Category: General

The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck carries over without major changes. For now at least, that includes prices—remarkable, given the unpredictably of Lightning pricing since the truck’s launch.

Ford substituted 2024’s Avalanche paint color for Space White Metallic, but the least-expensive Lightning is still the fleet-oriented Pro model, which starts at $47,780 with the mandatory $2,095 destination charge.

2025 Ford F-150 Lightning

For non-fleet buyers, the lowest-price Lightning is the XLT, which still starts at $65,090 with destination. The Flash grade introduced for the 2024 model year is positioned above the XLT at $70,090 with destination, while the more luxurious Lariat and Platinum grades remain at $79,090 and $87,090, respectively.

All versions of the Lightning are still configured with dual-motor all-wheel drive and a crew cab with the same bed length, but with two battery options and outputs. Versions with the 98-kwh Standard Range pack make 452 hp while models with the 131-kwh Extended Range pack produce 580 hp, with 775 lb-ft of torque in either case. EPA range is unchanged at a maximum 240 miles for the Standard Range pack and 320 miles for the Extended Range pack.

2025 Ford F-150 Lightning

Don’t be surprised if current prices change, as they have fluctuated substantially in the past. In 2024 alone, Ford initially cut prices on top-trim versions, but increased prices for the rest of the lineup at the beginning of the year. It then essentially reversed itself a few months later with price cuts of up to $5,500.

Those cuts came after high prices hurt demand for the Lightning, something Ford initially tried to address with a production slowdown in late 2023. Production was then paused at the end of 2024 amid a reset of Ford’s EV plans.

Rivian is looking to patent heated headlight lenses to help increase the performance of the lighting on its electric pickup trucks and SUVs in snow, ice, and rain.

The LED headlights that have become the standard in the auto industry don’t give off so much waste heat all the time as previous HID or halogen lights, which can often melt any accumulated moisture by themselves. That’s what Rivian is trying to address with this patent, which was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jun. 21, 2023, but only published by that office Dec. 26, 2024.

Rivian heated headlight patent image

In that document, Rivian discusses adding a layer of carbon nanotube material to the outer lens of a headlight. This would be surrounded by a silver bus-bar heating element, which would transmit heat to the nanotube layer, warming it and in turn allowing it to melt anything accumulating on the headlight lens.

Carbon nanotube material is comprised of tube-shaped lattices of carbon atoms less than a nanometer in diameter—hence the name. Carbon nanotubes are known to gave good thermal conductivity, which might explain Rivian’s choice of the material here.

Rivian heated headlight patent image

There’s been much talk of the importance of heated seats, and even heated seat belts, in EVs as a more efficient way to fight cold temperatures with minimal additional energy draw. But this is more about lighting technology than powertrain technology, specifically the need to clear LED lighting elements of accumulated precipitation that could partially block them.

Not all patented ideas reach production, and it’s unclear how much of a priority heated headlights are for Rivian right now. The automaker is preparing to start production of its more-affordable R2 electric SUV in 2026 and open a new Georgia plant by 2028, with the latter expected to receive a boost from a $6.6 billion federal loan.

Tesla is recalling 239,382 electric vehicles because of rearview camera displays that could fail.

The recall includes 2024-2025 Tesla Model 3 and Model S sedans and 2023-2025 Model X and Model Y crossovers. Circuit boards in these vehicles could short out, causing a loss of the rearview camera image, according to the NHTSA. A functioning rearview camera is required under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111.

The short-circuit condition occurs due to reverse current on startup, according to the NHTSA. If this happens, drivers will see a blank screen after shifting into reverse, and will have to rely on shoulder checks and mirrors when backing up, the safety agency said.

2024 Tesla Model Y. – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

Tesla estimates that just 2% of the recalled vehicles actually have this defect. The automaker has identified 887 warranty claims and 68 field reports related to this issue, but it told the NHTSA that it’s unaware of any related collisions, injuries, or fatalities.

Tesla released a free over-the-air (OTA) software update to address this issue, but will also work to identify vehicles with circuit board failure, or component stress that could lead to a failure. It will then replace the affected computers in those vehicles, also free of charge.

