Flash Drive: 2025 Cadillac Optiq

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March 24, 2025

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Clean cement startup Brimstone can make another key material: alumina

Entry-Level Cadillac Electric SUV

2025 Cadillac Optiq — **Ready to cross the bridge**

The 2025 Optiq will be the entry-level all-electric SUV for Cadillac when it goes on-sale in early 2026. The Optiq will be part of an ever-expanding Cadillac EV line-up of Lyriq, Vistiq, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL and Celestiq.

Our take, after seeing it up close and getting some time behind the wheel: The price, size, driving range, charging speed, performance and Cadillac look, touch and feel will be very appealing to first-time premium small SUV buyers or those looking to move up a class.

Driving Experience

Cadillac invited the automotive press to San Francisco to showcase what it says is the “entry point into luxury for the next generation of EV buyers.”

The first thing we noticed was the performance—the 300 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque comes on quick and smooth, turning 0-60 mph in about 4.7 seconds. The torque is available anytime and at any speed, which made easy merging onto U.S. 101 as we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County. We didn’t measure efficiency during our short time in the Optiq, but Cadillac estimates the all-electric range to be 302 miles.

The weather was clear and dry so the dual motor eAWD system wasn’t put to a test. When climbing and descending Mt. Tamalpais (from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach), the Optiq was planted with no body roll. The electronic torque vectoring could be felt seamlessly shifting needed power and torque to the wheel in most demand as we aggressively powered through tight rights-and-lefts.

The four drive modes—Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice and My Mode—each have a distinct advantage for the type of road conditions and driving. We stayed in the first two, using Tour on the highway and Sport when wanting to stiffen the steering feel and acceleration mapping. As is typical of all electric vehicles, acceleration was linear and the torque was available at any speed. Without a transmission, there was no hunting for the right gear. With no gasoline engine, the Optiq eliminated delays and hesitations that can come from the air-spark-fuel demand under hard acceleration. The Optiq was a pleasure to drive, taking sweeping corners easily. The electronic power steering and its 5,192-pound weight never giving a feeling of excess body roll.

Tom Schinderle, the lead development engineer who brought his background designing the ride and handling for the Cadillac Blackwing, said: “The Optiq was not designed to be a sport SUV, but we did spend time at the General Motors Desert Proving Ground in Yuma, Arizona, getting the balance right for handling and for the road.”

The Optiq batteries are set under the floor for a low center of gravity. Combined with the dual-compound all-season tires, the coil over front struts and the 5-Link rear suspension with Passive Plus dampers, the cornering was confident and the highway ride smooth and comfortable. The Optic rolls on either 245/50 all-season tires with sealant or optional 275/40 all-season low profile tires with sealant on 21-inch wheels.

Interior and Exterior

Nina Cho, 2025 Cadillac Optiq — **Nina Cho**

The interior has seating for five. Front seats are power, heated and ventilated with lumbar and memory for the driver. Nina Cho, color, materials and finishes designer, explained: “We were seeking harmonizing details with different fabric textures, patterns, colors and finishes.

The fabric is 100% recycled polyester yarn that comes from a variety of originating sources, and we have created different appearances and woven looks. There are different levels of recycled polyester yarn and we always strive to get the best quality we can.”

Ms. Cho went on to say style is key as “Cadillac is very expressive in how we stand out from other luxury brands by being aware of fashion trends and even forecasting trends.”

The most dominant feature of the Optiq is the 33-inch LED display with clear 9k resolution that projects more than 1 billion colors. This screen is where the navigation and vehicle controls and settings are located along with the great sounding 19-speaker AKG audio system integrated with Dolby Atmos for FM, music apps and available SiriusXM. AM radio is not an option.

The Optiq has Google built-in with voice recognition for Google Assistant and Maps. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are not available on the 2025 Cadillac Optiq.

There are eight exterior color options. Ours was Radiant Red. Features include walk-up and walk-away, front and rear, choreographed lighting sequences, a tinted and UV filter-treated panoramic fixed glass roof, body color shark fin antenna, black crystal grille and graphic-etched rear quarter panel acoustic laminate glass. The rear wiper tucked under the roof fairing is a classy design touch.

Hoon Kim, exterior design manager, said: “We learned from the engineering team. At the beginning of the program we knew we were going to have something really special (for Cadillac), so our goal was to match the design with the Optiq’s character.”

Battery and Charging

The lithium-ion battery with 85 kWh of useable battery energy will replenish on a DC fast charger at 79 miles of range in 10 minutes.

The variable regeneration, with one pedal driving, when coasting or braking converts kinetic energy into electric energy and returns it to the battery adding driving range.

Driver Assistance

SuperCruise, demonstrated here and below, is for hands-free driving utilizing radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensing to monitor exterior conditions.

Safety

The Optiq comes standard with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)—adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning and steering assist, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist departure warning and forward collision alert.

