Latest news with #hybridvehicles
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
As EVs stumble, automakers are bringing back a kind of hybrid that promises long range
Major automakers are set to resurrect a type of hybrid vehicle that seemed dead in the U.S. just a few years ago to meet a changing consumer demand landscape. Extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) are a form of plug-in hybrid that falls midway between traditional hybrids and full EVs. EREV cars and trucks rely on battery powered motors for propulsion (like an EV) but also have a relatively small gas engine to use as a generator to keep the batteries charged up (like a typical hybrid). A key difference between EREVs and other hybrids is the relative size of their batteries and gas engines. Mainstream hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) like the Toyota Prius still rely on combustion engines as their main means of propulsion. Thus, they have proportionately smaller batteries, but substantial gas engines that are directly connected to their drivetrains to help move the car. EREVs are much more focused on the electric side of the equation, so they tend to have bigger batteries than other hybrids, but comparatively small gas engines that solely function as generators to top off the batteries when examples of this type of vehicle — the Chevy Volt and Fisker Karma — were introduced to the U.S market in 2011. These were followed by the BMW i3 and Cadillac ELR in 2014. But EREVs (also known as Range Extended Electric Vehicles, or REEVs), never attracted much interest from American consumers. The Volt was the most popular EREV by far, with GM selling 157,000 over nine years, until it ended production in 2019. That may seem impressive, but it's a blip in the overall U.S. new vehicle market, which saw about 16 million sales each year in that timeframe. The last EREV sold domestically was the i3, which BMW discontinued in 2022. While there are no new EREVs for sale in the U.S., several are in the pipeline. This includes an upcoming version of the Ram 1500 pickup truck, set to come to market in early 2026. A Ram spokesman noted that it will have the longest driving range the company has ever offered in a light-duty truck, up to 690 total miles between its gas engine and battery power. An EREV version of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is also under development, according to the company. Volkswagen is planning to begin production of an EREV pickup truck and SUV under the Scout brand name starting in 2027. Hyundai Motors plans to introduce EREV versions of its mid-sized SUVs by the end of 2026, according to a spokesman. The vehicles are expected to have more than 560 miles of range, and be sold under the Hyundai and Genesis brands. In addition, a Nissan spokesman confirmed that the company is considering offering EREV options in its mid-size and larger SUVs. 'They do offer advantages versus 100% EVs when it comes to hauling and towing,' he said, 'allowing greater driving range without the need for a large capacity battery, as well as faster refueling.' James Martin, the director of consulting services at S&P Global Mobility, says one reason manufacturers are turning to EREVs is lower production costs. EREV use of smaller and less expensive batteries than full EVs allows manufacturers to keep their expenses down. EREVs are also less complex than plug-in hybrids, Martin said. PHEVs have two functioning propulsion systems and sophisticated controls to allow them to communicate with each other. Most EREVs, by contrast, are solely propelled by their electric motors. But one of the biggest advantages of EREVs is range. In China, where EREVs are gaining in popularity, the manufacturer BYD offers mid-sized sedans with more than 1,300 miles of claimed range. EREVs also alleviate range anxiety due to the ubiquity of gas stations. Consumers can just fill up with gasoline to charge the battery if a charging port is unavailable. The new EREVs can travel more than 100 miles on batteries alone, then hundreds more using gasoline. 'Range anxiety is still a factor when it comes to choosing an electric vehicle over an internal combustion vehicle,' said K. Venkatesh Prasad, senior vice president of research and chief innovation officer at the Center for Automotive Research. 'EREVs, allay the range anxiety concern,' he said. These hybrids may especially appeal to consumers who frequently travel long distances, and getting more consumers used to plugging in their vehicles might also appeal to manufacturers. 'The actual charging experience of EREVs is very similar to that of BEVs,' Prasad said. 