Author: EVAI
Guest commentary: The strategic imperative for dealerships to prioritize F&I product sales
In today’s constantly evolving automotive industry, dealerships face the challenge of maximizing revenue amid fluctuating market conditions and consumer preferences.
Car flame retardants might make us sick—and be unnecessary in EVs
Outdated federal standards for the flammability of vehicle interior materials—put in place before the rise of EVs—pose an unnecessary health hazard, argues Consumer Reports.
In response to a study from the Green Science Policy Institute at Duke University, which found harmful chemicals from flame retardants can be present in the air of car interiors, Consumer Reports is calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to consider replacing the current standards, which were adopted in 1971, with new ones that don’t require use of these chemicals.
The study found that 99% of cars contained a flame retardant under investigation by the U.S. National Toxicology Program as a potential carcinogen. Most cars were also found to have additional harmful flame-retarding chemicals, including two known carcinogens under California Proposition 65.
2025 Toyota Crown
A 2022 study conducted by the Ecology Center’s Healthy Stuff lab also found that car seats—particularly in vehicles at lower price points—contained potentially harmful chemicals, Consumer Reports noted.
With that in mind, Consumer Reports is calling for an update to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 302, which governs flammability and applies to materials used inside a vehicle. One possibility, Consumer Reports suggests, is adopting something like the smolder test instituted by California in 2013. This is “similarly effective,” but sets a standard that can be met without the use of flame retardant chemicals, according to Consumer Reports.
“Regardless of powertrain, NHTSA and automakers should align on steps to better protect consumers and first responders from vehicle fires,” said William Wallace, CR’s associate director for safety policy, to Green Car Reports. “In addition, we’re looking forward to commenting on NHTSA’s proposed rules to add new requirements and test procedures for the safety of EVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hopefully, these rules will help protect the public and drive safety innovation in this space.”
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet
If the federal government revisits this, the concerns might be different for EVs. Fires are far less frequent in EVs, and when they do occur, they’re often charging-related. That means a vehicle is typically parked without people inside. Simple measures like an anti-short layer may go a long way in preventing EV fires—versus the complexities of managing a flammable liquid in gasoline models.
It’s not that EVs are without unique safety issues, though. Emergency responders still need training to deal with high-voltage electronics, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has pointed out that weight is a safety concern.
Here’s how California seeks to cut the cost of home EV charging
Spikes in electricity rates can raise the cost of charging an EV at home, but California has a solution.
As explained in a recent post on The Equation, from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), California is considering adding a fixed charge on electricity bills from its largest utilities in exchange for a reduction in the per-unit price of electricity use. That would keep utilities’ revenue consistent while maintaining lower overall home-charging costs for EV owners.
A proposal from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the state’s utility regulator, would establish a monthly flat fee of $24.15 for customers of California’s three major investor-owned utilities—Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).
2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV with GM Ultium Home energy system
The proposal also calls for income-based tiers for the monthly charge. Customers participating in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) rate-reduction program would pay approximately $6.00 per month, while those enrolled in the Family Electric Rate Assistance program, those living in affordable housing, and those with incomes at or below 80% of area median income would pay approximately $12.00 per month. All others would pay the full $24.15 monthly fee.
The proposal, which follows up on legislation passed in 2022, wouldn’t be implemented until late 2025 or early 2026. But it could reduce electricity rates by 4.6 cents to 6.8 cents per kwh at that time, according to the UCS.
Hyundai Home
Such a proposal seems just in time, as throughout the nation sharp electricity hikes have for some households soured the home EV charging experience. Before these hikes, the federal Department of Energy found that every new EV costs less than $1,000 a year to “fuel” with electricity.
California has been working on a way to reduce the cost of home EV charging—potentially connected to time-of-use—for several years. More than a third of U.S. EVs are sold in California, so it’s a very important matter for U.S. adoption as a whole. But similar programs in other states will be needed to maintain the momentum established by California.
2025 Defender adds more luxury to capable off-roader
The Defender enters the 2025 model year with few changes, though there are items that enhance the vehicle’s luxury, and others that should make things easier at ordering time. The new model year brings the availability of packages that group many popular individual options. Among the new packs are some that enhance the driving qualities, others…
Rivian R2 production, Kia EV3 debut date, Eli Zero: Today’s Car News
Kia confirms the EV3 for production. Rivian revamps its Illinois plant for R2 production. EVs are already having a big effect on gasoline demand. And how small of an EV is big enough? This and more, here at Green Car Reports.
