Aptera has unveiled the production-intent version of its long-awaited three-wheel EV on the eve of CES in Las Vegas. It’s been four long years since the car was first unveiled as a concept, and more than two years since production was initially penciled in to start. Since that time, development of the car has continued in earnest, and according to the brand, it’s now “poised to redefine the future of mobility.”

The design of the production model is largely identical to the original concept, meaning it continues to look more like a spaceship than a conventional EV. Pininfarina played an important role in perfecting the aerodynamics of the car at its wind tunnel in Turin, Italy. Aperta says the car has one of the lowest drag coefficients of any production passenger vehicle, but hasn’t publicized a number just yet.

Read: Aptera Starts Testing First Production-Intent Three-Wheeler Prototype

It’s not just the design of the EV that’s intriguing. As much of the bodywork is covered in solar panels, the brand claims most drivers will be able to enjoy daily use without ever needing to plug in to charge. If parked outside, the car can generate enough electricity for 40 miles (64 km) of driving per day. When fully charged, it can travel up to 400 miles (644 km).

A 42 kWh battery pack has been squeezed beneath the car’s slippery surfaces. Soon after the small brand graced the world stage, it said that 25 kWh, 40 kWh, 60 kWh, and 100 kWh battery packs would be available, but this no longer seems to be the case. Many technical details about the car also remain under wraps, including how much power it has and what sort of performance times it’ll be able to deliver.

Speaking about the launch of the production-intent model in Las Vegas, the senior vice president of Business Unit Mobility at Pininfarina, Giuseppe Bonollo, said: “Aptera has truly pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in vehicle design and efficiency. We have always made aerodynamics an essential component in design at Pininfarina. We are therefore thrilled to have supported the aerodynamic validation of the Aptera vehicle with truly unique results.”

As of the brand’s most recent update in November 2024, it said it had 50,000 pre-orders for the car. Pricing and availability details have not been finalized, but the company’s website says prices will range from $25,900 to roughly $46,000.

Just a few hours before a Tesla Cybertruck carrying explosive devices was detonated in Las Vegas, another one was badly damaged elsewhere in the US. The difference is that this Cybertruck caught fire while it was sitting at a Tesla dealership lot in Decatur, Georgia.

Limited details are known about this incident, and it hasn’t received all that much coverage, as it was overshadowed by the aforementioned more high-profile and shocking blast that ripped through a Cybertruck outside a Trump hotel. Nevertheless, footage shows the rear of this example in Georgia has been extensively damaged in the inferno, and it’s unlikely the truck will be repaired.

More: Tesla Cybertruck Explosion Outside Trump Hotel Kills One, Injures Seven – Musk Responds

Local fire crews were called to the fire at around 3 a.m. on December 31. While they were able to extinguish the flames, they couldn’t do so before much of the bed was charred. Given that the Cybertruck has high-strength stainless steel panels, the sides of the bed have been charred but not totally destroyed. The same cannot be said about the plastic fender flares and the rubber tires, as they’ve simply melted.

The firefighters believe the blaze could have started in the EV’s batteries, but they are still investigating the incident, and chances are Tesla, too, will do its part to get to the bottom of the fire.

As with most other EVs on the market, the Cybetruck’s battery pack is located in the floor and sits between the front and rear axles. There’s no word on whether the truck was charging at the time of the blaze, and it’s not clear why the damage appears to be limited to the bed.

Image Credit: Atlanta News First

Xpeng and Volkswagen are deepening their ties in China with the construction of a large super-fast charging network across the nation. The network will include more than 20,000 chargers across 420 cities and, in the future, could grow to include co-branded charging stations.

The two automakers have signed a memorandum of understanding for the partnership but have not said when these new stations will roll out. The chargers will be “high-powered liquid-cooled super-fast” units and will be accessible to owners of both Xpeng and VW’s Chinese models.

Read: Xpeng Could Start Building EVs In Europe To Avoid Tariffs

In a statement, executive vice president of Volkswagen Group China, Olaf Korzinovski said, “Through our strategic collaboration with XPENG, we will form one of the largest Super Fast Charging Networks in China enabling people to seamlessly integrate e-mobility into their daily lives not only in the metropolises but also in remote cities.”

VW and Xpeng are working closely to expand their presence in China. In mid-2023, the German brand purchased a 4.99% stake in Xpeng for $700 million. They announced work on a new electrical and electronic (E&E) architecture that will underpin all future EVs produced by VW in China. The companies will establish two project houses that will allow VW and Xpeng engineers to work together on the new systems.

The first production models to be launched through the partnership will be a pair of mid-range vehicles from VW, which should launch in 2026, and the first to be an SUV. A key advantage of the new architecture is that it reduces the number of ECUs required by 30%. It will also allow for the faster implementation of advanced automated driving functions and have support for over-the-air updates.

VW is also developing a new China Main Platform (CMP) alongside its joint venture partnerships with SAIC and FAW. This architecture will be used by more affordable models, including at least four VW vehicles.

