Tag Archives: Reports

New York State To Ban Sales Of New ICE-Powered Cars And Light-Duty Trucks By 2035

September 9, 2021 admin

New York Governor Kathy Hochul last Wednesday signed into law a bill that sets a goal of making all new passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks sold in the state zero emissions by 2035. The state will then seek the same for all new medium- and heavy-duty trucks by 2045, if feasible.

“New York is implementing the nation’s most aggressive plan to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions affecting our climate and to reach our ambitious goals, we must reduce emissions from the transportation sector, currently the largest source of the state’s climate pollution,” Hochul said in a statement on Wednesday.

New York City, meanwhile, said that to meet its climate goals, it will need nearly a quarter of its 2 million vehicle owners to switch to EVs by 2030, per Reuters. To help make that goal a reality, the city vowed to install 10,000 curbside charging points by the end of the decade.

“When adopted, this new regulation will require an increasing percentage of all new trucks sold in New York [state] to be zero-emissions vehicles beginning with the 2025 model year, cementing our state as a national leader on actions to address climate change while spurring economic opportunities and helping to reduce air pollution,” said Basil Seggos, Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner.

New York joins California in setting a goal that is stricter than the federal government’s goal of making 50 percent of all new vehicles sold in America EVs by 2030. President Biden, though, has repeatedly refused to phase out all gas and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035, despite being asked to by Democrats in Congress. New York, therefore, has decided to go its own way.

“This new law and regulation mark a critical milestone in our efforts and will further advance the transition to clean electric vehicles while helping to reduce emissions in communities that have been overburdened by pollution from cars and trucks for decades,” said Hochul.

Ram Teams Up With Wolverine To Create Truck-Inspired Work Boots

September 4, 2021 admin

Fancy pants supercar manufacturers aren’t the only ones that can partner with apparel-makers to create exclusive footwear. Ram announced that it is working with Wolverine to create a series of boots for skilled workers.

The collaboration will lead to the creation of three pairs of special edition boots inspired by Ram trucks, as well as some socks, too.

The Wolverine x Ram Tradesman Safety Toe is available in two colors (white and tan) and features the Ram logo on the tongue. It costs $229. The Wolverine x Ram Rebel Safety Toe, adds another $10 to the price tag and features signature Rebel Red details and all-day comfort. It’s available in black with red detailing or in red with black and white detailing.

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The Wolverine x Ram Limited 1000 Mile Boot, finally, is handcrafted in America and features Horween leather inspired by the Limited’s ultra-premium interior. As for pricing, at $400 it is the most expensive of the three.

“We are proud to partner with Ram Truck, an industry leading brand, to honor essential workers and the excellent career opportunities the skilled trades offer,” said Tom Kennedy, global brand president for Wolverine Footwear and Apparel. “Since 2017, Wolverine has donated more than $2 million toward supporting the next generation of skilled workers, and we’re excited to be working with another brand who is equally passionate about investing in the future of the American workforce.”

Ready just in time for Labor Day, for every pre-order the boots receive Wolverine and Ram will donate an unspecified amount to SkillsUSA, a non-profit organization that works to support the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Together, the teams also created an ad honoring tradespeople.

“The unrivaled elements of the Ram Truck brand meet the style and timelessness of a classic American boot brand through the launch of our licensing collaboration with Wolverine,” said Marissa Hunter, vice president of marketing – North America for Ram. “The collection seamlessly merges the worlds of automotive and fashion, drawing inspiration from the Ram truck interior while staying true to Wolverine’s staple design elements and unwavering reliability.”

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2021 Jeep Wrangler Announced With Tuscadero Pink, Only Available Until November

August 27, 2021 admin

Not long after being previewed, Jeep has officially launched the new Tuscadero pink color for the 2021 Wrangler.

The paint job gets its name from Happy Days character Carol ‘Pinky’ Tuscadero who wore many pink outfits in the popular TV show. Interestingly, Tuscadero pink will only be available through November 2021, meaning those wanting to order a particularly striking Wrangler had better place an order before it’s too late.

