A Slate truck at its design studio in Long Beach, California, on December 19, 2025. | Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
In May, Ferrari introduced its first entry into the electric vehicle market: the Luce. With an exterior like a Nissan Leaf, and an interior designed by the guy who designed the iPhone, it received a lot of hate. So, if Ferrari can’t make a cool EV, who can?
Enter the Slate truck. It’s a Jeff Bezos-backed, American-made compact truck with no bells, whist
A Slate truck at its design studio in Long Beach, California, on December 19, 2025. | Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
In May, Ferrari introduced its first entry into the electric vehicle market: the Luce. With an exterior like a Nissan Leaf, and an interior designed by the guy who designed the iPhone, it received a lot of hate. So, if Ferrari can’t make a cool EV, who can?
Enter the Slate truck. It’s a Jeff Bezos-backed, American-made compact truck with no bells, whistles, or even AC — the antithesis of the Tesla Cybertruck. It’s kind of cute. And it might just get more Americans to drive an electric car.
At a time when American manufacturers have fallen far behind countries like China in the automotive industry, companies are still trying to get Americans excited about electric.
Andrew Hawkins is a transportation editor at The Verge who has been following the EV industry in the US. He tells Today, Explained co-host Sean Rameswaram about the problems stopping American drivers from fully adopting EVs and discusses whether this bare-bones truck can fix them.
Below is an excerpt of the conversation, edited for length and clarity. There’s much more in the full podcast, so listen to Today, Explained wherever you get podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify.
There’s another electric truck that we have to talk about.
Oh, yes, indeed. The Slate truck.
This to me represents the dichotomy in the EV market today, right? On the one hand, you’ve got your Ferrari Luce. That is a $640,000 car that no one you will ever meet will probably buy. And on the other hand, you’ve got this Slate Truck that is the most bare-bones two-seater that you could possibly imagine. There’s no radio, there’s no touchscreen, there’s no central screen inside the vehicle. There’s no paint. You even have to opt in to get power windows; otherwise, they will just give you the [window crank].
I love the idea of an electric truck that has manual roll-’em-down windows.
When I heard that, that blew my mind. This is a new startup. They’ve got a lot of investment cash from Jeff Bezos and some other people. This is their first vehicle. And the theory behind it is that we will make this thing as stripped-down as we possibly can. Take out all the bells and whistles. People can add a bunch of stuff. They could turn it into a small SUV by adding a back section to it if they want. They could add wrapping decals. You could personalize it and make it look however you want it to look. Or, you could just buy the bare-bones version.
The idea being that electric vehicles, as they stand today, are above the average cost of a new gas-powered vehicle. So, we need to bring this price down. How are we going to do that? Well, still the most expensive part about any electric vehicle is the battery. So, in order to have a good battery while still having a decent car, you need to take out everything else.
That’s how they’re saying that they’re going to sell this thing for under $30,000 when it eventually comes out at the end of this year.
So, unlike the [Ferrari] Luce, people responded well to this Slate truck. Why is it a truck? Why not a sedan?
Trucks are very popular in the US. They’re amongst the best-selling vehicles, typically. The Ford F-150, for example, was the best-selling vehicle in America for a long time.
But, this is America. We love our trucks. We love our big trucks. This is not a big truck. This is a small truck. And a lot of people have been saying trucks have gotten too big. They’re oversized behemoths out on the road that are dangerous to pedestrians that are out walking around. They don’t offer enough safety protections. And so, maybe we need to come back to more of a midsize or compact.
And then, obviously, gas prices are soaring. People are looking for something that’s a little bit more downsized in general. So, I think the truck prospect is an interesting one. Then again, trucks aren’t for everybody. If you want to turn this thing into a four-seater compact SUV, that’s something that will be an option to you, as well.
Okay, so this reason to make a little truck seems based on market research. People want a truck, and here’s a very different truck that we can offer them. What about this decision to literally strip away every single feature, including the paint, including the power windows, including the radio?
It’s a real risky bet from Slate. I think what they’re trying to say is that maybe cars have become too bloated, right? We’re starting to see a pullback from too many convenience features, especially in the car market with people feeling a lot of pressure on their pocketbooks and how expensive new cars have become. They’re looking for something that is a little bit more downmarket.
But also, I think it’s a reflection of where the expenses are in building a new car and a realization that you can’t just put out a car, especially an electric vehicle today, without some plan to make it profitable. One of the original mistakes of the auto industry, and especially the American auto industry, was that they could take a lot of their most popular cars, retrofit them to be electric, and that people would respond to them.
That was, I think, a pretty understandable bet from a lot of these companies. But, I don’t think they were really taking costs into effect for a lot of that. And what we ended up with was a lot of cars that were indistinguishable from their gas counterparts, but were 20 to 30 percent more expensive than those gas cars.
In so many ways, the automotive industry is a stand-in for our whole economy. We hold up the auto industry as being this kind of beacon which represents our innovativeness and our leadership on the global stage. And I think that we’ve ceded that leadership now to China.
China is now leading. They sell the most cars, they export the most cars, and they have the best technology. They’ve cracked the code on cheap EVs. I feel like America is always going to have an outsized reputation, but whether that reputation is actually earned anymore, I think is a very open question right now.
Do the people want EVs in this country yet, or do they still have range anxiety and a preference for the combustion engine? Does the war in Iran factor into how the people feel right now?
People vote with their pocketbooks, right? That’s where their preferences are today. And I think when electric vehicles were first gaining popularity, you heard a lot about charging anxiety. You heard a lot about range anxiety.
