range at the NY show. Back to the hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV versions, 2023 Kia Niro offers more range and higher mpg for the respective models, as well as a design that offers more interior space than the current version.
And in case you missed it, Mercedes earlier this week reported that it completed a Real-world 626-mile ride in Vision EQXX . concept, on a single charge and about 15% of the battery remaining — for a battery pack under 100 kWh. Though we can’t confirm yet that the production compact SUV it previews will be as light as this 3,850-pound concept.
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