All Wrangler variants can be optioned with the color that is a $395 option. That includes two- and four-door Sport, Sahara, Rubicon, 4xe, and 392 models. However, the new color can’t be paired with the off-roader’s available half-doors. There is no word on whether other Jeep models, such as the Gladiator, will be available with the same color moving forward.

Watch Also: What’s Quicker, A 2.3-Liter Ford Bronco Or A 3.6-Liter Jeep Wrangler?

This isn’t the first time that FCA/ Stellantis has offered this color. It was previously available for the 2010 Dodge Challenger when it was known as Furious Fuchsia, although the paint code was the same.

“With the Jeep brand celebrating its 80th anniversary, it’s the perfect time to launch a confident and custom color on the most iconic Jeep vehicle – both of which are designed to break the mold and stand out on the road and trails,” Jeep Brand North America chief executive Jim Morrison said. What’s unique about colors like Tuscadero is that they draw a huge enthusiast following because they’re exciting, authentic and stand out, much like the Jeep community.”

The launch of this new color comes at an exciting time for the Jeep brand with recent confirmation that its first all-electric vehicle will launch in the first half of 2023. The automaker has not specified which of its models will be the first offered in electric guise but the Wrangler is thought to be one possibility as an electric Wrangler concept was unveiled earlier this year. Other possibilities include the Compass, Renegade, and Commander, all of which are already available with plug-in hybrid powertrains.

GMC Reveals New Details About Its Other Electric Pickup, The Sierra EV

July 20, 2021 admin

GMC has high hopes for the Hummer EV, but that isn’t the brand’s only upcoming electric pickup.

Last November, GM announced the Hummer would be joined by a more mainstream GMC full-size pickup. It’s slated to be a ‘professional grade’ version of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the brand has revealed a little more about it during a media briefing.

While officials wouldn’t confirm whether or not it will be called the Sierra EV, Roadshow posted a teaser of the upcoming model and it looks quite a bit different than the Hummer EV. There isn’t much to see as the truck is covered by a sheet, but the model appears to be a single or double cab pickup with a bulging hood and a nearly vertical front fascia.

Also Read: GM Announces A Slew Of New Electric Vehicles – Including What Sounds Like An Electric Sports Car From Cadillac

Little else is known about the truck, but MotorTrend reported it won’t be a hardcore off-roader like the Hummer EV. Of course, that’s not really surprising as the Sierra EV – or whatever it’s eventually called – is slated to be more mainstream and affordable.

GMC was tight-lipped about when the truck will be launched, but GM has previously announced plans to introduce 30 EVs globally by 2025. Several “key high-volume entries” will arrive by 2023, although it remains unclear if the Sierra EV is among them. That being said, GM has previously revealed four electric GMC models have been “pulled ahead” including a pickup by 40 months.

While the Sierra EV is likely a few years off, the GMC Hummer EV is slated to be launched this fall. It will be followed by the Hummer SUV in early 2023 and it’s possible the Silverado and Sierra EVs could share their powertrain with entry-level versions of the Hummers.

If that’s the case, they could potentially have a dual motor setup producing up to 625 hp (466 kW / 634 PS). Furthermore, like the Silverado EV, we can expect a range in excess of 400 miles (644 km).

European Union Could Ban All New Combustion Engine Cars From 2035

July 12, 2021 admin

The European Union plans to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine cars from 2035.

A document viewed by Bloomberg reveals that the European Commission intends to require emissions from new cars and vans to drop by 65 per cent from 2030 and drop to zero from 2035. These standards will include rules that require national governments to bolster vehicle charging infrastructure.

Europe intends on becoming the world’s first net-zero emissions continent by 2050. Before that happens, it has set a target to cut greenhouse gases by at least 55 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030.

“There’s no way around it, reaching net zero by 2050 means phasing out combustion vehicle sales by 2035 at the latest,” head of advance transport research for BloombergNEF, Colin McKerracher, said.

Passenger cars account for about 12 per cent of total CO2 emissions in the European Union and existing fleet-wide emissions goals require a 37.5 per cent reduction from 2030. Barclays Plc believes it will be difficult for carmakers to achieve a 60 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030 even with plug-in hybrids, meaning more all-electric models will be required.