I think those are still considerations, but I feel, right now, the number one consideration for most people is, “I’m living paycheck to paycheck, and it’s costing me $80, $90 to fill up my F-150.” The used EV market right now is extremely attractive to a lot of people. You can get a very good electric vehicle for around $20,000. You take it home, you set up a home charger, you charge that thing overnight. You never have to go to a gas station again. That’s a pretty attractive proposition to a lot of people.
As many regulars will know, we've been tweaking Nikki's F150 Lightning to include new features, but we've also heard from plenty of people who worry about tweaking their own EVs.
So today, we're asking a simple question: have you modified your EV in any way?
Stay safe, stay engaged. Please watch our livestream from January.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxKt_APYQug
About The Transport Evolved Sunday Musings:
These informal, unscripted vlog-style videos are a chance for the team to ask the au
As many regulars will know, we've been tweaking Nikki's F150 Lightning to include new features, but we've also heard from plenty of people who worry about tweaking their own EVs.
So today, we're asking a simple question: have you modified your EV in any way?
Stay safe, stay engaged. Please watch our livestream from January.
About The Transport Evolved Sunday Musings:
These informal, unscripted vlog-style videos are a chance for the team to ask the audience their opinions on topics in the world of cleaner, greener, safer, smarter and more equitable transportation and energy - and are filmed without a teleprompter in a single take.
As many regulars will know, we've been tweaking Nikki's F150 Lightning to include new features, but we've also heard from plenty of people who worry about tweaking their own EVs. So today, we're asking a simple question: have you modified your...
As many regulars will know, we've been tweaking Nikki's F150 Lightning to include new features, but we've also heard from plenty of people who worry about tweaking their own EVs. So today, we're asking a simple question: have you modified your...
As many regulars will know, we've been tweaking Nikki's F150 Lightning to include new features, but we've also heard from plenty of people who worry about tweaking their own EVs. So today, we're asking a simple question: have you modified your...
As many regulars will know, we've been tweaking Nikki's F150 Lightning to include new features, but we've also heard from plenty of people who worry about tweaking their own EVs. So today, we're asking a simple question: have you modified your...
As many regulars will know, we've been tweaking Nikki's F150 Lightning to include new features, but we've also heard from plenty of people who worry about tweaking their own EVs. So today, we're asking a simple question: have you modified your...
As many regulars will know, we've been tweaking Nikki's F150 Lightning to include new features, but we've also heard from plenty of people who worry about tweaking their own EVs. So today, we're asking a simple question: have you modified your...
As many regulars will know, we've been tweaking Nikki's F150 Lightning to include new features, but we've also heard from plenty of people who worry about tweaking their own EVs. So today, we're asking a simple question: have you modified your...
Just a day after we gave you our breakdown on the difference between the money that some politicians said couldn't possibly be spent on Biden-era, already-apportioned funds for cleaner, greener transportation and energy, while at the same time calling for more than $1.5 trillion in funds to be sent to Department of War for the current conflict in Iran, we heard about a new bill submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives that will further impact EV fans across the U.S.
Enter the 1005+ page BU
Just a day after we gave you our breakdown on the difference between the money that some politicians said couldn't possibly be spent on Biden-era, already-apportioned funds for cleaner, greener transportation and energy, while at the same time calling for more than $1.5 trillion in funds to be sent to Department of War for the current conflict in Iran, we heard about a new bill submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives that will further impact EV fans across the U.S.
Enter the 1005+ page BUILD America 250 act. Introduced last week and due to be marked up by the end of this, it proposes massive changes to existing provisions for cleaner transportation. Covering the next 5 years, it would also impose new taxes on EV and plug-in hybrid owners, ensure no further NEVI funding is provided, and make it harder for disadvantaged communities and at-risk areas from making smarter choices about their infrastructure.
So today, Nikki is joined by Ben Prochazka, Executive Director of the Electrification Coalition, to break down what's actually in it and what you can do about it.
Show notes, links and transcription at:
⏱️ Episode Timeline
00:00 - Introduction
02:22 - What We're Covering Today
04:30 - Who Are The Electrification Coalition?
07:02 - Politics Are Important!
08:31 - BUILD America 250 Act: Red Flags
11:37 - The Impacts on EV Drivers
13:01 - Increasing Fees — And Plug-In Hybrids Too
14:32 - Gas Taxes Haven't Changed For Decades
15:13 - Other Key Provisions For EV Owners
16:16 - Impacts on Class 8 Big Rig EVs
18:07 - It's a Bipartisan Issue
19:03 - Support The Channel!
20:42 - Changes to Bus Programs
26:34 - What Can YOU Do To Get Involved?
28:39 - Thanks and Goodbye!
Just a day after we gave you our breakdown on the difference between the money that some politicians said couldn't possibly be spent on Biden-era, already-apportioned funds for cleaner, greener transportation and energy, while at the same time cal...
Just a day after we gave you our breakdown on the difference between the money that some politicians said couldn't possibly be spent on Biden-era, already-apportioned funds for cleaner, greener transportation and energy, while at the same time cal...
Just a day after we gave you our breakdown on the difference between the money that some politicians said couldn't possibly be spent on Biden-era, already-apportioned funds for cleaner, greener transportation and energy, while at the same time cal...
Just a day after we gave you our breakdown on the difference between the money that some politicians said couldn't possibly be spent on Biden-era, already-apportioned funds for cleaner, greener transportation and energy, while at the same time cal...
Just a day after we gave you our breakdown on the difference between the money that some politicians said couldn't possibly be spent on Biden-era, already-apportioned funds for cleaner, greener transportation and energy, while at the same time cal...
Just a day after we gave you our breakdown on the difference between the money that some politicians said couldn't possibly be spent on Biden-era, already-apportioned funds for cleaner, greener transportation and energy, while at the same time cal...
