Author: Bengt Halvorson

Will Toyota Prius Prime gain EV route planning smarts?

2024 Toyota Prius PrimeAmong the new features of the Toyota C-HR plug-in hybrid recently launched in Europe is an efficiency-boosting trip planner that could be useful to Toyota's U.S. plug-in hybrid customers. Called Predictive Efficient Drive, this feature analyzes traffic conditions and learns the driver's behavior and regular routes to maximize use of electric mode...

Volvo EX30 EV: LFP version not offered to US is greener pick

2025 Volvo EX30In a life cycle assessment of the Volvo EX30 electric vehicle released Thursday, the automaker underscored that its upcoming compact EV has the lowest carbon footprint of any electric Volvo yet. The team behind the EX30 analysis looked at two EX30 versions—one with the 69-kwh lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NMC) battery pack, the...

Could Rivian R3 EV revive a stagnant small-car market?

Rivian R3Rivian on Thursday delivered what was expected—the R2 electric SUV. And then it stole the R2’s stage with products that fans, investors, and EV shoppers didn’t know they needed: the Rivian R3 and R3X. A short time after the reveal, I noted that while plenty of fans were checking out the R2, there was a frenzy around the R3. And...