As with all General Motors vehicles, the Optiq will be equipped with OnStar. A simple push of a button connects to a friendly representative to handle emergencies, directions and general assistance to make your driving experience safer and more enjoyable.

Pricing and Availability

The 2025 Cadillac Optiq will be built at the General Motors assembly plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, with production slated to begin in fall 2025. Available in two trims, Luxury and Sport, the starting price is estimated at $54,000, including the destination charges.

Observations: 2025 Cadillac Optiq EV

General Motors is on a roll, having announced or released several battery electric vehicles, including the GMC Hummer and Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado, Equinox and Blazer, the Cadillac Lyriq, Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL.

John Cockburn, chief engineer, positions the Optiq: “The chief engineer’s role is to understand who the customer is. With the research that is done, the team first had to identify who the luxury EV entry buyer would be. They found it would be a younger person or older Millennial that is looking for a vehicle that is engaging, youthful and sporty with superb handling characteristics.”

Our take, after seeing it up close and getting some time behind the wheel, the price, size, driving range, charging speed, Cadillac look, touch and feel and performance will be very appealing to first-time premium small SUV buyers, or those looking to move-up a class.

Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report sponsored newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.

Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Cadillac.

[See image gallery at cleanfleetreport.com]

Disclosure

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements. Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.

The post Flash Drive: 2025 Cadillac Optiq first appeared on Clean Fleet Report.

Source link by Clean Fleet Report
Author John Faulkner

#Flash #Drive #Cadillac #Optiq

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Tesla (TSLA) rolls back ‘Full Self-Driving’ trial in China amid new approval rules

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Electric Vehicles Magazine

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March 24, 2025

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Tesla (TSLA) rolls back ‘Full Self-Driving’ trial in China amid new approval rules

Tesla had to roll back its ‘Full Self-Driving’ free trial in China after a policy change brought more scrutiny to software updates for advanced driver assist systems.

Last month, Tesla launched a first version of its “Full Self-Driving” FSD package in China for owners with the latest “Hardware 4.0”, or “HW4”, vehicles.

The automaker made the system available through a free trial this month to try to encourage people to buy the system through an over-the-air software update.

However, Tesla halted the program this week.

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Grace Tao, Tesla’s Vice-President in charge of the Chinese market, announced on Weibo:

“Dear car owners, the application of Tesla’s intelligent assisted driving function in China has received widespread attention. Thank you for your support and feedback.

According to the requirements of the latest ‘Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of Access, Recall and Online Software Upgrade of Intelligent Connected Vehicle Products’, the team is completing the approval of the 3.0 and 4.0 hardware corresponding to the intelligent assisted driving software.

All parties are actively promoting the relevant process, and once it is ready, it will be pushed to everyone as soon as possible.

We are looking forward to it, so please be patient and thank you again for your understanding and trust.”

She is referencing the newly introduced ‘Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of Access, Recall and Online Software Upgrade of Intelligent Connected Vehicle Products’, a new set of rules to more closely regulate software updates in connected vehicles, especially regarding advanced driver assist (ADAS) features, like Tesla’s FSD.

The new set of rules includes a requirement that automakers “submit detailed technical information” before deploying a software update to their fleet over the air.

Based on the Tesla executive’s comment, it sounds like Tesla is going through this requirement now.

The new rules also strengthen recalls related to software updates and ADAS features and require automakers to report crashes involving those features.

Grace Tao mentioned Tesla is working on both HW3 and HW4 approval. In China, Tesla had only launched the new ADAS features based on its Full Self-Driving package on HW4 vehicles, which are equipped with a more powerful computer and better camera.

In North America, Tesla FSD is also available on HW3 vehicles, albeit with different, less-performing software.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently admitted that HW3 vehicles will not be able to achieve the promised unsupervised self-driving and will need to be retrofitted with more powerful computers.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Source link by Electrek
Author Fred Lambert

#Tesla #TSLA #rolls #Full #SelfDriving #trial #China #approval #rules

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How Massachusetts is trying to turn EVs into grid batteries

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Electric Vehicles Magazine

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March 24, 2025

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Trump wants to end the $7.5B bipartisan EV charger buildout. Can he?

The batteries inside electric vehicles can do a lot more than power a car.

They can back up homes, schools, and businesses during power outages. They can soak up grid power when it’s plentiful and cheap and send it back when it’s scarce and costly. And they could eventually provide enough reliable power to allow utilities to avoid building more power plants or expanding their grids to meet growing demand for electricity — something that would save money for utility customers as a whole.

So far, utilities have had a hard time turning this dream of batteries on wheels into a reality. Plenty have launched these “vehicle-to-everything” (V2X) pilots, but only with mixed success. Broader adoption has been held back by the cost and complexity of getting the required technologies to work smoothly in the real world — and by an absence of well-established utility programs that pay EV owners enough to make it worth their while.

