Driving a performance car can relieve stress and improve your mood by releasing endorphins. Additionally, driving a performance car can provide physical exertion, improving your cardiovascular health and overall fitness. If you're looking for a car that can offer a thrilling driving experience, advanced safety features, high resale value, a sense of community, and potential health benefits, then a performance vehicle like the 2024 Acura Integra Type S may be the perfect choice for you.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S is the most anticipated launch since the return of the Acura NSX. Acura started with the new Acura Integra, which won the North American Car Award, but they made significant changes from the regular Acura Integra.

Acura wanted the new 2024 Acura Integra Type S to be an amazing daily driver and a screaming canyon carver. The 2024 Acura Integra Type S is instantly recognizable from the outside. Acura wanted something special, and they delivered.

This segment has a lot of competition, but the Integra Type S stands out with its race car-worthy brakes, high G lateral grip, and quick-revving engine. And it only comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, so you know it's going to be a blast to drive. You'll fall in love with the exhaust sound – it's a car you won't be able to stop driving.

Although it was created in Japan, it will be built in Marysville, Ohio. The Acura Integra is already the best-selling model in its segment, so Acura has high hopes for the 2024 Integra Type S. The Integra outsold its nearest competitor, the Audi A3, by double, and it's the most attainable from the Type S family.

Previous Acura Integra's have become legends, and the 2024 Acura Integra Type S is the most powerful Integra ever. It's 2.8 inches wider than the standard Integra, with a larger open surface diamond pentagon grill, larger front lower air intakes for increased cooling, and wider body fender flares. The Type S badging on the grille, front fenders, and trunk make it clear that this car is special.

Inside, the race-style updated cabin features perforated leather with contrast stitching covering the steering wheel, a dark anodized shifter knob, and Type S logos throughout. The seats have been made even better, with firmer foam for high G cornering. The premium content includes a 10.2-inch Acura person cockpit digital instrument cluster, a 5.2-inch head-up display, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and standard wireless charging. The award-winning 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with overhead speakers is a nice touch, too.

Under the hood, you'll find a 2-liter engine with an increase of 120 HP from the 1.5-liter Acura Integra. It pops and bangs from the exhaust, and the 6-speed manual is the only one in its class. The 10.1 lbs per horsepower is the best weight for HP in the segment, and it has the highest top speed in the segment at 167 MPH. The Brembo brakes and lightweight 19-inch wheels make for a dynamic driving experience, with comfort, sport, and sport plus dynamic drive modes to choose from.

Of course, safety is a top priority for Acura. The Integra Type S comes with Acura Watch, the latest safety features, and a long list of standard features. Acura will not do complicated packages, so you know exactly what you're getting. There are seven exterior colors and three interior color combos to choose from, as well as available exterior and interior accessories.

But wait, there's more! The Integra Type S will make its motorsport debut at Pikes Peak, driven by Loni Unser. Acura has a limited 200 reservations and is expected to make less than 3000 yearly, so if you want to get your hands on one of these beauties, you better act fast.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S is the most anticipated launch of the year and for good reason. This car is a game-changer, offering a thrilling driving experience, advanced safety features, high resale value, a sense of community, and potential health benefits. So, if you're in the market for a performance car, the 2024 Acura Integra Type S may be the perfect choice for you.

On Thursday, Rivian Chief Financial Officer Claire McDonough spoke about the Rivian R2’s pricing and timeline with Emmanuel Rosner from Deutsche Bank.

McDonough revealed the R2 will be revealed in early 2024. The clay design bucks are in the design studio and the executive has spent time with them along with the design team. “We’re incredibly excited about the differentiation of the products,” McDonough said.

In May, CEO RJ Scaringe and design boss Jeff Hammond showed the R2 clay model covered under a sheet during an Instagram question and answer session. Despite being covered it was clear the design is that of a boxy SUV with a shrunken R1S SUV profile. The R2 is expected to be about the size of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

McDonough told Rosner the R2’s targeted price spectrum is $40,000 to $60,000 as the automaker aims to the broader market. Supply chain cost basis will play a major factor as the automaker’s in a better position to negotiate contracts than it was in 2018, before having the R1T electric truck in production.

Rivian’s building a new factory in Georgia to produce the R2. Production was initially set to commence in 2024, but in 2022 the automaker said the R2 is delayed to 2026. While no reason was given, the company’s cash remaining had dwindled at the time from $15.4 billion to $13.8 billion. The move may be an attempt to reel in some expenses.

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The Georgia plant is said to have an annual capacity of 400,000 vehicles.

The unveiling of the Vision One-Eleven concept car showcases the brand's commitment to pushing boundaries and reimagining automotive design. Drawing inspiration from the iconic C 111 of the 1970s, this futuristic concept seamlessly combines breathtaking aesthetics with cutting-edge electric drive technology, propelling Mercedes-Benz into an electrifying future.

At the heart of Vision One-Eleven lies an engineering marvel - the axial flux motors from YASA, a British battery company. These revolutionary motors offer unparalleled power density, surpassing traditional radial motors found in most electric vehicles. Not only do they deliver exceptional performance, but they are also remarkably lightweight, revolutionizing the way electric cars are built. Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the charge in the electric revolution by embracing this groundbreaking technology.

In a groundbreaking move, Mercedes-Benz introduces the "LIMITED EDITION 1 OF 111" collection, accompanying the Vision One-Eleven. This unprecedented offering allows enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the world of Mercedes-Benz through five exclusive lifestyle pieces. Inspired by the concept car's striking design elements, these accessories embody the visionary essence of the vehicle and provide a tangible connection to its captivating aesthetics.

The Mercedes-Benz design team takes innovation to new heights by incorporating augmented reality (AR) into Vision One-Eleven's premiere. Through a virtual test model of the car's interior, AR technology blurs the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds, creating an immersive user experience. The result is a seamless integration of the vehicle's physical interior and a captivating digital interface, elevating the driving experience to unprecedented levels.

The front end of the Vision One-Eleven showcases a revolutionary oval panel adorned with pixelated LEDs reminiscent of the C111's fog lights. These LEDs add a futuristic touch and serve as a medium for displaying messages to enhance safety and communication with pedestrians and fellow drivers. A similar panel at the rear and pixelated patterns on the opaque windows further accentuate the concept car's avant-garde appeal.

Beneath its captivating exterior, the Vision One-Eleven boasts an extraordinary axial-flux motor resulting from Mercedes-Benz's collaboration with YASA. This exceptional motor, described as exceptionally powerful, features a revolutionary design and technology. Leveraging its lightweight construction and unmatched performance, Mercedes-Benz is poised to lead the way in the electric vehicle landscape.

While the Vision One-Eleven may not be destined for production, its awe-inspiring design and groundbreaking technology will undoubtedly influence future Mercedes-Benz models as the automotive industry continues its shift toward total electrification.

