The Junior has been a rare hit for Alfa Romeo and the brand is trying to increase its appeal by introducing a new Sport Speciale. It’s designed to “blend elegance, sportiness, and cutting-edge technology.”

The model certainly looks the part as it features gloss black cladding with bright silver inserts. They’re joined by tinted rear windows and 18-inch alloy wheels with a two-tone diamond cut finish. Customers will also find “Sport Speciale” badging as well as an optional contrasting black roof.

Review: The Junior Is Everything Alfa Romeo Needed And Nothing Alfisti Wanted

Upgrades extend to the cabin, which has black perforated Alcantara seats with contrasting Ice accents. The front seats are heated and have power adjustment, as one would expect from a luxury brand.

Alcantara upholstery can also be found on the dashboard, door panels, center tunnel and steering wheel. On the latter location, it’s joined by leather and contrast stitching. Other notable highlights include aluminum pedals and an ambient lighting system.

If that isn’t special enough, the Junior can be equipped with the Techno pack, which adds Matrix LED headlights, GPS navigation, and a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system. They’re joined by a rearview camera, parking sensors, and power folding mirrors with blind spot detection.

The package also includes a number of other upgrades including a hands-free power liftgate, a wireless smartphone charger, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. This is on top of a six-speaker audio system and front/rear USB charging ports.

Despite having sport in its name, powertrains carryover and include a 143 hp (107 kW / 145 PS) hybrid that is offered with front and all-wheel drive. Customers can also get a fully electric Sport Speciale that produces 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS).

Owning a Ford F-150 Lightning means saying goodbye to gas stations forever. That’s the promise, at least, though it comes with the unspoken reality of long waits while electrons trickle into the battery. On the bright side, your truck can double as a backup power source for your home, and if Ford’s to be believed, even earn a few bucks while it sits in the driveway.

Read: F-150 Lightning Production Halted Indefinitely As Ford Bets On Gas Trucks Again

The company is eager to promote its usefulness, recently dedicating an entire piece describing how owners can turn their EV into a “side hustle”.

How Does It Work?

For some time, Ford’s Energy Rewards program has provided customers with bonuses for charging their F-150 Lightnings during off-peak times. It also has a system that allows the truck’s battery to serve as a backup generator during outages and blackouts.

In select US markets, owners can now charge their Lightning when electricity is cheaper (typically overnight during off-peak hours) and use the stored energy to power their home when grid prices are higher during peak times.

That’s not all. Customers can also return excess power from the F-150 back to the grid and get incentives from participating utility providers. According to Ford, customers can save up to $42 per month, or almost $500 per year, by using its new Home Power Management software.

The program has been launched in partnership with DTE Energy in Southeast Michigan. DTE will provide eligible owners the means to transfer power from the EV to their home.

Everything happens automatically, too, meaning the software optimizes the flow of energy to and from the battery pack while retaining battery health.

F-150 Lightning Production Paused Indefinitely

While the system is clever, it hasn’t done much to change the Lightning’s overall fortunes. Despite being the best-selling electric pickup in America this year, sales still trail Ford’s early projections. Earlier this month, production was officially paused with no restart date in sight.

With the federal EV tax credit gone and fuel economy penalties no longer enforced under the Trump-era rollback, Ford appears to be easing away from the Lightning experiment. The company now plans to build over 45,000 additional combustion-powered F-150s next year, signaling a quiet retreat to familiar ground

Maserati might be battling with slow sales, but they’re not giving up on their most popular SUV, the Grecale. The Trident brand has rolled out a series of updates for the 2026 model year, with most of the attention on the fully electric Folgore trim, which can now travel farther between charges.

The Grecale Folgore was launched in 2023 with dual electric motors producing 550 hp (410 kW / 557 PS) and a 105 kWh battery offering 500 km (311 miles) of WLTP range.

What’s New?

While the electric powertrain’s core specifications remain unchanged for 2026, Maserati has introduced a new AWD-Disconnect system said to boost range to 580 km (360 miles).

More: Maserati Can’t Sell The Grecale In Numbers So It’s Selling Them One By One

Their solution is simple: when AWD is not required, the system sends power to the rear wheels only, bringing a significant reduction in energy consumption that results in an extra 80 km (50 miles) of zero-emission range.

The shift happens automatically in just 500 milliseconds and physically disengages the front axle shafts from the hubs. Maserati says this method is more efficient than disconnecting at the motor or differential.

Algorithms To The Rescure

To determine when AWD should engage or disengage, the vehicle relies on a network of sensors and algorithms that continuously monitor several variables.

Depending on torque demand, brake temperature, road gradient, instantaneous speed and acceleration, selected driving mode, outside temperature, and activation of vehicle dynamic control systems, the system makes sure drivers get the performance they need from the electric SUV.

