Latest news with #Recurrent
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Auto expert disproves common EV myth after inspecting Tesla with over 200,000 miles: 'Opens the door of opportunity'
A YouTuber who specializes in electric vehicles tested out a Tesla Model 3 with over 200,000 miles and made a surprising discovery regarding its battery. Auto expert RSymons (@RSEV) pitted the extensively used Tesla Model 3 against the exact model, which only had around 3,000 miles on its odometer. Although each vehicle was three years old, they had been utilized in entirely different ways. However, when it came to the wear and tear of each vehicle's battery, the difference was less noticeable than you might imagine. Despite being rarely used, the Tesla Model 3 with less than 3,000 miles still had a battery capacity of 99.5%. Typically, EV batteries degrade from either temperature, cycles, or time. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model 3 with over 200,000 miles driven had a battery that still had a capacity clocked in at 88.5%. Generally, Tesla's EV batteries have an eight-year warranty that covers between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. The company notes that any battery that drops below 70% within the warranty can be replaced for free. "Well they feel very much the same," RSymons said of the comparison. "Same efficiency, same performance." Despite averaging well over 65,000 miles driven a year and outliving the original warranty, the heavily used Tesla Model 3 had a battery that still appeared to have plenty of life left in it. This can go a long way in retaining resale value, especially when using a service like Recurrent to sell your used EV, which can net sellers an average of $1,400 more for their car. Recurrent also offers perks such as the ability to connect sellers with a network of dealers and free checkups to monitor your EV's battery health. As noted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there is a common myth that most EV batteries are not built to last and will need to be replaced often. This misconception has been disproven by many studies over the years. In fact, a recent study has suggested that EV batteries may even have a lifespan that can last up to a third longer than originally thought. In the comments section, a few users relayed their experience with Tesla's durability. Do you trust Tesla to produce quality products? Absolutely I trust Tesla not Elon I'm not sure Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "The Models 3 and Y are turning out to be very reliable and durable, but with bad resale value because the general public thinks they may not be," one user wrote. "That opens the door of opportunity for many people who can't afford a new car to get a really good car for not a lot of money." In its most recent quarterly earnings report, Tesla reported a massive drop in revenue. The company has faced increased scrutiny in recent months over CEO Elon Musk's involvement with the U.S. government. However, as noted by RSymons, EV batteries have proven to retain their value over their lifespan. This may make selling your used EV easier than ever, especially when using a free service like Recurrent. "Impressive … Tesla's quality is very high. And it's not known by other than owners," added another commenter. "Maintenance costs are super low." In addition to saving money on maintenance and repairs, EV owners can also save a bundle of cash by installing solar panels. Fueling with solar energy can be much cheaper than using public charging stations or relying on the grid. EnergySage provides a free service that makes comparing quotes from vetted local installers simple, also helping to navigate government incentives to save up to $10,000 on solar installations. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CNET
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- CNET
Kia Electric Truck: What We Know So Far About the New Pickup EV
While last year's plucky Tasman truck from Kia had a polarizing design, it was still considered a success. Now, Kia is celebrating by releasing a second pickup truck: an electric vehicle that, unlike the Tasman, will be coming to North America. "Kia plans to introduce an EV pickup truck based on a new EV platform designed for both urban and outdoor use," the company said in April. "The vehicle will feature best-in-class interior and cargo space, a robust towing system, off-road capabilities and advanced infotainment and safety features." Details right now are fairly slim but some conclusions can be drawn from Kia's statements: The inclusion of off-road capabilities will set the upcoming EV apart from the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is currently the only pickup truck Kia or its sister company sells in the US right now. It'll be on a new EV platform so it'll also be set apart from the company's existing EV offerings, like the Kia EV6. The infotainment will likely be similar to current model Kia EVs and vehicles, like the dual-display technology in the more recent Kia Sportage SUVs. Kia last week also showcased its