Connect with us

Published

4 years ago

on

In this article

The Vermont State Police released this photo of the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV that caught fire on July 1, 2021 in the driveway of state Rep. Timothy Briglin, a Democrat.
Vermont State Police

Automakers are spending billions of dollars to transition to cleaner and greener battery-powered vehicles, but the new technology has come with an even steeper cost: Reputation-damaging vehicle fires, recalls, sudden power loss and problems getting some of the cars started.

The learning curve with batteries is steep for traditional automakers, and battery technology remains challenging even for Tesla, which has faced similar issues. But automakers are eager to embrace the new technology with President Joe Biden in the White House pushing for half of new car sales to be electric by 2030, a plan that will likely come with billions of dollars in tax and other incentives.

While costly recalls occur in traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines, many of the current trouble spots for electric vehicles are software and batteries – two areas crucial to EVs that are not historically core areas of expertise for Detroit automakers.

“Anytime you go into a new area of technology, there’s more to be learned that there is that you know,” Doug Betts, president of J.D. Power’s automotive division, told CNBC. “There are risks and there are things to be learned.”

The problems are already showing up on corporate balance sheets. Three high-profile automaker recalls within the last year — General Motors, Hyundai Motor and Ford Motor — involving about 132,500 electric vehicles cost a combined $2.2 billion. Most recently, GM said it would spend $800 million on a recall of its Chevrolet Bolt EV following several reported fires due to two “rare manufacturing defects” in the lithium ion battery cells in the vehicle’s battery pack.

Recalls are a common in the automotive industry, especially for new vehicles. It’s one of the reasons vehicles with the newest technologies traditionally perform poorly in some J.D. Power studies.

“When you go from gas to electric, there’s going to be a whole new set of problems you have to deal with, and we just have to figure out how to how to deal with those issues that you know that we haven’t had to deal with in the past,” said Guidehouse Insights principal analyst Sam Abuelsamid.

Recent recalls or problems with batteries or software of new EVs have included:

  • GM last month issued a second recall of its 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs after at least two of the electric vehicles that were repaired for a previous problem erupted into flames. The automaker said that officials with GM and LG Energy Solution, which supplies the vehicle’s battery cells, identified a second “rare manufacturing defect” in the EVs that increases the risk of fire. The $800 million recall covers about 69,000 of the cars globally, including nearly 51,000 in the U.S.
  • Porsche recalled the Taycan, its flagship EV, due to a software problem that caused the vehicle to completely lose power while driving.
  • In April, Ford Motor said a “small number” of early customers of its Mustang Mach-E crossover EV reported the 12-volt batteries in their vehicles wouldn’t charge, preventing those cars from operating. Ford said it was due to a software issue.
    In Europe, Ford last year recalled about 20,500 Kuga plug-in hybrid crossovers and suspended sales of the vehicles due to concerns that the battery packs in the vehicles could potentially overheat and cause a vehicle fire. It cost the automaker $400 million.
  • Hyundai Motor earlier this year said it would spend $900 million for a recall following fires in 15 of its Kona EVs.
  • BMW, Volvo and others also have recalled EVs, including plug-in hybrid models, due to issues with battery systems.

Betts, whose career has included turns at Toyota, Fiat Chrysler and Apple, said he believes legacy automakers will figure such problems out as they release more electric vehicles. He said it’s just a matter of time.

“I wouldn’t say that the traditional OEMs have had more or less trouble than Tesla,” he said. “There have been fires with Teslas, too. Obviously, they have a lot more experience now.”

Tesla

While Tesla has avoided massive recalls of its EVs due to battery issues, litigation and investigations by federal officials in the U.S. and Norway could spell trouble for the company.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation in October 2019 into Tesla’s high-voltage batteries.

This Tesla Model S Plaid caught fire while the driver was at the wheel, according to a local fire department chief and attorneys representing the driver, on June 29, 2021, in Haverford, Pennsylvania
Provided by Geragos & Geragos

The probe was opened after NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation received a petition alleging that Tesla rolled out one or more software updates to control and conceal a potential defect that could result in non-crash fires in affected battery packs.

California-based attorney Edward Chen, who submitted the petition, also filed a class action complaint for the issue against Tesla in August 2019. While Tesla recently agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle the lawsuit, NHTSA’s investigation remains open.

After the settlement, CEO Elon Musk said on Twitter: “If we are wrong, we are wrong. In this case, we were.”

Another proposed class action lawsuit in California, Fish v. Tesla Inc., alleges that Tesla knowingly over stated the capacity of the high-voltage batteries in its cars, and has used remote “battery health checks,” and software updates to conceal battery degradation, and deny owners battery replacements to which they were entitled under warranty.

