Death cap mushrooms look harmless, but are responsible for the majority of the world's mushroom-related deaths. California officials say 21 people have been sickened in recent weeks, one fatally.
(Image credit: William West)
A former school bus driver has been arrested and is facing multiple felony charges after investigators alleged he molested at least one child, reported Arizona Family.
Authorities say Charles Ellington, who worked for a school district northwest of the Valley, was taken into custody on Dec. 1 and booked into jail the following day. District leaders reported they were first notified of an active investigation on Sept. 3, at which time Ellington was immediately placed on administrative leave while the district cooperated fully with law enforcement.
Ellington received a notice of intent to terminate on Sept. 11, and his employment officially ended on Oct. 8. He had worked for the district since Aug. 26, 2021.
According to the news report, district officials said all identified victims are currently assisting investigators. They emphasized that Ellington had passed all required pre-employment and ongoing background checks, including maintaining a valid commercial driver’s license, a clean drug and alcohol testing history, and an active fingerprint clearance card through the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
“These processes involve rigorous, ongoing checks,” said the district via the news report. “The district receives daily notifications from DPS if any employee’s card is suspended or revoked, allowing us to act immediately.”
The specific details of the allegations have not been released. According to authorities, Ellington was booked on charges including molestation of a child, sexual conduct with a minor and failure to comply with a court order. The investigation remains ongoing.
Related: Former School Bus Monitor Indicted on Child Molestation Charges
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The post Former Arizona School Bus Driver Arrested on Child Molestation Charges appeared first on School Transportation News.
After plenty of waiting, the new Toyota GR GT is here, and so is the return of the Lexus LFA. These two new Japanese supercars might not have shown up in all the ways we expected but one thing is clear: while they’re linked, they’ll have very different personalities from behind the wheel.
Now, a new in-depth video shows us just how Toyota and Lexus made each of their respective cars stand out from the other.
More: Toyota GR GT Looks Like A Batmobile And Hits Like A Supercar
Many might consider the GR GT to be a more faithful successor to the LFA. That’s due heavily to its hybrid V8 engine that makes some 641 horsepower (477 kW). That said, it’s clear that Toyota wasn’t trying to steal the LFA’s thunder when you take a quick look at the finer details.
That’s exactly what Top Gear just offered, with a detailed breakdown of both cars from nose to tail. The GR GT, in particular, leans hard into its driver-first philosophy. Its design is dominated by functional aero, from oversized intercooler openings to a rally-style hood vent that channels air up and over the windshield.
Much like the AMG GT or if we go further back in time, the Dodge Viper SRT and its derivatives, the GR GT has a lengthy hood, a small but highly functional cabin, and a squat, wide stance.
Presenter Tom Ford highlights how the driving position communicates intention. The seat height, digital gauge cluster, and steering wheel are all set up for optimal visibility. That’s key because the car has shift lights and vital information there.
The car only has four drive modes, custom, normal, sport, and track. The center control stack features physical buttons and switches. The cupholders are behind the occupants and in the middle because they’re not the focus here.
Of course, the track-only FIA-compliant GT3 race car version is even more extreme. It gets every bit of roll cage one might expect and then some. The cabin features almost zero creature comforts but what it lacks there it makes up for in naked carbon and switchgear. The spoiler at the rear is as wide as the car itself.
Then, there’s the LFA, and when we say it’s different, it’s not just because the V10 is gone in favor of all-electric propulsion. Ford points out that Lexus took full advantage of the EV powerplant, going as far as to design the exterior with it in mind. As such, the LFA gets almost none of the same venting and aero from the GR GT. It simply doesn’t need it.
The lines are more elegant. Take, for example, the hood where long strakes run from the top of the lights to the windshield. Instead of hard edges everywhere, the design is smoother with more compound curves.
That approach carries into the interior, which leans heavily on refinement. The split-cabin layout gives the driver their own space, while the controls are smaller and more delicate, matching the car’s calmer energy.
In short, these two sport models might have a lot of shared DNA, but there’s no doubt that they’ll drive quite differently. In fact, there’s little question that they’ll feel different for occupants even when they’re powered down.
California has set an ambitious goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2045. That path runs straight through mass electric vehicle adoption, which means saying goodbye to traditional gas-powered cars, and with them, a major chunk of how the state pays for its roads.
