On Election Day 2025, the national average gas price reached $4.12 per gallon and diesel $6.28, the highest ever recorded for a US election, according to GasBuddy. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve has fallen to 282.2 million barrels, its lowest level in 44 years, as the Trump administration and congressional Republicans spent the past two years cutting EV incentives, halting charging infrastructure funding, and loosening fuel economy standards.
theverge.com
· 2026-11-03
Elon Musk revealed that Tesla and SpaceX are exploring a merger, days after SpaceX's compressed-gas thrusters powered a viral stunt with Tesla's Roadster. Tesla's car business still generates about 75 percent of its revenue, but the company has scaled back its 2030 sales target from 20 million to 5 million vehicles after delivering 1.6 million last year.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-26
General Motors is building out a half-million-square-foot Battery Cell Development Center at its Warren, Michigan campus, where engineers are prototyping new battery cell chemistries and manufacturing processes. The facility houses equipment like slurry-mixing vats and electrode-coating machines, and is designed as a low-volume testbed ahead of larger production plants. GM says the goal is to lower battery costs, which currently account for 30 to 40 percent of an EV's price.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-12
A wave of small, slow electric vehicles resembling golf carts is being marketed as a practical option for everyday American driving. Manufacturers argue these compact EVs could replace larger cars for short trips, though the vehicles face a significant hurdle: most US roads and infrastructure were designed around full-sized automobiles.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-10-09
BMW announced the upcoming release of the iX4 SUV, set to debut in March 2027, with a starting price of $66,200. The vehicle features a 112.2kWh battery, 800-volt architecture, and EPA-estimated range of 428 miles, surpassing many competitors including Tesla's Model Y. The iX4 is part of BMW's strategy to strengthen its position against the influx of Chinese electric vehicles in Europe and beyond.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-07
Hyundai CEO José Muñoz expressed confidence that balanced protectionist policies and product improvements can prevent Chinese electric vehicles from flooding the US market. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a level playing field, noting that Chinese automakers have gained ground in Europe by offering lower prices. Despite current tariffs and restrictions, Muñoz highlighted the potential for policy changes that could impact US-China auto trade dynamics.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-05
Rivian reported producing nearly 20,000 vehicles and delivering over 19,200 in the third quarter, marking significant increases from the previous year. The company reaffirmed its goal to deliver between 65,000 and 70,000 vehicles by 2026, emphasizing the success of its more affordable R2 model amid a declining EV market. This growth comes despite broader industry setbacks following the removal of federal EV tax credits, which led to a nearly 24% drop in overall EV sales in September 2026.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-02
Seven-month data on the US grid through July 2026 shows electricity use rising about 2 percent year over year, down from 3 percent growth over the same period last year, despite rising data-center and EV/heat-pump demand. Solar power generation, which had been growing more than 30 percent annually in many quarters, is showing a smaller increase so far this year.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-25
Geely announced a new battery pack capable of charging at up to 2.2 MW, going from 10 to 70 percent charge in 4.5 minutes and 10 to 98 percent in 8 minutes 40 seconds. The company says AI-driven predictive thermal management keeps average pack temperature around 55°C, with micro pulses of current used to reactivate lithium ions and extend battery life by 20 percent. The technology has already been tested in the Zeekr 001 and Lynk & Co 10 models.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-25
ChargePoint's latest report finds that public charging infrastructure buildout continues to lag behind EV adoption, even as sales remain strong—over 1.8 million EVs sold globally between January and August. CEO Rick Wilmer said demand signals like high used-EV retention rates and steady RFP volume suggest the North American market is healthier than press coverage implies.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-15
Volvo unveiled refreshed plug-in hybrid versions of its XC60 and XC90 SUVs, claiming preliminary EPA-tested electric ranges of 78 miles and 73 miles respectively—more than double their previous PHEV versions. The gains come from larger 41.2 kWh batteries integrated into the vehicle floor, similar to Volvo's EV designs, paired with more powerful motors. Volvo says these figures would make them the longest-range plug-in hybrids sold in the US.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-15
A car shopper evaluating new electric vehicles describes being unable to find a model, even at higher price points, that avoids a cluster of recurring design irritations. The list includes oversized panoramic glass roofs that overheat cabins, touchscreen-only controls replacing physical buttons for everyday functions, smartphone or NFC-based key systems instead of traditional fobs, awkward electronic door handles, poorly tuned driver-assistance alerts, and EVs that lack proper one-pedal driving. The author cites specific frustrations with a Volvo EX30, including needing to use the touchscreen mid-drive for cruise control distance, headlights, and climate settings.
blog.decryption.net.au
· 2026-09-14
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