Love’ em or hate’ em, electric vehicles are, on average, pricier to buy than their ICE counterparts. A new study suggests that they’re more expensive to insure as well – and we’re not talking about a few basis points. However, after digging into the details, the results are not as clear-cut as they seem.

More: Filing A $100K Insurance Claim For A Crash Works Better If You’re Actually In Your Porsche

The data in question comes from a study by Insurify. It leveraged over 97 million insurance quotes to determine the average rate for gas-powered and electric cars. Rates reflect full coverage on a 2020 model year or newer. In most cases, the quoted figures reflect a driver with a clean record and good or better credit. Overall, it says that EV owners pay 49 percent more to insure their cars.

Why Rates Run Higher

The explanation seems straightforward enough. EVs come with higher costs to start with, even when compared directly with gas-powered competitors and they’re typically more expensive to repair when they’re damaged. Parts are harder to come by and a damaged battery, for instance, can write off a car faster than an average engine failure.

On top of all this, keep in mind that EVs are often very new models with little to no aftermarket or junkyard support. It’s no wonder that insurance companies might build in a buffer for that risk.

Question Marks in the Data

Despite that, there are some questionable bits with the study. Some of the matchups mentioned raise eyebrows. For example, it directly compares the Tesla Model X to the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes A-Class goes up against the Tesla Model 3. These, however, aren’t really apples-to-apples comparisons, as some on Reddit pointed out. As one commenter put it, “Some of these comparisons make genuinely zero sense.”

What is important to note is the fact that ignoring certain factors like real-world repairability, warranty coverage, or depreciation curves, could tilt the figures against EVs quickly. In addition, each repair case is, to one degree or another, unique.

For example, while engine replacement typically isn’t as costly as a battery replacement, the true cost depends entirely on the car in question. On top of that, the federally mandated 8-year/100,000-mile EV battery warranty offered on every new EV reduces risk for owners, a factor that insurers might not fully weigh.

A Few Useful Takeaways

Even with the caveats, the study did highlight which EVs are cheapest to insure. Models like the Chevrolet Blazer, Nissan Leaf, Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Ioniq lineup, Ford F-150 Lightning, and the Subaru Solterra/Toyota bZ4X twins all made the list.

Still, whether the numbers are genuinely meaningful is up for debate. Insurance for EVs might trend higher for the time being, but with questionable methodology and comparisons, this study might say more about how we measure costs than it does about EV ownership. 

Credit: Insurify

Technology advances at such a rapid pace that sometimes it creates more problems than it solves. China’s regulators are preparing to crack down on what they see as a great example of that: fully retractable door handles. A new set of standards could explicitly prohibit hidden handles on new vehicles. If these become law, it could have ripples across the globe.

The proposed regulation, reported by Mingjing Pro, comes from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. It would ban fully retractable handles while still allowing semi-retractable versions. A key requirement is that all vehicles must include a mechanical backup system so doors can be opened during emergencies.

More: New Lawsuit Might Force Ford To Change Mustang Mach-E Door Handles

According to Car News China, the final rules could come out by the end of September. Enforcement wouldn’t start until 2027, so manufacturers would have a little time to get their production in order. Evidently, many automakers already know about this potential change, so they might already be working on a solution.

The Problem With Flush Handles

Flush door handles have been a hallmark of modern EVs, touted not just for their futuristic look but also their aerodynamic gains. Real-world data appears to throw a wrench in that latter point, though.

Engineers say that drag reduction due to flush handles amounts to just 0.005-0.01 Cd, saving about 0.6 kWh per 100 km. That’s a very small amount and even more negligible for those who charge at home. At the same time, adding the motors and mechanisms that make these doors work can add 7-8 kg of weight.

On top of that, we’ve reported on countless examples of door handles like this failing. Frozen motors can leave motorists stranded with no quick way into their car. Crash data indicates that handles can fail more than 30 percent of the time after side impacts. When it comes time for replacement, they’re far more expensive, too.

What Happens If China Bans Them?

If China does move forward with this ban, it could actually affect handles everywhere. Many automakers see the world’s biggest car market as a huge part of their own business plan. Changing their design to conform to such rules would likely mean keeping that same non-flush design in other markets as well.

Again, that wouldn’t stop automakers from using semi-flush handles, but it could stop fully flush ones from popping up in the future. 

Credit: Magna International / GAC / Infiniti

Tesla might be in the midst of trying to expand its Robotaxi platform as fast as it can, but Waymo is bounding ahead. It just announced plans to bring its fleet to Denver, Colorado, and Seattle, Washington—though for now, the vehicles will still have human drivers behind the wheel as part of an initial testing phase. This step is designed to fine-tune operations and ensure the cars are ready for fully autonomous rides in the future.

Read: Waymo’s NYC Debut Comes With Training Wheels

Denverites can expect to see a mixed Waymo fleet of Jaguar I-PACE SUVs with its fifth-gen Waymo Driver and Zeekr RTs equipped with the sixth-gen system. Both vehicles will have human drivers behind the wheel to begin. They’ll gather data about the entire city while Waymo coordinates with state and city officials.