Just a day after we gave you our breakdown on the difference between the money that some politicians said couldn't possibly be spent on Biden-era, already-apportioned funds for cleaner, greener transportation and energy, while at the same time cal...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News!
Ferrari caused quite a stir this week by launching the Luce, sending its stock price falling and prompting hardened petrolheads to question the brand's future. The US exempts Volvo from its ongoing ban on selling cars with Chinese tech inside them, and BYD demonstrates just how quickly its flash charging technology can fill a battery — even when it's -30°C outside!
These stories and more, on the show!
Show notes, links and script at: https
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News!
Ferrari caused quite a stir this week by launching the Luce, sending its stock price falling and prompting hardened petrolheads to question the brand's future. The US exempts Volvo from its ongoing ban on selling cars with Chinese tech inside them, and BYD demonstrates just how quickly its flash charging technology can fill a battery — even when it's -30°C outside!
⏱️ Episode Timeline
00:00 - Intro and sponsors
00:34 - Welcome
00:45 - Ferrari unveils the Luce EV
01:46 - ACEA: EV registrations jump in April
02:50 - NIO launches the ES9 in China
04:17 - Volkswagen launches the UNYX 07 in China
05:21 - Leapmotor might be coming to North America
06:21 - Rivian R2 deliveries start June 9
07:18 - Mercedes-Benz MB. Drive Assist Pro coming to Germany
08:26 - Waymo's flood OTA update didn't work
09:31 - Volvo exempted from US Chinese tech ban
10:32 - Renewables could overtake natural gas by 2027
11:42 - CCAN Action Fund sponsor segment
13:00 - BMW C Evolution recall
13:18 - Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX recall
13:31 - Oshkosh NGDV recall
13:43 - IONIQ 5 and 9 recall
13:54 - Tesla Model Y recall
14:04 - BMW iX3 recall
14:18 - Cupra Raval order books open in UK
14:44 - Rad Life Mobility offers safer batteries at a discount
14:56 - Pine Point Schools launches 2.7 MWh microgrid
15:11 - ProLogium plans SPAC flotation
15:27 - North America's largest solar farm online in Texas
15:41 - ENGWE Zip launches with USB-C charging
15:55 - Lancia Gamma revealed
16:06 - Tesla safety trainers don't trust FSD
16:22 - France wants UK included in "Made in Europe" rules
16:36 - Scania demonstrates V2G via Megawatt Charging System
16:51 - Hyundai launches mobile service fleet
17:01 - NY State awards $6 million for V2G projects
17:13 - World's first electric Ice Explorer launches in Jasper
17:30 - EU considers ending ICE company car tax perks
17:42 - Basquevolt introduces new lithium-metal battery
17:53 - JSW and Uber partner on EVs in India
18:06 - Bolt adds EV option in South Africa
18:17 - An Post cuts emissions 50% with EVs
18:32 - SAIC builds MG4 EV Urban in Thailand
18:47 - India's new e-truck and e-bus incentive program
18:58 - South Africa's N3 corridor gets off-grid EV charging
19:10 - NIO Q1 2026 figures
19:24 - UK opens AV pilot scheme applications
19:35 - Nissan may abandon UK e-axle factory plans
19:46 - New York delays electric school bus mandate
19:57 - Volvo integrates Tesla Supercharger access in Europe
20:09 - DHL breaks ground on battery logistics hub in Netherlands
20:22 - Zeron raises $200 million
20:32 - Wrightbus wins Hong Kong double-decker order
20:46 - Xiaomi EV posts Q1 loss
21:00 - Herbert Diess building an electric tractor
21:16 - Gothenburg autonomous bus lasts one hour
21:27 - Bosch and Mitsubishi launch battery swapping project in China
21:37 - Scania opens order books for extended range trucks with MCS
21:48 - Germany passes 200,000 charging points
22:00 - Wisconsin opens new NEVI funding round
22:12 - Delaware proposes e-bike marketing law
22:26 - Specialized launches pricey new e-bike
22:40 - Honda electric hot hatch flies off lots
22:53 - Ganfeng announces world's first 10Ah solid-state battery
23:09 - New York pauses e-bike regulation plans
23:28 - You and EnergySage sponsor segment
24:43 - Honda RTL Electric impresses at Trial GP
26:02 - BYD demonstrates -30°C flash charging
27:15 - Closing sponsor acknowledgements
28:22 - Thank you and goodbye
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! Ferrari caused quite a stir this week by launching the Luce, sending its stock price falling and prompting hardened petrolheads to question the brand's future. The US exempts Volvo from it...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! Ferrari caused quite a stir this week by launching the Luce, sending its stock price falling and prompting hardened petrolheads to question the brand's future. The US exempts Volvo from it...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! Ferrari caused quite a stir this week by launching the Luce, sending its stock price falling and prompting hardened petrolheads to question the brand's future. The US exempts Volvo from it...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! Ferrari caused quite a stir this week by launching the Luce, sending its stock price falling and prompting hardened petrolheads to question the brand's future. The US exempts Volvo from it...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! Ferrari caused quite a stir this week by launching the Luce, sending its stock price falling and prompting hardened petrolheads to question the brand's future. The US exempts Volvo from it...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! Ferrari caused quite a stir this week by launching the Luce, sending its stock price falling and prompting hardened petrolheads to question the brand's future. The US exempts Volvo from it...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! Ferrari caused quite a stir this week by launching the Luce, sending its stock price falling and prompting hardened petrolheads to question the brand's future. The US exempts Volvo from it...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News!
The Volkswagen ID. Polo is officially revealed, Toyota uses years of customer ignorance on EVs to become one of the strongest-selling EV brands of the year thus far, and President Trump's White House pays more energy companies to give up their wind leases and invest in fossil fuels.