The price delta starts at $26,515 for the base LXS and reaches $32,915 for the Kia K5 GT. Of the four trims, only the GT-Line FWD varies with newly standard heated front seats and a price increase of $200 to $28,015. A $100 markup for heated front seats seems worth it, and upholds Kia’s commitment to value in the shrinking mid-size sedan segment.

The sedan formerly known as the Optima comes in four trims and two powertrains. The base engine is a 180-hp 1.6-liter turbo-4 that pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission to power the front wheels. Only the GT-Line can be had with all-wheel drive at a cost of $1,600.

Oddly, the top GT model only comes with front-wheel drive, even though Kia swaps in a 2.5-liter turbo-4 rated at 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It’s no substitute for the discontinued Kia Stinger.

Yet the 2024 Kia K5 remains a relative value. Every model comes equipped with driver-assist tech such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, and a driver-attention monitor. Standard convenience features include cloth upholstery, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and keyless start.

Along with the Hyundai Sonata, the K5’s biggest advantage over rivals is a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty.

The GT-Line costs either $28,015 with FWD or $29,615 with AWD. In addition to the heated front seats, it has synthetic leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver seat, and acoustic glass on the front windshield. It rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and has a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. It features a 10.3-inch touchscreen that requires a cord for smartphone connectivity, even though it has a wireless smartphone charger.

The $30,415 EX adds cooled front seats and a sunroof, as well as an optional premium package with upgrades such as a Bose 12-speaker sound system.

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The $32,915 GT and its larger engine includes all those features as well as 19-inch gloss black wheels, larger disc brakes, dual twin exhaust, and other Stinger-like features.

A concept for an LFA-like supercar was shown for Lexus while something resembling a modern MR2 was shown for Toyota.

Toyota has confirmed the Lexus will deliver a 0-60 mph time in the low two-second range and have a manual transmission. The manual won’t actually connect to the powertrain, though. Instead it will only simulate the sensation of shifting gears by adjusting the torque of the electric powertrain and generating sounds mimicing an engine’s revs building and dropping.

Very little has been said about Toyota’s own electric sports car, though Toyota Chairman—and former CEO—Akio Toyoda revealed a few details in an interview with Automotive News (subscription required) during last weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Toyoda said he’s personally involved in the development of Toyota’s electric sports car and confirmed it will have a manual transmission (complete with a clutch pedal) and will generate engine sounds just like the Lexus. He also said anyone driving the car “probably wouldn’t be able to tell” that it is an EV, from the driving experience.

Timing for the Toyota electric sports car’s release wasn’t mentioned. Toyoda also said that he doesn’t know whether the car will make it to production.

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Though sports cars don’t sell in high volumes, Toyoda sees their development as an important step of improving more mainstream models. When discussing the reasons for developing the LFA a decade ago, Toyoda likened sports car development to the Japanese ceremony known as Shikinen Sengu. This ceremony involves relocating a major shrine from east to west, or west to east, once every 20 years. In doing so, skills and techniques, including the sourcing of materials for building the shrine, are passed on, he said. In the case of the LFA, new technological breakthroughs were also developed, particularly in the area of materials, and this has since been incorporated into other vehicles.

The choice of transmission isn’t so straightforward these days as modern automatics are shifting much quicker than before and are just as fuel-efficient or even more frugal than the alternatives.
But it seems, at least among the automakers, the winner has already been decided: the conventional torque converter-based automatic.

Speaking with Top Gear in an interview published on Wednesday, Dirk Hacker, BMW M’s head of development, said the dual-clutch transmission is already dead at BMW M, and the manual is also on its way out.

“The double clutch, from BMW M’s point of view these days, it’s gone,” he said. “It’s now manual or automatic, and automatic electrified for the future.”

The advantages dual-clutch transmissions once offered over automatics, such as their lighter weight and superior shift speed, is no longer apparent. BMW M even uses an automatic in its M4 GT4 race car. But Hacker said another reason for dropping them in favor of automatics is the increased refinement of the latter, particularly in low-speed maneuvers like parking.

As for the manual, Hacker said suppliers are already starting to phase out the transmission, which will make it difficult to continue to offer one, especially given their low take-up rates.

“If you take a look around, you will see the future for manual gearbox suppliers will decrease,” he said. “So I’m not sure we will have the possibility in the future—but in the future means six, seven years in forecast.”

There’s also the issue of cars switching to electrified powertrains and adopting self-driving capability, two technologies where automakers tend to favor automatic transmissions over the alternatives. Because of their high torque at low revs, electric motors can make do with a single-speed transmission.

While Toyota is looking to develop a manual transmission for EVs, Hacker told Top Gear that BMW M won’t go down that route.

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Given those comments, the latest M2 with its standard 6-speed manual will likely be BMW M’s last manual-equipped car.

Hyundai recently increased rebates on the Ioniq 6 from $3,750 to a maximum $5,000 for the SE and SEL trim levels, CarsDirect found. The top Limited trim level gets a smaller $2,000 rebate, and unlike the rebate for lower trim levels, it’s in the form of a dealer cash incentive, which dealers can simply pocket as profit.

The $5,000 rebate effectively brings the base price of an Ioniq 6 down to $37,715. The Tesla Model 3 currently starts at $41,630. However, the base Model 3 is rated at 272 miles of range, compared to 240 miles for the base Ioniq 6 SE. The Ioniq 6 SE Long Range, with a larger battery pack, offers a 361-mile range that outdoes all current Model 3 variants.

In a first drive, Green Car Reports found the Ioniq 6 manages to stand out not just from the Model 3 and Polestar 2, but from the whole EV crossover crowd. That includes its sibling, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which has a very different design from the Ioniq 6 sedan.

The Ioniq 5 did get a price hike for 2023, although Hyundai has already worked to undercut Tesla with lease prices on Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. The Ioniq 5 also gets a $5,000 rebate this month, bringing its base price down to $37,785, according to CarsDirect. And Hyundai is among the automakers offering a $7,500 lease incentive for EVs, exploiting a tax-credit loophole to offer a substitute for vehicles that don’t qualify for a federal tax credit.

Back on the purchase side, whether or not the Ioniq 6 undercuts the Model 3 of course depends on whether you factor in the EV tax credit. As of earlier this month, the entire Model 3 lineup is eligible for the full $7,500.

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Leasing and purchasing aren’t the only alternatives. Hyundai revealed revamped subscription plans earlier this year, with rates starting at $699 a month.

Regenerative braking allows drivers to decelerate (and momentarily charge the battery) without using the brake pedal, which can also mean that it is inconsistent with brake lights, CR found in a test of EVs from Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, and Mercedes-Benz.

Part of the problem is that when relying on stronger regenerative braking, otherwise known as one-pedal driving, drivers often keep light pressure on the accelerator pedal to smooth the transition between acceleration and deceleration, CR found. And some EVs won’t illuminate their brake lights unless the driver takes their foot completely off the accelerator.

