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.

More: Rivian Software Boss Says Google Cast In, Buttons Out, Open To Range And Power Boost Subscriptions

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.”

Imagine waking up one morning to find what appear to be unsold overflow vehicles from your local dealership parked all over your street. That’s essentially what some residents in Signal Hill, California, believe is going on. The dealer in question just happens to be Tesla, and the cars appear to be old stock with paper tags that are now overflowing onto public streets.

Also: Tesla Dumping Unsold Cybertrucks At Mall Parking Lot And The City’s Fed Up

One resident told SF Gate that “it seemed like they just appeared overnight” and that at one point she counted 24 scattered throughout her neighborhood. That’s a lot of cars anywhere, but these vehicles are making a bad problem even worse. Parking in Signal Hill, like most anywhere in Los Angeles County, is tough to find.

Parking Limits, Loopholes, and Local Frustration

Evidently, it’s not just the local residents who are noticing the issue. Parking enforcement has added warnings to some of the cars in question. Legally speaking, they are allowed to be there, though they may not park in any one spot for more than 72 hours consecutively.

According to the resident mentioned above, the cars “seem to move fairly regularly to avoid being ticketed.”

Why would Tesla make a move like this? The automaker has a dealership in the heart of Signal Hill. It’s well known for using parking lots to store excess overflow, too. For over a year, it has used an abandoned mall in Missouri as an overflow lot. It got into hot water over a similar plan in Michigan earlier this year. We’ve seen it do something similar in Miami, too, with much smaller lots.

Tesla uses the in process demolished chesterfield mall to store vehicles. Very ironic really. $TSLA pic.twitter.com/NNtfb1zykE

— Kevin Melnuk (@KevinMelnuk) June 8, 2025

A Pattern That’s Hard to Ignore

While it hasn’t been confirmed that Tesla or its dealership is behind the parked cars in Signal Hill, it would be unusual for another organization to be responsible. The paper tags and consistent vehicle type suggest a single source, and Tesla’s past tactics point in a familiar direction.

SF Gate reached out to the local police, tow companies, and to the Tesla dealership, hoping to shed light on the situation, but nothing came of it. We reached out to Tesla itself but have yet to hear back. The company is notorious for ignoring press requests. At this point, it sounds like someone is going to have to ask one of the people moving the cars just what exactly is going on. 

The U.S. Air Force wants to blow up a pair of Tesla Cybertrucks. And no, this isn’t some new attempt by Donald Trump to take a hit at Elon Musk where it hurts. The reason is more straightforward: the U.S. government believes it could one day face adversaries using Cybertrucks on the battlefield. Now, it’s preparing to find out just how effective its weapons are against what Musk claims is a truck built to “survive the apocalypse.”

More: Cybertruck Suspension Mysteriously Explodes In Owner’s Driveway

Recently, the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) laid out its plans to acquire 33 vehicles for testing. Those tests will happen at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. As one might expect at such a place, the munitions on hand will be very serious. Interestingly, the AFTC doesn’t care what 31 of the 33 cars are, so long as two are Tesla Cybertrucks.

Why the Cybertruck?

That’s according to the document uncovered by The War Zone. In it, the center notes that the Cybertruck’s design, unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton, and 48-volt electrical system make it unlike anything else on the road.

These features could affect how the vehicle responds to missile impacts, which is exactly what the government wants to understand. What stands out, though, is that the military appears to be preparing for the possibility of actually facing Cybertrucks in combat.

The document specifically says “In the operating theatre it is likely the type of vehicles used by the enemy may transition to Tesla Cyber trucks [sic] as they have been found not to receive the normal extent of damage expected upon major impact.”

The document doesn’t spell out where the operating theatre is or who the enemy is. That said, it’s clear that the military isn’t the first to think of a militarized Cybertruck.

Not Just a Thought Experiment

A Chechen warlord got his hands on one last year and mounted a gun in the bed and talked about using it and others in the fight against Ukraine. Notably, other places around the world, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, are all either set to get Cybertrucks in the near future or already have them. The message is clear: the Cybertruck is a genuine concern for the U.S. government if they find it on the battlefield. It’s preparing accordingly. 

The sands of the automotive industry are always shifting, but 2025 has been on another level. The Trump administration’s policies, flip-flopping on tariffs, and removal of regulatory hurdles are changing the landscape incredibly fast. One byproduct is the expectation that big SUVs and trucks will get a new lease on life. Automakers couldn’t be more excited about that.

Specifically, the CEOs of the ‘Big Three’ in America are clearly fans of what they see coming. Trump’s EPA has removed penalties for automakers that fail to meet CAFE standards. That’ll save car companies billions every year.

With no penalty for building gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs, they have the ability to lean into those high-margin segments even more than they already do.

More: US Tariffs Just Hit This Dodge So Hard It May Skip 2026 Entirely

The Wall Street Journal reports that Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa openly said, “This will mean to us a lot of additional profit.” Speaking of the new industry landscape, GM CEO Mary Barra said on an earnings call that “It also gives us the opportunity to sell EV vehicles… Excuse me, ICE vehicles, for longer and appreciate the profitability of those vehicles.”

Ford’s Jim Farley is on board too, saying, “This is a multibillion-dollar opportunity over the next couple of years.”

EV momentum slows as profits take priority

All three of these brands have spent billions on EV development, CAFE fines, and other tech in an effort to expand into more sustainable products. GM promised years ago that it would be an EV-only brand by 2035. Ford was planning to build a three-row EV in Canada. Stellantis famously axed the HEMI and kicked off the latest Charger generation with EV power only.