'So, the market adoption of EREVs is likely to be seen as a good ramp to future BEV purchase considerations,' he added. Charging infrastructure is still lagging in many areas of the U.S., according to executive analyst Karl Brauer, which can make a full EV impractical for consumers. EREVs avoid that issue and may also be attractive to consumers who live in apartments or houses that lack charging stations. A recent report from McKinsey noted that EREVs could also combat cost concerns among consumers, noting that the smaller batteries can shave off as much as $6,000 in powertrain production costs, compared to BEVs. Another factor, according to McKinsey, is that both domestic and European manufacturers have seen how EREVs have gained sales momentum in China, a sign the technology may help to increase electrification adoption in their own marketplaces. 'We expect all levels of hybridization to increase production in North America throughout the decade,' said Eric Anderson, the associate director of Americas light vehicle powertrain forecasting for S&P Global Mobility. Hybrids, including EREVs, are a 'relatively affordable way for consumers to move up the electrification ladder without a significant monthly payment increase, he said. While the EV vehicle market continued to grow last year, the pace of growth has slowed considerably. 'The BEV market is in the process of shifting from early adopters to a more price-conscious buyer,' Anderson said. Domestic sales of hybrids grew from 1,175,456 in 2023 to 1,609,035 in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, a 37% increase. Plug-in hybrids grew 10% in the same period — from 293,578 to 321,774. By comparison, fully electric EVs saw 7% growth, from 1,164,638 to 1,247,656. While overall sales of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles continues to dominate, its market share has fallen every year since 2015, according to Edmunds. Last year, ICE vehicle sales fell to 80.8% of total U.S. sales, down from 84% in 2023. Another attribute that might make EREVs popular with consumers is resale value. Hybrids — which includes EREVs and more common plug-in hybrids — depreciate less than EVs or traditional gas vehicles. Since depreciation is the most expensive part of car ownership, finding a vehicle that better retains its value can provide consumers with significant savings. By contrast, electric cars and trucks lose value faster than any other vehicle type — dropping by 58.8% after five years, compared to the overall vehicle depreciation average of 45.6% and only 40.7% for hybrids, according to research from iSeeCars. 'Electric vehicle sales have been slowing on both the new and used market, with EVs sitting on dealer lots longer despite falling prices,' Brauer said. 'Consumers are showing increasing appreciation for hybrid vehicles, creating a friendly environment for automakers to introduce more plug-in hybrids as an intermediate step toward full electric vehicles.' Ram 1500 extended range hybrid pickup, set to come to market in early 2026, will have the longest driving range the company has ever offered in a light-duty truck, up to 690 total miles between its gas engine and battery | Stellantis This article was originally published on
Car and Driver
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview The 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid is exactly what its name implies: Kia's popular three-row SUV with a choice of two fuel-saving hybrid powertrains. The conventional hybrid delivers an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in combined driving, while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is rated for 74 MPGe with a fully charged battery. Plus, it can travel up to 30 miles on electricity alone. Otherwise, the Sorento Hybrid doesn't stray too far from the standard version, offering handsome contemporary styling and an impressive amount of technology and features for the price, even in the base model. Interior space is abundant in the first and second rows, but the third row is best reserved for children or packages. What's New for 2026? The Kia Sorento Hybrid carries over with no changes. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid is expected to start around $41,000 and go up to $55,000 depending on the trim and options. EX $41,000 (est) SX Prestige $49,000 (est) EX PHEV $50,000 (est) SX Prestige PHEV $55,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k We like the EX. Although it's the base model, it comes standard with faux-leather upholstery, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and remote start. It's also significantly less expensive than the SX Hybrid and the PHEV variants. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The Sorento Hybrid is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor that combine for 227 horsepower. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission are standard; all-wheel drive is available as an option. The plug-in hybrid powertrain consists of the same basic setup, but a more powerful electric motor brings combined horsepower up to 261 ponies; all-wheel drive is standard on the plug-in. The Sorento Hybrid's road manners are composed, if a little bland, but compared to the base nonhybrid model its acceleration is noticeably perkier. Get on the throttle heavily in front-drive models, though, and you'll feel a little torque-steer tug through the steering wheel. 