In Massachusetts, a new V2X pilot project is now seeking households, businesses, schools, nonprofits, and municipal governments to test all of these ways that EVs can help the grid. And unlike many V2X tests done by other U.S. utilities, this one will offer two key financial incentives: bidirectional chargers at no cost to participants, and real money to those who commit to letting utilities tap into their EV battery power.

Over the next nine months, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, the state’s clean-energy economic development organization, will use most of the pilot’s $6 million in funding to give out up to 100 free bidirectional chargers. This is the technology that allows EV owners to not only pull electrons from the grid but to send power back and get paid for it. Households will get most of this equipment, but a subset of higher-voltage two-way chargers will go to commercial vehicle and electric school bus fleet operators.

Those chargers will be installed by September 2026, said Elijah Sinclair, MassCEC clean transportation program manager. The goal is for the pilot to provide about 1.5 megawatts of distributed energy storage capacity, roughly equivalent to the power use of about 250 homes.

Massachusetts law calls for 900,000 EVs on the road by 2030 in order to meet the state’s decarbonization goals. If a well-designed pilot project unlocks cost-effective ways or even a fraction of those future EV owners to enlist in V2X programs, the payoff could be huge, Sinclair said. EVs tend to stay plugged in far longer than it takes to fully charge up their batteries. Being able to tap into that stored energy expands the value that EVs can provide the grid and allows them to store solar and wind power to use later when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.

“That could be a really important piece as we seek to get to net-zero by 2050,” Sinclair said. “It still requires a whole lot of infrastructure, and it’s complicated for the utilities. But in the future, it could be serving huge loads across the grid.”

The trick is to move from the experiment stage to a safe, simple, and profitable program for a majority of the state’s EV owners, he said. It’s not something any other state or utility has managed to pull off just yet — but MassCEC and its partners are hoping the upcoming pilot will build the foundation to make that happen.

Can vehicle-to-everything programs save money?

The idea of pulling power from EV batteries is far from new. Universities and research organizations have been successfully testing V2X for more than two decades, and U.S. utilities have had pilots up and running for years.

Other countries have more fully embraced the technology. Japanese automakers started enabling EVs to provide backup power via vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-building charging to deal with the power supply emergencies that followed the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. In Europe, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) projects have been turning a profit for commercial and government vehicle fleets for years, and more recently for consumer EVs as well.

In the U.S., by contrast, vehicle-to-grid services have largely been successful in just one niche of the EV market: electric school buses, which happen to sit unused during most of the day. In Massachusetts, the company Highland Electric Fleets and the city of Beverly have been doing V2G with school buses since 2020, and have been earning money for delivering extra power to utility grids over the past few summers.

Transit and commercial vehicles, which must be on the road more frequently and have less idle time to charge, are more challenging to make profitable.

Vehicle-to-home backup power, meanwhile, has been built into the Nissan Leaf for more than a decade, and has been a major marketing draw for the Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup and other new EV models. But actually engineering and installing the systems to turn a home EV charging system into a backup power system for the grid is a bit more complicated — and costly.

So said Kelly Helfrich, who leads the transportation electrification practice at Resource Innovations, a company specializing in clean-energy program implementation that is co-leading the MassCEC V2X program. She’s worked in the EV space for more than a decade, including a stint at General Motors that covered the automaker’s entry into vehicle-to-grid technology and its eventual development of V2G standards.

Bidirectional chargers are more costly and technically difficult to build compared to simple one-way chargers. That investment may well be worth it for school buses, which have big batteries that can earn lots of money while they’re sitting idle. But for everyday households, it’s harder to see a path to recouping the extra $5,000 to $10,000 in up-front costs that bidirectional equipment can bring, Helfrich said.

Installing free chargers for homeowners, as the MassCEC program is doing, “helps take that cost out of the equation,” she said, “to really test vehicle-to-home at a larger scale than we’d be able to if we were to rely on consumers to take on that expense.”

Successful V2X programs also need to make sure participants get paid for taking part.

On that front, Massachusetts already has an established program that lets EV owners earn money by helping the grid, according to Zach Woogen, executive director of the Vehicle-Grid Integration Council, a group representing EV and charging manufacturers that’s working with utilities and regulators across the country.

Source link by Canary Media

Author Jeff St. John

#Massachusetts #turn #EVs #grid #batteries

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Study: Tesla, Rivian charging networks have far fewer problems

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March 23, 2025

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Study: Tesla, Rivian charging networks have far fewer problems

Owners report more than ten times the issues with Shell Recharge, EVgo, or Blink than with Tesla
Rivian’s own charging network was second only to Tesla
Hardware-related issues have become more prevalent than payment problems

Charging networks operated by Tesla and Rivian tended to have fewer problems than non-automaker efforts, according to a recent Consumer Reports survey.

Electric vehicle owners experience a problem in one out of every five public charging sessions, according to the survey, which draws from ongoing responses from CR’s EV Charging Community project.

