BACONTON, Ga., — ADAboy Van Conversions has announced the addition of two senior leaders to guide strategic development and expand growth in its wheelchair-accessible vehicle division.
Todd Hawks has been appointed Executive Director of Business Management. Hawks brings extensive experience working with transit agencies nationwide to improve transportation access and safety for ADA passengers. Throughout his career, he has worked with manufacturers and suppliers serving the accessible transportation market, including selling vehicles for MV-1 and providing wheelchair restraint systems for AMF.
Hawks also recruited Dave Rose, who joins the company as Vice President of Sales. Rose brings more than 30 years of experience in the transportation industry, including the past two decades with Freedman Seating, a leading manufacturer specializing in passenger safety solutions and ADA-focused seating systems designed to improve space and accessibility for wheelchair passengers.
CEO Hayes Stills, a founding member of ADAboy Van Conversions, said the new hires represent a major step forward for the company’s growth strategy.
“These two are the best at what they do,” said Stills. “ADAboy Vans are growing our relationships and building trust with some of the best dealerships in the country. Their experience will help us continue expanding our reach while delivering high-quality accessible transportation solutions.”
ADAboy Vans is a leading provider of 10-passenger multipurpose vehicles (MPVs), available in both full-passenger configurations and wheelchair-accessible models with stowable seating. The company is preparing for a busy summer production season as it works to supply school systems across the country with vehicles in time for the start of the fall school year. ADAboy’s flexible seating and accessibility options allow school districts and transportation providers to quickly adapt vehicles to meet the needs of both traditional and wheelchair-accessible student transportation.
The company will also serve as a leading sponsor at the Transportation Alliance Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. this May.
Registration is now open for the STN EXPO West conference, an innovative six-day training and networking event by School Transportation News taking place this summer in Reno, Nevada.
STN EXPO West brings together student transportation leaders to have conversations that are making the difference in the pupil transportation industry. The conference and trade show is scheduled to begin July 9 at the Peppermill Resort with a four-hour seminar providing modules on school bus and transportation security response from law enforcement officials. It concludes July 15 with a special half-day seminar taught by renowned industry trainers Dick Fischer and Pete Baxter, both National Association for Pupil Transportation Hall of Fame members.
STN EXPO West Overview
Other exciting experiences return this year, including the Transportation Director Summit, an exclusive leadership event that begins July 9 at the Peppermill and continues July 10 at the picturesque Chateau at Incline Village at Lake Tahoe. The Ride and Drive event in conjunction with the Green Bus Summit and Bus Technology Summit are on July 12. The STN EXPO Trade Show “Wonderland of Ideas” opens the evening of July 13 to expose attendees to the technological and green solutions needed to optimize their operations. The Trade Show continues the morning of July 14.
First, keynote speaker Bruce Turkel will deliver an impactful presentation July 13 on how to cut through the constant information overload and how to market your communication to stand out in the crowd.
Michelle Atwell, chief of safety countermeasures for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, also joins the STN EXPO West agenda to highlight federal actions taking place to combat illegal passing of stopped school buses.
Other special training opportunities include the National School Bus Inspection Training Program, “So You Want to Be a Transportation Supervisor?” and hands-on wheelchair securement classes. Educational sessions will break down the pressing issues that face the student transportation industry and provide practical solutions and strategies, including the use of AI, lap/shoulder seatbelt research, budgeting and employee culture.
Save $200 on main conference registration with the Super Early Bird special pricing, only available through April 10, 2026. Learn more about unique experiences and stay tuned for more agenda updates at stnexpo.com/west.
GLENDALE, Ariz.— RTA: The Fleet Success Company is proud to be Certified by Great Place To Work for the 3rd time in the last 4 years. The prestigious recognition is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at RTA. This year, 99% of employees said it’s a great place to work, 42 points higher than the average U.S. company.
Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation.
“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that RTA stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”
At RTA, culture isn’t a perk; it’s a foundation. The company operates on three core virtues: Humble, Hungry, and Smart. These aren’t aspirational values written on a poster, but a rigorous hiring and operational standard that shapes every decision the company makes, from who joins the team to how they serve their 1,000+ fleet management clients.
“Earning this recognition three times isn’t something that happens by accident,” said Josh Turley, CEO of RTA. “It happens because we are deeply intentional about who we bring into this company and how we treat them once they’re here. We set a high bar, and our team clears it every single day. Seeing 100% of our employees say they trust our leadership to be honest and ethical, and that they genuinely care about each other. That’s the culture we’ve worked hard to build and protect. I couldn’t be more proud of this team.”
Additional highlights from this year’s survey include:
100% of employees say management is honest and ethical in its business practices.
100% say people here are willing to give extra to get the job done.
100% say people care about each other here.
100% say when you join the company, you are made to feel welcome.
99% say people here are given a lot of responsibility.
RTA’s commitment to its people is also a commitment to its purpose: We Help Fleets Succeed. The company believes that the same care and intentionality brought to serving fleet managers, an often overlooked and under-resourced profession, must be brought to caring for the people doing that work.
According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits, and have a fair chance at promotion.
WE’RE HIRING!