Local Voices Onboard

Speaking of those officials, they sound enthusiastic about the move. Governor Jared Polis said, “I’m excited to help Coloradans get where we want to go faster, safer, with additional transportation options.” Mayor Mike Johnston added, “Waymo’s innovative, climate-friendly technology will not only make our streets safer but cleaner, and I can’t wait for my first ride.”

At the same time, Waymo is doing something almost identical in Seattle. Human drivers will guide the cars there while collecting data about traffic patterns before handing over control to the fully autonomous cars at some stage in the future. Waymo emphasized that its years of experience in areas with heavy rain, snow, and complex urban layouts will help it make its service in both locations.

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Expanding The Map

This new Denver and Seattle test phase is all just a tiny piece of a much larger expansion going on for Waymo. The company already operates fully autonomous cars with no human supervision in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta. It’s also working on expanding to Miami, Washington, D.C., New York City, and other locations.

In fact, it recently announced that the San José Mineta International Airport just gave it the green light to begin service on airport grounds. Tesla might have more coverage in Austin, Texas, but this proves that Waymo is still far ahead in the autonomous taxi business.

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Credit: Waymo

Love him or hate him, Elon Musk has built a reputation for sometimes making the impossible seem inevitable. From electric cars dominating global markets to rockets that land themselves with pinpoint precision, his record is extraordinary. Yet, even for someone with those successes, the 2025 CEO Performance Award just presented by Tesla’s board represents a challenge of unprecedented scale.

Read: Tesla Just Quietly Fixed A Problem Owners Have Complained About For Years

The plan could grant Musk over 423 million shares and a total compensation package of around $1 trillion. Of course, that only happens if Tesla hits some staggering milestones. The award is split into 12 tranches, each unlocking as Tesla hits specific market capitalization targets.

According to the SEC filing detailing the package, it goes as follows: the first tranche at $2 trillion, nine more at $500 billion increments, and the final two at $1 trillion each, culminating in a mind-bending $8.5 trillion valuation by 2035. Right now, Tesla is worth a little over $1 trillion.

A Trillion-Dollar Tightrope

Market cap is only a small piece of the story, though. Musk must also achieve at least $400 billion in sustained annual adjusted EBITDA and hit operational targets that push Tesla into uncharted waters. Among them: putting 1 million fully autonomous Robotaxis into commercial service and delivering 1 million Optimus AI bots.

Market cap is only a small piece of the story. Musk must also deliver at least $400 billion in sustained annual adjusted EBITDA, which is finance-speak for the company’s earnings from its core business before accounting for things like taxes, interest, or non-cash costs such as depreciation.

On top of that, he faces operational goals that push the company into uncharted territory, such as putting 1 million fully autonomous Robotaxis into commercial service and delivering another 1 million Optimus AI robots.

Today, Robotaxi still requires a safety driver in the car, so these targets aren’t theoretical; they demand breakthroughs in autonomy, scaling, and execution. It’s a package that forces a hard look at Musk’s history. He’s undeniably a visionary, but he’s often over-promised and under-delivered. He’s often been late, sometimes very late, about tech promises. That’s to say nothing of his political engagement.

Betting His Legacy On Autonomy

At the same time, if he can actually achieve everything laid out in this compensation package, it’ll be hard to argue that he’s not the defining innovator of our era. That said, the board has set up this award in a way that Musk can’t simply hit the goals and cash out.

He must remain at Tesla for the next 7.5 to 10 years. The goals must be met by 2035. Tesla said it “believes that Mr Musk’s vision and leadership are critical to nailing that execution”.

At this point, all of Musk’s promises of autonomy are all the more intriguing. His salary and perhaps his legacy rely on him being right about Tesla leading the autonomy charge sooner rather than later.

Tesla might have just dropped its strongest hint yet that a Cybertruck-inspired SUV could very well be on the table. In its new “Sustainable Abundance – Master Plan IV” video, clay models of the upcoming Cybercab were featured in the foreground of some frames. The real surprise, though, was in the background, where scale models sat on a shelf. They appear to be three-row Cybertruck-inspired Tesla SUVs.

More: Tesla’s New Model Y Performance Gets A Feature Once Reserved For Supercars

Elon Musk’s company is typically very secretive about its design process. While we show you leaks from automakers all over the world, it’s rare for Tesla to let something big slip. For example, the Cybertruck and the second-generation Roadster never leaked before their debuts. It’s curious then that it would publish the video below with these models in the background.

From Pickup to Family SUV

A ‘CyberSUV’ has been a point of speculation since the Cybertruck first debuted in 2019. The idea is simple but potentially game-changing. Take the rugged-looking stainless steel wedge aesthetic of the pickup and shape it into a three-row SUV.

It would essentially trade the bed for a more family-friendly interior while keeping the major bones of the Cybertruck itself. The 48-volt system, the steer-by-wire, and adaptive suspension could just carry over.

Such a model would give Tesla something that it has always lacked, a true full-size SUV to rival cars like the Cadillac Escalade IQ, Rivian R1S, and Kia EV9. The Model X is a bit too small and dainty to cover that territory, and the Model Y L is really a different proposition altogether, not to mention it might not end up in America at all. On top of that, rugged off-road vehicles are very popular, but short of the Cybertruck, Tesla doesn’t sell such a car.

That all said, there’s good reason to think the CyberSUV might end up being just a fanciful design study. Teslarati points out the company’s Q4 2024 Shareholder Deck, which explicitly stated that no future vehicles would use a stainless steel exoskeleton like the Cybertruck does.

