Author: EVAI

Ford is developing a winch for electric vehicles that would plug directly into a charge port. It’s not unusual for winches to run off a vehicle’s 12-volt AC accessory electrical power, but in a patent application published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on July 9, Ford proposes running a cable from a winch to a charge…

Our editorial board weighs in on the possibility of interest rate cuts.

Eighth-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class due around the end of the decade Gas and electric versions of new S-Class will feature similar styling but different platforms EQS likely to be phased out after current generation Mercedes-Benz will develop its next-generation S-Class flagship sedan to offer buyers the choice of an electric powertrain or one…

Pricing for the 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid mid-size sedan costs $32,150—just $235 more than the 2024 model. The base price, includes a mandatory $1,150 destination charge, applies to the base SEL grade. As with the 2024 model year, a Limited grade is also available. For 2025, it’s priced at $38,600 with destination. The current-generation…

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Volkswagen is working with German startup Revoltech on a hemp-based substitute for leather upholstery to help further lower the environmental impact of its vehicles.

The new material could see use in VW models by 2028, the automaker said. VW claims the hemp-based material can be produced at existing factories, and can be recycled or composted at the end of its useful life.

Volkswagen tests hemp-based synthetic leather

The material is made from residue of hemp cultivated for the food industry that would otherwise have no practical use, according to VW, which also claims the material is vegan and oil-free, unlike the leatherette upholstery some automakers put forth as a vegan alternative to animal hides.

“In our search for new materials, we are very open to new ideas from many different industries,” Kai Grünitz, head of the VW brand’s Technical Development unit, said in a statement.

Volkswagen tests hemp-based synthetic leather

Automakers have started moving away from leather for reasons of sustainability. Volvo plans to go leather-free in all of its EVs by 2030, while Kia plans to phase out leather in the future as well. Beyond leather, Polestar has experimented with various natural and recycled materials to address the environmental impact of manufacturing, which becomes a much bigger consideration in EVs that produce zero “tailpipe” emissions.

The leather industry is pushing back against claims that alternatives are more sustainable, though. In January the trade group One 4 Leather issued a statement claiming leather had a lower carbon footprint than the synthetic upholstery being proposed for EVs. Its argument was that cattle are already being raised for milk and meat, so use of hides is effectively up-cycling material that would otherwise be wasted. That seems like more of an argument for eating less beef and drinking less milk than continuing to cover car interiors in cow hides, though.

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra and 2025 Honda Civic are two of the most popular compact cars, and both offer a wide range of versions to cover everything from low-cost commuting to serious performance. Both of these lineups stand out for offering a lot of value for the money, styling that’s anything but plain, leading-edge tech, and cabin comforts…

General Motors is folding BrightDrop, initially envisioned as a standalone business focused on electric vans for commercial fleets, into its Chevrolet division.

GM said the move will open up sales for BrightDrop vans to Chevy’s larger dealer network. BrightDrop has sold vans through its own dealerships, but now all Chevy dealers will have the opportunity to sell BrightDrop vehicles if they meet certain requirements for commercial EV sales, according to GM.

BrightDrop EV410

“With the addition of BrightDrop to the Chevrolet lineup, we are combining advanced EV technology with the dependability and widespread accessibility that only Chevrolet can offer,” Scott Bell, GM’s vice president of Chevy, said in a statement.

The vans will be rebadged as Chevrolet BrightDrops and will remain available in shorter 400 and longer 600 configurations. GM estimates up to 272 miles of range for both versions with the larger optional Max Range battery pack. Range with the standard pack is estimated at 164 miles for the Chevy BrightDrop 600 and 159 miles for the Chevy BrightDrop 400. DC fast charging can add 160 miles of range per hour of charging.

BrightDrop EV410

GM launched the BrightDrop brand in January 2021 and began production the following September. The first vans were delivered to FedEx in December 2021, making them some of the first Ultium EVs to reach to customers. Higher-volume production started in 2022, with a subsequent order going to the Ryder rental fleet.

GM plans to continue manufacturing BrightDrop vans at its CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, which in the past produced vehicles for other GM brands as well as Suzuki.

BMW is recalling Mini Cooper SE electric hatchbacks due to a manufacturing issue that could cause short-circuits in the EVs’ battery packs.

The Cooper SE is an all-electric version of the three-door Mini hatch that was introduced for the 2020 model year. The recall includes 12,535 vehicles from that model year up to 2024. These vehicles may have battery packs that were not produced according to specifications, according to the NHTSA.

2020 Mini Cooper SE

Faults in these battery packs could cause short-circuits, which in turn could lead to overheating and, in rare cases, a “thermal event,” even when the vehicle is parked and turned off, recall documents said. BMW is aware of two customer complaints that may be related to this issue, but does not know of any related accidents or injuries.

The remedy is a free software update, but it must be performed at a dealership. BMW expects to mail notification letters telling customers when to take their cars to dealerships to have this done Oct. 7, 2024. Owners can also contact Mini customer service at 1-866-275-6464 with any questions.

2020 Mini Cooper SE

This is the second recent battery-related recall of the Mini Cooper SE, although the previous recall was much smaller. In April, 145 cars from model years 2020 to 2024 were recalled because of potential battery-pack water damage that posed a fire risk.

The Cooper SE received a range and efficiency boost for the 2022 model year, but generally held the line on pricing throughout its production run, making it one of a shrinking number of affordable EVs. It’s due to be replaced by an electric version of the redesigned 2025 Mini Cooper hatch, which will be sold alongside a first-ever electric version of the Mini Countryman crossover.

Marco Schubert, who has led Porsche’s European sales since 2021, will succeed Hildegard Wortmann at Audi, according to media reports.