Hertz is reportedly offering renters the option to purchase EVs directly, including Teslas.
A 2023 Tesla Model 3 with under 30,000 miles was offered to a renter for $17,913.
Polestar deals from Hertz appear less competitive than similar offers on Auto Trader.
Hertz is culling its portfolio of EVs in response to the sharp depreciation affecting some of its most popular models, including the Tesla Model 3. In what appears to be an aggressive effort to offload these vehicles, the rental giant has begun reaching out directly to customers currently renting them, offering an opportunity to purchase the cars outright on the spot.
While we haven’t been able to find an announcement from Hertz directly regarding the scheme, a Reddit user recently shared a screenshot of an email they received from Hertz while renting a 2023 Tesla Model 3. In the email, Hertz offered the renter the chance to buy the EV for just $17,913.
The renter says the Model 3 they rented had less than 30,000 miles (~48,000 km) on the clock, and having the opportunity to buy it at that price sounds like a steal. Last month, we published a story about many of Hertz’s Tesla Model 3s being sold, but none of them were this cheap. A look through Hertz’s current inventory shows it has three 2022 Model 3s available for less than $20,000. However, they all have over 130,000 miles (~209,000 km) on the clocks.
The Redditor hasn’t said if they jumped on the offer to buy the relatively low-mileage Model 3 for just $17,913, but if Hertz has promoted similar offers to other renters, we suspect they’ll be plenty that consider deals like this too good to pass up.
Of course, buying an ex-rental car comes with inherent risks, as it’s almost guaranteed that these vehicles have been driven hard. It’s also worth noting that the Tesla’s battery is warranted for 8 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) for RWD models. Purchasing a vehicle still within this warranty period is highly advisable, as battery replacements are among the most expensive repairs EV owners can face.
Another user from the same subreddit says they recently rented a Polestar (presumably a Polestar 2) and were sent a similar email, offering them the chance to buy it for $28,500. While we don’t know how many miles it had on the clock, that offer doesn’t seem like such a good deal. A browse through Auto Trader reveals dozens of Polestar 2s available across the US for less than $25,000, many of which have less than 20,000 miles on the clock, making the Hertz offer seem far less competitive by comparison.
President-elect Donald Trump will face significant hurdles to enacting his campaign pledge to ban transgender youth from participating in school sports that align with their gender identity. (Photo by Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly said during the campaign that, if elected back to the White House, he would pursue a ban on transgender youth participating in school sports that align with their gender identity.
As he prepares to take office in January, experts and LGBTQ+ advocates told States Newsroom the effort would face significant delays and challenges as legal pushback from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups can be expected every step of the way.
Trump’s repeated vow to “keep men out of women’s sports” reflects his broader anti-trans agenda. Administration efforts would come as an increasing number of states have passed laws banning trans students from participating in sports that align with their gender identity.
The Trump-Vance transition team did not offer any concrete details when asked about specifics but shared a statement from spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
“The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail,” Leavitt wrote. “He will deliver.”
Reversing the final rule for Title IX
The U.S. Education Department, under President Joe Biden, released updated regulations to Title IX in April that strengthen federal protections for LGBTQ+ students. The final rule does not explicitly reference trans athletes’ sports participation — a separate decision the administration put on hold.
The Education Department said Dec. 20 it was withdrawing a proposed rule that would have allowed schools to block some transgender athletes from competing on sports teams that match their gender identities while also preventing across-the-board bans.
Title IX is a landmark federal civil rights law that bars schools that receive federal funding from sex-based discrimination.
The president-elect has pledged, while speaking about trans students’ sports participation, to reverse the Biden administration’s final rule for Title IX on his first day back in office.
The Biden administration’s final rule was met with forceful pushback from GOP attorneys general. A series of legal challenges in states across the country have created a policy patchwork of the final rule and weakened the Biden administration’s vision for enforcement.
But if Trump were to try to reverse the final rule, experts say the effort would take an extended period and require adherence to the rulemaking process outlined in the Administrative Procedure Act, or APA.
The APA rules how federal agencies propose and roll out regulations. That process can take months, creating a barrier for a president seeking to undo a prior administration’s rule.
Cathryn Oakley, senior director of legal policy at the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, said that while a subsequent administration can undo the current Title IX regulations, it would take “a tremendous amount of work because a regulation has the force of law … so long as the administration has complied with the APA.”
For the Trump administration to undo those regulations, it would need to start at the beginning, propose its own rules and go through the entire process.
“I think it seems fairly likely that that’s something that they’re going to pursue, but that’s not something that the president has the capability to do on day one,” she said.
Oakley noted that the updated regulations also have the force of law because they interpret a law that already exists — Title IX.
The Trump administration is “bound by Title IX, which in fact has these protections related to gender identity,” she said.
Preparing to push back
But any action from the Trump administration regarding trans athletes’ sports participation is sure to be met with legal challenges from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
Oakley said though “we have many real reasons to be concerned” about what the Trump administration would do when it comes to Title IX protections and in general for LGBTQ+ people, “we also need to be cautious that we do not concede anything either.”
“We need to be trying to ground ourselves in the actual legal reality that the president-elect will be facing when he comes into office and be able to fight with the tools that we have and not concede anything in advance.”
Biden rule does not address athletics
The U.S. Education Department under Biden never decided on a separate rule establishing new criteria regarding trans athletes.
Shiwali Patel, a Title IX lawyer and senior director of safe and inclusive schools at the National Women’s Law Center, said “we could see some sort of announcement about changing the Title IX rule to address athletics” under the Trump administration.
“Given the rhetoric that has come out of the Trump administration and this continued focus on trans athletes, I think we very well should and could expect to see something from the Trump administration on this, which is very harmful,” Patel told States Newsroom.
The Trump administration could also try to pursue a national ban via legislation in Congress.
The U.S. House approved a bill last year that would prohibit trans athletes from competing in sports that align with their gender identity. And in July, the chamber passed a measure that would reverse Biden’s final rule for Title IX.