Show notes, links and script at: https://www.transportevolved.com/2026/05/02/ten-580-vw-id-polo-here-toyota-cashes-in-trump-pays-to-ditch-wind/
👥 Today’s Spons
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News!
The Volkswagen ID. Polo is officially revealed, Toyota uses years of customer ignorance on EVs to become one of the strongest-selling EV brands of the year thus far, and President Trump's White House pays more energy companies to give up their wind leases and invest in fossil fuels.
00:00 - Intro and sponsors
00:35 - Welcome
00:48 - Editorial note
01:08 - VW ID. Polo revealed
02:27 - BMW iX3/i3 and Mercedes GLC long-wheelbase launches in China
03:43 - BYD debuts two new models at Beijing Auto Show
05:03 - Audi Q4 e-tron updates
06:06 - Max Planck Institute paper on solid-state battery short-circuit risks
07:29 - Porsche sells Bugatti Rimac stake
08:32 - U.S. renewable outlook; China exports 68 GW of solar in March
09:34 - U.S. pays $2 billion in taxpayer money to "end wind"
10:55 - VW ID.3 becomes Germany's most popular EV
11:59 - Toyota EV sales soar 139% worldwide
13:09 - Sponsor: CCAN Action Fund
14:35 - Audi e-tron/e-tron Sportback recall: brake booster detachment
14:55 - Bluebird bus recall: loose wiper fasteners
15:06 - Mitsubishi Outlander/PHEV recall: liftgate gas spring
15:19 - Renault backs Lego Turbo R5 3E Project
15:44 - ACEA: EU electric trucks +40%, electric buses +36% in Q1
15:59 - China suspends robotaxi licensing after failures
16:14 - CATL executes HK$39.2 billion stock sale
16:27 - Webasto PTC air heater for commercial EVs
16:42 - Farizon V7E launch and SV cargo van update
16:54 - Porsche Cayenne Coupe Electric unveiled
17:07 - MAN autonomous e-Bus project
17:18 - ABB modular charging station system
17:32 - WeRide and Lenovo: 5-year, 200,000-vehicle deal
17:43 - China threatens retaliation over "Made In Europe Act"
17:55 - Bacolod, Philippines adds EVs to police fleet
18:10 - South Korea buys 500 electric police vans
18:21 - Go North East first with Enviro200EV next-gen buses
18:37 - MAN demonstrates bidirectional truck charging
18:51 - Bosch showcases Level 3 autonomy in China
19:05 - Solaris Bus lands major Sweden order
19:17 - GWM drops Ora 03 in UK
19:28 - GWM ORA5 coming to Europe this summer
19:38 - Stellantis refocuses on four core brands
19:51 - MG eyeing Spain for new factory
20:07 - DHL debuts second solar parcel ship
20:18 - Hanoi gets 120 new electric buses
20:29 - Hyundai pilot battery lease program in South Korea
20:40 - SMMT: 1 in 22 UK vehicles now electric
20:53 - Researchers target 4-litre 22 kW onboard charger for Europe
21:10 - Oslo launches new EV charging pricing structure
21:21 - Moia expands autonomous fleet to Orlando
21:34 - Hongqi rumored in Stellantis talks
21:50 - Nio upgrades to 900V
22:04 - Rolls-Royce unveils Project Nightingale EV
22:17 - Hyundai IONIQ V unveiled in China
22:28 - Tesla isn't the only carmaker dreaming about rockets
22:42 - Ann Arbor pilots home battery program
22:57 - Nio launches Onvo L80 in China at ¥17,700
23:13 - Bollinger Motors assets for sale
23:24 - Kia EV6 gets US price cut
23:39 - Recurrent: range loss shrinking in new EVs
23:53 - Ford Cobra Jet 2200: world's fastest electric dragster
24:08 - Washington State fund for business electrification
24:19 - Kia ramps up PV5 Van production
24:31 - Oregon expands EV fast charging
24:45 - Ford profits from tariff payments
24:58 - GM's big autonomous and Google Assistant plans
25:23 - Sponsor: EnergySage
26:44 - Ford replaces FCSP and Home Integration System
28:04 - Huawei cars can project movies from headlights
28:59 - Thanks and goodbye
30:26 - You Matter
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! The Volkswagen ID. Polo is officially revealed, Toyota uses years of customer ignorance on EVs to become one of the strongest-selling EV brands of the year thus far, and President Trump's ...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! The Volkswagen ID. Polo is officially revealed, Toyota uses years of customer ignorance on EVs to become one of the strongest-selling EV brands of the year thus far, and President Trump's ...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! The Volkswagen ID. Polo is officially revealed, Toyota uses years of customer ignorance on EVs to become one of the strongest-selling EV brands of the year thus far, and President Trump's ...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! The Volkswagen ID. Polo is officially revealed, Toyota uses years of customer ignorance on EVs to become one of the strongest-selling EV brands of the year thus far, and President Trump's ...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! The Volkswagen ID. Polo is officially revealed, Toyota uses years of customer ignorance on EVs to become one of the strongest-selling EV brands of the year thus far, and President Trump's ...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! The Volkswagen ID. Polo is officially revealed, Toyota uses years of customer ignorance on EVs to become one of the strongest-selling EV brands of the year thus far, and President Trump's ...
On this week's episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! The Volkswagen ID. Polo is officially revealed, Toyota uses years of customer ignorance on EVs to become one of the strongest-selling EV brands of the year thus far, and President Trump's ...