Federal regulations also don’t cover brake-light use with regenerative braking. As CR notes, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, which covers brake lights, states that they must be activated upon application of the service brakes (i.e. the friction brakes), but does not require brake lights to be activated when the service brakes aren’t in use. It does not prohibit use of brake lights when the vehicle decelerates by other means, but it doesn’t require that either.

CR first noticed this issue in 2014 with a BMW i3 test car, but it cropped up again during tests of more recent EVs. Testers found that a 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 could be brought to a “near-complete stop” without the brake lights turning on, as long as the driver kept slight pressure on the accelerator pedal.

Testers saw the same results in EVs from other Hyundai-owned brands, including a 2023 Genesis GV60 and Electrified GV70, a 2022 Kia EV6, and a 2023 Kia Niro EV. Both the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 have comparable regenerative braking behavior—although they’re styled very differently. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 doesn’t appear to have exhibited the same behavior.

Mercedes-Benz EQ models in Strong Recuperation mode (the highest level of regeneration) exhibited even odder behavior. As speed dropped to about 5 mph and the rate of deceleration decreased to provide a smoother stop, testers found that brake lights turned off, illuminating again after about 15 seconds. A Mercedes spokesperson quoted in the CR report said the brake lights in question complied with regulations, noting that lights aren’t required while the vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal is not depressed.

Functional regenerative braking was first used back in the 1960s in the American Motors Amitron, but didn’t become commonly used until hybrids and EVs became mainstream. Automakers still have different views on regenerative braking, with some opting out of strong regen, underscoring that it is less efficient than coasting in some situations and invites uneven driving.

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Tesla vehicles never had extreme regenerative braking earlier on, and the BMW i3 was the first model Green Car Reports encountered with very aggressive regen that meant you could drive long distances without touching the brake pedal. That approach likely won’t go away. Automakers have even considered a future in which friction pads might be eliminated entirely.

Key among the updates is a revised dash sporting an 11.4-inch floating screen in the center stack that takes over for many of the physical controls on the current model.

To make up for the lack of buttons, the designers have added permanent sidebars to the screen with controls for popular features like the climate, seating, and audio settings, as well as navigation. According to JLR (formerly Jaguar Land Rover), around 90% of tasks can be accessed within two taps from the home screen. Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay are also on offer for drivers that prefer those systems.

The steering wheel is also a new design and features some physical controls for various functions, and voice activation can also be used to control some functions. The gear lever is also a new design. It’s smaller and more refined than before, and adds to the uncluttered look of the cabin.

Some of the changes should feature in an updated version of the related Range Rover Evoque, prototypes for which have been spotted testing.

Continuing to be available on the 2024 Discovery Sport is the option of seven seats instead of the standard five-seat setup. A panoramic glass roof is also available and helps add a sense of space to the cabin.

On the outside, the 2024 Discovery Sport features new details, depending on the grade. The Discovery Sport S features body-colored rocker panels and a unique grille with a gloss-black finish. And Dynamic models further dial things up with features like a contrast roof color, gloss-black accents, and unique wheel patterns ranging up to 21 inches in diameter.

For the U.S. market, the 2024 Discovery Sport is offered exclusively with a 2.0-liter turbo-4 mated to a 9-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. Peak output is 246 hp, which according to JLR is enough for 0-60 mph acceleration in around 7.5 seconds.

Pricing starts at $50,075 for the base Discovery Sport S with five seats. Adding a third row bumps the starting price to $51,795. The better-equipped Sport Dynamic SE starts at $54,275. All figures include a $1,175 destination charge.

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The current Discovery Sport arrived for the 2017 model year and was given a major update for 2020. When the crossover is finally redesigned in the years ahead, it is likely to move to electric powertrains exclusively.

Did you know that a staggering 78.5% of cars on American roads today stick to the tried-and-true grayscale palette? But fear not, fellow car enthusiasts, as we unveil a collection of the most captivating and unconventional car colors available this year.

BMW leads the pack with an exceptional range of frosted car colors, boasting a staggering choice of over 165 unique shades. These colors offer breathtaking variations within each hue, giving you the freedom to express your personality like never before.

If you're a Jeep lover, prepare to be delighted by their wild variety of factory colors. From the eye-catching Firecracker Red to the immensely popular High Velocity, Jeep offers a diverse palette to suit every taste. And if you're feeling particularly daring, take inspiration from car designer Ralph Gillies and Wrangler designer Mark Allen, who might have drawn inspiration from a fire truck to create a distinctive red and white combination.

Nissan's Z Seiran Blue and Passion Red have been long-time fan favorites, but their Ikazuchi Yellow truly breaks tradition. This vibrant shade is bound to make a statement wherever you go.

Toyota and Alfa Romeo, on the other hand, bring their unique offerings to the table. Toyota highlights the striking Solar Octane, a color that exudes energy and style. Meanwhile, Alfa presents Verde, an Italian-inspired green hue that is both sophisticated and environmentally conscious.

Alfa Romeo is renowned for their signature red, but they also boast a stunning yellow shade called Ocra. And if you are seeking something truly exclusive, look no further than Rolls Royce. The luxury brand offers a custom program where they can match the color of virtually anything and expertly apply it to your car. In fact, one woman even had her Rolls Royce painted to match the color of her favorite stained cleaning gloves!

So there you have it, the most captivating car colors for 2023. Which one will you choose to make a bold statement on the roads? Let your imagination run wild and unleash your true colors!

The 2024 Lexus GX represents the pinnacle of elegance, off-road capability, and luxurious quality for which the brand is renowned. Redesigned from the ground up, the GX embraces its 20-year heritage in the Sport Utility Segment, redefining it as a Sophisticated Utility Vehicle. Prepare to be inspired as you embark on your travels, conquer unpaved terrains, and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature while indulging in the joy of driving.

Despite its remarkable enhancements, the 2024 GX remains surprisingly affordable. With an expected starting price of around $60,000, the GX offers incredible value. The most rugged Overtrail models may stretch close to $80,000, but the investment is guaranteed to be worth every penny.

Under the hood, the GX boasts a standard twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 engine, packing a punch with 349 horsepower, surpassing its predecessor's V-8 power. Combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, the GX ensures a thrilling and dynamic performance. Keep an eye out for the future addition of a hybrid powertrain to further enhance efficiency and eco-friendliness.

Joining the GX in the lineup, the 2024 Lexus TX introduces a new era of serenity, comfort, and exhilaration. Designed to accommodate up to seven passengers, the TX offers a tranquil interior space, a generous luggage compartment, and an array of cutting-edge safety and technology features.

The TX lineup offers three distinct options to cater to different preferences. The TX350 models have a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing an impressive 275 horsepower. Moving up the range, the TX500h F Sport Performance features a hybrid-assist system, boosting horsepower to 366, while the range-topping TX550h+ utilizes a 3.5-liter V-6 engine combined with a plug-in hybrid system, delivering an astonishing 406 horsepower.