With gas tax revenue poised to shrink, officials are now exploring a new alternative: a per-mile road tax for EV drivers.
Also: Plug-In Hybrid And EV Drivers Face Pay-Per-Mile Tax In The UK
As it stands, approximately 80 percent of California’s road maintenance budget is funded through a gas tax. For every gallon pumped at the station, around 61 cents goes toward keeping the state’s vast network of highways, freeways, and local roads in working order.
How Will EVs Pay Their Share?
Obviously, as more and more people shift to EVs, this revenue stream will slowly dry up. This is where the road tax could come into play. California recently completed a pilot program for a road tax earlier this year, charging EV owners between 2 and 4 cents for every mile that they drive.
In theory, it’s a straightforward way to recover the funds needed for upkeep without relying on fossil fuels. But implementation may be anything but simple.
For one, it could end up costing quite a bit to set up and run. For another, drivers who rack up serious mileage, often those in rural areas or with long commutes, might bear the brunt of the expense.
As noted by Fox 26 News, a commuter traveling daily between Hanford and Fresno could face around $11 a week under the proposed system. Multiply that over a month or a year, and it becomes a noticeable new cost for people who may not have easy alternatives.
Then there’s the question of how the state would monitor each vehicle’s mileage. One proposed method involves installing a tracking device that plugs into the car and logs the miles traveled.
That could get expensive fast, especially if it needs to be rolled out across every EV on California’s roads. And even if the technology is viable, it brings up a different kind of cost, one to driver privacy.
Read: California EV Drivers Now Risk A $490 Fine Under New Rules
Many Californians would likely have reasonable concerns about being monitored so directly, especially if the data is handled by third parties or used beyond just tax purposes. Balancing effective tracking with individual privacy rights could prove to be a sticking point.
According to David Kline from the California Taxpayers Association, the logic behind the tax is simple: “Someone’s got to pay for the roads,” he said. “It should be the people who use the roads.”
However, he is concerned that the road tax could end up “switching the burden to different people,” questioning whether some of those who have to drive long distances can afford the new tax. That tension between fairness and practicality remains unresolved as the state weighs its next move.
China’s electric vehicle market isn’t just growing, it’s evolving faster than most can process. With new models rolling out at breakneck speed, the country’s automakers aren’t simply keeping pace with global trends, they’re driving them.
And they’re not building EVs in a vacuum either. Domestic demand, especially among younger and first-time buyers, is pushing the shift forward.
Read: Forget EVs, China’s Dumping Millions Of Gas Cars On The Rest Of The World
It turns out, more of these buyers are now leaning electric than ever before. A recent study conducted by Bloomberg Intelligence has revealed that 47 percent of prospective first-car buyers in the country plan to buy an EV within the next 12 months. This represents a massive spike from the 25 percent in February.
Widen the scope to include all prospective car buyers in the country, and the trend holds. A full 52 percent now say they intend to make their next vehicle an EV, compared to 34 percent back in both February and March 2024.
Interest in extended-range EVs, those that offer additional miles from an onboard generator or similar tech, is also gaining ground. As of the latest figures, 8 percent of surveyed buyers said they’d consider one for their next purchase.
Interestingly, the Bloomberg survey also found that plug-in hybrids are losing ground fast. Just 12 percent of respondents now say they’re considering one for their next car, a steep drop from 23 percent in February.
Conventional hybrids have slipped even further. Once viewed as a sensible middle option, their share has fallen from 15 percent in February to just 9 percent by November.
Demand for traditional combustion-engine cars hasn’t disappeared though, which comes as somewhat of a surprise. 19 percent said they’d opt for an ICE model for their next car. Admittedly, just 1,000 people participated in the survey, so it’s hard to make definitive conclusions based on this small sample size.
What’s Behind the Surge?
According to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Joanna Chen, the competitive prices of EVs in China have contributed to the exceptionally strong demand for them.
“The country beats Europe and the US with battery electric vehicles already reaching price parity versus gasoline cars, while consumers’ strong interests in advanced tech features give local startups and tech giants Huawei Technologies Co. and Xiaomi Corp. stronger edge in the fierce market competition,” she said.
It’s no secret that electric vehicles still carry a steeper price tag than their gas-powered counterparts, and a recent report from COX Automotive puts that gap into sharper focus. In November, the average new car cost $49,814, while the average electric vehicle rang in at $58,638.