There are over 283 million cars cruising the United States, and over 90 percent of them are still guzzling gas. Apart from the obvious environmental problems, fuel prices also continue to skyrocket thanks to the ongoing war in Iran. The average price for gas is currently around 33 percent higher than it was before the crisis, and there is little sign that those numbers are going down anytime soon.
The strain is forcing many drives to reconsider how they get around—and they’re getting creative
There are over 283 million cars cruising the United States, and over 90 percent of them are still guzzling gas. Apart from the obvious environmental problems, fuel prices also continue to skyrocket thanks to the ongoing war in Iran. The average price for gas is currently around 33 percent higher than it was before the crisis, and there is little sign that those numbers are going down anytime soon.
The strain is forcing many drives to reconsider how they get around—and they’re getting creative with it. In Georgia, a 30-year-old handyman is showing everyone how to properly adapt to uncertain times. According to a recent Reuters profile, Mali Hightower has retrofitted a discarded, bright pink Power Wheels Barbie Dream Camper with a two-gallon, one-piston engine for his shorter commuting needs.
“I drive this when I can,” Hightower said on May 19.
To get it going, a driver simply pulls the rip cord that’s attached to the former power washer engine. At less than four-feet-tall, the Dream Camper may not be the most comfortable ride for a full-grown adult,but it’s definitely cheaper. Hightower likely still prefers driving his 1996 Mercedes-Benz convertible, but with a full tank costing him around $90 right now, he’s more than willing to use his Power Wheels alternative for errands like grocery runs.
While somewhat surreal to see at a gas pump, the DIY solution underscores a more important issue: the need for more people to divest from fossil fuel rides in favor of public transportation and electric vehicles (EVs). Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done for many people. The U.S. is dramatically underfunded when it comes to options like commuter bus routes and trains, while EVs are still out of many people’s price ranges. The Dream Barbie Camper may be one-of-a-kind right now, but there’s a good chance that similar, intentionally constructed alternatives are on the way. At least those will be able to comfortably fit the driver.
On this week's episode of TEN - Transport Evolved News!
Mexico's Olinia debuts as the country's first nationally-designed EV — built by Mexicans, for Mexicans. Ford teases its long-awaited Ranchero EV with spy shots emerging from Southern California skunkworks testing. And the U.S. Government doubles down on coal investment — even as solar and stationary battery storage hit record highs.
Show notes, links and script at: https://www.transportevolved.com/2026/06/13/ten-586-olinia-mexicos-first-nat
On this week's episode of TEN - Transport Evolved News!
Mexico's Olinia debuts as the country's first nationally-designed EV — built by Mexicans, for Mexicans. Ford teases its long-awaited Ranchero EV with spy shots emerging from Southern California skunkworks testing. And the U.S. Government doubles down on coal investment — even as solar and stationary battery storage hit record highs.
00:00 - Introduction and sponsor shoutouts
00:34 - Welcome to the show
00:48 - Correction: Mercedes eActros lowliner
01:09 - Olinia: Mexico's first national EV launches
02:47 - U.S. EV sales hit best month since tax credits ended
04:17 - Donut Lab solid-state battery expose
05:30 - BYD Flash Charging: China, UK & Canada
06:46 - GM Empower 2026: sodium-ion, V2G & Energy Pass
08:00 - Rivian R2 deliveries start
09:17 - Ford $30k Ranchero EV spotted, teases secret site
10:42 - EU auto package stalls; Brexit EV tariff delay called for
11:53 - US seeks ban on Chinese-nameplate vehicles
13:05 - Solar beats coal for first time; 91% of new US capacity; White House backs coal
14:37 - Sponsor: CCAN Action Fund EV Raffle
15:53 - Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
16:35 - IC Bus CESB electric school bus recall
16:54 - Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback = rebadged Nissan LEAF
17:12 - BMW Highway Assistant: 200M km hands-free
17:25 - Waymo buys Apple's AV proving ground, Wittmann AZ
17:40 - Lucid Gravity gets hands-free via OTA
17:53 - Ukraine adopts Wolfstorm electric motorcycle
18:05 - BMW iX3: 10,000 deliveries in first month
18:21 - Factorial & Stellantis begin solid-state road tests
18:36 - Dodge Charger Daytona coming to Europe
18:49 - Cadillac Lyriq keeps CarPlay & Android Auto
19:00 - Amazon tops 50,000 electric delivery vehicles
19:12 - Lucid delays Austria & Spain to 2027
19:24 - BYD Turkey plant on hold
19:35 - DAF launches electric truck route simulator
19:45 - Alaska Air & Hawaiian Airlines electrify Honolulu
19:56 - All of China's top 10 cars: EV or PHEV
20:06 - ForBat@Bau: EV construction research launches
20:18 - Mercedes-Benz adds GLC 250 & GLC 300 4MATIC
20:31 - Opel Astra stays in Rüsselsheim
20:43 - Rosenbauer & MAN make electric aerial ladder truck
20:58 - China updates EREV rules
21:08 - Skoda Epiq production starts in Spain
21:20 - CUPRA Tindaya enters production
21:33 - BMW secures Belgium's largest EV fleet order
21:46 - Factorial & Einride complete NASDAQ listings
21:58 - VW & Dresden unveil mobile charging robot
22:12 - Xpeng starts G6 production in Malaysia
22:23 - Seres launches Aiva brand
22:34 - Milence opens EV truck hub
22:47 - LiveWire S4 Honcho Mini Moto launches
23:00 - Mercedes-Benz axial flux motor production
23:11 - EU greenlights 1.5B euro battery investment
23:24 - Stellantis, Bolt & Pony.ai: Luxembourg AV program
23:38 - Green SM enters India
23:49 - Denza Z hypercar on sale
24:02 - Tokyo expands EV subsidies
24:15 - Tesla FSD ad, distracted driving
24:32 - Nissan, Oxford & GeLion: solid-state research
24:42 - Leapmotor C10 production starts in Malaysia
24:57 - Clean Motion AB: EVIG Memorial electric hearse
25:12 - Leapmotor B05 from 28,995 GBP in UK
25:26 - Kia EV4 gets maximum 3,750 GBP UK grant
25:40 - BMW iX3 LWB: 800km on a charge
25:56 - BYD threatens to sue over Pentagon military list
26:18 - Sponsor: You
27:15 - & EnergySage
27:55 - EVs prevented 262,000 deaths in China
29:02 - Waymo launches $30/month Premier subscription
30:28 - Closing sponsor acknowledgements
31:34 - Thank you & goodbye
On this week's episode of TEN - Transport Evolved News! Mexico's Olinia debuts as the country's first nationally-designed EV — built by Mexicans, for Mexicans. Ford teases its long-awaited Ranchero EV with spy shots emerging from Sout...