In this edition, Consumer Reports includes information from about 5,700 total charging sessions, from 1,230 EV and plug-in hybrid owners. As CR notes to Green Car Reports, there’s not much variation in problems by U.S. region. But the rate of reported problems was certainly not uniform across all networks.

Survey respondents reported problems at Tesla charging stations 4% of the time, and 5% of the time at Rivian-operated chargers. In contrast, respondents said they experienced problems 48% of the time at Shell Recharge stations, 43% of the time at EVgo stations, and 41% of the time at Blink stations. It’s worth pointing out that all of these low-rated charging networks are third-party providers not directly owned or run by automakers

Tesla Supercharger

Rivian last year phased in a grading system for the charging experience via its route planner—so it appears that might be working. A J.D. Power study last year suggested Tesla Supercharging was losing its edge over other public charging, but this study suggests otherwise.

The most common reported problems were hardware-related, at 36%. “Other issues” accounted for 25% of the reported problems, followed by payment issues (23%) and charging power (15%). Payment issues used to be frequently cited as the most common issue EV drivers faced at public charging stations, so this is a notably different result.

Among the reported hardware problems, broken screens were by far the most frequent, at 76%. Other reported problems included damaged charging cables of connectors (10%), chargers that could not physically connect to a vehicle due to ice blockage, damage, or other issues (9%), and cables that were too short (5%).

2023 Toyota bZ4X at EVgo charging station

Of those EV drivers who reported payment issues, 56% said they were able to pay but then encountered another issue that prevented them from charging; 25% said they were unable to pay at a given charger and had to move to another one; and 19% said charging never started despite payment being accepted.

To help make public charging go more smoothly, Consumer Reports recommends having multiple accounts with saved payment information so that, if there’s a problem with the charger’s interface, payment can be completed on a network’s app.

Blink Level 2 charging station at Firestone service center

General charging best practices, such as only fast-charging to 80% and preconditioning the battery pack before arriving, can help as well, the publication notes. In various polls and surveys, consumers continue to emphasize that the absolute charge rate doesn’t matter so much, rather that they get some level of charge in a reasonable amount of time.

With automaker-funded Ionna expanding rapidly, we’ll see how it lands on the scale of consumer approval—perhaps in a future update from this same data set.

Source link by Green Car Reports
Author news@greencarreports.com (Stephen Edelstein)

#Study #Tesla #Rivian #charging #networks #problems

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Road Trip: 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring

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Electric Vehicles Magazine

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March 23, 2025

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Hybrid Return = Best. Civic. Ever.

Honda last put a hybrid power plant in a Civic, its best-selling sedan, in 2015. So when it was announced the Civic Hybrid was coming back, there were high expectations. They were all met and exceeded as the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid is the best Civic. Ever.

The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid, either a sedan or hatchback, has received an enthusiastic welcome. The look is handsome with styling forgoing sharp edges and a busy design for a more mature and finished feel that hints Euro. Honda’s best-selling passenger car, and its second best-selling model behind the CR-V crossover, will not lose any sales with this newly designed and highly efficient sedan.

Clean and Efficient

Available in two trims—Sport and Sport Touring—the 2025 Civic Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter non-turbo, 16-valve 4-cylinder that, as the hybrid system, offers 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is not available.

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) has paddle shifters and driver selectable drive modes—Econ, Normal and Sport, and a Manual mode to use with the paddle shifters. Running on 87 octane, the EPA rates the Civic Hybrid at 50 mpg city/47 highway and 49 combined.

Clean Fleet Report had the opportunity to take the Civic Hybrid on a 970-mile, mostly freeway, road trip from Southern to Northern California and back. Using the adaptive cruise control set between 65 and 70 mph and selecting the Normal drive mode, we averaged 50.3 miles per gallon. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may differ.

Hitting the Road

The Civic Hybrid performed well, with 0-60 times around 6.3 seconds, which was peppy and plenty for all driving situations. Those numbers make it the most powerful Civic outside of the sporty Type R.

The linear throttle response delivered smooth acceleration all the way through the power band, which Honda says peaks at 6,000 rpms. Opting for the Sport mode delivered the best performance, where the steering stiffened, and the CVT’s simulated shifts were programmed to hold the rev bands just a bit longer.

The paddles have a dual use of shifting through simulated gears and also for setting the four levels of regenerative-braking. Using regen for deceleration, it slows the car without tapping the brake pedal. The paddles gave crisp shifts and added a level of control and fun. Overall, our take is Honda’s CVT is one of the best we have driven.

Honda has done a nice job with suspension on the 2025 Civic Hybrid. The drivability is wonderful, and it became apparent, very quickly, it had the feel of the size-up Accord Hybrid. The 3,252 pounds handled calmly on the highway with a stable, confident ride that smoothed-out bumps and didn’t transmit jolts into the cabin.

The rigidity of the chassis, spring and damper tuning, MacPherson front struts and rear multi-link suspension make for agile, tight and predictable handling. The electric power steering had good road feedback and is programmed with a neutral feel. The steering weight provided a good connection with the road.

