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This week, Nissan invited a select group of writers up to Wine Country to test drive the pre-production models of its all-electric 2023 Ariya crossover SUV. This was my first experience in the Ariya and I was excited at the opportunity to try out Nissan’s AWD e-4ORCE technology. It did not disappoint. These upcoming Ariya EVs deserve a look as a viable EV option loaded with standard features you won’t find in many of its competitor’s EVs, but the automaker may still have trouble standing out from the pack.

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2023 hopes to be a promising year for the Nissan Ariya

The Ariya sits as Nissan’s first all-electric SUV and second BEV model behind the long-beloved LEAF. The compact crossover made its initial debut in the summer of 2020 as Nissan’s first EV on its new CMF-EV platform.

Production was slotted for 2021 but delayed until 2022 due to chip shortages brought about by the pandemic, but we did get a chance to test out a pre-production version of the FWD Ariya last spring, ahead of the first customer deliveries this past fall.

Mikey G’s impressions of the front wheel version were overall positive, but ever since then, I’ve been looking forward to experiencing Nissan’s e-4ORCE AWD technology after it was introduced around that same time. This week, I had that much-anticipated opportunity to experience plenty of driving throughout Sonoma County, California in a 2023 Ariya Platinum+ – Nissan’s top-tier trim of the crossover EV.

The 2023 AWD Nissan Ariya is a beyond adequate EV

In spending an entire day behind the wheel of the 2023 Ariya through the rolling hills of Northern California, the track at Sonoma Speedway, and the winding coastal roads of Bodega Bay, I can say with certainty that Nissan has produced an electric SUV that many consumers are going to love – whether they’re loyal to the Japanese brand already, or they’re making the switch over to it.

Nissan’s team told us that 62% of customers purchasing an Ariya are new to the brand, encouraging news for an automaker that has promised 27 new electrified models by 2030, 19 of which will be BEVs. I told them they’d better get a move on, but it’s nothing they’re not already aware of. We will save that story for another day.

For now, my focus, as well as Nissan’s, is on the 2023 Ariya, of which my Platinum+ e-4ORCE AWD version offered the following specs.

  • Powertrain: Dual Motor AWD with e-4ORCE
  • Battery Capacity: 91 kWh
  • EPA est. Range: 265 miles
  • Horsepower: 389 hp
  • Torque: 442 lb.-ft.
  • 0-60 mph: 4.8 seconds
  • Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
  • Max Cargo Capacity: 59.7 cubic-feet (3 golf bags)

Overall, this is a truly delightful SUV to drive as it offers all the comforts and technologies you want in an EV, placed intuitively in a comfortable environment throughout the cabin. From the haptic switches to the dual 12-inch displays on the dash, the Nissan team has found a nice balance of updatable touchscreen functions and physical switches on the dash and center console. Features like the retractable table in the center dash (see images below) contribute to the cabin’s versatility as an office or place for entertainment while charging or parked.

I found the driver’s display too busy at first, but quickly learned I could switch to different options, whether it was settings, or the radar display of cars around the Ariya, thanks to its ProPILOT Assist 2.0 ADAS – another huge perk worth noting.

I started off my drive down the freeway and had the opportunity to test out ProPILOT Assist hands-free driving and it couldn’t have been easier. I simply tapped a button on the steering wheel to activate the technology, then pushed “set” to engage it.

Like similar ADAS hands-free tech like BlueCruise and Super Cruise, ProPILOT Assist uses HD mapping, sonar, and radar on specifically programmed roadways, allowing for three different levels of driver assistance. The first is a white light shown on the driver display as well as across the top of the dash for passengers – that’s Intelligent Cruise Mode, similar to your typical lane assist.

Next, the Ariya switched to green, stepping in to drive, but requiring hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. From there, ProPILOT Assist moved to blue, which is hands-free driving with eyes on the road. I let this run for a solid 20 minutes with no issues and only had to step in one time due to a stream of cars merging from an on-ramp to my right. Check it out:

Like much of the design and technology in the 2023 Nissan Ariya, I found ProPILOT Assist 2.0 more than adequate and think its technology is well on its way to further autonomy – perhaps with the help of Luminar?

While ProPILOT Assist 2.0 was certainly a highlight of my drive in the Ariya, it’s Nissan’s e-4ORCE that stood out as the main feature to relay to you, readers.

e-4ORCE steals the show in this EV

As you can see from the specs above, the 2023 Nissan Ariya is not really a leading EV in any performance category. It can and will, by all means, compete with the likes of the Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai IONIQ 5, but where it can really stand out to consumers is with e-4ORCE… as long as they experience it themselves.

e-4ORCE is Nissan’s proprietary electric-drive four-wheel-control system that helps efficiently control driving force using integrated control of the front and rear motors and brakes. Per Nissan:

The system calculates the driving force required to turn, accelerate, and decelerate in response to the driver’s operation and in accordance with ever-changing driving and road conditions, then controls the driving force of the four wheels via the front and rear motors and the left and right brakes. This realizes driving from everyday driving to slippery road driving.

