Latest news with #ChevroletBoltEV
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers 'unaware' over April change to old rule they've followed 'for years'
Drivers are being "left in the dark" over new car tax changes with many unaware of major updates from the Labour Party government. New analysis from found almost a third (30%) of UK drivers are unaware of how the new Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) fees will affect them. Mike Fazal, motoring expert and CEO at said: "For years, car tax rates have been relatively stable, but these new updates introduce significant cost increases, particularly for higher-emission vehicles and premium models. "Our research shows that many drivers are still in the dark, underscoring the urgent need for clearer information to help them plan ahead. With leasing, VED is built into your fixed monthly payment, which can help drivers budget more easily." READ MORE: UK households with driveways at risk of £843 charge after rule change this week READ MORE: Drivers over age 65 urged to place item in car or be 'forced off road' READ MORE 11 counties in England set for 'two inches' of snow after UK 23C mini-heatwave It comes after a recent study by Bruning Law Firm ranks electric vehicles (EVs) based on a composite score that equally weights crashability and affordability. Crashability was calculated using fatal crash data for 4 years, normalized as crashes per 10,000 cars sold. Affordability was measured using each vehicle's starting MSRP. These two metrics were combined using Min-Max Scaling to generate a balanced composite score. Rankings highlight EVs that offer the strongest combination of low crash risk and entry-level pricing. Hyundai Kona Electric ranks first with a composite score of 82, offering the best balance of safety and price among all models analyzed. With just 0.96 crashes per 10K cars and a base MSRP of $32,975, it scores high on both metrics. Though not the cheapest on the list, its lower crash rate contributes significantly to its top placement. Coming in second with a composite score of 81, the Chevrolet Bolt EV delivers a strong mix of affordability and crash performance. With a starting price of $30,000, it is one of the most affordable options. It experiences 2.10 crashes, a higher rate than some top contenders, but its low MSRP boosts its affordability score enough to earn it the second spot overall. In third place, the Ford Mustang Mach-E earns a score of 80, driven mainly by its class-leading crash safety. It logs only 0.29 adjusted crashes, the lowest crash rate of any EV analyzed. Its higher MSRP of $38,490 slightly reduces its affordability score, pushing it into third place despite leading in safety. The Volkswagen ID.4 holds the fourth spot with a score of 76, providing a solid mix of safety and cost-efficiency. It has a moderate crash rate of 0.54 and a starting price of $46,520. While not the cheapest, its strong crash performance keeps it among the top five. The Nissan Leaf secures the fifth spot, supported by its relatively low price point. Although the Leaf logs 5.39 crashes, one of the highest among top-half vehicles, its $28,140 starting price helps it secure a solid ranking. Its popularity as an early-market EV may contribute to its higher crash exposure. Tesla's Model Y takes sixth place with a score of 75, combining brand reputation with a well-rounded safety profile. With 1.01 crashes and a $46,000 MSRP, it maintains a balanced position aided by strong safety metrics despite a higher entry price compared to others. Holding the seventh position, the Audi e-tron earns a score of 74 by pairing low crash rates with a luxury price tag. It shares a 0.52 crash rate but comes with a steeper MSRP of $49,800, making it one of the most expensive on the list. Its high crashability score helps maintain a competitive rank. With a score of 73, Tesla's Model 3 comes in eighth, impacted by both its crash rate and price point. It logs 2.56 crashes, higher than most top-10 models. Its $44,130 base price also weakens its affordability, pushing it to eighth place. The Kia Niro ranks ninth with a score of 44, reflecting its imbalance between low pricing and high crash frequency. Despite having the lowest MSRP at $20,490, it has a strikingly high crash rate of 26.58. Its safety performance significantly reduces its overall ranking despite being the most budget-friendly. Finishing in tenth place with a composite score of 28.99, the Hyundai Ioniq trails the list in both crash safety and affordability. It shows the highest crash rate of 29.05 and a price tag of $42,600, landing it last on the list. Neither metric supports a high-value position.
