Chevy Blazer EV, Ford battery plan, VW CEO to Scout, solid-state carbon footprint: The Week in Reverse

Which model teased an inexpensive electrical convertible?

Which EVs outshined gasoline equivalents in a research of new-car house owners’ first 90 days?

That is our look again on the Week In Reverse—proper right here at Inexperienced Automotive Experiences—for the week ending July 22, 2022.

GM revealed the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV, which shares nothing besides a reputation with the gasoline Blazer relaunched in 2018. The Blazer EV shall be supplied in 4 trim ranges, three battery packs, and a number of drive configurations, with a variety of as much as 320 miles anticipated by the automaker. On the identical time, GM confirmed that it’s engaged on “purpose-built” electric Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) models primarily based on the Blazer EV SS efficiency model. If the top-pack Blazer affords greater than 300 miles of vary, its dimension bigger than Mach-E or Mannequin Y may put it in a candy spot for patrols. 

Cadillac Celestiq idea

After many weeks of teasers, GM’s Cadillac lastly pulled the wraps off its Celestiq show car, which previews a hand-built electrical luxurious sedan.

Volkswagen confirmed that its U.S.-bound variations of the 2023 VW ID.4 will be U.S.-built at Chattanooga, Tennessee. The brand new mannequin 12 months additionally marks the introduction of a 62-kwh battery pack, with one model nonetheless anticipated to start out near $36,000.

Teaser for contemporary Scout electrical SUV and pickup

VW additionally stunned with two high-profile government modifications this week. The German automaker shifted its U.S. CEO, Scott Keogh, over to lead the Scout electric truck and SUV brand—probably suggesting that it sees Scout as an enormous alternative, not a distinct segment effort. And on the worldwide stage, CEO Herbert Diess is stepping down, to get replaced by Porsche CEO Oliver Blume. Diess oversaw Volkswagen’s most excessive enterprise transition in generations, steering your entire VW Group towards electrical automobiles within the wake of the diesel scandal. 

On Monday, Porsche revealed that it’s engaged on “a brand new luxurious, all-electric SUV mannequin”—hinting that this is perhaps an electric SUV flagship, maybe equal to the Cayenne. It’s already readying a totally electrical model of its Macan compact SUV. Porsche additionally introduced that it’s bringing a range and efficiency boost to the 2023 Taycan with a software program replace. Some earlier mannequin years of the Taycan will even get thermal administration and charging enhancements, wi-fi Android Auto, Spotify, and an improved charging-station filter. 

2023 Porsche Taycan

Ford on Thursday added extra element about the way it plans to have sufficient battery capability to ramp up production for its in-demand EV models just like the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E. It plans to “localize” 40 GWh of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell manufacturing and doubtlessly put CATL’s cell-to-pack system to make use of. Ford additionally reported {that a} robotic charging solution it’s been testing in Germany is prepared to be used in the remainder of the world—and what may first be a terrific answer for the disabled has long-term potential for autonomous automobiles or fleet charging. 

Vinfast Retailer

Vietnam’s Vinfast continues to maneuver sooner than different EV startups—and it’s fairly completely different than most of them. The EV maker with some very huge goals simply opened its first six U.S. retail stores, in California, and introduced $1.2 billion in North Carolina incentives for a deliberate manufacturing facility there. 

The Polestar 3 electric SUV might start around $75,000, in response to a latest trace from the corporate’s CEO Thomas Ingenlath. If it delivers on its efficiency emphasis on the base stage, that would considerably undercut the BMW iX M60, Audi E-Tron S, and Tesla Mannequin X. 

2023 Polestar 3

A prime Hyundai government in Europe confirmed that the corporate is engaged on an entry-level, $20,000 electric minicar for the Continent. With the most affordable Hyundai U.S. electrical car the $35,295 Kona EV and the sub-$20,000 Hyundai Accent just lately discontinued, we surprise if such a product may also be welcome within the U.S.

Strong-state battery know-how alone could cut the battery-related carbon footprint of EV batteries 24%, in response to a brand new report from lifecycle analysts Minviro commissioned by Transport & Atmosphere. Figuring in using sustainable supplies, the discount might bounce to 39%. 

2021 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring plug-in hybrid

Ford is recalling greater than 100,000 automobiles—together with Hybrid versions of the Ford Maverick and Ford Escape, plus plug-in hybrid variations of the Lincoln Corsair—over engine-compartment fireplace issues. The recall pertains to the automobiles’ lively grille shutters and decrease shielding, however Ford spells out that the hearth danger is particular to engine failure, nevertheless it isn’t clear on why the engine failures are taking place within the first place. 

The USPS confirmed, in a shock that upended an ongoing drama, that it’s now looking for to make 25,000 future postal vehicles fully electric. That’s half of its preliminary 50,000-vehicle buy and several other instances what it initially introduced. This follows many months of drama, together with varied ranges of shock and pushback from the White Home, Congress, environmental teams, and the general public. 

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS AMG

Hybrids and plug-in hybrids didn’t do in addition to non-electrified gasoline fashions in J.D. Energy’s annual customer-appeal research assessing the primary 90 days of new-car possession. Neither did EVs—however, it discovered, there have been some EV exceptions, just like the Kia EV6 and Mercedes EQS, which beat equivalent gasoline vehicles. 

Mini Cooper SE Convertible idea

There isn’t a single absolutely electrical convertible on the U.S. market proper now, however Mini might change that—and it’s overtly suggesting how by teasing the chance in a one-off Mini Cooper SE Convertible. Would you purchase one?

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