Honda and Sony are looking to convince prospective EV buyers that they should opt for a sleek and innovative sedan known simply as ‘1’. The new model has been in the works for several years, and at CES, the Afeela brand has opened its reservation book for California customers.

The two companies say the Afeela 1 “pursues an interactive relationship between people and vehicles” and will reach the hands of customers in mid-2026. It’s not cheap. Afeela will sell the EV in two guises, with prices kicking off from $89,900, including a 3-year complimentary subscription to select features, including Afeela Intelligent Drive, Afeela Personal Agent, and entertainment content. The base model is known as the Origin while the flagship is dubbed the Signature.

Read: U.S. Dealers Concerned About VW’s Scout And Sony Honda’s Afeela Direct Sales Model

Like some other new players in the EV market, Afeela will begin deliveries of the flagship model before the arrival of the 1 Origin. The Signature starts at $102,900 and features things like 21-inch wheels, a rear entertainment system, and a central camera monitoring system. Afeela also seems to have taken a leaf out of Tesla’s playbook and will only sell the electric sedan in three color options: Tidal Gray, Calm White, and Core Black.

With prices starting at $89,900 and topping out at $102,900, the Afeela 1 is priced head-to-head against the Lucid Air and the Tesla Model S. Interested buyers will need to cough up a $200 refundable deposit to get in line to buy one when sales begin later this year. Afeela hasn’t announced when the car will be available outside of California.

Afeela presented a moderately updated version of last year’s prototype at CES. It promises the production model will be good for 300 miles (483 km) of range and that the EV will support the Tesla Supercharging network at launch. Presumably, the production model will have the same 91 kWh lithium-ion battery pack as the prototype, driving a pair of electric motors that deliver 483 hp.

One of the most important features is Afeela Intelligent Drive. This is the brand’s proprietary ADAS and uses cameras, radars, ultrasonic sensors, and LiDAR to provide advanced driver-assistance functions. However, it’s not yet clear what level of autonomy it offers.  

Afeela’s 2024 CES prototype

While major markets, including the United States and China, reported growth in electric vehicle sales throughout 2024, the same thing can not be said about Germany. In fact, sales of EVs plunged in the country last year, falling by 27.4%, as important subsidies were cut and the German economy struggled. According to one analyst, 2024 represented a “lost year for electro-mobility” in the country.

Germany is Europe’s largest and most important car market, but the figures don’t make for easy reading. In total, only 380,609 new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold in the country last year, a sharp fall from 2023’s numbers and a slump that dragged EV market share down to just 13.5%. For a country often regarded as a bellwether for automotive trends in Europe, it’s a bleak showing.

The Rise of Hybrids Amid EV Slump

As EVs struggled, traditional hybrids enjoyed a much rosier year in Germany. Hybrid sales jumped 12.7%, with 947,398 examples. That represents a 33.6% share of all new cars sold. Sales of plug-in hybrids also grew during the calendar year, rising by 9.2% to 191,905 units. Despite this jump, they still have a relatively small 6.8% share of the market.

Petrol-powered cars remain the most common powertrain type in Germany, accounting for 35.2% of all sales. Last year, 991,948 were sold, representing a 1.4% gain. Diesel car sales slowed by 0.7%, with 483,261 units – enough for a 17.2% share.

The main reason for the slump in EV sales across the country was the government’s controversial decision to drop subsidies in late December 2023. Local buyers had previously been offered up to €4,500 (~$4,700) when purchasing an EV, while manufacturers would receive €2,250 (~$2,300). Local transport minister Volker Wissing wanted to see the EV market stand on its own two feet without government assistance, but things haven’t panned out that way – at least not in 2024.

Read: EV Sales Sink 22% In Germany, Tesla Crashes 55%, But Hybrids Gain 20% In November

Not all hope is lost for Germans hoping to get some assistance in acquiring an EV, though. The nation will elect a new leader on February 23, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz has suggested a new support program on the European level could be introduced. Several politicians have joined the chorus, arguing that the auto industry needs more help, especially as the EU pushes forward with its plans to ban the sale of new combustion-engine cars in the coming years.

Winners and Losers in the Brand Race

Amid the turmoil, Germany’s auto market saw a mix of triumphs and tragedies among automakers. Unsurprisingly, Volkswagen held its dominant position, selling 536,888 cars (a 3.4% increase) and capturing a 19.1% market share. But not everyone shared in the good news. Tesla, for example, took a massive hit, with sales dropping 41% to just 37,574 units—proof that even the electric giant isn’t immune to subsidy cuts and economic uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Toyota saw an impressive 27% jump in sales, bolstered by its strong hybrid lineup, and Peugeot posted a massive 44% increase. On the flip side, luxury brands like Audi (-18.1%) and BMW (-0.1%) struggled to gain traction, while smaller players like Polestar (-49.4%) and BYD (-30.2%) got caught in the EV sales freefall.