Now, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe is calling out this price discrepancy, along with the lack of variety in the USA, as one of the two main reasons behind the lackluster demand for all-electric vehicles.
More: Ford CEO Hints At Affordable RWD Performance Sedan
Speaking at Fortune’s Brainstorm AI conference, Scaringe argued that America doesn’t offer anywhere near the variety that buyers in Europe and China enjoy. He especially hit on price point as the reason that EV adoption in the U.S. sits at just 8 percent.
He went as far as to call it a “shocking lack of choice,” while claiming that American buyers have “well under five great choices” near the average new-car price.
Somewhat surprisingly, he cited Tesla as the automaker with the only truly compelling EVs under $50,000. The Model Y is available for under $50,000, and the Model 3 starts below $40,000.
“And that’s not a reflection of a healthy market with lots of choice,” Scaringe said. “If you think of it as a consumer, you have 300 different internal combustion engine choices at that price or lower, and you have maybe one highly compelling EV choice.”
Of course, the CEO didn’t miss the opportunity to tout his brand’s upcoming R2, an SUV with a target starting price of $45,000.
While American EV buyers wait for more options, rivals overseas are battling in crowded markets. Europe offers a flood of choices from Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, and a growing list of Chinese imports.
China itself remains the most competitive EV battleground in the world, where BYD, Nio, Xpeng, Leapmotor, and even newcomer Xiaomi are fighting tooth-and-nail for market share.
To that end, Scaringe aligned himself with the Trump administration in pushing to bring more manufacturing back to the U.S. He believes it’ll help domestic brands to scale EV supply and ultimately lower costs. Now, we wait to see if he’s right.
Compared to some of the battery juggernauts in China and South Korea, Rimac Technology is still a relatively small player. But that hasn’t stopped it from pursuing next-generation EV tech and among its most ambitious efforts is a solid-state battery project that could power a future Bugatti model due within the next five years.
Read: Rimac Wants To Buy Porsche Out Of Bugatti
Rimac Technology became a standalone engineering firm in 2022, spun off from the Croatian carmaker to focus on supplying electric components to third-party manufacturers.
Behind the Battery Development
According to chief operating officer Nurdin Pitarevic, the company is now working with composite material specialists from Mitsubishi and solid-state cell developer ProLogium to bring its new battery to life.
The prototype battery in question is a 100 kWh pack that weighs 30 kg (66 lbs) less than a typical equivalent. Rimac says it delivers 20 to 30 percent more energy density than traditional batteries, with the long-term goal of reaching price parity with conventional NMC cells by 2035.
Speaking with Autocar, Pitarevic revealed that testing of the new batteries will start soon and hinted at them being used in a mid-volume production model from Bugatti in 2030.
Details about the new Bugatti model are few and far between, but it would likely be the company’s long-awaited car to sit alongside the Tourbillon, rather than a special version of that V16-powered monster.
Rimac’s e-Axles
It’s not just advanced batteries that Rimac Technology is developing. New e-axles that combine electric motors, gearboxes, and electronics into a single package are also in the works, being flexible enough to be used for front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive models.
They can also be specced to deliver between 200 hp and 470 hp, making them suitable for a broad range of performance models. Porsche and BMW are among the automakers currently sourcing e-axles from Rimac.
A Saudi startup called Ceer, developed in partnership with Foxconn Technology Group, is also on board. Ceer’s upcoming SUV will feature a Rimac rear e-axle with output comparable to the 1,288 horsepower rear motor in the Rimac Nevera, yet the unit weighs only 132 kg (291 lbs), a full 66 kg (145 lbs) lighter than the Nevera’s setup.
Rimac is also working on a smaller e-axle, weighing just 48 kg (106 lbs), with a projected output of 500 horsepower.
Self-driving cars are supposed to eliminate traffic jams, human error, and awkward you-turn-or-mine eye contact at four-way stops. But last weekend, three Waymo robotaxis in San Francisco proved that even artificial intelligence can panic when faced with a bad decision and no escape route.
The scene unfolded on a hilly residential street in North Beach, where a TikTok video captured what can only be described as a low-speed robot showdown. Two Waymo Jaguar I-Pace SUVs ended up nose-to-side at an intersection that also happened to be a dead end.
A third Waymo arrived moments later, assessed the situation like a confused NPC, and came to a complete stop, effectively sealing the street shut.
