As we had expected, the new all-electric Neue Klasse sedan from BMW will revive the i3 nameplate, but it’ll be unlike the original i3 unveiled way back in 2013. This model, conceived as a direct rival to the Tesla Model 3, will arguably be the most important vehicle in BMW’s new generation of EVs.

BMW has confirmed that it will kick off its long-awaited Neue Klasse era with the second-generation iX3 that’s been already previewed by a concept. After it launches, BMW will follow it up with the new i3. Interestingly, it won’t just be sold as a sedan, but will be available as a Touring estate as well.

Read: BMW i3 Neue Klasse Sedan Spied For The First Time

During a recent interview with Autocar, BMW Group design boss Adrian van Hooydonk said that the popularity of the M3 Touring and M5 Touring has proven that there remains demand for vehicles like this.

“I think the ‘touring is making a comeback,” he said. “Of course, we’ve propelled it with the M3 Touring and M5 Touring: they seem to be very popular, even in countries where tourings or estates are traditionally not very [popular]. So yes, there is new wind in that segment, and we’re very happy about that.”

“SUVs are half of our business,” van Hooydonk continued. “The other half are still sporty, elegant sedans or coupés, and obviously we care about that as well. That’s what we’re rooted in, and we are often seen as the benchmark – and for sure we want it to stay that way.”

BMW product boss Bernd Körber added that the German brand will continue to reserve the ‘i’ badge for its EV models, noting it’s an important way to differentiate them from existing ICE offerings.

“Why the ‘i’? Because the i brand started out with more facets to it, but one element with the i3 and i8 was electrification,” he said. “So for us it’s a designator that we use to indicate within the common naming [strategy] that this is an electrified vehicle, with the ‘i’ in front of it. So we kept the ‘i’, put it in front and moved it from a kind of sub-brand to a model brand, and that will be the logic that we will follow from now on.”

The new BMW i3 is expected to include an entry-level, rear-wheel drive model with roughly 300 hp, while all-wheel drive versions will follow later. It’ll also spawn an all-electric version of the beloved M3, previewed earlier this year as the Vision Driving Experience. This model packs four electric motors.

Opening rendering by Josh Byrnes/Carscoops

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Nissan is reportedly gearing up to end production at its plant in Wuhan, China, due to dwindling production of the Ariya and X-Trail, which are built there. This is bad news for the Japanese brand and comes just a few days after it was revealed it will soon announce its biggest ever financial year loss.

News of Nissan’s plans first came from a local Chinese outlet. It’s understood that annual production at the plant has only hit 10,000 units since operations commenced in 2022. That’s pretty terrible, particularly since the plant has the capacity to build as many as 300,000 vehicles annually. Nissan is currently leasing the site from Dongfeng Motor.

Nissan’s Chinese Sales Were Way Off Target

Reuters understands that stiff competition from Chinese companies is a key reason why production has never come close to reaching capacity.

Read: Nissan’s New Frontier Pro Plug-in Hybrid Wants To Take On The World

This isn’t the only Nissan plant in China that’s under serious pressure. In June last year, it closed its plant in Changzhou due to the jump in sales of Chinese EVs and dwindling demand for imported vehicles. This site had been operating alongside Dongfeng Motor since November 2020 and had the capacity to build 130,000 vehicles annually.

Nissan’s Is Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Nissan is in dire straits at the moment. We’re only a few months removed from its planned merger with Honda falling apart, and on May 13, it’s gearing up to release its full earnings report for the fiscal year that ended in March.

Last week, the automaker said it expects to report a net loss of ¥700-750 billion ($4.91 – $5.26 billion) for the year, a huge increase from the ¥80 billion ($560 million) net loss it originally estimated.

Nissan is currently in survival mode and is implementing a massive restructuring. It has confirmed plans to cut 9,000 jobs, is closing plants, and has streamlined model lineups. It is also looking for a new partner, and could even join forces with Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn.

Nissan is currently in survival mode and is implementing a massive restructuring. It has confirmed plans to cut 9,000 jobs, is closing plants, and has streamlined model lineups. It is also looking for a new partner, and could even join forces with Taiwanese giant Foxconn.

Citroen has unveiled the new generation of the C5 Aircross, which remains faithful to the quirky design of the original concept while introducing new tech features – including the largest infotainment display ever offered by a Stellantis brand. The SUV improves the comfort and practicality credentials of its predecessor, and is now available with fully electric, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrain options.

The new C5 Aircross adopts the new face of Citroen, already seen on the latest C3, as well as in the refreshed C4, C4 X, and Berlingo. The body is more sculpted than before with a greater emphasis in the aerodynamics, in a quest to further improve efficiency. The wheels measure up to 20 inches in diameter, combined with a respectable ground clearance of 200 mm (7.9 inches).

More: 2025 Citroen C4 And C4 X Debut In Paris With A New Face

Interestingly, the production model has retained the protruding LED taillights of the concept, infusing some French quirkiness into the family hauler. In fact, the only notable changes from concept to production are the more conventional door handles, and the thicker pillars.

In terms of footprint, the new C5 Aircross measures 4,652 mm (183.1 inches) long and has a 2,784 mm (109.6 inches) wheelbase, figures increased by 150 mm (5.9 inches) and 60 mm (2.4 inches) respectively compared to its predecessor.

The real surprise comes inside the “C-Zen Lounge” cabin. The slim floating center console features a 13-inch portrait-style infotainment screen, neatly paired with a row of physical buttons below it. The company said that this is “the largest central high-definition touchscreen ever offered by a Stellantis brand”, with fully customizable and fixed sections. This is an odd choice considering that Citroen is the budget-oriented brand of the Stellantis group.

There is also a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, wireless charging, ambient lightning, and a panoramic sunroof. A storage area with two cupholders are tucked in behind the touchscreen, with extra space for items in the central armrest and door bins. Overall, the interior looks clean, modern, and ready to make commuting slightly less of a chore.

Review: Here’s Why I Bought A Citroen C5 Aircross As A Family Hauler

Citroen designers used foam fabric for the dashboard, door cards, and seats, making the cabin feel like a cocoon. The signature Citroen Advance Comfort seats are more heavily cushioned than before, and are said to offer greater body support. The front seats are available with electric adjustments, heating, ventilating, and massaging functions, while the rear seats have reclining backrests and can be heated. However, the rear bench doesn’t have three separate seats like the previous generation, and has lost the sliding function.

According to the automaker, the larger footprint of the SUV allows more legroom and headroom for the rear passengers. The boot has also grown, with a capacity of 651 lt (23 cubic feet) not being affected from the powertrain type. Furthermore, there is a 75 lt (2.6 cubic feet) compartment under the boot floor, and another 40 lt (1.4 cubic feet) scattered around the cabin.

Platform and Powertrain Details

The new C5 Aircross rides on Stellantis’ STLA Medium architecture, the same platform underpinning the Peugeot 3008/5008, Opel Grandland, and DS No8. It will likely support the upcoming DS No7 too. These shared bones open the door for fully electric powertrains – a first for the nameplate – joining the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. All versions of the new C5 Aircross are automatic and drive the front wheels.

The e-C5 Aircross is available in two different versions with a single electric motor, missing out on the dual-motor powertrains of the Peugeot siblings. The Standard Range produces 207 hp (154 kW / 210 PS) and offers 323 miles (520 km) of range from a 73 kWh battery pack. The Extended Range produces 227 hp (169 kW / 230 PS) and can cover up to 422 miles (679 km) between charges thanks to a larger 97 kWh battery. In both cases, the maximum charging rate is 160 kW DC.