The automaker expects to mail owner notification letters Mar. 7, 2025. In the meantime, owners can also contact the customer service department at 877-798-3752. Tesla’s reference number for this recall is SB-25-00-001.

2024 Tesla Model S. – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

While this recall can be at least partially addressed through an OTA update that doesn’t require a service-center visit, that isn’t always the case with Tesla recalls. The automaker just recently recalled a small number of Model S and Model X EVs for an airbag issue that requires replacement of the airbag. Hardware, rather than software, issues were also behind many of the seven recalls of the Tesla Cybertruck during its first year on sale.

The NHTSA also recently announced a preliminary investigation of 2.6 million Tesla electric vehicles with the Actually Smart Summon remote driving feature. That follows another federal probe, opened in October, of 2.4 million Teslas equipped with what the automaker has termed Full Self-Driving, after reports of four crashes and one fatality related to that system.

• The Tesla Model Y is receiving its first refresh since debuting six years ago
• The updated Model Y is expected to arrive in the U.S. this spring
• Tesla sales were down in 2024

Following its refresh of the Model 3, Tesla has released an updated version of the Model Y crossover, codenamed Juniper, though only for the Chinese market right now.

Deliveries in China and other Southeast Asian countries begin in March, but U.S. availability has not been announced yet. North American deliveries are anticipated to begin this spring, which would make the Model Y Juniper a late 2025 model.

This marks the first major update of the Model Y since it debuted in 2019. It’s noticeable thanks to exterior styling changes that seem to have been inspired by the Tesla Cybercab, including a chiseled front end, small, angular headlights, and a thin light bar running across the leading edge of the hood. At the back, a continuous light strip unites the third brake light with the taillights.

2025 Tesla Model Y (China spec)

Inside, Tesla is claiming similar changes to the recent Model 3 update, codenamed Highland, introduced in 2023. These include a quieter cabin, ambient lighting and purging of control stalks. Heated and ventilated seats are now available as well, along with a touchscreen for rear-seat passengers.

While not detailed here, the updated Model Y is expected to benefit from suspension changes similar to the Model 3 which we found produced a more refined ride. We also saw better fit and finish in the refreshed sedan, something that will hopefully apply to the Model Y update as well.

For the Chinese market, Tesla also increased range and made the Model Y quicker. The base single-motor rear-wheel drive version now delivers 295 hp and gets from 0-62 mph in 5.3 seconds, compared to 5.9 seconds before. A 62.5-kwh battery pack delivers an estimated range of 368 miles on the Chinese test cycle, up from 344 miles before.

2025 Tesla Model Y (China spec)

The dual-motor all-wheel drive version, with a 184-hp motor at the front and a 260-hp motor at the rear gets from 0-62 mph in 4.3 seconds (compared to 5.0 seconds previously) and returns 446 miles of range on the Chinese test cycle (up from 428 miles) with a 78.4-kwh pack.

For reference, the U.S. Model Y lineup currently consists of single-motor and dual-motor Long Range variants and a dual-motor Performance grade. The Model Y Performance does 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, while maximum EPA estimated range of 337 miles is achieved in single-motor Long Range form.

Tesla sales fell in 2024, and it likely continued to lose market share as more EV competitors arrived. The Model Y has generally been the automaker’s bestseller, so this update will be an important factor in arresting that decline.

Faraday Future provided further detail on plans for its new FX sub-brand at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this week.

The company reaffirmed plans for an affordable EV called the FX 5 that will cost between $20,000 and $30,000 and a larger model called the FX 6 priced between $30,000 and $50,000. First outlined in a September 2024 investor presentation, the pair will be offered with fully electric and gasoline extended-range powertrains, Faraday says. The company has also said it’s taking an asset-light approach to the FX sub-brand—similar to the now-defunct Fisker.

Faraday Future FX Super One prototype

At CES, Faraday also confirmed plans for a third FX model, a minivan called the Super One. The automaker said this model is intended to “cater to both leaders and visionary groups, represented by celebrities, stars, and high-profile business professionals.” That’s a somewhat different demographic than the mass-market FX 5 and FX 6, then, but overlapping with Faraday’s only current product—the $309,000 FF 91 electric SUV.