New York Times
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
Why the White House Car Show Mattered to Musk
It wasn't so long ago that Elon Musk couldn't even get an invitation to the White House. The year was 2021, and President Joe Biden was announcing tighter pollution rules and promoting his electric vehicle policies. Behind him on the lawn were gleaming examples — a Ford F-150 Lightning, a Chevrolet Bolt EV, a Jeep Wrangler — as well as the chief executives of the companies that made them. But the nation's biggest electric vehicle producer was nowhere to be seen. 'Seems odd that Tesla wasn't invited,' Musk tweeted before the event. The Biden White House explained the snub by noting that the automakers that had been invited were the nation's three largest employers of the United Automobile Workers, a powerful union, and it suggested that the administration would find other ways to partner with Tesla. (Union animus toward electric vehicles later became a problem for Biden.) But today, the moment is seen as a turning point in a feud between Musk and Biden that some Democrats say they have come to regret deeply. 'They left Elon out,' said Mike Murphy, a Republican strategist who is working to get his party to embrace electric vehicles, 'and now he hates 'em.' It was hard not to think about that episode yesterday when Musk and Trump lined up Teslas, including Cybertrucks, on the White House driveway and proceeded to rattle off their benefits like denizens of a suburban showroom. 'I love the product,' Trump said. 'Try it,' Musk said. 'You'll like it!' Musk now has the White House attention and promotion that he wanted several years ago — and with it, a pile of potential benefits for some of his companies — but it's come at a price. He donated some $300 million largely through his own super PAC to help Trump get elected. My colleagues Theodore Schleifer and Maggie Haberman reported yesterday that he's signaled a willingness to put another $100 million into groups controlled by Trump's political operation. His alliance with Trump has also eaten into his customer base. Before the election, Murphy said, Democrats were four times more likely than Republicans to buy an electric vehicle. Now, sales of Teslas are slumping, and some Democrats are turning theirs back in to dealers. Musk may be hoping to find a new market on the other end of the political spectrum. Trump, who has spent years denigrating electric vehicles, insisted he was buying one, with a check. Sean Hannity, the Trump ally, said he, too, would buy a Tesla Model S Plaid as a show of solidarity with Musk. 'This thing rips,' he said on his show, 'and you can go 400 miles without a charge.' 47 percent That's the size of the staff cuts at the Education Department, an agency that Trump has said he wants to eliminate. The department announced on Tuesday that it was firing some 1,300 employees. Another 572 employees took separation packages offered in recent weeks, and 63 probationary workers were terminated last month. The department started the year with more than 4,100 workers. The cuts struck a blow to efforts that measure achievement in U.S. schools. At least 800 Education Department research employees and outside partners have lost their jobs. $TSLA Musk is using his X account as a megaphone. My colleague Kate Conger guides you through his most important messages in recent days. Musk initially celebrated his White House car show on Tuesday, but his posts on X eventually took a darker turn. By Wednesday, he was promoting theories that protests and vandalism at Tesla dealerships were part of a Democrat-funded effort to undermine him. 'The dirty tricks campaign against me & my companies happened exactly as predicted,' he wrote, re-sharing an old post that predicted Democrats would turn on him because of his support for Republicans. Musk shared posts from Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Georgia Republican, in which she called for an investigation into Democratic advocacy groups that she claimed were paying for protests against Tesla. Soon '$TSLA' was trending on X, as Tesla investors celebrated the stock's rally after losses earlier in the week. Shares in the electric vehicle maker rose seven percent after Musk's White House appearance, showing the power of his proximity to the president to help his companies. The meaning of Musk's suit Elon Musk did something unusual last week: He put on a suit and tie, twice. My colleague Shawn McCreesh, a White House reporter, took that to be a sign of a demotion. I asked Shawn to tell us a little more. Why does it matter so much that Musk decided to wear a suit last week? I think there is a costume element to Musk's marauding through the capital — that 'Tech Support' T-shirt he constantly wears, and the little joke he tells when he wears it, is very much part of the whole shtick. This sudden change of wardrobe coincided with a few other things happening around him last week that sure looked like the beginning of a power clampdown. That this most classic and essential of Washington symbols — the gray suit and tie — should also be the symbol of his subjugation was fascinating. Musk was back to the old blazer-and-T-shirt look at the Tesla event yesterday. What does that mean? It's his look, which I guess Trump will continue to tolerate. That he does