The entry-level C5 Aircross Hybrid 145 is probably the most interesting option for buyers. The carry-over turbo 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine is good for 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS), with a 12 hp (9 kW) electric motor integrated in the six-speed dual-clutch automatic, sourcing energy from a 0.9 kWh battery.

Finally, there is the C5 Aircross Plug-in Hybrid 195 version. This is fitted with a turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a single electric motor, producing a combined 193 hp (143 kW / 195 PS). Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. More importantly, the 21 kW battery pack provides an extended EV-only range of 53 miles (85 km).

More: This Mid-Engine Beast Is No Regular Citroen Hatch

As with its predecessor, the C5 Aircross has a Citroen-specific suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, promising a “magic carpet ride”. Finally, the available Drive Assist 2.0 pack enables Level 2 autonomous driving.

With the C5X fastback crossover on the way out once the current generation wraps up, the C5 Aircross is set to take over as Citroen’s flagship model. It is a logical, if not thrilling, evolution for the brand as it doubles down on practicality, comfort, and now, electrification.

The new Citroën C5 Aircross is set to launch in Europe in the second half of 2025. It will be produced at the Rennes plant in France, with pricing to be announced closer to the release date.

Citroen

Tesla has always had a flair for keeping people guessing, but sometimes even the best plans are no match for a drone and a zoom lens. New footage from above Tesla’s Fremont factory might have captured something the company would have preferred to keep under wraps for a little longer.

It is no secret that Tesla is racing to deliver a cheaper, more accessible car to market, as company officials, including Elon Musk himself, have already confirmed it. Now, it looks like a development prototype was spotted sitting in plain sight among several other vehicles, completely uncovered. The rumor mill is in overdrive, so let’s sort out what is fact and what might just be wishful thinking.

More: Tesla Delays Cheaper Smaller Model Y, Plans Stripped-Down Model 3

As pointed out by Teslarati, the drone video embedded below shows a vehicle that seemingly stands apart from Tesla’s current lineup. It sports a narrower roofline and a silhouette that leans toward crossover territory. That matches up with Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy’s recent comments during the Q1 2025 earnings call, where he mentioned that upcoming models would resemble the existing lineup while integrating features from Tesla’s next-generation platform.

“Models that come out in next months will be built on our lines and will resemble, inform, and shape the cars we currently make. And the key is that they’ll be affordable, and you’ll be able to buy one,” said Moravy. The company also said in its slide deck that “Plans for new vehicles, including more affordable models, remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025.” Combine those statements with a new sighting, and we have something worth talking about.

Spotted by the YouTube channel Met God In Wilderness, the drone video shows two very interesting things. In one, we see the vehicle mentioned above. The strangest part isn’t just its size and shape; it might be missing a roof and doors. We know this new Tesla is supposed to be de-contented, but that’s a bit extreme.

In a second photo, we see several shells scattered in a lot. None of them have any body panels save for a hood here or there. None appear all that unique or special, but the pictures are a bit too grainy to be sure. It’s plausible that one or more is a redesigned prototype. That includes at least one with Falcon-wing door hinges.

Read: Seres 5 Crushes Tesla Model Y In Comfort But Loses The Battle Where It Counts

Another shot shows a covered vehicle being moved from one part of the factory to another. There is no doubt Tesla is working on something. The real question is what that something actually is, and rumors suggest it could be a more basic version of the Model Y, possibly even a slightly smaller one.

The Rumor Mill

Since the announcement about a smaller, more affordable Tesla, people all over the world have guessed about what it would be. In China, where Tesla makes and sells a substantial percentage of its cars, social media accounts and news outlets say they know what’s coming. Dubbed “E80” internally, this new Tesla is basically a low-rent Model Y.

Rumors say it’ll have a 50-55 kWh battery pack, smaller tires, no panoramic glass roof, cloth upholstery, fewer speakers, and fewer amenities. That includes things like ambient lighting, heated seats, and acoustic glass to keep outside noise… outside. Frankly, all of that makes a lot of sense from Tesla’s standpoint. Sure, its lineup is looking a bit dated as a whole, but if it can bring a low-cost Model Y to market for, say, $30,000, consumers will likely take note.

Let’s finish this off with a boatload of salt. There’s no way to be sure about what we’re seeing here. Not only is the camera footage very brief, but it’s also so far away that it’s tough to confirm anything. What’s clear is that the images here, combined with Tesla’s words about future cars, make the timing seem like too good of a coincidence. Is this the Model 2 or whatever else Tesla calls it? Does it look like something different to you? Let us know in the comments below.

Screenshot Met God In Wilderness

The state of New York is one of the most pro-electric areas in the US, but its residents could soon find it much harder to buy America’s most popular EVs. A new bill proposes ending Tesla’s license to sell directly in the state, which could mean the brand losing access to its existing showrooms.

New York has for over 10 years outlawed direct selling, demanding all automakers sell through franchised dealers. But when that law passed in 2014 it contained an exemption for Tesla, giving it the right to continue operating five retail outlets it was already selling from. Now lawmakers want to pull those five permits and offer them to other EV companies, and not for anything Tesla has done, but due to the actions of its CEO, Elon Musk.

Related: New York Could End Tesla’s Direct Sales And Musk’s DOGE Drama Is To Blame

New York State Sen. Patricia Fahy (Dem) described Musk to the New York Times as “part of an administration that is killing all the grant funding for electric vehicle infrastructure, killing wind energy, killing anything that might address climate change.”

“Why should we give [Tesla] a monopoly?” Fahy, the co-sponsor of the bill, asked.

Musk helped bankroll President Trump’s successful bid to return to the White House, and in Fahy’s eyes set back efforts to combat climate change. And the Telsa boss’s controversial job-slashing efficiency drive and push to access IRS information with DOGE has hardly endeared himself to New York’s lawmakers.

In addition to rescinding Tesla’s showroom licenses, and opposing the establishment of a new one at Colonie, Democrats want the state to audit a deal that allowed the automaker to run a plant near Buffalo on a $1 per year lease and receive almost $1 billion in benefits. They want the subsidies returned and for those managing the state and city pension funds to get rid of any investments in Tesla.

If Tesla is forced from its retail stores, buyers would have to travel out of state to get their new cars, though the brand would still maintain a NY presence in the form of showrooms that allow people to see and sit in the company’s EVs but not actually place an order. The five stores that Tesla currently has could be offered to rival brands including Lucid, Rivian and Scout.

The clock is ticking for the debut of the second-generation Alfa Romeo Stelvio, expected later this year, and not a moment too soon. The current model has been showing its age for a while now, and a fresh update in design, technology, and an EV powertrain option is exactly what it needs.

More: New Alfa Romeo Stelvio Leaks Out Giving Off Strong Mandalorian Vibes

Although Alfa Romeo has yet to release official images, we have already gotten a glimpse of the new SUV through patent filings. Now, independent renderings are giving us an even better idea of what to expect from the next-generation Stelvio’s exterior.

The illustrations come courtesy of digital artists Theophilus Chin and Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa, both well-known for producing impressively accurate previews of upcoming production models. Their latest work is based on earlier spy shots and recent patent drawings, with a few creative touches of color added in.

A Familiar Face with Sharper Features

The new Italian SUV represents a noticeable evolution from its predecessor, but the scudetto grille and updated graphics ensure it is still unmistakably an Alfa Romeo. Up front, split lighting units feature slim daytime running lights and main headlights tucked neatly within triangular bumper intakes. The revised grille also clears enough space for a centered license plate, borrowing a trick from the smaller Alfa Romeo Junior.

