The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a brilliant EV, but its design has always been a little controversial. Now, the brand has launched a facelifted version of the Ioniq 6, and it certainly looks a lot sleeker while retaining the streamlined shape of the model we’re all familiar with.

This new Ioniq 6 has been unveiled at the Seoul Mobility Show, although no clear images of the revised rear-end have been published. Fortunately, we have been provided with a good look at the overhauled front fascia. Not only does it look more refined than the old model, but it’s also more aggressive, particularly in N Line guise.

Read: Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Could Be Even Better Than The 5 N

One of the more peculiar parts of the outgoing model was the headlights. Just like Hyundai did with the Sonata, the carmaker has ditched these weird lights in favor of split lights, consisting of thin LED daytime running lights and separate headlamps positioned lower in the bumper. It makes a world of difference to the EV’s design.

Those who want something a little more aggressive would be wise to opt for the new Ioniq 6 N Line. It opens up the front fascia, and much like the Elantra N, includes a gaping wide grille and air intakes. Hyundai is also promising a new rear bumper that incorporates more black parts, and has showcased the N Line with distinctive silver and black wheels.

The rear of the new Ioniq 6 retains the LED light bar of the outgoing model, but now includes a large ducktail lip spoiler. It’s also ditched the odd second spoiler that was positioned at the base of the rear window, and it looks much better because of it.

“IONIQ 6 has evolved from a single Electrified Streamliner into a lineup, each model expressing its own character while staying true to one refined vision,” the head of Hyundai Design Center, Simon Loasby said of the new model. “Under the evolved design concept of ‘Pure Flow, Refined’, we’ve enhanced every line and detail to make IONIQ 6 simpler and more progressive.”

Some minor tweaks have been made to the cabin of the new Ioniq 6, too. For example, there’s a different three-spoke steering wheel, the window switches have been repositioned, and there are new USB ports. No technical details about the new model have been announced.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 N

Perhaps the most exciting titbit from these images is our first proper teaser of the long-awaited Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. It’s inspired by the RN22e concept from a few years ago and has been showcased with a bespoke rear fascia, a large fixed rear wing, and new LED taillights. There’s no word on its power, but it should have the same basic dual-motor system as the Ioniq 5 N, producing the same 641 hp and also featuring synthetic exhaust sounds and a simulated eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It will be unveiled in July.

Faraday Future has released a revealing teaser image of their upcoming Super One minivan. It’s slated to go into production later this year and become the first member of the value-focused Faraday X lineup.

Scheduled to debut in June, the van has a massive grille that would make Lexus blush. It appears to be slightly recessed and sport a fully enclosed design with illuminated accents.

More: Faraday Future Teases New FX 6 Crossover And Super One Minivan

Additional details are hard to make out, but we can see slender headlights, a sculpted hood, and pronounced wheel arches. Previous teasers have also revealed a generic minivan shape as well as an expansive greenhouse.

Faraday hasn’t said much of substance about the van, but they’ve billed it as an “AI-MPV” that will “meet the dynamic and diverse needs of visionaries and their families.” The model is also slated to deliver “twice the performance at half the price.”

The Faraday X lineup is designed to compete in the $20,000 – $80,000 price range and previous reports have suggested the van will come with two rows of leather seats. Second-row passengers take priority and they’ll reportedly be greeted by a small fridge as well as heated and massaging seats with integrated footrests.

Little else is known about the van at this point, but the company has previously suggested there could be electric and range-extended powertrains. Faraday has also hinted at taking refundable reservations in the second quarter of this year.

However, everything’s still up in the air as Faraday Future recently said the FX family is “contingent on securing appropriate funding and finalizing necessary agreements.” That’s not reassuring when the automaker has a terrible track record and posted a $355.8 (£273.9 / €328.5) million loss last year.

The Polestar 2 is the longest-serving member of the lineup, having debuted in 2019. Despite its age, the Swedish brand has kept it up to date with a 2023 facelift and a steady stream of model year updates. For 2026, the fully electric liftback gets a tech-focused refresh that includes a new infotainment processor, an optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and expanded personalization options.

More: Volvo Owners Find Fake ‘Bowers & V Vilkins’ Speakers In Chinese Cars

Starting with the exterior, the Polestar 2 is now available in a Dune shade, a sandy hue with a smooth mica finish that replaces the Jupiter color. In addition, the optional Performance Pack also features updated 20-inch forged alloy wheels with a fresh five-spoke design.

Moving inside, the EV gains a more advanced Qualcomm Snapdragon processor chip, bringing it closer to the rest of the Polestar lineup in terms of computing power. The upgraded chip boosts download speeds, improves responsiveness, and enhances the overall performance of the infotainment system.

An interesting addition to the optional equipment is the Bowers & Wilkins audio system with 14 speakers and a total output of 1,350 Watts. Furthermore, the optional Plus Pack adds a new bio-attributed MicroTech upholstery finished in Charcoal with a quilting design, and Black Ash inserts. Finally, the new Prime Pack bundles together the Pilot, Plus, and Climate packs alongside privacy glass on the rear side windows and rear glass.