says a lot about Musk's power and influence in Trump's court, because Trump absolutely loves suits. He has written about his love of them in several of his books over the years. It is his costume. It is what people wear when they dress up as him for Halloween. Rulers throughout history have had strict rules about how their courts are allowed to dress. King Louis IV, for example, had a rule that only a select group of noblemen could wear a certain blue silk jacket like his. Louis also loved diamonds, brocaded coats, elaborate wigs and shoes with red heels that symbolized the blood of his enemies whom he vowed to crush under his feet. Some people in Washington who dress slovenly on purpose — like John Fetterman and, to a degree, Bernie Sanders — do so to signal that they are one of the people. Musk strikes me as the opposite. His informality seems to be about reminding everyone that he is in a league of his own. Tell us, Shawn — when do you wear a suit? Well, after writing about this topic, I felt it'd be rather hypocritical not to wear one. So I've got a suit on today. Read more here.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I'm a Car Expert: These 8 Used Cars Will Be a Great Deal in 2025
Getting a shiny new vehicle might be an exciting prospect, but with the average cost of a new car now $49,740, according to CarEdge data, plenty of savvy drivers are switching to used cars to get themselves a bargain. The market is brimming with hidden gems, including vehicles with one owner, low mileage or transparent service records. Trending Now: Check Out: GOBankingRates spoke to Joe Giranda, director of sales and marketing for CFR Classic, and Alex Black, auto expert and CMO of EpicVIN, to find out what used cars are worth looking at this year, as well as getting insights into finding a great deal from Zander Cook, co-founder and CEO of Lease End. Average used car prices based on CarGurus Pricing Index for used vehicles. Also read about six car models getting massive price drops in early 2025. Average used price: $20,073 Out of all compacts on the market, the Mazda 3 stands out to Giranda due to its luxurious interior and exceptional driving performance. 'Because of this, it competes with entry-level luxury vehicles but at a much lower price point,' he said. Read Next: Average used price: $19,000 The Chevrolet Bolt EV offers an impressive 259-mile range and an affordable entry into electric driving. Its simple design means fewer moving parts and minimal repair costs, with Giranda adding as well as incentive money for electric vehicle ownership, 'the savings on gas make it a great investment in the long run.' Average used price: $24,672 Discontinued by Lexus, the GS 350 is one of the best hidden gems in the used car market — a car that impresses with refined driving dynamics and high levels of comfort. 'It's a good alternative to a BMW 5-Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class but without nearly the same cost of ownership,' said Black. Average used price: $19,228 Giranda gave points to the Toyota Corolla for its exceptional fuel economy and unrivalled reliability. Standard adaptive cruise control and low maintenance costs enhance its value, making it a standout bargain among sedans. Average used price: $25,327 An icon in the midsize sedan space, the Honda Accord delivers advanced technology and robust performance, outperforming competitors in resale value and build quality. 'This car has a reputation for fewer repair issues than many of its competitors, making it an excellent choice for families,' Giranda said. Average used price: $10,833 Black recommended the Acura TSX Sport Wagon as a car that combines Honda's legendary reliability with the practicality of a wagon. This model offers a spacious interior and a unique charm rarely seen in the market. Average used price: $15,246 For budget-conscious shoppers, the Toyota Avalon provides near-luxury without a hefty price. 'It is basically a Lexus without the name,' said Black. 'Smooth ride, bulletproof motor, but much lower price tag than one might expect.' Average used price: $12,641 The Ford Flex brings quirky design and impressive spaciousness to the table. Black praised its roominess and vintage styling, making it appeal to families seeking practicality with character. He also noted its discontinued status, keeping secondhand values lower than expected. According to Cook, finding a bargain can mean looking for cars that show what may appear to be red flags, so they are cheaper, but don't have functionality issues. 'Branded title vehicles, such as those marked due to theft recovery, often have no actual damage but remain permanently labeled — making them overlooked bargains,' he said. Similarly, Lemon Law buybacks can be great finds, as manufacturers typically fix the issue and include an extended warranty. 'The key is knowing where to look, whether it's a lease buyout or an undervalued used car, there are plenty of hidden deals waiting to be found,' Cook said. With a strategic approach, hidden deals await in unexpected places in today's unpredictable market. More From GOBankingRates10 Home Features That Have Decreased the Most in Popularity (And How Much Homes with Them Cost)3 Reasons Retired Boomers Shouldn't Give Their Kids a Living Inheritance This article originally appeared on I'm a Car Expert: These 8 Used Cars Will Be a Great Deal in 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Round Rock FD warns of fire risks from charging devices
ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Round Rock Fire Department has a warning: Be careful where you're charging your everyday things. That's everything from your cell phone to that electric vehicle parked in your garage. Many people end up charging their cell phones on their bedside table, or worse, in bed next to them. After a recent fire caused by an ion battery, firefighters are warning people to think twice before charging up. Chevrolet Bolt EV recalled again to fix possible battery fire 'Because [these batteries] are in everything, all fire departments across the country are starting to see these kinds of problems,' said Round Rock Fire Department Battalion Chief John Collins. Batteries are igniting inside homes, many times because people are just trying to save some cash. 'A charger that's cheaper, that you might have found online, didn't come with your original item, it likely doesn't have the same resistor requirements that you need, and that's where our problems can kind of come in,' Collins explained. Those batteries can be found in everything — smartphones, vape pens, electric cars and bikes. 'All of those have a potential for catastrophic failure at a heat level that your water basically turns it immediately into steam and doesn't do anything to actually put out the fire,' Collins explained. Nissan Leaf recalled for possible battery fire while fast charging It's something many fire departments do not have special equipment for. However, in Round Rock, some of its fire engines are now equipped with special gloves that can withstand heat up to 2,000 degrees or a giant blanket used to put out an electric vehicle fire. However, battery fires are something all fire departments are now having to adapt to as technology evolves. While Collins said many might want to try and take matters into their own hands, he cautioned it can make matters worse — sometimes becoming a deadly mistake. 'I don't think people realize, fully, the problem a battery has simply from off-gasses,' he said. That's why he wants people to be smart about what's being charged in the first place. It took 50,000 gallons of water to put out Tesla Semi fire in California, US agency says 'If at all possible, do not block major exits, your garage, or somewhere else,' Collins said. 'You want to be able to charge it somewhere where you can still have access in case of an emergency.' Collins added many of these fires are prompted by things happening very slowly over time so it's something most don't recognize until it's too late. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GM Wants To Sell More EVs Because It Isn't Losing Money On Them Anymore
Good morning! It's Wednesday, January 29, 2025, and this is The Morning Shift, your daily roundup of the top automotive headlines from around the world, in one place. Here are the important stories you need to know. Automakers are struggling with their electric vehicle lineups right now. Sales here in the U.S. aren't growing as fast as many hoped, the Trump administration is slashing incentives to go electric and automakers from Rivian to Ford are losing thousands of dollars on every electric car sold. General Motors isn't feeling the pinch quite so bad, it seems, and its latest financial results revealed that it's finally turning a profit on its battery-powered models. General Motors sold more than 2.7 million vehicles in 2024 to help it rake in more than $14 billion in pre-tax profits. Of the cars sold over the past year, more than 100,000 of them were electric and the company actually managed to make a profit on each one sold, reports Business Insider: The automaker reported its EVs were 'variable profit positive' in 2024, meaning that they earned more money than GM spent on manufacturing costs such as labor and parts. GM doesn't break out its EV earnings like Ford does, so there are likely still other costs that it needs to overcome to achieve full EV profitability, including the cost of adding assembly lines. Still, the triumph over manufacturing costs marks an important milestone. GM's EV sales were up by an impressive 50 percent in 2024, aided by launches like the new Equinox EV. As part of this rapid uptick, the automaker aimed to produce 200,000 EVs over the course of the year, but fell just short of that target and assembled 189,000 battery-powered cars, adds Business Insider. Growth for the automaker doesn't look set to slow, and it is targeting a further 50 percent increase in production over the coming year. As such, GM aims to assemble 300,000 EVs in 2025, provided this fits with 'changes in demand and economic policy,' the site adds: The automotive industry faces a lot of uncertainty under the Trump administration. The president has threatened tariffs on Canada and Mexico, which could be very costly for the sector. And when it comes to electric vehicles, Trump has floated the idea of pulling back on government incentives that have been critical for EV adoption in recent years. In the coming year, GM will add new models to its all-electric range, including the Cadillac Vistiq, Escalade IQ and an all-new Chevrolet Bolt EV. Will cars like this and brand loyalty that