Of course, if Tesla could find a way to repurpose the vast majority of Cybertruck chassis and structural design, it could allow the brand to better use the production capacity it thought it would need for the truck.

For now, the CyberSUV remains speculative. But if Tesla is truly considering it, the SUV could become the brand’s next breakout hit. It could even signal future design language for the entire lineup.

https://t.co/ZA7KCwX7N9

— Tesla (@Tesla) September 1, 2025

Credit: Tesla

Driving a Dodge Charger EV brings with it a kind of freedom that feels both practical and kind of futuristic. No more waiting at gas stations, no scheduling oil changes, and certainly no crawling under the car to deal with exhaust leaks. What it doesn’t free you from, apparently, is the risk of being ticketed for having a “loud exhaust.”

That’s exactly what one owner just experienced despite the fact that the Charger Daytona doesn’t have an actual exhaust system at all.

More: Here Is Exactly The Way That Dodge’s Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust Will Work

What it does have is Dodge’s so-called Fratzonic exhaust system, which is marketing speak for speakers that emulate the sound and vibration of a gas-powered exhaust system. As fake exhaust noises go, it’s better than some. That said, the driver in this story was and is shocked that he could end up in this situation.

The driver in question is Mike from Distressed Media, and he recorded a recent interaction with a Minnesota State Trooper. In it, the officer tells Mike that he’s getting a ticket for having a “loud exhaust” and for “disturbing the peace.”

The Stop in Stillwater

Mike told The Drive that he was cruising through Stillwater, a city with a strict noise ordinance, when things went sideways. He was at a stoplight “about eight cars deep” when the lead car launched loudly. That’s when a state trooper across the intersection flipped around and pulled Mike over.

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An Argument That Went Nowhere

“The trooper stepped up and immediately told me my car’s exhaust was way too loud and was disturbing the peace,” Mike recalled. “I tried telling him it’s an EV and doesn’t have an exhaust or an engine, and he said he’s not gonna argue with me.” The trooper also ticketed him for not having a front license plate.

Things only get weirder from there, though.

Mike says the ticket is evidently not even in the system, several months after the stop. “I have called the courthouse every week for the last 10 weeks trying to schedule the court date/appearance, and still nothing,” he said.

Maybe the court recognizes how absurd it is to fine someone for the sound of an exhaust that doesn’t exist. Or maybe Mike hasn’t heard the last of it, and we’ll eventually see how the system tries to hold him accountable for a noise his car can only pretend to make.

Credit: Distressed Media

Owning a brand-new car is supposed to be a joyful experience. Buying one from a relatively new automaker can heighten those feelings since the product typically offers exciting innovations. For one Rivian owner, though, the whole thing has left a bittersweet taste in his mouth.

His situation, shared in a pair of Reddit posts, highlights the challenges that come with supporting a new automaker. It also points out how shaky service can sour an otherwise stellar product.

Read: Rivian Owner’s Quality And Service Nightmares Expose The Pain Of Being A ‘Beta Tester’

The first issue popped up when the owner in question slipped into his R1T to find that the screens were dead. No reset procedure worked, so the truck was basically a big, shiny, expensive brick. “I love this truck, it’s amazing,” he wrote, “but these damn problems that keep popping up are making it hard to keep loving.”

Service Setbacks

After a tow, Rivian’s service center replaced the 12-volt battery, swapped out a faulty AXM module, and flushed the coolant. The owner picked the truck up days later, hoping his troubles were behind him. To say was he wrong would be an understatement: actually, he had more problems before even leaving the service center, the least of all being that there were ‘greasy fingerprints’ all over and the floor mats were dirty.

The big issue was that his Apple CarPlay no longer worked. He tried logging out and back in, to no avail. Moreover, the driver’s traffic visualization system was non-functional and things like the ‘smart turn signals’ were on the fritz. “This isn’t fun guys, I’m seriously about to give up on this truck,” he wrote in a full follow-up.

To be fair, this sort of story isn’t unique to Rivian. Service mishaps happen at every automaker, including legacy brands. The difference is that companies like Ford, GM, and Toyota have decades-old networks of dealers and service processes to lean on. Rivian is still building its infrastructure from scratch.

You May Love It – But Can You Trust It?

Many owners rave about positive experiences, but enough of them report headaches like this that it underscores how fragile trust can be when the car in question relies heavily on things like complex software and untested support systems to function as it should. One commenter in the thread claims they’ve been in for service between 10-15 times in just two years. In the end, for this particular Rivian owner, the R1T still feels like the right truck – when it works. 

Credit: DrkNeo

Tesla and Waymo are pushing hard to win taxi customers in Austin, Texas. On Tuesday morning, the battle shifted again as Tesla expanded its geo-fenced area to include 171 square miles. That’s almost double what Waymo currently covers, namely 90 square miles, but the war probably isn’t over.

Since July, the two companies have sparred to own the robotaxi market in Austin. The battle couldn’t start any sooner because that’s when Tesla got into the business there. On the flip side, Waymo started its service there back in March. When it did, it kicked things off with a geo-fenced public service map of just 37 square miles.