But Patel said she could not see how any measure in Congress could get through the U.S. Senate’s filibuster, which requires at least 60 votes to pass most legislation. There will be 45 Democratic senators in the incoming Congress, though independent Sens. Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont caucus with the Democrats.
Despite Washington soon entering a GOP trifecta in the U.S. House, Senate and White House, narrow margins could hinder any potential anti-trans legislation from the Trump administration.
Broader anti-trans legislation
Across the country, 25 states have enacted a law that bans trans students from participating in sports that align with their gender identity, according to the Movement Advancement Project, or MAP, an independent think tank.
Logan Casey, director of policy research at MAP, said proponents of these sports bans are using them as a starting point to enact a broader anti-trans agenda.
“In many cases, these sports bans have been one of the first anti-trans laws enacted in recent years in many states, but then states that enact one of these sports bans then go on to enact additional anti-trans or anti-LGBTQ laws,” Casey told States Newsroom.
Casey described any controversy around trans people playing sports as “entirely manufactured.”
“In just five years, we’ve gone from zero states to more than half the country having one of these bans on the books, and that’s really, really fast in the policy world,” he said.
A 7-year-old boy from London, Ontario, was struck and fatally injured in a collision as he was getting off his school bus, reported CBC News.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday afternoon, when the boy identified as Dante Caranci, was exiting his school bus and a passing vehicle struck him.
According to the news report, Caranci was rushed to London’s Victoria Hospital following the crash and was pronounced dead on Tuesday. London Police have not released many details of the crash.
A GoFundMe launched to help cover funeral costs and any other expenses had reportedly raised more than $91,000 as of Wednesday.
Police have not stated if charges are pending in the collision, and few details have been made public. Judy Madzia, the boy’s grandmother, told local news reporters that she had not seen any police report and was still unsure exactly what had happened.
Authorities have reportedly asked anyone with a dash cam who may have been traveling through the area between 3:45 p.m. and 4:05 p.m. to contact them.
Two Cooper High School students ended up heroes for jumping into action after their bus driver suffered a medical emergency, reported WCPO News.
The incident reportedly occurred Wednesday morning, when the school bus driver was transporting students.
According to the news report, Karter Dearwester, who was inside the bus at the time of the incident along with his friend Micah Jones, noticed their bus was getting too close to a mailbox.
Dearwester told local news reporters that the school bus driver was slumped over the wheel and seemed to have passed out. The teen immediately woke up Jones, who quickly got up, pushed the brakes of the bus and then removed the keys from the ignition.
According to the article, Jones checked their school bus driver’s pulse while Dearwester called first responders.
Authorities say via news reports that the school bus left the road and collided with several trees in the backyard of a home.
The boys said they recall there was a lot of screaming coming from the back of the school bus as not many students had reportedly sat in the front. The teens helped the other students, as police and other emergency crews began to arrive.
The school bus driver was rushed to the ICU and three students were reportedly hospitalized in unknown conditions. The quick actions of the two boys received praise from their principal Mike Wilson.
Wilson told local news reporters that they had no updates on the driver’s condition other than he is in stable condition and everyone at Cooper is praying for a full recovery.
The school bus transportation industry has long grappled with a persistent challenge: A nationwide shortage of school bus drivers. Despite the critical role these professionals play in ensuring student safety and access to education, many school districts struggle to recruit and retain enough school bus drivers to meet demand not to mention other employees.
However, with the rise of social media platforms like TikTok, a new opportunity for outreach and recruitment has emerged. But this trend is not without its complications.
A New Era of Storytelling
Social media has transformed from a space for personal expression to a powerful marketing and engagement tool. TikTok, once synonymous with dance trends and lip-sync videos, is now a hub for creative content across industries. Businesses big and small use the platform for everything from showcasing products to building brands via influencers, other users who have amassed large followings. The school transportation industry is no exception.
School bus drivers have taken to TikTok to share their experiences, offering a glimpse into the daily life of a driver. Using hashtags like #schoolbusconversation, drivers showcase their passion for the job, hoping to inspire others to join the profession.
One standout influencer is Cor’Darius Jones, known by his handle Mr. Bus Driver. He has amassed over 61,000 followers to date on his TikTok channel by sharing engaging and informative content about school buses and driving them. (He is also on Instagram and Facebook.)
As an employee of Escambia County Schools, located on Florida’s panhandle and serving the Pensacola area, Jones has not only captured the hearts of viewers but also caught the attention of industry leaders, including IC Bus, which sponsors his content.
Jones’ videos extend beyond his daily routes. He attends trade shows, engages with industry professionals, and promotes the role of school bus drivers as an essential part of the education system. Notably, Jones will be speaking at the STN EXPO East near Charlotte, North Carolina, in March. He will join a panel discussion that will share insights on using social media as a recruitment and advocacy tool for the school transportation industry.
Jones said Escambia County Schools is aware of his social media work and has been supportive of the content.
Cor’Darius “Mr. Bus Driver” Jones takes his social media viewers on a tour of his school bus.
“A lot of times my higher-ups give me ideas for a funny video to create,” he explained. “At first, I didn’t know how my district would take it, being that I was filming on the bus and making jokes about the job while still trying to make an informative message, but they started to follow and absolutely love the content. They look forward to every video I create.”
Jones said his journey into social media began during his second year as a school bus driver.
“I started the page going into my second year of driving and was giving everyone an inside look at what it’s like being a bus driver for different grade levels,” he recalled. “The post went viral on [Facebook], gaining over 500,000 views within the first week. People — parents, students, bus drivers, teachers, school staff, a ton of people — would message me to make more videos, and that’s what led to creating the Mr. Bus Driver page. I would just post day-to-day life. The most relatable part is that it’s very much true and has happened to me and a ton of other drivers.”
His partnership with IC Bus, the manufacturer of the vehicle he drives everyday, and collaboration with school district officials exemplifies how social media can be leveraged to address driver shortages by highlighting the job’s rewarding aspects, as well as the universal experiences that resonate with the broader community.
