Author: EVAI

Just a few days after official deliveries began, this Xiaomi SU7 Ultra driver missed a turn on a race track.

Stellantis is experimenting with multi-speed transmissions to improve the efficiency of electric vehicles, a recently surfaced patent filing indicates.

Published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Feb. 27, 2025, but originally filed by the automaker in 2023, the patent application deals specifically with adding a second forward gear to the drive modules in which electric motors are often packaged for use in EVs.

Stellantis EV transmission patent image

The document focusing mainly on how the transmission would shift between the two gears. Stellantis discusses using magnetic fluid, which is currently used in certain adaptive dampers. This fluid contains ferrous metallic particles, which react to magnetic fields. This could be used to move the shafts holding individual gears into position in a more efficient manner versus conventional hydraulically-actuated clutches, Stellantis claims.

While this may just be a case of patent writers trying to cover their legal bases, the document also refers to “electrified vehicles” rather than just EVs, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids like Stellantis’ Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and Jeep 4xe models. A separate 2-speed gearbox for an electric motor as part of a hybrid system isn’t unheard of; Mercedes-Benz employs this complex arrangement in some of its current AMG performance plug-in hybrids.

Stellantis EV transmission patent image

This is the second recent Stellantis patent filing related to a multi-speed transmission for use with electric motors. The first was published by the USPTO in January 2024, but was focused on off-road use and involved a different gear-actuation mechanism.

The Porsche Taycan remains the most prominent use of a multi-speed transmission in a production electric car. Mercedes is slated to use one in future EVs as well, and Lucid has patented one of its own. Volkswagen has indicated that it won’t be going this route, however, while Honda has designed a manual transmission—complete with clutch pedal—as it looks for ways to win car enthusiasts’ approval of its upcoming 0 Series EVs.

What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Nissan Z? What does it compare to? The 2025 Nissan Z is a two-door, rear-wheel-drive sports car. Compare it to the Ford Mustang and Toyota Supra. Is the 2025 Nissan Z a good car? It’s a lot of fun, if hardly a practical choice. The 2025 Nissan Z scores points for its willing handling and excellent…

As the automaker’s first four-seater, the Koenigsegg Gemera proved to be an engineering challenge not only in terms of performance, but packaging, as CEO Christian von Koenigsegg explains in a video about the Gemera’s drivetrain. The Gemera uses a variation of the Light Speed Transmission from the Koenigsegg Jesko. This 9-speed gearbox does away…

These two hybrids demonstrate the span of SUVs today In real-world driving, Santa Fe Hybrid gets nearly double the mpg Land Cruiser hybrid sacrifices much for the sake of off-road prowess, higher towing ratings Some SUVs are intended for serious truck duty, like towing and off-roading. Others are focused around comfort and family duty, with a…

Brawn GP’s sweep of the 2009 Formula 1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships during its only season of competition remains one of the most sensational stories in racing history. One of the cars from that historic season is heading to auction. Set to be a feature lot at a Bonhams auction happening May 3, during F1’s 2025 Miami Grand Prix…

Rivian is looking to patent wheel covers with active aerodynamic elements to further improve the efficiency of its electric vehicles.

Smooth wheel covers—like the ones available on the updated 2025 Rivian R1S and R1T—can help reduce aerodynamic drag, but they’re generally fixed in place, and thus not optimized for all scenarios. In its patent filing, which was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in August 2023, but only published by that office Mar. 6, Rivian discusses giving aero wheels movable elements to gain flexibility.

Rivian active aero wheel cover patent image

As described by Rivian in the filing, the wheel cover would include a series of openings aligning with wheel spokes when the cover is in one position, and block them to create a smooth surface in another. That movement would be actuated by a spring, which would rotate the cover to different positions.

In addition to giving customers the aesthetic choice of covered vs. uncovered wheels without having to remove anything, Rivian suggests in the filing that active wheel covers could help evacuate built up air pressure from the wheel wells—further improving aerodynamic performance. In their open position, the wheel covers could also serve a cooling function, according to the automaker, similar to the active grille shutters on many current production cars.

Rivian active aero wheel cover patent image

The boxy shapes of SUVs and pickup trucks like Rivian’s electric off-roaders presents a challenge in minimizing drag. That’s led other automakers to consider some elaborate active aerodynamic aids, such as the deployable rear step with an integrated diffuser for pickup trucks patented by Stellantis.

Hyundai has also tested an active air skirt that the automaker believes could be helpful in reducing drag in SUVs, or any electric vehicles with wider wheels. The automaker said in 2024 that tests using a Genesis GV60 from its luxury brand showed a 2.8% reduction in the coefficient of drag, worth an estimated 3.7 miles of range. But so far Hyundai hasn’t discussed production plans.

Affordable V-8 performance is becoming a rarity, but Dodge is still keeping it alive—just in the form of a three-row midsize SUV. On Thursday, the automaker announced new pricing for its 2025 Durango lineup, with the V-8 range now starting at $51,590 for the Durango R/T. This model comes with a 5.7-liter V-8, delivering 360 hp to all four…

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR W 196 S served as a development car for sports car racing Junkyard 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL roadster sold for $1.19 million 1997 Renntech E60 RS was owned by Jerry Seinfeld 2009 Mercedes-McLaren Stirling Moss Edition hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds Ask the head of Mercedes-Benz Heritage what the heritage of the brand is and…

Earlier Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks may charge at a faster rate at DC fast chargers thanks to an over-the-air (OTA) update.

News of the update, available for 2022 and 2023 models, was first reported by InsideEVs Thursday and confirmed to Green Car Reports by Ford spokesperson Sam Schembari, who explained that the update raises the maximum current for DC fast charging, from 450a to 500a, which can result in quicker charging in certain situations.

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

The update launched for the 2024 model year, and is still included on 2025 models, but Ford has also been rolling it out to the earlier model years in batches, Schembari said. With the OTA update, every model year of Lightning now benefits from this improvement in DC fast-charging performance.

Based on a sample of real-world reports seen by Green Car Reports, that could cut about five minutes off the long-range Lightning’s 10-80% charge time, bringing it closer to 40 minutes, from the previous 45 minutes or so, in ideal situations.

Recycling the name of a performance truck that dated back to the 1990s, the Lightning arrived for the 2022 model year. Instead of building a dedicated EV, Ford adapted the existing F-150 platform while adding useful features like a front trunk and available home backup power system. The formula was good enough for the Lightning to earn Green Car Reports Best Car To Buy 2023 honors.

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

The Lightning received a range boost for the 2023 model year, while a mid-tier Flash grade joined the lineup for 2024—with prices fluctuating continuously throughout. No major changes were made for the 2025 model year.

Ford is expected to replace the Lightning with a new electric full-size truck in 2027. That truck, codenamed Project T3, was due to launch this year but was pushed back amid a reshuffle of Ford’s EV plans. In the meantime, the Lightning is holding up well—in part thanks to OTA updates that can improve trucks even after they’re driven off dealer lots.