Along the sides, the Stelvio looks more refined. A sleeker roofline, bi-tone paint treatment, large alloy wheels, and flush door handles pull the design closer to the coupe-SUV territory without going full fastback. Around the back, the standout feature is the full-width LED taillights that form a triangular shape and stretch partially into the tailgate, echoing the look of the front grille.

Illustrations: Kelsonik and Theottle

Different Takes on the Same Blueprint

The two artists approached the task slightly differently. Kelsonik updated his earlier renderings for Kolesa, refining the design with more accurate details sourced from the leaked patent filings. Theottle, meanwhile, kept a few differences but nailed the proportions, basing his interpretation on the mechanically related Jeep Wagoneer S platform.

The next generation Alfa Romeo Stelvio will share the STLA Large underpinnings with the Jeep Wagoneer S, Recon, and Dodge Charger, allowing it to be compatible with fully electric and hybrid powertrains. This change means that Maserati will be the final brand clinging to the Giorgio platform that originally debuted with the outgoing Giulia and Stelvio models.

More: Before It’s Gone The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Reminds Us Why Driving Matters

What About Performance?

Initial reports suggested that the high-performance Stelvio Quadrifoglio would go fully electric, but more recent information points to the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 sticking around. That is probably a good thing for Alfa Romeo loyalists who appreciate a bit of mechanical drama under the hood. With any luck, the new Stelvio will also inherit some of the outgoing model’s excellent chassis tuning, which helped make it one of the most engaging SUVs to drive.

The official reveal of the new Stelvio is expected within the next few months. It will sit above the Junior and Tonale in Alfa Romeo’s growing SUV lineup. As for the next Giulia, it is reportedly scheduled to arrive in 2026, possibly trading its traditional sedan shape for a more crossover-style, fastback design.

Owning a new Tesla might not carry the same futuristic mystique it once did, but for plenty of buyers, the dream is still alive and well, especially when it involves the polarizing, attention-grabbing Cybertruck.

Read: Cybertruck Beats Fisker Ocean As Edmunds’ Biggest Loss Ever, Sold For Just $8K

While the electric pickup has not sold as well as Tesla had hoped, there are still plenty of Americans who still want to get their hands on one. For many, buying directly from Tesla’s website is the easiest option, but the used market is starting to offer some interesting alternatives. Plenty of low-mileage Cybertrucks are already available, and while most sellers are taking a big hit compared to MSRP, there are a few exceptions — even if they mostly just prove the rule.

Last week, a particularly well-specced and modified example traded hands for $78,000 on Cars & Bids. At first glance, that is a very solid result for the seller, especially considering it is possible to buy a brand-new Cybertruck Dual-Motor AWD directly from Tesla for a little over $72,000 after the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

So, why did this Cybertruck sell for more than a new one? Well, it has several tasteful (and costly, at least for the seller) modifications that seem to have appealed to the many interested bidders. For starters, the controversial stainless steel panels now sport a satin black paint protection film, transforming the look of the Tesla. That alone likely set the seller back around $3,000 to $5,000.

Photos Cars&Bids

Elsewhere, there’s an LED light bar on the roof, aftermarket running boards, official Tesla roof bars and mud flaps, and some interesting cladding on the tailgate. It even includes the optional $2,975 Tesla CyberTent, making it ideal for some camping adventures (as long as you’re not too far away from a charger…).

Plenty of changes have been made to the cabin, too. For example, the central infotainment screen now sits on a swivel mount, meaning it can be angled towards the driver. The underside of the glass roof has also been tweaked and now sports colorful LED lights. According to the listing, the windows have been tinted too, a job that likely cost several hundred dollars.

Generally speaking, as we have seen countless times in the used car market, modifying a car does not add to its value. But clearly, the winning bidder was happy to spend more on this example than the going rate for a new one.If they were already planning to add these upgrades, which look like they cost nearly $10,000 on top of the MSRP, then maybe it makes a little more sense , but calling it a solid deal would be a stretch.

Photos Cars&Bids

A couple in a Houston, Texas neighborhood brought smiles to children’s faces by giving them handmade Easter baskets as they exited their school bus, reported People News.

According to the news report, 77-year-old Mario De Los Santos and 73-year-old Diana De Los Santos performed the act of kindness outside their home on April 14 at the nearby bus stop.

De Los Santos retired 20 years ago as an associate superintendent at Pasadena Independent School District, while Mario retired 18 years ago from his position as a manager of human resources for the City of Houston.

The couple’s holiday outreach does not stop at Easter, but it extends for Halloween and Christmas, where they share crafts and gifts with neighbors.

The article states that the couple’s gesture caught the eye of a local mother, Lidia Barcenas Rodriguez, who happened to be picking up her kids at the time. It sparked a new friendship between the neighbors.

That day each child reportedly received a large bunny shaped “egg” that opened and was filled with candy and stickers.

Rodriguez said via the article that the experience has resonated far beyond her own home and lifted her spirits in humanity.

Related: Massachusetts School District to Host “Stuff-A-Bus” Event for Holiday Toy Drive
Related: Colorado Parents Raise Money for Holiday Surprises for School Bus Drivers
Related: Kentucky School Bus Driver Gifts Pajamas to Student Onboard Bus
Related: Kansas School Bus Drivers Deliver Christmas Gifts

The post Texas Retired Couple Hands Out Easter Baskets at School Bus Stop appeared first on School Transportation News.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — InCharge Energy, the leading provider of end-to-end commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, today announced the launch of its suite of InService maintenance and repair plans and OnDemand service, designed to make electrification even easier for business customers across North America by providing expert service support for nearly any EV charging equipment. InCharge’s industry-leading focus on EV charger-focused service support is designed to address the growing number of businesses with one or more brands of EV chargers on premises with no support in place for maintaining or extending the life of the equipment.

InService solutions provide commercial charging operators across North America with access to highly trained service technicians, predictable payments, and rapid response time, with the industry’s most customizable service and maintenance packages that let customers pay for parts and labor their way. Customers choose the plan that meets their goals and budget, with options that range fully comprehensive coverage to OnDemand repair or maintenance for unexpected issues. This best-in-class service support is designed to ensure customers can maximize operational efficiency for multiple brands of chargers across one or multiple sites, as InCharge’s expert technicians are specifically trained to optimize and extend the life of commercial EV charging equipment.

“When your business invests in a major piece of equipment or an appliance, typically you would also select a robust service agreement for those occasions when it needs maintenance or repair,” said Rich Mohr, CEO of InCharge Energy. “The same is true for EV charging equipment. By choosing an InService plan to support their EV chargers, customers can protect their investment over time to ensure that their equipment continues to run smoothly. InCharge successfully maintains more than 15,000 charging ports networked to our InControl software platform each day, so businesses know they can rely on us to provide the service support they need – even if they have chargers from multiple manufacturers.”

Service and maintenance options – or OnDemand repair – supported by InControl Charger Management & Maintenance Software

InService gives customers the operational confidence they need to run a successful EV charging program. Customers can request easy-to-understand OnDemand service anytime, with 24/ 7 customer support at 833-772-4638 and parts and labor pricing.