Even smaller players in the market experienced widely contrasting outcomes. Lexus saw a remarkable 75.3% jump in sales, while Aston Martin (-46%) and Maserati (-48.3%) faced sharp declines. Surprisingly, some startups like Lucid delivered attention-grabbing results despite extremely modest volumes, with 392 units sold—a 296% surge—indicating that there’s still a niche audience willing to invest in ultra-premium electric vehicles, even amid a challenging market.

GERMANY SALES 2024

Tesla’s CEO Elon has hinted at a potential legal battle with media outlets over their coverage of a Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas last week. At the same time, the world’s richest man has also used the tragic incident as an opportunity to highlight the electric truck’s strength.

It was initially unclear what had caused the Tesla to explode shortly after it was parked just outside the lobby of the Trump hotel. In an article covering the blast, Business Insider’s headline caught the attention of conservative commentator Robby Starbuck, who suggested that Musk should contemplate suing outlets that framed the story in a disparaging way. The offending title? “Tesla Cybertruck explosion in front of Trump hotel in Las Vegas leaves 1 dead, 7 injured.”

Read: Tesla Cybertruck Explosion Outside Trump Hotel Kills One, Injures Seven – Musk Responds

While that statement is factual, Starbuck suggested that “these headlines are sabotaging Tesla’s brand by making people think it caught fire.” It seems Musk agrees with that assertion, as he replied “Maybe it is time to do so,” implying that suing the media could be the answer.

Maybe it is time to do so https://t.co/2i4q5QZOUn

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 2, 2025

While most car manufacturers would probably think having one of their vehicles involved in an alleged targeted attack would be a PR nightmare, it didn’t take Musk long to start trying to spin the incident into a positive.

In a subsequent post on X, Musk said “The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken.” He later added, “I’m pretty sure we could get it running again too.”

The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards.

Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken. https://t.co/9vj1JdcRZV

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 2, 2025

Musk’s sentiment was backed up by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sheriff Kevin McCahill, who said “The fact that this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage that occurred inside the valet because it had most of the blast go up through the truck and out.”

This isn’t the first time Musk has promoted the strength of Tesla’s electric pickup truck after a devastating accident. In November, a Cybertruck was destroyed in Guadalajara, Mexico, after crashing into a statue. While an 18-year-old woman was thrown from the EV and found lying on the pavement in critical condition, Musk jumped on X and re-posted images of the crash, saying the “Cybertruck is tougher than a bag of nails.”

Photo LMVPD

The Genesis GV60 – the Hyundai Motor Group’s most premium cousin to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 – has been updated before its global launch this year. The mid-life update for the electric crossover is relatively minor but does bring some new features that shoppers should welcome.

No significant changes have been made to the overall shape and size of the GV60, and the alterations made to the front and rear fascias are hard to spot. Look a little closer, and you will notice that the front bumper is new and looks slightly sportier than the outgoing model. Genesis has also changed the front grille, positioning it slightly lower, re-shaping it, and making it smaller. The split headlights also feature the firm’s new Micro Lens Array technology.

Read: Genesis Confirms GV60 Magma Launch For Next Fall

The Korean brand has also crafted new 21-inch wheels for the GV60 and has now finished the fenders in the same color as the rest of the body, rather than black plastic as before. While this is only a smaller change, it makes the EV feel slightly more premium. The rear bumper also now matches the rest of the body, rather than being in a contrasting shade of silver.

Making the interior of the new GV60 stand out is the firm’s new 27-inch Integrated Cockpit display that includes the infotainment system and instrument cluster, just like the facelifted GV70. Genesis has rounded out the changes with a newly designed steering wheel.

Genesis has yet to announce market-specific details for the new GV60, nor has it confirmed powertrain or pricing details. The outgoing model had the 77.4 kWh battery pack as the original Ioniq 5 and EV6 models, but both of these have been refreshed and now come standard with an 84 kWh. In all likelihood, the GV60 will get this same enlarged battery.

In certain markets, the current car is available in Standard RWD guise with 225 hp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) or as a dual-motor model with 429 hp / 483 hp with Boost Mode enabled. Similar power figures can be expected for the new car.

Korean sales of the new GV60 will start later this quarter before it lands in other markets like Australia in Q3. Genesis hasn’t said when the updated EV will touch down in the US.

Electric vehicle batteries have come a long way in recent years, but researchers around the world continue to explore and develop new ways to make them even better. Recently, a team from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in Korea created an innovative new lithium metal battery that has a “triple-layer solid polymer electrolyte.” It’s capable of extinguishing itself in a fire and retains strong performance even after many charging cycles.

A Smarter, Safer Battery Design

Let’s break it down. In traditional solid polymer electrolyte batteries, lithium can form small, tree-like structures called dendrites during charging and discharging. While the name might sound harmless, dendrites can damage the internal connections in a battery, significantly increasing the risk of fires and explosions. This long-standing challenge has made it difficult to maximize the potential of lithium metal batteries—until now.

Read: CATL’s New EV Chassis Can Withstand 75 MPH Impact Without Catching Fire Or Exploding

In a peer-reviewed study recently published in the journal Small, the DGIST team detailed their innovative triple-layer electrolyte structure designed to enhance battery safety and performance. This clever design includes soft outer layers that ensure good contact with the electrodes, while a strong middle layer improves the battery’s structural integrity.

