We would like to extend our congratulations to this year’s APAC Cleantech 25 awardees. In recent years, we have covered in detail the...
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BYD has launched a pair of new EVs in China underpinned by its innovative new Super e-Platform. Although BYD seems to release a new EV every other week, the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV are particularly significant because they promise charging times almost on par with filling up an ICE-engined car with gas. If the automaker’s charging speed claims are accurate, the Han L and Tang L could solve one of the last remaining headaches of EV ownership.
The Super e-Platform is a 1000-volt architecture and was only announced back in March. In the case of the Han L sedan, all versions of it use an 83.2 kWh Blade battery, while the Tang L has a larger 100.5 kWh pack. According to BYD, the Han L can charge from 10-70% in just 6 minutes. Yes, that’s not a typo: six minutes. It can also gain 248 miles (400 km) of range in five minutes and takes just 20 minutes to charge the battery from 0-100%.
Read: BYD’s New 1,000 kW EVs Fill Up As Fast As Gas Cars
The Tang L EV also benefits from stupendous charging speeds. It can get 230 miles (370 km) over range in 5 minutes and needs just 30 minutes to charge from 0-100%. Admittedly, these charging speeds can only be achieved when using one of BYD’s new 1,000 kW fast chargers that were also unveiled in March. The company wants to install 4,000 of these chargers across China, but has not provided a timeline of when they’ll be available.
Prices for the Tang L start at 219,800 yuan (~$30,000) for the LiDAR Premium model and increase to 239,800 yuan or (~$32,700) for the LiDAR Flagship. Both of these versions have a 671 hp and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) electric motor driving the rear wheels and can travel up to 436 miles (701 km) on a single charge. Those seeking even more performance can opt for the AWD LiDAR Flagship for 279,800 yuan (~$38,100). It has dual electric motors with 778 hp and 373 miles (601 km) of CLTC range.
Three versions of the BYD Tang L have also been announced, and prices vary between 229,800 yuan (~$31,200) and 289,900 yuan (~$39,400). It easily outmuscles the sedan, with the base rear-wheel drive packing 788 hp and the dual-motor AWD version rated at 1,100 hp. Depending on the specification, local media quotes driving ranges between 348 miles (560 km) and 416 miles (670 km).
Luxury carmakers have long tried to turn their vehicles into lifestyle statements, and Cadillac is leaning all the way in with a dining experience that’s more indulgence than transportation. The all-electric Escalade IQ is already one of the most luxurious SUVs on the market, and now Cadillac wants to show just how plush it really is.
Read: Cadillac Projects EVs Will Make Up 35% Of Its Sales This Year
To do that, the brand is expanding its “Cadillac of Reservations” experience, an upscale backseat dinner where guests are served a high-end meal inside the IQ.
Most of us have probably only ever eaten fast food in our cars, but Cadillac doesn’t expect its customers to chow down on a Big Mac. Instead, it’s partnered with high-end restaurants in Beverly Hills, Miami, and San Francisco, to serve up five-course dinners using the IQ’s stowable tray tables.
It sounds like an odd idea, but there’s something appealing about eating a fancy meal in the back of a Cadillac SUV, with the seats reclined, the massage and heated functions turned out, and the AKG 40-speaker sound system pumping a special song for each dish. It’s certainly much more private than eating at a packed-out restaurant.
The Cadillac of Reservations experience was first launched in New York City with COQODAQ where the restaurant’s famed fried signature was served up. On April 24, April 25, and April 26, the experience moves to Beverly Hills, thanks to La Dolce Vita, an Italian-American restaurant frequented by Hollywood A-listers. There will be just three seatings per night for parties of two, with reservations open through Resy.com later this month.
Next Stops: Miami and San Francisco
Following the Beverly Hills stop, the rolling restaurant heads to Miami in early summer. There, Cadillac teams up with COTE, a restaurant that blends Korean barbecue with American steakhouse style. In late summer, the tour wraps up in San Francisco, where State Bird Provisions will take over the backseat kitchen duties. The restaurant describes itself as adventurous and modern American.
For as perfect as the Cadillac Escalade IQ is to host a premium dining experience, the new Escalade IQL would perhaps be even better as it’s 4.2 inches (107 mm) longer than the standard model.
If you’re still intrigued—and honestly, who wouldn’t be at least a little curious about a five-course meal served in an electric SUV—here’s when you’ll be able to make a reservation:
We bet you’ve never heard of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Chances are, though, that you’ve either heard or read about Foxconn, the Taiwanese tech giant that builds iPhones for Apple – and the former is its official name.
Another thing you’re probably aware of, if you’ve been paying any attention to car-related news, is that tech companies are not content with making smartphones and laptops anymore and are actively engaging in the automotive business now that EVs have taken off. Which, in a way, makes perfect sense as traditional automakers are trying to outdo each other by offering lots of advanced tech in their new vehicles.