Related: Waymo Robotaxi Rolls Through LAPD Crime Scene As Suspect Is Held At Gunpoint
Bystanders watched from the sidewalks as the cars sat motionless, their sensors apparently locked in an eternal debate about who should move first.
One resident trying to leave the area summed it up best by asking whether the cars were “just going to stay there forever.” For a few long minutes, that seemed like a real possibility.
Autonomous paralysis
According to an ABC7News report, the two robotaxis may have lightly contacted each other while one attempted a turn on the tight street. The third vehicle, doing what it was programmed to do, detected an obstruction and politely waited.
Unfortunately, polite waiting does not help much when everyone involved is a robot and no one will make a move.
Eventually, a Waymo employee arrived to manually intervene and restore order, proving once again that the most reliable fail-safe in autonomous driving is still a human with the ability to hook reverse and take a look over his shoulder.
Waymo expansion
To be fair to Waymo, the company remains the poster child for functional robotaxis. Its vehicles log millions of miles in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, mostly without fault, and are now venturing onto freeways. The company recently launched in Miami and plans to add services in Dallas, Houston, San Antonia, and Orlando.
Those cities can expect to experience their own Waymo glitches in time because moments like this are a reminder that self-driving cars excel at following rules, but struggle with edge cases that humans solve instinctively.
The new Ora 5 has been spotted out in the wild and covered in disguise, but it wasn’t cruising around China at the time. The electric crossover was caught testing on European roads, confirming that Great Wall Motor is preparing to launch the its first SUV outside its home market.
And yes, that’s the same Ora that got under Volkswagen’s skin a few years ago with the Punk Cat, a car that looked like a mashup of the classic and modern Beetle. This time, the design direction is different, but you’ll still find yourself thinking about certain Porsche models, particularly the Macan and 911.
Review: Great Wall’s Haval H6 Promises Refinement But Trips Over Its Own Power
If the shape under the camouflage looks vaguely familiar that is because the Ora 5 shares plenty of design ideas with the little Ora 3, which was previously known as the Funky Cat in Europe, and goes by Good Cat in China and GWM Ora in Oz.
Imagine an Ora 3 fed a diet of protein shakes and roof rails and you’ve got a solid handle on the 5’s look.
The rounded lighting signatures are still there, as is the smooth surfacing that has become something of an Ora trademark. Even wrapped up, the car looks friendlier than most compact SUVs, which is very much the point. Ora wants cute but practical, not angry and aggressive.
Already Unveiled in China
Don’t bother straining too hard to make out the final design, though. Ora has already revealed the 5 in full in Asia and we’ve included pictures of that at the bottom of the post so you can get a fuller idea of what to expect when European sales start in 2026.
Tough competition
We also know from the earlier static launch that the 5 measures just under 4,500 mm (177 inches) long and has a 2,720 mm (107.1 inches) wheelbase, putting it squarely in the heart of Europe’s most competitive EV segment.
That means it will be lining up against everything from the BYD Atto 3 and Peugeot e-2008 to the Kia EV3 when it finally lands.
Under the skin the Ora 5 uses a single electric motor producing 201 hp (204 PS / 150 kW) paired with an LFP battery. Capacity has not been officially confirmed, but Car News China suggests 63.87 kWh and 83.49 kWh options are likely since that’s what’s offered in the mechanically similar Lightning Cat sedan.
Screen-Heavy Interior
Inside it borrows heavily from the facelifted Good Cat/Ora 3, including a big, floating infotainment screen running GWM’s Coffee OS and featuring some climate functions built into the display.
But you still get a few physical toggles further down the console for key controls, while a two-spoke steering wheel, 10-inch digital cluster, wireless phone charging and ambient lighting round out the cabin upgrades.
For Europe, the timing makes sense. Ora has already dipped its toe into several markets with mixed success and the brand badly needs a volume product that fits current tastes. A small electric crossover like this could really help Ora make its mark.
BMW has named its next chief executive officer, confirming that Milan Nedeljkovic, the brand’s current head of production, will take the reins next year. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the company, as it pushes deeper into electrification and prepares to usher in its Neue Klasse generation of vehicles.
Nedeljkovic won’t be stepping into the role immediately, though. Incumbent CEO Oliver Zipse will continue leading the company until BMW’s Annual General Meeting on May 13, 2026. After that, Nedeljkovic is set to begin his term, with a contract that runs through 2031.