“When we came across Cor’Darius Jones, more widely known as Mr. Bus Driver, it was clear he was a champion of student safety and the driver community in his own right,” commented Christy Zukowski, the senior marketing manager for IC Bus. “Those who have seen Mr. Bus Driver’s videos on their social feeds know that his passion for his career as a driver is contagious. With his unique ability to educate, entertain and connect while spreading awareness of the importance of safety best practices, Mr. Bus Driver is an empowering voice in the industry and an admirable example of the dedicated drivers who keep us moving forward.”
IC Bus sponsors Cor’Darius “Mr. Bus Driver” Jones and brings him to industry trade shows, where he interviews student transporters on a podcast.
Navigating the Challenges
While influencers like Jones have received district support and industry backing, not all school bus drivers receive the same level of oversight — or approval — for their social media activities. The integration of government property and social media monetization raises questions about ethics and compliance.
A transportation director from a school district in the western U.S. speaking anonymously to School Transportation News expressed concern over school bus drivers creating TikTok videos without the district’s knowledge.
Like many government agencies, the director noted, transportation staff does not have access to TikTok. “So, this was not something we were monitoring,” the director added. “There are issues with broadcasting on social media in uniform, using district equipment, acting as a spokesperson without authorization, and generating revenue while on paid status.”
The director revealed that one school bus driver had been filming TikTok videos while wearing a uniform with the school district logo visible despite an attempt to obscure it. This implied, the director explained, that the driver in question was officially representing the district without having prior permission to film content. Upon discovering the videos, transportation department management addressed the issue directly with the driver as well as others, instructing them to take down any content that might appear to represent the district.
“It’s important to ensure that employees don’t unintentionally present themselves as spokespersons for the district without authorization,” the director emphasized.
The challenges outlined in this scenario highlight a key tension: While these videos can inspire and educate, they also risk crossing professional and legal boundaries. School buses are government property, and filming content for personal or financial gain without explicit consent could violate district policies or government regulations. Moreover, the perception of using public resources for private profit can risk the reputations of school bus drivers and their school district or bus company employers. Clear communication and well-defined policies are essential to navigating these challenges.
STN reviewed dozens of TikTok, Instagram and Facebook videos posted by school bus drivers. Many of them made attempts, not all successful, to obstruct or blur any identifying district names or logos on uniforms. Videos included school bus drivers talking about their jobs and experiences while seated behind the wheel, performing pre-trip inspections, and even driving the vehicle with students on board. Any students were blurred out, and at least one post appeared to use interior school bus camera video footage.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Social media’s potential to promote the profession and recruit new drivers is undeniable. Videos showcasing the camaraderie, dedication and unique aspects of the job can counter misconceptions and attract individuals who otherwise might not have considered the role. Drivers like Cor’Darius “Mr. Bus Driver” Jones demonstrate that with proper support and guidance, social media can be a valuable tool for advocacy and outreach.
However, districts must address the potential pitfalls. Without clear policies and communication, drivers may unintentionally breach regulations or face disciplinary actions. Establishing guidelines around social media use, including seeking prior approval for content involving district equipment, could help strike a balance between creativity and compliance.
However, the future of TikTok, one of the most influential platforms for creators and businesses alike, remains uncertain. The app has faced ongoing legal battles and scrutiny, with federal and state governments questioning its data privacy practices and connections to its parent company, ByteDance, in China. These concerns have led to restrictions on TikTok’s use on government devices and recurring threats of a nationwide ban.
President-elect Donald Trump will take office a day after a Biden administration ban is set to take effect. While Trump previously sought to ban the app due to national security concerns, he now said he acknowledges the platform’s significance as a cultural and economic influencer. He has suggested the possibility of maintaining TikTok under stricter regulations to ensure compliance with U.S. laws and protect user data, offering a lifeline to a platform that continues to thrive amid legal and political uncertainty.
This past week, the U.S. Supreme Court said it will take up the case on Jan. 10 and will not block TikTok while it considers the issue.
Regardless, district leaders and transportation directors generally lack access to TikTok today, making it difficult to monitor or even be aware of the content their drivers are creating. This limitation further complicates oversight and highlights the importance of proactive communication between drivers and their supervisors.
But without access to TikTok and other social media services, district leaders may miss opportunities to guide or support school bus drivers who are using the platform to share their experiences. Additionally, the inability to monitor content means districts are often unaware of potential compliance issues, such as filming during work hours, using district equipment, or presenting themselves as spokespersons without authorization. Addressing these gaps requires clear policies and training, ensuring drivers understand the boundaries of their creative freedom while still leveraging social media to inspire and educate.
To fully harness the benefits of social media while mitigating risks, collaboration between drivers, districts, and industry leaders is essential. Districts should consider the following steps:
Develop Clear Policies: Provide written guidelines on social media use, including what is permissible when using district property or uniforms.
Training and Communication: Offer training sessions on responsible social media practices, ensuring drivers understand the potential legal and ethical implications.
Encourage Collaboration: Facilitate partnerships between drivers and district officials to align content creation with district goals and recruitment efforts.
The passion and creativity of school bus drivers have the potential to reshape perceptions of the profession and address critical driver shortages. By establishing clear boundaries and fostering open communication, districts can support drivers in sharing their stories while maintaining professionalism and integrity. Social media is a powerful tool, when used responsibly or not. It can bring much-needed attention to the essential work of school bus drivers and inspire the next generation to join their ranks.
Despite the controversies, TikTok and other social media sites remain powerful tools for promoting small and large businesses and enabling content creators to connect with audiences worldwide. For school bus drivers and other professionals, it has provided a unique avenue to inspire change and attract talent to under-appreciated roles. The uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future highlights the need for districts to remain vigilant, crafting adaptable policies to maximize its benefits while navigating potential risks in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
In addition to being a frequent STN contributor, S.Z. Estavillo is a social media professional and consultant with over 90,000 followers across her various channels.