Rivian is rejiggering the production capacity of its plant in Normal, Illinois, to accommodate up to 155,000 of its more affordable R2 SUVs annually. That’s more than the cumulative number of EVs the company has delivered since it started rolling its R1 family out to customers about 2.5 years ago.
Kia has confirmed that its compact EV3 electric SUV is production-bound and will arrive next year. It hasn’t yet confirmed whether this model is coming to the U.S., although maybe that will be clarified after its May 23 debut. In a small set of close-cropped teaser photos, Kia showed that the production EV3 preserves many of the same bold design traits and so-called Star Map lighting theme as the concept.
According to the consultancy Wood Mackenzie, as quoted in a Reuters report this week, growing EV sales in both the U.S. and China could contribute to a significant cut in gasoline demand in 2024. That’s due not so much to an acceleration in EV growth but to the cumulative effect of all the EVs now in service.
And if you’re fine moving no faster than 25 mph, the tiny $11,990 Eli Zero EV might be just right for urban deliveries. In U.S.-bound form, the two-seat hatchback minicar goes up to 90 miles, and constrained by those speeds it’s unlikely range anxiety is going to be a concern.
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1977 Tyrrell P34 heads to auction
An example of one of the most unusual Formula 1 cars in history is up for grabs. This 1977 Tyrrell P34 six-wheeler will be one of the featured lots at RM Sotheby’s upcoming auction in Monaco. Scheduled to be offered for sale May 11, it’s an artifact of a bygone era where small, modestly funded F1 teams could pull off big technical innovations…
2025 BMW M4 CS, Bentley V-8 hybrid: Today’s Car News
BMW has launched a new generation of its hardcore M4 CS. The car isn’t quite as extreme as the recent M4 CSL, but it comes with the same 543-hp rating, as well as a track-tuned chassis. Bentley’s venerable 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W-12 ceases production in the summer, but the automaker has a more powerful powertrain waiting in the wings. The…
Rivian aims for 155,000 of its $45,000 R2 electric SUVs in Illinois
Just after the reveal of its more affordable R2, R3, and R3X models in March, Rivian announced plans to rejigger its production capacity at its existing plant in Illinois, to accommodate the R2 electric SUV at that plant instead of an even larger one in Georgia that remains on the drawing board.
Recognizing that the R2 is critical to the company’s survival, Rivian included the following in its Q1 financial report, released Tuesday: “We believe launching R2 in Normal will create long-term value by driving greater capital efficiency and reducing risk to the R2 launch and associated ramp.”
With the update, Rivian also revealed exactly what that means in intended production numbers. It now intends to make 155,000 of its R2 electric SUV at the Illinois plant annually, with a total of 215,000 units including its other vehicles (consisting of the R1S SUV, R1T pickup, and EDV fleet vehicle).
That’s more R2s in a year than Rivian has delivered cumulatively—all models combined—since it started making deliveries in fall 2021. And it will take an expansion for Normal, which Rivian had previously said was limited to a plant capacity of about 150,000 vehicles per year.
Rivian R2
In the meantime, it says that it’s aiming to improve R1 production efficiency by about 30%.
With R2 included, the shift will represent a huge boost in production versus Rivian’s current levels. The company made 57,232 vehicles in all of 2023, while it made 13,980 vehicles in Q1 2024.
In Rivian’s Q1 investor call accompanying the announcement, Rivian’s CFO Claire McDonough said that the maximum capacity has some flexibility and will break out as up to 85,000 R1 models or up to 65,000 EDVs.
Rivian pointed out that the R1S was the fourth bestselling EV in the U.S. over the first quarter of 2024—after only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Rivian R2
The new midsize platform, called MSP, will be the basis for the R2, R3, and R3X, which Rivian underscored “are expected to deliver amazing performance, utility, and range at a significantly lower price point than our flagship R1.”
Rivian pointed to cost efficiencies at the core of the MSP vehicles, which will include the use of high-pressure die castings, a structural battery pack, and “simplified closures.” It’s also teased that it sees the potential for a model with half the carbon footprint of the R1S by 2030.
The R2 is expected to start around $45,000, with production set to start in the first half of 2026, according to Rivian.
Rivian R3
And then, potentially come the R3 and R3X. Rivian didn’t specify where those models would be built, but it again said that the R3 “has been designed with a high level of commonality with the R2,” and would be available internationally following a North American launch.
Whether that means confirming those models for the now-paused Georgia plant remains to be seen. Either way, Rivian would need another serious expansion to make room for R3 and, perhaps, more production space for R2. It’s potentially a predicament Rivian might be happy to face.