From compact crossovers to full-size SUVs, roughly 100 new battery-electric vehicles have come to market over the last two years. But which ones are the best when you factor in things like range, reliability, maintenance and everyday practicality? Consumer Reports has named its 14 top choices and it includes a variety of different sizes, prices and features. But three brands – Hyundai, Kia and BMW – stood out.
Technology
Subaru’s Project Midnight Pushes The Envelope of WRX Performance
Subaru’s Project Midnight is preparing to make a potent performance statement for the Japanese auto giant. A full carbon fiber body and big performance upgrades are only a few of the tricks that this special WRX will bring to the fabled Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Lucid Gets a Reprieve as Price Cuts Help it Gain Market Traction – But Saudi Cash Remains Key
It’s been a tough year for EV start-ups, Fisker filing for bankruptcy, and several others expected to follow. But there have been a few glimmers of hope. Price cuts helped Lucid outperform sales expectations during the second quarter, buying it time to bring a second product line to market later this year. But with Wall Street still skeptical, the California manufacturer remains critically dependent on cash from the Saudis, Lucid’s largest investor.
Mazda Adds New Hybrid to 2025 CX-50 Portfolio
Mazda generated a lot of buzz when it introduced the CX-50 last year. The Japanese automaker appears to be looking keep that excitement going for the 2025 model year by adding a hybrid model to its lineup. Read all about it at Headlight.News.
Electrify America Announces Pilot Program That Limits Vehicle Charging
Electrify America announces new pilot program that limits the amount of time vehicles spend at a charging station as the company attempts to address long wait times and availability of charging stations with new pilot program.
Former Ferrari Racing Chief Helps UN Launch Global Road Safety Campaign
He spent years as a major force behind one of the world’s most dangerous sports – auto racing. Now, Jean Todt has taken a lead role in a new United Nations effort to address the “pandemic” of highway deaths. Its new, ad campaign hopes to halve the number of road fatalities – over 1 million annually – by 2030.
Porsche Keeps Shifting … to All-Electric Lineup with End of Gas-Powered Macan
Porsche augments its move to an all-electric Macan lineup with the discontinuation of the 718 duo, the Boxster and Cayman. Changes begin this fall. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Automakers and the Aircraft Industry Team to Make Cars Fly
The future of transportation is looking up – quite literally. Imagine, instead of an hour to 1 ½ hour drive to the airport, you can hop into a flying taxi somewhere in or around your neighborhood and get to the airport to fly on your scheduled long-haul jet in less than 10 minutes. That would be a game changer for modern, personal travel. It’s actually happening sooner than you may think.
Stellantis Invests $55 Million in Air Taxi Start-Up
Stellantis has invested an additional $55 million in Archer Aviation, a pioneer in the fast-emerging field of drone-like flying taxis. That follows a previous $110 million investment the Euro-American automaker made in Archer. And it comes at a time when the start-up completed a milestone flight and is preparing to open up a new assembly plant in Georgia.
Ineos Delays Battery-Electric Fusilier
Off-road beast maker Ineos plans to push back production of its first all-electric model, the Fusilier SUV, from 2027 to an unknown introduction date. Ineos produces two off-road focused vehicles, the Grenadier and Quartermaster, and introduced the Fusilier in February. Get more details at Headlight.News.
Who Says EV Sales Are Slowing? Tesla, Maybe – But Not GM, Ford, Toyota or the Koreans
It’s become conventional wisdom that EV sales are slowing. With one high-profile exception, the latest numbers would tell you quite the opposite is true. As data roll in for June and the second quarter we’re seeing a number of manufacturers reporting solid increases...
Mercedes Pumping New Life Into its Gas Engines
With the EV market taking longer to charge up than many have expected, Mercedes-Benz is putting money back into the development of internal combustion technology, as well as hybrids, CEO Ola Kallenius said. But the automaker isn’t scrapping plans for a new EV architecture, despite recent reports, the executive said.