Our first stop on our drive was Sonoma Speedway, where the Nissan team had set up a short but sweet course for us to experience the unmatched stickiness of e-4ORCE. They wetted down a sharp turn on the course and advised me to give it hell (which I did) – and wow was I impressed. All that instant torque and speed coming around that bend, right when you feel like your back end is going to fishtail out, it simply corrects itself, stays on track, and keeps chuggin’.

This was the same through some slaloms which I also went full bore through. Again, there were zero doubts about my complete control of the crossover in keeping the shiny side facing up. That was an experience indeed, but I didn’t truly learn to appreciate the grip of e-4ORCE until I was driving from Bodega Bay back to Healdsburg through countless winding turns ranging from speed limits of 20 to 55 mph.

I admittedly put the 2023 Nissan Ariya through its paces whenever possible, and it stuck to every curve, wet road, and everything else I threw at it. I found myself accelerating much harder than usual through turns, and I just kept pushing it to no avail. Out of everything I experienced in this compact SUV, e-4ORCE is hands down the most impressive and exciting feature to me.

I think those who experience it themselves will agree, and this could be a huge selling point for Nissan, which is looking to catch up from previous Ariya production woes and get more of these EVs out into the world. But how do they do it?

You can read my words and read all about the technology that goes into e-4ORCE, but it’s something you have to experience for yourself to truly understand and appreciate. It might be a hurdle for Nissan to relay how innovative its AWD system is, but if it can succeed, it should wrangle even more customers.

e-4ORCE dominating a soaking wet turn at the Sonoma Speedway / Credit: Nissan

The 2023 Nissan Ariya is a viable option for consumers

After spending an entire day behind the wheel of the 2023 Nissan Ariya, I can see why the team is excited about its potential and its role as a sort of kicking-off point for its incoming lineup of BEVs. It’s off to a good start, especially with ADAS like ProPILOT Assist 2.0 and e-4ORCE.

I personally found the regenerative braking far too loose for my liking, as the EV never really comes to a full halt, and it will roll when you take your foot off the brake. Contrary to my preference, that sort of regen style could better serve consumers that are not used to one-pedal driving, so it sort of goes both ways.

The exterior and interior were well done, the cabin was quiet enough thanks to acoustic laminated glass, and I really liked the haptic switches, which I think blended nicely into the dash and center console. The overall specs leave a bit to be desired on paper, but when you’re actually driving the Ariya, the acceleration feels more than adequate and is quite fun when paired with e-4ORCE.

Granted, I was in the top-tier trim of the 2023 Ariya, but there are still plenty of amazing specs and features as you go down the row. In fact, the 2023 Ariya should do well in its specific compact SUV segment as Nissan offers a ton of features standard on its base level Engage FWD trim (which starts at $43,190). Other competitors charge thousands in add-on fees for features standard on every trim of the Ariya, such as Head Up Display (HUD), heated rear seats and steering wheel, plus ambient interior lighting.

Overall, I think the 2023 Ariya is an amazing option for consumers new to EVs or those who are perhaps coming from the Nissan LEAF or something comparable. Experienced EV drivers will certainly still enjoy the ride and the SUV’s features, but may not be as impressed on the performance side.

I’m looking forward to the next drive event with Nissan and can’t wait to see how e-4ORCE and ProPILOT Assist are further implemented and improved in future EVs. Remember, Nissan still has close to 20 models it needs to introduce in the next seven years. I’ll be watching and waiting!

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Global energy giant RWE halts US offshore wind because of Trump

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Global energy giant RWE halts US offshore wind because of Trump

Global renewable developer and energy giant RWE has halted its US offshore wind operations “for the time being” because of the “political environment” the Trump administration has created.

RWE, Germany’s biggest electricity producer, said in March that it had dialed back its US offshore wind activities. But now, CEO Marcus Krebber said in a speech transcript, which he’ll deliver at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Essen on April 30, that its US offshore wind business is now closed (but it wasn’t all bad news): 

In the US, where we have stopped our offshore activities for the time being, our business in onshore wind, solar energy, and battery storage has so far been developing very dynamically. At the start of this year, we reached an important milestone when our US generation capacity hit the 10 gigawatt mark. The construction of a further 4 gigawatts is secured.

He went on to say that renewables have created regional value and jobs, but that the company remains “cautious given the political developments.” RWE has introduced more stringent requirements for future US investments:

All necessary federal permits must be in place. Tax credits must be safe harbored and all relevant tariff risks mitigated. In addition, onshore wind and solar projects must have secured offtake at the time of the investment decision. Only if these conditions are met will further investments be possible, given the political environment.