Read: New i3 And 3-Series Reveal BMW’s Most Striking Split Yet
Zipse has been at the helm for seven years, steering BMW through an unusually turbulent stretch. His time in charge included the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread supply chain disruption, and a bevy of product rollouts that ranks among the most intensive in the company’s history.
“Oliver Zipse has always prioritized BMW’s success,” chairman of the supervisory board of BMW AG, Dr. Nicholas Peter described. “He consistently took a clear stance—even in the face of great external headwinds—and thus kept the company on track during turbulent times.”
Nedeljkovic, meanwhile, is a BMW veteran. He joined the company in 1993 as a trainee and has since held senior roles at its Oxford, Leipzig, and Munich facilities. According to Dr. Martin Kimmich, deputy chairman of the supervisory board and chair of the Global Works Council, he’s built strong relationships inside the company.
“He is held in high regard by and enjoys the trust of BMW’s workforce,” Kimmich said. “Together with him, we look forward to continuing the long tradition of cooperative collaboration between the Works Council and corporate management as a foundation for our BMW success story.”
The Future of BMW
The next five years will be hugely important for the BMW brand. It plans to launch more than 40 new or updated models by the end of 2027, all of which will use the same computing systems as the new iX3.
That includes a full facelift of the company’s vehicle range, unified under the design direction set by the second-generation iX3. Many of those models will also adopt the iX3’s new Panoramic iDrive system, marking a significant update to both interface and in-cabin tech.
In Alaska, a federal grant that funded seismic data collection in order to warn people about tsunamis is being cancelled. Experts say cuts like this could make tsunami warnings less reliable.
Boston, MA – Last night, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that Donald Trump’s executive order banning wind projects in the United States was unlawful and vacated the order. Donald Trump issued an executive order on the first day of his administration that paused all leasing, permitting and approvals for wind projects, killing tens of …
The post Federal Judge Vacates Trump’s Unlawful Wind Energy Ban appeared first on Alternative Energy HQ.
A terrifying incident unfolded when a Dickson County School District bus burst into flames along Highway 49 East, forcing a quick evacuation of the children on board, reported WKRN.
The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office said the school bus driver noticed smoke coming from his dashboard Dec. 3 and immediately pulled into the lot of a gas station. Within moments of the evacuation, the bus became fully engulfed in flames.
The school bus driver is in his first year on the job and is being called a hero for saving the lives of the 38 students on board a the time.
“I was the first one to get off the bus because I was scared it was going to blow up,” said Asher Winters, a second-grade student at Charlotte Elementary School who was riding the bus, to local news reporters.
His younger sister, Penelope Winters, a first-grader at the same school, proudly told the reporters she “saved everyone because I told the bus driver it was happening.”
According to the news report, fire crews from the Harpeth Ridge Volunteer Fire Department responded swiftly and extinguished the blaze. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported. Images taken after the fire reveal the charred shell of the vehicle, which authorities say is a total loss.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The school bus was a spare as the driver’s normal bus was in the shop that day. A spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol said the bus that caught fire had been inspected in August.
“Wednesday’s bus fire could have ended tragically, but it didn’t because of the bus driver,” added Maj. Travis Plotzer. “He saw danger, he acted fast, and he got every student off the bus before anyone got hurt. His quick thinking and being calm under pressure saved lives, without a doubt. What he did was brave and professional, and he did exactly what we’d hope for in a moment like that.”
Related: California Student Honored for Quick Thinking During School Bus Fire
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Related: North Texas School Bus Engine Catches Fire, Students Evacuated Safely
Related: California Farmworkers Hailed as Heroes After Rescuing 20 Children from Burning School Bus
The post Tennessee School Bus Bursts Into Flames Moments After Children Evacuated appeared first on School Transportation News.
After finishing his afternoon route on Sept. 10, 23-year student transportation veteran Julio Ospina saw a young child walking along the roadway wearing a harness. He immediately relied on his training and intuition.
Ospina, a two-year driver for Wylie ISD located northeast of Dallas, stopped the bus and contacted authorities. He soon learned the child had been reported missing from a neighboring school district that morning. He stayed with the child until police arrived, ensuring the student remained safe and calm.