Faraday Future FX 6 prototype

Faraday showed camouflaged prototypes of the FX 6 and Super One in press materials. The FX 6 appears to be a crossover, while the Super One has a typical minivan profile. Should the Super One reach production, it could serve as a more upscale alternative to the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, which we recently named Green Car Reports Best Car To Buy 2025.

Faraday said it is currently conducting testing for U.S. regulator homologation, and it aims to stage a full reveal of the Super One in the second quarter of this year. It also hopes to start pre-production of at least one new model by the end of the year, pending acquisition of necessary funding. The company says it’s secured $60 million in new commitments since September 2024, but that’s still just a drop in the bucket when it comes to launching a new vehicle.

Scaling up production to mass-market levels could also prove challenging for Faraday, which struggled to get even its low-volume flagship FF 91 to customers. The FF 91 was first shown in production-bound prototype form at CES 2017, but the first customer example wasn’t delivered until August 2023.

Scout Motors wants owners to be able to repair its electric trucks without visiting a dealership unless absolutely necessary. Now it’s providing more detail on how it plans to make that happen.

When it unveiled concept versions of the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck last October, Scout claimed that approximately 80% of repairs could be performed without a dealership visit. In an interview with The Drive at CES 2025 this week, Scout Motors Strategy Director Ryan Decker said that will be made possible by components that are easy to remove for repair or replacement.

Scout Traveler concept

“Maybe things aren’t glued, they’re screwed, right? Things should be more easy to repair yourself,” Decker said.

This approach was implemented during the design process, with Scout avoiding the “seamless and fused” look of many modern cars in favor of discrete bumpers and body panels that are more accessible, Decker explained, adding that easily removable bumpers make more sense for the Scout vehicles’ intended off-road use.

Scout Terra concept

Decker also promised “transparent” repair guides and manuals that will be easily accessible to customers, avoiding what he called the “black box” nature of other EVs. Just the willingness to let customers work on their vehicles is a big difference from Tesla’s initially negative attitude toward independent repair shops and customization.

Like Tesla, though, Scout intends to rely on a direct-sales model instead of franchised dealerships. That’s rankled franchisees of Scout’s parent company, Volkswagen, in California, who claim the move violates the state’s franchise laws because VW already relies on franchised dealerships for its other brands. For now, Scout is completing a $2 billion South Carolina factory with the aim of starting production in 2027.

Tesla is recalling a small number of 2024 and 2025 Model S and Model X electric vehicles because their driver’s-side airbags could tear during deployment—increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

The recall includes just 294 vehicles manufactured in a short window—Nov. 6 to Nov. 27, 2024. These vehicles may have received airbags that were damaged due to an assembly error by the supplier, according to the NHTSA.

2024 Tesla Model X

In combination with other factors—a deep fold in the airbag and positioning of the windshield heat diffuser—this could cause the airbag to tear when it inflates. A torn airbag may not perform properly during a crash, presenting a greater risk of injury, the NHTSA noted.

Tesla was made aware of this issue by the supplier, which discovered it during acceptance testing of airbags. The automaker told the NHTSA that it is not aware of any crashes, fatalities or injuries related to this issue, or any related warranty claims.

2024 Tesla Model S. – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

Tesla service centers will replace the airbag assembly free of charge. Tesla expects to mail owner notification letters on Feb. 21. Owners can also contact the automaker’s customer service department at 1-877-798-3752 for more information. Tesla’s reference number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.

Because it involves hardware, this recall can’t be addressed with a software update, as many Tesla recalls have been. Hardware-related recalls have become more common for the automaker thanks to the problem-plagued Cybertruck. It’s sold well in the U.S., but that couldn’t offset an overall decline in Tesla sales in 2024, on a global scale, after years of persistent double-digit gains.

Reservations for Scout Motors’ range-extended models are outpacing those for pure electric versions, Scout CEO Scott Keogh said in an interview with Bloomberg at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this week.

The new Volkswagen Group brand plans to launch its Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck in 2027 with a powertrain called Harvester that adds a gasoline engine acting as a generator to boost range. It’s estimated to provide 500 miles on a combination of gasoline and battery power, as opposed to 350 miles for battery-only versions.