Looking to grow your career at a company that puts its people first? Visit our careers page at: rtafleet.com/careers
About RTA
With over 45 years of industry experience, RTA: The Fleet Success Company delivers a modern fleet management information system (FMIS) and legendary fleet consulting services. RTA’s software is built by fleet professionals for fleet professionals that manage most of their maintenance in-house. From budgeting and performance reporting to streamlining technician and inventory workflows, RTA gives fleet teams the tools and resources they need to run high-performing, cost-efficient organizations. The combination of easy-to-use software, practical consulting, and the industry’s best customer service helps public sector and enterprise fleets make better decisions and maximize operational efficiency.
About Great Place To Work Certification
Great Place To Work Certification is the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience, specifically how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified.
NEW YORK — BusRight, the leading all-in-one student transportation technology platform, today announced it has raised more than $30 million in the company’s latest funding round led by Volition Capital.
Founded by CEO Keith Corso and Chief Product Officer (CPO) Phillip Dunn, former CIO of the sixth-largest school district in the country, BusRight ensures every student can safely and reliably access their education. The company’s technology solves transportation leaders’ most critical challenges: a crippling school bus driver shortage, overwhelming parent demands, and increasing route complexity. The platform brings driver navigation, routing, student ridership visibility, parent communication, and live GPS tracking into one unified platform. As a result, transportation leaders can build routes in 60 seconds, track buses in real-time, and communicate with parents in a single click.
The $900 billion K-12 education system is enabled by 13,000 transportation leaders who transport more than 20 million students to and from school every day. Many school bus fleets start each morning short 15-30% of drivers, forcing last-minute route cancellations, triggering a flood of parent phone calls, missed pickups, and even more pressure on an already stretched driver workforce. In an industry underserved by technology, most bus drivers are still handed paper route sheets, transportation leaders spend their days behind the wheel instead of leading, and office teams work 12 plus hour days to keep buses moving.
BusRight is uniquely positioned to address these challenges and usher our nation’s largest mass transit system into the modern era. Now nearly 1 million parents, drivers, dispatchers, business managers, and superintendents across 36 states rely on BusRight to help rebuild trust in one of the most foundational sectors of our society: public education.
“BusRight has saved us $989,000 in the first year,” said Gregory Mott, superintendent of schools for the Poughkeepsie City School District. “I can’t think of another tool in the district that has had such a profound impact on student safety, while also strengthening the financial position of the school.”
“Student transportation teams have been underrecognized and underinvested for far too long,” said Keith Corso, co-founder & CEO of BusRight. “We’re proud to partner with Volition Capital, a team that shares the belief that transportation directors, routers, dispatchers, and drivers are the backbone of public education, and they deserve the recognition, investment, and support to match the significance of the work they do every single day.”
Funding from the latest round will enable BusRight to continue to invest in its state-of-the-art platform, launching new products and services to meet the unique needs of the nation’s student transportation operators. Platform enhancements include the first 24/7 AI-powered student transportation agent, precision hyper-local mapping intelligence, and NFC-based child safety features.
“My experience in school systems showed me how rapidly education was changing and how urgently it needed better tools,” said Phillip Dunn, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer. “BusRight exists to unlock public infrastructure with the same ease and impact we expect from modern consumer technology.”
In connection with this financing, Tomy Han, partner at Volition Capital, will join BusRight’s Board of Directors.
“BusRight is building a category-defining platform in a market that is both massive and mission-critical,” said Tomy Han, partner at Volition Capital. “The team has demonstrated exceptional execution, strong customer adoption, and a product that is deeply embedded in daily transportation operations. We’re excited to partner with BusRight as they scale a durable, market-leading business.”
BusRight’s momentum comes amid rapid change in student transportation, driven by evolving regulations, new funding for technology adoption, and increasing demand for K-12 safety, real-time visibility, and operational excellence.
About BusRight
BusRight, the leading all-in-one student transportation technology platform, solves the most mission-critical challenges in K–12 education: transporting students to and from school safely, reliably, and efficiently. Headquartered in New York, NY, BusRight partners with communities across the US to bring innovative solutions to the nation’s public education system. Learn more at https://busright.com.
About Volition Capital
Volition Capital is a Boston-based growth equity firm that principally invests in high-growth, founder-owned companies across the software, Internet, and consumer sectors. Founded in 2010, Volition has over $1.7 billion in assets under management and has invested in and/or provided sub-advisory advice to more than 60 companies in the United States and Canada. The firm selectively partners with founders to help them achieve their fullest aspirations for their businesses. For more information, visit http://www.volitioncapital.com.
BMW i4 will reportedly go out of production next year.
Model will effectively be replaced by the new i3 sedan.
An i4 coupe is possible in the future, but likely a ways off.
BMW unveiled the updated i4 lineup less than a year ago, but the company is reportedly pulling the plug on the EV. This is hardly surprising as the automaker recently introduced the all-new i3.
While the new car is far more advanced, the i4 was a solid and attractive EV that debuted in 2021. The model was relatively popular and Americans snapped up 23,403 units in 2024. However, that number fell to 20,114 last year as the federal tax credit was phased out.
The i4 wasn’t just popular with the green crowd as it was the best-selling BMW M model between 2022 and 2024. In the case of the latest version, the i4 M60 produces up to 593 hp (442 kW / 601 PS) and can accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in a mere 3.6 seconds. The model also offers up to 278 miles (447 km) of range, although opting for larger 20-inch wheels slashes that distance to a disappointing 232 miles (373 km).