The Folgore accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.1 seconds, making it the second quickest Grecale behind the V6-powered Trofeo that completes the same sprint in 3.8 seconds. The EV, however, has the lowest top speed in the lineup, capped at 220 km/h (137 mph).

More: Maserati’s $50,000 Discounts Reveal How Bad Things Really Are

The electric Grecale retains its remote climate control, automatic battery preconditioning, and EV Routing functions. The latter now includes a Dynamic Range Mapping feature that visually displays how far the car can travel on its remaining charge within the built-in navigation system.

More Customization Options

Alongside the Folgore’s efficiency upgrades, Maserati has expanded personalization options across the entire 2026 Grecale range.

The exterior palette now includes 11 colors, plus 32 additional shades from the Fuoriserie Programme, six of which are new. Inside, buyers can choose from eight interior hues, eight seat designs, four brake caliper finishes, and six alloy wheel patterns, including a set exclusive to the Folgore.

Maserati has yet to confirm pricing for the 2026 Grecale lineup, though given how its sales have been going, it’s probably safe to assume the figures won’t stray far from last year’s. After all, it’s hard to raise prices when the cars aren’t exactly flying off the lot.

The 2025 SEMA Show is coming up soon, and Hyundai is bringing something big – literally.The automaker has teamed up with the YouTube duo BigTime to showcase a project that blurs the line between tech showcase and trail rig.

Automotive personalities Jeremiah Burton and Zach Jobe helped Hyundai create what you see here, the Ioniq 9 Off-Road Concept. Think of it as a junction between EV luxury and off-roading prowess.

Set for display inside SEMA’s Future Tech Studio, this Hyundai concept makes an immediate impression. It features bright yellow paint, a lifted suspension, unique wheels, and knobby all-terrain tires. Hyundai’s largest electric SUV doesn’t look bad with what appears to be a trail-ready stance.

More: Hemi V8 Ram And Purple Charger Team Up For Stellantis’ SEMA Spectacle

A custom light bar and auxiliary lighting boost nighttime visibility and provide a bit more functionality to a vehicle clearly intended for the trail.

Underneath all of this is an Ioniq 9 Calligraphy. It features dual motors, all-wheel drive, 422 horsepower (315 kW), and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. Notably, Hyundai hasn’t said if there are any mechanical modifications.

“This concept takes IONIQ 9 into new off-road terrain it has yet to explore,” said Sean Gilpin, Chief Marketing Officer for Hyundai Motor North America. “Its aggressive lift, all-terrain tires, and rugged design inspire both innovation and customization—the hallmarks of any successful SEMA concept.”

For Burton and Jobe, who rose to fame through their fun, informative automotive builds, the collaboration marks a fresh spin on the EV world.

“EVs have come a long way, so getting a chance to put our own spin on an off-road-themed IONIQ 9 is pretty cool,” said Burton. “We themed this IONIQ 9 off of our 1977 vintage cabover we call Bud. This new-tech-meets-vintage look gives it character and capability.”

BigTime will highlight the SUV across its social media channels. Fans will get the chance to see behind-the-scenes footage of the build.

The partnership highlights how Hyundai is willing to be very flexible when it comes to marketing a luxurious flagship electric SUV. It doesn’t have to be all champagne and leather. Sometimes it can be dirt and light bars.

Look around the EV landscape, and one thing stands out: these cars are heavy. Even relatively compact models like the Kia EV6 tip the scales at more than 4,000 pounds (1,814 kg).

British startup Longbow, founded by two former Tesla engineers, Daniel Davy and Mark Tapscott, together with the ex-CEO of an electric boat company and a few others who joined later, wants to change that in the name of performance.

Read: Ex-Tesla Alums Debut New Electric Roadster Named To Taunt Elon Musk

Taking guidance from Colin Chapman’s ethos of “simplify and add lightness,” the Longbow Speedster and and its upcoming closed-top sibling that cheekily, and perhaps not coincidentally, called the Roadster, aim to offer blistering performance without being overweight.

Now, just six months after announcing the two cars, the company has developed its first dynamic demonstrator based on the roofless and windowless Speedster.

Pursuing Lightness

Longbow calls this the first-ever “Featherweight Electric Vehicle” (FEV) – a name that’s fully justified as the Speedster weighs just 895 kg (1,973 lbs). The production version will sprint from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.5 seconds and still offer 275 miles of range (per WLTP).

Pricing for the Speedster will start at £84,995, or $111,732 at current exchange rates (incl. VAT), while for those preferring a roof, the upcoming Roadster will follow with a lower £64,995 ($85,438) base price.

Built From Scratch

Those are attractive stats considering that they’re basically unmatched (as a group) in the EV world. The Speedster rides on a unique aluminum chassis with a light, compact electric motor and “module-to-chassis” battery design aimed at maximizing stiffness and minimizing weight.

Longbow states the car was engineered entirely from a clean sheet, representing a “spiritual successor” to icons like the Lotus Elise and Jaguar E-Type.