0–60-MPH Times At our test track, the Sorento Hybrid managed a 7.2-second run to 60 mph. Not bad for a three-row family SUV, but acceleration bragging rights belong to speedier rivals such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. Despite its extra power, the plug-in hybrid was slightly slower in our testing, hitting 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. View Photos Kia Towing and Payload Capacity While the nonhybrid Sorento can tow up to 3500 pounds, the hybrid variant offers only a 2000-pound capacity. That spec also lags behind the Jeep, which is rated to tow up to 6000 pounds. Range, Charging, and Battery Life The plug-in hybrid model carries an 11.8-kWh battery pack which is rated to deliver 30 miles of electric-only driving per charge. The extra weight associated with this battery, however, is likely the cause of the PHEV model's pokier acceleration time. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Sorento Hybrid yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. The plug-in hybrid has a combined rating of 74 MPGe, but its city and highway estimates are listed at 33 and 34 mpg, respectively. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV vehicle fuel efficiency. The PHEV is also rated to travel up to 30 miles on electricity alone on a single charge, so you won't need gas when you drive locally and recharge regularly. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, we recorded 31 mpg in a Sorento Hybrid EX and 25 mpg in the SX Prestige PHEV. For more information about the Sorento Hybrid's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo The Sorento's interior has an attractive layout, nice materials, and solid build quality. The dashboard is bookended by two upright air vents but is otherwise simple in its design. Ambient lighting is smartly incorporated into the cabin and stitched surfaces on the door panels and seat inserts provide an upscale appearance. A variety of cubby storage spots and cupholders contribute to the Sorento's family-friendly mission. Second-row captain's chairs and a two-place third-row bench are both standard. Adults will have no trouble finding a comfortable position in the front and second-row seats, but the third row is snug for riders larger than a teen. View Photos Kia Infotainment and Connectivity With infotainment and connectivity features at the forefront of new-car technology, the Sorento supports all of the most desirable content. The hybrid model comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker stereo, in-dash navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Upgrade to the SX Prestige trim and you'll get a 12.3-inch digital gauge display and a 12-speaker Bose stereo. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features Basics such as blind-spot monitoring and automated emergency braking are standard on the Sorento Hybrid. Kia also equips each trim with adaptive cruise control and its Highway Driving Assist feature, which helps center the Sorento Hybrid in its lane while using the adaptive cruise system. For more information about the Sorento Hybrid's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature Warranty and Maintenance Coverage Kia has one of the most impressive warranty plans in the industry. However, it doesn't offer the complimentary maintenance that its corporate counterpart, Hyundai, does. Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles Hybrid components are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance Specifications Specifications 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, all-wheel-drive, 6-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $46,405/$49,960 Options: Prestige package (perforated leather seats, 14-way-adjustable driver's seat and 10-way-adjustable passenger's seat, heated rear seats, 12.3-inch gauge cluster display, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Bose stereo), $2900; snow white pearl paint, $445; carpeted floor mats, $210 POWERTRAIN turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 177 hp, 195 lb-ft + AC motor, 90 hp, 224 lb-ft (combined output: 261 hp, 258 lb-ft; 11.