Clearly, it’s proven very tough for them to successfully break into the EV space and so the incentive now is to lean back into what they already know makes a big profit, ICE vehicles. Stellantis is going to announce new information on the gas-powered Dodge Charger with the Sixpack in just a few days.

Ford is now going to build big trucks in Canada rather than the three-row electric SUV, and GM hasn’t mentioned its all-EV by 2035 plan in quite some time.

Trucks, SUVs, and a new strategy

From a business standpoint, the pivot makes sense. American consumers continue to buy large vehicles in high volumes.

“Americans do like buying giant vehicles,” said Adam Lee, chairman of Maine-based Lee Auto Malls. “They’re going to see how many more giant SUVs they can pump out, because they sell a lot of them and make a lot of money on them.” He’s concerned that without continued investment in EVs that the US will fall behind in terms of sustainability and technology. 

For now, there’s no reason to think that automakers are going to scrap the EV work they’ve done, but their focus is likely changing for at least the next few years. It’s easy to see a path where the roadways are even more full of giant vehicles than they already are. 

Electric range, recycled materials, and smarter design are coming together in BMW’s next-generation SUV. Next month, we’ll get our first look at the iX3, but we’re already learning more about it. The all-electric SUV is the brand’s first production foray into its Neue Klasse design and aims to offer 400 miles of range, a very unique interior, and a lot of artificial intelligence baked in.

Now, there’s another notable point: roughly 33 percent of the iX3 is made from recycled materials.

More: BMW’s Baby M SUV Might Be Lurking Under This iX3

BMW says that it applied what it calls “design for circularity”. In other words, it prioritized the use of secondary (recycled materials) wherever it could. For example, the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material used in some of the seat covers increases recyclability. The yarn used therein is recycled PET already.

The engine cover and the storage compartment under the front hood also source 30 percent raw material from maritime plastic. Those are things like old fishing nets, ropes, and other debris. BMW didn’t stop there: 80 percent of the aluminum in the wheel carriers and swivel bearings is recycled, while 70 percent of the wheels are from recycled aluminum.

That’s all well and good, but what if all this work added more carbon to the atmosphere than it saved?

BMW evidently thought of that from start to finish with the iX3. The high voltage system relies on 50 percent secondary cobalt, lithium, and nickel and leverages renewable energy sources to produce the anode and cathode materials and the battery cells it uses.

In total, it’s decreased CO2 emissions in its supply chain by 35 percent, it says. Notably, that makes it so that this car reduces overall emissions after just a year, or 21,500 km (13,360 miles) of use.

This all sounds great, but it’ll be important to see. Production for the iX3 begins later this year, with deliveries to begin shortly thereafter. We’ll know more once we see it at the Munich Motor Show this fall. 

Earlier this year, two Tesla board members joined a special committee with a singular mission: figure out how to “retain and incentivize Elon.” After several months of deliberation, the solution has come into focus. It wasn’t a brainstorming session or a bold new vision, it was $29 billion. In cash-equivalent stock. Turns out, when it comes to keeping Elon Musk engaged, nothing speaks louder than a mountain of money.

More: Elon Musk Somehow Managed To Make Everyone Hate Electric Cars

Before we get too far along, don’t forget that in 2018, a Delaware court struck down a $50 billion pay package to CEO Elon Musk. It said that there were issues in the board approval process and that it was unfair to investors. Musk has appealed the ruling, but in the interim, Tesla and its board just approved a new $29 billion pay package.

What’s in the Package?

The award consists of 96 million shares of Tesla, granted to Elon as a ‘good faith’ payment. The committee is also working on a long-term CEO payment plan that it’ll put to a shareholder vote on November 6. Regardless of how things come out, this interim pay package ensures that Musk remains a part of Tesla leadership for at least two years. If he were to leave before that, he would lose it.

As Bloomberg points out in its coverage, Musk has already committed to staying on with Tesla for at least five more years. According to the board, this move is all about satisfying Elon’s personal desire to have increased voting rights.

In a post on X, the company explained: “This interim award is structured to incrementally increase his voting rights upon grant, which he has repeatedly told us—and shareholders have confirmed—is an important part of incentivizing him to stay focused on the critical work we are doing here at Tesla.”

A Letter to Our Shareholders on the 2025 CEO Interim Award

Dear Fellow Tesla Shareholders,

Today we announce an important first step in compensating Elon Musk for his extraordinary work at Tesla. As you know, Elon has not received meaningful compensation for eight years since…

— Tesla (@Tesla) August 4, 2025

No Overlap With the 2018 Package

Importantly, the Tesla board made it clear in no uncertain terms that Musk won’t get this pay package and the 2018 one if the courts reverse their ruling.

“If the Delaware courts fully reinstate the 2018 CEO Performance Award, this interim award will be forfeited or returned or a portion of the 2018 CEO Performance Award will be forfeited,” it wrote in a letter to shareholders. “To put it simply, there cannot be any “double dip.” Elon will not be able to keep this new award in addition to the options he will be awarded under the 2018 CEO Performance Award should the courts rule in our favor.

As of this writing, Musk hasn’t commented on the package, though knowing his usual online habits, it’s entirely possible he’s saving his thoughts for a meme, a Mars reference, or a reply to someone asking about Dogecoin. Subtlety was never really his thing.