Within a week of its 2019 launch, Tesla claimed to have logged 250,000 advance reservations for the Cybertruck, and CEO Musk claims the number is now up to 1 million. Yet, even with the all-electric pickup finally in production, it very well could turn into a bust, CEO Elon Musk telling investors and analysts “We dug our own grave with the Cybertruck.”
EVs and batteries
Volvo EM90 Will Be its First Minivan — and it’s All-Electric
With rare exception, everything Volvo brings to market, going forward, will be all-electric. And that includes the brand’s first minivan. Images of the Volvo EM90 have begun leaking out and, not surprisingly, it bears a more than passing resemblance to the ZEEKR 009, the all-electric people-mover also being launched next year by the Swedish automaker’s Chinese parent, Geely.
GM Delays EV Pickup Plant Launch Until Late 2025
Once again, GM is delaying production of some of its new battery-electric vehicles, this time announcing that production of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV pickups won’t start rolling out of the suburban Detroit Orion Assembly Plant until late 2025. But, as Headlight.News reports, limited numbers of Silverado EV commercial models are being produced at a second plant.
Nissan Hyper Tourer Concept: A Van That Really Cares
Nissan released the third of four mobility concept vehicles ahead of the Japan Mobility Show later this month. The Hyper Tourer concept aims to show how it can incorporate health-based technology into an all-electric vehicle.
Ford Cuts Shift as F-150 Lightning Sales “Tank”
Ford dropped a shift at the Dearborn, Michigan plant assembling its all-electric F-150 Lightning. The automaker blamed “multiple constraints,” for the move, but the UAW says the production cut comes as sales “have tanked.” If anything, Ford had expected a growing surge in demand as it prepares a major expansion of capacity at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center.
Glad or Sad? Nissan and Tesla Getting $3,750 EV Tax Credit
Consumers and automakers alike are grappling with the sudden changes to EV prices occurring what seems to be weekly. Nissan is celebrating this week while Tesla has been offering up warnings. Find out why at Headlight.News.
Toyota Teases Future Performance EVs with Twin Concepts for Japan Mobility Show
Slow to enter the EV market, Toyota is making up for lost time. And it’s signaling its shift in direction at this week’s Japan Mobility Show where it will unveil two all-electric concept vehicles, including one that could become a battery-powered successor to the Toyota Supra.
Toyota Bets Big on Commercializing Breakthrough Solid-State Batteries, Targets 621-Mile Range, Lower Costs, 10-Minute Charging
Today’s lithium-ion batteries offer significant improvements over earlier technology, but Toyota is making a big bet on the next-gen solid-state batteries expected to dramatically improve range, lower cost, speed up charging times — and which it says it hopes to begin mass-producing as early as 2027. Get the story at Headlight.News.
Infiniti Vision QE Concept Teases Brand’s First EV … Finally
Infiniti dropped a teaser on Thursday for the Vision QE Concept set to debut later this month at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo. It’s saying little about the concept other than confirming it previews the brand’s first — long-awaited and repeatedly delayed — battery-electric vehicle.
Kia’s EV Future is a More Affordable One
South Korean automaker Kia’s been one of the leaders in the EV segment, and it kept up the pace Thursday with the introduction of its newest electric vehicle, the EV5 SUV as well as showing off the Concept EV3 and Concept EV4. What’s coming to the U.S. and when? Find out at Headlight.News.
You Now Can Apply Federal EV Tax Credits as Downpayment
One of the benefits of buying an EV is the potential to earn state and federal incentives — including up to $7,500 in tax credits from the IRS. On the down side, the Inflation Reduction Act reduced the number of models qualifying for the federal giveback — but new guidelines mean that, if your EV does qualify, you now get your rebate instantly, rather than waiting until you file your annual taxes.
Alpha Motor’s Pushing EV Off-Road Bounds with NightWolf
California-based Alpha Motor Corp. keeps pushing the limit with its off-road ready electric pickup, the NightWolf. The rough-and-tumble two-seater just completed some rigorous testing as it moves through its development. Get details at Headlight.News.