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 3.8-kW onboard charger) Transmission: 6-speed automatic CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink Brakes, F/R: 12.8-in vented disc/12.8-in vented disc Tires: Continental CrossContact LX Sport 235/55R-19 101H M+S DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 110.8 in Length: 189.4 in Width: 74.8 in Height: 66.7 in Passenger Volume: 142 ft3 Cargo Volume: 13 ft3 Curb Weight: 4490 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 7.6 sec 1/4-Mile: 15.8 sec @ 89 mph 100 mph: 21.5 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.8 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.9 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.0 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 127 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 162 ft C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 26 MPGe 75-mph Highway Driving, Hybrid mode: 25 mpg Highway Range, Hybrid mode: 310 mi EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 34/35/33 mpg Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 79 MPGe EV Range: 32 mi 2021 Kia Sorento EX Hybrid Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 6-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $37,765/$38,210 Options: Runway Red paint, $445 POWERTRAIN turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 177 hp, 195 lb-ft + AC motor, 59 hp, 195 lb-ft (combined output: 227 hp, 258 lb-ft); 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack Transmission: 6-speed automatic CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink Brakes, F/R: 12.8-in vented disc/12.8-in vented disc Tires: Nexen Roadian GTX SUV 235/65R-17 104h M+S DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 110.8 in Length: 189.4 in Width: 74.8 in Height: 66.7 in Passenger Volume: 143 ft3 Cargo Volume: 13 ft3 Curb Weight: 4095 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 7.2 sec 1/4-Mile: 15.6 sec @ 92 mph 100 mph: 19.0 sec 120 mph: 30.9 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.9 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.1 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.1 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 122 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 181 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.81 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 33 mpg 75-mph Highway Driving: 31 mpg Highway Range: 540 mi EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 37/39/35 mpg C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More Features and Specs
Zawya
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
India's EV makers Tata, Mahindra seek to block hybrids in govt fleets, documents show
India's biggest automakers are seeking to block a pollution management body's attempts to promote hybrid vehicles in government fleets in and around New Delhi, saying it will disrupt adoption of cleaner battery electric cars and hit investments, documents show. Companies, including Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors, are lobbying the ministry of heavy industries to overturn an attempt to equate hybrids with EVs and ensure incentives for all government programmes are restricted to electric models, five company letters seen by Reuters show. In a May 2 advisory, the Commission for Air Quality Management, tasked with fixing severe air pollution levels in India's capital region, categorised strong hybrids as "cleaner vehicles" recommending their use in government fleets, a move that caught carmakers by surprise. Given the "ultra-high density" of vehicular traffic in New Delhi and nearby areas, there is a need to move away from "polluting vehicles, dependent purely on fossil fuels like diesel and petrol", the commission said. Automakers, however, argue that hybrids - which use a battery and combustion engine - are reliant on fossil fuels whereas EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them an effective solution for the urban air pollution crisis. "Our plea is for government policy and incentives to stay firmly focused only on EVs," Mahindra said in its May 15 letter to the heavy industries ministry. Along with Tata and Mahindra, JSW MG Motor, Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp have also written to the ministry in support of electric cars, rekindling their face-off with hybrid proponents like Toyota Motor and Maruti Suzuki. Tata, Mahindra, JSW MG Motor, Hyundai , Kia Corp and the ministry of heavy industries did not respond to requests for comment. POLICY UNCERTAINTY The potential opportunity is huge - of the 847,544 vehicles in use by government agencies across India in 2022, only 5,384 were EVs - less than 1%, official data showed. A major concern for EV makers is that support for hybrids dilutes the Indian government's own policy which incentivises only EVs in its production-linked schemes and other programmes. It will also create confusion among car buyers, companies and investors, hurting EV sales at a time when their growth is already slowing due to inadequate charging infrastructure and high upfront vehicle costs. "The lack of a consistent and predictable policy environment may deter long-term investors ... particularly in high-capex, technology-intensive sectors like EV," said Tata, which has raised $1 billion from private equity firm TPG for its EV push. Tata in its May 15 letter said, the commission's move will undermine current and proposed EV investments, impact India's global image as an investor friendly destination and send mixed signals to international stakeholders. Carmakers in India are expected to invest over $10 billion through 2030 to manufacture lithium-ion cells, EVs and batteries, ratings agency Moody's said in a report, adding EV adoption rates in India are still low versus China, Europe and the U.S. Mahindra's EV unit counts Singapore's Temasek and British International Investment among investors while Hyundai plans to invest over $500 million in EVs in India. (Reporting by Aditi Shah; editing by David Evans)