Despite having a lot going for it, Autocar reports the i4 will be going out of production next year. The publication also talked to board member Jochen Goller, who said “When you look back on the last 20 years, you always had new models coming in and old models phasing out, so I think this is part of the history of our industry.”
That said, the i4 might not be gone for long, as some reports have suggested a new 4-Series is in the works and will be offered with gas and electric powertrains.
As for the i3, it’s a big step forward as it has an 800-volt architecture and a 400 kW DC fast charging capability. The i3 50 xDrive also has 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque as well as an expected EPA range of 440 miles (708 km).
Bentley’s EV SUV may adopt the long-rumored Barnato name.
The name honors Le Mans winner and Bentley owner Woolf.
Platform design prevents adding hybrid or gas powertrains.
Bentley’s upcoming electric vehicle has been spied on numerous occasions, but its name has been a mystery. However, the “world’s first luxury urban SUV” could end up being called the Barnato.
The name has been rumored for years and reports from 2016 claimed the company was working on an entry-level sports car that could wear the moniker. More recently, in 2025, we noted the Barnato name was a strong possibility for the crossover as the automaker applied for the trademark.
Car & Driver seems to agree, having uncovered new trademark filings for the name across the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The American paperwork is for goods and services such as “motor vehicles and parts” including “electric vehicles.” It can also be used for electric charging cables, charging stations, and battery charging devices.
There’s Already Been A Barnato Edition
The moniker would pay tribute to Woolf Barnato, who purchased his first Bentley in 1925 and would go on to acquire the automaker. He’s also notable for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times in a 4½ Litre and Speed Six.
Interestingly, Bentley has already honored Woolf’s daughter, Diana Barnato Walker, with a special edition. The Bentayga S was introduced in 2024 to honor “Bentley’s Flying Lady.”
She drove a 4¼ Litre Park Ward and joined the Air Transport Auxiliary during World War II to help deliver planes to the front lines. By the end of the war, she had delivered 260 Spitfires as well as numerous other aircraft.
Bentley Won’t Reengineer EV To Fit Gas Engine
In other news, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser told Autocar the company has “no intention” to modify the vehicle to install a plug-in hybrid or gas powertrain. He added such a move isn’t even technically feasible due to its use of the PPE platform.
This is interesting to note as Porsche has pulled a U-turn on EVs. Besides reengineering the Boxster to accommodate internal combustion engines, the company’s flagship crossover will now have an engine instead of electric motors.
The fate of the model remains to be seen, but EV adoption has been slower than many companies anticipated. As a result, sales of the Barnato – or whatever it’s called – could be underwhelming. That being said, Walliser noted the Bentayga is sticking around, so customers looking for an SUV won’t be forced into buying an EV.
The C-Class EQ will use the Mercedes MB.EA architecture with 800-volt tech.
Mercedes will likely offer battery options ranging from 64 kWh to 94 kWh.
Early estimates indicate the C-Class EQ will have a driving range of 450 miles.
Hot on the heels of the new all-electric BMW i3, we can now turn our attention to its upcoming rival, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class EQ. Due for an April reveal, it will go head-to-head with the electric 3-Series, drawing on much of the same technology and drivetrain hardware as the GLC EQ.
As with the i3, which will be sold alongside a combustion 3-Series, the C-Class EQwon’t replace the gas-powered model but exist alongside it. Prototypes have been spotted testing for months, and a few journalists have already had early drives in production-intent cars.
Visually, the biggest departure from the ICE version comes at the front. The EV is expected to feature an illuminated grille made up of hundreds of LEDs, much like the GLC EQ, as shown in these renderings created by Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa. Large grilles remain a divisive choice, and this one is unlikely to settle the debate, but it will certainly give the electric C-Class a distinct presence on the road.
During recent prototype testing, Autocar observed that the front end sits more upright than the current C-Class, while the rear window is set at a noticeably steeper angle. That extended rear glass is also reflected in these illustrations, giving the sedan a vibe reminiscent of the much-criticized EQS and EQE.
Unlike those models, however, Mercedes appears to be edging back toward a more conventional silhouette, complete with a longer hood, as it gradually moves away from its more experimental EQ design language.
It also sits lower than the combustion version and stretches out slightly, with a larger footprint overall. The payoff is more cabin room, helped by a longer wheelbase and wider tracks.
Prototype of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class EQ (Photos SHProshots)
Underpinning the new sedan will be Mercedes-Benz’s MB.EA architecture, also used by the GLC EQ, features 800-volt technology. The platform is expected to support a two-speed transmission to improve efficiency and performance, along with available rear-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension borrowed from higher-end models.
Power And Driving Range
Full powertrain details have yet to be confirmed, but the lineup is likely to mirror the GLC EQ, with battery packs ranging from 64 kWh to 94 kWh.
According to AutoExpress, one of the launch models will be the C 400 4MATIC Electric, offering up to 450 miles (724 km) of range on the WLTP cycle. That is short of the 559 miles (900 km) quoted for the i3, but it still puts the Mercedes among the more longer-range contenders in the segment. Charging should be competitive as well, with a peak DC rate of 330 kW. Not quite the i3’s 400 kW ceiling, but more than sufficient in everyday use.
Power comes from a dual-motor setup producing around 482 hp and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque, paired with all-wheel drive. Expect a 0-62 mph time of under 4.5 seconds. Pricing is projected to fall between $50,000 and $60,000, with a full market launch slated for late 2026.
