Lucid Air review update, dual-engine Rivian preview, EV tax credit rental loophole: Reversed week
Which automaker unveiled one of the world’s most aerodynamic SUVs?
Which states recently joined California in banning gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035?
Here’s our look back at the Reversal Week—right here at the Green Car Report—for the week ending December 30, 2022.
Our biggest, though most confusing news this week comes on Thursday, when the US Treasury Department released another round of guidance. It confirms that the buyer of Some EVs will be eligible for a $7,500 EV tax credit starting January 1—though potentially only through March. And a new loophole could allow automakers whose electric vehicles are manufactured outside of North America to turn credits into subsidized leases.
Grand Air Lucid Air Tour 2022
Lucid Air remains the technological leader among electric vehicles based on its incredible range, power and efficiency. And we just signed up with Lucid’s user interface, has been overhauled invisible via software and over-the-air upgrade. It continues to improve, sometimes by the day.
Rivian previewed this week drive module for its dual-motor powertrain that it plans to be at the core of the R1T line of electric pickup trucks and R1S electric SUVs — and so far the only way to get one of those models is with a 180 kWh Max Pack battery.
Nio EC7 2023
Nio reveals EC7, a flagship “SUV coupe” that Nio claims to have lowest drag coefficient ever for a production SUV. At 0.23, that’s a factor that will definitely help maximize its range. But is it an SUV?
BMW announced last week that it has licensed solid-state battery technology and manufacturing process from Solid Power of Colorado. That will lead to test production lines at BMW’s facilities in Germany, as it looks towards a solid-state production model by 2030.
2022 Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron
Audi confirms that it has plans produce electric vehicles at all of its global plants by 2030. It aims to phase out production of internal combustion engine models by 2033—depending on “local conditions”—but before that will produce vehicles with the two technologies in parallel.
Washington and Oregon recently issued rules Ban on the sale of gasoline-powered cars by 2035form a single West Coast Tramway—presumably involving all of Canada, plus Vermont, New York, and other states that follow California’s rules.
Winter testing of electric cars in Norway by the Norwegian EV Association (Norsk Elbilforening)
While long-range EVs can easily handle the demands of day-to-day driving in cold weather, the winter months mean a simple change in habits, as seen in data from Recurrent: spend more time on charging.
A study by the International Council on Clean Transport (ICCT) suggested that motorists plug-in hybrids are plugging in much less than assumed regulators. With future EPA and California vehicle rules hedging the future of plug-in hybrids, the team stressed that more data is needed.
2019 Tesla Model 3
And the models were Green Car Report Best Car to Buy Past Winners? We’ve reviewed all 12 and noted that one charging port has been the common theme so far. See which wins for 2023 next Wednesday, January 4.
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