Foxconn Ready To Build A Range Of EVs
Since customers are more interested in things like advanced infotainment systems and electrification sort of levels the playing field between newcomers and established players in the car game, the likes of Xiaomi, Huawei, and even Sony decided to take advantage of that.
Foxconn recently made headlines as one of the parties interested in Nissan, which is in serious trouble. The Japanese company though would rather get in bed with fellow manufacturer Honda, but the proposed merger eventually fell through.
Enter Jun Seki, a Foxconn top executive who also happens to be Nissan’s former COO after then CEO Carlos Ghosn was ousted from the company and prosecuted by Japanese authorities. Seki said that Foxconn already has what it takes to build a range of EVs. They will initially be manufactured in Taiwan and shipped around the world, but the company can also produce them locally to cater to each market’s demands.
US-Market EVs Will Be Built Locally
“It is right to make them in the market where they are sold”, Seki said according to Autonews. “But it is inefficient without a certain number of units, so we are making them in Taiwan now as a transitional measure.”
This is a wise strategy, especially when it comes to the US, which is the world’s second biggest market after China. With Trump’s new tariffs shaking up the industry and making imported cars pricier than ever, forcing a number of established brands to suspend their shipments as they scramble to formulate a new strategy, a newcomer with no customer base has no choice but to manufacture its vehicles locally if it wants to be competitive.
Foxconn already builds the Model C midsize crossover that’s sold its home market since December 2023 as the Luxgen N7. Its global expansion, though, will start with the Model B minivan that’ll be launched in Taiwan in the second half of the year and will be sold in Australia with the badges of a Japanese brand that’s believed to be Mitsubishi. However, in the fourth quarter it plans to import the Model C in the US for customers to try out, and in 2027 it will introduce the stylish Model D minivan.
Teaming Up With The Japanese Would Be Ideal
After the negotiations between Honda and Nissan ended, Foxconn reportedly proposed an alliance between itself, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi, touting its expertise in cutting-edge technology as a key advantage for the automakers’ future models.
Seki admitted that Foxconn is working with Mitsubishi, but wouldn’t elaborate on the matter. He did, however, state that Japanese brands make for great partners due to their focus on quality. “Japanese carmakers are careful planners, and we understand that but are also very fast,” Seki said. “We can do things faster while understanding Japanese prudence.”
Moreover, Seki made it clear that Foxconn won’t launch the EVs it will build under its own name. Rather, following the example of its electronics division, it will manufacture them for other brands, just like the iPhone, thus it won’t be seen as a competitor but a valuable partner.
Momentum continues to build for the Shanghai Auto Show as Volkswagen will use the event to introduce three new concepts. They’ll highlight the company’s “In China, for China” strategy and be presented by their Chinese joint ventures.
The company didn’t go into many specifics, but confirmed there will be two crossovers. One will be an EV from Volkswagen Anhui, while the other is a B-segment SUV with a range-extended powertrain from SAIC Volkswagen. Rounding out the lineup is an electric notchback from FAW-Volkswagen.
More: ID. Every1 Concept Previews VW’s Cheapest EV
The teasers aren’t very revealing, but they suggests the models will have slender headlights that are connected by an illuminated bar. That’s not much to go on, but the company said the concepts will embody their new “China DNA – both in terms of technology and design and in relation to development time, which has been cut by more than 30 percent.”
Speaking of the latter, Volkswagen confirmed the concepts preview upcoming production models. These will be launched starting next year.
Volkswagen’s design boss Andreas Mindt said, “We have adapted our established European design values – stability, likability and the ‘secret sauce’ – to the Chinese market. The result is a design philosophy that honors the heritage of our brand while at the same time reflecting the desires and expectations of a new generation of customers in China.”
His sentiments were echoed by Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schäfer who said, “Our aim is to remain the leading international automaker in China. We have everything that it takes to be successful: shorter development times, strong partners, sophisticated local development, production and infrastructure as well as the right products and innovations for our Chinese customers.”
For years, the idea of an affordable, mass-market electric vehicle has hovered just out of reach—a promised revolution that never quite arrived. That could finally be changing, and not from where you might expect. Henry Ford is credited with making automobiles available to the masses at the beginning of the 20th century. Now, if the latest reports are accurate, Jeff Bezos wants to do the same with electric vehicles.
More: Amazon Could Have Saved Self-Driving Startup Argo AI, But It Backed Out
The $25,000 EV has long been touted as the model that would finally convince buyers to go electric and ditch ICE-powered cars once and for all. Despite all the promises made by various brands, no such thing has materialized yet in the US. However, that may soon change.
Slate Auto: A New Player With Familiar Backing
According to a recent report by TechCrunch, Bezos is investing in Troy, Michigan-based EV startup Slate Auto, which plans to build a two-seat electric truck that will have a $25,000 starting price. The company was founded in 2022 out of the Amazon founder’s investment in another company called Re:Build Manufacturing, and is relatively unknown, especially compared to other high-profile start-ups.