BMW offered glimpses of the 3-Series Touring at i3 debut in Munich.
New i3 promises huge range and kicks off BMW Neue Klasse era.
Touring could be electric-only or still offer petrol and diesel options.
BMW did that thing where a brand casually drops something arguably cooler than the main event, just as it’s about to sign off. During the big reveal of its new electric 3-Series, the i3 sedan, a shadowy long-roof wagon shape popped up on the screen behind the brand’s CEO.
Yes, the 3-Series Touring is coming back, and this time it might plug-in rather than fill-up, but will probably be capable of both. The teaser was brief but unmistakable, showing a stretched roofline and that all-important hatch, plus a distinctive kink in the waistline behind the rear door and just before the classic Hofmeister kink.
“Business users and families will be particularly delighted,” Oliver Zipse said as the shadowy outline danced on the screen. “The Touring has always been a favorite with them.”
While those images were fleeting and unclear, between them and the official shots of the i3 sedan, it’s not hard to see how the wagon will look. We’ve mocked up a few images and put them in a gallery at the bottom of the post to give you an idea, and if the real thing is as sleek as our renders, then we know which body style we’ll be shopping for.
Range To Spare
The Touring’s wagon rear means it’ll have a ton more cargo space than the sedan, though that extra glass and metal will no doubt knock the i3 Touring’s electric range a little. Not that you’ll likely notice since BMW claims an impressive 400 miles (644 km) on the EPA cycle, and a massive 559 miles (900 km) on the European WLTP one, for the 463 hp (469 PS / 345 kW) i3 50 xDrive.
There’s still a bit of mystery though. BMW hasn’t confirmed whether this new Touring will be purely electric or if petrol and diesel versions will stick around. But we’re confident that both electric and combustion options will be available, the ICE Tourings getting a very similar Neue Klasse design, but riding on an update of today’s CLAR platform and not the Neue Klasse architecture that forms the basis of the i3.
Electric M3 Touring?
And given that the M3 Touring has been such a hit with enthusiasts, we’ve got our fingers crossed that it’ll return, too. Maybe we’ll even get an electric M3 Touring to go with the electric M3 sedan we know BMW is working on to live alongside the next ICE M3.
Don’t expect to see Tourings of any kind on the road until 2027 or 2028, though. We haven’t seen any prototypes on test yet, which means the debut is some way off, and sadly, when the Touring does arrive, it’ll likely remain out of reach for North American fans, although never say never.
2028 BMW 3-Series Touring illustrations by Carscoops.
The facility now builds LFP cells for grid and data use.
Retooling the plant cost the joint venture tens of millions.
LG is also shifting other battery plants to storage facilities.
Just a few months after Ford announced that one of its battery plants, originally destined for EV batteries, would instead start making batteries for energy storage systems, General Motors has done the same.
The car manufacturer, in partnership with LG Energy Solution, operates the Ultium Cells LLC joint venture and runs a large factory in Tennessee. This site opened in 2024, making cells for the Cadillac Lyriq and Vistiq, and the Acura ZDX. Late last year, more than 700 employees were laid off from the plant as GM, like its competitors, pulled back its EV investments.
Now, Ultium’s vice president of operations, Tom Gallagher, said that these workers will be rehired and return to work by the end of April, as the site is switching to lithium-iron phosphate cells for grid and data center customers.
An Expensive Pivot
Bloomberg reports that retooling the plant has cost the joint venture tens of millions of dollars, but will help prevent hemorrhaging even more money from its EV pivot. It will also help LG, which is also retooling four other EV battery plants in North America, including two in Michigan, one in Canada formed through a joint venture with Stellantis, and an Ohio plant established with Honda. All of these sites will now begin manufacturing LFP cells for storage systems.
“Having these facilities that are able to be converted in less than a year means that we can react and we can actually get up to capacity,” chief product officer from LG’s systems integration unit, Vertech, Tristan Doherty said. “We’re going to be supplying the majority of the US market with domestic cells.”
GM says staff at the joint venture battery plant will be retrained as part of the shift. But the car manufacturer is remaining silent about its longer-term plans for the site, having previously stated that it’d start producing lithium manganese-rich batteries in Tennessee by 2028.
BMW’s i3 brings Neue Klasse platform and design to the all-new 3-Series sedan.
800-volt tech brings 440-mile range, blistering charging, and 463 hp via dual motors.
Cabin goes full sci-fi with pillar-to-pillar head-up display and angled touchscreen.
It’s over a decade since the original i3 hatch arrived to kick-start BMW’s electric journey. That quirky little compact is long gone, but now the i3 badge is back on another, very different EV that’s even more important. The new i3 is the first electric 3-Series offered outside of China and everything from the way it looks, to the way it’s powered, to the way drives, is all new.
Petrol fans will have to wait a few more months for their new G50 3-Series, a gas-powered range of sedans that looks very much like this one but rides on an updated version of today’s CLAR platform. Today, we only get to meet the NA0-code electric version, based around BMW’s Neue Klasse EV architecture, but much of what we’re learning about the design and the interior will also apply to the ICE car.
Longer, Wider, Lower, Hotter
From the outside, the new i3 looks like a careful balancing act between familiar and futuristic. It’s not quite as lean as the various concepts that have previewed the look over the past few years, but it’s fresh, modern and has a kind of angular solidity that reminds us of the 1990s E36 with some E46 curves thrown in.
