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Renee Valdes on Muck Rack

Renee Valdes

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As seen in: Capital One News, CNN, MSN, MSN Canada, MSN Singapore, The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, Patch, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Morningstar and
Covers:  I drive cars, report on them, with a specialty in car advice. Story topics include EVs, car buying, selling, leasing, vehicle insurance, car warranties and automotive finance.
Editor. Writer. Tester of Cars. News Junkie. Globetrotter.

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Renee Valdes’s Biography

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Managing editor with Capital One Auto Navigator.

Renee Valdes’s Journalist Portfolio

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The Steering Column: How to find car deals in times of tariffs

The Steering Column: How to find car deals in times of tariffs

It's still possible to get a good deal on a new car. Those conditions may not last forever.

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Opinion: Why leasing an electric car makes more sense than buying right now

Opinion: Why leasing an electric car makes more sense than buying right now

Though leasing has disadvantages, it remains a flexible, low-risk way to drive an electric vehicle, and it br…

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The Steering Column: What's driving soaring insurance costs and what you can do

The Steering Column: What's driving soaring insurance costs and what you can do

Wild weather, reckless driving and a spike in car repair costs are just some of the reasons car insurance pre…

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Wheel Bearing: How Do I Know if I Need a Replacement? - Kelley Blue Book

Wheel Bearing: How Do I Know if I Need a Replacement? - Kelley Blue Book

Your wheel bearings are critical to keeping your wheels turning. Here's how to detect potential problems and …

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Even with a pandemic, many older Americans are carrying on as usual

Even with a pandemic, many older Americans are carrying on as usual

Last week, a 99-year-old New Jersey man who went to an engagement party was arrested in New Jersey for defyin…

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A witness captured the moment when a Colorado deputy escaped the jaws of a mountain lion

A witness captured the moment when a Colorado deputy escaped the jaws of a mountain lion

When a group of officers arrived at a neighborhood in Loveland, Colorado, after a call of a mountain lion att…

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Articles

What Is a Vantablack Car?

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By Sami Haj-Assaad Verified, Renee Valdes Verified
| Capital One News
Don't expect this super-dark hue as a factory option anytime soon. Aug 7, 2026 | 4 min read BMW Ā A Vantablack car is a vehicle coated in an ultra black material made for absorbing 99.9% of light, making it look two-dimensional. The 2019 BMW X6 was the first vehicle seen with this application. However, the legality of a Vantablack car remains unclear. Ā When BMW showcased its X6 SUV covered in Vantablack in 2019, the results were stunning.
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How Do Electric Car Tax Credits Work in 2026?

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By Renee Valdes Verified
| Kelley Blue Book Verified
The Inflation Reduction Act, which previously provided tax credits for select new electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), expired on September 30, 2025. We are maintaining this article for archival and educational purposes. Although the U.S. federal government no longer provides these tax credits, many states maintain their own incentive programs.
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Here are the cars that qualify for EV tax credits

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By Renee Valdes Verified
| The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Verified
If you’re considering buying or leasing an electric vehicle, now is the time to act. Federal tax credits toward purchasing 22 qualifying new electric car and plug-in hybrid models will expire on Sept. 30. A tax credit allowing car dealers to pass along savings for EV car leases and a used EV tax credit also end on that day.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

The Washington Post

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Definitely, yes.

What does it mean to be a journalist?

Being a journalist means upholding ethics and truth, reporting both sides and admitting when you're wrong.