While Toyota may have thought it was clever when it came up with the name for the bZ4X EV, it hasn’t been particularly well received. As a result, a change is reportedly coming soon, according to the regional director for Toyota Canada in Quebec.
While recently speaking with members of Canada’s automotive media, Patrick Ryan revealed that the electric SUV is going to be rebranded. He did not say when, but it could be for the 2026 model year as the 2025 model has already been presented and keeps the bZ4X name.
The current name stands for ‘Beyond Zero’, the ‘4’ represents its size, and the ‘X’ references it being a crossover, notes Motor Illustrated. While it kind of makes sense, the name doesn’t roll off the tongue particularly well, and it just sounds a little bit silly.
We get it, car manufacturers love using alphanumerical names for their cars nowadays. However, they’re often hard to remember and simply don’t stand out like those with real names. Heck, even the Subaru twin to the bZ4X has a real name and is dubbed the Solterra.
Ryan did not say if the name change will only be regional or if it is something that Toyota plans to change globally, although the latter would seem a little more logical. Except for the RAV4, all of Toyota’s current models in the US have real names, rather than random numbers and letters that have been jumbled together. Hopefully, Toyota will be able to come up with a proper name for its electric crossover and we won’t have to wait too long to hear it.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released a statement saying that the gunfire came from a drug-related dispute that occurred outside the school bus on Monday. The bus was not the intended target, police added. Two students from Albemarle Middle School were injured from glass broken by the gunfire, according to the police statement.
Police arrested 21-year-old Lamarius Ramel Anthony, who is charged with carrying a concealed weapon and felony possession of cocaine.
Local security guard Eyersol Belbuel was reportedly nearby when the shooting occurred and assisted the school bus driver in safely evacuating all the students.
A heavily camouflaged prototype of the updated Tesla Model Y was spotted in California.
Chinese media report that production of the updated EV will start in Shanghai next month.
The Model Y Juniper will feature exterior, interior, and mechanical upgrades.
The Tesla Model Y is gearing up for its most significant update since its 2019 debut. Of course, by “significant,” we mean it’s still largely the same car—just with enough fresh bells and whistles to keep it reigning atop global sales charts. Now, a camouflaged prototype of the updated Model Y was spotted in California, coinciding with reports that production could kick off in China as early as next month.
According to the latest information circulating in Chinese media including Sina, production of the facelifted Model Y, codenamed “Juniper”, is set to kick off in January 2025 at Tesla’s Shanghai plant. This aligns with Elon Musk’s earlier comments indicating that the facelifted Model Y wouldn’t launch in 2024. Reports also suggest that Tesla has already built prototypes in Shanghai as part of its preparations for full-scale production, signaling that the company is moving quickly to refine the next iteration of its best-seller.
A New Longer Six-Seater Variant For China
Tesla is expected to introduce two versions of the updated Model Y: a standard five-seat model, which offers an optional third row for two additional (and very small) passengers, and a longer-wheelbase six-seater variant designed exclusively for the Chinese market, set to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2025. Both versions will come with a range of exterior, interior, and mechanical updates to keep the Model Y fresh and competitive.
The redesigned bodywork of the Model Y is expected to echo the updates seen on the Model 3 ‘Highland’, featuring slimmer headlights and a more streamlined front bumper. In a recent spy video shared on X by photographer Colin W., the new DRLs (daytime running lights) can be seen glowing through a thick camouflage wrap. The prototype is also equipped with newly styled wheels. While the rear end remains fully covered, earlier spy shots revealed a full-width LED taillight bar with a frosted finish, adding a more modern touch to the design.
Inside, the Model Y is expected to ditch its wiper and turn signal stalks, along with the gear shifter, in favor of an even more minimalist design. However, it will gain a redesigned steering wheel, an infotainment display with slimmer bezels, more comfortable seats, multi-color ambient lighting, and an additional touchscreen for rear passengers to control climate settings, just like the Model 3 facelift.
More importantly, the EV will reportedly benefit from better-quality materials inside the cabin and improved NVH, courtesy of chassis and suspension upgrades. These will be likely joined by onboard technology upgrades too.
Battery and powertrain options should be carried over from the outgoing model, although a more powerful Model Y Performance trim sounds plausible, mirroring the specs of the Model 3.
In the lead-up to the updated model’s release, Tesla has cut the price of the Model Y in China by an additional ¥10,000 ($1,370), dropping it to its lowest price ever. The move seems to be paying off: between January and November 2024, the Model Y was China’s best-selling vehicle, with 373,000 units sold, accounting for 73% of Tesla’s sales in the region.
Prospective Tesla Model Y buyers in the U.S. face a tough decision: wait for the updated model or buy the current version now to secure the $7,500 federal tax credit, especially with the possibility that the next administration may follow through on its promise to eliminate it.
The project is being led by the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute (NAMI).
A state-owned nuclear company is already working to establish two EV battery factories in the country.
Local car production has fallen dramatically in Russia over the past three years.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it may not have foreseen the backlash from its actions. Restrictive sanctions were soon placed on the country, and many international companies operating in Russia shut down their operations. Most Western automakers quickly fled, causing new car sales to plummet. However, Russia is working on what it hopes will be a solution.
According to new reports, the government plans to invest up to $900 million into the development of a national car platform over the next three years. This new platform will be flexible enough to be used by a wide variety of vehicles, with a particular focus on hybrids and EVs.
The majority of the funding for the new platform comes from the Russian Parliament, while the project is being led by the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute (NAMI). The name of that institute may ring a bell as NAMI already owns Aurus Motors, a premium Russian brand that has been building luxurious limos for President Putin for several years.
“By designing such a modular platform, we are laying the foundation for developing our own automotive production,” director of the Department of Strategic Development and Corporate Policy in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Alexey Matushansky, said when recently announcing the project.
“It will be used for the assembly of cars of various classes from Golf (compact) class to business class. NAMI will play the leading role in implementation of this project, while its main task will be to unify the component base for this platform. The new platform will be also used for serial production of hybrid and especially electric vehicles in the future.”