The front end gets the brand’s new visor face, along with a grille and lighting setup blended into one, as previously seen on the i3’s SUV brother, the iX3. And the side view reveals cleaner, unfussy surfaces with flush door handles and muscular swollen fenders even on the mid-ranking xDrive 50 launch model. Plus there’s a new assertive take on the classic Hofmeister C-pillar kink.
At the rear, the lights stay horizontal and reach into the shoulders and across the trunk lid to emphasize width. And you’ve probably noticed the strong new paint option. It’s called M Le Castellet Blue metallic, and is sure to be a massive hit. What doesn’t stand out as much from these images is that the 187.4-inch (4,760 mm) i3 is 1.8-inches (47 mm) longer, 1.5 inches (37 mm) wider, and 1.4 inches (36 mm) taller than the current gas-powered 3-Series in 330i xDrive form.
The 114.1-inch (2,898 mm) wheelbase is also 1.9 inches (47 mm) longer than the MY26 G20’s, although it still mostly retains traditional rear-drive sedan proportions. We say mostly, because the short distance between the front wheel-well opening and the driver’s door is a clue that there’s something very different going on under the hood.
2027 BMW i3 vs 2026 3-Series Sedan
Dimension
New i3
330i xDrive
Difference
Length
187.4 in (4,760 mm)
185.6 in (4,713 mm)
+1.8 in (47 mm)
Width
73.4 in (1,864 mm)
71.9 in (1,827 mm)
+1.5 in (37 mm)
Height
58.3 in (1,481 mm)
56.9 in (1,445 mm)
+1.4 in (36 mm)
Wheelbase
114.1 in (2,898 mm)
112.2 in (2,851 mm)
+1.9 in (47 mm)
Track (F)
63.2 in (1,605 mm)
61.9 in (1,573 mm)
+1.3 in (32 mm)
Track (R)
63.5 in (1,613 mm)
62.4 in (1,587 mm)
+1.1 in (26 mm)
SWIPE
Panoramic Dashboard
Inside, BMW seems determined to make the i3 feel like a concept car that accidentally made production. The cabin, which again borrows heavily from the iX3 SUV, features a wraparound-effect dashboard that runs into the door panels, large glass areas, and a standard panoramic roof, all of which should ensure life onboard feels less cave-like than in too many current cars.
The iX3’s controversial four-spoke steering wheel makes an appearance, and the central display is angled toward the driver, which is a nice reminder that somebody in Munich has been paying attention to 3-Series history.
The seats also sound promising, with even the standard chairs said to offer decent support as well as comfort, while optional multifunction seats and M Sport seats add extra lateral stick and a bit more theater. There are multiple interior themes, from leather-like materials to more upscale hides, and BMW says that buyers at the other end of the grade structure get cloth upholstery made from recycled fabrics, part of an i3 sustainability push that resulted in recycled materials being used for the wheels, bumpers and more.
Practicality hasn’t been ignored, either. The center console includes storage, wireless charging, and proper physical buttons for important stuff like the parking brake and hazards. But we’d like to see a few more non-digital buttons for other regularly-used functions, a philosophy VW is now employing on its newest EVs.
Infotainment And Tech
Now for the part where the i3 goes full spaceship. BMW’s new Panoramic IDrive combines a pillar-to-pillar lower windshield display, a massive 17.9-inch central infotainment screen, an optional 3D head-up display, and a new multifunction steering wheel with illuminated controls that only appear when needed.
That’s a lot, but BMW insists it’s all meant to reduce distraction rather than create it. Key information sits in the driver’s line of sight, while the central screen handles the rest. Widgets can apparently be dragged and dropped between displays, which sounds a bit like setting up your phone’s home screen, so should be intuitive. Voice control gets a major upgrade, too, using Amazon Alexa+ tech for more conversational responses and better access to cloud services.
BMW also says up to seven users can store their own profiles through a BMW ID, with settings for displays, seats, media, and more. So yes, your car now knows your name, your favorite songs, and probably your preferred ambient lighting color.
Powertrain
Underneath all the flashy design language and digital fireworks, the hardware is deadly serious. For now we’re only getting details on one model, the i3 50 xDrive, whose spec closely mirrors that of the iX3 xDrive50. That means dual motors, one on each axle, good for a combined 463 hp (469 PS / 345 kW) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque.
You’ll no doubt be pleased to hear that the rear axle does most of the heavy lifting with an electrically excited synchronous motor, while the front gets an asynchronous motor to help with traction and overall efficiency. BMW says this combo cuts energy losses, reduces weight, and lowers manufacturing costs compared with the old setup.
More importantly, BMW keeps talking about how this car should drive. The new Heart of Joy control system manages drive, brakes, some steering functions, and recuperation, and supposedly reacts 10 times faster than previous systems. It sounds overly tech but BMW says it makes the car feel sharper, more predictable, and more natural on the move. There’s also a new five-link rear axle, standard stroke-dependent dampers, anti-roll bars with highly preloaded bearings, and an optional adaptive suspension setup.
Battery, Range, Charging
The i3 uses BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive setup, with an 800-volt architecture, cylindrical battery cells, and cell-to-pack construction. That means better energy density, flatter packaging, and up to an excellent 440 EPA miles (708 km) or 559 WLTP ones (900 km) on its preliminary test numbers. DC fast charging tops out at 400 kW, which is seriously punchy, allowing you at add 249 miles (400 km) in just 10 minutes.