“These targets should not come as a surprise, although they clearly require an accelerated shift,” Barclays auto analyst Kai Alexander Mueller said in a statement.

“Tightening the CO2 targets this much is a huge boost for Europe’s EV market,” added McKerracher. “The steady drumbeat of European automakers upping their EV commitments recently is probably an indication that they knew much tighter targets were coming.”

Aston Martin Sues Swiss Dealer That Helped Finance The Valkyrie Project

June 23, 2021 admin

Aston Martin is suing a Swiss car dealer that it says is withholding customer deposits on the upcoming Valkyrie hypercar.

In 2016, Switzerland’s Nebula Project agreed to help finance the Aston Martin Valkyrie as well as other mid-engine projects the brand was taking on in return for future royalties from the company which was experiencing financial hardships at the time.

Now, though, Aston Martin claims that it is ending its relationship with Nebula due to the withheld payments and will take customer deposits directly without involving a third party. Moreover, it expects to take a £15 million ($20.9 million USD) hit on its profits due to the situation with Nebula, per the BBC.

Aston Martin also says that it will no longer have to pay future royalties to the Swiss company, though Reuters reports that Nebula disputes that.

“We consider Aston Martin’s alleged unilateral termination of the contractual relationship with Nebula Project AG as illegitimate and unjustified and are prepared to pursue the necessary steps to preserve our rights,” Nebula said in a statement.

Regardless, Aston Martin says that the suit will not affect customers’ orders and it will work to ensure that they receive their cars on schedule.

Powered by a mid-mounted 6.5-liter V12 engine, the hybrid Valkyrie will have 1,160 hp on tap and will be able to reach an ear-piercing 10,500 rpm. With Formula 1 technology to keep it all under control, the hypercar will also be able to generate more than 1,814 kg (4,000 lbs) of downforce. Production will be limited to just 200 examples, all of which have reportedly been sold.

This Is How Rivian Plans To Establish Itself As A Serious EV Player

May 10, 2021 admin

Rivian wants to establish itself as a serious contender within the electric vehicle space and will do so with a number of unique initiatives.

Not only has the company confirmed the R1T and R1S will be delivered with a 175,000-mile warranty for the battery pack and electric drivetrain components but it has announced that it will personally deliver new vehicles to the homes of customers where a Rivian Guide will provide buyers with a comprehensive tour of their EV. Moreover, if anyone who has purchased a R1T or R1S decides they don’t actually like it, they can return it within seven days or 1,000 miles, Car and Driver reports.

It has also been confirmed that Rivian will offer financial services for buyers and will sell its own comprehensive vehicle insurance that will also cover Rivian accessories and off-roading. While some details about Rivian Insurance remain under wraps, it works with third-party insurance carriers such as Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company for its cover. Rivian owners who use the R1T and R1S’s Driver+ Active Driving Assistance safety technology will also be able to reduce their insurance costs by earning rewards when they renew their policy.

As part of its expansion, the electric startup is going on a hiring spree and has more than 1,500 job openings, including a handful of positions in Canada and the UK. Some of these openings are as Event Team Managers that will see employees spend four months on the road across the U.S., and potentially Canada, promoting the brand’s EVs at demonstration drives.

What’s more, Car and Driver reports that Rivian employees will also be offered a 24-month, $1,000-a-month payment discount if they purchase a new R1T or R1S.

Rivian will begin delivering customer cars this summer but anyone placing a new order today will have to wait until 2022 to take delivery.

Alfa Romeo CEO Unhappy With Tonale’s PHEV Powertrain Performance, SUV Delayed By 3 Months

April 8, 2021 admin

The production-ready Alfa Romeo Tonale was supposed to be shown this fall, yet the unveiling was reportedly pushed back by three months. That’s how much time the team behind the project needs to improve the performance of the powertrain, at the request of CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato.

Peugeot’s former head honcho, who now leads Alfa Romeo into the Stellantis era, is said to have demanded “better performance” from the plug-in hybrid assembly. This was confirmed to AutoNews by an anonymous insider, and the apparent three-month delay information, which will allegedly push it back to early 2022, came via supplier sources.

