Ford ends EV markups, Lucid particulars motor tech, CR-V Hybrid pricing, Jeep PHEVs: The Week in Reverse

Which EV was proven to be essentially the most aerodynamic manufacturing automotive on the earth?

Which bidirectional charger is authorised underneath guarantee for the Leaf?

That is our look again on the Week In Reverse—proper right here at Inexperienced Automobile Studies—for the week ending September 16, 2022.

One of many greatest tales of the week is a sea change for a way one of many greatest U.S. automakers is promoting vehicles—beginning with EVs. With new guidelines for its sellers introduced this week, to be put into follow in January 2024, Ford is ending haggling and markups on EVs. Sellers who need to promote EVs can select from two tiers, however each require non-negotiable pricing. 

2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe

Automakers say EVs are being pitched to the mainstream, and but on the Detroit auto present, which was the epicenter of U.S. automaker bulletins, there have been no new EV reveals. Jeep did nonetheless announce an expansion of its 4xe plug-in hybrid family—not with new fashions fairly but, however with a rugged 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe base mannequin and a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe thirtieth Anniversary particular version. Each carry over the PHEV {hardware} that, within the Grand Cherokee, provides as much as 25 all-electric miles in accordance with Jeep. 

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid earns 40 mpg, the automaker confirmed this week, with the addition of a front-wheel-drive hybrid model. In pricing introduced on the similar time, the automaker outlined the Hybrid as a premium model it hopes will make up 50% of CR-V gross sales. 

2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Will the $25,000 Tesla occur? Though feedback from Tesla’s head of investor relations earlier this week appeared to place a damper on the likelihood as soon as once more, they do recommend that Tesla wants extra reasonably priced fashions in its lineup. 

The Ford Mustang Mach-E EV and Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid are among the many first automobiles to get the up to date model of Ford’s Bluecruise driver-assist system—referred to as Activeglide within the Lincoln—that performs automated lane changes. 

Volkswagen has revealed a rugged, off-road-capable ID.4 concept. With extra energy, off-road wheels, and the suggestion that there’s true functionality past these rugged appears, VW may be gauging response for a manufacturing mannequin—or, maybe, planning forward in how its MEB platform would possibly work for upcoming Scout EV fashions. 

Volkswagen ID.Xtreme idea

Nissan has authorised a bidirectional charger that works with the Leaf—whereas preserving its manufacturing facility guarantee. The unit that’s authorised is the primary that may assist provide energy again to the grid, Nissan says, though Ford beat Nissan with a system that may disconnect from the grid throughout brownouts and energy the house. And Nissan Leaf EV batteries are lasting a long time, in accordance with the automaker, and that’s doubtlessly pushing the mass reuse and recycling of batteries additional into the long run. 

Nissan Leaf and Fermata Vitality FE-15 bidirectional charger

EV gross sales are disproportionately low in communities of coloration, despite the fact that they’re usually essentially the most harmed by transportation-related air air pollution. Based on a brand new examine, it’s not due to a lack of interest in EVs. Charging hurdles, EV schooling, and the way in which incentives are structured all play a job, it suggests. 

Honda stated that it plans to launch 10 electric motorcycle models globally by 2025, with a number of fashions headed to the U.S. and even one for youths. Stable-state batteries and battery swapping may also be a part of that future. 

Honda electrical bike teaser

The Biden administration introduced on Tuesday that 35 states’ charging plans have been approved, towards the $7.5 billion nationwide EV charging community. These states are good to start out putting in stations that shall be a part of a community ultimately together with 500,000 chargers. 

The Lucid Air electrical sedan options drive items that beat Tesla and Porsche in motor power density. And in a tech discuss from its CEO/CTO and Powertrain VP this previous week, it outlined the way it has achieved that—with effectivity and ease of producing.

Lucid’s Rawlinson and Dlala presenting drive unit

Michigan-based battery agency Our Subsequent Vitality (ONE) has revealed the cell tech behind its dual-chemistry battery pack that it says would be the foundation for 600-mile EVs, even for vans and SUVs. Its Gemini setup combines anode-free and LFP cells. 

Final weekend, Vietnam’s Vinfast made the first 100 deliveries of its VF 8 electrical crossover in its dwelling market. First deliveries for the U.S. are due in December, the corporate maintains, amid evolving buy and battery leasing particulars. 

Vinfast VF 8 supply occasion – Vietnam

Future passenger-vehicle tires may be manufactured from natural rubber from a desert shrub native to the American Southwest; it may assist Bridgestone meet sustainability targets whereas conserving microplastics out of tires. 

And what manufacturing automotive has a decrease coefficient of aerodynamic drag than the Volkswagen XL1 or GM EV1? The Lightyear 0, with an official 0.175, is claimed to be the most aerodynamically efficient production car on the earth. 

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