Enthusiasts can anticipate the arrival of the 2024 GX in early 2024, followed by the release of the TX later this year. These extraordinary vehicles embody Lexus's commitment to pushing boundaries, providing the perfect blend of adventure, luxury, and unrivaled performance.

Prepare to embark on a new era of SUV excellence with Lexus. Stay tuned for updates and be ready to experience the future of automotive innovation.

Replacing all current ride-hailing vehicles with EVs would eliminate tailpipe emissions, but the overall benefit to society would still be slight—just 3% per trip on average—according to the study, which was published June 1 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

That’s due to other social costs associated with ride-hailing beyond emissions, including “increased traffic congestion, collision risk and noise due to Uber and Lyft drivers traveling to and from fast-charging stations,” a University of Michigan press release announcing the study results said.

Those results are based on modeling of more than a million Uber and Lyft trips using data collected from the Chicago area from 2019 to 2022. The models included trips taken on weekdays, weekends, and during different seasons, as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic, the time immediately before it, and after the widespread rollout of vaccines. Researchers said Chicago averaged roughly 300,000 daily trips prior to the pandemic, making it one of the largest ride-hailing markets in the country.

Researchers estimate that all-electric ride-hailing would reduce lifetime greenhouse gas emissions 40%-45%, but health impacts from local air pollution would increase 6%-11% per trip due to higher concentrations of pollution from fossil fuel power plants generating the electricity to charge the electric fleet.

Just getting to chargers could pose a problem as well. Researchers noted that, with fewer fast-charging stations than gas stations, drivers will have to take longer trips, resulting in extra driving that increases “traffic-related harms to society,” like congestion, crash risks, and noise, by 2-3% per trip.

This study reads essentially like a different version of the “deadhead miles” that are already an issue for ride-hailing, in which drivers still need to travel to the start of trips and from the end of them. It also appears to build on findings from Carnegie Mellon University researchers in 2021 suggesting that Uber and Lyft use leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion versus driving yourself.

Not all studies agree on strategy though. A UC Davis study found that EVs put to use in ride hailing delivered more carbon benefits than personal use. That may align with the idea that EV policy could go further were it targeted at so-called “gasoline superusers,” targeting drivers who use the most fossil fuels.

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Rivals Uber and Lyft both announced plans for all-electric ride-hailing in 2020, giving each company a decade to achieve the goal. In 2021 Hertz began offering Tesla Model 3 rentals to Uber drivers, while Ford this month announced flexible EV leases for Uber drivers.

While there is not a simple answer, we have the important information to help you better understand the electric vehicle charging process and how long you can expect it to take, depending on your specific situation.

Factors That Affect EV Charging Time

Aside from the obvious factors that can impact how long it takes your car to charge, like your electric car battery size and charging equipment, there are additional factors that impact how long it takes your car to charge. These factors include:  

• Your battery’s state of charge: You likely won’t be charging your vehicle from zero percent, so it depends on the starting level of charge your battery has. Some might choose to charge their vehicle every day, while others may wait a few days until their battery is close to empty. 
• Your car’s maximum charging rate: Each vehicle has a maximum charge rate that determines how much charge your vehicle can accept in a given timeframe.
• The charging rate of your charging station: Just like your car has a maximum charging rate, so does every charging station. Your charging time will depend on the maximum charging rate of the charging station you are using to charge your battery.  
• The temperature: Just like traditional car batteries deplete faster in extreme hot and cold weather, extreme temperatures can slow a vehicle’s charging speed. 

Types of Electric Car Chargers

There are three levels of charging equipment available to use for home and public electric car charging. It’s important to note it takes the same amount of time for an EV battery to charge from 80 percent to 100 percent as it does to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent. This is because fully charging to 100 percent can be harder on the battery, and packing in that last 10-20 percent of battery capacity always takes longer. However, there may be instances where you want to charge your battery to 100 percent, such as just before a long road trip.

Level 1:

The most basic way to charge a plug-in or electric vehicle is with home charging equipment. All plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) come with a 110-volt or Level 1, home charging kit that enables your vehicle to plug into a standard wall outlet with an adapter. This method doesn’t require modifying your house’s electrical system in any way, but it only provides three to five miles of range per hour of charging. This can be adequate for plug-ins, but if you want to maximize your vehicle’s all-electric range, it’s not very efficient. To put this charging rate into perspective, it would take 20-40 hours to charge a Tesla Model S, depending on its battery capacity and range. A Hyundai IONIQ 5 would take up to 43 hours. 

Level 2:

Next is the Level 2, 240-volt charger, which can provide between 12 and 60 miles of range per hour. This level of charging is also what’s found in most public charging stations like Chargepoint, and can also be installed in the home by a professional electrician using either a 40 or 50 amp circuit, similar to electric home dryers. Installation can cost between $500 and $2,000. The cost for home installation is determined by multiple factors, and some local tax incentives and rebates can help offset this cost, so be sure to research what home charger incentives exist in your area.

A Chevrolet Bolt with 259 miles of range will take about 9.5 hours to charge from zero to 100 percent full on a level 2 home charging system. 

Level 3: DC Fast Charging

Level 3 chargers, also known as DC fast charging or DCFC chargers, provide the quickest way to charge your vehicle. These charging devices use direct current (DC) energy, and require special plugs to connect. Most modern EVs, like the 2022 Nissan LEAF now have standard quick charge ports that enable fast charging. However, many older electric cars may not support fast chargers, which is important to keep in mind if you are looking for a used electric vehicle.

DC fast charging stations are mainly available as public charging stations because they are too powerful and expensive to install in most homes. 

A level 3 DC fast charging station can get an electric vehicle’s battery from around 10 percent to around 80 percent of capacity in 20-30 minutes, which makes them ideal for charging during road trips. Using one of these EV chargers is the closest thing to filling up at a gas station. Their output is typically between 20 and 50kW, which allows for the equivalent of 3-20 miles per minute of charging time. These charging stations are most commonly found along major highways at conventional gas stations and shopping centers. They are becoming more prevalent as EV adoption grows, but they remain rare across large swaths of the country. This means a long road trip that doesn’t involve major freeways will have few, if any, fast-charging options.

Tesla has its own fast charging network, which are known as Tesla Superchargers. Tesla Superchargers use a proprietary connecter unique to Tesla vehicles on its charging stations, but owners of other vehicles can use these chargers with a CHAdeMO or CCS adapter.

It’s also worth noting that these charging stations are more expensive than level 2 charging stations Most public charging stations charge by the kilowatt-hour (kWh), a measure of the amount of energy transferred to the car’s battery pack. However, some public chargers are free, so it’s worth doing research to see if there are any free public chargers in your area.  

Maintaining Your Battery: the 80 Percent Rule

In order to prolong the life of your battery, it is recommended that you don’t charge it beyond 80 percent. This is because high voltages can accelerate battery degradation. These batteries operate at peak performance when they are in the mid-range of their charging cycle. In fact, most electric cars have a mechanism that stops the battery from charging beyond 80 percent. Not exceeding 80 percent of your battery's charge will help prolong your car battery’s lifespan.