And like any self-respecting modern EV, the i3 gets bidirectional charging, so it can power appliances, help run a house, or send energy back to the grid. The charging flap even opens automatically when the car figures out you’re approaching a charger, and closes again by itself once you’ve finished charging. BMW’s route planning also factors in charging stops, station availability, costs, and nearby amenities. And in case wondering, yes, there’s a small frunk for a charging cable, but not much else.
When Can I Get One?
Production of the i3 starts in Munich in August, with first deliveries of MY27 cars beginning this fall. It’s one of the most important launches in BMW’s next wave, and not just because it’s electric. It’s also the first true EV version of one of the brand’s core nameplates, which gives it a lot more symbolic weight than your average new model reveal.
And the rollout doesn’t end here. More affordable single-motor models, plus more powerful M Performance ones, will follow, as will Touring wagons and combustion versions of the same. BMW is even working on the first ever electric M3. The 3-Series has never undergone such a radical transformation, and this eighth-generation car is bound to generate hate as well as love. Which side are you on?
Hundreds of plants are protected by the Endangered Species Act, but moss is an underdog. There's only one type that has federal protection, but a group of scientists wants to change that.
A Maryland electric utility is launching a pilot program designed to help school districts overcome one of the biggest barriers to adopting electric school buses: Upfront costs.
The Maryland Public Service Commission approved a plan by Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy serving about 285,000 customers in Maryland, to implement an $11.1 million electric school bus pilot program. The initiative will help fund the deployment of up to 28 electric school buses within the utility’s service territory.
The program comes as Maryland advances its transition to zero-emission transportation under the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, which requires public school systems to purchase zero-emission vehicles.
The law states that county school boards must only enter into new contracts to purchase or operate zero-emissions school buses, or otherwise electric school buses. Districts may seek exemptions if zero-emission buses cannot meet operational needs, such as route length, or if sufficient funding is not available to cover the higher upfront costs.
The EV transition is not without its challenges. Montgomery County Public Schools, the largest school district in Maryland and an early national leader in school bus electrification, recently requested approval to purchase about 140 new diesel buses to meet immediate transportation needs. According to local news reports, district officials said current electric bus technology and fleet availability have not fully met operational demands for longer routes, field trips and midday service. These reasons prompted the temporary return to conventional buses while the district continues to evaluate its long-term electrification strategy.
Funding Aims to Incentivize Zero-Emissions Adoption
Meanwhile, Potomac Edison is supporting the electric shift by covering the cost difference between diesel and electric school buses, up to $250,000 per vehicle. It is also paying for the cost of charging infrastructure and any required electrical upgrades.
In addition to financial incentives, the program will provide school districts with technical and administrative support for planning and installing charging equipment and training personnel responsible for operating the buses.
The pilot will also test V2G technology. Utilities and policymakers have increasingly pointed to V2G as a way EVs could support grid reliability while vehicles sit idle between routes. Successful use cases have been slow to proliferate throughout the industry, but recent developments point to more achievable success with V2G.
“This program is designed to help make the EV transition more practical and affordable,” said Jim Myers, FirstEnergy’s president of West Virginia and Maryland. “We’re reducing upfront costs and offering hands-on support to help school systems integrate electric buses smoothly.”
A 38-year-old man already facing charges in a separate case is accused of pointing what appeared to be a long gun at a school bus transporting nine children in southern Minnesota, reported Fox 9.
According to the news report, police charged Alex Jeffrey Wolters with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and threats of violence following the March 5 incident in Faribault.
Police said officers received a report around 7:40 a.m. from a school bus aide who claimed they saw a man brandishing a gun. Investigators later identified the man as Wolters.
Law enforcement officials reviewed video from the school bus that showed the aide reacting after spotting the object. The bus was transporting nine children at the time of the incident. Authorities arrested Wolters several hours later.
During a post-Miranda interview, Wolters denied pointing anything at the bus but acknowledged he had been in his home garage that morning. He told police he had been working on an insulation project and went into the garage to retrieve an item. Officers later found a copper tube and black plastic tubing in the home’s attic that, when combined, resembled a long gun.
Police also spoke with Wolters’ father, who allowed investigators to inspect two-gun safes inside the home. Authorities said one safe appeared to have been tampered with since the father said he last used it. Another safe appeared partially opened but remained locked.
The complaint states the tampered safe contained several rifles, shotguns and a pistol, while the other safe held two pellet rifles.
Court records indicate Wolters was already on pretrial supervision in a separate 2025 case involving threats of violence. He allegedly threatened to “murder everyone” in a local apartment building, saying he would go to a police station and “kill the police.”
We examine the impact of the war in Iran and Clean School Bus program updates on district fuel choices, as well as a Pennsylvania school bus driver arrested after driving over 50 students while intoxicated.
We are joined by Nate Springer, vice president of market development at TRC Companies, the presenter of the upcoming Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) EXPO. He unpacks the reasoning behind various fuel choices available to school districts today and funding options amid changes to the Clean School Bus program.
Volvo will discontinue the EX30 in the U.S. after the 2026 model year.
Tariffs, tax-credit changes, and slowing EV demand likely sealed its fate.
Small electric SUV will remain on sale in Canada, Mexico, and other markets.
