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Sports car maker Lotus reveals a lightweight electric SUV

Lotus EletreLotus on Tuesday revealed the Eletre, its first SUV and one of several electric models planned to launch over the next few years. Previously known by its codename Type 132, the Eletre will start production later this year at a new factory in Wuhan, China, Lotus said in a press release. This will make it the first Lotus produced outside the United…

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Kia EV9 electric SUV confirmed for 2023 in Europe: US timing later?

Kia Concept EV9Kia on Tuesday confirmed that a production version of its Concept EV9 electric SUV will launch in Europe in 2023, but it did not discuss United States launch timing. The automaker had already confirmed 2023 timing for the EV9 earlier this month, but it didn’t clarify which market. Kia America could not confirm to Green Car Reports either a U.S…

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Vinfast in North Carolina, USPS ups EV order, battery recycling and the supply chain: Today’s Car News

VinFast VF 8 PrototypeVinfast wants to mass-produce EVs in the U.S. in around two years. Battery recycling looks more important than ever in light of the supply-chain issues and EV interest. And the USPS expanded its EV order, but what does that mean? This and more, here at Green Car Reports. Yesterday the Vietnamese automaker Vinfast announced plans to produce EVs in…

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EV batteries should last 15 years, says former Tesla CTO Straubel

Nissan prototype 60-kWh battery pack - Nissan Technical Center, October 2015Typically, electric vehicle battery packs are lasting longer—and for more miles—than originally intended. According to former Tesla CTO and co-founder JB Straubel, EV battery packs should last about 15 years—a key piece for the timeline as Straubel’s current venture, Redwood Materials, ramps up as part of a supply chain for…

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USPS ups its order of electric mail trucks, amid continued controversy

USPS Next Generation Delivery Vehicle - Oshkosh DefenseThe United States Postal Service (USPS) is increasing orders for electric mail trucks, amid continued criticism of conservative electrification targets for the fleet. It’s the latest development on a yearlong drama, after the postal service announced a long-term agreement with defense contractor Oshkosh Defense that planned on just 10% of trucks…

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Vinfast plans to build EVs in North Carolina starting in 2024

Vinfast plant in Hai Phong, VietnamVietnamese automaker Vinfast on Tuesday announced a North Carolina EV factory, aiming to start production in 2024. First reported by local newspaper The News & Observer and subsequently confirmed by Vinfast, the factory will be located at Triangle Innovation Point “megasite” in Chatham County, near the state capital of Raleigh. According to…

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EV partisan divide, higher mpg penalties for automakers, solid-state Porsche 911: Today’s Car News

GM Renaissance Center American flagAutomakers will soon have to pay more for selling gas-guzzlers. Porsche is reportedly mulling solid-state battery tech in its 911 sports car. And does a partisan divide exist regarding EV policy? This and more, here at Green Car Reports. The federal government has reinstated higher penalties—and collecting them—for automakers that fail…

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Poll finds bipartisan support for policies supporting EV adoption

2022 GMC Hummer EV pre-production at Factory Zero plant in Detroit, MichiganThe increasingly partisan divide in Congress over electric-vehicle-related policy spending may be disconnected from reality. That’s one of the potential conclusions from a national poll released Monday by the Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA), a policy and advocacy trade group representing the industry around EVs. The poll…

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Report: Porsche is working on a 911 sports car powered by solid-state batteries

2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Paint to Sample Gold Bronze MetallicAn electric Porsche 911 powered by solid-state batteries is in the works, according to a recent report from German publication Manager Magazin (via Ecomento). While the electric sports car will reportedly appear in some form later this decade, it’s unclear whether this is a one-off experiment or something genuinely being prepared under research…

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Nissan and Toyota EV tax credit, Stellantis-LG battery plant, cobalt and EV affordability: Today’s Car News

2023 Toyota bZ4XThe parent company of Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler teams up with LG for a battery plant in Canada. We look at how cobalt prices—and some bad U.S. decisions over resource control—may lead to EV-affordability issues. Toyota and Nissan are introducing more EVs just in time for buyers to claim the full EV tax credit. And is cost more…