InService plans include Extended Warranty, Preventative Maintenance (with one or two visits per year), and more comprehensive InService plan variations, with the possibility of further tailoring the support to customer needs. The first offering, InService Standard includes preventative maintenance plus labor coverage and discounted parts. InService Dedicated also provides dedicated expert technicians to support a customer’s operations. Fully comprehensive and customizable, InService Premium also includes active monitoring and remote diagnostics powered by InControl Charge Maintenance and Management Software (CMMS), which works alongside any CMS already in place, enabling users to easily request service and facilitating remote identification and repair of up to 75% of EV charger issues.

InService offerings also encompass incremental engineering support or related specialty services, including parts warehousing and supply chain, site assessment, or site restoration services, with the company’s Los Angeles “LASSO” facility providing additional lighting and electrical services and Weights & Measures certification for California-based customers. InCharge Energy’s customizable financial solutions help businesses electrify faster and more affordably, on their terms.

About InCharge Energy
InCharge Energy provides reliable, cost-effective charging and service solutions for North American businesses and organizations of all sizes. Its EV charger service and maintenance offerings, available in every state and province, are designed to support multiple brands of charging equipment. The company also offers a range of customizable financial solutions to meet every business objective and budget, accelerating the path to fleet electrification for auto manufacturers and dealerships, K-12 school districts and higher education, commercial real estate, state and local agencies, and more.

The InCharge team of service experts works remotely to keep chargers operational and dispatches on-staff, highly trained technicians across the continent to facilitate rapid issue resolution. The company’s open-API, OCPP 2.0.1 certified InControl is the first commercial charging software to be widely adopted across North America to control costs, manage charging results, and easily request charger service. This AI-powered charger maintenance platform is purpose-built to keep EVs on the roads, empowering businesses with key insights to easily optimize daily operations and minimize total cost of ownership (TCO).

Headquartered in Los Angeles, InCharge has operating facilities in Richmond, Virginia, and Montreal, Quebec. Learn more about InCharge Energy and its services at www.inchargeus.com. You can also follow InCharge on LinkedIn.

The post InCharge Energy announces launch of InService maintenance and repair plans to service most EV charger brands at 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, CA appeared first on School Transportation News.

Over the past couple of years, IC Bus has made significant moves in the school bus industry, both with internal leadership and new school bus announcements. At the end of 2022, IC Bus parent Navistar announced Trish Reed was transitioning from general manager of one of America’s largest school bus brands to vice president of zero emissions.

Meanwhile, Justina Morosin was chosen to return to IC Bus and succeed Reed. The two have nearly 50 years of combined employment at Navistar, now known as International Motors, a rebrand that was announced last September.

Morosin served as VP of sales for IC Bus from 2014 to 2017 and before that was a sales
manager for the school bus brand. She also has extensive experience on the truck side with
International, ranging from truck marketing manager and vice president of used truck and
commercial transformation, before leading the bus division.

“The used truck role was a really big undertaking and a very satisfying role for myself, just from perspective of building culture and building teams,” Morosin said.

She noted that she had a lot of different opportunities throughout her career at International in both the truck and bus space.

“I’m very dedicated to mentoring both men and women and all different functions within our organization, and I always encourage them to step out of their comfort zone, or where they feel most familiar, whether it’s truck, bus, whether it’s used truck, parts service,” she said. “There’s so many opportunities within our company, and to be able to go into a different function and experience, that builds your understanding holistically of the business. I was fortunate to be able to be given those opportunities along the way.

She said serving as VP and GM for IC Bus was a milestone in her career. “It was something I always aspired to do, and I was so excited to be in that role,” she said, adding that transitioning to her new role comes at a pivotal point in International’s transformation.

During her tenure leadig IC Bus, the brand launched the first CE Series redesign in 20
years, now offered in electric and diesel configurations. The launch was announced one day prior to the start of the 2023 STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada. The new CE Series emphasizes
driver comfort while also offering collision mitigation technology as a standard equipment.

It was also during this time IC Bus announced its three-core strategy: Leading in safety and technology, fostering a healthy future, and offering best in class solutions.

“I feel like we’ve accomplished so much and we’re on such a good path going forward,” Morosin added. What she’s most proud of, however, was that she said IC Bus brands accounted for 47 percent of sales of all school bus purchases last year.

“That is a testament to say that our next generation is delighting our customers, and that our dealer network is doing everything to partner with our customers, to offer best in class services and solutions for our customers,” she said, adding that the CE Series was truly developed with the customer in mind.

As of February, Morosin returned to the truck side at International, serving as the senior vice president of sales and field operations, handing the IC Bus baton to Charles Chilton.
“It’s a natural path for me and a natural next step for me in this role, and it’s a really important one,” Morosin said describing her new responsibilities. She added that International recently introduced a new commercial truck strategy at its annual dealer truck meeting.

“I’ve always been very career-driven,” she said. “I always say to myself that this is going to be the last role that I’m in and then … I am an ambitious person. I always want to stretch myself to see what more can I do. What more can I take on? How much more of an impact could I have?”

She said she’s passionate about her latest opportunity, contributing alongside her team and working with the dealer network to continue to grow the business. “Being able to tailor solutions for our customers into the future to make them more successful into the future,” she said, adding that her new role encompasses everything from working with the national fleet, dealer networks, to leasing and used trucks.

Meanwhile, Chilton is no stranger to the school bus industry, logging a total of almost
24 years between two major OEMs. However, his time in the industry started years earlier like many others: As a school bus driver.

He started driving a school bus in North Carolina during his senior year of high school and the passion grew from there. After graduating from North Carolina State University, he began working for Thomas Built Buses in 1988 in various engineering positions, later
becoming a product manager and a program manager.

“I was very fortunate to start there and kind of grow up in the school bus [industry],” he said.

After almost 17 years with Thomas, he worked for E-One, a manufacturer of heavy-duty fire trucks and emergency vehicles, for three and half years before joining International in 2009. He was chief engineer before moving to director of product development, VP of product strategy and planning, and head of commercial market planning, where he spent the last three years until being named VP and GM of IC Bus earlier this year.

“I was on the global bus side trying to help expand the product around the world,” he said, noting that he worked with John McKinney, the former president of International’s global bus division. He also worked closely with Reed for several years after she became VP and GM of IC Bus.

“Trish is super respected in the industry, and [she] and I really locked arms together and really just love the school bus space,” he said, adding that the industry is all about safely transporting students. “That’s fundamentally the motivators behind all of this for me personally… yellow is my blood, as you can say.”

Then, Morosin took the reins, the CE Series was announced, and the brand continued to grow. “I never imagined going from being a school bus driver to, in my opinion, leading the number one school bus company in the world,” he said. “That’s kind of a wonderful experience. And so that’s why I’m super excited, and I’m loving every day.”

Chilton noted that by following in both Reed’s and Morosin’s footsteps, he plans on staying the course and building upon the strong foundation that IC Bus already has, while fully leaning into the company’s three key principles.

Drawing upon his engineering and school bus driver background, he worked closely with Reed in the design of the CE Series school bus. He said together they set target goals and designed a product with driver comfort in mind. After all, being a school bus driver “is a hard job.”

“You’ve got 72 kids behind you, potentially making all kinds of noise,” he continued. “You’ve got all the distractions from traffic and patterns and stop lights.”

He noted that IC Bus wants to continue to help the school bus driving job be easier, whether that comes in the form of technology or ergonomic factors.

“We’re putting our drivers front and center to make it a great experience,” he said. “I think our latest product… demonstrates our commitment to making the driver experience the best it can be.

For example, a month into his tenure, IC Bus announced that First Light Illuminated School Bus Signs and Fully Illuminated Stop Arms are now standard on the next-generation IC Bus Electric CE Series school buses, effective immediately. First Light as standard equipment will extend to internal combustion engines in August.