more affordable EV sedan, with CNET on hand to see the 2026 Kia EV4. Kia electric pickup truck: Will this EV succeed in the US? Per the statement, Kia is expecting to sell roughly 90,000 of these new EV pickups per year, a lofty goal in a market where the Ford F-150 Lightning is barely hitting 30,000 units sold. By most accounts, it's an ambitious sales goal to hit for a vehicle that'll represent Kia's first attempt at appeasing the US truck buyer market. However, there is still room for optimism. "The models built on the eGMP line sold over 100K units in 2024," said Liz Najman, director of market insights at Recurrent, a company that offers independent insights on EV performance. "Moreover, like the EV6, Kia pickups will likely be made in the US, helping avoid costly tariffs that will drive up prices for consumers. It is likely that price will be a major factor for consumers in the coming years." Najman also said that trucks were the two top-selling vehicles in 2024, so it's possible that Kia can reach its sales goals, provided that the automaker can hit that sweet spot of competitive pricing and capability. "Electric vehicles are seeing strong sales numbers when they deliver on what customers want," Najman said, highlighting that in electric car sales, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Jeep Wrangler PHEV each sold more than 50,000 units in 2024 and the Model 3 and the Model Y sold more than 150,000 and 370,000 units, respectively.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
EV expert reveals the best cars to replace your Tesla — see which models top the list
Tesla isn't the only electric vehicle in the game anymore. Many legacy automakers have made good EVs, too, which some Tesla owners are now switching to. According to a Recurrent report, many Tesla drivers are trading in their EVs for ones from Volkswagen, Ford, Kia, and Hyundai. For drivers who loved the Tesla Supercharging network, the Kia EV6 comes with super-quick charging. One new EV6 owner said they had plenty of range to go for 3.5 hours and then stopped at an Electrify America charging station to use credits. According to the report, they said it "added 40% range in about 13 minutes." Another perk they found was that the EV6 is a smoother and quieter ride than the Model Y. Additionally, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is gaining popularity. According to the report, its sales increased by 26.9% in 2024 compared to the previous year. "The Mach-E has better interior, styling, power, sound system, and trunk and frunk space," a convert said. The Volkswagen ID.4 seems to be the most popular choice for both first-time EV buyers and repeat buyers. A former Model Y owner prefers the ID.4 to Tesla. "It's a smoother ride, it's got a way better turning radius, and it feels more spacious inside," they said. The only advantage Tesla has over the Volkswagen EV is its Supercharging network, but Volkswagen will gain access to it in July, so that advantage won't last long. For Tesla EV owners who want to switch to one of these, the used EV market is heating up. With the used market growing, it makes it easier for first-time EV buyers to switch, too. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Recurrent helps you sell your EV. When you sell a gas-powered car, you generally have the records of oil changes and maintenance. That's not the case for EVs. That's where Recurrent comes in. You register your EV for free with Recurrent to track your car's data. Then, you can use that data to sell the car and get, on average, $1,400 more for your vehicle. Driving an EV can save you $1,500 a year on gas and maintenance, but it can also be much better for the environment. Studies already show how driving an EV can reduce polluting gases. For example, a San Francisco study collected data between 2018 and 2022 by placing 57 sensors in the area to monitor toxic gases. The data showed that polluting gases were reduced by 1.8% each year. The number may seem small now, but imagine how big it could become as more people switch to EVs. The one downside of these EVs was that the software wasn't as good as Tesla's, but even that wasn't a significant deterrent. "Commands take ~15 seconds to confirm, but it's not actually a problem once you're used to it," a Hyundai Ioniq 5 driver said. "The driver assistance tech is pretty good on it, reminiscent of some earlier iterations of Tesla AP," a Kia EV6 exclaimed. "Having real sensors is nice for things like blind spot monitoring and parking." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kia Electric Pickup Truck: What We Know So Far About the New EV
