Jeep-owner Stellantis announces mass layoffs, blames California
Stellantis has announced that it plans to cut what will likely be thousands of jobs from its Jeep plants in Detroit and Toledo, Ohio, blaming California’s emissions regulations for putting the company at a competitive disadvantage.
Stellantis, which also owns the Ram, Chrysler, Dodge, and Fiat brands, has indicated that 2,455 workers may be impacted at the Detroit plant where its makes the Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as an additional 1,225 workers at a plant in Toledo that produces the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, according to The Detroit News. To curb production due to lagging sales of the Jeep brand, Stellantis plans to shift from an alternative work schedule to a traditional two-shift operation at the Toledo plant, and shave off one of its three shifts at the Detroit plant, which employs 4,600 people. The job losses will be in effect as early as February 5.
Stellantis, among other automakers, has been actively pushing back against Biden’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and boost electric vehicles, arguing that strict regulations could result in billions of dollars of fines for the company.
According to Reuters, Stellantis has limited its shipments of both ICE vehicles and EVs to dealers in the 14 states that have adopted California’s emissions rules. Meaning, if you shopped in those states, only plug-in hybrid SUVs would be readily available in stock, but you’d have to special order an all-electric version or ICE models. Dealers in states that don’t adhere to California’s regulations (CARB) had the opposite scenario play out, of having no or very few hybrids in stock, and an ICE-only inventory. The rationale for all of this maneuvering, as The Drive points out, is in the 14 states that adhere to the California rules, manufacturers need to sell a certain percentage of zero-emissions vehicles and plug-in hybrids, meaning Stellantis had to prioritize these areas.
But here’s the rub for Stellantis: In 2020, Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and BMW struck a special agreement with California to play by a different set of rules, where compliance is measured by sales nationwide, not just in CARB states. Stellantis says that changes the game and puts its company at a disadvantage because those numbers are easier to meet.
Volvo and Geely signed on to the pact with California following the original four automakers, and Stellantis tried to join but was turned down, according to Bloomberg. Why? Stellantis argues that it is being punished for when Chrysler publicly questioned California’s authority to establish its own rules back in 2019, along with other automakers, including General Motors and Toyota, as The Drive cited. Yesterday, Stellantis submitted a petition to California’s Office of Administrative Law, accusing the state of signing “underground regulatory scheme” with other automakers.
Electrek’s Take
Stellantis has been slow to shift to EVs, but it has been pouring billions into the effort. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Chrysler Pacifica hybrids are some of the best-selling EVs in California. But business hasn’t been steady: Last month, the automaker announced a recall of more than 32,000 vehicles due to a potential fire risk. And falling sales for ICE versions of the Jeep brand, mixed with high interest rates, has forced its hand into full-blown cost-cutting mode. And that, it says, means upending the lives of thousands of workers.
Still, it’s certainly not the first time the company has pointed a finger at the transition to EVs as the reason for layoffs. Earlier this year, Stellantis laid off about 1,350 workers from its plant in Illinois for those same reasons.
Interesting timing too, as the Big Three in Detroit – General Motors, the Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler (which Stellantis owns) – are also looking for ways to cut costs as they just agreed to what will amount to “record” pay increases following the United Auto Workers’ strikes this year. Lots of jobs are on the chopping block in the automobile industry, so we’ll be hearing that term “restructuring” a lot these days: Yesterday Volkswagen confirmed it too would cut thousands of jobs from its plant in an effort to slash $11 billion in costs.
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Forget fiddling with derailleurs and gear levers mid-commute. Instead, Bafang wants to make urban e‑biking smoother than ever with its all-new H730 hub motor, featuring its patented GVT (Gear Variable Transmission) technology. The idea is to combine the advantages of internally geared hubs with Bafang’s own hub motors to create an internally geared hub motor.
We covered Bafang’s GVT technology after seeing it first-hand on a tour of the company’s headquarters in China. Now we’re getting a look at a new 3-speed version, which takes the original 2-speed concept even further.
Launched this summer, this new hub motor packs a 3‑speed automatic gearbox that shifts gears seamlessly based solely on riding speed – no rider input needed.
The benefits are immediate: durability, simplicity, and less maintenance. Without derailleurs, cables, or external shifters cluttering the setup, the H730 boasts a clean, minimalist rear-end design, not to mention the benefits of weatherproofing the transmission to handle rain, mud, and debris.
The 250W motor includes a torque sensor and smart controller to analyze riders’ pedal input in real time, suppressing pedal lag while delivering smooth acceleration up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph). It’s an ideal match for daily commuting, where energy efficiency and responsiveness matter. The speed limit fits European-regulation bikes, but it would make sense to see Bafang introduce a slightly faster 20 mph (32 km/h) version for the North American market.
That’s even more likely considering Bafang seems to be targeting broad compatibility, with the company highlighting how the H730 plays well with belt-drive systems and minimalist e‑bike frames.
The GVT system itself is the culmination of nearly two decades of innovation, Bafang explained. Since its introduction with the H700 motor in 2022, over 40 global e‑bike brands, covering everything from urban commuters to fat‑tire and cargo e-bikes, have adopted GVT-powered solutions.
