EDITOR'S CHOICE

90% Of Qualifying Electric-Vehicle Buyers Opt For $7,500 'New Clean Vehicle' Tax Credit As Upfront Payment, Treasury Says

15 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"Advance payments are a new, optional financial mechanism created by the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Joe Biden signed in 2022. They allow dealers to give an upfront discount to qualifying buyers, delivered as a partial EV payment, down payment or cash payment to consumers. The IRS then reimburses the dealer.

"..households with low annual tax burdens may not be able to claim the tax break's full value..."

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5 Must-Have Features To Future-Proof Your First Or Next EV Purchase

15 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"...regardless of Elon's antics, I think that Tesla still delivers the best EV experience on the market today - especially in North America - and the company still makes some of the best EVs when it comes to technology, efficiency, packaging, and value...how close can I get to driving a Tesla without driving a Tesla?

"...the EVs closest to meeting these five conditions are the Rivian R3/R3x, Lucid Air Pure, and Polestar 4. Ford's Mustang Mach-E GT, VW's ID.Buzz, Kia's EV6, Hyunda's IONIQ 5 and 6, and Volvo's EX30..."

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Why Hawaii Is Becoming A Leader In U.S. EV Adoption

15 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"The tropical island state this year ranks fifth in overall EV adoption at 11.9% of new retail vehicles sold through February...It's No. 1 among states without certain rules intended to promote EVs and cut down on emissions.

"It's a mix of things but mainly high fuel costs, the availability of renewable energy for charging and culture...There is a higher sense of responsibility towards stewarding the land versus most mainland states..."

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The Wallet-Busting Era Of Car Ownership

15 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"...Consumer Price Index showed insurance prices up 22% over the last year, the largest annual jump seen in data that goes back 40 years...The average interest rate on an auto loan is the highest in almost 20 years, according to Bankrate, a surge that reflects the Federal Reserve's rate-hiking campaign.

"Data from the New York Fed shows delinquency rates for auto loans are at the highest since the 2008 recession..."

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What China's EV Buyers' Remorse Means For The World

15 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"...recent survey showing that more than a fifth of battery EV owners in China want their next car to be powered by fossil fuels

"..survey from McKinsey China pegged battery EV buyers' "regret rate" as surging from 3% in 2022 to 22% last year, which its report blamed largely on limited charging infrastructure...as the market has ballooned, consumers quickly shifted from trailblazers to more everyday users, who may be less prepared for challenges associated with EVs.."

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Here's How EVs Could Get 200 Miles Per Gallon

12 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"A new report says that electric vehicles could double in efficiency in the next decades - if automakers make the right moves

"...average electric car in the United States today gets the equivalent of 106 miles per gallon...EPRI/NRDC "analysis finds that increasing the efficiency of EVs could cut energy consumption per mile in half by 2050 - and in so doing, reduce pressure on the grid by about half."

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How An Obscure Energy Calculation Could Dramatically Speed Up America's EV Future

12 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"Department of Energy finalized changes last month to a little-known calculation that could dramatically impact automakers’ ability to sell gas-powered cars and trucks...known as 'petroleum equivalency factor," will significantly cut the miles-per-gallon rating for electric vehicles...Currently, higher MPG ratings mean that EV sales go a long way toward satisfying automakers' regulatory requirements for average fuel economy."

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Is This Plug Taken? EV Charging Etiquette Comes To "Modern Manners" Book.

12 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"...what are the social rules when it comes to recharging my electric vehicle? Thankfully, that last question has now been addressed by Debrett's, a British publisher with a name now synonymous with etiquette

"Debrett's is writing for a UK audience...the advice also applies to this side of the Atlantic, and it's probably timely now that Tesla is opening up its Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs."

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EVgo Expands Plug & Charge Eligibility To Over 50 EV Models

12 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

Plug & Charge enables "EVgo customers [to] skip the time required to access an app, credit card, or RFID and can simply plug in and begin their charging session.

"... growing number of EV models can now utilize Autocharge+ using CCS connectors and CCS Combo 1 adapters on its fast chargers, contributing to the charging network's 'one & done' mantra."

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The Electric Vehicle Of 2050: The Best Is Yet To Come

12 Apr 2024 | Synopsis

"The electric vehicle of 2050 could be a more efficient piece of machinery than today’s models, enabling them to push fossil fuels aside while reducing the need for new energy infrastructure.

"If the scenarios anticipated by the study are to realize their fullest impact, there will have to be a sea change in US car culture. As things stand now, the preference is for bulk, heft, and luxury over efficiency."

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