GM enjoys be enough to make more Americans switch to an electric future? Only time will tell. A little over a week in and Donald Trump's new team is still getting sworn in, with the senate set to vote on his pick for health secretary later today. Newly appointed U.S. transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, is getting comfortable with his new role, though, and has already set about scrapping rules brought in by the last administration. Trump made no secret of his desire to shake up rules brought in to protect the planet by Joe Biden and his government. And by shake up, I mean tear to shreds, throw in the bin and then set the trash can on fire. Duffy is now making good on those promises and aims to rescind fuel efficiency rules brought in under the previous government, Automotive News reports: In a Jan. 28 memo, Duffy directed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to reconsider rules covering the 2022 model year through the 2031 model year for cars and trucks. The agency in June said it would hike Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirements to about 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031 from 39.1 mpg currently for light-duty vehicles. Duffy, who took office late Jan. 28, also directed NHTSA to reconsider rules for heavy duty pickups and vans through 2035. 'Artificially high fuel economy standards designed to meet non-statutory policy goals, such as those NHTSA has promulgated in recent years, impose large costs that render many vehicle models unaffordable for the average American family,' Duffy's memo said. 'They also put coercive pressure on automakers to phase out production of various models of popular (internal combustion engine) vehicles.' The rules brought in under Biden were designed to cut gasoline consumption by 64 billion gallons and slash carbon emissions from cars by up to 659 million metric tons. These rules aren't in line with Trump's aim of backtracking the switch to electric power and ramp up America's oil production. The next target for the new government will no doubt be the impending ban on new gas-powered car sales, which will be implemented in states like California and New York. The Trump administration's disdain towards electric vehicles has claimed its first victim, it seems. After months of will they, won't they, German automaker Volkswagen has confirmed that it won't bring the new ID 7 electric sedan to America. The automaker cited 'changing market conditions' for the cancelation of the new car. The ID 7 launched in other international markets in 2023, but plans for a U.S. rollout were put on indefinite hold in May 2024, reports Automotive News. Now, VW has confirmed that indefinite really does mean forever and says it now has no plans to offer the car for sale in North America: The ID7 was originally supposed to launch in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2024. EV adoption rates in the U.S. have slowed across the industry, with consumers hesitant over pricing, charging infrastructure and range. A VW spokesperson cited 'the ongoing challenging EV climate' for the decision. 'Electric vehicles continue to be a core part of Volkswagen's long-term product strategy, and new electric models will continue to be introduced for this market,' the spokesperson said. The cancellation of the ID 7 means that VW's electric offering in the U.S. remains a little uninspired. It currently only markets the ID Buzz electric van and the ID 4 electric SUV over here, while markets like Europe also get the ID 3 hatch and the ID 7 as a sedan and electric wagon. Maybe if companies actually started offering EVs that buyers want to swap their hard earned cash for, they may start seeing their electric car sales rise. Revolutionary thinking, I know. Volkswagen deciding to kill off one of its EVs in one of its markets won't do much to hamper the rise in EV sales, however. After deliveries of battery powered cars surpassed 17 million units in 2024, experts are now predicting that this year could see deliveries of EVs hit 20 million for the first time. Sales of electrified cars, including BEVs and plug-in hybrid models, are projected to increase by 17 percent over the course of 2024, reports Reuters. The rise in deliveries in places like China could see the total number of electrified cars surpass 20 million units: EV sales in China will likely rise more than a previous forecast for 17% growth in 2025 and boost its market dominance thanks to the extension of subsidies, Rho Motion estimates. In 2024, they jumped by a record 40% to 11 million. Sales of Chinese-made EVs will confirm 2024 trends in Latin America, where they reached a market share of over 80%, and will continue to rise in the Asia-Pacific region and emerging markets, the firm forecasts. For Europe, it forecasts overall sales growth of 15% from the 3 million EVs sold last year. All eyes will be on America over the coming months to see if changing attitudes towards EVs Stateside will hit these targets. With the Trump administration cutting support for battery-power wherever possible, it could be a tough ask for the country, but automakers like Rivian have previously argued that there's little the 'Home Alone 2' actor can do to stop the inevitable switch to electric power. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