About half of RWE’s installed renewable capacity is in the US, where it’s the third-largest renewable energy company through its subsidiary, RWE Clean Energy. RWE holds the rights to develop US offshore wind projects in New York, Louisiana, and California.

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RWE paid $1.1 billion for the New York lease area in 2022, where it’s meant to develop the 3 gigawatt (GW) Community Offshore Wind with the UK’s National Grid. Community Offshore Wind was projected to come online in the early 2030s and expected to power more than a million homes.

The developer paid $5.6 billion for the Louisiana lease in the Gulf of Mexico in 2023 as the lone bidder for development rights, and the Canopy Offshore Wind project off Northern California was not expected to be completed for another decade.

Read more: Trump admin halts $5 billion NY offshore wind project mid-build


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Trump’s memecoin dinner contest earns insiders $900,000 in two days

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Trump's memecoin dinner contest earns insiders 0,000 in two days

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and his allies have raked in nearly $900,000 in trading fees over the past two days from the president’s $TRUMP cryptocurrency token, according to Chainalysis, a blockchain data company. 

The surge came after a Wednesday announcement in which the top 220 holders of the token were promised dinner with the president.

“Have Dinner in Washington, D.C. With President Trump,” reads a message on the front page of the Trump coin’s website. The event, which is black tie optional and hosted at the president’s private club in the Washington area, is scheduled for May 22, with a reception for the top 25 holders. A “VIP White House Tour” will take place the following day, the site says. The website also hosts an active leaderboard displaying the usernames of top buyers.

The $TRUMP memecoin jumped more than 50% on the dinner news, boosting its total market value to $2.7 billion. It was met with fierce criticism from some of Trump’s political opponents who said the move was further evidence that the president was using crypto to enrich himself. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a prominent Trump critic, wrote on X that the sale was “the most brazenly corrupt thing a President has ever done. Not close.”

Roughly 80% of the $TRUMP token supply is controlled by the Trump Organization and affiliates, according to the project’s website. Since its launch in January, trading activity has generated about $324.5 million in trading fees for insiders, Chainalysis found. These fees are generated through the token’s built-in mechanism that routes a percentage of each trade to wallets controlled by the project — wallets that, according to the website, are linked to the coin’s creators.

Memecoins, often referred to as meme tokens, are a subset of digital assets that use blockchain technology and derive their value largely from internet culture, memes and social media hype rather than from an underlying utility or asset. The originators of memecoins can make fees when their coins are bought and sold.

They have grown in popularity in recent years as speculative assets, with some coins including dogecoin and fartcoin amassing total market values in excess of $1 billion.

Most of the $TRUMP supply remains locked under a three-year vesting plan, with coins gradually becoming available over time. Lockups like these are meant to protect investors by preventing insiders from cashing out all at once — a scheme commonly known in the crypto world as a “rug pull.” Vesting schedules aim to give retail buyers confidence that early holders won’t overwhelm the market and tank the token’s value.

Still, the dinner contest is being viewed by critics as an unusually explicit attempt to monetize presidential access. 

As CNBC reported Friday, Democratic Sens. Adam Schiff of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts are urging the U.S. Office of Government Ethics to investigate whether the promotion constitutes “pay to play” corruption.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment. The company behind the memecoin also did not respond to a request for comment.

Delaney Marsco, the director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit focused on campaign finance and government accountability, told NBC News the coin and dinner contest amounted to an unprecedented ethics breach — though it is unlikely to be illegal.

“Criminal conflicts of interest statutes don’t apply to the President,” she said. “That has allowed him to go against decades of of norms that every modern president since Carter has adhered to, which is to divest your financial interests, rid yourself of your businesses, and kind of go in to the presidency with a clean financial slate so that no one could accuse you of manipulating policy decisions or using your position in order to enrich yourself.” 

“The fact that he is not barred by the law from having these financial interests like this meme coin allows him to engage in a lot of seemingly corrupt activity. It has the appearance of a pay to play, so the President is apparently selling access to himself,” Marsco added.

Molly White, an independent crypto researcher, told NBC News that the leaderboard only shows top $TRUMP holders — and then only by their chosen screen name, making it difficult to identify who is paying to potentially join the dinner.

Schiff and Warren have cited public reports showing that some $TRUMP investors have ties to foreign exchanges or received funds from crypto platforms banned in the U.S., including Binance.

White also noted that at least one top $TRUMP owner has an account on Binance, a cryptocurrency company that doesn’t allow American users.

Trump was elected with significant help from the cryptocurrency industry, which poured tens of millions of dollars into the 2024 election, outpacing corporate donations from traditional sectors like banking and oil. After opposing digital assets during his first term, Trump pivoted in 2024 to campaign as a champion of cryptocurrency, casting Democrats as hostile to innovation and as advocating for tighter regulation. 

