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The United States Postal Service (USPS) this week announced plans to buy 9,250 Ford E-Transit electric vans, which will get the ball rolling on electrification while the Postal Service waits for its custom-designed electric delivery vans. The first of the Ford vans are scheduled to arrive in December of this year, with deliveries continuing through 2024, and will be accompanied by the deployment of 14,000 charging stations, according to a USPS press release. Specific locations are to be determined, the Postal Service added, noting that the off-the-shelf vehicles are left-hand drive, and thus may not be suitable in all of…
Rivian will deliver a three-row SUV with nearly 400 miles of range later this year. Drive modules for upcoming Ram, Dodge, and Jeep EVs may be made in Indiana. And the Mini Cooper SE tops an annual list of the greenest. What’s the meanest? This and more, here at DriftBreath Reports. Rivian has confirmed that a 390-mile Max Pack version of its R1S electric SUV will be delivered starting this fall. The Max Pack versions will only come in Dual Motor form, with the company’s latest, in-house Enduro drive units. Further, Rivian released updated range numbers for the trucks in…
Ford is trying to patent technology that would allow cars to repossess themselves. As first spotted by The Drive, a Ford patent application titled “Systems and Methods to Repossess a Vehicle” was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Feb. 23, although it was submitted to the agency Aug. 20, 2021. The document describes using vehicles’ built-in data connections to remotely disable “a functionality of one or more components of the vehicle,” which would serve as warnings if the owner has missed car payments. Ford vehicle repossession system patent image According to the document, deactivations would start…
Tesla is widely perceived as being on the leading edge of electric vehicle efficiency, and it’s long claimed to also be an energy company, not just a car company. Capability that might turn its EVs into rolling backup-power banks might seem like the logical next step. Until now, Tesla has shied away from the possibility of deploying bidirectional charging technology, often termed vehicle-to-grid or V2G tech, in its vehicles. As part of Tesla’s Investor Day Wednesday, which provided a look at the company’s strategy years into the future, Drew Baglino, the company’s Senior Vice President for Powertrain and Energy Engineering,…
Porsche has a new 911 GT3 RS on its hands for 2023, and we just tested it. The car may not offer the same sense of brutal acceleration as many modern supercars, but where it really shines is in its cornering and stopping ability. Audi is working on a major update for its Q7, and a prototype has been spotted. The updated Q7 should be coming for 2024 with new exterior styling, a revamped interior, and possibly more power under the hood. The related Porsche Cayenne is also due to be updated for 2024. The DeLorean Alpha5 shown last year…
Quick Facts About Infotainment Systems Large, flashy infotainment systems on new vehicles are significant selling points for many prospective car buyers. As technology advances, infotainment screens are getting bigger, better, and more capable. While most newer cars have competitive infotainment systems to adjust the radio and climate control settings, others go above and beyond with design, functionality, and more. Our guide considers infotainment screen size, capabilities, and design. Keep reading to see what cars have the best infotainment systems. What Is an Infotainment System? A vehicle’s infotainment system is an integrated media system that delivers information and entertainment functionality to…
Aramco is joining forces with Zhejiang Geely and Renault to develop efficient internal-combustion engines, including engines designed to run on e-fuel and hydrogen. The Saudi Arabian oil giant on Thursday signed a letter of intent to become a minority shareholder in a new company to be established by Geely and Renault, one focused on the development of internal-combustion engines for use in hybrid powertrains. Called PWT, the company aims to become a global supplier of engines, transmissions, and complete hybrid powertrains with an annual capacity of around five million units. The company will utilize existing powertrain plants and R&D centers…
Porsche teased an RS-themed 911 special edition at last year’s Monterey Car Week, then showed what the coupe would look like in October. The real Weissach deal is finally here, a 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS with the Tribute to Carrera RS package paying homage to the 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7 that’s conquered tracks and bank accounts since its creation. Media got to spend time with the coupe in Southern California, the wider public will get eyes on it at the 12 Hours of Sebring the weekend of March 15-18. Forget about ordering one unless you live in the…
Buick has revived its Electra nameplate for a family of electric vehicles, the first member of which is the Electra E5 compact crossover destined for sale in China later this year. Buick revealed the exterior design of the Electra E5 last December, and on Tuesday it provided a first look at the crossover’s interior. While the Electra E5 isn’t likely to reach the U.S., both its exterior and interior designs may preview what’s to come for electric Buicks sold on these shores. The cabin design isn’t exactly groundbreaking, though the space looks like a comfortable place to be. The highlight…
When considering the overall environmental impact of new cars and trucks, it’s important to look not only at the powertrain, but also the curb weight, according to a new analysis from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The group annually releases a “Greenest List” of the 12 vehicles estimated to do the least damage to the environment, as determined by a holistic look at tailpipe emissions, manufacturing, and disposal, as well as emissions related to production of electricity or fuel. It also releases a “Meanest List” of the 12 worst environmental offenders. The 2023 “Greenest List” was entirely…