More: Waymo’s NYC Debut Comes With Training Wheels

When Tesla first began offering rides, it covered just 20 square miles. That didn’t last long, though. It soon expanded the rideshare program to more people and made its coverage map 42 square miles. Waymo then countered with a map that covered 90 square miles just two days later. The battle sat there until today when Tesla expanded to 171 square miles.

The new map almost doubles Waymo’s coverage and includes several suburbs of Austin, downtown, and even access to Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas. That sounds great on its face, and ultimately, an expanded map is good, but there are some concerns. Mainly, Robotaxi customers are complaining online that the fleet is simply too small.

Expanding Austin service area fast https://t.co/lg0qLesNJm

— Tesla Robotaxi (@robotaxi) August 26, 2025

As we reported before the service went live, the fleet launched with fewer than two dozen cars. It’s unclear if Tesla has expanded the fleet, but some believe it’s as few as ten cars in total. If true, this expanded service area could simply make the wait for a ride considerably longer.

In addition, it’s worth noting that Tesla doesn’t allow just anyone to use its service. Right now, it’s still in a private beta testing mode, so only approved riders have access. On top of that, Robotaxi currently has a human safety attendant in the car during every ride so yes, Tesla customers can go further than Waymo customers for now, but access is heavily limited. At the end of the day, everybody wins here, since more innovation should prove beneficial in the long run.

Comparison of Tesla's vs Waymo's Robotaxi geofence map in Austin, Texas.

Today, @Tesla again massively expanded their geofence area, making it significantly bigger than Waymo's. pic.twitter.com/tHLJ2qabZJ

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) August 26, 2025

Making a splash is usually just a figure of speech, but Uber and Turo are giving it a more literal twist with their latest promotion. The two companies have teamed up to create a pool truck, letting customers book short but memorable rides in a Rivian R1T converted into a rolling oasis. For a couple of days in Miami, lucky participants can enjoy free two-hour sessions complete with extra perks.

The program kicked off in Los Angeles on August 23 and 24. On August 30 and 31, the Rivian pool truck is moving to Miami and bringing an all-inclusive experience.

The pool truck will feature floaties, frozen treats, and even a personal attendant to keep the vibes flowing. Participants will even get a $300 credit toward future Turo rentals through Uber Rent. Importantly, diving is not allowed given the pool’s depth of about 18 inches.

More: You Can Rent A Ford Bronco Sport On Turo For $95 A Day

Uber and Turo say that even if you can’t get in on the fun in person, they’re offering $25 off bookings of $100 or more through September 1. Uber One members earn 10 percent credits on top of that deal. As far as we can tell, bookings are closed at this point, but there’s no harm in checking for yourself. As for reaction to the event? Being sold out seems like a good indication, but online reactions are less eager.

The Internet Weighs In

Jokes are flying left and right like “If that’s a pool, I have an ocean in my backyard.” That’s even funnier considering both Miami and LA have actual oceans very close by for folks who actually want to swim.

Posts from the rivnstock
community on Reddit

Others pointed out that this whole thing kinda sounds a bit gross given that Rivians aren’t built with onboard water filtration systems. “So you get in and do what? Just sit in a soup of everyone’s dirt? It’s not a hot tub, just a glorified bath,” said one commenter.

A Short-Lived Spectacle

Whether it’s a clever stunt or just a curious experiment, the pool truck feels destined to make headlines for a moment before drying up. It’s eye-catching, fun, and clearly well-organized, but as a long-term idea, maybe not the most practical or clean.

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Credit: Uber Turo

A tragic crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck has now turned into a courtroom battle. More than a year after Michael Sheehan lost his life in a single-vehicle accident, his family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both Tesla and a Texas bar, arguing that both share responsibility for what happened.

According to the complaint, filed in Harris County District Court, Sheehan owned the Cybertruck for just 102 days when the crash happened. He left the Barn Whiskey Bar in Cypress, Texas, and crashed about seven miles away. The Tesla left the road, hit a culvert, and burst into flames.

More: Witness Says Cybertruck Doors Wouldn’t Open In Fatal California Crash

At the time of the accident, it was unclear what caused the crash. Investigators openly admitted that just identifying the body was difficult due to the heat of the fire. Now, we have a little more insight into potentially contributing factors.

Claims Against The Bar

Sheehan’s family says that the Barn Whiskey Bar over-served Sheehan despite him being “clearly intoxicated.” In fact, the lawsuit goes as far as to say that “it was apparent to the provider that MICHAEL SHEEHAN was obviously intoxicated to the extent that he presented a clear danger to himself and others.”

Interestingly, the family also blames Tesla because it says the Cybertruck itself is dangerous. According to the lawsuit, the “battery cell chemistry used is hyper volatile and susceptible to thermal runaway.” The family says that the automaker could have used “battery cell chemistry with slower thermal propagation readily available, which allows longer time to escape post-crash.”

The family goes on to cite other things it sees as defects, like the battery modules, the packs, the location of the vents in those modules and packs, and even the door handles in the truck that are “unreasonably difficult to locate in an emergency.”

What The Family Seeks

Essentially, the family believes that if the fire had spread more slowly and if egress had been easier, Sheehan would’ve escaped. To that end, it’s seeking damages in excess of $1,000,000. All that said, it’s also worth noting that the Cybertruck has the highest safety rating (five-star) from the NHTSA.

