VW ID.4 review, Audi Q6 E-Tron preview, Lexus RX PHEV, Trump EV tariff: The Week in Reverse

Which automaker recalled almost 150,000 U.S. EVs?

Which era buys essentially the most EVs?

That is our look again on the Week In Reverse—proper right here at Inexperienced Automobile Studies—for the week ending March 22, 2024.

A primary drive of the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4, with a vastly higher infotainment interface and a little bit extra acceleration punch complementing an in any other case already nice set of attributes, confirmed us that the ID.4 is now the opening act for trendier VW EVs that it was initially imagined to be. 

2025 Audi SQ6 E-Tron

In a preview drive of the 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron, we noticed the promise in Audi’s first totally conceived, greatest executed EV—thanks partly to the brand new PPE platform it shares with the Porsche Macan EV.

Inexperienced Automobile Studies additionally drove the 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ and located it to have a usable electric-only vary and comfy trip however moderately costly and unimpressive in its infotainment interface. 

BMW Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse X idea

BMW supplied a primary have a look at one other idea previewing its subsequent era of EVs. The BMW Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse X is an electrical SUV anticipated for manufacturing as quickly as 2025 and constructed on an 800-volt structure, offering super-fast charging and a bidirectional charging toolkit. 

DOE and EPA guidelines finalized this week give automakers a little bit extra flexibility in complying with pending guidelines for mannequin years 2027 to  2032. The EPA estimates it can take about 56% EVs by 2032, together with at the least 13% plug-in hybrids.  

Rivian NACS adapter

Rivian has confirmed that in April it can begin transport the NACS adapters that may, with interface updates, enable homeowners to plan street journeys with Tesla Supercharger stations as waypoints. It additionally almost doubles the variety of fast-chargers Rivian drivers can entry by means of the interface. 

Because it seeks to promote down a list of about 4,700 automobiles, Fisker has paused manufacturing of its Ocean EV. In the meantime, it confirmed “a financing dedication” of as much as $150 million, stated it continues to barter with one other automaker—reportedly Nissan—over a strategic partnership, and is pursuing a franchised-dealership mannequin.

Fisker Ocean

Shell introduced this week that it’s planning to shed some fuel stations in favor of EV charging. It additionally introduced that it plans to increase the variety of EV chargers it operates from 54,000 at the moment to 200,000 by 2030.

A lately filed GM patent software means that the automaker is contemplating battery cells with Lego-like shapes that may enable simpler cooling in battery-pack configurations. It’s unclear whether or not or not such an thought is critical, as GM is within the midst of ramping up large-format pouch cells for its Ultium EV household and has dedicated to cylindrical cells for some future EVs. 

2024 Genesis GV60

Practically 150,000 EVs from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis had been recalled within the U.S. earlier this week over an electronics problem that might trigger 12-volt batteries to fail whereas driving. It follows a world recall and is over the identical part that might lead to a sudden lack of drive energy. 

Former President Donald Trump stated that he’ll apply a tariff of 100% to automobiles made in Mexico by Chinese language corporations for U.S.-market sale, he stated in a marketing campaign speech Saturday. Trump additionally appeared once more to deride electrical automobiles as brief on vary and too costly. 

Mercedes-Benz Imaginative and prescient EQXX desert run

In a brand new Saudi Arabian desert EV vary and effectivity run of its EQXX design and engineering idea, Mercedes-Benz has proven substantial positive factors not simply from the usage of a next-generation warmth pump but additionally from a photo voltaic roof—an indication there could also be hope in any case for the function in future fashions from the posh model. 

And is there a generational hole in EV curiosity? As new knowledge from Experian has proven, Gen X and Millennials purchase essentially the most EVs—at a time when Child Boomers dominate coverage.

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