Electric Car Charging Time: By Car and Charger Type

Here is how fast you can expect to charge some common EVs by vehicle and charger type:

Tesla Model 3: 310-mile range

• Level 1 Home Charging: If you are charging your Model 3 with a standard home outlet, it will take between 24-36 hours to go from empty to a full charge. 
• Level 2 Charging: It will take roughly 9.5 hours to fully charge your Model 3 with the Tesla Wall Connector.
• Level 3 Tesla Supercharger: A DC fast charger can get a Model 3 to full charge in 15-25 minutes.

Chevrolet Bolt EV: 259-mile range

• Level 1 Home Charging: A standard wall outlet allows for about 48 miles of charge in 12 hours. That means it would take 63 hours to fully-charge a Volt.
• Level 2 Charging: With a Level 2 charger, it will take about 9.5 hours to fully charge.
• Level 3 DC Fast Charger: A DC fast charger provides 200 miles of range in an hour, which means it reaches 80 percent of battery capacity in that time. The charging time of the Bolt slows down when the battery becomes almost full, so it takes nearly two hours to fully charge a Volt with a fast charger.

Nissan LEAF: 226-mile range

• Level 1 Home Charging: A standard wall outlet provides five miles of charge per hour. For a LEAF Plus with a 226-mile range, it would take 45 hours to charge, which is nearly two full days.
• Level 2 Charging: It will take 11.5 hours for a Nissan LEAF to reach a full charge with a Level 2 charger.
• Level 3 Fast Charging: It takes 40-60 minutes to fully charge a Nissan LEAF with a DC fast charger.

The Bottom Line:

While there is no magic number when it comes to EV charging times, EV drivers have multiple options when it comes to charging your vehicle. For the typical driver, most charging is done at home. However, many city or apartment dwellers do not have access to residential charging and are reliant on public charging stations. There are many apps available that can notify drivers where public charging stations are, including ChargePoint and PlugShare. It’s also worth noting that some public level 2 charging stations allow for faster charging times than standard home charging stations, but they likely charge more than what you pay for your standard electric rate. As a rule of thumb, using Level 2 charging equipment will allow you to get your battery near full overnight, while standard Level 1 charging equipment will take multiple days. If you use a DC fast charger, you can charge your vehicle to 80 percent in an hour or less.

More from iSeeCars:

• Best Electric Cars
• Electric Cars with the Longest Range
• Cheapest Electric Cars

If you’re in the market for a new or used electric vehicle you can search over 4 million used electric cars, SUVs, and trucks with iSeeCars’ award-winning car search engine that helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, like the iSeeCars free VIN check report and Best Cars rankings. Filter by vehicle type, front or all-wheel drive, and other parameters in order to narrow down your car search.

This article, How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?, originally appeared on iSeeCars.com. 

How do you buy a car out of state, and is it worth the hassle? We have the important answers to help you navigate the process of purchasing a car in a different state from a dealer or private seller.

Why Should You Consider Buying a Car Out of State?

Similar to used car pricing, new-vehicle pricing may also vary across state lines. Manufacturer incentives can vary regionally, so you may find a better new car deal in a different state. Additionally, if you want a specific in-demand model or trim, it may only be in stock in another state. The same goes for classic or antique cars.

Just as pricing can vary by state, some cars are in higher supply in different states. For example, some electric vehicles are only released in certain states that have adopted a Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program. There may also be a higher inventory of used hybrids and electric vehicles in these states, increasing the likelihood of finding a good deal. 

Vehicle popularity can also vary from one state to another. For example, four-wheel drive isn’t necessary in Southern states with temperate climates, so you may find a better deal on an all-weather vehicle in one of those states compared to the Northeast. Conversely, you may be able to find a better deal on a convertible in a state with a harsher climate, as they are in lower demand.

Lastly, buying a car from a neighboring state presents fewer obstacles than buying one across the country. When determining vehicle savings, be sure to take travel and lodging costs into account. Also, you may get to the dealership and realize the car isn’t for you after inspecting it. If you are travelling a great distance to look at a used car, make sure you do your diligence to ensure it’s worth the trip.

How to Buy a Car Out of State

Now that we’ve covered why it can make sense to buy a car out of state, here are the important steps you should follow:

Get a Vehicle History Report

If you’re buying a used car, you should always ask for a vehicle history report, whether buying in your home state or across a state line. A history report such as CARFAX or AutoCheck will detail information about the previous owner and any problems the car had (such as accidents, recalls, etc.) while in the other state. It will also provide the correct odometer reading. Understanding a used vehicle’s history will help shoppers determine the condition of the vehicle when deciding if it’s a smart purchase. 

Online research tools like the iSeeCars free VIN check can provide a free CARFAX or AutoCheck report as part of its comprehensive VIN check tool. The iSeeCars VIN check report will supplement the vehicle history report with additional, important information a shopper should know before making a used car purchase. Simply enter the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the iSeeCars VIN check tool to access the comprehensive analysis.  

Get a Vehicle Inspection 

This is another important step in buying any used car. You should arrange for a vehicle inspection by an independent local mechanic that you select and pay for. You can take the car to a mechanic during your test drive. (Check out our What to Look For When Buying a Used Car for more tips on making the most of your test drive.) This will provide assurance that the car is mechanically sound and has good fit and finish. The extra cost of a mechanical inspection is a good investment compared to the aggravation and hassle of figuring out what to do with a problematic car you didn’t see coming before you bought it.

As part of the inspection, you should ask if it meets the emissions standards of your home state. 

Be aware that some states have stricter emissions requirements than others.  

Pay the Correct Sales Tax

If you buy a car from a dealer in a different state, the dealer will typically collect your sales tax and send it to your state’s tax collector. Dealers likely collect the amount required for the state of the dealership, so you will have to pay the difference if your home state’s taxes are higher. When the  Department of Motor Vehicles in your state registers your new vehicle, they will likely check the bill of sale to make sure you paid the correct sales tax. Make sure you have your bill of sale when you register at your local DMV. Keep in mind that sales tax is collected for the state of residence, so buying a car in a state with a lower sales tax won’t provide you with tax savings.

How to Drive the Car Home

The dealer or seller will sign the title over to you and give you a temporary registration tag so you can drive the vehicle to your home state. If you buy from a private party, you’ll receive a signed title and a bill of sale that proves that you are the current owner. Because you won’t have a license plate on the car, you could be stopped by law enforcement on the way home. Show them your ID, and the title and bill of sale for the car. Some states will allow you to drive an unregistered car for a few days with a temporary trip permit, which will cover you until you can get the car registered. Be sure to check the rules in your state to determine the best course of action.

Get a State Inspection

In most states, an emissions test or smog test is required in order to get a car registered. You may have to do odometer and safety testing as well. Be sure to check your state DMV website to see what is required.