HT: CarComplaints

Mercedes-AMG is no stranger to chasing records, yet it might have just outdone even itself. The Concept AMG GT XX just circled the globe virtually in just over a week. In the process of setting that record, it smashed 24 others as well. There’s no doubt about it. The AMG.EA platform just proved that it’s not just good for short bursts. It’s capable of long-haul dominance.

At the heart of the GT XX is a trio of axial-flux motors paired with a directly cooled high-performance battery. This is the same kind of tech that AMG says will underpin production cars starting next year. The concept delivers more than 1,360 hp (1,000 kW) and can sustain triple-digit speeds for days. That’s not hyperbole – it’s a certified fact now.

More: Only Two Of These Ferraris Exist And One Just Shattered Records

Essentially, this car circled Germany’s Nardo circuit for 7.5 straight days, only stopping to charge back up. Mercedes brought two GT XX prototypes, and the pair racked up 3,177 laps of the 7.87-mile (12.68 km) track during the record attempt. In the process, they set records for the furthest distance traveled by an EV over 12-168 hours and the fastest EV to go 2,000-40,075 km.

Key EV Distance Records

Inspired by Jules Verne’s “Around the World in Eight Days,” Mercedes actually beat that figure. 40,075 km is the distance around the globe at the equator. The AMG GT XX went that far in just 7 days, 13 hours, and 24 minutes. That means that on average, during that time, it was going 137 mph, including when it was stopped to charge.

Of course, that was only possible because of the engineering on tap here. Charging at 850 kW is something only concept cars can do right now, but it enabled the AMG GT XX to add 249 miles (400 km) of range in five minutes.

The axial motors also provide more power density, and Mercedes used F1-inspired direct battery cooling to ensure nothing got too hot. That’s key because Mercedes reports track conditions of 35°C (95°F) at times. While we don’t expect to see EVs keeping up with ICE cars in endurance races anytime soon, this is a big step in that direction.

Time-Based Records – Distance Covered

Elon Musk finally addressed what so many have been asking for. The Model YL, an elongated version of the Model Y, was launched in China recently, but until now, we haven’t heard about whether or not it would actually come to America. The long and the short of it is, very likely next year.

The Model Y is Tesla’s best-selling car. In fact, it’s one of the best-selling cars worldwide across all brands. It’s not surprising then that fans would want the new six-seater version wherever they can get it. That kind of automatic demand made bringing the car to the U.S. seem like a no-brainer, and it still is, unless Musk finally accomplishes what he’s been promising for several years.

More: Tesla’s Model Y L Gets Bigger And Pricier With New Six-Seat Layout

That promise is full-scale Level 5 autonomy to the point that it would negate the need for the Model YL. If that sounds a bit far-fetched, don’t feel bad. Musk has notoriously over-promised and under-delivered. Still, he finally addressed US production of the Model YL and brought up autonomy again.

In response to another person asking about the car on X he said “This variant of the Model Y doesn’t start production in the US until the end of next year. Might not ever, given the advent of self-driving in America.” No doubt, Tesla’s Robotaxi program is rolling out relatively fast, and faster than some cities say it legally can, but it’s far from a polished Level 5 system.

This variant of the Model Y doesn’t start production in the US until the end of next year.

Might not ever, given the advent of self-driving in America.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 20, 2025

Every Robotaxi shuttling passengers around has an actual Tesla employee inside acting as a safety officer. On top of that, it begs the question that Musk didn’t respond to in his comment section. “Wouldn’t people with a lot of kids still want a 3-row SUV even with self-driving?” That didn’t come from some Tesla hater, either, but from the person the richest man in the world responded to in the first place.

Nevertheless, Musk isn’t saying exactly how larger families are supposed to get around, even if Robotaxi takes off. For now, expect Model YL production to begin in the USA late in 2026, or maybe even in early 2027.

Credit: Tesla

Traffic in California isn’t often pleasant, but it was even worse than normal on Saturday night. Drivers on the southbound side of the 5 freeway saw something rare: a semi truck fully engulfed in flames that spread to new Teslas on the attached trailer. It took crews several hours to get the conflagration under control.

Road users reported the fire at around 5:35 p.m. local time. Based on the video of the scene, it appears as though the fire began on the truck itself and spread. In some footage, it’s clearly growing in and around the cab. Later on, it spreads up to the Tesla Model Y directly above the cab. From there, it seems that it worked its way back, damaging all but two cars on the trailer.

More: Xiaomi Says It’s ‘Totally Normal’ For Its New SUV’s Brakes To Catch On Fire

According to SignalCV, authorities confirmed that the driver escaped without injury. California Highway Patrol officers issued a SigAlert for two hours just before 6 p.m., but that ended up lasting far longer. At 10 p.m., it was still telling locals to expect a two-hour backup in the area. Some vehicles had to sit for so long that they ran out of fuel on the highway.

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No doubt, the lithium-ion batteries onboard made putting the fire out harder than usual. Notably, it’s unclear at this point what started the fire to begin with. One person who claims to have seen the fire early on said that it began near the back tires of the truck. Reviewing topography from the area also shows a steep decline of several hundred feet on I-5 just before the location of the parked semi.