On this week's episode of TEN - Transport Evolved News! Mexico's Olinia debuts as the country's first nationally-designed EV — built by Mexicans, for Mexicans. Ford teases its long-awaited Ranchero EV with spy shots emerging from Sout...
On this week's episode of TEN - Transport Evolved News! Mexico's Olinia debuts as the country's first nationally-designed EV — built by Mexicans, for Mexicans. Ford teases its long-awaited Ranchero EV with spy shots emerging from Sout...
On this week's episode of TEN - Transport Evolved News! Mexico's Olinia debuts as the country's first nationally-designed EV — built by Mexicans, for Mexicans. Ford teases its long-awaited Ranchero EV with spy shots emerging from Sout...
On this week's episode of TEN - Transport Evolved News! Mexico's Olinia debuts as the country's first nationally-designed EV — built by Mexicans, for Mexicans. Ford teases its long-awaited Ranchero EV with spy shots emerging from Sout...
On this week's episode of TEN - Transport Evolved News! Mexico's Olinia debuts as the country's first nationally-designed EV — built by Mexicans, for Mexicans. Ford teases its long-awaited Ranchero EV with spy shots emerging from Sout...
On this week's episode of TEN - Transport Evolved News! Mexico's Olinia debuts as the country's first nationally-designed EV — built by Mexicans, for Mexicans. Ford teases its long-awaited Ranchero EV with spy shots emerging from Sout...
Editorial Note: While Nikki refers to the truck in this video as having been totaled, there's been an 11th hour change: Ortegas will in fact live! - Video incoming next week.
The weather has been a mix of warm and blustery this week, but Nikki has had a surprise visitor this week in the garden that's taken a shining to one of her apple trees...
Stay safe, stay engaged. If you can, please take a few hours to watch our livestream from earlier this year. It shares some things that we can all do to
Editorial Note: While Nikki refers to the truck in this video as having been totaled, there's been an 11th hour change: Ortegas will in fact live! - Video incoming next week.
The weather has been a mix of warm and blustery this week, but Nikki has had a surprise visitor this week in the garden that's taken a shining to one of her apple trees...
Stay safe, stay engaged. If you can, please take a few hours to watch our livestream from earlier this year. It shares some things that we can all do to resist peacefully, smartly, and keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.https://youtube.com/live/OxKt_APYQug
About The Chicken and Garden Updates:
These informal, unscripted vlog-style videos are a chance for the team to share some of the fun things happening in their respective gardens - and are filmed without a teleprompter in a single take.
Editorial Note: While Nikki refers to the truck in this video as having been totaled, there's been an 11th hour change: Ortegas will in fact live! - Video incoming next week. The weather has been a mix of warm and blustery this week, but Nikki...
Editorial Note: While Nikki refers to the truck in this video as having been totaled, there's been an 11th hour change: Ortegas will in fact live! - Video incoming next week. The weather has been a mix of warm and blustery this week, but Nikki...
Editorial Note: While Nikki refers to the truck in this video as having been totaled, there's been an 11th hour change: Ortegas will in fact live! - Video incoming next week. The weather has been a mix of warm and blustery this week, but Nikki...
Editorial Note: While Nikki refers to the truck in this video as having been totaled, there's been an 11th hour change: Ortegas will in fact live! - Video incoming next week. The weather has been a mix of warm and blustery this week, but Nikki...
Editorial Note: While Nikki refers to the truck in this video as having been totaled, there's been an 11th hour change: Ortegas will in fact live! - Video incoming next week. The weather has been a mix of warm and blustery this week, but Nikki...
Editorial Note: While Nikki refers to the truck in this video as having been totaled, there's been an 11th hour change: Ortegas will in fact live! - Video incoming next week. The weather has been a mix of warm and blustery this week, but Nikki...
Editorial Note: While Nikki refers to the truck in this video as having been totaled, there's been an 11th hour change: Ortegas will in fact live! - Video incoming next week. The weather has been a mix of warm and blustery this week, but Nikki...
Gas just broke $4 a gallon again — and this time, it happened in weeks, not months. The war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered what the International Energy Agency called the largest oil supply disruption in history, cutting roughly 20% of global petroleum from accessible markets and sending U.S. pump prices surging more than 30% since late February. Diesel has climbed above $5.60 a gallon. Analysts warn that if the Strait stays shut through summer, prices could reach $6
Gas just broke $4 a gallon again — and this time, it happened in weeks, not months. The war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered what the International Energy Agency called the largest oil supply disruption in history, cutting roughly 20% of global petroleum from accessible markets and sending U.S. pump prices surging more than 30% since late February. Diesel has climbed above $5.60 a gallon. Analysts warn that if the Strait stays shut through summer, prices could reach $6–7 a gallon.
