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Today, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced an additional $100 million in federal funding to repair and replace any and all existing but nonoperational EV chargers in the US. The new accelerator program is accepting applications now and aims to expedite EV adoption while creating thousands more new jobs in the industry.

EV adoption and sustainability have remained a staple in President Biden’s ongoing legacy that began as a vow during his candidacy. In their three-plus years in the White House, the Biden-Harris Administration has enacted the Inflation Reduction Act, revamping Federal tax credits for US consumers in favor of local EV supply chains and production.

We also have seen a huge investment in renewable energy like wind and solar, and billions allocated toward bringing EV battery production out of China and onto US soil. Currently, the US is using $13 billion in Federal funding to help bolster the nation’s electrical grid, preparing for the paradigm shift toward electrification that is already underway.

To complement this shift, the White House and Congress, alongside the Federal Highway Administration, have enacted the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, offering up to $5 billion to States to deploy EV infrastructure.

But what about those existing chargers that are perhaps already dated or are currently out of commission? Today, the White House has presented a solution that should afford technicians to repair virtually all nonoperational EV chargers in the country.

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US to repair chargers, make EV network more reliable

According to a press release from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today, the Biden-Harris Administration has opened applications for what is being called the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator.

The US DOT cites the NEVI program and states that this latest $100 million will come out of its first round of funding in order to repair and replace existing EV chargers while the government and private sector work to bolster the US network with brand new charging stations.

According to the US Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, 4.1% (6,261) of public charging ports are temporarily unavailable as of September 11, 2023. Based on estimates utilizing such data, the FHWA anticipates that today’s announcement of $100 million will be able to cover the costs to repair or replace virtually all eligible EV chargers through the program’s “streamlined application process.”

The FHWA also said the new program will be extended to both publicly and privately owned chargers as long as those private piles are still available to the public without restriction. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke to today’s funding announcement:

Under President Biden’s leadership, America is leading the electric vehicle revolution. This funding represents the latest step toward building a convenient, affordable, reliable charging network that reaches every corner of our nation.

Applications for the new program to repair EV chargers are now open and will remain so through November 13, 2023.

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Acura unveils new RSX: reborn as a sleek electric SUV

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Acura unveils new RSX: reborn as a sleek electric SUV

Acura is bringing back the RSX, but you wouldn’t recognize it. It’s now a sporty electric SUV, and a fairly impressive one at that. It’s also the first electric vehicle built on Honda’s new Zero global EV platform.

Honda’s all-electric vehicle offering is quite limited – especially in North America.

It only sells the Prologue and Accura ZDX, which are based on GM’s Equinox EV. In Asia and Europe, the Japanese automaker has more electric models, but its efforts are still very much fragmented.

Now, it is preparing to launch a series of new EVs based on its in-house global EV platform: Zero.

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Today, Acura is unveiling what should become the first vehicle on the platform: the Acura RSX concept.

This is still only a concept, but Acura says that it’s a good preview for the final vehicle that will go into production at Honda’s new EV hub in Ohio during the second half of 2026.

It will be built on the same production line as the Acura Integra, which can get a bit confusing since the name RSX was also used for the Integra in some markets during the original run in the 90s.

But the name is about the only thing that the current Integra and the RSX concept share. You won’t confuse the sporty sedan with this all-electric performance SUV.

Lance Woelfer, vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co, commented on the new concept:

“The dramatic styling of our Acura RSX Prototype demonstrates that it’s not just a new EV, but a compelling all-new Acura model. RSX will deliver on nearly four decades of Acura Precision Crafted Performance brand DNA with appealing design and cutting-edge technology.”

Acura took advantage of the freedom given by the new EV platform it’s based on and delivered a vehicle with a sleek yet aggressive design.

Yasutake Tsuchida, Acura Creative Director and vice president of American Honda R&D, said that the design aimed at “excellent aerodynamic” performance:

“The Acura RSX has a sporty coupe style that expresses the performance that comes from excellent aerodynamics. Starting from this all-new RSX we will redefine the Acura brand around timeless beauty and a high-tech feel that is essential for a performance and unique brand.”

For now, the design is the primary information available about the Acura RSX, as the company hasn’t shared specifications yet. I am with Acura at the Monterey Car Week for the next few days, and I’ll do my best to gather more details.

In the meantime, we know that it will be equipped with a potent dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, sport-tuned double wishbone front suspension, a low center-of-gravity and Brembo brakes, and Acura is talking about all this being standard in the new RSX.

Acura is also talking about having “the brand’s top-of-class driver assistive technologies.”

The RSX is also set to be the first vehicle equipped with Honda’s new ASIMO operating system.

Acura said about ASIMO:

With the ability to run various applications on the Acura RSX, similar to operating systems found on smartphones, ASIMO OS will offer a personalized experience that will enhance the joy of driving and the ownership experience. ASIMO OS will utilize OTA updates to bring new customizable features and services to the RSX to enhance the ownership experience.

