Category: General
Nissan Leaf gets 20-kw bidirectional charger for US
- Nissan Leaf owners are getting a new, higher-power, bidirectional charger option
- Using the FE-20 bidirectional charger won’t void the Leaf’s warranty
- Nissan didn’t say how much the FE-20 bidirectional charger costs
Nissan has approved an updated bidirectional charger for use with its Leaf EV, giving owners another option for using their cars as mobile energy sources.
Nissan Leaf models have had the hardware for bidirectional charging since 2013, the automaker noted while announcing approval of the new charger, the 20-kw Fermata Energy FE-20. But Nissan didn’t officially enable or endorse use of the feature in the U.S. until 2022, when it approved use of the Fermata FE-15 charger. Like that 15-kw charger, the FE-20 can be used without voiding a Leaf’s warranty.
2025 Nissan Leaf
The FE-20 boasts some improvements over the FE-15, including 33% more power, an updated design that lowers manufacturing costs, and a lower retail price, according to Nissan, although the automaker did not quote a specific price.
Nissan also promises a greater ability to move energy back and forth between the car and the grid than the FE-15 which, in a proof-of-concept test at the automaker’s Franklin, Tennessee, U.S. headquarters helped reduce electricity bills by $9,450 over four years. Fermata Energy’s own software management tool can help owners achieve these savings by drawing power from a car’s battery pack to help power buildings during high-demand, high-cost periods.
2025 Nissan Leaf
Other companies, such as Wallbox, market bidirectional chargers that could let homeowners use EVs as backup power sources, but that relies on approval from automakers like Nissan. As with the FE-15, the the FE-20 charger was approved for use with the Leaf after it was proven to meet Nissan’s own requirements and received UL 1741 certification.
Nissan hasn’t updated the Leaf in several years, meaning it’s now the only EV still using the CHAdeMO fast-charging standard. It also no longer qualifies for a federal EV tax credit, but it’s still cheaper than the Nissan Versa economy car, in some instances at least. Bidirectional charging provides another reason to consider the aged hatchback beyond a potentially low purchase price.
VW working on synthetic leather made from hemp
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.
GM folds BrightDrop into Chevrolet
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.
2020-2024 Mini Cooper SE recalled because battery may short out
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.
2025 Mini Countryman SE ALL4 has 212 miles of range for $46,195
The 2024 Mini Countryman SE ALL4 electric crossover will offer up to 212 miles of range and cost $46,195 (including a $995 destination fee) when it reaches U.S. dealerships this fall, Mini confirmed Monday.
Launch timing matches what Mini announced last year, when it confirmed the electric Countryman for the U.S. shortly after the redesigned crossover’s unveiling at the 2023 Munich auto show. While the outgoing model was available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, this is the first time the Countryman will be available with an all-electric powertrain. Combustion powertrains will still be offered as well.
2025 Mini Countryman SE
The U.S.-spec Countryman SE ALL4 features a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain rated at 308 hp and 364 lb-ft of torque, which gets the crossover from 0-60 mph in a Mini-estimated 5.4 seconds. Europe will also get a single-motor version.
Mini also confirmed that the Countryman SE ALL4 will be able to DC fast charge at up to 130 kw, allowing for a 10-80% charge in about 30 minutes.
2025 Mini Countryman SE
Expect the electric Countryman to be sold alongside a redesigned electric version of the traditional Mini Cooper hatchback. The next-generation Cooper was unveiled alongside the Countryman in 2023 with both gasoline and electric powertrains, but Mini hasn’t discussed U.S. launch timing for the electric version. When it does arrive, it will serve as a replacement for the Mini Cooper SE, the only EV the brand has offered in the U.S. to date.
Mini earlier this year also showed a new electric crossover called the Aceman, which slots between the Countryman and Cooper in size. However, it’s unclear if this model, which borrows its name and minimalist look from a 2022 concept car, will reach the U.S.
Ariel E-Nomad concept could be ultimate go-anywhere sports car
- An electric off-roader could be in the works from Ariel
- Ariel revealed the E-Nomad concept with a 41-kwh battery and 150 miles of range
- If there’s enough customer interest the E-Nomad could go into production and come to the U.S.
Low-volume British automaker Ariel has electrified its minimalist Nomad off-roader.
Ariel recently unveiled the E-Nomad concept, which swaps the vehicle’s small gasoline engine for an electric motor and battery pack while incorporating body panels made from sustainable material. The Nomad itself is an off-road version of the Ariel Atom, with both cars being little more than tube frame chassis with wheels attached.
The concept is based on the redesigned Ariel Nomad 2, which recently launched with a Ford-sourced 2.3-liter turbo-4 engine available in 260 hp, 302 hp, and 305 hp tunes. In the E-Nomad, that’s been replaced by a rear-mounted electric motor producing 281 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque. Ariel claims this will match the gasoline version’s best 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds.