At the same moment, the federal government pulled a $7,500 lever it had been offering EV buyers for three years. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act ended the IRA’s clean vehicle tax credit on September 30, 2026, sooner than almost anyone expected. For anyone considering an EV right now, both of these developments matter enormously, and they cut in opposite directions.
Here’s how EV math works in April 2026.
6 Benefits of Electric Cars
The benefits of owning an EV arguably outweigh any cons — from spending less money in the long run to making fewer trips to the repair shop. And it doesn’t stop there.
1. Gasoline Prices Have Never Made the Cost-Per-Mile Case for EVs More Clearly
With U.S. gas prices above $4 a gallon and diesel topping $5.60, the fueling cost gap between EVs and gas vehicles has widened sharply. The EIA’s March 2026 short-term outlook projected average retail gas prices of $3.34 per gallon for the full year — but that forecast was built on assumptions about the Strait reopening quickly. Prices are already well above that. Electricity prices, by contrast, remain stable and domestically produced.
A typical EV running on home electricity still costs roughly one-third as much per mile as a comparable gas vehicle — a savings that grows with every ten-cent jump at the pump. The current energy shock makes that argument harder to dismiss.
2. Energy Independence Means Something Different Now
The Iran war viscerally confirmed energy analysts argument that American households are deeply exposed to disruptions on the other side of the planet, even as the U.S. produces record quantities of domestic oil. Global crude oil prices are set by global markets, and domestic production buffers the shock but doesn’t eliminate it.
Charging an EV from the grid — or better, from rooftop solar — can insulate a household from price shocks. It’s a form of energy resilience that’s worth taking seriously as a financial and practical argument, not just an environmental one.
3. EV Range Has Left ‘Range Anxiety’ Behind
The 2021 version of this article listed 60-to-100 miles as a typical EV range. That figure is obsolete. As of 2026, the Lucid Air leads at 410 EPA-rated miles, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 Long Range delivers 361 miles, and the Chevrolet Equinox EV — the best-selling non-Tesla EV of 2025 — offers 319 miles starting under $35,000. Even mid-range EVs from mainstream brands now routinely clear 250 miles per charge.
The range question has effectively been answered for most everyday use cases. Long-distance travel remains more planning-intensive than gas, but it’s a planning question, not a stranding question, for most drivers on most routes.
4. Charging Infrastructure Has Reached Critical Mass
As of January 2026, the U.S. had nearly 68,000 public DC fast-charging ports, a 33% increase compared to 2024. Tesla’s Supercharger network alone accounts for over 52% of fast-charging stalls, and more than two-thirds of those are now open to non-Tesla vehicles. Ford, GM, Rivian, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Stellantis have all adopted NACS, effectively granting their drivers access to the Supercharger network via native ports or adapters.
Reliability, long the Achilles heel of non-Tesla charging facilities that were often out of commission, is also improving. New stations are being built with redundant chargers, remote monitoring, and real-time availability data integrated into vehicle navigation. The experience of pulling up to a broken charger on a long trip is becoming less common, though rural coverage gaps persist.
5. Maintenance Costs Remain Lower — and the Gap Is Growing
EVs require no oil changes, no exhaust system. They need fewer brake replacements because regenerative braking extends pad life substantially. And they have significantly fewer moving parts subject to wear. A Consumer Reports analysis drawing on survey data from hundreds of thousands of members found that EV owners spent about half as much on maintenance and repair as owners of comparable gas vehicles; that’s an average savings of $4,600 over the life of the vehicle.
With inflation squeezing household budgets and the Iran war likely to push repair and parts costs higher as diesel-driven supply chain expenses rise, lower maintenance overhead matters more in 2026 than it did even a year ago.
6. State Incentives Fill Some of the Federal Gap — For Now
The federal $7,500 clean vehicle credit is gone. But the replacement focused on American-made cars makes up the gap. The One Big Beautiful Bill introduced a federal auto loan interest deduction of up to $10,000 annually through 2028, available for U.S.-assembled EVs financed with new loans. It’s a deduction rather than a credit, meaning it reduces taxable income rather than tax owed directly, and it phases out for households with incomes above $100,000 for a single person and $200,000 for couples.
State incentives come in many forms and have different eligibility rules. Several states with high EV adoption still offer significant savings, which are especially important now that federal credits are no longer available.
Colorado provides a $750 state tax credit for buying or leasing a new EV with an MSRP up to $80,000. There is also an extra $2,500 credit for EVs priced under $35,000, so budget-conscious buyers can save up to $3,250. You can assign the credit to a participating dealership and get the discount at the point of sale, so you do not have to wait until you file your taxes.
New Jersey’s Charge Up program gives up to $4,000 in point-of-sale rebates for eligible new battery-electric vehicles, applied directly at the dealership through June 30, 2026. The state plans to keep EV incentives active through 2030, with funding renewed each year. This is one of the strongest long-term commitments among states.
Oregon’s program has some important updates. The Standard Rebate, which offered up to $2,500 for any Oregon resident, was suspended in September 2025. The Charge Ahead Rebate, which provided up to $7,500 for income-qualified buyers, was suspended on December 5, 2025 due to limited funding. If you bought an EV during the eligible period, you still have six months from your purchase date to apply. Approved applications may be put on a waiting list for payment in spring 2026. New funding rounds may happen, but they are not confirmed yet. Check the Oregon DEQ’s program page before counting on the rebate.
California’s Clean Cars 4 All program is one of the most generous for income-eligible buyers. Low-income residents in certain air districts can get up to $12,000 toward an EV purchase, plus up to $2,000 for home charging or prepaid charging credits. If you do not need to scrap an old vehicle, you can get up to $7,500 through the Driving Clean Assistance Program. Both programs are income-based and run by regional air districts. Use the state’s DriveClean incentive search to see what is available in your ZIP code.