While we can’t be definitive, the combination of that statement and the steep decline suggests that overheated brakes could’ve played a role in the initial fire. At this point, we’ll have to wait for authorities to release additional information. We’re just happy that everyone escaped without injury.

https://t.co/XV0uOVqzzd pic.twitter.com/GkWjrykVo3

— Robert Garcia (@firechiefanf) August 17, 2025

Credit: FireChiefANF

In the USA, electric vehicle sales are suffering some major hurdles. Tariffs, dying incentives, and preconceptions contribute to a reduction in sales momentum. Despite all that, overall EV sales have increased compared to 2024. In fact, the latest data suggests that EVs are getting more popular not just in America but in most other major markets around the world.

RHO Motion specializes in EV supply chain research and insights and sales data are a key factor in its business. After studying the first seven months, it says the entire globe is buying electric vehicles at a higher rate than last year. That rate isn’t a measly basis point or two either – sales are up globally by 27 percent year over year.

EV Sales Jan-Jul 2025 vs 2024

• Global: 10.7 million, +27%
• China: 6.5 million, +29%
• Europe: 2.3 million, +30%
• North America: 1.0 million, +2%
• Rest of World: 0.9 million, +42%

In total, 10.7 million EVs have been sold, the vast majority of which, specifically 6.5 million, in China. While that market is up 29 percent on its own, European EV sales are up 30 percent (2.3 M) over the same seven months in 2024. The “Rest of World” saw sales increase 42 percent up to 0.9 million. Notably, North America saw the least amount of growth (2 percent) with just 1 million sales.

More: Gas Cars Are Saving Kia From A Full-Blown Electric Sales Disaster

Of the slower uptake west of the Atlantic, RHO Motion says that “North America’s growth has been muted so far in 2025, with the US facing policy headwinds and Canada seeing a slowdown. We expect a short-term lift in US demand ahead of the IRA consumer tax credit deadline in September, followed by a likely dip. Despite regional variations, the overall trajectory for EV adoption in 2025 remains strongly upward.”

Notably, that growth is seeing some signs of slowing. China’s sales rate fell 13 percent from June to July. It’s unclear how much of that is tied to suspect subsidy programs. Overall, it appears that every market outside of the USA is embracing EVs and hybrid technology. Whether or not that affects the U.S. auto industry is something we won’t know for quite a while.

Credit: RHO Motion

The Dodge Charger Daytona hasn’t exactly had the greatest start to life. Early reviews were critical of its driving dynamics, the base price isn’t exactly competitive when performance is factored in, and it started out as a two-door only, which limits its target demographic. Now, at least one dealer might have a way to interest more buyers, and it’s a lease that’ll cost less per month than the average American spends on coffee.

More: You Can Now Lease A Nissan Ariya For Less Than A Leaf S

Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram is in the midst of what it’s calling a back-to-school sale. It’s offering low APR, thousands of dollars off some models, and one particularly wild-sounding lease deal. That deal is on the aforementioned Charger Daytona, and it reportedly costs just $49.99 a month for buyers who qualify. Since there’s no such thing as a free lunch, though, the list of requirements is where things start to get complicated.

Credit and Rebates

First and foremost, the customer must have the right credit score. Specifically, they have to qualify for tier 1 approval. Typically, that’s a credit score of 750 or higher. On top of that, they have to qualify for five different rebates. The biggest one, the federal EV tax credit of $7,500, is one that lots of people will be eligible for. The others, though, aren’t as simple.

A $1,000 rebate for “lease bonus cash” is only available to customers currently leasing another car. An even larger $4,000 rebate is for “West BC SFS Lease Bonus Cash.” In other words, one has to live in the Western Business Center of Stellantis and finance the loan through it. A further $2,000 rebate is only available to friends and family of Stellantis workers. Finally, a $500 rebate kicks in for first responders or military members.

The $5,000 Fine Print

Provided that all of that checks out, the $49.99 is still on the table, but from what we’re hearing, the fine print makes the deal look a little less sweet. Evidently, buyers need to put at least $5,000 down to get it, which effectively makes the monthly payment closer to $200 over the course of 24 months. Even so, that’s not a bad deal.

What complicates things is that the dealership hasn’t disclosed the mileage allowance, which could mean that it’s set low enough to keep costs down. For anyone driving more than a short commute, the overage penalties could may erase any perceived savings.

So while $49.99 a month makes for an eye-catching headline, the layers of conditions, hefty down payment, and probable mileage cap make it a deal that looks far better on paper than in practice. Elk Grove may draw attention with the figure, but once the fine print is accounted for, most shoppers will recognize it as little more than a flashy number that doesn’t match the reality of driving the car.

All things considered, would this deal be enough to get you into a new Dodge Charger Daytona? Let us know in the comments below.

Carscoops reached out to Elk Grove for further details and will update this piece if we hear back. 

If you thought subscription fatigue was already creeping into your streaming accounts, Volkswagen is happy to add some more to your car. Over in the UK, entry-level ID.3 Pure models, listed as having 168 hp (170 kW) on VW’s configurator, actually have just 148 hp (110 kW) unless buyers pay an extra fee. Yes, Volkswagen is charging customers more to give the power their cars already have.