Nevertheless, it has reportedly being hiring a number of employees in Detroit, among them from legacy automakers like GM, Ford, and Stellantis, as well as not-so-successful startups such as Fisker and Canoo. According to its LinkedIn page, as of April 8 it has between 201-500 employees and 334 associated members.
A Throwback-Inspired Future Vehicle
Details about the planned pickup truck understandably remain under wraps, although TechCrunch claims insiders told them it is inspired by affordable icons of the automotive industry like the Ford Model T and the VW Beetle.
More: Elon Musk Calls Jeff Bezos A Copycat After Amazon’s Zoox Acquisition
Elon Musk might have gotten there much earlier, but Bezos also became involved in the electric vehicle space, and Amazon is backing Rivian big time. In fact, it has so far invested more than $1.3 billion into the EV maker, which has signed a deal to supply the retail giant with delivery vans.
It’s not just Amazon that Slate Auto relies on, though, as it reportedly secured at least $111 million in a Series A funding round in 2023. More recently, it told its employees at the end of 2024 that it has also secured Series B investments, although this hasn’t been officially filed with the SEC yet.
Production Plans on the Horizon
Slate Auto intends to commence production of its EV by late 2026. The new model will manufactured at a plant outside Indianapolis, Indiana, although it’s not clear whether it’s an all-new factory or if the brand has purchased an existing facility.
Smart has introduced the #5 Brabus, ahead of its launch at the Shanghai Auto Show later this month. It’s a high-performance electric crossover that will be offered in several markets outside of North America.
Set to become Smart’s range-topper, the #5 Brabus follows in the footsteps of the regular model but adopts unique 21-inch monoblock wheels with a two-tone finish. We can also see red brake calipers, red accents, and a ton of Brabus badging.
More: Smart’s New #5 Compact SUV Isn’t Coming To The US And That’s A Mistake
The interior is high-tech and luxurious, as there’s a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and dual 13-inch displays. Drivers will also find an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with illuminated Brabus lettering.
Elsewhere, there are microfiber and Dinamica seats with red contrast stitching. They sport heating and ventilation up front as well as heating out back.
Rounding out the highlights are a panoramic glass roof, a microfiber headliner, and sporty pedals. Customers will also find red seat belts, a 256-color ambient lighting system, and a 20-speaker Sennheiser Signature audio system with more than 2,000 watts of power.
Smart didn’t release detailed specifications, but confirmed the crossover has a 100 kWh battery pack that feeds an all-wheel drive system with a combined 637 hp (475 kW / 646 PS). This enables the hot Smart to rocket from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.8 seconds and claim a WLTP range of 336 miles (540 km). That’s faster than a BMW M3, and there’s even a Brabus mode featuring simulated engine sounds to “further enhance the driving experience.”
When the battery is low, customers can take advantage of the crossover’s 400 kW DC fast charging capability. It enables the battery to go from a 10% to 80% charge in as little as 18 minutes.
The Smart #5 Brabus will go up for order in Germany on April 24, and pricing starts at €60,900 ($66,850). UK orders are slated to begin in the fourth quarter, although there’s no word on pricing there yet.
Tesla’s sales sank alarmingly in Q1, falling 13 percent to 337,000, a fact that on its own would be enough to make Volkswagen’s German execs crack a wry smile. But what they’ll really have them bro-hugging in Wolfsburg is knowing that Tesla’s misfortune is almost certainly linked to VW posting record EV sales figures over the same period.
Related: Tesla’s European Sales Have Collapsed, Down 45% As EV Market Surges 31%
Sales of fully-electric VW Group vehicles jumped 59 percent in the first three months of the year, reaching 216,800 compared with 136,400 in Q1 2024. By comparison, Tesla reported 336,681 deliveries in the same period, down 13 percent from last year. But even that success is dwarfed by what happened in Europe.
EV Momentum in Europe
EV sales there exploded by 113 percent to 158,100, up from just 74,400 a year earlier, no doubt helped by widespread dislike of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, particularly in Germany, where Musk came out in support of the far-right AfD party. A poll last month found 94 percent of Germans wouldn’t buy a Tesla due to the CEO’s antics. That sentiment appears to be hitting where it hurts: in Q1, Tesla’s sales in Germany plummeted 62 percent compared to the same period last year.
Strong Gains in the US, Trouble in China
US sales also grew significantly, Americans taking home 19,900 EVs, representing a 51 percent increase. But there was bad news from China where EV sales plummeted 37 percent to 25,900 units. And although the global EV sales result is definitely worth celebrating, it ought to be viewed in the context of the sales of vehicles of all power types.
| Deliveries | Q1-25 | Q1-24 | Diff. |
| Europe | 158,100 | 74,400 | +112.6% |
| USA | 19,900 | 13,200 | +51.0% |
| China | 25,900 | 41,000 | -36.8% |
| Rest of the world | 12,800 | 7,800 | +63.7% |
| World | 216,800 | 136,400 | +58.9% |
That number did improve, but only by 1.4 percent to 2.13 million units, the decline in demand for combustion cars offset by both the surge in demand for EVs and a 15 percent uptick in PHEV sales. Overall sales in China were down 7 percent, the only region to see a fall.