Co-founder and CEO Daniel Davey said the Speedster “seems to have struck a chord with enthusiasts,” adding that its creation was “no truer illustration of our Speed of Lightness approach.”

The prototype, called an Aesthetic Dynamic Demonstrator, was revealed in London to a crowd of early customers and collaborators, with first deliveries planned for 2026.

Weight is a huge issue for any car with high-performance goals. Longbow highlighted that when it announced that it would build this car. “Weight invites complexity, blunts agility, and dulls the senses,” it said.

More: Ex-McLaren And Alpine Bosses Join Ex-Tesla Alums To Build EV Roadster Before Tesla Does

The dynamic demonstrator will be a major piece of development as the brand aims to deliver production cars next year. If it pulls it off, it could really dampen the part Tesla says it’s throwing for the (extremely delayed) Roadster later this year, especially if the latter doesn’t enter production until 2027.

Adding some extra weight to its ambitions, Longbow hasn’t been shy about stacking its deck with industry veterans. Former McLaren boss Mike Flewitt, ex-Lotus Europe chief Dan Balmer, and Michael van der Sande, whose CV meanders through Lucid Europe, JLR’s skunkworks, and the top job at Alpine, now sit on its advisory board.

Structural adhesive is incredibly powerful, but using it correctly requires very specific steps. When those steps aren’t followed, the adhesive can turn out to be practically useless, as Cybertruck owners are finding out the hard way.

In fact, as of this writing, Tesla knows of at least 600 of them who have had their glued-on light bar come loose. As a result, it is recalling almost 6,200 trucks.

More: Tesla Just Realized Its Cybertruck Might Be Blinding Other Drivers

According to a new filing with the NHTSA, the optional LED light bar affixed to some Cybertrucks could be problematic.

We’ve covered how technicians install these things in the past, and it’s not with nuts, bolts, or screws, but an adhesive that requires a primer to go on before the light bar. If this job gets done wrong, the light bar could fly off in traffic.

Over 600 Warranty Claims

Tesla told regulators that it knows of 619 warranty claims surrounding this issue. It also knows of one field report where this primer and adhesive situation might be to blame. Thankfully, as far as it knows, it hasn’t led to any accidents or injuries.

The automaker says it comes down to technicians inadvertently swapping between two adhesive primers, BetaSeal and BetaPrime, during installation. Despite multiple service bulletins and manual updates, the mix-ups kept happening.

The remedy sounds as if Tesla is going to keep things simple. Service centers will inspect the light bar and either retrofit or replace it with one secured by a “positive mechanical attachment” along with adhesive tape.

Based on that, it sounds like they’re going back to real nuts and bolts to help ensure this won’t be a problem again. We couldn’t find any diagrams of the remedy, but that’s not too surprising given how fresh this recall is.

Owner notifications won’t even go out until the day after Christmas, according to Tesla. Between now and then, it seems wise to check your light bar if you happen to have a Cybertruck with one.

It seems there’s no limit to how many ways companies can reinvent the humble wheel, and RDS has decided to take another crack at it. The Japanese brand has unveiled a new modular mobility platform called the Raptor, a shape-shifting electric three-wheeler that can transform into entirely different vehicles.

More: This Yamaha Prototype Can Turn All Three Wheels At Once

The system works by separating the machine into upper and lower sections, allowing users to swap top modules for different applications while keeping the same base.

How Does It Work?

The real ingenuity lies in the Raptor’s detachable modules, which connect through a custom locking mechanism designed to feel both sturdy and intuitive.

RDS describes the concept as a way to let “creators and businesses from a variety of fields” experiment with new vehicle forms without having to start from scratch each time.

Several concept mockups have already been created, but the standout among them is the racing version. Called the Sparrow, it was developed in partnership with MIE Racing, a team active in the FIM Superbike World Championship.

The Sparrow’s upper section adopts the familiar cues of a sport motorcycle, complete with a handlebar, a single-seat setup, and compact bodywork that mimics a racing silhouette. While the upper portion looks cool, the same can’t be said about the proportions, with the wheels looking tiny in comparison to the overall height.

In any case, the company has introduced a special edition of the EV at the Japan Mobility Show, designed by F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull Racing.

More: 16-Year-Olds Can Legally Drive This “3-Wheeler” VW In Europe, But It Costs $24K

This Sparrow Tsunoda Edition carries a racing livery decorated with autumn leaves in orange, blue, and white, giving it a more playful (and seasonal) character.

Beneath the interchangeable body, every version of the Raptor shares the same running gear. The lower frame uses three wheels powered by a single electric motor drawing energy from a 48V lithium-ion battery pack. Both front and rear ends employ swing-arm suspension with a tilting system to improve balance through turns.

The dual front wheels measure 12 inches in diameter, while the rear wheel is slightly smaller at 10 inches. All of them are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. The EV will be able to reach a speed of 40 km/h (25 miles), although a limiter can be set at the desired level.