Russian state-operated nuclear energy corporation Rosatom will play an important role in making the platform a reality. Wards Auto reports the company is already working on two gigafactories to produce battery cells for the upcoming EV. It’s also said to be working on an integrated electric powertrain for the vehicle and will use composite materials in its construction to reduce weight.
Local car production in Russia has dropped dramatically since the Ukraine invasion. In 2021, approximately 1.34 million vehicles were built in the country, but this fell to 448,246 in 2022. While many legacy firms have left, numerous Chinese brands have landed in Russia and have started building new models in plants abandoned by Western automakers.
Military vehicle manufacturers have already invested in EVs.
The incoming President may scrap a mandate for government fleets to only include EVs by 2027.
Donald Trump is due to return to the Oval Office next month, and his transition team is already planning numerous changes that will broadly impact the entire automotive industry. As we recently revealed, fuel efficiency standards could be rolled back significantly, EV incentives scrapped, and the federal government and U.S. military could be blocked from purchasing more EVs.
As it stands, the US government must purchase more EVs while replacing its old, gas-guzzling vehicles. Additionally, the government’s fleet of light-duty vehicles must all be zero-emissions cars by 2027. However, Trump is tipped to scrap this mandate. Additionally, he is expected to end Department of Defense (DOD) programs aimed at purchasing or developing electric military vehicles.
Several battery-electric or electrically-assisted military vehicles have been developed recently. For example, in mid-2023, GM Defense unveiled a Hummer EV-based military concept vehicle called the eMCV. It featured the same 212 kWh battery pack as the road-going Hummer but added a 12 kW diesel-powered generator to help charge the battery.
In October this year, GM Defense also launched its new ‘Next Gen’ tactical vehicle based on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD ZR2, fitted with a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine supplemented by a pair of electric motors. An electric version of GM’s nine-passenger Infantry Squad Vehicle is also being developed. The DOD also currently wants its entire fleet of non-tactical vehicles to transition to EVs by 2035.
Documents from the incoming Trump administration reveal a proposal to shift back to fuel economy standards from 2019. This could boost the average allowable emissions per vehicle mile by 25%. Trump is also said to have California in his crosshairs and may move to block the state from setting its own stricter vehicle emissions standards. If he does this, the 17 other states that use California’s standards may have to fall in line with the rest of the country.
Electric vehicles are also facing a shaky future. Trump is widely expected to eradicate the $7,500 EV tax credit, likely triggering a decrease in new EV sales across the country. Reuters also understands the administration wants to pull any leftover funds from Biden’s $7.5 billion pledge to establish a sweeping network of EV charging stations nationwide. Interestingly, Trump may scratch the environmental reviews required for things like charging stations, meaning it could be quicker for private companies to open new stations.
A South Carolina man says he does not understand and disagrees with people accusing him of endangering students and calling him a menace after rolling his wheelchair in front of a moving school bus, reported Sun News.
According to the news report, Doug Champa, a U.S. Marine veteran, was arrested on Nov. 22 after he used his wheelchair to block a school bus that was attempting to drive through his Conway area neighborhood to drop off children.
Champa, 58, is reportedly accused of riding in front of the bus, preventing it from getting around him by moving in its path, and slowing the bus down to 5 mph.
Champa, who was paralyzed after a car crash in 1986, told local news reporters that he was protesting what he claimed was frequent speeding of school buses in his neighborhood over the posted 15 mph speed limit. He said his goal was not to get arrested but rather to draw attention his safety concerns because of children who live in the area as well as his 88-year-old mother.
The article states that Champa claims he and his neighbors have been dealing with speeding buses for about three years. He said he called the Horry County Schools transportation department and complained, pleading with them to have buses slow down, but is always met with the same answer.
Officials reportedly tell Champa that the buses have GPS on the vehicles and that it indicates that the buses are not speeding. Confusion may arise from the street where Champa lives compare to the next street over, Drawbridge Drive, which has speed limit of 25 mph.
According to local news reporters, Champa pointed out that a regular-sized vehicle can barely see him when he’s in front of it and emphasized that a school bus driver would definitely not be able to see him not to mention small children.
Other neighbors have reportedly raised concerns about speeding and started a petition to get speed bumps placed along the roadway. It wsa unclear if speed bumps will eventually be placed along the street.
Champa, who says he’s always been an advocate for children and people with disabilities, said he would never physically hurt anybody. He was reportedly released on a $1,000 bond for the charge of interfering with the operation of a school bus.
The new Dodge Charger isn’t available with a V8 engine.
Former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is reportedly to blame for that.
While he’s gone, it sounds like the V8 still won’t return to the Charger.
The Hemi is barely alive over at Stellantis and reports say that Carlos Tavares killed it. Whether or not that’s true, it’s clear that Dodge understands that buyers want a gas-only option. That is why the production of the gas-powered Charger is ahead of schedule. A new report says that even with all the various factors at work, the new Charger isn’t going to end up with a Hemi V8 anytime soon.
As a reminder, those who claim to be familiar with the matter say that now-former CEO Tavares axed the Hemi so that Dodge and Ram could be “greener.” However, he left the company earlier this month. Now, despite some less-than-spectacular reviews of the new Charger Daytona, at least one report indicates that it won’t get a V8.
According to Jalopnik’s Andy Kalmowitz, engineers at Dodge say there are two main problems. First, the Hemi V8 won’t even fit under the hood of the new Charger. While I’m personally all for Dodge selling a Charger with a V8 literally sticking up out of the hood itself, that probably doesn’t meet safety standards.
Evidently, the engineers claim that shoehorning a V8 into the Charger would require moving the cradle and the firewall. That’s unlikely to happen simply based on the cost of re-engineering such pivotal parts. Dodge would have to run new crash tests too on top of everything.