There are no mechanical changes for 2026, but the CATL-sourced 70 kWh battery option that was introduced last year will be made available in more markets, replacing the older 69 kWh battery supplied by LG Chem. This results in a slight increase to the WLTP figure of the Standard Range Single Motor variant, from 546 km (339 miles) to 554 km (344 miles).

More: Volvo Dealers To Sell Polestars To Boost Sales

The Polestar 2 is compatible with the Plug & Charge technology introduced by the Polestar 3, which allows drivers to simply plug in the cable to a public charger and let the vehicle initiate and authenticate the process.

The 2026 Polestar 2 is already available to order in Europe, with other markets, including the US, set to follow later this year.

Polestar

The teaser campaign for the redesigned Jeep Compass is kicking into high gear as the company has tapped photographer Alessandro Dobici to do a shoot at the Melfi plant, where the crossover will be built. The resulting images are a fashionable black and white blur.

While Jeep isn’t saying much, they promised the Compass will retain a seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. The teasers also show a Recon-like front fascia with slender headlights as well as lenses that feature a grille motif.

More: New Jeep Compass Shows Its Face, Debuts This Spring

Speaking of the grille, it appears to incorporate some illuminated accents. Elsewhere, we can see a pronounced rear spoiler and what appears to be wheels with another grille motif.

The interior pictures don’t reveal much, but we can see familiar “Since 1941” wording. We also get a glimpse of contrast stitching and “Jeep” embroidery.

The automaker was coy on specifics, but said the Compass will play a “crucial role” in their electrification strategy. Jeep went on to say customers can expect an “expanded engine range with e-Hybrid, e-Hybrid plug-in, and fully electric options.”

Jeep kicked off the teaser campaign last October, when they revealed a sketch of the model and some initial details. At the time, they said the Compass would be based on the STLA Medium platform and go into production in Italy in 2025. They later confirmed a European debut for this spring.

A North American launch was originally slated for 2026, but reports have suggested the model is on hold as it was supposed to be built at Brampton Assembly in Canada. With a 25% tariff on imports, the model’s U.S. prospects look grim so Stellantis is said to be rethinking its product strategy.

Lotus is gearing up to launch the 2026 Eletre and Emeya this summer, and the company has announced a handful of welcome changes. While the updates aren’t too dramatic, they better communicate power and equipment.

As part of the change, there are new “600” and “900” monikers. The former has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 603 hp (450 kW / 612 PS), while the latter boasts 905 hp (675 kW / 918 PS).

More: Lotus Eletre Priced At A Shocking $229,900 Due To New Chinese EV Tariffs

That isn’t the only revision as Lotus has established six “clearly defined trim levels” called the 600, 600 GT, 600 GT SE, 600 Sport SE, 900 Sport, and 900 Sport Carbon. While the availability of these trims varies by market, they help to establish a hierarchy.

The entry-level Eletre 600 comes equipped with LED lighting units, 20-inch wheels, and an active air suspension. They’re joined by a 29-inch head-up display, a 15-speaker audio system, and a four-zone climate control system. Customers will also find a Jasper interior with LotusWear Performance Fabric seats.

The 600 GT adds larger 22-inch wheels, six-piston brake calipers, highway assist, and a parking package. The 600 GT SE goes even further with an electrochromic glass roof, illuminated side sills, adjustable ambient lighting, and an upgraded 23-speaker audio system. The 600 Sport SE takes things in a more dynamic direction thanks to a handling package, an active rear spoiler, soft-close doors, and upgraded front seats featuring ventilation and massage functions.

The Eletre 900 Sport is essentially a high-performance and decontented version of the Sport SE, while the 900 Sport Carbon adds interior and exterior carbon fiber trim, a composite hood, soft-close doors, and the aforementioned front seats.

The Emeya trims are largely identical, but the model has a larger 51-inch head-up display as well as different wheels that appear to max out at 21-inches.

Aside from the new names and trims, the Eletre features a revised color palette. It now includes Akoya White and Zenith White.

In terms of performance, the Emeya 600 accelerates from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.15 seconds before hitting a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). Likewise, the Eletre 600 hits 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds and can eventually top out at 159 mph (256 km/h).

The 900 variants have the same top speeds, but the Emeya 900 hits 62 mph (100 km/h) in a mere 2.78 seconds. The Eletre 900 accomplishes the task shortly thereafter at 2.95 seconds.

The Emeya has a 102 kWh battery pack that allows for a WLTP range of up to 379 miles (610 km). The Eletre’s 112 kWh unit allows for a slightly less impressive range of 373 miles (600 km).

Both models are currently available to order and UK pricing starts at £84,990 for both the Eletre and Emeya.

Xiaomi’s team has been showered with praise in recent months and has probably become used to reading nothing but positive headlines. However, the Chinese carmaker is now hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, after the first major accident involving the SU7 sedan resulted in three fatalities. The incident has cast a shadow over the tech giant’s automotive ambitions and raised tough questions about the safety and reliability of advanced driver-assistance systems.