The 235/40 Continental ProContact all-season tires, on 18-inch wheels, provided smooth ride quality and good traction with little tire slippage when cornering hard. Stopping was solid with anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution, brake assist and ventilated front and solid rear discs.

Aerodynamically Efficient Exterior

Now in its 11th generation, the Civic (first launched in 1972) went through a complete exterior re-imagination in 2022, and got a refresh for 2025. There are few sharp edges, aiding in improved aerodynamics to achieve increased efficiency. The LED head and driving lights are sleekly integrated next to the small upper grille, which sits above a slightly larger grille with LED fog lights in the outer fascia corners.

The nose, front bumpers, and hood are smooth; designed to direct air flow down the smooth sides and over the roof. The trunk lid with a diminutive integrated lip spoiler, LED tail lights and rear bumper and fascia all were optimized with airflow in mind. It is obvious Honda spent a considerable amount of time with the Civic in wind tunnel testing.

Our Civic had body color-keyed bumpers, door handles and shark fin antenna. The power and heated exterior mirrors were in gloss black to match the trim around the windows. Chrome was kept to a tasteful minimum, found on the lower edges of the front and rear fascia and on the badging. Exterior pallet options, at no additional cost, include Rallye Red, Meteorite Gray Metallic, Solar Silver Metallic or, the color of ours, Crystal Black Pearl. A $455 additional investment in color gets you Blue Lagoon Pearl, Platinum White Pearl or Urban Gray Pearl.

Interior Details

The front visibility is excellent due to the rake of the hood, narrow A-pillars and hidden rain sensing windshield wipers. The low-slung dash, with a unique and attractive honeycomb mesh panel hiding the air outlets, is covered in soft touch materials with gloss black trim.

Clean Fleet Report’s Civic Hybrid Touring had a solid black interior (gray is an option) with tasteful chrome touches around the touchscreen, the controls for the dual zone automatic climate system, the door handles, steering wheel and center console.

The perforated seats, center padded armrest, door armrests, shift knob and steering wheel are trimmed in leather. The seats, shift boot, armrests and steering wheel get white contrasting top stitching. The door panels and center console have an interesting surface that hides scratches and resists fingerprints. Honda has improved cabin quietness by using urethane spray foam in key places, and sound insulation on the underside of the hood, floor, fenders, carpet and dashboard panel.

The heated front seats use multiple internal structures to provide improved support across the entire body, with the driver getting 8-way and the passenger 4-way power adjustments. The tilt and telescoping steering column has good range so the driver has plenty of options to find a comfortable driving position.

The leather-trimmed rear seats are made for grownups, holding two comfortably, but three for short jaunts. The padded, fold-down armrest, with cup holders, is part of the 60:40 rear seat. That seat folds, providing a large and accommodating cargo space that rivals some midsize sedans. The trunk opening is tall and wide, with a low sill, making loading items easy. Overall, the interior build and material quality are at a high level.

The cockpit design is driver-friendly with customizable digital gauges, and a 9-inch, high-resolution color touchscreen. Our Touring model had the 12-speaker, with a subwoofer, Bose premium audio system with Centerpoint surround sound. The touchscreen handled the 3D satellite-based navigation and rear view camera. For entertainment there is AM/FM HD radio, SiriusXM (90-day free trial), Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, three 3.0A USB-C ports and a 12-Volt power outlet. The Touring trim which we were in also has Alexa and Google built in. The latter has a 3-year trial with an unlimited data plan for apps.

The Bluetooth with voice recognition worked very well, as did the steering wheel-mounted audio controls and the Qi wireless phone charging. A wish list for the audio system would be to add a channel selection knob which would join the volume knob.

Safety and Convenience

All Civic models come standard with active and passive safety features. The driver and front passenger get front, knee and side air bags, while the rear passengers get side and curtain airbags, the latter having a rollover sensor. Honda Sensing, the company’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), includes forward collision and road departure mitigation, lane keep assist, blind spot with cross traffic monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors.

Additional safety and convenience features include idle stop-and-go, automatic brake hold, a one-touch power moonroof, remote keyless entry, a security system, push button start/stop, a sliding center armrest, a tire pressure monitoring system, remote engine start, an automatic dimming rearview mirror equipped with Homelink and an electric parking brake. The driver attention monitor is a helpful driving aid that can detect a lack of attention by the driver. If you are nodding off, this system could save your life.

The 2025 Civic Hybrid received a Five Star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), awarded its highest rating of a Top Safety Pick.

Pricing

The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid sedan comes in two trim levels. These prices include the $1,095 destination and handling charge.

