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The Biden administration is worried about Chinese cars — and the electronics that come with them

Feb 29, 2024
The administration says the electronics could transmit sensitive information about U.S citizens and infrastructure. But it's also worried about the impact of Chinese EVs on U.S. automakers.
BYD electric cars waiting to be loaded onto a cargo ship in China's Shandog province. The U.S. currently imposes a 27.5% tariff on Chinese-made vehicles.
STR/AFP via Getty Images

Federally funded electric buses are coming to a school near you

Feb 19, 2024
A new federal program is beginning to send electric school buses to schools across the country, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Early adopting districts weigh in on how the new buses are working so far.
Eric Joiner, transportation supervisor for the Ralls County School District, shows reporters the computer that displays range, speed and energy output on an electric school bus on Nov. 20, 2023, in Center, Mo.
Tristen Rouse/St. Louis Public Radio

Ford is losing money on electric vehicles, but saving money on emissions fines

Feb 7, 2024
For every electric F-150 it sells, it can sell up to 12 gas-powered models and comply with emissions rules. Those rules may be updated.
Ford's electric F-150 Lightning in production. Environmental regulations allow car companies to make few EVs and many gas-powered vehicles, but those rules may be updated.
Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

Why lithium prices have been on a roller coaster ride

Feb 6, 2024
Just a few years ago, lithium prices surged with expectations that EV demand was going to take off. Now prices are down about 80%.
Two U.S. lithium companies have cut jobs and pulled back their capital spending recently. Above, salt evaporation ponds in California's Mojave Desert, where a company plans to extract lithium from the briny water.
David McNew/Getty Images

Turns out EVs don't like the cold either

Jan 19, 2024
Some EV owners are finding that the batteries don't always perform optimally in the freezing temperatures affecting much of the country.
If you normally get 400 miles out of a full battery charge, there's a chance you might only get 200 or 300 miles depending on the car and how cold it is outside.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

As the U.S. courts EV battery manufacturers, Canada follows suit

Dec 19, 2023
Canada's federal government teamed up with Quebec's provincial government to offer a Swedish company $2 billion in subsidies.
Swedish company Northvolt plans to build a massive battery plant outside Montreal, Quebec, seen here in a digital rendering.
Courtesy Northvolt

Why gas prices are trending downward

Dec 14, 2023
Several factors are keeping prices at the pump low — including the greater number of EVs and hybrids on the road.
Gas inflation is down nearly 9% year-over-year. 
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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How one California startup hopes to make EV infrastructure more reliable

Dec 13, 2023
ChargerHelp is seeking to train a network of field technicians that can keep EV chargers online.
Evette Ellis and Kameale C. Terry, co-founders of ChargerHelp, one of many startups poised to benefit from federal investment in America’s charging network.
Stephen McGee/Michigan Central

Electric vehicle tax credits are getting complicated

Dec 7, 2023
Some popular auto models will no longer get the full tax credit next year because of where their components originate.
Some EVs, like the popular Tesla Model 3 seen above, will no longer qualify for a full $7,500 federal tax credit starting next year, as too many of their components originate in China.
Allison Dinner/Getty Images

Toyota's Camry sedan is going exclusively hybrid in 2024

Nov 16, 2023
The automaker has expanded its line of hybrid vehicles as it bets that some motorists are not ready for fully electric vehicles.
Toyota's focus on hybrids sets it apart from other automakers, which have thrown money into developing and producing fully electric vehicles in recent years.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images