RDS says that the Raptor will be classified as a motorized bicycle in Japan. Pricing and availability of individual versions will be announced at a later date. Furthermore, the company is currently working on an autonomous driving unit for commercial use.

RDS

Chinese automakers are no longer content with regional dominance, as they’re eyeing the world stage. And if you ask Carlos Tavares, the former head of Stellantis, they might actually pull it off.

The outspoken executive believes Chinese manufacturers could end up rescuing Europe’s car industry from its slow decline. Names like BYD and Geely, he says, may not just survive the global shake-up but emerge as the last few standing.

Read: The Guy Who Broke Stellantis Now Thinks It Might Break Up

Since stepping down from Stellantis nearly a year ago, Tavares has spent his time writing a memoir and touring the press circuit to promote it, offering a steady stream of predictions about where the auto industry is headed.

Will China Save Europe’s Factories?

He’s claimed that Stellantis itself might split apart and even floated the idea that Tesla could exit the car business entirely. Now he’s suggesting that within the next 10 to 15 years, Chinese brands could step in to save Europe’s automotive sector, though not without cost.

“There are lots of nice windows being opened up for the Chinese,” he told The Financial Times. “The day a western carmaker is in severe difficulty, with factories on the verge of closing and demonstrations in the street, a Chinese carmaker will come and say ‘I’ll take it and keep the jobs’, and they’ll be considered saviors.”

Tavares has experience dealing with Chinese car firms. He orchestrated Stellantis buying a 20 percent share of Leapmotor to help launch it into international markets. He also acknowledges that Leapmotor likely entered the deal because “they want to swallow us [Stellantis] some day.”

Trouble in Europe’s Auto Core

The former Stellantis boss hasn’t softened his criticism of Europe’s automotive policy. He argues that the European Union’s ban on new internal combustion cars by 2035 has forced local automakers into massive, and potentially wasted, investment.

According to Tavares, European car companies have poured more than €100 billion into electrification since the rule was introduced. He now predicts the EU will backtrack on the plan entirely.

More: Carlos Tavares Thinks Tesla Might Not Exist In 10 Years

“Who is holding the EU to account for the €100bn of investments that won’t be used? No one,” he said.

The global car industry is in such a dramatic state of flux that Tavares thinks most current brands won’t survive. In fact, he predicts that as few as five or six carmakers will survive.

These could include Toyota, Hyundai, BYD, and likely another Chinese firm, possibly Geely. In this scenario, the rest of the brands would likely be gobbled up by these conglomerates.

Interestingly, Tavares doesn’t include Stellantis among the survivors. Whether that’s professional detachment or a parting shot from a man who knows too much is anyone’s guess.

Despite rising import tariffs, Chinese automakers continue to flood Europe with an army of electrified models. Leapmotor, partly owned by Stellantis, has now gone a step further by teaming up with German tuner Irmscher for a special edition of its C10 electric SUV

The model, known as the i C10, was first teased a few months ago by Irmscher. It has now joined Leapmotor’s official German lineup as a limited run of just 250 units.

Irmscher has built its reputation on refining Opel models and occasionally dipping into Fiat territory, which explains its connection with Stellantis.

According to the announcement, the i C10 marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between Irmscher and Leapmotor, suggesting that similar treatments could soon reach other models in the brand’s range.

More: Volvo’s Favorite Tuner Just Crossed Over Into China’s EV Scene

The sporty version of the midsize SUV rides on a new set of five-spoke alloys, looking larger than the 20-inch wheels of the high-spec variant. The exterior appears to be carried over without a bodykit, although there is a more prominent rear spoiler.

The tuner has also added a red stripe on the profile, along with matching accents on the front splitter and center caps. Furthermore, there is “i C10” badging on the tailgate right under the Leapmotor lettering.

Under The Skin

Beyond the visual upgrades, Irmscher has fitted a firmer suspension setup designed to sharpen handling. This is the only mechanical alteration, as the dual-motor powertrain remains unchanged.

Fortunately, the i C10 is based on the most potent dual-motor AWD version of the SUV, producing a combined 590 hp (440 kW / 598 PS). The result is a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time of 4 seconds, according to Leapmotor.

Review: I Drove Stellantis’ Chinese Electric SUV That Rivals Tesla For Just $30K

The AWD model carries an 81.9 kWh battery providing a range of 437 km (272 miles). The same battery extends to 510 km (317 miles) in the RWD variant, which uses a single 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) motor.

Leapmotor continues to offer the standard C10 with RWD and a smaller 69.9 kWh battery allowing 420 km (261 miles) of range. Finally, there is a range-extender version of the SUV with a 1.5-liter engine, a 212 hp (158 kW / 215 PS) electric motor, and a 28.4 kWh battery promising over 950 km (590 miles) of combined range.