Register the Car

You will have a certain number of days to register the car at your local DMV. Upon registration, you will receive a license plate and a new title in your home state. In order to get your car registered, you will need the out-of-state title, proper identification, proof of address, and proof of insurance.

If the vehicle has a salvage title or another branded title, make sure you understand your state’s requirements before you finalize the vehicle purchase.

Get Car Insurance

Make sure the car is insured. Never attempt to drive the out-of-state car home without first calling your insurance company and having it insured. Accidents do happen and you don’t want to take the chance of being uncovered. Generally speaking, it will just be a matter of providing your insurance agent with the car’s year, make, model and VIN (vehicle identification number). The whole process takes minutes and can be handled while you’re at the dealership, waiting for the sales paperwork to be processed.

Some insurance companies cover new vehicle purchases for a grace period before you add the car to your policy. However, if you’re financing the vehicle, your lender may require you to have specific insurance coverage in place before the loan can be issued. And some states will require dealers to verify vehicle insurance as part of the purchase process.

Bottom Line:

Buying a new or used vehicle is a complicated process, and buying a vehicle in a different state can add another layer of complication. However, it can be worth the savings if you’re willing to take the extra steps.  

More from iSeeCars:

• How to Buy a Used Car
• How Many Miles Should a Used Car Have?
• How to Negotiate the Best Car Price

If you’re ready to start the car buying process, you can search over 4 million new and used cars with the iSeeCars.com car search engine that helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, like the iSeeCars free VIN check and Best Cars Rankings.

This article, Buying a Car Out of State: What You Should Know, originally appeared on iSeeCars.com

Used vehicles can be diamonds in the rough, nightmares on wheels, or something in between. Knowing what to look for when buying a used car can go a long way toward understanding a car’s condition, and help you make a smart purchase decision. 

Whether you’re buying from a dealership or a private party, here’s our comprehensive guide on what you should look for the next time you’re shopping for a used car.  

Look for Accident Damage

We get it - everybody gets in a fender-bender now and then. But that doesn’t mean you want a previous owner’s poorly repaired car that previously doubled as a battering ram. Luckily, there are a few telltale signs of accident repair that can be easy to spot if you know what to look for. 

The quality of the paint job is the first thing to inspect and is usually the easiest way to determine whether a car has been in some sort of collision. Look first to see if the coloring on one body panel is different in shading or tone than the rest of the car. If a fender looks lighter or darker than the rest of the car, there are very good odds it was repainted at some point or another.

Panel gaps can also be suggestive of accident repair. The average auto body shop likely won’t reassemble a damaged car to the exacting standards of the factory. This can be for a number of reasons: ill-fitting aftermarket parts, employee skill levels and time constraints, or structural ripple effects from the accident. But the end result will be the same: non-uniform panel gaps.

Look particularly close at the four corners of the car as well as the front and rear fascias - all common places for an accident to occur. Run your hand along the small gaps between the panels. Does it widen or narrow considerably? Is there anywhere you can stick your finger between two body panels? Do panels improperly align when they come to a junction?

Any suspicions of prior accident damage can often be confirmed by getting a vehicle history report. These comprehensive reports use the vehicle identification number (commonly referred to as the VIN) and should disclose any incidents that would have triggered insurance involvement. CARFAX is the best known purveyor of vehicle reports, but there’s plenty of other options as well such as Autocheck. You can learn about the differences between Autocheck Vs. CARFAX with our handy guide.

So how do you obtain a vehicle history report? Used car listings on iSeeCars.com include a free VIN check, which often links to a free CARFAX or Autocheck report when provided by the dealer. The VIN check will also provide you with important information about the car to complement the CARFAX report, such as listing history, pricing analysis, and projected depreciation. 

Ask for Service Records

Along with a vehicle history report, ask about service records as well. Many fastidious owners keep receipts of all the maintenance records for services they may have performed on the car. This is the best way to ascertain what sort of mechanical condition the car is in.

Some service history may be found on a vehicle history report, but these reports typically only include work that was performed by a dealership and not by an independent mechanic. 

Inspect the Tires 

After you’ve taken a good look at the paint job and body, inspect the tires. You ideally want to see four matching tires. If it’s wearing multiple different kinds of tires, the different tread designs and asynchronous treadwear mean handling will be compromised, as will inclement-weather performance. A car drives best when equipped with one type of tire all the way around. 

Another thing to look out for with tires is tread depth. Tires wear out as you drive on them. As they wear, the tread recedes. Keep running them long enough and you’ll eventually get bald tires - the term for tires that have no tread left. And when there’s no tread, there’s nothing gripping the road, which can be a severe safety hazard. Be sure to inspect the tires for good tread depth.

Evaluate the Interior

Inside, evaluate the interior. Inspect stitching, door pulls, and the lower plastics on the doors for scuffs, looseness, and general wear. Take a look at the upholstery for excessive cracks and tears. Make sure all the electrical features work - mirrors, windows, reading lamps, and whatever other gadgets the car might be equipped with. Run the air conditioning and make sure it’s cold, and do the same with the heat to verify it’s warm. 

Remember that some wear is guaranteed; unless you’ve stumbled on a used car worthy to be a museum specimen, expect to find imperfections. But there’s no need to buy a car that shows signs of excessive wear and tear when there are plenty of other options out there. Find a car that looks like it was treated in the same manner that you intend to treat it.

Beware of Water Damage

Water damaged cars from a flood or even as a result of leaving windows or the sunroof open can pose a significant safety risk because water corrodes mechanical parts and can hinder important safety features like airbags and antilock brakes. While water damage may not be immediately obvious during a visual inspection, there are telltale signs if you know what to look for.

Along with a visual interior inspection, you should also perform an inspection with your nose. If the inside smells moist or like mildew, it could mean that there is water damage or leaks. Also beware of excessive car deodorizer, which can be an attempt to mask the smell. 

Another indicator is new interior fabric or upholstery that is in far better condition than the rest of the vehicle. If the interior was replaced, the chances are good that water damage may have been the culprit. Be sure to pull back carpeting and look under floor mats for signs of staining.

Lastly, inspect vehicle lights to see if there are any visible water lines or if they appear foggy.  

Check for Rust

Rust under the car can be another indicator of water damage, but it can also appear if a car was regularly exposed to harsh weather. Rust can be a sign of serious bodywork issues down the line. Rust negatively impacts the price of the car and most often appears around the wheel wells, at fastening points (wherever screws or bolts go through the panels), and underneath the vehicle at frame mounting points and around fasteners and connection points on the chassis.

Visually inspect for rust as best you can. 

A professional mechanic should look more closely if the car passes your initial inspection. On a car’s body, rust is repairable but can be expensive if you aren’t a do-it-yourself bodywork expert. Rust on the working parts of an automobile can be a sign of serious issues coming soon, and it's a good reason to pass on the vehicle's purchase.