On March 29, a Xiaomi SU7 was traveling in China with three passengers onboard. The vehicle was driving along the Dezhou–Shangrao Expressway in Anhui Province with its Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) system engaged, maintaining a steady speed of 116 km/h (72 mph). As it approached a construction zone and a lane closed off with barriers, the SU7 struck a concrete divider at 97 km/h (60 mph), sparking a fire that ultimately engulfed the car.

Read: Xiaomi Aims To Sell More EVs In China Than All German Brands Combined

Shortly after the crash, Xiaomi released a timeline detailing the moments leading up to the collision. At 10:44:24 p.m., the SU7’s Navigate on Autopilot system issued a warning—“Obstacle ahead”—and began braking. One second later, the driver took control, steering left by 22.06 degrees and applying 31% brake pressure. Another second later, they adjusted slightly to the right by 1.06 degrees and increased braking to 38%. Despite these apparent efforts to avoid the crash, the vehicle struck the concrete barrier.

The impact immediately triggered the eCall emergency system. Within 20 seconds, the registered owner of the SU7 was contacted and confirmed he was not the driver. An ambulance was dispatched and arrived around 11 p.m., but tragically, all three occupants had already died.

The Xiaomi SU7 vehicle in China was driving at 116km/h in NOA on the highway, with the last speed reported to be 97km/h just before the collision with the guardrail.

A fire broke out after the collision, killing all three female college students in the vehicle.

Xiaomi issued a… pic.twitter.com/nxHGGYXhOR

— Tsla Chan (@Tslachan) April 1, 2025

Xiaomi says it is fully cooperating with local investigators to determine the cause of the crash. According to Reuters, which cited reporting from the Chinese newspaper Economic Observer, the father of one of the victims was told by local police that the car key failed to unlock the doors after the impact. In a statement, Xiaomi said it has not yet been able to confirm whether the doors could be opened at the time of the accident.

Shares in the Chinese technology giant fell 5% after word of the crash became public. Company boss Lei Jun has vowed to “respond to the concerns of families and society,” while investigating the crash.

Photos Weibo / Shine

Tesla’s Q1 2025 results are in, and let’s just say, the shine appears to be wearing off. The once-dominant EV leader is starting to show cracks, with numbers that point to deeper issues than just a temporary slowdown.

More: Canada Halts Musk’s $43M Tesla EV Rebate Claim After Rapid-Fire Sales, Bans Future Subsidies

The company reported 336,681 deliveries for the first quarter, a sharp 13 percent drop compared to the same period last year, when it moved 386,810 vehicles. Production figures didn’t look much better: Tesla built 362,615 vehicles in Q1 2025, down from 433,371 a year ago. Overall, it’s a significantly weaker performance than most investors had anticipated, with expectations generally falling between 360,000 and 380,000 deliveries.

Tesla doesn’t break out its numbers by model or region, but it did confirm that 345,454 of those produced were its core breadwinners—the Model 3 and Model Y. Of those, 323,800 made it into customer hands between January and March. That leaves just 12,881 deliveries accounted for by the Cybertruck, Model X, and Model S combined.

Public Backlash and Product Gaps Hit Hard

Part of the drop could be circumstantial. Over the quarter, Tesla faced mounting protests, boycotts, and acts of vandalism targeting showrooms, vehicles, and charging stations around the world, from 80 EVs set on fire in Canada to widespread defacement of Cybertrucks across the USA.

The common denominator? CEO Elon Musk’s political antics and headline-grabbing behavior, including his involvement with DOGE, ties to the Trump administration, and a widely criticized gesture perceived as a Nazi salute, which continue to fuel controversy and alienate broad segments of the market.

On the product side, there’s also the Model Y handoff to blame. Tesla is in the process of phasing out the current version of its best-seller in favor of the facelifted Juniper model. The refreshed version went on sale in China in late January and began reaching markets like Australia and Europe by late February. But the rollout has been piecemeal, as non-limited editions haven’t even made it to North America yet. Worse, Tesla has been out of stock of the old Model Y here in the States for a few weeks now, so that undoubtedly hurt its sales figures.

Stock Drops After Weak Q1 Performance

These lackluster delivery numbers follow a punishing stretch for Tesla’s stock. The company just posted its worst quarterly performance since 2022, shedding 31 percent of its value since the start of the year.

The stock had been riding high on Musk’s alignment with Trump, peaking at $428 on January 15, just days before Trump’s inauguration on January 20. But that momentum evaporated quickly. Following the quarterly results announcement, Tesla shares briefly dropped 13 percent to $256.58 before rebounding slightly to $263 at the time of publishing, down from about $268 the previous day.

TESLA Q1 2025

Mazda’s attempt at electrification hasn’t been great so far. The MX-30 BEV was criticized for its tiny driving range, and the CX-60 PHEV we ran for six months was as refined as crude oil. But Mazda could become a serious contender for EV buyers when the CX-6e arrives in the next 18 months to take on the Tesla Model Y.

These spy shots show the compact electric SUV, which Mazda teased last week, on test for the first time, and from what we can see, it looks very close to the Arata concept Mazda debuted in 2024. It’s got the same deep bumper design with an almost Cadillac-like grille treatment and a two-deck lighting arrangement, in which ultra-slim DRLs peak menacingly from beneath the leading edge of the hood.