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As far as subscriptions go, this one is somewhat baffling. 20 horsepower and 33 lb-ft isn’t all that much to write home about. It’s such a small boost in power that Volkswagen says it won’t affect the overall range of the ID.3 at all.

The Cost of Extra Power

British drivers can cough up £16.50 (equal to $22.50 at current exchange rates) per month for the upgrade, almost three times the price of a basic Netflix subscription, or £165 ($225) per year. If you want to skip the monthly hassle, VW also offers a one-time “lifetime” payment of £649 ($878). It’s unclear whether that’s tied to the car or your user account, but either way, it’s a lot of cash for a modest performance bump.

According to AutoExpress, the added power won’t affect insurance rates. That’s great and all, but it’s because the ID.3 is rated at 168 hp from the factory, even if you’re driving around without the upgrade and, thus, with 20 fewer ponies. Only time will tell whether or not owners figure out how to hack this system – and if they do, whether this voids Volkswagen’s warranty or not.

Volkswagen’s Defense

On its part, Volkswagen compared this approach to traditional engine lineups, where the same displacement could be offered in multiple states of tune at different price points. In a statement to the magazine, the company said:

“Offering more power to customers is nothing new… These traditionally are higher up in the product range, with more specification and a higher list price. If customers wish to have an even sportier driving experience, they now have an option to do so, within the life of the vehicle, rather than committing from the outset with a higher initial purchase price. The car is presented on the configurator with [201bhp], with the option made very clear to customers.”

Subscriptions, Subscriptions Everywhere

Obviously, the VW ID.3 is far from the only one playing the subscription game. This isn’t even the only subscription available from the German brand. It’ll also sell customers ambient lighting, navigation, voice control, and even heated seats via subscription

And it’s hardly alone. BMW, Mercedes, and Tesla all offer similar unlocks, though when it comes to performance, most rivals deliver more value per dollar.

Ford offers 100 lb-ft (135 Nm) of torque for $995, Polestar 68 more horsepower for $1,195, and Mercedes 60-110 hp for $1,200. Even gas-burning tunes from the factory offer more power per dollar than Volkswagen for doing little more than changing some code. Call me cynical, but that’s not shocking from what seems like the world’s least passionate automaker. 

Tesla owners are about to get a big upgrade in their cabins. A hacker says that the automaker is about to switch from one set of visuals to another. The new set of graphics could be akin to some of the most impressive video games on the market today. Notably, it would also mean that Tesla is following the lead of brands like Rivian, Volvo, and Ford.

Unreal Engine is a 3D creation tool built by Epic Games, and as the name suggests, it’s largely used in video game development. In recent years, it’s become more of a mainstay in other areas of the world, and if a new report is correct, soon it’ll also be in Teslas. Long-time hacker GreenTheOnly revealed updates to code that indicate Unreal Engine graphics are coming soon to Model S and Model X.

Read: Watch Sony Exec Drive Afeela EV With A PlayStation Controller

“Tesla is adding Unreal Engine-based AP viz (the one you see today is Godot-based). The binaries are already shipping, starting from firmware 2025.20 only on AMD-based S and X cars for now,” he said in a post on X. After a bit of work, he managed to get the system working on the main infotainment screen.

It appears as though users will have the freedom to interact with the car graphic, spin it around, and open and close certain bits. We fully expect these same graphics to end up in the Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) displays as well. One fan created what they expect it to look like, and you can see it below.

Cannot wait for tesla FSD Unreal Engine visual updates. Ray tracing on hw4 is gonna be bomb. pic.twitter.com/CD89WSCS7h

— Ian Smith 🟣 (@IanSamyth) August 8, 2025

Interestingly, Tesla isn’t leading the way or breaking new ground here. Rivian, Ford, Lotus, Volvo, and GMC all use Unreal Engine already, says The Verge. In fact, many will remember that GMC highlighted the technology during the launch of the Hummer EV. It’s a main part of how the large pickup displays mode changes, status updates, and other general information. Considering how good the display looks, it will probably be a welcome addition for Tesla users in the near future.

Ok, I am having a bit of trouble getting unreal engine to activate on the cluster, but it looks like on the main screen the car avatar is also controlled by it.
Now you can interact with it and it's getting somewhat more detailed.
See the example: pic.twitter.com/6lpXr6BK0K

— green (@greentheonly) August 9, 2025

Credit: GreenTheOnly

For years, driving solo in an electric or alternative fuel vehicle often came with a quiet perk: a pass into the fast-moving HOV lane. That benefit, long seen as an incentive to support cleaner transportation, is now nearing its end. California’s Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) Decal program, once a reliable shortcut for qualifying drivers, is scheduled to wind down on September 30, 2025. And the impact won’t stop at the state line.

More: Millions Hate This Fuel Saving Tech So EPA Wants To Get Rid Of It

The program exists in various forms across several states, including Maryland, Hawaii, North Carolina, and others. The system encouraged EV and alternative fuel adoption but gave drivers access to HOV lanes without meeting minimum occupancy requirements. Its continuation has always depended on an Environmental Protection Agency waiver. That same waiver is now facing a legal challenge from the Republican-led Congress.

Federal Friction

“Clean Air Vehicle Decals are a smart, cost-effective incentive that has played an important role driving the adoption of clean and zero-emission vehicles in California,” Liane Randolph, chair of the California Air Resources Board, told Road&Track. “But thanks to the federal government’s failure to act, this successful program is coming to an end.”