Delve Under the Hood

It might not be so important when buying a new car, but when you’re shopping for a used car it’s critical you pop the hood and take a look at the engine. Even if you don’t know an air filter from an air balloon, there are some universal red flags to keep an eye out for - and if you can spot them you’ll be saving yourself from unwanted expense and heartache.

The easiest place to start is with the fluid levels in all the reservoirs. When you’re poking around the engine bay you’ll see power steering fluid, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant. It’s no big deal if the wiper fluid is looking low, but all the others should read between the designated full/add marks clearly labeled on each reservoir, or on the dipstick in the case of engine oil. 

Like the oil, the transmission fluid has its own dipstick (on automatic transmission models). Trans fluid can vary in color, but it's usually red or green. It should be clean and at the correct level, according to the dipstick marks. More importantly, it should not smell burnt or metallic. Transmission fluid with questionable quality (dirty, of mixed color) or smelling burnt is reason to believe that expensive transmission problems are coming. The transmission dipstick is located under the hood in the engine compartment. It’s typically clearly marked with a transmission symbol or with a specific color.

Don’t be afraid to pull the dipstick and double check the oil. Good oil has a golden brown color and it should be within the hashes, holes, or crosshatches that all might mark the acceptable range of oil. If you get a dry dipstick, oil that looks milky-white, or a dipstick encased in sludge, don’t walk away - run. 

And an easy thing to forget but certainly worth doing is looking under the car for leaks. If you see any puddles that aren’t water from condensation near the air conditioning system, move on.

Are There Any Open Recalls?

While recalls are not that uncommon, it’s important you make sure that any recalls on the vehicle you’re looking at have been handled properly. If the seller doesn’t know, steer clear of this car. It could have untended safety recalls that could put you at risk. The iSeeCars VIN check includes a Free Recall Check that links to the NHTSA database and will identify if there is an open recall for any new or used cars. It also includes information about all past recalls that affected the vehicle. Along with presenting a safety hazard, unresolved recalls can result in a failed vehicle inspection. If a vehicle has an open recall, ask the dealership to address the recall notice, which will likely involve recall repairs. 

Take a Test Drive

So you’ve done a thorough walk-around and the car looks good. Now it’s on to the most important aspect of the used-car buying process: the test drive.

It’s tempting to blast the radio and roll the windows down as if you’ve already signed the paperwork, but the test drive process needs to be approached more judiciously if you’re to learn whether the car is hiding any ugly secrets. To that end, there are a few good strategies to use that will help sniff out any trouble lurking behind a pretty paint job.

The first thing you want to do is start the car with the windows up and the climate control and radio turned off. Listen to the idle and look at the tachometer. Is the car idling smooth? Did it start right away? Are they any noises that seem suspect? Unless it’s very cold out, a good car will start quickly and promptly settle into an even idle, indicated by the tachometer needle hovering consistently at an appropriate increment. 

You can also ask the seller to start the car for you as you stand outside and look closely at the exhaust pipe as it starts. A quick, small puff or steam or dark brown material isn’t an issue, but if white or blue smoke is emitted for more than a second or two it could indicate unwanted engine wear or other problems. Analyzing a car’s exhaust pipe and overall engine smoothness is particularly telling during a “cold start” (meaning after the car has sat for at least 12 hours without the engine running).

Once it’s idling without issue, double check the instrument cluster for any illuminated warning lights. You don’t want to see any lights on the dash other than the indicators for things like lights and drive modes. 

Now get on the road. If the location allows for it you’ll want to drive on a mix of roads, from twisty narrow streets to the straight and open interstates. See how the car handles and reacts at various speeds and conditions. You’ll want to make note of any strange noises or erratic behaviors. Ensure the transmission shifts fine through all gears. If you hear the engine’s RPM get higher, but it doesn’t shift right away, it can be a warning sign for transmission problems. Check that features such as cylinder deactivation and start-stop are working properly, and that the brakes work well at various intensities, from a gentle slowing to a true panic stop. The pedal should provide a firm, linear feel from light to harder breaking, versus a soft or spongy feel.

​​

A mix of road conditions is also important. If the suspension is working properly the ride will be consistent on smooth roads that aren’t speckled with cracks, frost heaves, potholes, or sewer caps. The real test happens on the ugly roads, the ones pockmarked with the ravages of old age and temperature swings. Driving over rough pavement will clearly expose any suspension issues.

Specifically, listen for a loud banging over bumps - that could be bad shocks or struts failing to dampen the impact. Vibrations at certain speeds - felt through either the seat or steering wheel - could be indicative of steering, alignment, or wheel bearing issues. If the steering wheel pulls in one direction or feels loose there could be issues with alignment or some of the steering components. 

Pull into an empty parking lot and do some tight figure eights to further evaluate the condition of the steering and suspension systems. Even with the steering wheel cranked all the way to one side there shouldn’t be any noises or thumps - everything should function normally. Be sure to go full lock on the steering wheel in both directions (when idling with the car stationary or at a speed below 5 mph).

Even if it is a used car, you still expect it to handle nimbly, brake confidently, accelerate strongly, shift well, and provide a smooth ride. A thorough test drive across many conditions on different roads can offer insight into all of these factors. It might sound like a lot to look for, but such an evaluation shouldn’t take more than thirty minutes or so. 

Remember to do all this with the windows up, the radio silenced, and the climate control off or otherwise programmed for a low, unobtrusive setting. You want to hear nothing but the car itself. Of course you should also put the climate control system through its paces after you’ve kept it off to listen for car noises. Make the fan speeds up and down when you change that control, and ensure the air blows both cold and hot when changing the temperature setting.

Final Thoughts

Buying a used car can be a daunting prospect. It is, after all, one of the most expensive things you’ll ever buy. But if you’re armed with the right information and do your due diligence, there’s no reason to feel pressured or intimidated by an enthusiastic salesperson or pushy car dealership. Read - and reread - all the points listed above. Be smart and objective. And most of all be ready to walk away if you see anything that raises your eyebrows. 

If everything checks out, gain further peace of mind by having a trusted mechanic conduct a pre-purchase inspection on any car you’re tempted to pull the trigger on. Paying a professional $50 or $100 to mechanically look over your potential purchase might save you from bringing home a costly money pit.

Keep all these car-buying tips handy the next time you’re car shopping and you’ll be driving home the perfect new-to-you used car in no time at all.

Check out our other handy resources to help you with your used car search:

• How to Buy a Used Car
• New Vs. Used Car Buying
• How to Negotiate the Best Used Car Price

If you’re in the market for a new or used electric vehicle you can search over 4 million used electric cars, SUVs, and trucks with iSeeCars’ award-winning car search engine that helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, like the iSeeCars free VIN check report and Best Cars rankings. Filter by vehicle type, front or all-wheel drive, and other parameters in order to narrow down your car search.

This article, What to Look For When Buying a Used Car, originally appeared on iSeeCars.com.