The electrolyte is further enhanced with a fire suppressant (decabromodiphenyl ethane), a high concentration of lithium salt, and zeolite, which bolsters its overall strength. While the specifics may sound highly technical, the result is a safer, more reliable battery.

A Battery That Lasts Longer and Protects Itself

The innovation doesn’t stop at fire safety. According to the team behind its development, including principal researcher Dr. Kim Jae-Hyun, the battery design boasts exceptional longevity, retaining approximately 87.9% of its performance after 1,000 charging and discharging cycles. That’s a significant improvement compared to most current batteries, which typically lose 20–30% of their capacity over the same number of cycles.

To put it in perspective, theoretically, an EV with a 300-mile range using this new battery would still retain 87.9% of its capacity, providing over 260 miles of range, even after 300,000 miles of driving.

Additionally, researchers report that the battery can extinguish itself in the event of a fire. This unique combination of durability and safety has the potential to make a substantial impact on the battery industry.

Principal researcher Dr. Kim Jae-Hyun explained the potential impact: “This research is anticipated to make a significant contribution to the commercialization of lithium metal batteries using [solid polymer] electrolytes, while providing enhanced stability and efficiency [to] energy storage devices,” Dr. Kim said. In simpler terms, this technology could lead to safer, longer-lasting batteries for a range of applications.

More Than Just EVs

While electric vehicles are an obvious use case for this technology, the applications extend much further. These advanced batteries could be used in everything from smartphones and wearable devices to large-scale energy storage systems. So, whether you’re scrolling TikTok, tracking your steps, or powering an entire grid, this battery tech might just make your life a little safer—and a lot more efficient.

While Tesla’s panoramic glass roof on the Model Y may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s hard to argue with its resilience. Crash tests, as well as real-world accidents, have repeatedly shown that the Model Y’s roof is incredibly strong. Elon Musk has even said it can support the weight of an elephant, and it looks like Tesla’s commitment to safety may have helped to avoid two potentially fatal accidents in North America over the past couple of weeks.

A Yukon Takes Flight Straight Onto a Model Y

The most recent incident happened in Ontario, Canada, where a gray Tesla Model Y became the unlikely victim of a chaotic multi-vehicle crash. According to the Burlington Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Tesla driver had pulled onto the left shoulder due to slowing traffic on the westbound QEW near Royal Windsor Drive. Moments later, a GMC Yukon rear-ended the Model Y after being struck by a pickup truck, somehow launching itself onto the Tesla’s roof.

Watch: Tesla Model Y Juniper Caught With Split Headlights And Rear Light Bar

Photos OPP

From the photos, it seems as though the front of the Yukon struck the left corner of the Model Y’s rear, and due to the size discrepancy between the two (and perhaps because of the Model Y’s sloped roof), the Yukon slid over the glass panel and landed on top of the electric crossover. In a posting on social media, the Model Y’s driver, who was inside the vehicle with her husband and two children, reported that all four occupants walked away unharmed.

The damage done to the Model Y is pretty extensive and most of the driver side has been destroyed and, in all likelihood, won’t be repairable. Importantly, the roof remained strong and didn’t cave in, like a weaker metal roof may have.

Chevy Lands On Top Of Another Model Y

This isn’t the only recent case of an SUV unexpectedly turning a Tesla Model Y into a landing pad. Just before Christmas in Orange County, California, a black Chevy hit a white Model Y and also ended up precariously perched on the Tesla’s roof. In this instance, the EV’s roof also appears to have withstood the impact valiantly. A red Toyota GR Corolla and a silver Hyundai were also involved in the crash.

With both Teslas keeping their occupants safe in these crashes, we can’t help but wonder if the bulbous design of the SUV’s rear-end somehow served as a ramp, allowing the SUVs to slide onto them easily. What do you think? Would a similarly-sized SUV with a more upright rear-end suffer the same fate?

At the tail end of 2024, Jaguar lifted the veil on its Type 00 concept, a car previewing its next-generation electric sedan. It’s been the talk of the automotive industry since its premiere, not just because it looks like nothing Jaguar has ever built before, but because the British carmaker has tossed aside the traditional design playbook to craft something genuinely original. Let’s just say it’s not the sort of car you’d mistake for your neighbor’s XE in the Whole Foods parking lot.

Meanwhile, Tesla’s Cybertruck—love it, hate it, or begrudgingly accept its existence—has spent the past year cementing its place as the poster child of automotive controversy. With its unapologetically radical design, it’s arguably the most unconventional mass-market production vehicle to hit the roads in the last decade.

While the Jaguar Type 00’s styling isn’t quite as unorthodox as the Cybertruck’s, it’s unquestionably distinctive. So much so, in fact, that one designer took it upon themselves to combine the two, resulting in the so-called “Jaguar Cybertruck.”

