#electric-vehicles

#electric-vehicles

A rough year for electric vehicle adoption just got a little rougher for owners in some parts of the US. Starting next month, EVs will no longer be able to ride in the fast lane in California, after the US federal government and Congress failed to reauthorize a popular program that has given hybrid and electric vehicles access to state carpool lanes-and worked to promote the sale of electrics for more than 25 years.

At a summit of auto industry leaders in Brussels on Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would fast-track its planned review of a 2035 internal combustion ban in light of the current difficulties facing the European car industry. In 2022, it was decided that no new cars with internal combustion engines would be registered in the EU from 2035, with the goal of reducing emissions.

The 2026 Leaf has little jaw-dropping technology, but several features stand out. Unusually, Nissan built in separate AC and DC charging ports. The Leaf includes both wireless and wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay phone mirroring, and Google routing services (on all but the S+ base model). Like a growing number of EVs, via a pair of 120-volt outlets-though only on the highest-end trim-you can power stereos, cooler

Sept. 30 is the last day solo drivers with the decal will be able to legally drive in the carpool lane. While state officials say they are looking for ways to bring the program back at some point in the future, they've confirmed that on Oct. 1, solo drivers could be pulled over for driving their EVs or hybrids in California's highway carpool lanes. And misusing the carpool lane could cost you a fine of at least $490.

Four months on, Deghareg is pleased with his purchase since he no longer has to endure long lines at the petrol pump, caused by Ethiopia's chronic fuel shortages. I'd have to wait two to three hours, even if I got there in the early morning, and they often run out of petrol before it's your turn, he says. Having an EV saves me lots of time. I have no regrets.

Extending the program would have required approval from Congress and President Trump. "A Trump traffic jam is on its way to California and other states - all because Republicans in Congress decided to let a wildly successful bipartisan program expire," Newsom said in a statement. "That's Trump's America: more traffic, more smog and a government more committed to slashing proven programs than solving real problems."

While other electric efforts from both companies have been more successful, neither has been able to match the sleek software experience or low-cost basis of a Tesla. The iX3 and GLC are both attempts to right those issues. Both offer brand-new 800-volt electronic architectures that are built from the ground up to be updatable over the air and are packed with useful software features. They each offer better efficiency than previous attempts, too, and should cost less.

In its earnings release, the company cited factors like "a sustained uncertain macroeconomic environment" stemming from "shifting tariffs,unclear impacts from changes to fiscal policy and political sentiment."

They're exploding in popularity, but is the investment the right choice for the way you live your life? Net-Zero Dads. That's what The Economist dubbed the middle-aged men who obsess over how their heat pumps, electric cars and solar PV panels work. Indeed, sharing the jargon-filled specs of your favourite climate toy with your neighbours is the new 'keeping up with the Joneses'.

In 2025, 1 in 4 new automotive vehicle sales globally are expected to be an electric vehicle -either fully electric or a plug-in hybrid. That is a significant rise from just five years ago, when EV sales amounted to fewer than 1 in 20 new car sales, according to the International Energy Agency, an intergovernmental organization examining energy use around the world. In the U.S., however, EV sales have lagged, only reaching 1 in 10 in 2024. By contrast, in China, the world's largest car market, more than half of all new vehicle sales are electric.

But I'm not the CEO of companies that revolutionized electric vehicles and made rockets reusable. Apparently, those guys need a little more incentive to stay motivated to do their job. Welcome to the Friday edition of Critical Materials, your daily roundup of news and events shaping the world of electric cars and tech. Also on deck today: Rivian is cutting hundreds of jobs ahead of its R2 launch, and ICE agents just raided Hyundai's EV plant in Georgia alleging unlawful employment.

A growing number of studies suggest that people experience more carsickness riding in electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional petrol or diesel cars. A 2024 study believes that regenerative braking technology where the motor converts the slowing car's kinetic energy into electricity that then is stored in the battery results in low-frequency deceleration, meaning that the vehicle slows down gradually and steadily, over a relatively longer period, rather than rapidly or in quick pulses.

August was the best month yet this year for EV market share and while it is often volatile due to low overall volumes, the overall trend is positive. September will be critical, with the new number plate factor typically driving around one in seven new car registrations for the year. There is now a vast choice of electric models across all segments and many consumers will also, for the first time in three years, benefit from a grant to help them switch to electric.

Volvo is in a bit of a pickle. The company bet big on a rapid, worldwide transition to electric cars. Yet it's hit three brutal snags. First, EV sales have not grown as exponentially as many automakers planned for. Second, Volvo's own software-defined EVs were heavily delayed and arrived full of bugs and quality issues. Finally, a global trade war has hurt Volvo more than just about any other auto brand: It builds heavily in China, and it builds very little in the U.S.

This isn't a sign to let up; if anything, van den Ende believes we need more investment into climate tech solutions that will help accelerate the transition and make clean energy accessible across the globe. Yet, European climate tech funding sunk to a five-year low in Q1 2025. In the latest episode of Kia's Next Big Drive, van den Ende shares how Carbon Equity is using its platform to democratise climate finance by making it possible for individuals to invest in pioneering climate tech companies.

The vehicle was touted for its impressive horsepower and acceleration, and for its long-range capabilities. The SUV was a driver for Lucid's strong 2025 sales growth forecast as well. This year, the company announced it would acquire production facilities from bankrupt electric truck maker Nikola, as well as management changes, including the chief executive stepping down and the chief operating officer becoming interim CEO.

Beebe said she drives a Mazda 3X but, for unknown reasons, was in the market for a new vehicle. She started her video by showing evident excitement about her plans to "get a new car soon." Beebe said she was drawn to EVs, specifically, because she had heard good things about them and that they are technologically advanced. But are they a good choice for single women?

Tesla accounted for more than a fifth of new car sales in Norway in August, with electric cars as a whole accounting for 97% of new passenger vehicle registrations. Tesla models were close to 22% of new car sales in August, with Volkswagen making up about 13%, according to the Norwegian Road Federation. Chinese manufacturer BYD more than tripled the number of cars it registered in the country last month, while Toyota and Volvo monthly sales were well below where they were a year earlier.

Fisker cut production targets multiple times, failed to meet sales goals and laid off staff. What's more, its Ocean SUV was beset with software and mechanical issues, rendering it inoperable for some. Add troublesome brakes, sudden power loss and doors that wouldn't open to the list of issues that led to multiple safety investigations and ultimately a pause in production in order to raise new capital.

Shares of General Motors (NYSE:GM) gained 9.92% over the past month after gaining 6.58% the month prior. That has pushed the legacy automaker's year-to-date performance up to 14.37%. The stock's dividend currently yields 1.02%, or 15 cents quarterly, at current its current price. Earlier this summer, it was reported that the company will invest $888 million at its Buffalo, N.Y.-based Tonawanda Propulsion plant to build its next-generation V8 engines.

The Dutch software company Deftpower has raised €12.5 million in growth capital. With this investment, the company aims to strengthen its position in the European market and accelerate the development of its platform for smart charging of electric cars. This was reported by the FD. The capital round was led by investor Endeit Capital. Existing shareholders, including 4impact Capital, also participated in the transaction. Deftpower had previously received support from Proeza Capital, Twickelborg, Cosmic Cat, Rethink Ventures, and Koolen Industries, among others.