Ariel E-Nomad concept
A 41-kwh battery pack comprised of pouch cells affords an estimated 150 miles of range, likely based on the more optimistic European WLTP testing cycle. The pack also features a dedicated heater for pre-conditioning in cold weather. A CCS DC fast-charging connector allows for a 20-80% charge in about 25 minutes.
While it still lacks doors, the E-Nomad does have a roof and more-enclosed body sides than the production Nomad, helping to reduce aerodynamic drag by 30%. These are made from flax, which Ariel claims is 9% lighter than carbon fiber and cuts carbon dioxide emissions by 73%. The bodywork helps contribute to a 1,975-pound curb weight—fairly svelte for an EV but still about 400 pounds heavier than a gasoline Nomad 2.
Ariel has experimented with electrification before, unveiling the gas-turbine range-extended Hipercar in 2022. Supplier Borg Warner, which provided the motor for the E-Nomad, also showed its own electric Nomad prototype in 2019. But the company hasn’t made a final decision on whether to sell the E-Nomad to customers.
Ariel E-Nomad concept
Testing of the E-Nomad will continue as Ariel monitors customer interest, the company said in a press release. If it does go into production, there’s a reasonable chance the E-Nomad will reach the U.S., as Ariel has imported its gasoline Nomad and Atom previously.
The E-Nomad could serve as a wilder alternative to the Rivian R3 and R3X, which are also designed to scamper around off road, but future more conventional styling that recalls vintage hatchbacks. Specific launch timing hasn’t been confirmed, but Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has said the R3X will arrive first, “as soon as possible” after the 2026 launch of the R2 SUV.
2024 BMW i4 recalled because chassis beam may crack
BMW is recalling 1,150 i4 electric cars because a part of the chassis may crack and compromise structural integrity.
All recalled cars are 2024 models, encompassing three versions of the i4 available for that model year. That includes the base single-motor i4 eDrive40, dual-motor i4 xDrive50, and the range-topping i4 M50.
2024 BMW i4 M50
These vehicles may have been manufactured with a left-side longitudinal beam that “may not have been produced by the supplier according to specifications,” said a recall report from the NHTSA. Specifically, it could crack near the area of a rivet flange used to support the rear wheel arch. In a crash, this could lead to increased deformation of the chassis in the area of the rear seats and potentially damage the battery pack, creating a fire risk, according to the NHTSA.
BMW is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue—which was discovered during supplier quality checks—nor is it aware of any warranty claims or customer complaints related to the problem.
2024 BMW i4 M50
Dealers will inspect the left-side longitudinal beam and replace it if necessary, free of charge. BMW plans to start mailing owner notification letters Oct. 7, 2024. Owners can also contact the automaker’s customer service department at 1-800-525-7417.
Introduced for the 2022 model year, the i4 combines an all-electric powertrain with the body shell from the gasoline BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe. The electric model receives some updates for 2025, including a range boost in certain configurations. BMW is moving away from EVs based on combustion models with its Neue Klasse family, based on a dedicated EV architecture, that’s due to launch in Europe in 2025.
VW EVs getting video games for charging entertainment
Volkswagen EV drivers in Europe will soon be able to play video games while they charge.
The automaker announced Monday that it will add the AirConsole gaming platform to certain models in some European countries starting in mid September. VW plans to expand availability to more European countries by the end of 2024 or early 2025, but did not discuss U.S. availability.
2025 Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
AirConsole, which is also available in the BMW i5, runs as an app on vehicle infotainment systems, but relies on users’ smartphones as controllers. Vehicles must be placed in park to use this feature, which includes single-player and multiplayer options.
The gaming feature launches on the VW ID.7 Tourer, the wagon version of the ID.7 hatchback. This model was never intended for the U.S., although the standard hatchback version was initially due to arrive in this market later this year, as a 2025 model. VW in May delayed the release of the U.S.-market ID.7, though, and hasn’t set a revised timeline for its arrival.
2025 Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
Along with the ID.7, VW plans to offer in-vehicle gaming on the ID.5, ID.4, and ID.3 EVs (only the ID.4 is sold in the U.S.), as well as the internal-combustion Golf, Passat, and Tiguan.
VW did not mention plans to offer AirConsole gaming in the ID.Buzz electric van, which is finally due to reach the U.S. dealers later this year with a base price of $61,545 and up to 234 miles of EPA range (those numbers aren’t for the same vehicle). While it’s also sold as a cargo van in Europe, the ID.Buzz is offered in the U.S. exclusively as a three-row passenger van—which would seem like a good application for built-in gaming.