All articles tagged with #ev charging
A tech writer tested dozens of free CarPlay apps and highlights the best for navigation (Google Maps, Apple Maps), music (Spotify, Apple Music), podcasts (Pocket Casts), audiobooks (Audible), live radio (TuneIn), EV charging (PlugShare), and parking (SpotHero), noting differences in CarPlay layouts across cars and occasional quirks with wireless versus wired connections.
A Washington Post analysis shows that skyrocketing gas prices driven by geopolitical conflict have made fueling a gasoline car more expensive than charging an electric vehicle in nearly every state. The average driver spends about $149 a month on gas versus $106 a month on EV charging (up 37% and 16% since early February, respectively). Eight states, including West Virginia, previously had cheaper gas for a month than EV charging, but the price surge has flipped the math in most places; Wisconsin is highlighted where electricity costs have barely budged compared with gas. The piece also notes hybrid sales rising after EV tax credits ended.
The piece argues that many so‑called public EV chargers at car dealers aren’t truly public—access is limited, hours aren’t consistent, and pricing is opaque or punitive (cited examples include $15/kWh at a Hyundai dealer and a $671.60 bill from an MES station). It urges stronger regulation and clearer disclosure, plus concrete rules (visible price signage, guaranteed public access, and clawback mechanisms for subsidies) to ensure chargers funded with public money actually serve drivers. It also calls for industry standards like prioritized public use, enforceable pricing, regular audits, and penalties for noncompliance.
Trump's plan to require 100% domestic content for federally funded EV chargers would effectively kill the $5 billion program, since no 100% domestically produced chargers exist and demand isn't high enough to justify domestic production, according to 20 state attorneys general; the piece also notes Uber's plan to deploy Nvidia-powered robotaxis by 2028 (starting in LA and SF in 2027), Audi ending the A8, and Ford recalling about 47,804 EcoBoost-powered vehicles for a potential engine valve issue.
GM’s Bolt uses a Chinese-sourced lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) pack that runs at a higher nominal voltage (near 400V), enabling a 10–80% charge in about 26 minutes—faster than GM’s Ultium-pack models that run around 290V and rely on high current. This speed comes from the Bolt’s LFP chemistry and different pack architecture, but the article notes there’s a catch to the Bolt’s approach that’s explored in a fuller drive review.
Uber will incentivize third-party operators to install EV chargers in drivers’ US and European neighborhoods and guarantee a minimum amount of usage to help recoup investments, aiming to accelerate charging infrastructure despite recent U.S. policy shifts.
Toyota revealed the fifth-gen Highlander as an EV-only, U.S.-built three-row SUV coming in late 2026, with a price likely around $50k–$55k to take on the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9. It uses a 400-volt TNGA-K platform, offering a 77.0 kWh base pack (FWD 287 miles, AWD 270 miles) and a larger 95.8 kWh pack (up to about 320 miles); cargo behind the third row is 15.9 cu ft (45.6 cu ft with second row folded); no frunk is provided. Interiors look-ups are limited, but the cabin is reportedly well-appointed. Warranty trails rivals (8-year/100k miles for powertrain vs 10-year/100k for Kia/Hyundai; 3-year/36k vs 5-year/60k basic). Built in the U.S., the Highlander EV is expected to hit dealers end of 2026 with more details to come.
A Tesla owner highlights that home charging is significantly cheaper than using Superchargers, with costs roughly half, though Superchargers offer faster charging. Despite the higher expense, EVs remain cheaper overall compared to gas cars, with owners saving thousands over years of use.
Chargeway Plus now offers real-time kWh pricing for over half of North America's public EV chargers, providing drivers with detailed cost and availability information to make smarter charging decisions and accelerate EV adoption.
After Elon Musk fired Tesla's Supercharger team, ex-employees Harry Fox, Connor Selwood, and Hugh Leckie founded Hubber to focus on high-speed urban EV charging, especially for taxis and commercial vehicles, addressing the urban charging gap with new sites in the UK, starting with a facility in South London. The company aims to transform overlooked sites into efficient charging hubs, with a focus on fast, reliable charging for high-utilization urban vehicles, and has secured £60 million in funding to expand its operations.
Revel Transit is ending its rideshare operations in New York to focus on expanding its EV charging infrastructure, partnering with Uber and selling its vehicle licenses and fleet assets, as it shifts towards building a profitable fast-charging network to support electric vehicle adoption.
Tesla has opened a retro-futuristic diner in Hollywood that combines EV charging with classic diner experiences, featuring Tesla merchandise, an Optimus robot, and a drive-in theater, with plans for more locations globally if successful.
Tesla's proprietary Supercharger network, with over 30,000 fast-charging ports, has become the dominant EV charging standard in the U.S., prompting other automakers like Ford, Rivian, and GM to adopt Tesla's technology. This shift allows non-Tesla EVs to access Tesla's extensive charging infrastructure using adapters, addressing range anxiety and boosting EV adoption. While this transition to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) will take years, it marks a significant step towards a unified charging system, despite the temporary need for adapters.
ChargePoint Holdings reported better-than-expected Q1 results with a loss of 17 cents per share, beating estimates by 5.56%, and sales of $107 million, surpassing expectations by 1.14%. Despite a 34% drop in networked charging systems revenue, subscription revenue increased by 27%. The company anticipates Q2 revenue between $108 million and $118 million and aims for positive non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA by Q4 FY2025.
Google Maps is introducing new features to assist electric car drivers in finding charging stations, including real-time availability and charging speed information, trip planning with charging stops, and detailed instructions for locating chargers within parking lots and garages. These updates aim to address concerns about range anxiety and make driving an electric vehicle more convenient, as EVs make up roughly 7 percent of new U.S. car sales and companies seek to ease charging concerns to drive further adoption.