Sport $29,845
Sport Touring $32,845

Warranties

Hybrid Electric System – Eight years/100,000 miles
Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
New Vehicle/Basic – Three years/36,000 miles
Maintenance – One year or 12,000 miles
Anti-perforation – Five years/Unlimited miles
Roadside Assistance – Three years/36,000 miles

Observations: 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring

The quick take is the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Touring offers spirited driving with impressive performance in a well-built compact sedan. The ride is accommodating, the cabin quiet, the high fuel economy eye-popping—and it is priced competitively. Our test car, which was fully optioned, was just a tick over $32,000.

The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid is the best Civic. Ever. It has great looks, rides like it is in a class-up, has all the technology you would want and is amazingly efficient. It is just an excellent sedan. Yes, even sedans can be great in a world of trucks, crossovers and SUVs.

The 11th generation Civic was completely new in 2022 and at the time may have been the most significant Civic yet. Three years later, Honda has topped itself with the new most significant Civic ever. The exterior styling is clean, elegant and mature, and the interior is as welcoming as anything on the market. Oh, the 50+ mpg almost slipped by!

The Civic offers comfort for four, with the large rear seat passenger room making attaching a rear-facing child car seat easy. The trunk is larger than expected and will swallow up gear for a long, fuel-efficient road trip. The full suite of available advanced safety systems are worth getting when buy your new Civic Hybrid.

Built in North America (engine and transmission from Japan, final assembly in Canada), the Civic Hybrid carries with it the well-earned reputation of Honda quality. Personal note: I own a 1997 Honda Civic EX with 198,100 miles, which I bought new. The engine hums like a sewing machine. Even with all those miles, it still gets 30+ mpg and doesn’t burn or leak a drop of oil. I am sure you know someone with a similar Civic story.

The Honda Civic was America’s best-selling compact sedan in 2024. To be more accurate it hasbeen the best-selling compact sedan in America for the past several years. To truly appreciate how outstandingly good this car is, go into your Honda dealer and request a lengthy test drive. Don’t accept a quick circle around the dealership as it should include highway onramps and a few tight corners. You won’t get 970 miles on it like we did, but after a few short minutes you will get it and want it.

Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.

Story and photos by John Faulkner.

Disclosure

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.

The post Road Trip: 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring first appeared on Clean Fleet Report.

Source link by Clean Fleet Report
Author John Faulkner

#Road #Trip #Honda #Civic #Hybrid #Sport #Touring

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Yamaha previews electric golf carts with new in-house-developed LFP battery technology

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Electric Vehicles Magazine

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March 23, 2025

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Yamaha previews electric golf carts with new in-house-developed LFP battery technology

Yamaha Motor has announced the debut of two new five-seat golf cart models that utilize new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries that it has developed and begun manufacturing.

Two variants are available, the electromagnetically-guided G30Es and the manually-operated G31Eps.

Both models are 144.5” in length, 49.5” in width, 73” in height and have an 84.25” wheelbase, and are available with a battery capacity of either 4 kWh or 6 kWh.

The use of LFP in the batteries’ design affords both high reliability and an extended lifespan, Yamaha said, adding that LFP batteries are known for high thermal stability.

Golf carts are in use on many corporate and manufacturing campuses to get staff and visitors from point A to point B. They are also used in airports, on college and university campuses, at hospitals and for event transportation.

A high-precision AC motor offering “superior speed and torque control, combined with optimized regenerative braking and a brushless design,” gives the carts far greater efficiency than the company’s previous models, resulting in 30% lower power consumption, Yamaha said.

Both variants will be launched in Japan in June 2025, and in Taiwan at a later date.

Source: Yamaha Motor

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Author Jonathan Spira

#Yamaha #previews #electric #golf #carts #inhousedeveloped #LFP #battery #technology

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Elgo-Plus Springer Max-EB electric micro excavator asks: Can you dig it?

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Electric Vehicles Magazine

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March 23, 2025

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If you’re a middle-aged suburbanite looking to throw down the landscaping gauntlet on a rival dad, the Elgo-Plus Springer Max-EB battery electric micro excavator is absolutely the one-up yard machine you’ve been waiting for.

Picture the scene. You’ve just put your new wide-deck electric Deere to bed after one of the first mows of the season, and you look across the street and see Electrek‘s own Micah Toll, rolling a freakin’ Chinese electric excavator off a container making you look like a chump. What are you gonna do now? Dig with a shovel?

Imagine what your wife would say – or your kids! Who are you kidding? They’re his wife and his kids now. He has won.

If you’re under forty I’m sure all that seems like crazy gibberish, but I assure you: suburban gardening and landscaping is a subtle, competitive, and brutal determiner of the social pecking order in huge swaths of middle America, and I guarantee at least one of Micah’s neighbors clenched their jaw in rage when they saw those electric excavators and wheel loaders turn up. And for those dear weirdos, my dear weirdos, I have found the appropriate response: the Elgo-Plus Springer Max B electric excavator.