“Trusting his instincts and training, Julio quickly realized something wasn’t right,” said Martiza Valentin, national account manager for occupant and wheelchair securement manufacturer AMF Bruns America. “That little boy trusted the man in the school bus.
“Thanks to his swift action, the child was safely transported into the care of law enforcement and eventually to relieved family members, preventing what could have been a tragic outcome.”
Valentin continued that stories like Ospina’s are the type AMF-Bruns wants to share.
It was Ospina’s extraordinary moment of heroism that prompted the company to name him its National Special Needs Driver of the Year. The award honors transportation professionals who demonstrate exceptional dedication, professionalism and compassion in serving students with special needs.
AMF-Bruns sponsors the award each year to “highlight outstanding contributions to the safe transportation of people with limited mobility.”
Liz Ospino, Julio’s wife, nominated him.
“This act wasn’t part of his job description, but it is exactly who Julio is,” Liz said. “His attentiveness, quick thinking, and compassion turned a potentially dangerous situation into one of peace and safety.”
Julio Ospino told School Transportation News that winning the award means more to him than he can put into words.
“I am truly humbled. I don’t do this job for recognition, I do it because I care about the children in my care and this child was definitely not in a safe place,” he said. “Knowing that others see value in what I do is incredibly meaningful. I am fortunate to work with an amazing district with the best people.”
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He said having his wife nominate him “means everything.”
“She knows my heart better than anyone, and the fact that she recognized the care I have for these students makes this award even more special,” he added, noting her nomination was a surprise. “Knowing that she believed my actions were worthy of recognition makes this experience incredibly special to me.”
Valentin added that drivers play a vital role in supporting students outside of the classroom.
“The relationships [they] build impact each child’s journey, both academically and personally,” she said.
A celebration in Ospino’s honor was held on Dec. 4, when he was handed a $1,000 check.
The post Texas School Bus Driver Wins AMF Bruns Special Needs Driver of Year appeared first on School Transportation News.
The school bus industry focuses on safety and service amidst students killed by both passing motorists and their own school buses as well as federal shifts in funding and changes to the Department of Education. Plus, we revisit the 2021 murder of a school bus driver and school bus security.
From routing to training, Transfinder President and CEO Antonio Civitella talks top technology trends of 2025 and the upcoming annual Top Transportation Teams competition.
Read more about operations.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
Stream, subscribe and download the School Transportation Nation podcast on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube.
The post (STN Podcast E286) End of Year Review: Safety & Technology Trends of 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.
After a botched rollout and years of lackluster demand, General Motors announced plans to end production of the slow-selling BrightDrop vans. The announcement was made in October and it appears dealers are having a fire sale to get rid of remaining inventory.
I originally noticed this after a local Chevy dealer was advertising a van for roughly $22,000 below MSRP. However, that’s a drop in the bucket as Chevrolet of Troy, Ohio has knocked $28,315 off a 2025 BrightDrop 400. This means you can get the $68,310 EV for as little as $39,995.
More: GM Kills Electric Van Leaving Over 1,000 Canadian Workers In Limbo
That’s barely more than a Ford Mustang Mach-E, which starts at $37,995. More importantly, it undercuts the Ford E-Transit Cargo by $13,265.
Of course, that’s far from the only example as Miami’s Bomnin Chevrolet has their $69,435 BrightDrop 400 listed for $40,435. That’s a discount of $29,000, which means you can buy a 2027 Chevrolet Bolt with the savings.
Ray Chevrolet of Fox Lake, Illinois isn’t as generous, but they’ve marked their BrightDrop 400 down $28,348. That means you can get the $69,935 delivery van for just $41,587.
If the standard model is too small for your liking, you can always upgrade to the BrightDrop 600. Kool Chevrolet has a very cool discount of $23,600 on theirs, meaning you can get it for $47,450. That’s significantly better than the original MSRP of $71,050.
It’s a similar story at Columbus’ Ricart Chevrolet, which has slashed $25,253 off the price of their 2025 BrightDrop 600. As a result, the $73,430 EV can be had for $48,177.
These huge discounts are made possible thanks to $21,500 in customer cash. The offer requires buyers to take retail delivery by January 2, so you might want to act fast if you want to own a testament to GM’s ill-fated belief in EVs.
According to multiple reports, the European Union is working on a new proposal that would create an “E car” category. These would be small electric vehicles that are less advanced than traditional models.