Kia announced the plucky Kia Tasman last year and, despite its polarizing design, the automaker considers it a success. And Kia is celebrating by releasing a second pickup: an electric vehicle that, unlike the Tasman, is coming to North America. "Kia plans to introduce an EV pickup truck based on a new EV platform designed for both urban and outdoor use," the company said in a statement earlier in April. "The vehicle will feature best-in-class interior and cargo space, a robust towing system, off-road capabilities and advanced infotainment and safety features." Details right now are fairly slim, but some conclusions can be drawn from Kia's statements: The inclusion of off-road capabilities will set the upcoming EV apart from the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is currently the only pickup truck Kia or its sister company sells in the US right now. It'll be on a new EV platform, so it'll also be set apart from the company's existing EV offerings, like the Kia EV6. The infotainment will likely be similar to current model Kia EVs and vehicles, like the dual-display technology in the more recent Kia Sportage SUVs. Kia last week also showcased its more affordable EV sedan, with CNET on hand to see the 2026 Kia EV4. Per the press release, Kia is expecting to sell roughly 90,000 of these new EV pickups per year, a lofty goal in a market where the Ford F-150 Lightning is barely hitting 30,000 units sold. By most accounts, it's an ambitious sales goal to hit for a vehicle that'll represent Kia's first attempt at appeasing the US truck buyer market. However, there is still room for optimism. "The models built on the eGMP line sold over 100K units in 2024," said Liz Najman, director of market insights at Recurrent, a company that offers independent insights on EV performance. "Moreover, like the EV6, Kia pickups will likely be made in the US, helping avoid costly tariffs that will drive up prices for consumers. It is likely that price will be a major factor for consumers in the coming years." Najman also said that trucks were the two top-selling vehicles in 2024, so it's possible that Kia can reach its sales goals, provided that the automaker can hit that sweet spot of competitive pricing and capability. "When you look at electric car sales, both the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Jeep Wrangler PHEV sold over 50K units in 2024, and of course the Model 3 and the Model Y sold 150K+ and 370K+ units," Najman said. "Electric vehicles are seeing strong sales numbers when they deliver on what customers want."
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Stanford study makes surprising discovery about electric vehicle batteries — here's what it means for EV owners
Scientists out of Stanford University's SLAC-Stanford Battery Center have found that electric vehicle batteries may last much longer than previously thought. In their new study, published this December in the journal Nature Energy, researchers found that the common way EV batteries have been tested — by quickly repeating a cycle of steady battery drain, followed by immediate recharging — may underestimate these batteries' lifespans. For this study, the researchers tested a number of batteries under real-world driving conditions, such as heavy traffic, freeway driving, and long stretches of being parked. They found that the more a test mimicked real-world situations, the longer a battery lasted. In fact, these tests showed some batteries "could last about a third longer than researchers have generally forecast," according to the Stanford Report. "We've not been testing EV batteries the right way," Stanford professor and study author Simona Onori told the Stanford Report. "To our surprise, real driving with frequent acceleration, braking that charges the batteries a bit, stopping to pop into a store, and letting the batteries rest for hours at a time, helps batteries last longer than we had thought based on industry standard lab tests." This is encouraging news for the growing number of drivers who use EVs for daily commuting. EV use has increased dramatically in recent years. In 2023, for the first time, more than 1 million battery EVs were sold in the United States. Globally, according to a report from the International Energy Agency, about 18% of all cars sold in 2023 were electric. The longer an EV battery lasts, the more benefits drivers can enjoy. For some, additional battery life means they will be able to own and drive the car for several more years. For others, it means they'll likely see higher resale values when they decide to move on from their current EV. Selling an EV involves some steps that are a little bit different from selling a gas-powered car. Common maintenance records for things like oil changes aren't relevant, but battery life absolutely is. A service like Recurrent can make that process easier and more lucrative for sellers. Not only does Recurrent connect sellers with dealers across the country, but it also monitors an EV's battery life, providing valuable information when selling your car. In fact, those who use Recurrent sell their EVs for an average of $1,400 more than those who don't. You can even compare your battery life to that of similar cars, which could give you another leg up when selling."It's not a competition — it's more like seeing, how's your battery doing compared to what it should be?" Recurrent CEO Scott Case told The Cool Down. "And if there are big problems, we can alert you and say, something's up with your battery." If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