As of now, the program ends on September 30. After that, every vehicle in the HOV lane across the nation will need to meet minimum occupancy rules or pay a toll to gain access, regardless of propulsion type. In California alone, that’ll affect 519,000 people who have active decals for the HOV lane.

Nationwide Shift

The change won’t stop in California. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, “Putting the brakes on this program means that starting October 1, 2025, CAV decals will no longer be valid in California, or elsewhere in the United States. All vehicles will be required to meet posted vehicle occupancy to travel in carpool lanes and pay required tolls or risk receiving a citation.”

Notably, Sacramento is trying to extend the program. State Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Bermuda Dunes) secured a bill to push the end date to January 1, 2027, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last year. But without federal approval, that plan is dead on arrival.

Unless there’s some big surprise coming in the next month or two, HOV lanes across the USA are about to go back to being carpool lanes. 

Credit: Chargepoint

New York City is probably the worst place to drive a car in all of America. The area is so densely packed with people, cyclists, mopeds, and other cars that getting around can be genuinely panic-inducing for some. That’s the environment that Tesla wants to tackle with its autonomous driving tech. It seems that step one is openly hiring testers so that it can sort out how to handle the city.

The job listing on Tesla’s site for a ‘Vehicle Operator, Autopilot,’ includes the option of three shifts, day, afternoon, or night, with pay ranging from $25.25 to $30.60 an hour depending on position level. It comes with full benefits and is a full-time gig out of Flushing, New York.

A hands-on approach

Those hired on will drive what Tesla calls an engineering vehicle “for extended periods, conducting dynamic audio and camera data collection for testing and training purposes.”

Read: Rapper Fakes Video Claiming Tesla Deactivated His Cybertruck

The automaker expects the eventual hire to start and stop recording devices, perform minor equipment and software debugging, analyze data, provide feedback, write detailed daily drive reports, and most importantly, ensure the vehicle’s safety and operational status before every shift.

In other words, it appears as though the employee will have to be very focused throughout the day of driving, regardless of how much autonomy the car itself gets.

CNBC reports that Tesla hasn’t applied for a permit to test autonomous vehicles in the state. Notably, NYC officials confirmed that any company that does get a permit still needs a safety driver behind the wheel at all times. That could explain what Tesla is ultimately aiming for here.

Following a familiar playbook

After all, it’s already doing something similar in San Francisco, where it doesn’t have a permit to run an autonomous fleet. Instead, it has a safety driver in the driver’s seat and calls the service a ride-hailing operation.

Notably, all of this falls well within line with Elon Musk’s proclamation earlier this year that by 2026, half of the US would have access to Robotaxi. 

Robotaxi doesn’t flinch at weekend traffic https://t.co/hkZPWSn7hx

— Tesla Robotaxi (@robotaxi) July 20, 2025

Automakers are always working on new innovations, updates to products, and ways to improve their cars. What they rarely do is reinvent the wheel, so to speak. That’s almost what Rivian is trying to do right now. Put more directly, it’s trying to reinvent how its customers connect their steering wheel to their front wheels.

More: Rivian’s R2 Spotted With A Very Interesting Rear Window

Most new cars on sale today, except for a few models like the Tesla Cybertruck, Nio ET9, and overseas Lexus RZ, retain a physical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels. Tesla’s setup uses three sensors to interpret the driver’s inputs and instruct the front tires to match them. When it works, it earns plenty of praise, but when it doesn’t, it attracts just as much criticism. Rivian is now working on its own version.

A Glimpse Into Rivian’s Plans

Spotted by the folks over at Rivian Forums, the automaker recently posted an interesting job listing to its website. It’s for a Senior Staff Technical Program Manager. That program is for a steering actuator system. Essentially, it’s the brain behind a steer-by-wire system, and Rivian openly mentions that in the listing. “You’ll have full cradle-to-grave ownership of the SBW subsystem,” it says.

Essentially, whoever Rivian hires is going to be the head honcho in this endeavor. The company says they’ll oversee supplier relationships, risk management, coordinate with other teams, handle problem-solving, and quality assurance, among other duties. They’ll even have to report on progress to shareholders, so we could hear from them on earnings calls in the future.

Why Steer-by-Wire Appeals to Automakers

In some ways, it makes sense that Rivian and other automakers look into steer-by-wire more. It has the potential to reduce engineering challenges related to packaging. On the flip side, it also provides the benefit of variable steering ratios. As mentioned, the Cybertruck already shows us how this would work.

Review: The Lexus RZ’s Yoke And Steer By Wire System Are Solutions Looking For A Problem

The steering wheel doesn’t have to turn over and over to get a full sweep from left to right. Instead, the Tesla reads input from the driver and then provides steering angle changes based on speed.

When it works, people seem genuinely impressed by it, and to Tesla’s credit, we have yet to see a failure leading to an accident. Notably, the technology was already mature way before Elon Musk’s company adopted it. Commercial airplanes all use a steer-by-wire system, and it’s notoriously reliable. 

It’s unclear when we’ll see this technology go live in a production Rivian, but expect it to take at least a year or two. When it does arrive, we expect it’ll be in several models as the listing calls it “a critical technology that will define the future of our vehicles.”