Author: Joel Feder

VW has no plans for 2-speed transmissions in EVs

2025 Volkswagen ID.7VW sees no need for multi-speed transmissions in EVs It tested a manual transmission for performance EVs More efficient EVs might be more expensive, VW says It seems Volkswagen won't be following Porsche or Mercedes-Benz. On Thursday at the 2024 Los Angeles auto show Kai Grünitz, head of global research and development for Volkswagen, told...

Rivian CEO: The world doesn’t need another Tesla

RJ Scaringe during media roundtableRivian CEO RJ Scaringe sees few compelling sub-$50k EVs Scaringe is amused by the interest in Scout CEO believes it's important to have a variety of EV choices "The world doesn't need another one of those," said Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, referring to Tesla. "We think Tesla has done an amazing job," said Scaringe, during a roundtable session last...

Mercedes tech may enable EV batteries with mixed cell types

Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven conceptMercedes-Benz has its eyes on solid-state batteries with its partnership with Factorial for battery cells, but the automaker's already thinking one step beyond that. In the future, Mercedes envisions mixed battery packs with different types of cells all wired in parallel rather than today's series arrangement. The enabling factor to this is a new...

Mercedes developing solar paint for EVs

Mercedes-Benz solar paint coatingMercedes-Benz is developing a solar coating for EVs In ideal conditions it could provide many miles of additional EV range per day Mercedes wouldn't say how the solar paint would be applied to a car Mercedes-Benz is trying to come up with any and all new ways to increase efficiency, which it believes is the new currency as it enters the EV era. In...

Electric Chrysler Pacifica minivan plays with flexible interior

Chrysler Portal concept, 2017 Consumer Electronics ShowThe Chrysler Pacifica lineup will gain an electric variant Electric Chrysler Pacifica interior will feature flexible interior packaging Pacifica will be refreshed in 2026 with the electric variant to follow Chrysler's inching closer to an electric minivan, and now we know what it will be called. On Thursday at the 2024 LA Auto Show, Chrysler CEO...

Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype covers 2,309 miles in 24 hours

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype sets distance record at NardoA Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype toppled a record set by Porsche Taycan Mercedes drove prototype 2,309 miles in 24 hours around Nardo test track Production Mercedes CLA EV could become most efficient U.S.-market EV Records are meant to be broken, and Mercedes-Benz has just busted one set by Porsche. In April, Mercedes-Benz quietly took an electric...