VW’s Top-Selling EVs
VW’s best-selling EV globally was the ID.4/ID.5, which racked up 43,700 sales, followed by the ID.3 hatch with 28,100 deliveries. Audi’s Q4 e-tron – a reskinned ID.4 – placed third with 22,800 sales, the Skoda Enyaq found 20,200 buyers and VW’s ID.7 scored 19,100 sales.
Porsche’s Macan Electric only ranked seventh with 14,200 sales but since it wasn’t on sale in Q1 2024 its appearance in this year’s Q1 helped Porsche’s EV deliveries jump by 326 percent.
| Deliveries | Q1-25 | Q1-24 | Diff. |
| Brand Group Core | 151,400 | 96,200 | +57.5% |
| VW Passenger Cars | 95,200 | 68,200 | +39.6% |
| Skoda | 27,000 | 14,000 | +93.3% |
| SEAT/CUPRA | 18,600 | 7,000 | +167.4% |
| VW Commercial | 10,700 | 7,100 | +51.1% |
| Brand Group Progressive | 46,400 | 35,600 | +30.1% |
| Audi | 46,400 | 35,600 | +30.1% |
| Bentley | – | – | – |
| Lamborghini | – | – | – |
| Brand Group Sport Luxury | 18,400 | 4,300 | +326.4% |
| Porsche | 18,400 | 4,300 | +326.4% |
| Brand Group Trucks / TRATON | 600 | 300 | +94.9% |
| MAN | 380 | 140 | +178.5% |
| VW Truck & Bus | 50 | 80 | -39.5% |
| Scania | 100 | 50 | +121.3% |
| International | 90 | 60 | +53.6% |
| VW Group Total | 216,800 | 136,400 | +58.9% |
Kia’s EV rollout shows no sign of slowing down, and the automaker isn’t scared to push into segments it’s never played in before, including electric trucks. The Korean company confirmed that it would launch an electric pickup in North America, and it should be here within the next couple of years.
Related: Kia Confirms First Midsize Pickup For America
Trucks are consistently some of the best-selling vehicles in the US, and although Kia doesn’t have any on sale in America, it recently revealed the aesthetically-challenged Tasman that’s already earmarked for sale in Australia, another nation of truck lovers.
Skipping the Tasman, Straight to EV
But it looks like Kia isn’t interested in bringing the Ford Ranger-rivaling Tasman to the US, and will instead jump straight into the electric pickup market with an entirely different truck. We already knew, thanks to a spy video captured last year by Kindel Auto, that an EV was in development, with the prototype showing a more conventional Kia front-end design, and intel suggesting body-on-frame construction.
No details on its size were given today, but Kia CEO Ho Sung Song had previously expressed a desire to sell a mid-size truck to the US – one that would be built in the US, probably at Hyundai’s Georgia plant, to avoid both the older Chicken tax on imported light trucks and Trumps new import tariffs. Hyundai should get its own version of the pickup.
Kia’s statement says the pickup will be built on a new platform and be ‘designed for both urban and outdoor use.’ It described the model as ‘innovative,’ claiming it would have best-in-class interior and cargo space, a ‘robust’ towing system, be capable off road and have advanced media and safety systems.
Big Goals in a Small Market
Kia says its long-term goal is 90,000 annual sales and a 7 percent market share of the overall truck market. Ford only sold 7,187 examples of the F-150 Lightning in Q1, and Tesla shifted fewer than 12,000 Cybertrucks, so Kia is really aiming high with its new electric hauler.
But electric pickup choices are few and far between, and there are literally no options for anyone wanting a midsize or smaller electric truck, meaning Kia could be shooting at an open goal if it gets the thing to market quickly.
But how quickly it’ll come, Kia didn’t say. Based on last year’s spy shots, we’d say a 2026 or 2027 debut looks realistic. We’re hoping it has some of the butch attitude of the new Tasman Weekender revealed this week (pictured below), but we’re still not sure about that face.
Tesla’s Cybertruck rollout has been full of surprises, most of them frustrating. Among the more puzzling was the $16,000 Range Extender, which was supposed to significantly boost the truck’s underwhelming driving range. To reserve it, customers had to put down a $2,000 non-refundable deposit. That’s a lot of money for a product that may no longer exist as the option appears to have now vanished from Tesla’s online configurator.
While there’s been no official statement about the option being scrapped for good, Tesla has a long history of quietly dropping features and adjusting pricing with little to no warning. For anyone who put money down expecting that extra range, this isn’t great news.
Read: Tesla Delays Cybertruck Range Extender Battery To “Mid-2025”
The Range Extender always seemed a little odd. For $16,000, Cybertruck owners could get an auxiliary battery pack that would take up nearly half the truck bed. It was intended for those who found the stock range too limiting, never mind the compromise in utility.