Related: Here’s Everything We Know About the Mazda CX-6e

The rising waistline and relatively low roofline create shallow windows, which won’t be much fun for kids trying to see out but, together with the aggressively sloped rear window, do give the CX-6e an almost coupe-like appearance, particularly with the supercar-style openings in the C-pillar.

With the heavy disguise in place, there’s no way to see if this prototype has illuminated ‘Mazda’ lettering across its tail as the concept did, but since Porsche, VW, and others are already lighting up their brand marks, we doubt Mazda will want to miss out. Whether the production SUV also gets the concept’s illuminated lettering in the door sills remains to be seen. But the show car’s camera-based door mirrors have definitely made the cut, even if the street versions are a little chunkier.

Mazda can take credit for the way the CX-6e and its 6e sedan brother look, but not large portions of what’s going on under the skin. The duo has been developed around the EPA1 platform from China’s Changan, the same hardware already used by machines like the Deepal S07, a sporty SUV that went on sale in its home market in 2023.

If the CX’s dimensions match up with the S07’s, Mazda’s Model Y fighter will come in around 4,750 mm (187 inches) long and ride on a 2,900 mm (114.2-inch) wheelbase. Based on the S07’s spec, it could be offered with 68.8 kWh and 80 kWh battery options and a single, rear-mounted electric motor producing between 215-255 hp (160-190 kW / 218-255 PS). We’ll have to wait to see exactly what outputs and range Mazda’s version delivers.

Mazda has never revealed any interior images of the Atara but it’s safe to assume it will borrow heavily from the 6e sedan, which has already been unveiled in production form and features a high-quality cabin with a big 14.6-inch central touchscreen.

The CX-6e will be offered in Europe by 2027 and could cause more trouble for Tesla’s Model Y, whose moment in the spotlight appears to be over. But the fact that it’s made in China means this stylish electric SUV will be off limits to US buyers, who’ll have to wait for the electric SUV Mazda is developing by itself.

Images: SHProshots

Tesla will release its first-quarter sales figures later today, but before that happens, we already have some key sales data from several countries across Europe. It does not paint a pretty picture for the electric automaker that’s been struggling since Elon Musk became President Donald Trump’s right-hand man in the Oval Office.

According to the latest data, Tesla sold 3,157 new vehicles in France this March, a sharp 36.83% drop compared to the same time last year. It’s even worse in Sweden, where sales plummeted by 63.9% to just 911 units. Denmark saw a 65.5% decline (down to 595 cars), while the Netherlands reported a 61% drop, with 1,536 Teslas sold.

Read: Even Toyota Sold More EVs Than Tesla In Norway As Musk’s Brand Tanks 45%

These figures are important because the all-new Model Y has been available in most European markets since February 21, but it doesn’t appear to have reversed Tesla’s fortunes, at least not yet. Sales may start to climb once the public becomes more familiar with the new Model Y and get the opportunity to see it in the flesh.

Tesla is doing a little better in Norway. While the 2,211 models sold locally in March was down 1% from March last year, it was up significantly from January and February, when 1,606 Teslas found new homes. The Model Y was easily Norway’s best-selling new car in March, shifting 1,822 units, compared to the Nissan Ariya in second with 569 units sold.

Similarly, Tesla’s fortunes are also changing for the better in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, with sales climbing by 34.3%, 2.1%, and 51.3%, respectively, as reported by Reuters. Despite these gains, weak figures from January and February still mean quarterly sales are down in all three markets from Q1 2024.

Of course, it’s not just Musk’s involvement in US and European politics that has diminished the sentiment in the brand among some shoppers. In Europe, a growing number of Chinese car manufacturers are entering the market with competitively priced vehicles, despite tariffs placed against them.

Turns out Americans still like their muscle cars loud, angry, and slightly outdated. While Dodge is trying to nudge its performance lineup into the electric era, the early numbers show many buyers are in no rush to give up their V8s—or even their V6s. In the first quarter, more people bought the long-discontinued Challengers and Chargers over the shiny new Daytona EV, which says a lot about where Dodge buyers’ heads are.

More: Thousands Of V8 Challengers And Chargers Sitting On Dodge Dealer Lots A Year After Production Ended

From January through March, Dodge sold 1,947 units of the Charger Daytona EV. That might sound decent until you realize they moved 1,052 of the last-generation ICE Charger and 922 Challengers in the same period. Combined, that’s 1,974 old-school muscle cars—just edging out the Daytona EV.

To be fair, that’s two body styles against one, but the comparison still stings considering these vehicles are museum pieces at this point. The Charger traces its roots back to 2005 and the Challenger to 2008, and both were officially discontinued at the end of 2023.

It’s not just that the Charger Daytona EV was outsold by the old duo, it’s also that 1,947 units nationwide in three months works out to just 22 cars per day. Compare that to Ford, which moved 9,377 Mustangs in the same period, even while facing a 32% drop in sales year-over-year. If that’s not painful enough, we’ll remind you that Dodge sold 9,737 Challengers in Q1 2024. That’s more than five times the sales of the new EV this year.