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European design, American hardware

The Elgo-Plus Springer Max is sold throughout Europe with Vanguard V-twin power, but the Spring Max-EB ditches the 14 hp ICE deal in favor of a 3 kW 48V electric motor from Benevelli powered by a pair of 5 kWh Briggs & Stratton Vanguard Lithium-Ion batteries that are Made in the USA, and good for up to five hours of continuous work with a four hour charge time on 220/240V Level 2 power.

And if that’s not good enough for you, there’s a newer model reportedly in development that uses two Vanguard 48V 7.0-kWh fixed battery packs (Fi7.0) capable of fully charging in under two hours.

“Having already worked with Briggs & Stratton for more than three years, we had every confidence in choosing their Vanguard batteries to power our electric mini-digger,” Andrzej Zielinski, CEO of Elgo-Plus told Power Progress. “The Vanguard Fi7.0 batteries answered every requirement and have delivered excellent results in terms of productivity and performance.”

The Elgo-Plus Springer Max-EB electric excavator is available now throughout mainland Europe, and ships with a Danfoss Turolla shhark [sic] 6cc hydraulic pump, Vanguard 1050W onboard charger, along with three buckets (incl. a 70 cm grading bucket), a ripping tool, LED lights, and a charging cable for 20,800 Euro (!).

It’s not cheap, but it’s bound to raise the bar in the suburban landscaping world, while its smooth, quiet, and vibration-free operation will surely make it a favorite on construction sites, as well.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Elgo-Plus.

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Source link by Electrek
Author Jo Borrás

#ElgoPlus #Springer #MaxEB #electric #micro #excavator #asks #dig

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EV battery recycling breakthrough recovers 99.99% of lithium

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March 22, 2025

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EV battery recycling breakthrough recovers 99.99% of lithium

Chinese researchers claim to have developed a process to recover nearly all of the lithium from used electric vehicle batteries for recycling.

The Independent (via InsideEVs) reports on study results first published in the German academic journal Angewandte Chemie claiming recovery of 99.99% of lithium from a used battery, as well as 97% of nickel 92% of cobalt, and 91% of manganese.

The process used, called “neutral leaching” also eliminates harsh chemicals, increasing safety and lowering environmental impact, researchers claim—and in laboratory tests it took just 15 minutes to separate out the desired battery materials.

Volkswagen battery recycling

Current recycling processes use amino acids, and here study researchers used glycine, which is the simplest stable amino acid, along with a follow-up process to avoid further chemical reactions once the lithium and other materials were extracted.

Laboratory research does not always scale to commercial viability, but battery recycling has attracted interest from automakers looking to avoid the cost and the environmental impact of mining new raw materials for batteries.

Toyota and Redwood Materials battery recycling

Toyota announced an agreement to utilize Redwood Materials, the battery-recycling firm founded by former Tesla CTO JB Straubel, in 2022. The following year, it expanded that agreement, setting the stage for batteries from hybrids like the Prius to provide material for future EV batteries as those vehicles reach the end of their useful lives.

Other automakers, including BMW, Ford, and Volkswagen Group’s VW and Audi brands, have also signed on with Redwood. But the fleet takes a long time to turn over, and the relatively small number of EVs and hybrids on the road could translate to a long wait for a critical mass of recyclable battery materials—with one 2021 report predicting that the market for these materials won’t heat up until 2030.

Source link by Green Car Reports
Author news@greencarreports.com (Stephen Edelstein)

#battery #recycling #breakthrough #recovers #lithium

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The Importance of Mudflaps for Trucks & Heavy Vehicles

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Electric Vehicles Magazine

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March 22, 2025

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Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

This article may contain affiliate links.

Trucks and heavy vehicles take on the toughest roads, handling dirt, debris and harsh weather conditions. While their size and power make them essential for transportation and logistics, they also create challenges—especially when it comes to road spray, loose gravel and safety hazards.

That’s where mudflaps come in. These simple yet effective accessories play a crucial role in protecting vehicles, drivers and even pedestrians. If you’ve ever wondered whether they’re just for looks or actually serve a purpose, here’s why they matter more than you might think.

The importance of mudflaps; Photo by Caleb Ruiter on Unsplash

Protection Against Road Debris

Every time a truck moves, its tires kick up dirt, mud, rocks and water from the road. This isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a hazard.

Shielding the Undercarriage

Without mudflaps, debris can hit a truck’s undercarriage, leading to premature wear, rust and potential damage to critical components.

Reducing Damage to Other Vehicles

Passing cars and trucks often get hit by flying gravel or road spray. Mudflaps minimize this impact, helping prevent cracked windshields and chipped paint.

Keeping Roads & Worksites Cleaner

In industries like construction and agriculture, where trucks frequently travel on muddy or unpaved surfaces, mudflaps help reduce the amount of debris tracked onto main roads.

Enhanced Safety on Wet Roads

One of the biggest safety concerns with large trucks is how they handle rain, snow, and slush. Without proper protection, tires throw water and debris high into the air, reducing visibility for nearby drivers.