Massachusetts provides a $3,500 rebate through the MOR-EV program for buying or leasing a new qualifying EV with an MSRP under $55,000 at participating dealerships. If you meet income requirements, you can add another $1,500 through MOR-EV+, for a total of $5,000. There is also a $3,500 rebate for used EVs, but only for income-qualified buyers.
New York’s Drive Clean Rebate gives up to $2,000 off the purchase or lease of over 60 new EV models. The rebate is applied at the point of sale by participating dealerships across the state, and there is no income requirement. The amount depends on the vehicle’s range: you get the full $2,000 for EVs with over 200 miles of range on a 36-month lease or purchase, $1,000 for 40 to 199 miles, and $500 for shorter-range models or those with MSRPs above $42,000.
All of these programs depend on available funding and may change their rules. Check the DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center for the latest information before you buy.
Many automakers are also stepping in with manufacturer cash incentives and subsidized lease deals to offset the lost federal credit. Hyundai, for example, cut the price of its 2026 IONIQ 5 by nearly $10,000.
Photo: Shutterstock
5 Drawbacks of EVs
Of course, nothing is perfect, and electric cars are no exception. There are a few important factors to consider before signing on the dotted line at the dealership.
1. The Federal Tax Credit Is Gone — And the Replacement Is More Complicated
The $7,500 IRA clean vehicle credit that made EVs significantly more accessible to middle-income buyers expired on September 30, 2025. The $4,000 used EV credit expired at the same time. The EV charger installation credit survives through June 30, 2026, but only in eligible census tracts, such as low-income communities and non-urban areas.
The loan interest deduction that replaced the purchase credit is available only to buyers who finance a U.S.-assembled EV, ruling out cash purchases and vehicles assembled in Canada or Mexico (check the vehicle’s VIN: U.S.-assembled vehicles start with 1, 4, 5, or 7). This program is also an annual deduction on taxable income rather than a dollar-for-dollar credit, which means buyers in lower tax brackets get proportionally less benefit.
The net result is that the out-of-pocket cost of EVs is higher upfront in 2026 than in 2024–2025 for most buyers who don’t live in a high-incentive state. Automaker discounts and competitive leasing help, but the headline sticker shock is real.
2. Charging Can Still Be Slow — And Fast Charging Carries a Cost
DC fast charging, which can replenish an EV from 10% to 80% in 15 to 45 minutes depending on the vehicle, is increasingly available. But it comes at a premium: public fast charging costs significantly more per kilowatt-hour than home charging, and some networks charge idle fees after your session ends, so don’t leave your EV hooked up longer than needed. Home Level 2 charging (overnight, plugged into a 240V outlet) remains the most cost-effective option but requires an upfront equipment investment, and not everyone has access to dedicated parking.
The EV charger tax credit’s narrowed eligibility means many urban apartment dwellers and suburban homeowners outside those tracts get no federal help with installation costs.
3. Upfront Cost Remains Higher Than Comparable Gas Vehicles
The Chevrolet Equinox EV starts at $34,995. That’s genuinely competitive, and several EVs now undercut the critical $40,000 price point. But comparable gas hybrids remain several thousand dollars cheaper at purchase, a gap that the loan interest deduction only partially closes, and only over several years of ownership.
The economic argument for EVs is stronger over the lifetime of the vehicle than at the point of purchase. For buyers who are payment-sensitive or unable to finance, the math favors gas vehicles in the short term, even as gasoline prices strain monthly budgets.
4. Rural Charging Gaps Persist
The Biden administration’s $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which was funding charger buildout along highway corridors including in rural and underserved areas, was suspended by the Trump administration in early 2025. Private investment continues, but it concentrates in high-traffic corridors and urban markets where utilization rates justify the capital.
For drivers in rural areas or anyone frequently traveling through them, this remains a practical constraint. Home charging covers most daily use, but highway travel through low-density regions still requires careful route planning.
5. Policy Uncertainty Makes Long-Term Planning Harder
The EV market has experienced whiplash between 2022 and 2026 due to the IRA’s expansion of credits and their accelerated elimination. The OBBBA’s auto loan deduction expires at the end of 2028. Fuel economy standards have been relaxed. Several states are fighting against preemption of their own EV mandates. HOV lane access for EVs has been eliminated in New York and California.
None of this changes the fact that EVs make environmental or financial sense over a 10-year ownership horizon. It does mean that buyers should research current incentives carefully before purchase, verify vehicle assembly origin, and not assume that today’s program landscape will look the same in two years.
What You Can Do
If you’re weighing an EV purchase in 2026:
Check your state’s current incentive programs at the DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center (afdc.energy.gov) before assuming federal credits apply — they don’t.
Verify vehicle VIN origin before financing: only U.S.-assembled EVs (VIN starting with 1, 4, 5, or 7) qualify for the new loan interest deduction.
Request manufacturer incentives directly: automakers including Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, and GM have introduced their own cash discounts and subsidized leases to offset the lost federal credit.
Model the 5-year total cost, not just the sticker price: fuel savings, reduced maintenance, and available incentives often close the gap faster than the purchase price suggests.
If you rent or lack dedicated charging, factor public charging costs into your fuel savings estimate — DC fast charging at public stations costs more per mile than home Level 2 charging.
For rural buyers, check PlugShare or ABRP (A Better Route Planner) to map charging availability along your most common routes before committing to an electric vehicle—you’ll find the gaps are closing.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally written by Stephanie Braun on May 3, 2017, and was most recently updated in April 2026. Feature image courtesy of Shutterstock.
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