Inventory Hangover

Speaking of discontinued, Dodge is still sitting on a surprising number of 2023 Chargers and Challengers. An inventory check shows 657 Chargers and 691 Challengers still listed for sale across the country. The fact that these cars are still clogging up lots 15 months after production ended suggests that while nostalgia sells, it might not sell fast.

More: Gas Mustang Sales Crash 32% In Q1 But Mach-E And Bronco Are Killing It

Dodge is banking on new additions to the Charger Daytona lineup to help turn things around. The upcoming four-door version, along with new internal combustion variants powered by an inline-six, could give the brand more traction with traditional muscle car buyers. But for now, the numbers aren’t encouraging.

A Disastrous Quarter All Around

Overall, it was a rough quarter for Dodge. The brand’s total sales nosedived from 42,948 units in Q1 2024 to just 21,731 this quarter marking a 49% drop. Every model in the lineup took a hit. The Hornet was down 45%, totaling 4,108 units, while the aging Durango saw a 9% dip, settling at 13,701 units.

DODGE SALE USA Q1 2025

A crash involving a Mars Area School District school bus in Pennsylvania that sent eight children to the hospital later resulted in the death of their driver.

The crash occurred in Butler County around 8:30 a.m. on March 7, when the bus transporting 20 students crashed into a tree. Two students were transported from the scene and eight were treated at the hospital along with the driver, identified as William “Bob” Miller.

All of the students were released after being treated, but Miller remained hospitalized at Allegheny General Hospital.

The district released a statement confirming that Miller, who had been a bus driver for 10 years, had died. It is unclear what caused the crash and if Miller’s death was due to injuries suffered during the crash, another medical condition that contributed to the crash, or both.

According to local news reporters, one of the children who was supposed to be on the school bus that day was the son of Kelley Baumgartel. As they were waiting for the bus to get to the stop, Baumgartel said she saw it swerve off the road and hit the tree. After calling 911, she ran to the bus and found some of the children on board had begun to open the emergency door.

Baumgartel said she was unable to get to Miller but told reporters that something seemed to be wrong.

The investigation is ongoing.

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The post Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Dies as Result of Crash appeared first on School Transportation News.

Rachel Lane joined Student Transportation of America in 2022 and has since been instrumental in driving the company’s green fleet initiative.

Lane, the school bus contractor’s vice president of electrification and sustainability, earned her degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Soon after, she joined the U.S. Air Force to follow in her family’s military tradition, serving as a chief engineer and flight commander.

During this time, she designed essential communication networks and supported special operation missions in South America and the Middle East. She focused on implementing tactical communications, satellite links and air traffic control systems at various air force bases, as well as leading and motivating over 150 enlisted troops and junior officers.

Lane entered civilian life in 2004 and joined defense contractor Northrop Grumman. For over five years, she worked in various roles such as a field service engineer, deputy program manager and systems engineer, and a systems test and integration lead.

She went on to work with several other companies. Prior to joining STA, she worked for electric utility PSEG Long Island in New York, where she served as a project manager for large capital construction projects.

Her LinkedIn profile states she was responsible for the performance and operations of PSEGLI’s Electric Vehicle Program and supporting New York’s nation-leading greenhouse gas reduction goals by increasing EV adoption on Long Island from 20,000 vehicles in 2021 to 178,000 vehicles this year.

“I animated the EV charging infrastructure on [Long Island], partnering with developers and internal teams, by managing the program to fund customer-side infrastructure costs and execute the utility-side build-out to the charging station,” she told School Transportation News in March for Women’s History Month. “I also improved system efficiency by managing our customer programs to encourage installation of residential chargers and charging during off-peak hours and presenting data detailing EV impacts on the electric grid.”

In September 2022, STA hired Lane for her current role.

“It was a great opportunity for several reasons, and I’ve been here for about two and half years,” she said. “Since joining the company, my scope has expanded as we’ve added more electric buses to our fleet. I’ve also taken on our carbon accounting program and other efforts to encourage sustainable practices across the business.”

Lane shared that her day-to-day responsibilities vary. From working with sites on a new electric school bus delivery to answering questions to troubleshooting an issue.

“I work with our sites and infrastructure partner on progressing construction at our locations installing chargers,” she said. “I also work with our grant team to apply for new funding or follow up on compliance items, or I could be working with our bus OEM partners on a training item or a new feature that’s coming down the line. I also have my hand in anything that has a marketing or advocacy aspect for electrification.”

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However, serving in a variety of different roles is her favorite part of the job.

“The days are never dull, especially with electrification being a relatively new space for the industry,” Lane said. “And I work with great colleagues. The team at STA has been outstanding in providing me the background on transportation operations, while allowing me to bring my contributions.”

Lane noted that something she’s most proud of is when drivers at a location come to love their electric school buses. She said that sometimes a location can be hesitant to make the change to EVs, but STA has learned so much from each delivery and continues to improve the process.

“My advice is the same to both men and women. Ask a lot of questions,” she said. “But also share your perspective, too. Don’t be afraid to make a change. You might have to take a lateral move to get more skills or go to a new company to get that promotion. Know your boundaries and what you and your family can—and cannot accept—for your work and your life in relation to your work. You have to advocate for yourself.”