In addition, the engineers claim that going back to the V8 would “fly in the face of what they were trying to accomplish with the car.” To be very clear, the goal was to build the next generation of muscle cars for the modern world. Did Dodge pull that off? The reviews are mixed and there’s still no indication of exactly how customers will adopt the car. In any case, a Stellantis spokesperson responded to the report with the following statement:
“Dodge is focused on launching the all-new, all-new electric Dodge Charger Daytona models, as well as the Dodge Charger SIXPACK ICE-option models coming next year. We have nothing additional to share in regard to potential future products.”
Granted, this neither confirms nor refutes the original report, although, given the engineering hurdles, it’s unlikely that the new Charger will be available with a V8 in the future. At least, for now, the Hemi lives on in cars like the Jeep Wrangler 392 and the Durango that we drove recently, as well as in heavy-duty Ram trucks. Nevertheless, if you insist on having it in a muscle car, there are still plenty V8 Chargers and Challengers sitting at dealers’ lots.
Baidu and Geely will help compensate workers who’ve lost their jobs but haven’t committed to providing Jiyue with more funding.
Over the past year, Jiyue launched an electric SUV and an electric sedan but neither have sold well.
Jiyue’s CFO may be hiding out in Singapore with his family.
Chinese electric carmaker Jiyue is on the brink of collapse despite being backed by technology giant Baidu and automotive conglomerate Geely, and it’ll take a miracle to avoid the fate of so many other failed Chinese automakers in recent years.
Jiyue was initially formed through a joint venture between Baidu and Geely, with Baidu owning 55% and Geely owning 45%. However, the company was later restructured, providing Geely with a 65% ownership stake and leaving 35% with Baidu. It launched its first model – the Jiyue 01 – last year as a stylish competitor to the Tesla Model Y. It was followed up by the gorgeous Jiyue 07 sedan, which quickly picked up a Red Dot design award after its launch.
However, sales have been slow, and this year, Jiyue has managed to shift just 13,834 vehicles across the country. It’s also experiencing severe financial difficulties, and according to Chinese media, chief financial officer Liu Jining and his family may have fled to Singapore, taking with him the company’s books. It’s also believed Baidu has discovered a financial hole of up to 7 billion yuan (~$962 million) that was unaccounted for and opted against investing an additional $412 million in the company.
CarNewsChina adds that chief executive Xia Yiping may have significantly overpaid suppliers. Approximately 70% of all parts used by Jiyue come from Geely, and as of February, it owed more than $200 million to its parent company for these parts.
In a statement issued last week, Jiyue said it would ditch projects that don’t improve its financial position. It also fired several departments, delayed salaries for December, and suspended social security payments to employees in November. Baidu and Geely quickly responded to the uncertainty, saying they would help Jiyue make payments for social security contributions, fund after-sales servicing for existing customers, and compensate workers who’ve lost their jobs.
A restructuring plan has been presented to shareholders, but it remains unclear if it will save the company. If Jiyue does go bust, it will follow Human Horizons as the latest Chinese car startup unable to survive increasingly fierce competition across the local market.
A camouflaged prototype suggests that BYD is working on a new electric sports car.
The EV looks like the production version of the Fang Cheng Bao Super 9 concept.
The electric coupe is set to debut under the Denza brand at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show in April.
Update 12/19: New photos of the camouflaged prototype have surfaced online, showcasing its muscular stance, haphazard camouflage, and unfinished bodywork from various angles. Check them out below.
Remember when Chinese automakers were known for making knockoff versions of Western cars with all the structural integrity of a soda can? Well, those days are officially dead. BYD, the company that’s already entered the world of supercars with the YangWang U9 capable of jumping (literally) and doing zero-to-sixty in sub-two seconds has now decided to give the world one more reason to side-eye Stuttgart: a Denza-branded electric sports car rumored to launch in 2025.
The teaser comes in the form of a camouflaged prototype that was spotted in China on a flatbed truck. The blurry Weibo snapshot shows a coupe with classic sports car proportions but missing vital bits like the headlights and rear bumper, which either weren’t ready or BYD decided to keep them a surprise. Think of it as a sneak peek at your dream car before it puts its pants on.
A BYD Sports Car? Blame Wolfgang Egger
Now, if you’re wondering who’s responsible for BYD’s glow-up from “budget EVs” to “supercar contender,” point your finger squarely at Wolfgang Egger. This is the guy who’s worked at Audi, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, and basically every design studio with a leather couch and espresso machine.
Egger reportedly put his stamp on the concept car that inspired this prototype: the Fang Cheng Bao Super 9, a two-door coupe unveiled in April 2024. Think of it as the sports car you’d design if you had a portfolio full of Italian exotics and a mandate to beat Tesla. And yes, BYD seriously needs to rethink its naming strategy, as “Fang Cheng Bao Super 9” sounds less like a sports car and more like the combo platter you regret ordering at 3 am.
Of course, BYD isn’t stopping at just one version. Rumor has it a roadster variant is also on the way, that’ll look more similar to the speedster concept.
BYD didn’t reveal much in the way of technical details during the concept’s presentation, aside from confirming its fully electric nature. However, Car News China speculates that the production version could borrow the tri-motor powertrain from the Denza Z9. With a combined output of 952 hp (710 kW / 965 PS), this setup promises some seriously impressive performance.
Europe, You’re Next
What makes things more interesting is that the Denza-badged sports car won’t be exclusively available in China, as it could also be offered in Europe. Denza will make its debut in the Old Continent with the Z9 GT in 2025, and the electric sports car sounds like a great option for expanding its lineup.
The EV is expected to debut at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show in April, exactly one year after the concept. As reported by local media Autohome, pricing could start from around ¥300,000 (equal to around $41,200) in China, making it significantly more affordable than any variant of the Porsche 911 despite offering high levels of performance.
Europe’s 2025 CO2 cap will cut average emissions to 93.6 g/km, forcing automakers to adapt.
Automakers must raise zero-emission vehicle sales from 13% to 20% to meet the EU targets.
Critics argue the EU’s emissions targets are too ambitious, risking industry-wide financial penalties.