Morosin noted that Chilton being the new VP and GM of IC Bus is a good path forward, especially with his history in the bus space. “Although much of it has been behind the scenes, he is the perfect person to take over,” she said.

Chilton said through his experience he’s learned to listen to what customers need. “I’m motivated by the safety of our kids and in the drivers experience and making sure it’s a great experience every day on the school bus,” he said. “…I enjoy being a thought leader and contributing to making the product better every day. Obviously, it’s a very big conversation around how we approach that, but it’s super important that we’re continuing to make ourselves better. So those are motivating factors for me, and throughout my career that’s what I’ve done: work to make things better.”

Recognizing Trends
Morosin noted that AI is a large trend that influences both the truck and bus space as well as how the company interacts with its customers now and into the future.

“I think that is just fantastic that we’re at this point in technology where we don’t necessarily have to have large buckets of offerings, but that we can actually tailor to a specific customer those types of offerings,” she said, adding that technology will play a role in evolution of selling vehicles.

In terms of the future of electric vehicles and the California Air Resources Board pulling back full implementation of its Advanced Clean Fleets rule, Chilton noted that it’s hard to navigate hypotheticals due to the constantly changing landscape. “But our core strategy is to be able to have a solution that’s ready for whatever the market needs are,” he said.

Moving forward, Chilton said he’s committed to providing solutions for customers and getting back to the fundamentals of being able to deliver buses on time. He said he knows the importance of buses being delivered at school start to provide service to students.

“Being a thought leader and pushing the school bus industry to better ways of working and operating,” he said of other goals for himself and his team at IC Bus. “I think it’s important for us to help the industry through this change with the best vehicle, there’s octane products out there, there’s diesel products. We really want to have a solution for all the needs, no matter where the market is.”

Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the April 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

Related: STN EXPO East Offers Sports Lessons for Transportation Leadership
Related: IC Bus’ Next Generation CE Series Standardizes Next Generation Illumination
Related: (STN Podcast E251) Making Safety Safer: Seatbelts, Technology, Training & Electric School Buses
Related: STN EXPO Panel Discusses Trends in School Bus Safety Technology

The post Passing the Torch appeared first on School Transportation News.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo commenced Monday with the sixth release of TRC’s State of Sustainable Fleets report, which highlighted the shift in federal policy priority to conventional fuels, away from EVs, and the rise in renewable diesel.

Following the Biden administration, which delivered unprecedented funding to electric vehicles, including electric school buses, the State of Sustainable Fleets report highlights the Trump administration’s intent to roll back many of these programs. The 2025 report notes a period of peak uncertainty due to the regulatory transformation. It notes that the U.S. transportation policy landscape is evolving rapidly, and uncertainty remains on emissions regulations.

For instance, the report notes that executive orders have the potential to jeopardize the EPA Phase 3 GHG emissions regulations for heavy-duty vehicles and guidelines for power plants as well as halted the distribution of funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, creating uncertainty for alternative fuel funding.

Where federal funding falls short, state and local funding exceeds. The report notes that more than 600 state and local programs totaling over $13.5 billion remain available for zero-emissions and near-zero-emissions projects, including natural gas, battery-electric, hydrogen and newer diesel vehicles.

Nate Springer, vice president of market development at TRC, commented during a media call discussing the report on the transition from a zero-emissions-friendly administration to one now favoring conventional energy sources, one of which is renewable diesel. RD saw a 28 percent increase in production in the first half of 2024 and is on track to reach 7.257 million gallons per day by the end of the year, exceeding the goal of 5 billion gallons per day.

Plus, the report noted an overall surge in natural gas, thanks to the release of the X15N engine by Cummins, which has increased Class 8 tractor registrations this year, after two years of declining registrations. However, natural gas school bus registrations saw the steepest drop, down 54 percent to 89 units. The authors attributed, in small part, the decline to Blue Bird selling off its natural inventory in 2023 and discontinuing the school bus offering in 2024.

The renewable natural gas market continues to expand nationally. Springer said that there are over 400 facilities producing RNG around the country, a 234 percent increase over the past six years.

The report noted that in previous years, tax incentives such as the Alternative Fuel Tax Credit and Low Carbon Fuel Standards lowered the total cost of ownership of natural gas vehicles, but the evolving tax structure introduces new variables. The AFTC expired at the end of 2024, and while the new 45Z tax credit created by the Inflation Reduction Act aims to replace it, details are still emerging. Plus, LCFS is currently only available in California, Washington, Oregon and New Mexico.

“There’s still some uncertainty with 45Z and just the broader IRA policy,” Todd Ellis, general manager of sales, said during last week’s media briefing. “So, we are all waiting [for] clarity around IRA and the respective programs, and once we have that, then I think [the] industry will adjust and adapt to what those look like, but it certainly could be a driver toward broader adoption, if we get the policy right. …. I think we’re all watching closely and working across [the] industry to ensure that we are we are progressing this at the at the right pace.”

Related: ACT Expo Heads Back to Anaheim, Agenda Released
Related: Districts, Contractors Discuss School Bus Electrification Journey at ACT EXPO
Related: Study Shows Increasing Complexity of Adding Electric, Alternative Fuels

Meanwhile, battery electric vehicles, despite policy rollbacks or funding pauses, continue to show market development and growth. School bus registrations rose 47 percent to 1,436 units, the report states. And despite a current lack of federal support, report authors highlight state sources and other policies to fund EVs.

In terms of the EPA Clean School Bus Program, the report notes that future funding is at a higher risk of being cut, as opposed to the CSBP rebates that have already been announced. The EPA announced last week that funds are flowing again for the 2023 rebate program and awardees are seeing money hit their bank accounts. But there was still no word on when or if the latest 2024 rebate would be awarded this spring.

The Sustainable Fleet report, based on a survey of over 200 commercial truck and bus fleets, states that federal and state funding programs continue to incentivize electric school bus deployments across the country. The authors did discuss a temporary backlog for school buses that could be on the horizon due to a limited number of manufacturers and constraints on production capacity.

“The surge in funding and subsequent orders may soon test the capacity of manufacturers, whose order books are full, potentially leading to temporary production bottlenecks,” the report states, citing four school bus manufacturers that produce the full Type A through Type D school buses, including Lion Electric that is currently being auctioned off after defaulting on multiple loans last fall that were keeping the company afloat. “Manufacturers maintain full production lines, and one manufacturer told TRC that capacity constraints could emerge once all orders are placed. This same OEM currently sees BEV lead times equivalent to their ICE lead times of six months or less, a milestone in production that could help ease any backlog. Adding further potential for an upcoming surge, many EPA grant recipients have requested and received project extensions, extending their completion deadlines from two years to three years. For instance, Blue Bird reported that 1,000 electric buses were either sold or are included in its firm order backlog during its fiscal 2025 first-quarter earnings call.”

The report adds that the commercial vehicle industry may soon face a “perfect storm” of heightened demand and containment as order delays and EPA regulatory extensions are pushing the bulk of deliveries into 2025 and 2026. The report also cited the challenge of higher electric school bus purchase costs compared to diesel models.

Where electricity in school buses is excelling is with vehicle-to-grid technology. The report states that school buses are an early adopter of V2G technology as many buses come equipped with bi-directional charging as standard. STN reported last year on the Oakland Unified School District in California that replaced its entire fleet of 74 school buses with EVs, and bi-directional charging. However, the V2G movement is slow to adopt in the pupil transportation industry, with many stating it’s not as beneficial as it is being marketed.

The report only made passing references to propane. TRC noted to School Transportation News that a supplemental report on propane would be available this summer.

The ACT EXPO continues to run through Thursday at the Anaheim Convention Center. STN is a media sponsor of ACT Expo.

The post Report Highlights Shift in Federal Policy from EVs to Conventional Fuels appeared first on School Transportation News.

Many legacy carmakers have struggled to keep pace with Chinese startups and their innovative new EVs. However, earlier this week, Mazda revealed an electric SUV known as the EZ-60, and it’s already garnered quite a lot of attention in the country. It is also proving to be a hit with customers, with more than 10,000 pre-orders placed within just 48 hours of its debut.

The EZ-60 is unlike any Mazda sold elsewhere. Technically, it is not even a full-blooded Mazda. Thanks to a partnership with Changan, the SUV rides on the same platform as the Deepal S07, one of the latest electric models to roll out of China. It is a clear example of Mazda adapting to a fast-changing market, even if it means leaning on local expertise to do it.

Read: Mazda’s New Electric SUV Packs Six Screens And A Range-Extender Powertrain

As reported by CarNewsChina, Mazda secured 10,060 pre-orders for the EZ-60 in the two days since its unveiling. This comes despite the fact that the SUV has so far only been showcased in range-extender form and details about the battery-electric version have yet to be announced.

However, one shouldn’t mistake pre-orders for actual sales. For starters, shoppers are in no way obligated to follow through with purchasing the car. Additionally, pre-orders can be placed for just 10 yuan, the equivalent of just $1.40. Not all people who did will go through and buy it, but that’s the norm in the industry anyway – only the percentage varies in each case.

Mazda may be borrowing a Chinese platform, but the EZ-60 looks every bit like a Mazda should. That is important because it will not be limited to China. In other markets, including Europe and possibly Australia, it will be sold as the CX-6e. Unfortunately, if you are in the United States, you are out of luck, because there are no plans to bring it here.

The range-extender version of the EZ-60 presented at the Shanghai Auto Show has a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder that acts as a generator for the 31.7 kWh battery, which drives a 255 hp electric motor at the rear axle. As mentioned, Mazda has yet to reveal specifications of the all-electric version, and it’ll be interesting to see how buyers react to that one.

If we had a buck for each startup that shows up and states it intends to build the Holy Grail of the current automotive market, a truly affordable EV, only to either go the way of the dodo or fail to deliver on their promises, we’d probably be so rich we could afford to, well, launch our own startup. The latest in this long line is Slate, with its “Truck”.

It’s key selling point is that it’s a back-basics single-cab pickup with a super affordable price starting under $28,000, or around $20,000 with EV incentives that President Trump hasn’t axed (yet) despite being openly against them.

More: Would You Really Pay $28K For A Crank Window EV With No Speakers?

Even if Slate’s pickup truck does hit the market exactly as promised, you don’t need to read the fine print to realize that its EV is affordable not because they’ve found a secret sauce, but due to it being laughably basic. So much so that it lacks not just most of the features we’ve come to expect as standard, but also things like electric windows, an audio system, speakers, and an infotainment screen. You can pay extra to add them in, but at that point, aren’t you just defeating the whole “affordable EV” idea?

Or, You Know, Just Get a Ranger

If all you really want is a cheap single-cab truck with the minimum comfort creatures, here’s a used Ford Ranger for you. Not the current model, which is far from basic and definitely not an EV from a startup, but a classic, third-generation 1999 Ranger XLT, which is set to cross the Mecum auction block on May 15.

Sure, it’s 26 years old, powered by a 2.5-liter combustion engine, and you still have to crank the windows with your hands, but hey, it’s got stuff. Not exactly luxury, but it’s hardly a bare-bones, dollar store special either. It sports an automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, air conditioning, alloy wheels, a soft bed cover, chrome grille and bumpers.

But wait, there’s more! This truck also gets a radio (yes, with speakers), a center console arm rest, cupholders and, brace yourself EV startup defenders, a glovebox! You know, basic human comforts you won’t find in the Slate EV unless you pay extra for the “luxury”.

More: Someone Turned A Ram 1500 TRX Into The Shortest And Most Badass Single-Cab Truck Ever

Moreover, it has a much more useful range than the base Truck’s lame 150 miles that can be increased to 240 miles (if you pay more), a max payload and towing capacity that exceed the Truck’s 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and 1,000 lbs (453 kg), respectively, is built by a legacy automaker, has sold in great numbers so parts are readily available, and despite its age, the odo reads just 51,645 miles.

So, if you’re after a cheap, no-nonsense single-cab truck, don’t worry; you’ve got options. You just won’t find them wrapped in the shiny, buzzword-heavy startup hype that’s always promising to change the world. But hey, if you’re into solid, reliable trucks without the drama, check out the listing over here.

From starfish and sea slugs to jellyfish and sponges, the ocean's invertebrates are some of the most ancient and diverse critters on Earth. And so are their superpowers, as marine biologist Drew Harvell calls their unique abilities. In her new book, The Ocean's Menagerie, she chronicles the amazing abilities of some of these spineless creatures and showcases how they've inspired our science and medicine.

Listen to our past episode on nudibranchs — the potent slugs of the sea — HERE.

Want to hear more stories about underwater marvels? Email us and let us know at shortwave@npr.org.

Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been over 100 years since electric vehicles first made their appearance on the streets. Sure, they disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived, but here we are today, witnessing their dramatic comeback. Over the past decade, EVs have evolved in leaps and bounds, bringing us to a question we can’t help but ask: which of these modern electric rides will one day be considered collectible in, say, 20 years from now?

To be clear, there are a few rare and historic EVs that already have their place in the collectible world. Jay Leno, for instance, famously owns a 1909 Baker Electric, which he’s even gone so far as to upgrade. But aside from these niche classics, the broader EV market isn’t exactly seen as a treasure trove for collectors, at least not yet. But who knows? Maybe the next wave of electric vehicles will change that.

More: Can Tesla’s Model 3 Performance Smoke The BMW M3 CS?

The original Tesla Roadster 2.5 that kicked off things for Elon Musk’s brand could be a prime example. While it’s easy to point out its shortcomings, from range anxiety to questionable build quality, the Roadster was undeniably ahead of its time. It played a pivotal role in kick-starting the EV revolution, and without it, the Model S, and arguably the entire Tesla brand, may not have existed. It may not have been perfect, but it was a game-changer.

And while we’re talking about Tesla, let’s not overlook the other contenders that could one day find themselves in the collectible spotlight. The Model S, for one, completely shattered preconceived notions about what an electric car could be.

Then there’s the Model Y, Tesla’s best-seller, which has arguably played the most significant role in broadening EV adoption worldwide. And let’s not forget the Cybertruck. Love it or hate it, its design makes it impossible to ignore, cutting through a sea of otherwise similar-looking vehicles.

Of course, it’s not all about Tesla. The Nissan Leaf deserves a mention as one of the most influential EVs in shaping the electric car market, especially for those seeking an affordable option. The Rivian R1T was the first all-electric pickup truck. The original Porsche Taycan might be the first sign to everyone that even huge historic brands were willing to ditch internal combustion to one degree or another.

If I personally had to pick one, it would be the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. It seems poised to go down in history as the first EV to truly mix in a boatload of driver engagement along with supercar-like performance. Looking back through history, those two factors rarely come together in a EV that the general public can actually afford. That’s what makes the 5 N so special.

And while some traditional gearheads might scoff at the very idea of electric cars ever being collectible, let’s not forget that there’s a new generation on the horizon. This group won’t have the same hang-ups. They’ll have grown up with electric vehicles as the norm and they won’t carry the same biases against them.

Do you agree with anything we’ve mentioned here? Perhaps you have another car to submit. Let us know in the comments below!

When it comes to testing high-profile vehicles, sometimes things go terribly wrong, and in the case of Edmunds’ Tesla Cybertruck, ‘terribly’ is putting it mildly. In July 2024, the outlet shelled out $101,985 for a brand-new Cybertruck Foundation Series to add to its One-Year Road Test fleet. By December 11, the truck was struck by a compact sedan while parked, pushing the 6,600-pound electric vehicle onto the curb. The damage was severe enough that it was written off entirely.

More: Tesla’s Cybertruck Rebranding Looks A Lot Like Ford’s F-150

On the outside, the wheel, tire, stainless steel panel and bumper bore the brunt of the impact. Things were much more serious under the skin though as, apart from the suspension, the rear drive motor, the rear-wheel steering setup, and lots of other parts were wrecked. No doubt, it was in a very sorry state, but things weren’t exactly peachy before the crash either.

Early Troubles: A Red Flag Parade

In fact, problems began soon after Edmunds took delivery of its Cybertuck and they included a number of critical steering failures, the EV going on limp mode or dying altogether, lots of errors showing up on the screen, the a/c not working on hot days, the transmission not selecting Park… you get the picture.

Definitely not confidence-inspiring for a $100k truck, no matter how hyped up it might be. In fact, the issues were so many they didn’t allow the team to perform its usual instrument testing procedure or even take it off-road.

The Great Repair Odyssey

Nevertheless, what spelled its demise was the aforementioned accident and attempts to get it fixed. Body shops dared not touch the Cybertruck, so their only recourse was Tesla‘s own service network. Problem number one: while one would expect Los Angeles, the city with the most Cybertrucks in the world, to have quite a few, there were just two within a 50-mile radius that were certified by Tesla to fix the EV’s steel body panels.

The first one, in Huntington Beach, gave them a one-month waiting period just to get an estimate on how much repairing it would cost. That was not all, though; they had to wait another six months for it to get fixed, which meant towing it to the shop to get an estimate, then towing it back and storing it somewhere, and finally towing it back again to get it back in working order. Naturally, Edmunds declined the offer.

More: Fisker Ocean Totaled After Tiny Door Ding Souring EV Dream

Things were much better at the second certified service center in Ontario. They still had to wait a month for an estimate, but after that the shop would instantly start working on the truck. So far, so good – until Tesla called a few days before the appointment and informed them it was pushed back a month due to the shop being overbooked.

Cybertruck Repair Costs

• Stripes and moldings: $619
• Motors and components: $4,191 (including $3,000 for an EV drive unit)
• Motor mounts: $77
• Wheels and parts: $1,758
• Steering: $2,040
• Rear suspension: $9,149 (including $2,500 for a new suspension crossmember)
• Cab and components: $3,800 (including $3,240 for a high-strength steel frame)
• Bed: $8,762.79 (including $1,595 for the outer panel, $4,280 for the aluminum rear section and $1,055 for the bed floor)
• Tailgate: $2,495
• Rear bumper: $2,417.73
• Rear body, lamps and floor plan: $1,668.50 (including $800 for the inner taillamp assembly)
• Miscellaneous parts: $357.22
• Other parts: $5
• Paint and materials: $610
• Tax on parts and materials: $3,320.65
• Labor: $16,584
• Sublet repairs: $25
• Grand total: $57,879.89

This time they decided to wait and, two months after the accident, had an estimate: it would cost them $1,128 to disassemble the truck and find out what had to be replaced or repaired. The quote, though, was a very unpleasant surprise; all in, they had to pay exactly $57,879.89.

The list of things that had to be fixed was too long, and the single most expensive item on it was the rear suspension at $9,149. Given that an example without prior damage was valued at $86,160, so theirs would sell for much less, it made no financial sense to proceed with repairs and it was considered a total loss.

The Final Blow

In the end, the outlet sold their Cybertruck to Copart for… $8,000! The only positive thing was that it received praise for its performance and ride comfort, as well as the design that, while controversial, at least (or rather because of it) drew a lot of attention. Other than that, not only did it not get to take part in the One-Year Road Test, but it became Edmunds’ biggest loss ever, a title that until then was held by the Fisker Ocean.

Lead image Edmunds

With so many modern cars feeling like clones of each other, featuring similar designs and often identical powertrains, it’s only normal that we’d get excited when something really different comes along. But in the case of Slate’s new EV, is that lust for the new is at risk of creating a real Emperor’s New Clothes situation?

If you haven’t seen our report on the Slate’s debut you should check out our original story at the link below this paragraph. But here’s the tldr: Slate is Michigan-based startup backed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos that wants to sell affordable electric utility vehicles.

They’ll cost from $27,500 ($20k after federal tax credits) and a modular design means you’ll be able to turn the two-seat truck into a two-row SUV or an SUV with a coupe back or open roof with an add-on pack.

Related: Slate Shakes Up EVs With $28,000 Pickup That Turns Into An SUV

Both of those are real selling points. Most of the few electric utilities around, like Rivian’s R1S and R1T and those coming soon from Scout, cost over $50k putting them out of the reach of many American buyers. It’s great to see an automaker building a simple, no-frills truck that doesn’t cost the earth and doesn’t take up two parking bays, and the ability to switch between pick-up and SUV configurations really adds to the practicality.

Small price, smaller equipment list

But a ton of compromises have been made to hit the sub-$30k price. Most obviously, the list of standard equipment makes a Dacia look like a Maybach. There’s no touchscreen – which is not necessarily a bad thing, because we’ve all got smartphones and it means you get physical rotary controls for the AC.

But there’s not even any kind of stereo/speakers fitted as standard to play music from your phone. They’re optional, along with the wrap you’ll need to apply to change the body color since there are no paint options because there’s no paint.

More: You Can Buy This Pickup For $4K Less Than Slate’s EV And You Don’t Even Have To Crank Your Windows

And the crank windows? The internet went wild over this, but it’s a classic case of “brown, manual, diesel wagon” syndrome, and the fun factor will quickly wear off the first time you need to yell to your kids that they forgot their lunch box at school drop-off, or ask someone for directions through the passenger window because you’ve got no phone signal for Google Maps and there’s no onboard nav.

The 1,000 lbs (545 kg) towing capacity is also terrible for a utility vehicle, the 5 ft (1.52 m) bed length’s 0.5 ft (150 mm) advantage over a Ford Maverick comes at the expense of rear seats, and the lack of an all-wheel drive variant hurts its appeal to those who live in rural areas or get harsh winters. And the smaller of the two available batteries only has a 52.7 kWh capacity and gives a range of just 150 miles (240 km).

Short battery range

That range might be fine for a truck that never strays far from its home city, but we know from Mazda’s MX-30 sales failure that people don’t like EVs that can’t go far on a charge. And though you can pay for a bigger 84.3 kWh pack that’ll give you 240 miles (386 km), that’s probably going to push you well north of $30k (before credits), and by the time you’ve added the SUV top, a wrap, Bluetooth speakers and other personalization options your bargain truck isn’t going to be quite as much of a bargain.

I really want to get behind the Slate. I hate that cars have become so heavy and overcomplicated and this feels like the wheeled equivalent of my Suri toothbrush, which doesn’t have any fancy functions you never need like stupid Bluetooth apps, but is well built and lasts for weeks on a charge. Slate’s focus on simplicity, only giving us the stuff we need and none of what we don’t is refreshing, and one other automakers constantly adding pointless gadgets to get our attention could learn from.

Will internet praise equal sales?

But as Toyota discovered with the GR86, there’s a big difference between getting a bunch of people excited about the idea of a simple, pure-of-spirit vehicle, and getting them to actually buy it. Once the Slate launch dust has settled and the novelty of the crank windows and very bare, very plasticky interior and configurable roof (where are you gonna store it?) has faded and the trucks are available to buy, will Americans open their wallets?

Or will they decide that it’s simply too compromised, too basic and there are better options for similar money.

And maybe for less money if the EV tax credits advantage disappears (it’s already not available to all buyers). Those other options, like the $24k Ford Maverick with an aftermarket Leer truck cap for that SUV feel, aren’t stylish like Slate’s Truck, and they’re not electric, but they’re great products. And is anyone in America really crying out for an electric pickup right now, anyway?

Slate thinks it’ll sell 150,000 every year, and we hope it does, but how do you rate its chances? Is it a credible truck and really the game-changing bargain some people are making it out to be, or is it just massively over-hyped, still too expensive and about five years too early? Leave a comment and let us know.

If you have been paying even half-attention to the electric vehicle scene lately, you know that competition is heating up fast, with new challengers trying to swipe the crown from established players. We recently spent time behind the wheel of the Seres 5, a fully electric SUV from China with premium aspirations. However, besides the main review, we wanted to see how well it stacks up against its biggest competitor, the Tesla Model Y, so we organized a quick head-to-head comparison between the two.

The Seres 5 may have launched in Europe in 2024, but the Chinese version has been around since 2019. Unfortunately, at the time we had the Seres in our hands, Tesla was not offering test drives of the new Juniper in Greece, only the pre-facelift Model Y. Still, it makes for an interesting comparison, even if we have to keep in mind the changes introduced with the updated Tesla.

More: We Compare The 2026 Tesla Model Y Side-By-Side With Its Predecessor

Both EVs share similar dimensions and come with dual electric motors, all-wheel drive capability, and large battery packs. The Tesla boasts 51 kilometers (32 miles) of extra WLTP range, but the Seres fights back with 193 hp more power. You can check out the detailed specs in the table below.

QUICK FACTS

Design: The Seres 5 Looks More Intriguing

Looks are subjective, sure, but a comparison would be incomplete without a design face-off. Beyond the exterior styling, we also factored in the cabin, where the Seres quietly pulls ahead.

Both models merge crossover and coupe cues, aiming for a sweet spot between aerodynamics and practicality. Parked side by side, the Tesla Model Y simply looks less interesting. Blame it partly on the fact that it resembles a bloated Model 3, although Tesla did address that with the recent mid-lifecycle update. It also does not help that Model Ys have become about as common as pigeons in a park.

That said, the rear end of the Model Y still looks cleaner and more cohesive than the Seres 5’s. While the Seres will not win any beauty pageants, it turns more heads and looks a bit more premium. It could definitely borrow a few styling updates from the related Aito M5, but even without them, it feels fresher than Tesla’s overfamiliar form.

Inside, most new EVs have taken a page from Tesla’s playbook: a big touchscreen, minimal physical controls, and a focus on being “modern” by removing everything people actually liked about buttons. The Seres 5 sticks to that formula but executes it better, with nicer materials, thoughtful color combinations, and a stylish center console. Plus, it offers a digital instrument cluster and a heads-up display, which make it easier for drivers migrating from more traditional cars.

However, while standard equipment of the Seres is pretty generous, Tesla’s tech and interface feel more modern, thanks to the continuous over-the-air software updates.

Practicality: The Tesla Model Y Prevails

While the Seres 5 offers a fancier interior, the Tesla wins when it comes to space for both people and cargo. Despite its sloping roofline, the Model Y offers more rear headroom and legroom, making it easier to climb in and out.

More: Xiaomi’s Electric SUV Is Bigger Than New Tesla Model Y And Has More Range

Cargo space is also firmly in Tesla’s favor. Officially, the Model Y can swallow 29 cubic feet (822 liters) in the rear boot and another 4.1 cubic feet (114 liters) in the frunk. Tesla’s habit of measuring up to the roof inflates those numbers a bit, but the advantage remains clear.

The Seres 5 has a boot capacity rating of 13 cubic feet (367 lt), with the frunk contributing another 2.4 cubic feet (67 lt). In reality, the difference with the Tesla is not that huge, but it is noticeable. Overall, I found the Model Y to be more suitable for family use, especially if you add the convenience of the longer driving range and the faster DC charging capabilities (250 kW compared to 100 kW).

Ride Comfort: The Seres 5 Feels Like An Electric Grand Tourer

Driving the two EVs back to back made it clear that the Seres 5 has the most comfortable and refined ride. The plush suspension absorbs road imperfections in a nicer way than the Tesla which can feel harsh in comparison.

The Seres also has a smoother power delivery – especially in the EV and Comfort modes – rounding up it’s friendly road manners. Furthermore, the cabin of the Seres is a bit more quiet, although we didn’t get the chance to test both vehicles on longer journeys on the highway.

Driving Dynamics: The Tesla Is Sportier And Feels Faster (But Isn’t)

While the majority of EV buyers are not interested in sporty driving manners, we had to include this segment allowing the differences in the character of the two models to shine.

On twisty roads, you’ll have more fun in the Tesla than in the Seres. It’s steering is a more direct, and the chassis setup feels sharper than your average family-oriented SUV or crossover. The softer and comfort-focused suspension of the Chinese EV results in more body roll compared to the more balanced setup of its well-established rival.

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Another thing I noticed, is that despite being less powerful and slightly slower on paper (0-62 mph in 5.o seconds compared to 4.2 seconds), the Tesla feels quicker than the Seres, providing snappier acceleration from standstill. Thanks to all these and a more rear-biased AWD setup, the Model Y is more eager to be pushed, thus being the better option for spirited driving.

Pricing: It’s Hard To Beat The Tesla

In Greece, where we tested these cars, the facelifted Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD starts at €52,990 ($58,100), or €43,990 ($48,200) with incentives. Inventory models of the outgoing version can be had for even less, starting at €48,940 ($53,600).

Meanwhile, the Seres 5 costs €57,500 ($63,000) including incentives. This means the Seres commands a €13,510 ($14,800) premium over a new Model Y Juniper, with similar specs. The gap widens further if you consider the older inventory units.

Verdict: Tesla Keeps Its Crown… For Now

The Seres 5 is an impressive EV, especially when you consider that it is the brand’s first production model, but Tesla’s best-seller is really hard to beat in its own game. Our comparison showed that the Seres has a more comfortable ride and a nicer interior, but the Tesla is more practical, has sharper driving dynamics, and is significantly more affordable.

Overall, the outgoing Tesla Model Y still feels like a well-rounded option for prospective EV buyers. However, the competitive pricing of the updated Model Y Juniper makes it a no-brained, having corrected many of it’s predecessor’s flaws.

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We’ll be eager to test more Tesla Model Y rivals from China in the future, although the biggest threat to the EV’s success appears to the global backslash against the company’s CEO, Elon Musk. This appears to be the main reason behind a significant decline in Tesla sales in Europe, with EV buyers turning their backs to the once-dominant brand.

Photos: Thanos Pappas for CarScoops