Inside EVs

The funky, retro-looking Renault 4 electric crossover is getting a new feature that harks back to the original. The addition is part of a minor technical upgrade that comes just one year after the car went on sale in Europe. New stuff includes a water-to-water heat exchanger that can significantly reduce charging times in freezing weather. The Renault 4 is one of the happiest EVs out there, with its unashamedly retro looks that hark back to the original do-it-all hatchback of the 1960s.

Donut Lab has released additional details about the world’s first solid-state electric bike, the Verge TS Pro Gen2. The startup claims to have cracked the code to production-ready solid-state batteries, but it has so far failed to show proof of the chemistry. The latest video details the electric motorcycle’s battery configuration. Donut Lab, the Finnish startup that claims to have developed the world’s first production-ready solid-state battery, is back with new details.

Nissan shot down rumors that the next-generation GT-R would be an EV. A company exec said that current battery technology isn’t good enough for the “Godzilla.” That said, the GT-R’s nearly 60-year streak of gas-only engines will come to an end.

Ford’s skunkworks EV team will help create more efficient hybrid models. Nearly 90% of the automaker’s global nameplates will offer electrified powertrains by the end of the decade. These cars will benefit from the breakthroughs that will be implemented in Ford’s upcoming $30,000 electric mid-size pickup. Ford is betting big on hybrids after changing course on electric cars.

Doug Field, Ford's EV and software chief, is leaving the company. Ford announced the move as part of a broader restructuring on Wednesday. Field joined Ford from Apple in 2021. Before that, he helped lead Tesla's Model 3 program. Doug Field, the executive in charge of Ford's electric vehicle and software efforts, is leaving the company in May. Ford announced the leadership change as part of a wider restructuring on Wednesday.

When BMW announced the i4 in 2021, I was immediately skeptical. The brand was planning to build a full suite of electric sedans, which was a heartening sign. But rather than building them on dedicated electric platforms, these new models would cut costs by sharing underpinnings with their gas-powered equivalents. I thought the inherent compromise of the i4, i5, and i7 would make them bad cars. I was wrong.

Volvo Trucks unveiled a new, extended-range version of its FH Aero Electric big rig. A new, more compact rear electric axle opens up extra space for more batteries. According to the company, the FH Aero Electric With Extended Range can drive up to 435 miles on a full charge. Sweden’s Volvo Trucks unveiled a new, longer-range version of its FH Aero Electric truck that can cover up to 435 miles (700 kilometers) on a full charge.

The Volkswagen ID.3 Neo marks a new phase for Wolfsburg’s compact electric car, with a major update that goes well beyond a simple facelift. The design changes, now closer to the brand’s new family feeling, with a redesigned front end, a continuous light signature, and cleaner surfaces. The cabin also improves, featuring higher-quality materials, better ergonomics, and the return of several physical controls, without giving up the generous interior space that has always characterized the model.

BMW Group reported a 20% decrease in global EV sales in the first quarter. The German company saw a big spike in EV sales in Europe, but it wasn’t enough to push the final tally up. Figures may change in the following quarters as the iX3 SUV becomes available in additional countries. BMW’s global electric vehicle sales have fallen dramatically in this year’s first quarter, despite the company having to boost output of the new iX3 ahead of schedule to meet demand in Europe.

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