Starting in the new year, the European Union will drastically tighten its regulations on automotive carbon dioxide emissions. From January 1, 2025, the EU will enforce a much stricter cap, requiring the average CO2 emissions per kilometer for each new car sold by a manufacturer to not exceed 93.6 grams. This represents a 19% reduction from the current year’s target.
According to consultancy firm Dataforce, under the new emissions measurement system, the 2024 target would equate to 116 g/km using the previous system of calculation.
While the regulation doesn’t prescribe specific methods to achieve this reduction, it effectively forces major car manufacturers to ensure that at least 20% of their sales come from zero-emission electric vehicles. This marks a significant increase from the current average of 13% of all cars sold in the region, according to data from the industry association ACEA. As Reutersreports, manufacturers that fail to meet these targets will face hefty fines.
Automakers Shift Pricing Strategy
In response, automakers have started increasing the prices of their gasoline and diesel vehicles to reduce demand for internal combustion engine models and make EVs more appealing.
“Carmakers have started with their pricing strategy to steer demand towards battery EVs in order to reach the CO2 targets and avoid potential fines,” Beatrix Keim of the Center for Automotive Research told Reuters.
Companies such as Stellantis, VW, and Renault have already increased the prices of ICE models by hundreds of euros in recent months. For instance, all Peugeot models sold in France—except EVs—saw price hikes of up to €500 ($525) last month. According to S&P Global auto analyst Denis Schemoul, these adjustments could also help fund future discounts for EVs.
Affordable EVs On the Horizon
Over the next year, Europe will see the launch of several new and more affordable EV models. These include the Hyundai Inster, Fiat Grande Panda, BYD Seagull, Cupra Raval, Renault R5, Skoda Epiq, and VW ID.2. Other EVs priced below €25,000 (about $26,200 at current exchange rates) are also in development, such as the Renault Twingo, Kia EV2, and VW ID.1.
Mounting Criticism From Automakers
Not everyone is on board with the EU’s tightening regulations. At the Paris Auto Show in October, Luc Chatel, president of the French car lobby PFA, slammed Brussels for what he described as unrealistic emissions targets.
“At some point, enough is enough,” Chatel said. “I can’t sell enough electric vehicles and I’m going to be penalized on my thermal vehicles. What do they want me to make, horse-drawn carriages?”
This year, just 13% of all vehicles sold across the EU have been electric, and many politicians are pushing the region to relax its targets for 2025. If the sector fails to meet its CO2 obligations, fines could soar as high as €15 billion ($15.7 billion). Some automakers have found alternative strategies to avoid fines, such as pooling emissions with other brands. For example, Suzuki will pool emissions with Volvo in 2025, eliminating the risk of penalties.
Despite these efforts, skepticism remains. A source close to one of Europe’s major automakers told Reuters that simply raising ICE prices may not be enough to drive sufficient EV sales, citing weak growth in the EV segment. As the market faces both political and economic pressures, 2025 could be a turning point for the region’s auto industry.
Morgan Martens of Brule is an 18-year-old musher who has competed in both the junior Beargrease and Junior Iditarod, winning the latter at age 14 in 2021. He told Robin Washington of WPR's "Morning Editin" the dogs are just as competitive as the mushers, and all have their own personalities.
An increasing number of Tesla owners report issues where many car features stop working.
The problem appears to affect only cars with hardware version 4, and the fix remains unclear.
No recall or service bulletin has been issued to address this growing issue yet.
Imagine getting to work a few days or weeks after buying a brand new Tesla only to realize there are major issues. The cameras aren’t functioning, the GPS still thinks you’re sitting at home, and features like emergency braking don’t work. That’s exactly the type of situation that a number of Tesla owners are dealing with right now.
Several of these drivers claim to have taken delivery within the last month or two. This detail is important not just for the inconvenience it causes, but also because it might point to the root of the problem. These owners report that they all have Tesla’s AP4 or hardware version 4 chipset, which is responsible for the features mentioned above. If it has a problem, those features won’t work, so it could very well be the crux of this whole situation.
Glitches, Delays, and Angry Owners
Over on Reddit, several owners report very similar symptoms. On top of that, they claim that Tesla service centers are routinely scheduling to swap out AP4 hardware and delaying appointment times.
“Happened to me: 2024 Model Y. Navigation shows me at home. All the time. Cameras out. Even the display does not adjust. Auto lights don’t adjust. Appointment on January 13 wayyy delayed,” said one commenter.
“I was contacted by Tesla today and the tech from my local service center told me that Tesla has told them to stop replacing the computers until they get to the root cause. He said they’re going to try and fix it with a software update and to expect 30 days. I find this mind-blowing because my symptoms started happening on Dec 2 and now my service date has been pushed back to Jan 23, nearly 2 months later,” said another.
There are many more complains on forums, including this one: “After a software update pushed by Tesla, the AP4 computer in my 2024 Tesla Model Y shorted out, causing a complete failure of all systems controlled by this computer.”
Electrek reports that sources from inside Tesla say that it’s related to a short circuit: “The cause is still being investigated, but one source told Electrek that one of the possible causes is the low-voltage battery short-circuiting the computer during the camera calibration process.” According to the outlet, one source claimed that Tesla Service has a mandate to “to play down any safety concerns related to this problem to avoid people believing their brand-new cars are not drivable.”
That seems like a tough job for Tesla Service employees considering how much emphasis the brand itself places on touting its safety record and technology. Notably, the NHTSA currently requires cars to have a functional backup camera, so it’s strange no recall related to this issue has been announced. That could change any day, but it’s also possible that Tesla will send an update that will fix the problem remotely, if it’s software related.
We’d ask Tesla, but, well, they don’t have a press department, though it appears that they might’ve recently hired one, as you can see from this Linkedin posting. We’ll keep an eye out to see if they decide to actually say something.
Are you a Tesla owner dealing with this headache? Share your saga in the comments. You can also report the issue to the NHTSA here, or if you’re in Canada, go ahead and do that here
The new EV rocks a pair of slim HED headlights and has short front and rear overhangs.