Lane concluded by sharing she’s proud to be part of an industry that provides essential service for the nation’s children and families.

“Getting students to school safety and reliably is a mission that resonates with everyone,” she said.

The post STA’s Lane Uses Transportation, EV Experience to Share Sustainability Advice appeared first on School Transportation News.

Once the exclusive domain of governments and defense agencies, Earth Observation (EO) is now a vital tool for industries tackling climate risks, supply...

The post Eyes in the Sky: How Earth Observation is Revolutionizing Climate Action appeared first on Cleantech Group.

With a constant stream of electric vehicles pouring out of China , trying to keep track of them all is starting to feel like a full-time job. There’s always something new vying for attention, but every now and then, one stands out from the crowd. One of the more intriguing entries, a lightweight electric sports car that first appeared back in 2022 as the SC-01, is now resurfacing—this time ready for production.

Recently rebranded as the JMEV01, the coupe is finally set to hit the Chinese market on April 15, after spending some time under the radar. Visually, it lands somewhere between the Tesla Roadster and a Lancia Stratos, which is no bad thing.

Read: The SSC SC-01 Is A $42,000 Chinese Electric Sports Car With 429HP

The SC-01 was originally the brainchild of a startup called Small Sports Car (SSC), but it has since found a new identity under the JMEV brand. JMEV itself is part of Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), a Chinese automaker that was once partnered with Renault—at least until the French walked away from the joint venture in 2023. Now, the project is getting financial backing from Xiaomi, as CarnewsChina reports. Welcome to the overlapping Venn diagram that is the Chinese EV industry.

Prices for the JMEV01 are expected to start under 300,000 yuan, or roughly $41,300, and the official launch is scheduled for mid-April.

At a time when most EVs seem to double as workout equipment for suspension engineers, the JMEV01 represents a welcome change. It’s underpinned by a tubular spaceframe chassis and reportedly tips the scales at just 3,009 lbs (1,365 kg). To put that into perspective, the similarly sized MG Cyberster weighs 4,376 lbs (1,985 kg) in its flagship guise, so JMC has clearly done some clever things to keep the weight down.

Range and Performance

We don’t yet have specifics on the battery pack’s capacity, but we do know it’s being sourced from CALB and is expected to deliver up to 323 miles (520 km) of range on the CLTC cycle. That energy feeds a pair of electric motors producing a combined 429 hp (320 kW), good for a 0–62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in just 3.9 seconds.

The exterior design of the JMEV01 is something to behold. In a world where many EVs look unnecessarily futuristic and are dominated by smooth surfaces and curved lines to aid in aerodynamics, this sports car looks more traditional, and is all the better for it. The front end includes sharp headlights with black surrounds, a large grille and air intakes, and a clamshell-style hood.

From the rear three-quarter angle, the Lancia Stratos inspiration becomes impossible to miss. The JMEV01 features a flat decklid, a tidy lip spoiler, circular taillights, and a blacked-out bumper—details that give it the look of a rally icon filtered through Chinese lens.

More: China’s Giant Space Solar Station Could Beam Endless Power To EVs And Homes

It’s still too early to say whether the JMEV01 will live up to its promise, but on paper, it’s ticking a lot of the right boxes. If nothing else, it’s proof that not every EV coming out of China has to be a 5,000-pound tech pod shaped like a jellybean with lightbars.

For anyone even vaguely familiar with the current landscape, it’s clear that electric vehicles have quietly taken over the sensible side of driving. They’re smooth, quiet, efficient, and for most people, that’s exactly what daily driving should be. But for enthusiasts? Well, the story’s a little different. Most EVs just don’t hit the same nerve as a manual-equipped ICE car screaming through its rev range. Automakers know this too, and they’ve started tinkering. Ford, it seems, is the latest to join the “manual EV” experiment.

Toyota has been working on a simulated manual transmission for future EVs since at least 2022, and Hyundai has famously replicated a dual-clutch transmission in the popular Ioniq 5 N. Now, a recently published patent from Ford shows that it, too is developing a fake stick shift designed for EVs.

Watch: Toyota’s Six-Speed Manual For EVs Feels Just Like The Real Thing, Say Testers

The application, first filed in the US back in September 2023 before being published on March 20, surfaced publicly a couple of weeks ago, catching the attention of Jalopnik. It describes and depicts a shifter that uses several actuators, vertical drive posts, vertical guide posts, and motors to simulate gear shifts. While that all sounds very complex, what it means is that the shifter could be configured to simulate any kind of H-pattern ‘box with different numbers of fake gears. In theory, the setup could also allow for simply sequential up and down shifting.

This isn’t just a novelty, either. Ford also mentions the use of haptic feedback to give drivers a more tactile experience. The patent even acknowledges the elephant in the room: EVs just don’t provide the same kind of physical connection that drivers get from combustion-powered cars. As Ford puts it, electric vehicles “lack operator to vehicle physical feedback that is advantageous in conventional motor vehicles.”

Will It Ever Hit the Road?

Of course, despite Ford making this patent application over 18 months ago, there’s no guarantee it will bring it into production. Adding a fake shifter would only make sense if the EV itself is a sporty model. After all, no one is going to buy an Explorer EV with a stick shift. However, if Ford does decide to eventually launch a true electric Mustang (not like the Mach-E…), or perhaps an electric hot hatch, it could be well-suited to a shifter like this. Until then, it’s likely a clever idea stuck in the theoretical lane.

It’s not every day that a multi-million-dollar electric hypercar pops up for sale in a public auction, but here we are. When your average crossover feels like the automotive equivalent of waiting in line at the DMV, something like a Rimac Nevera is more like flying private through a lightning storm with a jetpack.

More: Rimac Nevera Takes On Bugatti Chiron Super Sport And Tesla Model S Plaid

Now, super-high-end cars aren’t accessible the way a Dodge Hornet is. They’re so desirable that wait lists often span years, not months. The Rimac Nevera is that sort of car, and while there are some questions about how popular it really is amongst 1-percenters, there’s no doubt that it’s a halo car. It makes over 1,800 horsepower, initially cost more than $2 million, and has looks to kill. Now, we’re about to see how much one goes for on the open market.

This particular example is a 2023 model, finished in a striking blue pearlescent paint and outfitted with blue leather upholstery and staggered 20-inch wheels. Like every Nevera, it uses four independent electric motors, each paired with its own gearbox. A 120 kWh battery pack powers the system, delivering a combined output of 1,813 horsepower. Rimac claims it can rocket from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 1.85 seconds and cover the quarter mile in a barely believable 8.6 seconds.

Bringing it back to reality, six-piston calipers and electro-hydraulic CCM-R brakes handle stopping duties, while electronically adjustable dampers help keep the ride composed.

Beyond the Numbers

Photos BaT

What really stands out about it, beyond its insane performance, is the attention to detail. Befitting of a seven-figure car, it seems that every centimeter is all but perfect. The carbon fiber weave looks stunning, the door openings are large for easy ingress and egress, and the touch surfaces look like a pleasure to manipulate.

The previous owner is associated with the YouTube-famous Triple F Collection. You can watch this same car on their channel. The odometer shows 1,371 miles, and the car comes with its original window sticker indicating a price of €2,136,000 or roughly $2.3 million. The high bid on Bring a Trailer right now is $1,155,000.

That said, it wouldn’t be surprising if the car doesn’t sell at auction. Sometimes, a top bid on an auction site like Bring A Trailer just means the buyer has earned the chance to negotiate. If both parties can agree on a final number, it might sell off the platform after the auction ends.

Either way, it’s worth keeping an eye on. This is the fastest electric production car in the world, and it’s not every day you get to see one up for grabs—let alone watch people try to name their price.

Photos BaT

Electric cars are no longer just about efficiency—they’re turning into full-blown performance monsters. Sure, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Ultra may have nabbed some bragging rights by edging out the Taycan Turbo GT at a few tracks, but make no mistake: Porsche’s flagship EV is still an absolute weapon. Not only does it offer insane acceleration, but it is equally as impressive in braking and handling, as Motor Trend recently discovered.

Read: Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Topples 911 Turbo S At Interlagos F1 Circuit

While testing the Taycan Turbo GT in flagship Weissach guise, which ditches the rear seats, Motor Trend recorded an astonishing 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of 1.89 seconds with its typical one-foot rollout procedure. This works out to be 2.10 seconds without rollout. To put that into context, that 1.89-second sprint is not only 0.05 seconds quicker than the standard Taycan Turbo GT, but it’s also 0.18 seconds ahead of the Tesla Model S Plaid, no small feat. Even the four-door Taycan Turbo GT previously tested by MT outsprinted the Tesla to 60 mph.

Faster Than Fast

This acceleration places the Porsche ahead of some seriously elite competition. It beats the Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano’s 2.10-second time and edges out the Lucid Air Sapphire’s 2.16-second figure. In fact, it’s now the fastest-accelerating car MotorTrend has ever tested in its 76-year history.

Motor Trend’s quarter-mile time is perhaps even more impressive. The electric Porsche stormed down the drag strip in just 9.23 seconds at 150.1 mph. That only trails the Lucid Air Sapphire that’s set a 9.21-second quarter-mile at 157.1 mph. As the model’s various lap records show, it also handles extraordinarily well and is the quickest sedan tested around the publication’s figure-eight testing course.

In the test, the flagship electric Porsche set a time of 21.86 seconds, pulling an average of 1.03g. This is the fourth-quickest time ever recorded, and only a hundredth of a second behind a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with the Z07 Pack, and was close to the Ferrari 296 GTB and McLaren 765LT.

Braking performance is just as impressive. The Taycan Turbo GT Weissach came to a halt from 60 mph in just 93 feet. And when it’s time to recharge, the EV is equally efficient, needing only 19 minutes to go from 5% to 80% using a high-speed charger.

At What Cost, Though?

The example tested had a sticker price of $233,395. There’s no doubt that’s a lot of money, particularly compared to the $94,900 commanded by the Tesla Model S Plaid, although it’s more affordable than the $250,575 Lucid Air Sapphire.