Reuters
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Reuters
India's EV makers Tata, Mahindra seek to block hybrids in govt fleets, documents show
NEW DELHI, May 30 (Reuters) - India's biggest automakers are seeking to block a pollution management body's attempts to promote hybrid vehicles in government fleets in and around New Delhi, saying it will disrupt adoption of cleaner battery electric cars and hit investments, documents show. Companies, including Mahindra & Mahindra ( opens new tab and Tata Motors ( opens new tab, are lobbying the ministry of heavy industries to overturn an attempt to equate hybrids with EVs and ensure incentives for all government programmes are restricted to electric models, five company letters seen by Reuters show. In a May 2 advisory, the Commission for Air Quality Management, tasked with fixing severe air pollution levels in India's capital region, categorised strong hybrids as "cleaner vehicles" recommending their use in government fleets, a move that caught carmakers by surprise. Given the "ultra-high density" of vehicular traffic in New Delhi and nearby areas, there is a need to move away from "polluting vehicles, dependent purely on fossil fuels like diesel and petrol", the commission said. Automakers, however, argue that hybrids - which use a battery and combustion engine - are reliant on fossil fuels whereas EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them an effective solution for the urban air pollution crisis. "Our plea is for government policy and incentives to stay firmly focused only on EVs," Mahindra said in its May 15 letter to the heavy industries ministry. Along with Tata and Mahindra, JSW MG Motor, Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp have also written to the ministry in support of electric cars, rekindling their face-off with hybrid proponents like Toyota Motor (7203.T), opens new tab and Maruti Suzuki ( opens new tab. Tata, Mahindra, JSW MG Motor, Hyundai ( opens new tab, ( opens new tab, Kia Corp ( opens new tab and the ministry of heavy industries did not respond to requests for comment. The potential opportunity is huge - of the 847,544 vehicles in use by government agencies across India in 2022, only 5,384 were EVs - less than 1%, official data showed. A major concern for EV makers is that support for hybrids dilutes the Indian government's own policy which incentivises only EVs in its production-linked schemes and other programmes. It will also create confusion among car buyers, companies and investors, hurting EV sales at a time when their growth is already slowing due to inadequate charging infrastructure and high upfront vehicle costs. "The lack of a consistent and predictable policy environment may deter long-term investors ... particularly in high-capex, technology-intensive sectors like EV," said Tata, which has raised $1 billion from private equity firm TPG (TPG.O), opens new tab for its EV push. Tata in its May 15 letter said, the commission's move will undermine current and proposed EV investments, impact India's global image as an investor friendly destination and send mixed signals to international stakeholders. Carmakers in India are expected to invest over $10 billion through 2030 to manufacture lithium-ion cells, EVs and batteries, ratings agency Moody's said in a report, adding EV adoption rates in India are still low versus China, Europe and the U.S. Mahindra's EV unit counts Singapore's Temasek and British International Investment among investors while Hyundai plans to invest over $500 million in EVs in India.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Reuters
Toyota global output, sales rise for the fourth straight month in April
TOKYO, May 29 (Reuters) - Toyota (7203.T), opens new tab said on Thursday its worldwide output and sales rose for a fourth consecutive month in April on strong demand for hybrid vehicles and rush buying in the United States over U.S. President Donald Trump's import tariffs. The world's biggest automaker's global sales for April increased 10% year-on-year to 876,864 vehicles, with U.S. sales climbing just as much, fuelled by strong demand, including rush-buying over the tariffs, according to Toyota. Hybrid vehicle sales made up about 44% of Toyota's total worldwide sales for the first four months of the year. In April, the Japanese company's global vehicle production rose 8% year-on-year to 814,787 vehicles, lifted by higher production in Japan and markets in North America, South America and China. The production and sales figures include its luxury Lexus brand.