The complaint says the lead plaintiff’s 2014 Tesla Model S lost more than half of its range over just six years, dropping to the equivalent of 144-mile range on a full charge from a 265-mile range when he first bought it.

The battery complaints in the U.S. were similar to one in Norway in which more than 30 Tesla drivers told the courts that a 2019 software update slashed their Teslas’ battery life, decreased the range and lengthened the time the cars took to charge, according to Norwegian newspaper Nettavisen.

The court preliminarily sided with the owners and told Tesla it may have to pay customers affected by the battery throttling software up to $16,000 each, which could amount to a $163 million payout.

In April, Tesla CEO Elon Musk during an earnings call said there had been “more challenges than expected” in developing new versions of the Tesla Model S and X – the company’s more expensive vehicles. That included the recently released Model S Plaid and “quite a bit of development to ensure that the battery of the new S/X is safe.”

Tesla did not respond for comment on the federal inquires or allegations. The company is not yet delivering the updated version of its luxury SUV, the Model X and has delayed deliveries of many customers’ Model S vehicles this year.

Fires

Vehicle fires are common, generally. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were 212,500 vehicle fires that caused 560 civilian deaths, 1,500 civilian injuries and $1.9 billion in direct property damage in the U.S. in 2018.

Most of those fires did not involve EVs, which still only make up about 2% to 3% of new vehicle sales in the U.S. annually. However, automakers and their battery cell suppliers are going to have to be extremely careful in the manufacturing of battery electric vehicles and their parts.

“The manufacturing processes are really going to have to be tightened up,” Abuelsamid said. “It’s part of dealing with the way batteries behave. They don’t like heat and they don’t like contamination. They’re very sensitive.”

Something as small as an errant spark from welding or another process can cause a serious problem in battery cells.

Experts are still trying to determine EV fire incident rates; the data is hard to collect from disparate fire departments. Fleet Auto News previously reported on London Fire Brigade records that suggest, based on a small local sampling, “an incident rate of 0.04% for petrol and diesel car fires, while the rate for plug-in vehicle [sic] is more than double at 0.1%.”

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Environment

Blink just made it a lot easier to find its charging stations

Published

2 hours ago

on

April 15, 2025

By

Blink just made it a lot easier to find its charging stations

Blink Charging Eco-Movement
Photo: Blink Charging

Blink Charging’s (Nasdaq: BLNK) new partnership with Eco-Movement will make Blink’s EV chargers a lot easier to find across multiple platforms.

Eco-Movement is a global platform that collects, refines, and maintains a massive real-time database of public and semi-public EV charging locations and pricing data. That info is used by some of the biggest names in the industry. Now, Blink is tapping into Eco-Movement’s platform to make its chargers way easier to find – whether you’re searching on Google Maps, asking your voice assistant, using a charging app, or navigating from your car’s dashboard.

As new Blink chargers come online, Eco-Movement updates its database of EV charging locations in real-time, and that information is incorporated by mapping and charger-finder apps. That way, EV drivers are kept up to date.

Mike Battaglia, president and CEO at Blink, said, “The leading mapping apps trust Eco-Movement and its state-of-the-art, quality-checked, and constantly updated data. We are excited to be teaming with them to ensure drivers worldwide can easily find our chargers and receive up-to-the-minute updates on charger availability.”

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Eco-Movement’s global database includes detailed charging point info – like addresses, operators, pricing, accessibility, truck compatibility, and real-time availability – along with roaming partners, membership rates, and payment options.

“Ultimately, this data will help EV drivers all over the world to find their next charging stop, which is a mission we share with Blink,” said Roderick van den Berg, CEO of Eco-Movement.

Read more: Blink Charging will more than triple EV charger production with a new factory

To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

EcoFlow phase 2 Mega Sale up to 65% off power stations, Hiboy launches U2 Pro e-scooter at $600 off, Goal Zero, more

Published

5 hours ago

on

April 15, 2025

By

EcoFlow phase 2 Mega Sale up to 65% off power stations, Hiboy launches U2 Pro e-scooter at 0 off, Goal Zero, more

Headlining today’s Green Deals is the second phase of EcoFlow’s ongoing Mega Sale, which is not only expanding the lineup of power station deals that are up to 65% off, but also continuing the EcoCredit rewards, adding bonus savings, and dropping prices on several units for new lows. Among them, we spotted the DELTA Pro bundle with two 220W solar panels and a protective bag going lower than ever to $2,279. Next, running as part of Hiboy’s Easter Sale, the brand is launching its new cargo-capable U2 Pro Electric Scooter with a 34-mile range at $600 off. Lastly, we have Goal Zero’s Sherpa 100AC 25,600mAh 100W Wireless AC Power Bank that features five port options, a wireless charging pad, and solar-charging capabilities at $200 alongside a counterpart model. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s ongoing Lectric XP Trike bundle, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