Scout Traveler concept

The Harvester models are attracting more reservations because of EV disinterest in “a portion of America” and concerns over lack of public charging stations, Keogh said, adding that the range-extended powertrain “gives us a 50-state vehicle” that can be sold in regions that are less EV-friendly. That perhaps includes red states like South Carolina, where Scout’s factory is being built.

“The two challenges we see with electrification, charging infrastructure—and of course this takes that all off the table—and plus there’s convenience,” Keogh said. “I think with those two things, a range extender makes a lot of sense.” The CEO added that the mix of all-electric or range-extended vehicles being produced can be easily adjusted to cover changes in demand.

Scout Terra concept

The VW Group announced Scout in 2022, reviving a name originally used on trucks manufactured by International Harvester from 1961-1980. As a brand under the control of the parent company, VW Group, rather than VW of America, Scout is attempting to implement a direct-sales model similar to other EV-only brands like Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla. But VW’s franchised dealers are fighting that.

The Traveler and Terra pay homage to the original Scout trucks with retro styling, a body-on-frame architecture, and an emphasis on physical controls over touchscreens. But they’re still expected to boast some software-based features, like pet and camp modes, comparable to the more tech-forward EV brands. A third model is also reportedly in the works, but timing is uncertain.

Starting in February, Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles will be able to charge at 20,000 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S., the automaker announced Thursday.

Supercharger access will be enabled via a software update installed by dealerships—not over-the-air. Customers will be contacted by Mercedes to schedule this. The update will preserve the plug-and-charge capability offered in current Mercedes EVs, allowing drivers to charge simply by plugging in, and allow Superchargers to show up on the Mercedes app and infotainment systems.

Mercedes-Benz opens Tesla Supercharger access

Adapters cost $185 and will also be distributed through dealerships. They’ll be available in the U.S. this quarter, Mercedes said, but Canadian drivers will have to wait until Q2. Pricing for that market will be confirmed at a later date. Between the U.S. and Canada, Mercedes expects drivers to have access to about 20,000 Supercharger stations.

Mercedes plans to build Tesla NACS ports into new vehicles for North American markets starting this year. So far the refreshed 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the only non-Tesla EV on sale with a NACS port—and it charges slower with it. That’s because most Tesla Superchargers can’t currently charge at 800-volt peak rates, which doesn’t apply to 400-volt Mercedes EVs on the road today.

Mercedes-Benz opens Tesla Supercharger access

Mercedes joined the list of brands switching to NACS in July 2023, even as it was working on its own fast-charging network. The first location, featuring 400-kw DC fast chargers provided by ChargePoint, opened in Georgia in November 2023.

And it’s part of the Ionna charging network joint venture, along with seven other automakers. Ionna aims for 30,000 chargers across North America, with the first site scheduled to open later this year.

Volkswagen will rollout Tesla Supercharger access for its EV customers this summer, when adapters will be ready for current CCS-equipped vehicles.

“We get access to the network in June/July, when we have an official VW adapter,” VW spokesperson Mark Gillies told PCMag at CES 2025 this week, adding that the automaker is still lining up suppliers to manufacture it. Note that this timeline only applies to the VW brand itself; Gillies could not speak to launch timing for other brands of the larger VW Group.

2025 Volkswagen ID.4

The three brands in the VW Group currently selling EVs in the U.S.—VW, Audi, and Porsche—announced Supercharger access and the eventual adoption of the Tesla NACS port in December 2023, alongside the new Scout brand. Scout isn’t planning to deliver its first vehicles until 2027.

This made the VW Group brands among the last to confirm a switch to the NACS port, as nearly all major EV brands in the U.S. market have now confirmed. But it’s also one of the few non-Tesla brands that’s already operating a sizable public charging network in the U.S.—in the form of Electrify America.

2025 Volkswagen ID.7

Electrify America was created as part of VW’s diesel-emissions cheating settlement, committing the automaker to spend $2 billion on charging infrastructure. VW has said that Electrify America will work to add NACS connectors at its charging stations this year, while continuing to use CCS connectors.

When it first announced Supercharger access, VW said it would also begin selling vehicles with NACS ports in 2025. So far the only automaker to do that is Hyundai, with the refreshed 2025 Ioniq 5. But it charges slower at most NACS ports compared to CCS ports because such vehicles can accept higher charge voltages than what’s allowed by Superchargers.