Read: Radical Jaguar Type 00 Concept Previews Make-Or-Break MY26 Electric Sedan

The project, created by Studio Enemy, takes the form of a smaller two-door version of the Cybertruck and seamlessly grafts on the front and rear fascias of the Type 00. The front end has the same split LEDs as the Jaguar, although the top ones now sit diagonally across the front for added drama. A little faux grille has been added alongside a blacked-out lower bumper section where the sharp design elements continue.

A tapered roof just like the road-going Cybertruck has been retained, while the absence of rear doors accentuates the length of the wheelbase. And, because this is still a Jaguar-inspired design, Studio Enemy swapped Tesla’s infamous plastic aero covers for the much more refined and posh alloys found on the Type 00 concept.

Illustrations Studio Enemy

The rear end of the Type 00 is perhaps the most radical part of its design, and it has also been used for the truck conversion. It features the same horizontal slats and the designer has added two pronounced LED light bars. There’s also a retractable cover, similar to the tonneau cover of the Cybertruck.

2026 Jaguar Type 01: Everything We Know About The $130,000 Electric Sedan

In Tesla’s case, the production Cybertruck stayed virtually identical to the concept that first previewed it, making it one of the rare instances where the promises of a concept car translated directly to reality. As for the Jaguar Type 00, the road-going version is also expected to remain largely faithful to the concept’s design, albeit in a four-door sedan form rather than a coupe. However, we’ll have to wait until the end of 2025 to finally see it in the flesh.

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Note: This story contains renderings by Studio Enemy that are not endorsed by Jaguar or Tesla.

In just three and a half years, Chinese technology giant Xiaomi has gone from consumer electronics to building one of the most hyped electric sedans on the market. The company now has grand ambitions, targeting a sales boost by more than two-fold and the recent launch of its first SUV is an important piece in its strategic plan. It’s also working on an intriguing third model.

During a recent New Year’s Eve broadcast, Xiaomi founder and chief executive Lei Jun revealed the brand delivered over 135,000 examples of the electric SU7 sedan in 2024. That’s a particularly impressive figure when you consider that the car only launched in March, and Xiaomi had initially hoped to sell 100,000 units through 2024.

Read: Xiaomi YU7 SUV Looks Like A Ferrari Purosangue And McLaren Rolled Into One

Sales of the SU7 have steadily increased throughout the year. In June, it sold 14,296 examples, and while sales slowed slightly in July, August, and September, they rebounded strongly in October with 20,726 deliveries. In November, sales again increased to 23,156 units.

To celebrate the 15^th anniversary of Xiaomi, the company has taken the wraps off a special hot pink version of the SU7. Available exclusively through the Xiaomi EV app from January 1, it also comes equipped with unique pink and silver wheels.

Xiaomi SU7 15th Anniversary Edition

Xiaomi’s second model was recently unveiled in the form of the YU7 SUV. While technical specifications remain under wraps, it will probably have very similar specs to the SU7 sedan. This includes options for 73.6 kWh, 94.3 kWh, and 101 kWh battery packs. All versions of the YU7 will be sold with dual-motor all-wheel drive, featuring a front 295-hp motor and a rear 386-hp motor, for a combined 681 hp.

The YU7 will cost slightly more than the SU7 but will still be well-priced, at least according to Chinese media which claim prices will be set around the ¥250,000–300,000 (~$34,200 – $41,000) mark. Deliveries will start in June or July.

A prominent electric vehicle industry group in the UK is pushing for the government to ban traditional hybrid cars alongside more conventional petrol and diesel vehicles which are already facing the chopping block in 2030. The group, Electric Vehicles UK (EVUK), believes allowing non-plug-in hybrids to be sold after this date would be a “catastrophic misstep.”

The UK’s Department of Transport has pushed forward its ICE ban from 2035 to 2030. From 2035, all non-zero-emission new cars will be prohibited, but there’s still a debate about what vehicles will be available for consumers to buy between 2030 and the end of 2034.

Read: UK Goverment Ready To Soften Unrealistic EV Mandate

In an impassioned plea with the British media, the EVUK’s chief executive, Dan Caesar, said he is not opposed to PHEVs being available between these dates but thinks traditional hybrids and mild-hybrids should be banned alongside conventional ICEs.

A “Catastrophic Misstep”?

“The inclusion of full hybrid technology would be a catastrophic misstep and make a laughing stock of the UK Government’s world-leading zero-emission vehicle policy,” he told The Guardian. “If lobbyists do persuade government to include full hybrids it would be a big backwards move. The ramifications for the nascent EV industry and for fragile consumer confidence could be profound. Holding the line and creating certainty around EVs has the potential to be a key measure towards revitalizing a sluggish economy.”

Andy Palmer, the former boss of Aston Martin and Nissan, is an advisor to the industry group and said that while hybrids are “a better solution” than mild hybrids, they still use “a technology that belongs to the late 1990s.” He also said that mandating the sale of only vehicles with a plug – like PHEVs and EVs – will help to stimulate the expansion of the country’s charging network.