EcoFlow expands lineup with up to 65% off power stations during second phase of Mega Sale starting from $119

EcoFlow has shifted to the second phase of its ongoing Mega Sale through April 25, with up to 65% taken off power stations and solar generator bundles, complete with extra savings, EcoCredit rewards, and upcoming flash sale offers. One returning bundle that is dropping lower than ever is the DELTA Pro Portable Power Station that comes with two 220W solar panels and a protective bag for $2,279.05 shipped, after using the code 25EFMFAFF at checkout for a bonus 5% off. Normally fetching $5,096 at full price, we’ve seen this same bundle go as low as $2,374 in past sales, which is getting beaten out here today. With the bonus savings you’ll be scoring $2,817 off the going rate here, which lands the package down at the lowest rate we have seen to date.

Before we jump into the specifics of our headlining deal, let’s go over the bonuses we’re seeing during this Mega Sale’s second phase. First, while you would normally have to spend at least $2,500 to score the automatic 5% in extra savings, you can instead score it on orders under that amount thanks to the exclusive code 25EFMFAFF at checkout. From there, you’ll bump that amount to 7% off automatically on orders of $5,000 or more. There are some exceptions though, which you can get the full list of by hovering over the extra savings sections on the page. We’re also seeing the continued EcoCredit rewards here, with 3x the EcoCredits from purchases for standard members and 3.5x EcoCredits for Plus members.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The EcoFlow DELTA Pro is one of the most popular and expansive options for backup power support from the brand, with this solar generator kit being quite the start-up for your needs that can be further invested in and built up over time. The LiFePO4 batteries start with a 3,600Wh capacity that you can further expand up to 25kWh with future investments in add-on equipment. Its 14 ports dish out 3,600W of power output, which will cover most appliances, with things surging up to 7,200W to ensure essential devices stay running.

Plugging the power station into a wall outlet will have the station’s battery recharged in 1.8 hours, or you can refill its capacity in 2.8 hours should you have the maximum 1,600W of solar input available (with the 440W here obviously taking more time). Keeping track of its settings and monitoring charging statuses doesn’t have to keep you nearby either, as the companion app gives you the full array of remote smart controls you’d expect, it just takes a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection.

***Note: The 5% sitewide coupon has not been factored in to the prices below, make sure to enter the code 25EFMFAFF at checkout to score the maximum savings!

EcoFlow’s Member-only deals:

EcoFlow’s member-only refurbished deals (use code MEM5OFF at checkout)

EcoFlow’s best second phase Mega Sale power station deals:

EcoFlow’s best second phase Mega Sale bundle deals:

EcoFlow’s other hot second phase Mega Sale bundles:

EcoFlow’s add-on accessory deals:

EcoFlow’s solar accessory deals:

EcoFlow’s other accessory deals:

You can browse the full lineup of EcoFlow’s second phase Mega Sale by following the link here to the landing page – and remember, you have through April 25 to take advantage of these deals. Be sure to also keep an eye out for the upcoming 24-hour flash sale offers too.

Hiboy U2 Pro electric scooter

Hiboy launches new cargo-capable U2 Pro e-scooter with a 34-mile range and 25MPH top speed at $900 ($600 off)

Running as part of its Easter Sale, Hiboy is launching its brand new U2 Pro Electric Scooter with a significant discount to $899.98 shipped along with a handy free device for its upkeep. This all-new commuting solution will carry a $1,500 price tag normally, but it’s hitting the ground today with the very first chance at cash savings here. You’ll be getting a 40% markdown while these savings last, cutting $600 from the tag and setting the bar for future deals down the road. What’s more, you’ll even be getting some free gear too, as it comes with a 2-in-1 tire inflator and vacuum device that is valued at $70.

Hiboy’s new U2 Pro Electric Scooter is cruising onto the scene with a sitting-oriented design that carries a 265-pound payload, as opposed to the usual standing frames we see from the brand. The 750W motor here peaks up to 810W in order to tackle inclines up to 20 degrees, delivering a top speed of 25 MPH. The 48V 13Ah battery provides enough juice to carry you for up to 34 miles on a single charge, with a 3.5-inch thick memory foam seat for added comfort during your journey. The whole thing comes with an IPX4 water-resistance rating that protects it from light rain, humid conditions, and other situations where it may be splashed with water.

This cargo-capable e-scooter comes with a larger footboard, which you could secure groceries or even a pet carrier to while also sporting an integrated rear cargo rack that can be further used for packages or to carry a passenger thanks to the inclusion of a removable cushioned seat. Among its other stock features, you’ll find 16-inch all-terrain snow tires that maximize grip on whatever surface your riding along, as well as a 125mm rear suspension, dual 160mm disc brakes, a 70 lux headlight, a break-activated taillight, a twist throttle, a key ignition, conveniently integrated controls along the left handlebar, and a large 7-inch display for real-time information at a glance.

