Ford’s electric Super Mustang Mach-E wins class in a tough Pike’s Peak race
At the 103rd running of the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb, electric cars once again impressed as Ford’s Super Mustang Mach-E won its class on a difficult race day where running was limited due to inclement weather.
The Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb is one of the longest-running races in the world, being held 103 times since 1916.
It’s a famously difficult race, starting at an already-high 9,390ft (2,862m) in elevation and finishing at 14,110ft (4,300m), with an average 7.2% vertical grade. Until 2011, the track was largely unpaved on dirt or gravel roads, and it is still not uncommon for cars to leave the track and crash into the woods or, worse, end up tumbling down the mountain. The race is also commonly stopped by rain, snow, fog, or other inclement weather… of the type you commonly get at the top of mountains.
In particular, the high altitude nature of the race (which earned it the nickname “Race to the Clouds”) has always been difficult, because at high altitudes there is less oxygen, which means less complete combustion of fuel. This means that gas-powered race vehicles need to have incredibly oversized engines to do well.
That difficulty does not apply to electric vehicles since EVs don’t need oxygen for combustion, so for years EVs have overperformed in the race.
In fact, the all-time record for the 12.42-mile (20km) hillclimb, 7:57.148, was set by the all-electric Volkswagen ID.R in 2018, driven by Romain Dumas (put a pin in that name).
So EVs do well here, and it’s pretty common for manufacturers (or private teams) to bring them to show off.
Last year, EVs performed exceptionally well, with electric entries from Ford, Rivian and Hyundai each topping their respective categories.
The R1T Quad Max set a production truck record (gas or electric), the Ioniq 5N set a record for unmodified EVs (which the R1T Quad Max had set about 5 minutes earlier) and was a mere three tenths of a second off of the overall production SUV record, and the Ford SuperTruck set the fastest time of the day, but didn’t set an actual record because it lost about half a minute when it suddenly lost power on the course and needed a reboot. Had it not had that shutdown, it would have beaten Ford’s SuperVan’s class record from the previous year.
Ford’s entry this year: the bonkers 1400hp Super Mustang Mach-E
So, Ford had its work set out for it this year, but it brought the right car for the job.
The successor to Ford’s ridiculous 1400hp SuperVan and SuperTruck is the Super Mustang Mach-E, using a similar powertrain to the last two vehicles, but this time in a form factor that’s actually appropriate for racing (and… kind of looks nothing like a Mach-E, though we’d love to see a Mach-E like this on the road). Instead of a giant box, it actually looks like a race car. What a concept!
The new incarnation doesn’t just look more fit for purpose, but a smaller and lower vehicle helps performance in several ways, especially in a hillclimb. A smaller vehicle means less weight to haul up a mountain, a smaller front cross-sectional area means less drag, and a lower weight distribution means better handling on the twisty track.
The car also has 6,125lbs of downforce, important in the thin air of the mountain on those twisty turns.
And remember that name I told you to put a pin in earlier? Well, Ford hired overall record-holder Romain Dumas to drive its entry again, showing that it’s serious about trying to set a record. The VW ID.R was a purpose-built beast, so it would be a tough attempt, but their driver choice proves they’re serious about winning this race.
Three other interesting EVs ran this year
A few other EVs ran this year, but the others weren’t necessarily vying for the top overall spot.
One is an Ioniq 5N, race prepped by Evasive Motorsports. It’s been heavily modified with a stripped interior saving 500lbs of weight, aerodynamic wheel covers, new suspension, and a new bodykit with enhanced aerodynamics. Evasive previously ran a modified Tesla Model 3 up the mountain, but had an electrical issue on that race.
The next is the confusingly-named Honda CR-V e:FCEV, a fuel cell plug-in hybrid vehicle (more on that car here). It ran only mild modifications supplied by Honda Racing Corporation, with a lowered suspension, racing brake pads, and upgraded wheels and tires, along required safety improvements like a roll cage.
And the most fun one is a “Volkswagen Fun Cup” car. Fun Cup is a European racing series, with vehicles that have bodywork based on classic VW beetles. But instead of the standard 1.8L engine used in that series, this one has been engine-swapped to electric by Electric Classic Cars. They’ve dubbed it the “BugZappa.”
Weather reared its ugly head, as it often does
Pike’s Peak has a well-earned reputation for difficulty, and today’s race put the tough conditions on display.
The race start was delayed due to high winds which were blowing rocks and debris onto the track near the peak. Eventually it was decided that the race would be held only over the bottom half or so of the track – from the start at 9,390ft through Glen Cove, at 11,440ft (see photo).
This put EVs at a slight disadvantage compared to normal running, considering they gain more and more ground against ICE cars at higher and higher elevations where combustion is more difficult in the thin air.
However, EVs still impressed regardless.
How the EVs did
The Honda, piloted by Daijiro Yoshihara, was the first car to run on the day. It managed to finish the shortened course with a time of 5:55.744. It had no record hopes, but given that it’s the first hydrogen vehicle ever to compete in this hillclimb, you could kind of call it a record (but not really, given that weather forced everyone to only run the short course today, so there’s really nothing to compare against).
Not long after, Evasive’s race-prepped Ioniq 5N took its shot and Robert Walker set a more representative benchmark time of 4:23.858. A full minute-and-a-half improvement over the CR-V’s time, even over this shortened course, shows the significant difference between a commuter car and a race-prepped performance vehicle. The Ioniq 5N’s time held onto the top spot for a while, as several gas competitors followed, including Porsche GT4 and GT3 cup cars. It only fell once some of the serious purpose-built or open-wheel racecars from the Pike’s Peak Open, open wheel, and unlimited classes crossed the line.
One of those purpose-built cars was the aforementioned Super Mustang Mach-E, running in the Pike’s Peak Open class. All eyes were on this entry and Dumas as the driver, expecting it to set a top time for the day, and it did. The Super Mustang Mach-E finished with a time of 3:42.252 on the short course, setting the best time in its class by a longshot… but only the second-best time overall.
The restricted running turned out to be Ford’s downfall, as the ultralight prototype racecar, the Nova Proto NP01, piloted by Simone Faggioli managed to set a 3:37.196, beating the Ford by five seconds. The NP01 ran in the looser-rules “unlimited” class, so Ford still managed a class win in the more-restrictive Open class, but Dumas wouldn’t be crowned “King of the Mountain” on this day.
In an interview after the race, Dumas said his Ford would have likely had the advantage if the full track was open, due to lighter air at the top, but that “the mountain decides.”
One more EV, the “Fun Cup” car, will run later today, but we wanted to get an article up as soon as the top qualifiers finished their laps, as the rest of the cars running today are not contenders for the top spot. We’ll update this post later with the Fun Cup’s performance when it runs, or you can tune into the livestream of the rest of race day on youtube.
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Toyota’s electric vehicle sales plunged as it prepares for a new wave of models. The new EVs are bringing much-needed upgrades, including more range, faster charging, revamped designs, and more.
Toyota’s EV sales crashed in Q3 as new models roll out
Despite most automakers reporting record EV sales as buyers rushed to claim the $7,500 federal tax credit, Toyota was an outlier, selling just 61 BZ models in September.
Including the Lexus RZ, which managed 86 sales, Toyota sold just 147 all-electric vehicles in the US last month, over 90% less than the 1,847 it sold in September 2024.
Toyota’s total sales were up 14% with over 185,700 vehicles sold, meaning EVs accounted for less than 0.1%. Through the first nine months of the year, sales of the BZ and Lexus RZ are down 9% and 36% compared to the year prior.
So, why is Toyota struggling to sell EVs when the market is booming? For one, it’s basically sold out of its current EV models, the bZ4X and Lexus RZ.
The 2026 Toyota BZ (formerly the bZ4X) is arriving at US dealerships, promising to fix some of the biggest complaints with the outgoing electric SUV.
Powered by a larger 74.7 kWh battery, the 2026 Toyota BZ offers up to 314 miles of driving range, a 25% improvement from the 2025 bZ4X.
The electric SUV features Toyota’s new “hammerhead front end” design, similar to that of the new Crown and Camry, with a slim LED light bar and revamped front fascia.
Toyota’s new electric SUV also features a built-in NACS charge port, allowing for recharging at Tesla Superchargers. It also features a new thermal management system and battery preconditioning, which improves charge times from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
The base 2026 BZ XLE FWD starts at just $34,900, but uses a smaller 57.7 kWh battery, good for 236 miles range.
The 2026 Lexus RZ received similar updates. Next year, Toyota is launching two more fully electric SUVs, the 2026 C-HR and BZ Woodland.
| 2026 Toyota bZ trim | Battery | Range | Starting Price* |
| XLE FWD | 57.7 kWh | 236 miles | $34,900 |
| XLE FWD Plus | 74.7 kWh | 314 miles | $37,900 |
| XLE AWD | 74.7 kWh | 288 miles | $39,900 |
| Limited FWD | 74.7 kWh | 299 miles | $43,300 |
| Limited AWD | 74.7 kWh | 278 miles | $45,300 |
It’s not just the US that Toyota’s EV sales crashed last month, either. In its home market of Japan, Toyota (including Lexus) sold just 18 EVs in September.
The Japanese auto giant is betting on new models to drive growth. However, it remains committed to offering all powertrain options, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrids, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
Can Toyota’s new generation of electric vehicles spark a comeback? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Tesla has confirmed that the new Model Y Performance supports bidirectional charging for both vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-load (V2L) applications.
For now, it only works with Tesla’s outlet adapter dongle.
We have known that Tesla’s onboard charger has had some bidirectional charging capacity for a while now.
I even successfully discharged a 2023 Model Y using my friend’s new Sigenergy battery system with a bidirectional charger earlier this summer.
However, Tesla doesn’t officially support the capacity in any vehicle other than the Cybertruck… until now.
With the release of the new Model Y Performance in the US yesterday, Tesla has started reaching out to customers who ordered and confirmed that the vehicle supports bidirectional charging:
- Vehicle-to-Load (V2L):
- Powers external devices (e.g., tools, camping gear, appliances) via the charge port using a compatible V2L adapter (e.g., Tesla’s discharger or third-party like Tlyard, ~$200–$400).
- Provides up to 11.5 kW of export power (120V/240V outlets, ~3–5 kW continuous) from the 82 kWh battery.
- Enabled via OTA software update (version 2025.20 or later, expected Q4 2025).
- Vehicle-to-Home (V2H):
- Supplies power to a home for backup or grid offset, requiring a Tesla Powerwall 3 or compatible bidirectional inverter and V2H adapter (~$1,000–$2,500 for hardware/installation).
Tesla also said on X today:
New Model Y Performance offers Vehicle to Load (120V 20A AC) with Tesla Outlet Adapter
Based on the communications with customers and this message on X, it appears that the feature only works with adapters for now, such as the Tesla Powershare outlet adapter:
But more capacity will be enabled through software updates later this quarter.
Electrek’s Take
Tesla confirmed the feature for the Model Y Performance, but the vehicle clearly uses the same onboard charger as in other refreshed Model Y.
Furthermore, we know that the onboard chargers in previous Tesla vehicles for the last few years are capable of bidirectional charging. Tesla is simply not making it available.
Now, it is confirming it on the new Performance version to try to sell the more expensive variant, but I would assume that it will eventually be enabled on other vehicles.
There’s no reason not to, and Tesla would only achieve feature parity with most new EVs hitting the market for years now.
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Although the $7,500 EV tax credit has expired, Hyundai is keeping the savings going. Hyundai is reducing 2026 IONIQ 5 prices by nearly $10,000, while extending the tax credit for the current model year.
The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 gets a nearly $10,000 price cut
The 2026 IONIQ 5 is slated for a significant price cut as Hyundai commits to offering more affordable vehicles in the US.
Hyundai said it will reduce prices by up to $9,800 on the 2026 IONIQ 5. The savings depend on the trim, but the base IONIQ 5 RWD Standard Range model now starts at just $35,000, making it one of the most affordable EVs on the market, alongside the Chevy Equinox EV.
In the meantime, Hyundai will continue to offer the $7,500 cash incentive for the current 2025 models through at least October.
The price changes “reflect Hyundai’s commitment to affordability and its long-term EV strategy,” the company said. Hyundai builds the IONIQ 5 alongside its larger IONIQ 9 electric SUV at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia.
Higher sales and local production have helped Hyundai cut costs, which it’s now passing on to buyers. By making one of the most awarded EVs even more affordable, Hyundai aims to keep the momentum going.
The IONIQ 5 is coming off its best third-quarter sales to date after surging 90% year-over-year (YOY), with nearly 22,000 units sold. Through September, Hyundai has sold 41,091 IONIQ 5 models in the US, a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
After delivering the first IONIQ 9 models to customers at the end of May, sales have reached 4,177 units through September.
The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 starts at $42,600 with a driving range of up to 245 miles. Upgrading to the long-range SE RWD model, with 318 miles of range, costs $46,550.
The 2026 model year starts at just $35,000, or $7,600 less than the 2025 IONIQ 5. You can even snag the extended range SE or SEL model for under $40,000 now. Or, if you really want to get crazy, the off-road XRT variant is tempting at just $46,275, which is $9,225 less than last year’s model.
| 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim | Driving Range (miles) | 2025 Starting Price | 2026 Starting Price* | Price Reduction |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range | 245 | $42,600 | $35,000 | ($7,600) |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD | 318 | $46,650 | $37,500 | ($9,150) |
| IONIQ 5 SEL RWD | 318 | $49,600 | $39,800 | ($9,800) |
| IONIQ 5 Limited RWD | 318 | $54,300 | $45,075 | ($9,225) |
| IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD | 290 | $50,150 | $41,000 | ($9,150) |
| IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD | 290 | $53,100 | $43,300 | ($9,800) |
| IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD | 259 | $55,500 | $46,275 | ($9,225) |
| IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD | 269 | $58,200 | $48,975 | ($9,225) |
Despite the lower prices, the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a carry-over model with no significant changes from the outgoing model. The only difference is a new L1/L2 charging cable and Sage Silver Matte color options.
Last month, the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was one of the most affordable EVs on the market, with leases starting at just $179 per month. Hyundai’s offer ended on September 30, the same day the $7,500 federal tax credit expired. However, it’s promising to keep the deals alive.
Check back soon for the latest Hyundai offers. We’ll keep you updated with the latest deals.
If you’re interested in checking out Hyundai’s electric SUV for yourself, you can use our link to find IONIQ 5 models available in your area (via a trusted affiliate link)
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