The Government Is Still Undecided

The Department of Transport says it’s continuing to hold consultations with the industry about which kind of vehicle powertrains should be allowed after 2030. “We are consulting with industry on which cars, including which types of hybrid cars, can be sold alongside fully zero-emission vehicles from 2030,” it told The Telegraph.

“Drivers are already embracing electric vehicles faster than ever and 2024 was a record year for the UK new car market, with the strongest overall growth of any major European market. Industry will help us shape the transition to zero emissions vehicles in a way that works for businesses, drivers and the environment. Together we can capitalize on the clean energy transition to support thousands of jobs, make the UK a clean energy superpower and rebuild Britain.”

Not too long ago, there was a time when supersport motorbikes were by far the quickest road-legal vehicles on the planet. However, while most flagship bikes from the past decade have remained capped at around 200 hp, the horsepower wars among carmakers have continued to rage.

First, flagship hypercars like the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder started giving bikes a run for their money. Now, we’re living in an era where all-electric sedans are among the quickest-accelerating cars on the planet. To demonstrate this, CarWow recently lined up the new Porsche Taycan Turbo GT alongside a Ferrari SF90 Stradale and a Yamaha R1M. The results are eye-opening – although not unsurprising.

Read: Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Becomes First Car To Break 2-Second Barrier In C/D’s 0-60 Test

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is the only true supercar on test and its twin-turbocharged V8 and three electric motors combine to deliver 986 hp. However, that’s less than the 1,019 hp mustered up by the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with its launch control system enabled. The Yamaha R1M is good for 200 hp by comparison, but is also much lighter.

In the first race, all three competitors got a great start but the Ferrari edged ahead. However, the Porsche soon closed the gap and was neck-and-neck with the SF90. The rider of the Yamaha did a good job of hanging with the Ferrari and Porsche but finished slightly behind.

The SF90 got the jump off the line in the second race, but just like in the first race, the Taycan started to pull slightly away as the speeds started to build, taking the victory. In the third, the Porsche and the Yamaha got the best launches as the driver of the Ferrari turned off all the assistance systems and got a bunch of unwanted wheelspin, impacting the hybrid’s getaway.

The tables are turned in a rolling drag race from 10 mph. While the Porsche has the power advantage over the Ferrari, it doesn’t perform as well in a roll race and is left behind by the other two.

For most of the past year, it’s seemed like every other week, a major Chinese car manufacturer has revealed a new and innovative premium EV. However, some analysts expect fewer all-new premium models to be launched in 2025 due to weakening demand across the local market.

China’s luxury EVs are usually priced over 300,000 yuan (about $41,000), with several different car manufacturers competing in this segment. These include Xpeng, Nio, Li Auto, Zeekr, and BYD. All of these brands produce compelling models, but the segment is small, and there’s limited potential for it to grow. The founder of CnEVPost, Phate Zhang, believes this will force companies to slow down their launches of new premium models.

Read: China’s HiPhi EV Startup Is In Trouble, As Parent Company Files For Bankruptcy

“I think automakers will slow down their launches of new premium models in 2025 and focus on upgrading their existing models,” he told the South China Morning Post. “This market segment is not easy to expand. Coupled with the overall slowdown in the EV market, sales of high-end EV models have faced considerable challenges this year.”

Vehicles in China’s premium EV segment accounted for roughly 10% of total EVs sold through the first 11 months of the year. While sales of these models have grown over recent years, this growth has started to slow, according to China Passenger Car Association data. Ongoing price wars are also making it difficult for new offerings to enter the market and prove competitive.

“Few of the companies have succeeded in entering the premium market, with most of the rest suffering from weak sales and huge investment losses,” Jiangxi New Energy Technology Institute researcher Zhang Xiang said. “This has set an alarm for the carmakers.”

Several local brands started to feel the pinch of slowing sales growth in 2024. Last August, Human Horizons filed for bankruptcy, having sold fewer than 8,000 of its premium EV models in 2023, while in December, Geely’s Jiyue EV brand was on the brink of collapse. While growth has slowed, China’s EV market is expected to swell considerably this year. In fact, sales of new-energy vehicles – which include BEVs, PHEVs, and FCEVs – may increase by 28% this year and hit 15.78 million sales.

Just a week after Nissan announced the 2025 Ariya with a slightly higher price tag, dealers are already offering incentives for their electric SUV model. The Nissan Ariya is quite a compelling option for those in the market for an electric SUV of this size.

The 2025 model is currently available with a $1,000 loyalty discount for current Nissan and Infiniti owners, as revealed by a dealer bulletin. This incentive is available to those purchasing or leasing the 2025 Ariya. Financing could be a great option for some, as the electric Nissan SUV is offered with a 2.19% APR for 36 months or 3.19% for 60 months, the same rates as the outdated Nissan Leaf.