See More: Production Alfa Romeo Tonale Surfaces In Leaked Photos With A Tamed Look

Built on FCA’s Small Wide LWB 4×4 platform, which also underpins the Jeep Compass, the Tonale will become Alfa’s entry-level SUV, slotting under the Stelvio. It was previewed by a concept car at the Geneva Motor Show two years ago, and it should mirror its overall styling, albeit with new lighting units at both ends and traditional side mirrors instead of cameras, as leaked imaged have shown.

Details surrounding the powertrain family are a well-preserved secret, but since it shares its construction with the Compass, it might launch with its plug-in hybrid unit(s), though probably with more oomph. Jeep’s compact SUV, which was recently facelifted in Europe, is offered with 190 PS (187 HP / 140 kW) and 240 PS (237 HP / 177 kW) and an 11.4 kWh battery. The Tonale will have an electric-only range of a few tens of kilometers. A high-performance Quadrifoglio version was apparently ruled out.

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USPS Could Get $6 Billion To Spend On Electric Vehicles

March 9, 2021 admin

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) could be awarded $6 billion to buy tens of thousands of electric delivery vehicles.

Legislation introduced by a group of 17 U.S. House Democrats earlier in the week stipulates that at least 75 per cent of the USPS fleet would need to be made up of electric or zero-emission vehicles.

The bill would also require 50 per cent of the postal service’s medium/heavy-duty vehicle purchases to be for EVs or zero-emission vehicles through 2029. After January 2040, all new USPS vehicles would need to be zero-emission vehicles.

The contract would involve between 50,000 and 165,000 vehicles over 10 years.

Backing the legislation includes chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Representative Peter DeFazio, and Representative Carolyn Maloney who chairs the Oversight and Reform Committee that oversees USPS, Reuters reports.

“We welcome and are interested in any support from Congress that advances the goal of a Postal Service vehicle fleet with zero emissions, and the necessary infrastructure required to operate it,” the USPS said in a statement issued on Monday. “With the right level of support, the majority of the Postal Service’s fleet can be electric by the end of the decade.”

News of this legislation comes a week after the USPS awarded a $482 million supply contract to military vehicle maker Oshkosh Defense to produce the service’s next-generation postal vehicle. In doing so, the USPS shunned Workhorse Group which was considered a front-runner in supply talks.

Shares of Workhorse Group jumped by 13 per cent following reports of the $6 billion cash injection into the USPS.

Gran Turismo 7 Will Be A Return To The Series’ Classic Games

February 2, 2021 admin

I’ve long held that, for the kids of my generation, video games played the role that bedroom posters played for previous generations. So it will be reassuring to millennials that Gran Turismo 7 will be more like the games they grew up with.

That’s according to Kazunori Yamauchi, the Polyphony Digital CEO and producer of the Gran Turismo series, who told Octane Japan that although the new game will maintain some of the innovations brought by Gran Turismo Sport, it will also hark back to games of old.

Gran Turismo Sport stood out as a new evolution in the series when it came out in 2017. With its narrow focus on online gaming and FIA-sponsored esports, though, it may have been alienating to some of the series fans.

Also Read: A Guide On How to Get Into Sim Racing At Any Budget

“It may have seemed quite outlandish for some people!” said Yamauchi. “While inheriting elements such as the [FIA] championship realized in Sport, Gran Turismo 7 will return to the royal purpose of full volumes like [Gran Turismo] 1-4, and provide the best Gran Turismo experience at present.”

It sounds, therefore, like Gran Turismo 7 will be a bigger game than Gran Turismo Sport and it will be interesting to see how extensive the single-player campaign will be. Sim racing fans will no doubt hope that series doesn’t go the arcade route of Forza Horizon.

Either way, it seems that the game won’t simply be a nostalgia trip. According to GT Planet, the studio has promised that the game will be a combination of the “past, present, and future of Gran Turismo.”

No date has been announced for the launch of Gran Turismo 7, but the studio has promised that it will be released this year.

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