Volvo is suffering a new setback as the short-lived EX30 is leaving the USA after this model year. The automaker confirmed the news that will see both the normal and Cross Country versions of the electric crossover exit the U.S just two years after launch. Meanwhile, Volvo will continue selling it in Mexico and Canada, which makes the reasoning behind the decision easier to piece together.
On paper, the EX30 made a lot of sense. It was positioned as Volvo’s most affordable EV, starting at just over $40,000, with up to 422 horsepower in dual-motor form and EPA range estimates of around 253–261 miles depending on configuration. It was quick, stylish, and small enough to appeal to urban buyers who didn’t need a full-size electric SUV.
In reality, the U.S. market just wasn’t ready for it. The EX30 is tied to a Chinese-built EV architecture like the one used in the Zeekr X. That complicated life for Volvo when President Trump enacted steep tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles. Volvo shifted U.S. supply to Belgium to get around the issue, only to end up hit by more tariffs later on.
At the same time, Trump killed the EV tax credit for imported vehicles and then all vehicles. Sales reflected that change. Volvo shifted just over 5,400 EX30s in the U.S. during 2025. A Volvo spokesperson confirmed the situation to The Drive, saying it is “a thorough evaluation of our business and operational strategies and is a direct response to shifting market conditions and financial factors.”
Importantly, Volvo isn’t backing away from electrification overall. The brand will continue selling the EX40 and EX90 in the U.S., and the upcoming EX60 is still likely coming later this year. The EX30 didn’t flop in America because it was a bad car. It just ended up being launched at the worst time possible for a small, imported EV. Most automakers worldwide would struggle with such a task, and it’s why so many have changed their EV plans.
The Chinese brand will start building the B10 in Spain, likely in Zaragoza.
Leapmotor’s global exports surged almost 400 percent last year.
Stellantis and Leapmotor are also eager to deepen the EV collaboration.
After a misstep last year in building its T03 electric city car in Poland, Leapmotor is on track to start building EVs elsewhere in Europe, this time in Spain. This will be a hugely important part of the company’s global expansion, particularly in Western markets, which has intensified since Stellantis took a major stake in it.
Leapmotor is expected to use the current Zaragoza plant operated by Stellantis, starting with the all-electric B10 from October according to the latest reports. This model is already available in Europe, but is currently being imported from China. The smaller B05 hatchback could also be built in Spain from as early as 2027.
Last year proved to be a pivotal one for the brand. Its global exports surged almost 400 percent, reaching 67,052 units, up from 13,726 in 2024. The Chinese brand’s expansion into Europe also saw local revenue jump 479 percent in 2025 compared to the year prior, hitting 5.6 billion yuan or $810 million.
Perhaps most impressive is the fact that Leapmotor posted a 538 million yuan ($78 million) net profit last year, making it just the second Chinese EV startup to post a full-year profit.
With Leapmotor now stronger than ever, it has acknowledged it is “actively exploring” cooperation on cars and components with Stellantis, and is already having in-depth discussions on many important projects, Auto News reports.
Speaking on an earnings call, Leapmotor chief financial officer Li Tengfei said that a closer partnership with Stellantis will enable it to better navigate European regulations and tariff exemptions. As Bloomberg notes, establishing closer ties with Stellantis would also provide Leapmotor with more overseas opportunities, while enabling Stellantis to realize significant savings in developing new EVs by leveraging Leap’s existing EV technology.
Congress is set to take up a new surface transportation bill.
EV owners could be looking at new fees to fund road repairs.
A number of states have already increased costs for EV drivers.
The war on electric vehicles continues in Washington as the House of Representatives will reportedly begin work on a new bill that could cost owners hundreds of dollars. It’s the latest in a series of legislative moves aimed at getting EV drivers to pay for road repairs.
Most of this maintenance is funded by taxes on gasoline or diesel. While this worked great for decades, electric vehicles have essentially been getting a free pass. Congress is now looking at ways to close the loop hole, like an increasing number of state governments.
According to Reuters, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has revealed they’ll be taking up a new surface transportation bill in April, which is designed to replace the current law that expires on September 30.
While it’s not clear what will be in the bill, Rep. Sam Graves recently revealed we can expect a new five year proposal that includes $500 to $550 billion in federal funding. More interestingly, he said “We would like to get money from EVs.”
The publication noted there have been competing Republican proposals to tax EVs as the House sought annual fees of $250, while Senators favored a one-time fee of $1,000.
Some people aren’t happy with those proposals, especially considering fuel taxes have remained unchanged for nearly 33 years. However, even suggesting raising the gas tax would likely be a non-starter as prices have soared following the war on Iran.
That effectively leaves EVs as an easy target and their market share pales in comparison to gas-powered vehicles. That being said, some politicians have been pushing to tax electrified vehicles as well, so EVs might not be the only victim.
It remains unclear how this will shake out, especially as we’re heading into an election year where the cost of living will be a key issue. That being said, the average American reportedly pays $88 per year in federal gas taxes.
The Verge’s motorcycle has an 18 kWh capacity and supports fast charging.
A recent test shows the Donut Lab battery sitting at over 100 kW while charging.
Crucially, the motorcycle’s battery is air-cooled, rather than being liquid-cooled.
Electric motorcycles haven’t gained widespread acceptance to the same extent as electric cars. However, with solid-state battery packs now just around the corner, the motorbike industry is on the precipice of a revolution, one which could be led by Verge Motorcycles and Finnish firm Donut Lab.
Verge unveiled its new TS Pro electric two-wheeler earlier this year, promising up to 186 miles (299 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes when plugged into a 200 kW NACS charger. Eager to show the world just how quickly the bike can charge, Donut Lab conducted a live test at a public charging station as part of the company’s ongoing series to address the critics.
The model from Verge Motorcycles in this test is a previous-generation model that’s been upgraded with the latest Donut Lab battery pack. It has a capacity of 18 kWh, and the test showed peak charging rates of over 100 kW, allowing it to charge from 10-70 percent in a touch over 9 minutes, and then 10-80 percent in 12 minutes.
According to Donut Lab, the battery pack charges three times faster than Verge’s previous-generation pack. On the surface, having a battery pack that charges at a touch over 100 kW may not seem very impressive, particularly compared to some 1,500 kW charging systems being deployed by Chinese brands like BYD, Geely, and Zeekr.
An Air-Cooled Battery
However, it’s important to note that electric cars capable of extraordinarily fast charging use liquid cooling systems to prevent the battery pack from overheating. By comparison, Verge’s battery is air-cooled, which is why the charging rates aren’t as high. Donut Lab also says its battery will charge more quickly once Verge fully optimizes it.
“This is the first test we have published to a wider audience that demonstrates the performance and behaviour of multiple battery cells in a real vehicle environment,” Donut Lab chief technology officer Ville Piippo said. “The high energy density of our battery technology enables flexible battery pack design and superior performance even in more challenging applications, such as motorcycles, where space is limited and system simplicity is key.”
The 2027 Range Rover Velar has been spied inside and out.
Interior sports an all-new dash and infotainment system.
EV adopts a sleek design focused on improved aerodynamics.
Spy photographers have caught the redesigned Range Rover Velar on multiple occasions, but now they’ve gotten a glimpse inside too. This reveals a number of changes and things aren’t exactly looking luxurious.
Drivers sit behind a new two-spoke steering wheel, which features a horizontal bar decked out in digital buttons. More notably, traditional control stalks have been replaced by stubby, wing-like appendages.
Elsewhere, we can see a flat dashboard with a freestanding digital instrument cluster. It looks relatively small compared to the 12.3-inch displays found in many vehicles.
Further below, we can see what appears to be a full-width air vent. It’s joined by a new infotainment system, which features a squared off display. The bottom has a band dedicated to climate controls and shortcuts, suggesting physical switchgear will be kept to a minimum.
None of this looks particularly luxurious, but the cabin is largely covered by camouflage. As a result, there could be Windsor leather and wood trim hiding out of sight.
SHProshots
Putting the interior aside, the Velar adopts a sleek new design that puts an emphasis on aerodynamics. Starting up front, there’s a fully enclosed grille that is flanked by slender headlights. They’re joined by a clamshell hood and a wide lower intake.
The former meets a rakish windscreen, which flows into an angular roof. While there had been speculation about the model potentially eschewing a rear window like the Polestar 4, a gap in the disguise clearly shows one.
That’s a good call and so is the streamlined bodywork and aerodynamically optimized wheels. Rounding out the highlights are flush-mounted door handles, a rear charging port, and a rounded rump.
The Velar will ride on the electrified modular architecture and be built at the company’s Halewood plant in the United Kingdom. Land Rover has been coy on specifications, but the model could echo the Range Rover EV, which will have a 117 kWh battery pack as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing 542 hp (404 kW / 550 PS) and 627 lb-ft (849 Nm) of torque.
Tesla has delayed the Roadster again, now aiming for a late-April 2026 demo.
EV clashes with Tesla’s push toward steering-wheel-free autonomous vehicles.
After a decade of hype, the Roadster feels increasingly out of step with its future.
Sit down for this, because it might shake everything you thought you knew. The Tesla Roadster is delayed once again. Now that you’ve recovered from the shock of this news, let it be known that this time the delay is only a few weeks beyond the previous demo date of April 1. Every day that Tesla waits to bring this car to production, the less it makes sense, and that seems to be the viewpoint of the automaker itself.
CEO Elon Musk confirmed the latest delay on his social media platform X, writing in part, “New Roadster unveil probably in late April.” That moves it back from April 1, itself already a revision after missing earlier targets in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and “late 2025.” Still, Musk insists it will be “a banger next-level.”
The second-generation Roadster has been pushed back so many times that its timeline now spans multiple presidential administrations, several Tesla product cycles, and an entire industry shift toward autonomy. At this stage, it’s starting to get really weird.
Musk and Tesla executives have hyped the Roadster as the “last best driver’s car,” a halo vehicle meant to prove EVs can outperform anything with pistons. Of course, plenty of EVs have come and gone that already made that point (at least on drag strips or shorter race tracks). The kicker is that while Tesla has delayed this car over and over and over again, its own view of the future has dramatically shifted.
The company is betting heavily on fully autonomous vehicles, including the upcoming Cybercab, which could, in theory, arrive without a steering wheel or pedals at all. That’s the way Tesla initially pitched it before regulations dampened that possibility. That creates a strange contradiction.
On one hand, Tesla says the future doesn’t require human drivers. On the other hand, it’s still teasing a six-figure performance car built entirely around the idea that driving engagement matters. At this rate, it likely doesn’t show up in production form until Tesla actually masters Full Self-Driving (Unsupervised).
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