Hiboy has added a banner to its main site stating that it will be increasing prices in the future, so be sure to check out the full lineup of deals in its Easter Sale while costs are still kept this low.

Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC power bank

Goal Zero’s Sherpa 100AC 25,600mAh 100W 5-port wireless AC power bank accompanies you anywhere at $200

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Goal Zero is offering a chance to score its Sherpa 100AC 25,600mAh 100W Wireless AC Power Bank at $199.89 shipped. This model, which is one of the few we’ve seen sporting an actual AC port, has been more recently keeping to $250 after falling from its original $300 MSRP back in 2024. While we did see it go as low as $177 during Black Friday and Christmas sales, it’s mostly stayed above $210 over the last year, with today’s deal providing a solid $50 markdown that lands it at the fourth-lowest price we have tracked – $23 above the low.

Coming in a durable anodized aluminum form factor with impact bumpers along its edges, the airline-approved Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC has been designed to accompany you anywhere while also being packed with a significant amount of port options for juicing up your essential devices. It totes a 25,600Wh capacity and among its many output options, you’ll find a 100W AC port that can surge up to 150W, a 100W USB-C port, a secondary 60W USB-C port, two USB-A ports, and it even provides 15W wireless charging to your smartphone. It can recharge its own battery at up to 60W speeds, taking two hours via a wall outlet while also providing up to 50W solar-charging capabilities that will refill the battery in three to six hours.

If you’re not really in need of the AC port option in the above model, you can save a bit more by going with Goal Zero’s counterpart Sherpa 100PD model for $159.89 shipped, down from $200. You’ll be getting much of the same performance capabilities for output charging and input recharging, with the difference here being fewer ports, specifically two USB-C ports and a 60W in/100W out USB-C port, as well as the 15W wireless charging.

Best New Year EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Bespoke British sports car manufacturer RBW EV Cars breaks ground on new US facility

Published

7 hours ago

on

April 15, 2025

By

Bespoke British sports car manufacturer RBW EV Cars breaks ground on new US facility

A relatively young, handcrafted British EV automaker, RBW EV Cars, is celebrating an $8 million milestone as it expands its vehicle production to North America to deliver its two flagship models to US consumers. These bespoke BEVs with British design heritage in mind look like they are extremely fun to zip around in. See more below.

RBW Electric Cars was founded in 2017 by Peter Swain, who spun the business out from his restoration company RBW Classic & Sports Cars after seeing the potential of EVs with modern technology designed within a classic car aesthetic.

Swain then established a cooperation with Continental Engineering Services (CES), which helped develop and build a “proof of concept” for BEV. One year later, RBW launched its first prototype, which was followed by a driving sampler in 2019 before the start of production of RBW’s first EV, the Roadster, in Britain in February 2020.

By January 2022, RBW had delivered its first Roadster EV to a UK client before securing an investment to scale its production processes in the summer of 2023. That following fall, RBW opened its new UK EV factory before officially launching its second model, the RBW GT, in December 2023.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Now, RBW Electric Cars is moving across the pond, making good on plans announced a year ago to establish a second hub to operate and build in the US to provide BEVs for consumers in North America.

RBW EVs breaks ground on US production site in Virginia

Per an update from RBW EV Cars today, it has officially broken ground on its new US production facility, lo9cated in Danville, Virginia. Today’s milestone follows an update in late 2024 that RBW had secured a deal with the state to build its new $8 million state-of-the-art production facility.

When complete, the 29,000-square-foot US hub in the rendering above will be home to RBW’s EV assembly, sales, and marketing operations. It will also be the new home to the entire team at Spirit EV, which developed and provides the turnkey EV powertrain solutions used in both the Roadster and GT models. Swain spoke about RBW’s latest milestone and its collaboration with Spirit EV:

RBW EV Cars has dedicated nearly a decade to developing bespoke electric vehicles that honor classic British design while delivering cutting-edge electrification. From the beginning of its operation, the company has been focused on bringing a global EV platform to market that could transcend how automakers design and engineer their own platforms. This is where Spirit EV comes in. We will now have R&D facilities in both the UK and US.

According to RBW EV Cars, its US operations will be led by former NASCAR driver and Danville native Peyton Sellers. Sellers will oversee the production of the UK automaker’s left-hand drive versions of the Roadster and GT EVs, both of which are currently scheduled to see only 50 US deliveries each in 2025.

Both RBW EV models deliver up to 150 miles of estimated range, a top (limited) speed of 90 mph, and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 8 seconds. Brand new, built examples of the Roadster start at £108,000 ($143,00) in the UK. We don’t have US pricing yet, but RBW did share plans to unveil “additional product development initiatives and future vehicle lines” this coming fall.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending