VW has a fix for its ID.4 recall, and sales are starting back up now
Volkswagen has identified a solution for its ID.4 recall and is ready to start producing post-recall ID.4s, with sales restarting now or soon at a dealership near you.
In September, VW identified a problem with its ID.4 EVs which resulted in a recall of almost 100k vehicles. Apparently, the door handles could leak and allow water into the circuit board controlling the handle, leading to the doors opening unexpectedly.
At the time, VW said the production halt could last until the beginning of next year (so, it’s just about on schedule) and resulted in about 200 workers being furloughed for the time being.
Now, three months later, the fix is ready and has been installed in some cars, with more heading out to dealers and being installed at VW’s factory in Tennessee as well.
Sales started back up this week, with dealerships applying the fix to some of their cars already. A local dealer told us that they’ve applied the fix to about 10% of their inventory so far, and that some cars have already been sold this week. So if you were looking for an ID.4, you should be able to find one in a local dealer now or soon.
The cars affected are model year 2021-2024 ID.4s. Owners should receive notifications from VW soon to get fixes applied to their vehicles – but there was never a stop-drive on the vehicles, so owners can continue driving their cars until the fix is applied.
Electrek’s Take
Prior to the recall, ID.4 sales had been down significantly for the year. Despite a big update to the 2024 model year vehicles which fixed some issues owners had and added a bunch of big improvements, the model seemed not to capture the imagination of the American public. Even though EV sales are rising, the ID.4 had experienced one of the highest drops in sales of any model.
But this is a bit puzzling, because the ID.4 is a competent vehicle. Especially after those aforementioned fixes, I was quite impressed by this model year. It’s a good choice for someone who just wants a reasonable vehicle with a good amount of space. And Electrek’s very own Michelle Lewis has one and loves it.
That said, three months always felt a little slow for this fix. While VW did say that the production pause and stop sale would last until the end of the year, it’s not like door handles are a new thing, and VW certainly has made plenty of vehicles over the years. We can’t help but wonder if the aforementioned down sales year might have contributed to a lack of urgency.
But, now that process is done and VW is ready to start 2025 strong with a car ready to go (and, as our local dealer reminded us, the ID.BUZZ just started selling last month, so now you’ve got multiple EV options from VW).
To contact a local dealer and see if they have any VW ID.4s ready to sell, feel free to use our link. You can also reach out about the ID.Buzz, if a quirky electric minivan is more your speed.
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Tesla has officially launched a new version of the Cybertruck RWD for $70,000 in the US and Mexico.
It’s more expensive than previously announced and loses a ton of features, but it has more range.
Earlier today, we reported on Tesla unveiling in the Middle East a new ‘Cybertruck Long Range’.
The automaker confirmed that it had a single rear-wheel-drive (RWD) motor, but unlike the previously announced Cybertruck RWD, Tesla said it had 350 rather than 250 miles of range.
This would point to having the same battery pack as the Dual Motor and Cyberbeast currently available.
At the time, it wasn’t clear if Tesla was launching this specific version for the Middle East or if it was the new Cybertruck RWD to replace the previously announced $62,000 version.
Now, Tesla has opened orders in the online configurator for the US and Mexico of the new Cybertruck Long Range RWD:
It starts at $70,000 before incentive – $9,000 more than the previously announced Cybertruck, but it has 100 more miles on a single charge at 350 miles.
It’s also $10,000 less expensive than the Cybertruck Dual Motor.
You not only lose a motor, but you also lose the powered tonneau. You can buy a “soft tonneau” for $750 and it increases the range to 362 miles:
The new cheaper version also loses the adaptive suspension, the lightbar at the back, the rear screen, and even the bed outlets, according to Tesla’s website.
Tesla says that deliveries are going to start in June.
Electrek’s Take
I might be wrong, but I would assume that the previously announced $61,000 Cybertruck is not going to happen. The Cybertruck is likely proving to be too low-volume to warrant producing different sizes of battery packs.
However, this version might be just to make the $80,000 Cybertruck look better.
It’s not to lose the AWD, the tonneau, the adaptive suspension, and even the bed outlets for $10,000.
These are all pretty essential features of the Cybertruck. I don’t think this version will sell much at $70,000. Maybe they get a few sales of people trying to take advantage of the $7,500 tax credit.
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![This electric excavator has battery swap tech that lets it recharge in minutes [update]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/electric-excavator.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
The electric construction equipment experts at XCMG just released a new, 25 ton electric crawler excavator ahead of bauma 2025 – and they have their eye on the global urban construction, mine operations, and logistical material handling markets.
UPDATE: telematics announcement.
Powered by a high-capacity 400 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery capable of delivering up to 8 hours of continuous operation, the XE215EV electric excavator promises uninterrupted operation at a lower cost of ownership and with even less downtime than its diesel counterparts.
XCMG is delivering on part of that reduced downtime promise with the lower maintenance and easier repair needs of electric equipment, and delivering on the rest of it with lickety-quick DC fast charging that can recharge the machine’s massive battery in 1.5-2 hours … but that’s not the slick bit. The XCMG XE125EV can be powered up without leaving the job site thanks to its BYD battery swap technology.
We first covered XCMG and its battery swap technology back in January, and covered similar battery-swap tech being developed by MOOG Construction offshoot ZQUIP, as well – but while XCMG’s battery tech has been in production for several years, it’s still not widely known about in the West (even within the industry).
XCMG showed off its latest electric equipment at the December 2024 bauma China, including an updated version of its of its 85-ton autonomous electric mining truck that features a fully cab-less design – meaning there isn’t even a place for an operator to sit, let alone operate. And that’s too bad, because what operator wouldn’t want to experience an electric truck putting down 1070 hp more than 16,000 lb-ft of torque!?
Easy in, easy out
The best part? All of the company’s heavy equipment assets – from excavators to terminal tractors to dump trucks and wheel loaders – all use the same 400 kWh BYD battery packs, Milwaukee tool style. That means an equipment fleet can utilize x number of vehicles with a fraction of the total battery capacity and material needs of other asset brands. That’s not just a smart use of limited materials, it’s a smarter use of energy.
You can check out all the XE215EV’s specs at this tear sheet, and get an in-person look at the Chinese company’s latest electric excavator this week in Munich, Germany.
Telematics announcement at bauma
Earlier today, XCMG launched its next-generation Xrea Global Telematics Platform, integrating IoT, big data, cloud computing, and AI to enable what it’s caling, “seamless cross-border fleet management.”
The new telematics platform supports a dozen languages via PC and mobile interfaces, and offers real-time diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and data-driven optimization of both the vehicle and the vehicle’s batteries, empowering equipment managers and fleet operators to track fleets across town, or across time zones.
“XCMG remains committed to advancing engineering technology to empower a sustainable future. Our mission is to deliver efficient, intelligent, and eco-friendly lifecycle solutions for global clients,” said Mr. Yang Dongsheng, Chairman of XCMG Group and XCMG Machinery. “Today, 19% of our product portfolio comprises green innovations under our ‘Green Mountain’ new energy line, with full electrification across all series underway.”
SOURCE | IMAGES: XCMG; via PR Newswire.
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