What It Costs

In Germany, the Leapmotor i C10 by Irmscher starts at €49,900 ($58,200). That’s €5,000 ($5,800) more than the flagship C10 ProMax AWD, which lists at €44,900 ($52,400). For reference, the entry-level RWD model with the smaller battery begins at €36,400 ($42,400)

Around 80 percent of global energy production today comes from the combustion of fossil fuels. Combustion, or the process of converting stored chemical energy into thermal energy through burning, is vital for a variety of common activities including electricity generation, transportation, and domestic uses like heating and cooking — but it also yields a host of environmental consequences, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Sili Deng, the Doherty Chair in Ocean Utilization and associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, is leading research to drive the transition from the heavy dependence on fossil fuels to renewable energy with storage.

“I was first introduced to flame synthesis in my junior year in college,” Deng says. “I realized you can actually burn things to make things, [and] that was really fascinating.”

Deng says she ultimately picked combustion as a focus of her work because she likes the intellectual challenge the concept offers. “In combustion you have chemistry, and you have fluid mechanics. Each subject is very rich in science. This also has very strong engineering implications and applications.”

Deng’s research group targets three areas: building up fundamental knowledge on combustion processes and emissions; developing alternative fuels and metal combustion to replace fossil fuels; and synthesizing flame-based materials for catalysis and energy storage, which can bring down the cost of manufacturing battery materials.

One focus of the team has been on low-cost, low-emission manufacturing of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries play an increasingly critical role in transportation electrification (e.g., batteries for electric vehicles) and grid energy storage for electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Deng’s team has developed a technology they call flame-assisted spray pyrolysis, or FASP, which can help reduce the high manufacturing costs associated with cathode materials.

FASP is based on flame synthesis, a technology that dates back nearly 3,000 years. In ancient China, this was the primary way black ink materials were made. “[People burned] vegetables or woods, such that afterwards they can collect the solidified smoke,” Deng explains. “For our battery applications, we can try to fit in the same formula, but of course with new tweaks.”

The team is also interested in developing alternative fuels, including looking at the use of metals like aluminum to power rockets. “We’re interested in utilizing aluminum as a fuel for civil applications,” Deng says, because aluminum is abundant in the earth, cheap, and it’s available globally. “What we are trying to do is to understand [aluminum combustion] and be able to tailor its ignition and propagation properties.”

Among other accolades, Deng is a 2025 recipient of the Hiroshi Tsuji Early Career Researcher Award from the Combustion Institute, an award that recognizes excellence in fundamental or applied combustion science research.

A Forest High School senior was killed after being hit by a car while walking to her bus stop in Ocala, Florida, reported Fox 35

The crash reportedly happened Monday around 6:20 a.m. Officers say 18-year-old Shannon Rushing was struck by a vehicle driven by a 60-year-old woman and died from her injuries at the scene.

According to the news report, school district officials identified Rushing as a senior at Forest High School who was known for her positive attitude and involvement in school activities.

Rushing’s older sister, Shanta Norton, had been raising her since their mother’s passing, Norton described her sister to local news reporters as a friendly and outgoing young woman who was active in her school’s Christian club and always eager to make others laugh.

She said Rushing, “knew how much we loved her, but she always said it to me,” recalling that just days before her death, she had told her she loved her.

Norton said the family will remember her as someone who was “always smiling and laughing.”

The Ocala Police Department said via the article, “We are heartbroken with this news and are supporting the family and school community during this difficult time.”

The crash remains under investigation at this report.

Counselors at Forest High School met with students and staff to help them cope with the tragedy.

Related: Teen Hospitalized After Hit-and-Run Crash in South Las Vegas, Motorist Faces Felony Charge
Related: 8-Year-Old Struck, Killed by Vehicle After Exiting School Bus in Texas
Related: Texas Student Struck and Killed by School Bus
Related: Louisiana Student Struck and Killed by School Bus

The post High School Senior Killed Walking to Bus Stop in Florida appeared first on School Transportation News.

In a partisan 51–47 vote, the U.S. Senate confirmed four top leadership appointments to the U.S. Department of Transportation, marking a significant step for the current administration’s transportation and infrastructure agenda.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy welcomed the Oct. 7 confirmations of Derek Barrs as administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) alongside Michael Rutherford as the first assistant secretary for Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy, Gregory Zerzan as general counsel, and David Fink as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Duffy called them all “accomplished leaders” poised to advance safety, efficiency, and innovation across the nation’s transportation systems.

In a press release, Secretary Duffy stated his confidence in their ability to serve the American people and move the department’s goals forward. Among the group, Barrs has deep roots in commercial motor vehicle safety and law enforcement.

With more than two decades of experience, including leadership roles at the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Transportation, Barrs has also been a visible figure in the industry, serving as an associate vice president at infrastructure design firm HTNB and holding senior leadership positions within the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).