In August, the Russian brand quietly previewed an electric sedan.
This is our first proper look at Russia’s new home-grown EV, known as the Kama Atom. The electric SUV has been in the works since as early as 2021 and extensive testing and development is underway, ahead of a market launch perhaps as early as 2025.
The new model is being brought to life by startup Kama, which has secured heavy funding from the Russian Direct Investment Fund and has strong ties to Atom Automotive Engineering and Technology in the Chinese city of Nanjing. With the Russian car market crippled since the escalation of its war with Ukraine in February 2022, it’s hardly a surprise that it’s looking to grow its local industry with its trusty friends from China.
We were provided with our first glimpse of the new EV in May 2023, but the vehicle in these photos from Kolesa appears quite a bit larger and has a different design. It’s unclear if this is what the concept has morphed into for production, or if this is a separate vehicle from the one from last year.
Visually, the vehicle has a somewhat similar profile to the MG 4 but is quite a bit taller and looks a little longer. The front end includes a pair of narrow LED headlights that look to be connected by a light bar. There’s no traditional grille and the main headlights are hidden within the front bumper. The Atom has quite an intriguing look and is certainly reminiscent of some recent EVs to come out of China.
2023 Atom show car
When viewed from the side, the short front and rear overhangs catch the eye, as does the relatively long wheelbase. The side windows also sit pretty high on the body. Few technical details are known about the new model, including what kind of battery pack it will have or what kind of electric motors it will use.
After some digging, we discovered that the Russian brand quietly previewed a new electric sedan known as the Lightning in August. A delivery van version of the Atom is also in the works.
The brand acknowledges it could build a compelling electric estate but isn’t sure there’d be enough demand for it.
Volvo UK’s managing director said they will have a clearer idea on the vehicle’s future early next year.
While three months ago Volvo backed away from its commitment to go electric-only by 2030, it continues to invest heavily in the EV space and will grow its range. However, it remains undecided on whether or not it should release an all-electric estate that could compete with the likes of the BMW i5 Touring, Audi A6 e-tron, and VW ID.7 Tourer.
There have been some hopes that Volvo would launch electric EV60 and EV90 models after these two names were trademarked a couple of years ago. The company itself has said it will launch a new model every year for the next five years, and one of these will include a new electric sedan, joining the brand’s existing EX30, EX40, and EX90 EVs. When quizzed about the possibility of an electric estate joining this range, Volvo UK managing director Nicole Shaw said no final decision has been made.
“It’s too early to say, because it’s only December; in another quarter, I might have more of a feeling on how it’s done,” she told Auto Express. “When it comes to anything we evolve, the electric space is the one we evolve into.”
Volvo has been mulling the idea of an electric estate for quite some time. Last year, chief executive Jim Rowan said the brand could absolutely make a compelling electric estate, but noted it would have to make business sense, and with estate sales declining, that could be difficult.
“I get so many emails asking me when somebody is going to do a proper electric wagon – mainly from people in northern Europe and Maine! But then you say, ‘What if we did that?’ and ask ‘What if we did a Cross Country version of it?’. Would that be something that would work in our portfolio?” he said.
“The point really is whether we should do it – is there enough margin there, is there enough demand for that car? Are people really going to say, ‘Okay, I’d rather have a nicely designed wagon than choose a sedan [saloon] or an SUV’? Do we think the market is going to move back into that area? Because demand for estate cars and saloons has gone down in Europe. It’s a decision that we need to make, and we need to make it with the market intelligence that we have.”
At the forefront of Volvo’s mind at the moment is the upcoming ES90 electric sedan. This new model will be unveiled in March 2025 and is expected to use the same SPA2 platform as the EX90 SUV. The ES90 may also be equipped with the same 111 kWh battery pack and offer similar dual-motor powertrain setups producing 402 hp and 510 hp.
President Trump’s transition team is reportedly eyeing several different ways to cut support for electric vehicles.
Their plan calls for eliminating the $7,500 federal tax credit, clawing back funding for charging stations, and axing federal purchasing requirements.
The Trump administration could also rollback fuel economy and emission standards to 2019 levels.
President Trump is slated to return to the White House next month and new details are starting to emerge about his plan to cut support for electric vehicles. This will reportedly be a multipronged attack as the incoming administration is reportedly aiming to eliminate the $7,500 federal tax credit as well as funding for improving America’s charging infrastructure.
According to a document seen by Reuters, Trump’s transition team is also recommending imposing tariffs on battery materials. The goal is to increase U.S. production, although the administration is expected to negotiate “individual exemptions with allies.”
The Trump administration is also expected to redirect funds designed to support electric vehicle adoption. Specifics are murky, but the money could flow towards other electrification efforts focused on “national defense supply chain and critical infrastructure.” This effort seeks to boost U.S. production of batteries and the critical materials used to make them.
Speaking of national defense, the document reportedly mentioned ending Department of Defense efforts to acquire electric military vehicles. There’s also a wider push that would reverse a Biden administration requirement that federal agencies buy zero-emission vehicles.
Besides eroding federal support for EVs, the transition team is reportedly recommending a plan to rollback fuel economy and emission standards to 2019 levels. Reuters said this would allow for “an average of about 25% more emissions per vehicle mile than the current 2025 limits and average fuel economy to be about 15% lower.” Unsurprisingly, the incoming administration also wants to neutralize California’s emissions wavier.
These would be drastic changes, but they’re simply proposals at this point. Some of them sound easier to enact than others, but only time will tell how everything pans out.
It’s also worth noting the Biden administration is in a mad dash to get money out the door before Trump takes office. Earlier today, the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office announced Ford’s BlueOval SK is getting a loan of up to $9.63 billion to build three battery plants – one in Tennessee and two in Kentucky – that will have the capacity to build more than 120 gigawatt hours of batteries annually.
This follows last week’s announcement that the Loan Programs Office had finalized a $1.25 billion loan guarantee to EVgo. It aims to support the deployment of approximately 7,500 chargers at roughly 1,100 stations across the United States.
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