Drive Pilot was approved by Nevada at the start of the year, and more states are likely to approve the system in the months and years ahead. It was first launched in Mercedes’ home market of Germany in 2022.

Drive Pilot, which ranks at Level 3 on the SAE scale of self-driving capability, is designed to function in dense traffic on pre-mapped stretches of highway but only at speeds of up to 40 mph. Mercedes wants to increase the speed in which the system functions to 80 mph, eventually.

A Level 3 car allows for hands-off, eyes-off operation in certain situations, but is still far short of true autonomous driving as the driver still needs to be ready to take back control at any time, after being prompted with a warning. Level 4 is the first level where a car can handle itself for extended periods without intervention from a driver. All other systems currently available for public purchase rank at Level 2, as they require constant monitoring from the driver.

Drive Pilot relies on multiple sensors around the car, including lidar, and is engaged by buttons on the steering wheel. These buttons light up when the car encounters conditions where the system is available for use. If the driver fails to take control once the required conditions are no longer met, the system will slow the car to a stop, turn on the hazard lights, unlock the doors, and activate its emergency call system.

Volvo is developing a similar system known as Ride Pilot, which the automaker wants to launch in California first before expanding it to other markets. Volvo hasn’t said in what conditions Ride Pilot will function.

Honda has been offering a Level 3 system for highways in Japan since 2021, though the system is severely limited in the conditions in which it will function, particularly its speed band.

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The first cars to feature Drive Pilot in the U.S. will be the 2024 S-Class sedan and 2024 EQS electric hatch, which will be available from the third quarter of the year.

On Friday, Tesla fans noted that, when building a base Model 3, Tesla then indicated that it was eligible for a $7,500 credit. At that time, the EPA FuelEconomy.gov list of qualified vehicles indicated that model and some of the lineup was only eligible for $3,750, and Green Car Reports reached out to the EPA for comment.

As of Tuesday, with no further confirmation from EPA, the site was updated to indicate that the entire Model 3 lineup is now eligible for the full amount.

When the federal government initially listed qualified vehicles in April, only those getting the Model 3 Performance could claim the full $7,500. But now the entire lineup is eligible, according to FuelEconomy.gov. That lineup includes the base rear-wheel-drive Model 3 and all-wheel-drive Model 3 Performance and Model 3 Long Range.

This isn’t the only adjustment made to the list of qualified vehicles since it was first announced. Just a few days after that list was released, Volkswagen confirmed that all 2023 ID.4 models qualify for the full $7,500 credit. A shift to local assembly of U.S.-market vehicles, as well as local battery sourcing, allow that.

The base Model 3 currently starts at $41,630 before the credit, so this gives it an effective price below $35,000 if buyers qualify on household income restrictions.

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In order to be able to claim the full amount on the base Model 3, with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, Tesla must have changed sourcing of LFP cells to a U.S. trade partner—not China. Currently LFP cells for EVs aren’t made in the U.S. at any scale, but a Michigan plant making them is key to Ford’s plans for EV affordability.

The recall encompasses 142,734 Lincoln MKCs from the 2015-2019 model year. Related to the Ford Escape, the Lincoln MKC existed for one generation before being rebranded as the Lincoln Corsair in 2020.

Parent company Ford is unsure what has caused the fires, but believes it originates from or near the 12-volt battery in the MKC. Specifically, the battery monitor sensor could short-circuit and overheat, triggering a fire in the engine bay.

Ford is aware of 19 instances of fire globally while the vehicle was parked and the engine shut off. The majority of those reports happened in the U.S., while seven occurred in China and one in Canada.

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Ford urges owners to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Owners can expect notification by mail as early as June 26, 2023, and will be advised to take the MKC into a Ford or Lincoln service center. An in-line fuse will be added to the battery monitor sensor power circuit, free of charge. For more info, contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or visit Lincoln’s recall page here.

According to a new Triple-A poll, 91% of Americans will travel on the roads, and 44 million of those will travel in an RV, per the RV Industry Association. With so many vacation options for consumers, why is hitting the road in an RV the choice for so many Americans?  

Since COVID-19, the RV industry has been one of Americans' fastest-growing travel and vacation choices. Compared to flying, cruises, and other forms of travel, consumers are opting for RVs because they can work from the road while vacationing. But the ease of travel and overall cost plays a major role. For example, the 2023 ​T​iffin ​Wayfarer 25 is perfect for this because of the built-in solar panels on top and Wi-Fi. Adding in the comfort of your home on the inside makes it one of the ideal ​RVs for work and comfort. 

Now more than ever before, we’re seeing young, working families opting to vacation in RVs because it allows for outdoor exploration plus the comforts of home. Three-quarters of RV owners plan to work from their RV in the coming year. Finding the freedom to travel on your own terms and controlling costs while creating lifelong memories with loved ones are some of the other key reasons why ​utilizing an RV for travel​ is growing in popularity.

Affordability is at the top of everyone's list. The Forest River R-Pod 171 is a travel trailer that you can tow behind your vehicle. For around $26,000, you get a trailer that has its own bathroom and kitchen. A family of four saves an average of up to 60% per day compared to comparable vacations that include flights, hotels, and rental vehicles.

Some RVs start under $6,000 for a small pop-up trailer and up to a million dollars for big motor coaches.

Americans also enjoy the freedom of travel. Most RV lovers will visit more than one campground during their vacation. And the convenience of having an RV allows you to move your entire belongings with you whenever you want.

New for 2024 are Tech and Sport grades that sandwich the existing Luxury grade. The Tech grade, despite being the entry-level option, still comes well-equipped with items like a 33.0-inch display integrating the instrument cluster and infotainment system, as well as wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a glass roof with a power sunshade, and 20-inch wheels all standard.

Upgrading to the Luxury grade adds a nappa leather package, front seats with cooling and massage functions, second-row heated seats, and a black-painted roof. A panoramic power-operated sunroof is available. Also available is a 19-speaker AKG Studio premium audio system.

The Sport grade builds on the Luxury by adding additional design details such as body-colored door handles, a unique front grille, and dark accents. It also has its own wheel patterns.

Five new colors are available: Argent Silver Metallic, Radiant Red Tintcoat, Celestial Metallic, Nimbus Metallic, and Emerald Lake Metallic.

The 2024 Lyriq starts from $58,590, including a $1,395 destination charge, which compares to the 2023 model’s starting price of $59,990. The starting price is for a Lyriq Tech with rear-wheel drive. Add all-wheel drive and the starting price increases to $62,090.

The Lyriq’s rear-wheel-drive powertrain consists of a single motor at the rear rated at 340 hp. The all-wheel-drive setup swaps in a dual-motor system good for 500 hp.

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All 2024 Lyriqs come with a 102-kwh battery, which Cadillac estimates will deliver a range of 308 miles with rear-wheel drive and 307 miles if all four wheels are driven. The battery supports charging at up to 190 kw using a DC fast charger, in which case Cadillac estimates about 77 miles can be added in 10 minutes.