CVSA publicly supported Barrs’ nomination, with Executive Director Collin Mooney saying Barrs has a unique blend of enforcement and industry experience and praising his leadership in modernizing safety practices and championing technological advancement. Barrs’ commitment to roadway safety is also reflected in his role on the American Trucking Associations’ Law Enforcement Advisory Board.

Following his confirmation, Barrs stated that his mission is to “strengthen safety, demand accountability and deliver results that make a real difference,” emphasizing his commitment to working collaboratively with law enforcement and industry stakeholders. As FMCSA administrator, he now leads a nationwide team of over 1,100 employees tasked with regulating and overseeing safety in the commercial motor vehicle sector.

Related: Innovation Awards Returns to STN EXPO, Vote on Site
Related: Legislation Reauthorizing DERA Program Passes Senate, Held in House
Related: Giving Birth to Proper Leadership
Related:Federal Legislation Reintroduced to Permanently Extend ‘Under-the-Hood’ Exemption

The post U.S.DOT Welcomes New Leadership Following Senate Confirmation, Barrs to FMCSA appeared first on School Transportation News.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is doubling down on increased seatbelt usage in school buses following the Leander Independent School District school bus crash Aug. 13.

As School Transportation News previously reported, a 2025 Blue Bird school bus was traveling south on a two-lane divided road the first day of school for the Austin, Texas-area district. The school bus was occupied by the 78-year-old driver and 46 student passengers.

Related: Texas School District Updates Seatbelt Policy Following School Bus Rollover
Related: NTSB Investigating Texas School Bus Crash

The NTSB stated in its preliminary investigation that a forward-facing video from the vehicle showed the school bus drifting left across the centerline and then to the right, causing it to leave the road while navigating a left-hand curve. After leaving the roadway, the bus crossed an embankment, overturned and came to rest adjacent to the roadway. At the time of the crash the road was wet from light rain.

The investigation found that many students were not restrained in the available lap/shoulder seatbelts, which are required in each new school bus by state law, and were therefore displaced from their seats during the roadway departure and rollover event. Sixteen students were injured, ranging from serious to minor, and the school bus driver sustained minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation to determine probable cause. However, NTSB has issued three recommendations as a result of the preliminary investigation. To the state of Texas and Leander ISD, NTSB recommends establishing, distributing and requiring the implementation of enforceable policies and procedures for seatbelt use, with routine audits, to ensure that every student is restrained on every trip.

At a minimum, the NTSB said policies and procedures should include: “Mandatory pre-departure driver instruction to students to properly belt and periodic pre-departure inspection by drivers or other staff to ensure that each student is properly belted; periodic review of onboard video camera footage, when equipped, to verify seatbelt use; and

increased training and education of school administrators and staff, bus drivers, parents, and students about proper seat belt use and adjustment, seat belt policies and procedures, the safety benefits of seat belt use, and the importance of being properly belted.”

The state currently requires model-year 2018 or newer school buses to be equipped with three-point seatbelts. School districts can opt out if the school board determines that the cost exceeds the district’s budget and passes a vote during a public meeting.

Bagdad Elementary School Principal Monica de la Garza-Conness and Director of Transportation Tracie Franco shared in a letter to the community in late August that the district remains committed to reviewing its practices and strengthening reminders regarding seatbelt use.

“While state law does not hold districts legally responsible for seatbelt use, we expect students to buckle up whenever seatbelts are available,” the letter states. “To strengthen this standard, drivers will now check seatbelt use before departure. These expectations for our staff members will be added to our transportation and district handbooks.”

Related: School Bus Seatbelt Law Appears Imminent in Illinois
Related: Oklahoma Latest State to Introduce School Bus Seatbelt Bill
Related: Updated: NAPT Issues New Position on School Bus Seatbelts

Meanwhile, the NTSB called on the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT), the National School Transportation Association, and the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services to inform its members of the Leander ISD crash, the lack of seatbelt use, and the need for school districts to establish enforceable policies and procedures for seatbelt use on school buses.

In a letter to members on Oct. 28, the same day NTSB released its recommendations, NAPT informed its members of “the nature of the crash and the importance of using the belts when they are in place.” The organization pointed to its policy statement on the issue of lap/shoulder seatbelts, which encourages members to determine the use of the three-point restraints based on their local needs.

The post NTSB Calls for Seatbelt Polices, Procedures Following Texas School Bus Crash appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Tesla driver in Illinois has been arrested after plowing into the rear of a Ford Explorer police cruiser that had stopped for a traffic investigation.

However, this was more than a simple case of a distracted driver rear-ending another motorist, as the Tesla owner told police that the vehicle’s Autopilot system was engaged and that he had fallen asleep behind the wheel.

Read: Tesla Quietly Settles Fatal Autopilot Crash Just Before Jury Could Weigh In

Local authorities say a 2022 Tesla Model Y caused the crash and shared images of the crumpled cruiser on Facebook. They show that the impact has caved in the SUV’s rear end and that both taillights have been knocked out of position.