Bafang seems to be positioning the GVT as the foundation of a platform, with the company seeing the H730 as a springboard for integration into shared‑bike fleets, folding bicycles, and e‑bike systems built to last. That’s a compelling narrative for urban mobility: fewer moving parts, smarter automation, and a ride experience tuned for simplicity and longevity.
Electrek’s Take
I love this solution because we’ve normally had to choose between an internally geared hub OR a hub motor, but not both. Getting an IGH normally meant shelling out for a more expensive mid-drive motor, but now it’s possible to get the benefits of both. An economical hub motor can keep prices more affordable, while the IGH means you don’t have the muss and fuss of a derailleur.
I wish the system also worked through the motor itself (i.e. could downshift the motor for more torque on hill climbs), but this is still great progress for the industry. And who knows, maybe Bafang has gear-shifting hub motors in development somewhere to give us the multi-ratio motors we want. Until then, this looks pretty cool.
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EV charging is everywhere now, and it’s reliable, accessible, and affordable. There thousands of public chargers are already out there – and, in some places, you’ll find more plugs than pumps. But if you don’t drive electric, you’d never know it. That’s because gas stations don’t just exist, they announce themselves with giant, illuminated signs that can be seen for miles, while EV chargers tend to just sort of sit, nestled away in the back of the parking lot.
That’s why the new EV Totem from Blink Charging is such a big deal. It doesn’t just charge your car, it stands tall, lights up, and tells the world: electric fuel is here, now.
If you were on a road trip, and your tank was low, how confident would you be in your ability to find gas if you were greeted by the sight of Breezewood, PA, above? We might shake our heads at late adopters of EVs, we might dismiss the things we don’t notice ourselves, but the fact remains that my father-in-law can drive some sea-to-shining-sea of this still (relatively) great country with no plan, no map, and no app, and feel pretty secure in his ability to find gas.
Can you honestly, before spirits of Henry, Lee, God, and the DSM-V, look at that picture and believe that your parents would have similar confidence in their ability to find charging?
Now, imagine that all those thousands of EV chargers that you and I both know are out there. Imagine they were Blink EV Totems. Twenty feet tall, fully illuminated, and proudly proclaimed that here, weary traveler, was a place that you could – if you had an EV – simply pull up and plug in. Just like the gas stations out there have been proclaiming for nearly a hundred years.
Do you think they’d feel better slipping behind the wheel of an EV then?
No need to imagine
Co-developed by Blink Charging and Universal Media, the EV Totem concept combines Blink car chargers with elevated, 55″ screens to help maximize their eye-catching visibility. It’s a clever solution, and, while we’ve seen chargers with screens before, lifting the screens up above the cars in a parking lot makes them significantly more visible.
But because it’s 2025 and everything is terrible, instead of the EV Totem’s screens simply announcing the availability of reliable EV charging nearby or educating consumers about off-peak savings and duck curves, they’re designed to serve non-stop ads while collecting data that, “provides real-time insights for brands and property partners.”
“The EV Totem is designed to transform EV charging into a smarter, connected platform — one that delivers value for drivers while unlocking new opportunities for brands, property partners, and communities,” said Todd Cohen, Co-founder and CEO of Universal Media LLC, without even the slightest hint of remorse.
Blink’s EV Totem units are available now, with the first units already in service at Mountain View Village, a retail and lifestyle destination (read: strip mall) in SLC.
Electrek’s Jo’s Take
Visibility matters, and electric charging stations are almost totally invisible in real life. What that means for most drivers is that, unless they’re in a Tesla or using a third-party app, they might have a tough time seeing public charging stations, even if they’re relatively close as the crow flies. Even if they’re plentiful.
The reality is that all those signs advertising gasoline create confidence on a subliminal level that gas, snacks, and restrooms are everywhere. Meanwhile, the EV charging signs (where they exist at all) are just too small, too bashful to be effective. EV charging is invisible to generations of ICE drivers, and we – as EV ambassadors – need to put ourselves in those drivers’ shoes, meet them where they are, and demand that the electric fuel industry do a better job of selling that same institutional kind of confidence.
SOURCES: Blink, Universal EVX; featured image by Ben Schumin, under Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you 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. It has 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 share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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The floodgates are open following a landmark $243 million ruling against Tesla in a wrongful death suit in Florida, and now that same lawyer is thirsty for more. He’s not alone, either, and America’s leading EV brand seems to be dodging court issues in California and even from its own shareholders! We’ve got all this and more on today’s ruinous episode of Quick Charge!
We’ve also got some killer deals on J.D Power award-winning 2026 BMW electric and plug-in hybrid models and a massive, 82 MW community solar project happening right here in Chicago.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec—makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure. Check out Retrospec’s viral city ebike, the Beaumont Rev 2, made with a vintage-inspired frame design and modern electric features, all for just $999! Electrek listeners can get 10% off their next ride until August 14 with the exclusive code ELECTREK10 only at retrospec.com.
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If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you 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. It has 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 share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
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