The details are still in flux, but a draft proposal is expected to be released soon and Nikkei says the “relaxed technical requirements” could help to lower costs for European automakers. This would enable them to better compete with the onslaught of Chinese companies that have invaded Europe.
More: China’s Car Brands Are Quietly Eating Europe’s Lunch
The report suggests a number of currently mandated safety systems could be removed from E vehicles. This could include things like drowsiness detection systems that are designed for use on long distance trips.
If everything pans out, prices of small electric vehicles could drop by 10 percent to 20 percent. This could result in a number of new European EVs priced from €15,000 to €20,000 (equal to around $17,500 to $23,300 at current exchange rates).
While the size and weight of E cars is still to be determined, the publication suggested that some Japanese kei cars could meet the criteria “without any specification adjustments.” This would be a boon to automakers as they could easily export existing models to Europe.
Automotive World reports Stellantis, Renault, and Volkswagen could be the biggest beneficiaries of the move. The companies already offer small electric vehicles and even more are in the works. However, it remains unclear if these upcoming models would qualify for the category.
It’s also important to note that any changes would likely be a ways off. Following the introduction of the draft proposal, we can expect bureaucracy to take hold and slowly advance the idea. At current estimates, it could be a “few years” before E cars are launched, assuming they get approved in the first place.
Subaru introduced the 2026 Uncharted earlier this year, and now the company has announced it will arrive at dealerships early next year for $34,995. That positions the new entry-level EV well below the Solterra, undercutting it by $3,500, and places it a full $5,000 beneath the upcoming Trailseeker.
Kicking things off is the Uncharted Premium FWD, marking the first front-wheel-drive Subaru sold in the United States in decades.
It features an edgy design that is largely identical to the Toyota C-HR. While it won’t win any points for originality, the model sports LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and a power liftgate. The crossover also has 8.2 inches (208 mm) of ground clearance and 18-inch alloy wheels with gloss black covers.
More: Subaru’s New Trailseeker Costs $5,000 More Than The Outback
Moving inside, drivers are greeted by a minimalist cabin that has a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The latter screen resides above a stubby center console with a rotary shifter and a dual wireless smartphone charger.
Elsewhere, there are heated front seats with 10-way power adjustment on the driver’s side. The Uncharted also sports an ambient lighting system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. Rounding out the highlights are a six-speaker audio system and digital key technology.
The EyeSight driver assistance system comes standard and provides Adaptive Cruise Control, Front/Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Lane Departure Prevention. They’re joined by Proactive Driving Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Emergency Steering Assist. Other highlights include a Blind-Spot Monitor and Safe Exit Assist.
Power comes from a 74.7 kWh battery pack that feeds a front-mounted motor producing 221 hp (165 kW / 224 PS). It should enable the model to have a range in excess of 300 miles (483 km). When the battery is low, owners can use the NACS port and a DC fast charger to take it from 10% to 80% in as little as 28 minutes.
Uncharted Sport
The Uncharted Sport begins at $39,795 and features a lightly revised exterior with roof rails. Buyers will also find an upgraded cabin with StarTex upholstery and a heated leather steering wheel. The model also has an eight-way power front passenger seat and a driver’s seat memory function.
The mid-level crossover gains additional driver assistance systems as well. They include Lane Change Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and a Surround View Monitor.
The big news is a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing 338 hp (252 kW / 343 PS). That’s a huge improvement over the base model and range doesn’t take much of a hit as Subaru predicts the Sport will be able to travel more than 285 miles (459 km) on a single charge.
Uncharted GT
Last but not least is the $43,795 Uncharted GT. It’s notable for having a panoramic glass roof as well as 20-inch wheels with a gunmetal finish. Customers can build on that by getting an optional two-tone paint job for an extra $970.
Interior changes are relatively minor, but the range-topping trim sports heated and ventilated front seats as well as heated rear chairs. They’re joined by an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system and a digital rearview mirror with HomeLink.
While the powertrain carries over from the Sport, the larger wheels and additional equipment conspire to rob the model of range. However, Subaru expects owners will be able to travel more than 270 miles (435 km) between stops.
| Model | MSRP |
| Uncharted Premium FWD | $34,995 |
| Uncharted Sport | $39,795 |
| Uncharted GT | $43,795 |
Lucid Motors has plenty on its plate already. Cash burn, slow production ramps, a delayed Gravity SUV launch, and media stories about drivers being shafted with huge repair costs. Now it can add one more thing to the list: a high-profile lawsuit from its former chief engineer that claims a serious lack of harmony at the Newark, CA, HQ.