In all likelihood, some damage has also been done to the frame, and there’s a good chance the Ford could be declared a complete write-off.

Autopilot or Absent Driver?

The South Barrington Police Department says the squad car was pulled over to the shoulder with its emergency lights flashing when the Tesla plowed into the back of it. The driver told officers he had activated Autopilot, dozed off, and didn’t wake up in time to react.

Two officers and the driver were taken to Ascension St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. All three sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were later released.

Driver Arrested and Charged

To make matters worse for the 43-year-old driver, he was found to be carrying a loaded handgun, despite not having a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card. As a result, he was reportedly arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

He was also cited for failing to yield a full lane or reduce speed when approaching an emergency vehicle. The Tesla owner was taken to Cook County Circuit Court, where he’s scheduled to appear on December 3.

If the driver did indeed fall asleep with Autopilot engaged, it could raise concerns about the effectiveness of Tesla’s driver monitoring system.

The electric carmaker will likely send engineers out to analyze the Model Y and determine whether the driver-assistance system was enabled at the time of the collision and if its warning systems functioned as they should have.

The EV1 from General Motors is widely regarded as the original mass-market, purpose-built electric vehicle, although it was never manufactured in significant numbers. In fact, only a touch over 1,100 were ever produced across two generations, and very few of them exist nowadays.

Given the car’s importance in the history of EVs, as well as its rarity, it perhaps comes as no surprise that when one hit the market this week, it attracted a lot of attention.

However, no one could have expected that it would sell for a staggering $104,000. To put it into perspective, that’s more than a brand-new Tesla Cybertruck.

Read: Study Says The Same Problems Faced By The EV1 Remain Today

GM never actually sold the EV1 and only leased it to customers. When it controversially decided to kill the project, it took back customer cars and crushed them. It’s understood that roughly 40 were kept by the company. While some remain in private hands, most were donated to universities and museums.

The example in question is a 1997 version that was listed for sale through Peak Auto Auctions in Atlanta after being towed. Very few details were provided about it but it’s clearly been sitting outside for a long time, and both the windshield and front side window are smashed.

Is It Worth Saving?

An investigation by The Autopian revealed the car had been marked as abandoned by the Clark Atlanta University Public Safety agency, which may explain why it ended up here.

It’s thought to be VIN V212 and was originally delivered in Arizona. At one point, it held the unofficial altitude record for an EV1, reaching 10,500 feet, GM Authority reports.

Given that the car has probably been sitting outside for a long time, potentially years, there’s a good chance it will need some serious TLC to be brought back to life. Sourcing replacement parts could be a tall order, but clearly, the winning bidder thinks the car is worth a lot of money.

Images: Peak Auto Auctions

General Motors bet big on electric vehicles and now employees are paying the price. We recently saw this play out in Canada, where over a thousand workers lost their jobs when BrightDrop vans were axed last week.

The cuts are now happening stateside as approximately 1,750 workers will be laid off. According to CNBC, the hardest impact will be felt at Factory Zero in Michigan, where around 1,200 jobs will be eliminated. An additional 550 people will be let go at the Ultium Cells plant in Ohio.

More: GM Lays Off Hundreds After Saying Business Is Going Great

On top of the indefinite cuts, there will reportedly be 1,550 temporary layoffs. These are said to be spread across Ultium Cells plants in Ohio and Tennessee, with the latter impacting 700 people.

In a series of statements, the automaker said the changes were “in response to slower near-term EV adoption and an evolving regulatory environment.”

This appears to be a reference to the elimination of the clean vehicle tax credit as well as the relaxing of regulations under the Trump administration.

Factory Zero builds the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, GMC Hummer EV, and Cadillac Escalade IQ. These models weren’t exactly flying off dealer lots even when there was a $7,500 federal incentive.

Promises and Pauses

The company said they remain committed to U.S. manufacturing and believe their “investments and dedication to flexible operations will make GM more resilient and capable of leading through change.”

That remains to be seen, but GM is pausing battery cell production in Warren, Ohio as well as in Spring Hill, Tennessee this January. Both plants are scheduled to reopen in mid-2026 and the downtime will be used to upgrade the facilities to provide “greater flexibility.”

It’s not entirely clear what that means, but the company said “Impacted employees may be eligible to continue receiving a significant portion of their regular wages or salary, plus benefits.”

Corporate Optimism Meets Reality

The news comes roughly one week after CEO Mary Barra told investors the company “delivered another very good quarter of earnings and free cash flow.”

She added the automaker achieved their highest third-quarter market share since 2017 and were raising their full-year guidance.

Despite being upbeat, Barra warned of cuts by saying “it is now clear that near-term EV adoption will be lower than planned. That is why we are reassessing our EV capacity and manufacturing footprint.” Despite this and new investments in ICE-powered vehicles, she said “electric vehicles remain our North Star.”