It will also have machine learning capabilities, enabling it to learn about how you like to use your car and personalize to your specifications.

Last but not least, Acura has already confirmed that the RSX will be capable of bi-directional charging. The details are not available yet, but the automaker is talking about powering devices from the vehicle (V2X) and providing back power to your home (V2H).

The prototype is at Pebble Beach this week if you want to check it out. We certainly will, and we will report back with more.

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Lucid (LCID) shuts down rumors that it sold just 9 Gravity SUVs this year

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Lucid (LCID) shuts down rumors that it sold just 9 Gravity SUVs this year

A new report claimed that Lucid Motors’ (LCID) new Gravity SUV had just nine registrations in its first six months. Lucid denied the rumors, telling us Gravity deliveries are “well into the 3-digit range.”

Lucid denies rumors of slow Gravity SUV sales

There’s no denying that the Gravity is an impressive electric SUV. It can drive up to 450 miles on a single charge and has more interior space than a Ford Explorer. With up to 828 hp, it’s also faster than most sports cars.

However, a new Automotive News report claimed the Gravity only managed to secure nine registrations in its first six months on the market, citing S&P Global Mobility data.

Nick Twork, Lucid’s head of communications, confirmed in an email to Electrek that the claim is “completely inaccurate.”

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Twork added that “a quick review of social media postings from our customers shows that those numbers are simply not credible.” Although Lucid doesn’t provide a breakdown, Gravity deliveries are “well into the 3-digit range,” he said.

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Lucid Gravity Grand Touring (Source: Lucid)

In the second half of the year, Lucid expects the Gravity SUV to account for the majority of production and deliveries.

The EV maker anticipates a significant ramp-up in production during the second half of the year. On the company’s second-quarter earnings call, interim CEO Marc Winterhoff said that after overcoming most of the supply chain issues, including the industry-wide magnet shortage, the company was “beginning to ramp up Lucid Gravity production.”

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Lucid Gravity electric SUV at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: Lucid Motors)

Winterhoff added that “our daily order rate has nearly doubled” since introducing Gravity models in its studios and offering test drives.

If it weren’t for Lucid’s quick actions, the company would have had to halt production in the second quarter. Instead, Lucid produced just over 6,000 vehicles in the second quarter.

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Lucid Air (left) and Gravity (right) Source: Lucid

During an interview with CNBC the following day, Lucid’s CEO stated that the company now has the raw materials, earth magnets, and licensing for the remainder of the year.

Lucid has reduced its production goal for 2025 from 20,000 to between 18,000 and 20,000 units. The company cited a changing market as the reason for the updated range.

The EV maker also scored a partnership with Uber and Nuro to launch 20,000 Gravity robotaxis over the next six years. Uber is investing $300 million into Lucid as part of the deal.

Meanwhile, Lucid’s Air remained the best-selling luxury electric sedan in the US. The Air outsold the Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan, and even most gas models in its segment in the first half of 2025.

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Ford’s $30,000 EV pickup signals the end of these popular gas SUVs

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Ford's ,000 EV pickup signals the end of these popular gas SUVs

Ford’s next “Model T” is a midsize electric pickup that will start at around $30,000. The new model will be the first of a family of affordable electric vehicles based on the new Ford Universal EV Platform. As Ford shifts to lower-cost EVs, a few popular SUVs you may recognize are getting axed.

Ford’s new $30,000 EV pickup will replace gas SUVs

At its Louisville, Kentucky, plant on Monday (see our recap of the event), Ford revealed plans to build a new midsize EV pickup, claiming it will have a lower cost of ownership than a Tesla Model Y.

It will also have more interior space, thanks to its new “Ford Universal EV Platform,” which was also unveiled during the event.

The platform will underpin a series of new affordable electric cars that Ford promises will compete with the best. Ford is set to begin production of the new midsize EV pickup in 2027 at the Louisville Assembly plant, meaning it will need to clear room.

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Ford currently builds the Escape and Lincoln Corsair at the facility, both of which will be retired. The Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair will officially be discontinued after the 2026 model year.

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CEO Jim Farley presents the Ford Universal EV Platform in Kentucky (Source: Ford)

The announcement came as a shock to some, as the Escape is Ford’s second-best-selling SUV, behind the Explorer. It even outsold the Bronco Sport in the first half of the year (82,589 vs 72,438).

The Corsair is the second-best-selling Lincoln brand model through June, behind the Nautilus, with 13,096 units sold.

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Ford Universal EV Platform (Source: Ford)

Although production is slated to end later this year, Ford confirmed the SUVs will continue to be sold well into 2026.

Ford has invested around $5 billion in its Louisville Assembly Complex, creating nearly 4,000 jobs, as it prepares for its next generation of electric vehicles. It will begin with Ford’s new midsize EV pickup, which is expected to launch in 2027 with a starting price of around $30,000.

Source: Car and Driver, Ford

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