Read: Nissan Simplifies 2025 Ariya Lineup And Readjusts Prices Across The Range

Only time will tell if the new $1,000 discount is enough to convince existing Nissan or Infiniti owners to sign on the dotted line for a new Ariya. However, an ever bigger deal might be on the horizon for potential Ariya buyers, as Nissan might announce a $7,500 cash incentive when leased, Cars Direct notes. If the Japanese carmaker makes it official, leasing a 2025 Ariya is the best option.

Prices for the 2025 Ariya start at $39,770 for the Engage FWD variant with the base 66 kWh battery pack. This is a small price hike from the $39,590 starting price of the 2024 model but is still significantly cheaper than 2023 models, which started at $43,190 and rose to as high as $60,190 for the Platinum+ e-4ORCE. The current range continues to top out with the Platinum+ e-4ORCE, although it’s now available from $53,370.

Nissan did not make any noteworthy changes to the 2025 Ariya. In fact, all it did was add wireless phone charging as standard to all variants and eliminate several mid-range versions.

Zeekr has no immediate plans to start selling its cars in the United States, but that doesn’t stop them from bringing a trio of their models to this month’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. This will kick off what it hopes will be a year of record-breaking sales that may help establish it as one of China’s most important premium EV brands.

Attendees at CES will have the opportunity to see the Zeekr 001 FR, 009 Grand, and Mix from up close. The company is also scheduled to host a press conference and panel discussion were it’s expected to announce several new technologies and provide further details about its ongoing global expansion.

Read: Zeekr 001 FR Debuts With Four Motors, Tank Turns And 1,248 HP

This isn’t the first time the Chinese carmaker made an appearance at CES. It brought the 001 to the show in 2023 and last year, had the 007 sedan on display and announced a technology partnership with Intel.

Zeekr has big plans for 2025, as it’s aiming to deliver 320,000 vehicles. This represents a 44% increase over the 222,123 vehicles it delivered last year, an impressive figure when you consider it’s only been three and a half years since the brand launched the 001.

More: The New Zeekr Mix Is China’s Space-Age Answer To VW’s ID. Buzz

Its sales increased dramatically throughout 2024. In December alone, it delivered 27,190 vehicles, a fourth consecutive record month of sales and more than double the number of cars it sold in December 2023. During the fourth quarter, deliveries hit 79,250.

The company is charging into 2025 shortly after it was announced that Geely would shift Lynk & Co under the Zeekr umbrella. These two brands aim to grow cumulative sales to 1 million over the coming two years. This won’t just necessitate a big increase in sales at Zeekr, but also at Lynk & Co. During the January-November 2024 period, Lynk & Co delivered 259,356 vehicles, a 33.31% increase over the year prior.

BYD continued to rapidly expand in 2024, selling 4.27 million vehicles, an impressive 41.3% jump over the 3 million sales in 2023. However, the company is not expected to usurp Tesla as the largest seller of battery-electric vehicles.

The Chinese car-making giant sold 1,764,992 EVs in 2024, a 12% increase over 2023. 2,485,378 were plug-in hybrid vehicles, a 72.8% surge compared to 2023.

Read: BYD Outsold Ford Last Quarter To Become Sixth-Largest Carmaker

December was a record-breaking month for the company, selling 509,440 vehicles. Tesla has yet to release its delivery figures for 2024 but is expected to have shipped roughly 1.81 million vehicles, clinging on to the top spot in EV sales. However, BYD is expected to surpass Ford and Honda for cumulative 2024 sales, positioning itself as one of the world’s largest car manufacturers.

Bloomberg reports the vast majority of BYD’s sales come from China, with roughly half a million coming from overseas markets.

The rise of BYD in recent years has been nothing short of spectacular. Not too long ago, the company was a small brand selling bland, boring vehicles in China, but thanks in part to the local government’s heavily subsidized EV programs, BYD has established an enviable manufacturing footprint and launched several compelling vehicles. It also operates numerous sub-brands catering to different areas of the market.

BYD is also a battery giant. According to Car News China, it’s the second-largest battery supplier in China and supplies packs to companies including Toyota, Nio, and Tesla. The company installed a total of 194.7 GWh worth of batteries in vehicles and energy storage facilities last year.

Update: The Las Vegas Metro Police Department has disclosed that gasoline canisters, camp fuel canisters, and firework mortars were found in the Cybertruck’s bed. Authorities believe these items were connected to a detonation system allegedly triggered by the driver. The vehicle had been rented in Colorado through Turo.

According to ABC News, the sheriff stated that Tesla CEO Elon Musk assisted with the investigation by remotely unlocking the Cybertruck after it auto-locked during the explosion. Musk also provided investigators with video footage showing the suspect at charging stations along the route from Colorado to Las Vegas.

The original story follows.

We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself.

All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion. https://t.co/HRjb87YbaJ

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2025

One person has been killed and at least seven injured after a Tesla Cybertruck exploded and caught fire while parked outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Local authorities and the FBI are investigating the incident but do not believe there is any further threat to locals.

The explosion occurred shortly after the electric pickup truck pulled up in front of the hotel’s lobby. CCTV footage shared to X captured the devastating blast. In the clip, fire can be seeing ripping through the Tesla and it appears that several fireworks were also set off by the explosion.

Read: Feds Looking Into Fatal Tesla Cybertruck Crash That Killed Three Teens

Several videos are also circulating online that show the aftermath of the blast and the ensuing fire. ABC News reports that police are investigating the explosion as a possible act of terror. The driver of the Tesla was killed.

An individual who witnessed the explosion and fire said they saw the Tesla pull up to the lobby before it “lowered itself like a bus.”

“I and my husband were literally standing where the luggage is in the footage. I just saw it pulled up, and it lowered itself like a bus, and boom it goes. It first looked like fireworks or something but then I immediately feared our life thinking it could be a bomb and ran,” they wrote on X.

🚨New footage of the Tesla Cybertruck exploding in front of the Trump hotel

It looks like fireworks exploded

This was intentional

Someone was sending a message to Trump & Elon pic.twitter.com/aTpe0oM6jg

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) January 1, 2025

While posting to his social media company, Elon Musk said “the while Tesla senior team is investigating this matter right now. Will post more information as soon as we learn anything. We’ve never seen anything like this.”

Donald Trump has yet to comment on the incident, but his son, Eric Trump, thanked the local authorities for the quick response.

“Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas,” he said. “The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism.”

Cybertruck blew up in front of Trump hotel in Las Vegas. Those are our luggage by the door and that’s where we were when it happened. pic.twitter.com/KaVZXfGLNK

— ayackle (@kaaaassuu) January 1, 2025

The whole Tesla senior team is investigating this matter right now.

Will post more information as soon as we learn anything.

We’ve never seen anything like this. https://t.co/MpmICGvLXf

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2025

The Chevrolet Equinox EV is involved in another recall in the United States, just two months after a handful had to be repaired for door strikers that could crack under pressure. This recall is much more widespread than October’s, impacting 7,606 examples across the United States.

Like all other EVs on the market, the Equinox EV is required to have a pedestrian alert sound system. However, Chevrolet has revealed the system in the Equinox EV may have been improperly calibrated and may not produce enough exterior sound when the SUV is traveling between 20 km/h (12.4 mph) and 30 km/h (18.6 mph). The carmaker rightly points out that if pedestrians can’t hear an approaching Equinox EV between these speeds, there’s a heightened risk of a collision occurring and a pedestrian being injured.

Read: Chevy Serves Electric Juice With Every Equinox EV Test Drive — Welcome To California

The recall impacts 2025 Equinox EV models manufactured between August 13, 2024, and October 16, 2024. GM has blamed the fault on incorrect software calibrations in the body control module. It opened an investigation into a potential problem on October 8, 2024, after an audit found the pedestrian alert sound on 2025 models was not up to spec. A decision to issue a recall was made on December 5.

Owners will be alerted to the recall from January 27, 2025. Curiously, customer-owned vehicles will need to visit a GM dealership to have the body control module’s software correctly calibrated, while unsold vehicles may receive the same update over the air. GM hasn’t specified why the over-the-air update isn’t available for all vehicles.

October’s recall for the Equinox EV also encompassed the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer and Blazer EV models. Chevy revealed these vehicles had door strikes that were improperly heat-treated and did not meet its hardness specifications, meaning the doors could swing open while driving or during a crash. Fortunately for GM, none of these vehicles had been delivered to customers at the time of the recall and were still on dealership lots.

Rimac may have quietly dropped a teaser image for its upcoming single-seater hypercar that Mate Rimac has promised will be quicker than a Formula 1 car. If you thought the Nevera and Nevera R were quick, just wait until you see what Rimac has up its sleeve.

This intriguing sketch is included in the latest issue of the Rimac Magazine that’s available to purchase on the carmaker’s website. One of the pages shows a line-up of three Rimac models, including the regular Nevera, a turquoise-colored Nevera R, and the front end of a mystery third model, triggering speculation that this could be the brand’s single-seater.

Read: Rimac Is Working On A Single-Seat Track Weapon That’ll Be Quicker Than An F1 Car

While some of the intricacies of the car’s design are hard to spot, it looks to have a pronounced front noise section that is not dissimilar to a Formula 1 car or IndyCar. However, unlike most open-wheel racers, it appears to have large sections positioned in front of the wheels, likely to aid in aerodynamics. Interestingly, there don’t appear to be any parts that shield the top of the tire, effectively giving it an open-wheeled design.

We can also see the car has a fixed canopy, which extends further forward than it does on the Nevera, and a wraparound windshield that is not dissimilar to what you’ll find in a fighter jet.

Mate Rimac confirmed work on a track-only single-seater in August, at the launch of the Nevera R. He claims it’ll be faster than an F1 car and be built around a bespoke platform. He added it will have a canopy-style cockpit, lending credibility to the idea that this image doubles as a subtle teaser for the car. The Croatian brand initially planned to reveal the model in 2024 before taking it to the track in 2025 with plans to smash several records.

No details about the car’s powertrain are known, but it will probably be all-electric. If sold to customers, it’s also bound to be exorbitantly expensive.