The $TRUMP token itself offers no product or service, according to the project’s website. It is part of a broader push by the Trump family into digital assets, despite the market’s volatility and regulatory risks.

In addition to the $TRUMP and $MELANIA meme coins, the family is backing World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance venture that has raised $550 million across two token sales since last October. Buyers are barred from reselling their tokens and receive no share of profits — but a Trump-affiliated entity is entitled to 75% of net revenue, including token sale proceeds.

Together, these projects have created new streams of revenue for Trump and his inner circle at a time when regulatory oversight of cryptocurrency has weakened sharply under his administration.

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Drive Electric Earth Month, continues this weekend, get your EV Qs answered

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Drive Electric Earth Month, continues this weekend, get your EV Qs answered

It’s that time of year again, time for events across the country to show off electric vehicles at Drive Electric Earth Month.

Drive Electric Earth Month is an offshoot of Drive Electric Week, a long-running annual tradition hosting meetups mostly in the US, but also occasionally in other countries. It started as Drive Electric Earth Day, but since not every event can happen on the same day, they went ahead and extended it to encompass “Earth Month” events that happen across the month of April. It’s all organized by Plug In America, the Sierra Club, the Electric Vehicle Association, EV Hybrid Noire, and Drive Electric USA.

Events consist of general Earth Day-style community celebrations, EV Ride & Drives where you can test drive several EVs in one place, and opportunities to talk to EV owners and ask them questions about what it’s like to live with an EV, away from the pressure of a dealership.

This month, there are 158 events registered across the US and 1 in Mexico (including one online webinar about things to consider when purchasing an EV).

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Events have been happening all month, but the biggest weekend is this upcoming one, APril 26-27.

One really neat event was the Asheville event, which showcased the resiliency of EVs in an area devastated by Hurricane Helene, which was made more severe by climate change. That event was attended by the Rivian R1T which famously got dragged 100 feet submerged in mud and came out running fine.

But the bulk of the events happened on the weekends surrounding Earth Day, April 22, so there were several last weekend and will be even more this upcoming weekend.

There are plenty of events in the big cities where you’d expect, but Plug In America wanted to highlight a few of the events in smaller places around the country. Here’s a sampling of upcoming events:

  • Big Island EV – Cruise and Picnic in Waimea, HI on April 26, 10am-1pm – EV drivers will congregate in various places around the Big Island (Kona, Waimea, Waikoloa and Hilo), then drive up Saddle Road to the Gil Kahele Recreation Area on Mauna Kea for a potluck and a chance to talk about the experience of owning EVs on the Big Island.
  • Santa Barbara Earth Day 2025 and Green Car Show in Santa Barbara, CA on April 26-27, 11am-8pm – This is part of Santa Barbara’s Earth Day celebration, which routinely attracts 30,000 participants and is one of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations on the planet. The Green Car Show includes ride & drives and an “Owners Corner” where owners can showcase their EVs and attendees can check them out and ask questions.
  • Earth Day’25 – EV’s role in a sustainable future in Queretaro City, Mexico on April 26, 9am-4pm – The sole Mexican event, this is a combined in-person/online seminar at the Querétaro Institute of Technology.
  • Norman Earth Day Festival in Norman, OK on April 27, 12-5pm – Another municipal Earth Day festival, with hands-on activities for kids to learn about the environment. A portion of the parking lot reserved for an EV car show for EV owners who pre-register to show off their vehicles.
  • Oregon Electric Vehicle Association Test Drive & Information Expo in Portland, OR on April 27, 10am-4pm – This one is at Daimler Truck’s North American HQ, and will have several EVs for test drives, owner displays (including DIY gas-to-EV conversions), and keynote presentations by EV experts. They’ll even have a 1914 Detroit Electric EV available for test rides!
  • And, we at Electrek want to give a shoutout to Rove’s EV Drive Days in Santa Ana 10am-3pm April 28 – ROVE is the company behind the “full-service” EV charging concept that we’ve talked about several times here on Electrek, and we like what they’re doing for EV charging. They’ve hosted a few community events, and this is their contribution to Earth Month.

Each event has a different assortment of activities (e.g. test drives won’t be available at every event, generally just the larger ones attended by local dealerships), so be sure to check the events page to see what the plan is for your local event.

These events have offered a great way to connect with owners and see the newest electric vehicle tech, and even get a chance to do test rides and drives in person. Attendees got to hear unfiltered information from actual owners about the benefits and trials of owning EVs, allowing for longer and more genuine (and often more knowledgeable) conversations than one might normally encounter at a dealership.

And if you’re an owner – you can show off your car and answer those questions for interested onlookers.

To view all the events and see what’s happening in your area, you can check out the list of events or the events map. You can also sign up to volunteer at your local events, and if you plan to show off your electric car, you can RSVP on each event page and list the vehicle that you plan to show (or see what other vehicles have already registered).


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