Tesla never publicized the battery capacity of this pack, only promising it would boost the dual motor’s range from 340 miles (547 km) to 445+ miles. It was also going to increase the tri-motor Cybertruck’s range from 320 miles (515 km) to 440 miles (708 km). The company even opened reservations, asking buyers for a $2,000 non-refundable deposit.
Big And Heavy
Some estimates suggested the Range Extender pack would need a capacity of around 47 kWh to bump up the truck’s range so significantly. That’s a similar-sized battery to some small EVs on the market, and the pack may have weighed upwards of 600 lbs (272 kg). If that were the case, it would need to be professionally installed by a Tesla center, and would not be something that owners could easily fit and remove if they were planning any long road trips.
Tesla initially planned to launch the battery in early 2025, but in October last year, it pushed back that launch until mid-2025. That time is now fast approaching, and the Range Extender is nowhere to be seen.
Nissan is plotting its return as a serious contender in the EV space, this time with a new electric vehicle platform aimed at supporting a broader lineup. The architecture could underpin up to five new models, including crossovers, sedans, and possibly even a lightweight pickup truck. In news likely to please American buyers—especially in light of Trump’s sweeping tariffs on imports—all of them will be built in the United States.
Read: 25% Tariff Just Killed These Infiniti Models For Americans
Nissan’s product planning chief for the Americas, Ponz Pandikuthira, says the new platform will focus on compact and adjacent segments, laying the groundwork for more efficient and accessible EVs. It’s designed to accommodate the company’s next-generation electric motors and will use more affordable lithium-ion battery packs, promising faster charging times compared to what Nissan currently offers.
“The platform’s versatility and Nissan’s factory capacity in the US open the door to partnership opportunities with another OEM to lower manufacturing costs,” Pandikuthira told Auto News . Such a collaboration could allow Nissan and a potential partner to share development costs and scale production more effectively
Crossovers Take Priority
The Japanese company had initially planned to launch two all-electric sedans using this new platform to replace the Maxima and Altima. However, due to market demands, it’s changed its plans, and the platform will now debut beneath the skin of two crossovers from Nissan and Infiniti. Pandikuthira told Autonews that at least one of these models would launch in 2028, but demand will dictate if the Nissan model or the Infiniti is released first.
“The C-segment in the crossover space is the ideal starting point for us,” Pandikuthira said. “As a brand, it’s also our strength.”
Both crossovers will be assembled at Nissan’s plant in Canton, Mississippi. The Nissan-branded crossover is said to have a “brawny” shape with similarities to the Xterra crossover, whereas the Infiniti will adopt a more refined styling.
Is an Electric Pickup Coming?
There’s also talk of a compact electric pickup. While the project hasn’t been green-lit yet, Nissan is considering a unibody construction and a possible market entry around 2030. It would target what Pandikuthira describes as a growing segment of buyers looking for capable yet eco-conscious lifestyle vehicles.
“There’s a growing niche of people who want an adventure vehicle but are environmentally conscious and don’t want to take a V-8 off into the woods,” he said. “Do you have 100,000 of those willing to buy a Nissan electric truck? Doubtful. But that segment could grow, and we are keeping an eye on that.”
EV Sedans Still in Limbo
As for the remaining vehicles planned for the platform, Nissan is less certain. The company acknowledges that its strategy around electric sedans remains unsettled. Launching an affordable one could prove difficult, and premium sedans don’t align with Nissan’s core brand positioning.
“Premium sedans are not our niche,” Pandikuthira admitted. “If the [electric] sedans start at $45,000-plus … you’re not in the core of the sedan market anymore.”
With demand for electric sedans lagging, Nissan may keep the current Altima in production through the end of 2027, even though it was originally scheduled to be discontinued this year.
Eager to avoid falling behind in the global shift to electrification, Stellantis invested $1.6 billion in Leapmotor in 2023, acquiring a 21% stake in the Chinese EV maker. The deal gives Stellantis the right to sell Leapmotor vehicles across Europe. But despite the early promise, the partnership has already hit its first significant roadblock.
A Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland, had been building the small T03 electric car for the European market, but local production of this model suddenly ended on March 30. Stellantis has not said why this happened, but unnamed sources say there are no plans to resume T03 production in Europe.
Read: New Leapmotor B10 Goes After Europe’s EV Market With Stellantis In Its Corner
That’s bad news for Stellantis, as it was only in November last year that it scrapped its plans to build a second Leapmotor EV at the same Polish factory. Meanwhile, Leapmotor vehicles shipped from China are still facing a 21 percent tariff in the EU.
Politics, Tariffs, and Sudden Shifts
It’s hard not to connect the dots between this decision and China’s response to EU trade policies. Back in October, the Chinese government told its automakers to pause major overseas investments in countries that backed the EU’s new tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. Poland was among the ten countries that voted in favor of those tariffs. Another 12 EU members abstained, and five—Germany included—voted against them, according to Reuters .
Given the timing, it seems plausible that Leapmotor’s retreat from Poland was at least partly driven by political pressure from Beijing. The optics alone suggest as much.
Stellantis Still in the Game
Despite the halted production, Stellantis insists it’s not backing away from its Leapmotorinvestment. Through its joint venture with the Chinese company, Stellantis holds a controlling 51% stake, giving it exclusive rights to manufacture, sell, and export Leapmotor EVs beyond China’s borders.
“While the company remains fully engaged in the launch of Leapmotor vehicles in Europe, at the moment it is evaluating different production options,” Stellantis said in a recent statement.
And those options may now include Spain. According to German outlet Handelsblatt, Spain’s decision to abstain from the EU tariff vote could make it a more politically viable location for future production. The publication reports it may become the new manufacturing home of Leapmotor’s upcoming B10 electric crossover.
Mount Spurr, which scientists say is likely to erupt in the coming weeks or months, is about 80 miles west of Anchorage. But ash clouds could reach the state's biggest city.
(Image credit: Mark Robokoff)
LOS ANGELES, Cali. -HopSkipDrive today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind AI-driven transportation planning platform as part of its RouteWise AI software.
This new offering delivers a major advancement to school districts focused on safe, reliable, and efficient transportation options. It provides comprehensive visibility into unlimited scenarios and national benchmarks, with artificial intelligence analyzing thousands of possibilities, including the risk of delays at existing bus stops and the impact of changing bell times.
Launched in 2023, HopSkipDrive’s RouteWise AI software has helped dozens of school districts around the country improve on-time arrivals, reduce transportation cost by up to 20%, and address chronic labor shortages.
For instance, Denver Public Schools implemented RouteWise AI’s suggestion of increasing the efficiency of small vehicles, leading to savings of more than $500,000 annually. And in Colorado Springs’ District 11, efficiency went up 46% when RouteWise AI increased the share of high-utilization bus routes (defined as 30 students or more), using the same number of drivers and addressing the district’s shortage.
“We’ve been working with RouteWise AI to assess our operational efficiency and support our district in sustaining operations through a driver shortage,” said Veronica Schmidt, transportation director, Snohomish School District in Snohomish, Wash. ”RouteWise AI brings together all of our data – ridership, history traffic, route policies and more – to deliver detailed optimization recommendations that aren’t possible with our current tools.”
The new RouteWise AI dashboard gives district leadership insights into the metrics that matter, including student ride times, costs per rider, and bus utilization rates. Users can compare these metrics against national averages, allowing them to benchmark against peers and track improvements. HopSkipDrive’s team of transportation and change management experts collaborate on the best transportation plan for each district that fit into existing routing software or platforms.
In addition, RouteWise AI is collaborating with EZTransportation, a leading transportation management platform, to deliver seamless end-to-end experiences for school district staff. This reinforces the RouteWise AI “Compatibility Promise” to ensure complementary efforts with, and not replacements to, districts’ existing technologies. This includes the range of solutions EZTransportation provides, such as daily route management, school and parent communication, driver management, fleet maintenance, and activity trip coordination.
“School districts often lack the time or resources to quickly analyze transportation data in one place and implement meaningful changes,” explained Corey McMahon, HopSkipDrive Chief Product and Technology Officer. “RouteWise AI bridges that gap, providing schools’ decision makers, board members and other officials actionable insights directly from their existing routing systems to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately improve student outcomes.”
School districts across the country, including Ohio County Schools in West Virginia, and dozens more, have utilized RouteWise AI. With RouteWise AI and its care-centered transportation marketplace, HopSkipDrive has supported over 10,000 schools.
About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a technology company that solves complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, equity, and care. HopSkipDrive is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and industry-leading routing software, RouteWise AI. HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly-vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 10,000 schools across 17 states, with over 600 school district partners. More than three million rides over 61 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.
The post HopSkipDrive Launches New AI-Powered School Transportation Dashboard, Increasing Visibility and Efficiency Across Districts’ Transportation Systems appeared first on School Transportation News.
Saildrone, the global leader in maritime autonomy, today announced it is establishing a European subsidiary in Denmark, to address the urgent need for maritime domain awareness in European waters. Announced at the Maritime Industry Symposium at the Danish Embassy in Washington, DC, Saildrone Denmark will be a European entity, based in Copenhagen, Denmark. This strategic …
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Just a few years ago, the idea of someone targeting a Tesla charging station in a bombing attack would’ve seemed unthinkable. Today, it’s just the latest sign of growing anger aimed directly at Elon Musk. Authorities in Washington State believe an explosive device might have been planted at a Supercharger station, destroying part of the site and taking the entire location offline. Now, Tesla, the FBI, and local law enforcement are all trying to figure out what happened.
According to Lacey Police, a call came in around 1:30 a.m. reporting a “loud noise in the Sleater Kinney area.” When officers showed up at the local Target on 655 Sleater Kinney Rd, they found a severely damaged Supercharger station. Photos from the scene show one of the main cabinets of the charging station in several pieces. A Supercharger stall also has a piece missing.
More: Vandals Attack 5 Cybertrucks At Shopping Mall Triggering Police Hunt
The Lacey Police Department is calling the incident “malicious mischief” and said that it’s working with the FBI to sort out exactly what happened. In response to news of the event, Tesla itself responded on X to say that it’s working with the LPD and FBI to provide security camera footage. “Don’t mess with critical infrastructure,” it concluded.
Restoring Power—and a Bit of Normalcy
Notably, Tesla says it’s also working with Puget Sound Energy to get the Supercharger station back to full functionality so hopefully, those who rely on it won’t be without power for too long. This is, sadly, far from the first example of this sort of damage in recent months.
Protests span across not just the USA, but the world at this point. While most have been peaceful, a growing handful of incidents in the States and abroad are violent and or dangerous. Elon Musk has blamed the surge in Tesla-related vandalism on backlash to his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has become a lightning rod thanks to deep federal budget cuts and significant government job losses. He has also claimed that criticism from Democratic leaders has fueled hostility toward Tesla and its supporters.
It’s becoming clear that some protesters see Tesla as a proxy for Elon Musk himself—an easy, visible target to vent frustration. Unfortunately, that means owners, many of whom have no connection to Musk’s politics or public persona, are getting caught in the crossfire. In response to the uptick in vandalism, the FBI has launched a task force to investigate attacks on Tesla property. Even so, the broader wave of unrest shows no signs of slowing down.
We're on-site with @LaceyPolice and @FBI, and reviewing camera footage. Also coordinating with @PSETalk to get the Superchargers back online asap. Don't mess with critical infrastructure.
— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) April 8, 2025
Depreciation comes with the territory when it comes to EVs and luxury German cars—everyone knows that. Still, even seasoned car watchers might do a double take at how quickly some of these high-end electrics shed value. Take this 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40, for example. It’s already lost a staggering $31,445, despite having just 714 miles (1,149 km) on the clock. We’re talking about a car that’s barely broken in.
The i5 was recently auctioned off on Cars & Bids where it traded hands for $46,250. That’s an absolute steal for an all-electric German sedan of this quality and way less than the original price tag of $77,695. While we feel a little bad for the original owner, the winning bidder seems to have gotten an excellent deal. However, it’s certainly possible that it’ll continue to depreciate at a rapid rate.
Read: BMW’s Recalls Just Recalled Themselves Because The Brakes Still Don’t Work
This version of the i5 is the eDrive40, the base model in BMW’s electric 5-Series lineup. It’s equipped with an 81 kWh battery that powers a single electric motor, delivering 335 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. According to BMW, that setup should get you around 295 miles of range on a full charge when paired with the optional 20-inch wheels, as seen here. Despite its entry-level status, the eDrive40 still does 0–60 mph in a very respectable 5.7 seconds. And that’s without a rollout for our Tesla readers.
Packed With Options
This particular i5 isn’t just a barebones base model either. The window sticker reveals that this car is fitted with the M Sport Package, M Sport Package Pro, and Premium Package, which add features like a heated steering wheel, interior camera, LED cornering lights, and a head-up display. It also has the Driving Assistance Pro Package and Connected Package Pro, adding real-time traffic updates, BMW remote services, and on-street parking information.
An EV Bargain?
As the car has barely been driven at just over 700 miles, it’s in excellent shape. The only visible flaws are a few minor scratches on the trunk lid—easily fixable with a bit of buffing. Otherwise, it’s practically new.
Aesthetics are subjective, but let’s just say we’re not in love with the styling of the current i5 or its gas-powered 5-Series siblings. Still, that might be easier to overlook when the price is slashed by over 40 percent. So here’s the real question: would you spend $46,000 like this buyer on an almost-new electric BMW with all the bells and whistles, even if it might keep shedding value?
Lancia unveiled the redesigned Ypsilon last year, but the company is already updating their new five-door hatchback. This is a boon for consumers as the model is getting more efficient.
Starting with the Ypsilon Electric, the 54 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery now comes with an “enhanced chemistry.” That isn’t the only change as the model also sports a more efficient powertrain.
More: Lancia Ypsilon Range Detailed, Mild Hybrid Starts From €24,900 In Italy
The company didn’t elaborate, but the EV now offers a WLTP range of up to 264 miles (425 km). This is an increase of 14 miles (22 km), which works out to be a roughly 6% improvement.
The Ypsilon Hybrid, on the other hand, gains marketing muscle as the company is being “more transparent about the actual power output.” That’s an odd statement, but the company said the combined output climbs from 99 hp (74 kW / 100 PS) to 108 hp (81 kW / 110 PS).
While that sounds like a healthy increase, Lancia explained the change by saying it was “made in anticipation of the Euro 7 regulation which, starting in November 2027, will require all hybrid models to state their combined output, and not merely that of the combustion engine.” This means that despite ‘gaining’ 9 hp (7 kW / 10 PS), nothing has changed and “everything under the hood is the same.” This includes actual performance and fuel efficiency.
That’s a bit disappointing, but Lancia said the move gives customers “more clarity and greater perceived value.” Speaking of the latter, pricing remains unchanged and both variants are now available.
Americans have been slower to switch on to the idea of owning an electric car than their British, European and Chinese counterparts, and now it looks like what interest they did have has already peaked and is sliding in the opposite direction.
While EV sales were up last year, the rate of take-up has slowed and the percentage of US drivers who either own an EV are open to buying electric has fallen over the last 24 months according to a new study. In 2025 barely more than half of American drivers give consideration to EV ownership, a Gallup poll found.
Related: Just 5% Of Americans Surveyed Want An EV As Their Next Car, But Is That Really True?
In 2023 the percentage of drivers who’d said they’d already switched to an EV or were genuinely think about making their next purchase an EV stood at 59 percent. When Gallup asked the same question in 2025 that number had dropped to just 51 percent.
You’d think that Elon Musk must surely take some credit for that fall. The Tesla CEO’s support for right-wing politicians last year hardly endeared his cars to a traditionally left-leaning EV audience, and this year’s controversial DOGE efficiency drive for the US government has only cemented his toxic reputation.
The Slide Started Before Trump (And DOGE)
And worries that EV tax credits could be axed and charging infrastructure growth stifled under the Trump administration might also look like viable causes for the slump. They’ve surely affected EV sales, but what’s interesting is that Gallup had already detected a slump in EV consideration long before Trump had taken office.
The percentage of US drivers who were open to buying electric had dropped to its current 51 percent level in the 2024 study, meaning that consideration has stayed steady since – despite the factors we just mentioned.
Throwing a magnifying glass on the changes between 2023 and 2025 reveals that women’s interest in EVs declined more than men’s (-7% vs -5%), and that interest among 18-34 year-olds fell by 11 percent compared with between 4 and 5 percent for older groups.
EV consideration among drivers who identified as Democrats slumped 11 percent, and the interest for Independents fell 7 percent. But the percentage of US drivers who aligned themselves with the Republican party and said they either owned an EV or were thinking about buying one grew 2 percent – that White House Tesla informercial clearly reached a few people as well as making everyone else retch.
Hybrid interest is rising
Although America’s interest in EVs seems to have flatlined, that doesn’t mean interest in electrification has done the same. Gallup also polled people on their attitudes to hybrids and found that the percentage who would consider one stood at 65 percent, 14 percentage points higher than for EVs.
The study found that older, wealthier and right-leaning voters were far more likely to consider a hybrid than an EV, whereas the gap between the two power sources was close for younger, less affluent and left-aligned drivers.
Rivian’s not exactly cruising into 2025. The EV startup reported a rough first quarter, with sales down 36% year-over-year and only 8,640 new vehicles delivered. That’s a hard hit by any measure. But if you’re in the market for a Rivian, the silver lining is this: getting behind the wheel of an R1T or R1S has just become significantly more affordable thanks to several new incentives.
Between April 1 and April 30, Rivian is offering what it calls an ‘Electric Refresh’ offer to anyone who trades in a BEV, hybrid, or ICE vehicle from any automaker. This offer is valued at $3,000, cutting a significant chunk off the starting price of both the R1T and R1S. For Canadian customers, the discount bumps up to CA$4,300 upon trade-in.
Read: If You Thought Tesla’s Q1 Was Bad Rivian’s Was Worse
This isn’t the only deal Rivian is offering. In a direct play for Tesla’s customer base, the company is also offering an additional $3,000 incentive to current Tesla owners and lessees. As reported by Rivian Trackr, these two deals can be stacked, bringing the savings up to $6,000. US shoppers who choose to lease a new R1T or R1S will also get a $7,500 EV lease credit, bringing potential savings up to a generous $13,500.
Stacking Deals, But Know the Fine Print
While this deal may sound too good to pass up, it’s worth remembering that dealers will generally lowball you with a trade-in valuation. More often than not, you’ll be able to sell your car privately for more than Rivian will offer at trade-in. However, trade-ins are valuable for those who aren’t comfortable or have the time selling a car themselves, and are certainly a more stress-free way of changing cars.
Until the smaller R2 and R3 models hit the market, the Rivian R1T and R1S remain out of the price range of many shoppers, even with these discounts. The entry-level R1T Dual Standard starts from $69,900, and the range tops out at $99,900 for the R1T Tri version. The Rivian R1S SUV is a little bit pricier, kicking off from $75,900 for the Dual Standard and topping out at $105,900 for the R1S Tri. Quad-motor versions of the R1T and R1S are also just around the corner, but prices have yet to be confirmed.
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