Unlike every other Tesla, the Cybercab was envisioned without a steering wheel or pedals, created from the start as a vehicle meant to drive itself. Elon Musk said the company plans to build millions of these two-seat EVs, each priced under $30,000, hoping to turn self-driving technology from a futuristic experiment into something people could actually buy.

Read: Tesla Cybercab Is A $30,000 Robotaxi Without A Steering Wheel Or Pedals

Or at least, that was the idea. Tesla has now admitted it may have to fit the Cybercab with conventional controls if it wants to reach the production numbers Musk has promised.

When Autonomy Meets Reality

According to Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm, the company views the Cybercab as the long-awaited affordable model that investors have been pressing for, often referred to by the press as the Model 2.

Yet the minimalist two-seat layout limits its practicality, and Tesla’s initial pledge to sell it without traditional controls makes the task harder. The brand’s self-driving software remains well short of true Level 4 or Level 5 autonomy, so customers may be wary of a car that expects to handle everything on its own.

While speaking with Bloomberg, Denholm made clear that Tesla is flexible. “If we have to have a steering wheel, it can have a steering wheel and pedals,” she said, a comment that marks a shift from the original vision.

Regulation Hurdles

Regulations currently stand in the way of Tesla introducing a large number of Cybercabs onto US roads. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) only allows manufacturers to deploy up to 2,500 autonomous vehicles per year without traditional controls.

Musk, who has poured significant sums into political campaigns, including major donations to Donald Trump, appears to have hoped that influence might soften the rules. So far, regulators haven’t moved.

His frustration surfaced recently when he referred to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as “Sean Dummy” after the agency reopened a SpaceX contract connected to NASA’s moon mission.

Denholm has put on a brave face, noting that Tesla is willing to change its plans if that’s what regulations require.

“The original Model Y was not going to have a steering wheel, or pedals,” she said. “If we can’t sell something because it needs something, then we’ll work with regulators to work out what we need to do.”

After a year of being STN’s Transportation Director of the Year, Craig Beaver of Beaverton School District in Oregon joins us to discuss the ins and outs of running a large mixed-fleet school bus operation, pushing the limits with technology and data, navigating current federal changes, and looking to the future of the industry.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

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The post (STN Podcast E280) Nuts and Bolts: Transportation Director of the Year Talks Data-Focused Oregon Ops appeared first on School Transportation News.

This year’s National School Bus Safety Week saw districts and transportation companies around the country sharing photos of driver appreciation events, student safety trainings and student transportation department highlights.

School Bus Safety Week is sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Association for Pupil Transportation, and was recognized Oct. 20-24. It is held each year during the third full week of October.

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The post Gallery: National School Bus Safety Week 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

Following a media report last month of a Waymo vehicle passing a school bus in Atlanta, Georgia, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a preliminary evaluation into the autonomous Uber option.

The evaluation is set to “investigate the performance of the Waymo (Automated Driving System) around stopped school buses, how the system is designed to comply with school bus traffic safety laws and the system’s ability to follow those traffic safety laws. During this investigation, NHTSA will seek to identify the scope of the issue presented by this incident and identify any other similar incidents,” the report states.

Waymo and Uber announced a partnership in select cities around the U.S., starting in Phoenix and expanding to Atlanta and Austin. Riders in these cities have the option to hail autonomous rides through the Uber app. Rides can also be booked through the Waymo app in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

However, the Waymo vehicle was captured on video Sept. 22 illegally passing a stopped school bus that was unloading children.

NHTSA opened the preliminary evaluation Oct. 17. In INOA-PE2503, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation states that a Waymo autonomous vehicle, or AV, failed to remain stopped “when approaching a school bus that was stopped with its red lights flashing, stop arm deployed and crossing control arm deployed.”

Related: Waymo Driverless Car Illegally Passes Stopped School Bus in Atlanta
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The report states that Waymo AV approached the right side of the school bus from a perpendicular side street. “The AV initially stopped but then drove around the front of the bus by briefly turning right to avoid running into the bus’s right front end, then turning left to pass in front of the bus and then turning further left and driving down the roadway past the entire left side of the bus. During this maneuver, the Waymo AV passed the bus’s extended crossing control arm near disembarking students (on the bus’s right side) and passed the extended stop arm on the bus’s left side,” the report continued.

At the time of the incident, the Waymo AV was operated by Waymo’s 5th Generation Automated Driving System and no safety operator was present in the vehicle. The report noted that Waymo has surpassed 100 million miles of driving as of July, approximately 2 million miles logged per week.

“Based on NHTSA’s engagement with Waymo on this incident and the accumulation of operational miles, the likelihood of other prior similar incidents is high,” the report states.

The post NHTSA Investigates Autonomous Waymo Rides After Illegal School Bus Passing appeared first on School Transportation News.