Eric Bach, who spent a decade at Lucid and rose to become Senior Vice President of Product and Chief Engineer, has filed a federal lawsuit alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, and retaliation.
What Sparked the Fallout?
At the center of the complaint is a claim that a senior HR executive referred to him as a “German Nazi” during an internal investigation into workplace culture. Bach was born and raised in Germany and says the remark was deeply offensive and discriminatory.
Also: Spilled Water Bricks Lucid, Repair Costs As Much As A Used Corolla
According to the lawsuit, Bach learned about the comment in mid-2025, months after the start of an HR-led culture probe Bach claims was already “tainted by racist beliefs.”
During that investigation, he says he was stripped of key responsibilities, including oversight of Lucid’s electric powertrain division, and excluded from board meetings.
After encouraging a colleague to report the remark through internal channels, Bach claims Lucid confirmed the comment was made, yet failed to act meaningfully.
Pushed Out
Things escalated from there. Bach says the company began pressuring him to resign in October 2025 before firing him outright on November 5. Lucid’s public statement at the time merely said he had “departed,” offering no hint of the brewing conflict behind the scenes.
Lucid, for its part, is having none of it. The automaker issued a blunt response calling Bach’s legal claims “absurd” and says it is confident the facts will show legitimate reasons for his termination.
Company sources have pointed to long-running product delays, quality issues, and execution problems, arguing that leadership restructuring was overdue.
Bach’s responsibilities were partially handed to Emad Dlala, who was promoted to Senior Vice President of Engineering and Digital after Bach’s exit.
Tricky Timing
The lawsuit lands at an awkward moment for Lucid. The company is still trying to ramp production of the Gravity SUV while developing a more affordable midsize EV due in late 2026.
Executive turnover has been relentless, with former CEO Peter Rawlinson resigning earlier this year and multiple vice presidents exiting across different strands of the business.
Also: Lucid Teases $50K Mid-Size SUV As It Readies L4 Autonomous Driving
Bach’s complaint paints a very different picture of his standing, citing praise from board members and repeated salary increases, and even suggestions that he was being groomed for a future CTO role.
He’s now requesting damages and a very public jury trial. For a company built on calm luxury, Lucid’s latest saga is anything but serene.
As the end of the year draws closer, Tesla has rolled out a set of last-minute offers designed to nudge buyers off the fence, something we’ve come to expect from the automaker in the final stretch of the calendar.
Arguably the most notable of these is a new financing deal for the entry-level Model Y Standard, now available with 0 percent APR on a 72-month term. That’s six years of interest-free payments, for anyone keeping count.
Read: Tesla Made The Model Y Standard Cheaper By Adding A Headliner To Hide The Glass Roof
The back-to-basics Model Y Standard was introduced a couple of months ago and prices start at $39,990 before destination and taxes. It’s based on the regular Model Y, but lacks many of its key selling points, including the panoramic glass roof and the front light bar. It also has a simpler interior.
Evidently, Tesla was eager to save as much money as possible when designing the car.
Zero Percent, But Not for All
When first launched, the Model Y Standard wasn’t included in Tesla’s promotional financing, but things have changed. It’s now available at 0 percent APR. However, this financing deal is only available if you’re willing to put down at least $2,069 at signing.
Additionally, you’ll need an excellent credit rating of 720 or above to get the deal. If your credit rating is between 680 and 720, the APR rises to 0.99 percent, or 1.99 percent with a 640-679 credit rating, and 2.99 percent with a sub-640 credit rating.
Tesla is offering the 0 percent financing deal for its 36-, 48-, 60-, and 72-month terms, but not its longest 84-month term.
Extras On the House
But wait, there’s more. Tesla is also tossing in a few extra incentives for EV buyers choosing from existing inventory. Depending on the car, some models are now being offered with one complimentary upgrade. A quick scroll through Tesla’s site shows examples with larger wheels, premium paint finishes, or the optional white interior included at no additional cost.
Whether this last-minute round of offers will give Tesla the year-end bump it’s chasing remains to be seen.
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