Remember the outcry from enthusiasts when Ford unveiled the Mach-E in November 2019? They were worried Ford wanted to replace the iconic pony car with an EV but the automaker assured them that wasn’t going to happen. Five and half years later, however, fresh data from Ford shows it’s now the Mach-E that’s the sales winner and the gas-powered car that’s the niche proposition. Are we looking at the end of the road for the ‘real’ Mustang?

Ford’s registration figures reveal Mach-E sales grew 21 percent in Q1 2025 versus Q1 2024, the total number of deliveries jumping from 9,589 to 11,607, no doubt helped by incentives and the threat of federal tax credits going away. Still, that’s a healthy gain. While that was happening sales of the classic Mustang slid by 31.6 percent, dropping from 13,707 to 9,377. That means the Mustang EV is now more popular than the gas car, and by a wide margin.

Related: Ford Mach-E Sales 62% Up This Year, Mustang Keeps Losing To Itself

So modern electric vehicles good, retro-style gas cars bad, right? It’s not quite that simple, because sales of Ford’s F-150 Lightning EV dropped 7.2 percent in Q1 to 7,187 units, and Bronco registrations blew up by 35.4 percent to 32,595 units. The Bronco is now almost as popular as the more affordable Bronco Sport (33,363; up 5.7 percent) and Escape (37,357; up 2.1 percent).

Ford’s (combustion) F-series trucks also increased their sales by a whopping 24.5 percent to 190,389, helping Ford truck deliveries boom by 15 percent. But that wasn’t enough to prevent total sales of Ford-branded vehicles dropping 1.2 percent to 477,560 in the first quarter. Lincoln sales, by the way, dropped 4.7 percent to 23,731.

It’s said that the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and again and hoping for a different result. And it’s looking like Ford’s new-for-’24 Mustang didn’t really offer anything meaningfully new to help keep interest high. Sure, the $325k GTD is entering new territory, but the regular models didn’t.

Which isn’t to say they’re bad cars. We just drove a Mustang GT and found it great fun. But the sales figures prove buyers are looking elsewhere for their kicks at a time when the Mustang has almost no direct opposition, its Dodge (ICE) and Chevy rivals having both been axed.

What do you think is the answer to Ford’s Mustang sales crisis? Is it more power for the base cars, more frugal engines, a four-door coupe or maybe a lifted crossover body? Or should Ford have retired the Mustang at its 50th birthday and focused exclusively on improving the Mach-E and extending its family?

Ford sales Q1 2024 vs Q1 2025

It’s not unusual for a flashy EV startup to crash and burn, but Canoo’s spectacular flameout has been anything but clean. After filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in January and halting operations entirely, the company is now tangled in a messy dispute that involves hidden assets, questionable sales tactics, and accusations that its CEO may have gotten a little too good of a deal.

Read: Canoo Goes Bust With Less Than $50,000 Left And Millions In Debt

Last Friday, electric trucking startup Harbinger filed a formal objection to the sale of Canoo’s assets to its boss, claiming the sale process “unfairly favored Mr. Aquila.” According to the objection, Canoo failed to disclose certain assets acquired from another failed EV startup—Arrival—and the bankruptcy trustee approved Aquila’s purchase without securing an independent appraisal or even marketing the assets to outside buyers.

Allegations of Hidden Assets and Insider Deals

The situation gets murkier. Harbinger also alleges that Canoo listed some assets that it didn’t actually own for sale. While Harbinger did not specify what these assets were, it says that the access granted to the virtual data room for potential bidders when it considered buying the assets allowed them to make this determination, as first reported by TechCrunch.

The sale of Canoo to its CEO also includes a very important clause. Canoo sued Harbinger in 2022, claiming many of its former employees had stolen trade secrets that were used to create Harbinger. This lawsuit is still ongoing, and through the purchase, Aquila will personally benefit from any settlement that Harbinger may have to pay.

In the complaint, Harbinger notes that the former boss is buying unidentified ‘trade secrets’ from Canoo, “but Mr. Aquila alone supposedly knows what those trade secrets are.” It adds that “a process where only one bidder – an insider – has the ability to identify the assets offered for sale and their value is not a fair process.”

Even before the bankruptcy, Canoo’s financials read like a startup horror story. Since its founding in 2017, the company generated almost no revenue and racked up hundreds of millions in losses. In 2022 alone, Canoo reported a staggering $488 million loss, followed by $303 million in 2023. The first half of 2024 added another $118 million to the bonfire. For comparison, Canoo reported zero revenue in 2022 and just under $900,000 in 2023—a rounding error in the EV world.

Each year, the United States has about 1,200 tornadoes. Many of them happen in tornado alley, a very broad swath of the U.S. that shifts seasonally. This area gets at least ten times more tornadoes than the rest of the world. Science writer Sushmita Pathak says that huge difference can be chalked up to one word: geography. But there's a slice of South America with similar geographical features that gets comparatively fewer tornadoes, so what gives? Sushmita wades into the research weeds with guest host Berly McCoy, one of Short Wave's producers.

Read Sushmita's full article on tornadoes that she wrote for the publication Eos.

Have other science weather stories you think we should cover on the show? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org!

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(Image credit: Connect Images/Jason Persoff Stormdoctor)