Mudflaps help reduce spray and enhance safety, especially in bad weather. By keeping excessive water and dirt from being flung behind the truck, they make the roads safer for everyone. This is particularly important on highways, where high speeds make visibility even more critical.

The importance of mudflaps; Photo by Ömer Haktan Bulut on Unsplash

Legal Requirements & Compliance

In many places, mudflaps aren’t just a good idea—they’re required by law. Regulations vary, but most states and countries mandate them on commercial trucks and trailers to minimize road hazards.

Failing to have proper mudflaps can result in fines, penalties or even being pulled off the road. For fleet operators and independent drivers, staying compliant isn’t just about avoiding tickets—it’s about maintaining a responsible, professional image.

If you’re unsure about local requirements, checking with transportation authorities or trucking regulations can help ensure you meet the necessary standards.

Cost Savings on Repairs & Maintenance

Truck maintenance is expensive, and any measure that helps prevent wear and tear is worth considering. Mudflaps protect key areas from constant exposure to debris, reducing long-term damage.

Less Wear on Paint & Bodywork

Without protection, dirt and small rocks can chip paint, leading to rust and corrosion over time.

Extended Lifespan for Tires & Suspension

Reducing road debris helps keep important vehicle components in better condition, leading to fewer repairs.

Lower Cleaning Costs

Keeping mud and grime off the vehicle reduces the frequency and intensity of washing, saving time and money.

For fleet managers, this means fewer maintenance issues and a lower risk of unexpected downtime due to preventable damage.

The importance of mudflaps; photo by Wesley Tingey Unsplash

Improved Fuel Efficiency

While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, mudflaps can contribute to better fuel efficiency. Many modern designs are engineered to minimize drag, allowing trucks to move more smoothly through the air.

Aerodynamic mudflaps reduce wind resistance and improve airflow around the wheels. Over time, even a small increase in fuel efficiency adds up, especially for long-haul trucks that cover thousands of miles each year.

For businesses looking to optimize costs, investing in the right mudflaps can lead to noticeable savings in fuel expenses.

Customization & Branding Opportunities

Beyond their functional benefits, mudflaps also provide an opportunity for branding and customization. Many trucking companies use them to display logos, contact information or safety messages.

Brand Visibility

Custom-printed mudflaps turn trucks into moving advertisements, increasing brand exposure.

Professional Appearance

Clean, well-maintained mudflaps contribute to a polished, professional look for fleets and independent truckers.

Reflective & Safety Features

Some mudflaps come with built-in reflective strips or warning signs, further enhancing visibility and road safety.

For companies looking to reinforce their brand identity while keeping their fleet looking sharp, this small detail can make a big impact.

Choosing the Right Mudflaps

Not all mudflaps are created equal. When selecting the right type, consider:

Material – Rubber and plastic are the most common options, with rubber being more durable and flexible.
Size & Fit – Ensure the mudflaps are properly sized for the vehicle type to provide maximum coverage.
Mounting Style – Some mudflaps are bolt-on, while others use brackets or quick-release systems for easy maintenance.
Weather Resistance – Heavy-duty, weather-resistant materials are best for trucks that operate in extreme conditions.

Choosing high-quality mudflaps ensures they last longer and perform effectively in different driving conditions.

A Small Investment with Big Benefits

While they might seem like a minor accessory, mudflaps play a major role in truck safety, protection and efficiency. They help prevent road hazards, keep vehicles cleaner and even contribute to long-term cost savings.

For truck owners and fleet operators, installing and maintaining mudflaps is a simple yet effective way to improve road safety while keeping their vehicles in top condition. Whether for compliance, protection or branding, investing in the right set of mudflaps is always a smart move.

The post The Importance of Mudflaps for Trucks & Heavy Vehicles first appeared on Clean Fleet Report.

Source link by Clean Fleet Report
Author Guest Contributor

#Importance #Mudflaps #Trucks #amp #Heavy #Vehicles

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Hyundai’s limited-edition IONIQ 5 is heavily discounted right now

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Electric Vehicles Magazine

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March 22, 2025

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Hyundai’s limited-edition IONIQ 5 is heavily discounted right now

The limited-edition Gold Matte IONIQ 5 Disney100 Platinum Edition is Hyundai’s first vehicle designed with Walt Disney Imagineering. You know, the creative forces behind the Disney movies, stories, characters, and theme parks. With a new secret discount, Hyundai’s limited-edition IONIQ 5 is a steal, but getting your hands on one might be tricky.

Hyundai’s limited-edition IONIQ 5 goes on clearance

Hyundai launched the special edition IONIQ 5 last year to celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary. The electric SUV arrived with a Gravity Gold Matte exterior color, exclusive Disney100 wheels, and branding.

The interior features a two-tone (terra brown and mud gray) color scheme with Disney100 logos on the front seat headrests, center console, and floormats. Oh, and don’t forget the Disney-themed intro that plays on the center screen when you turn the car on. It even plays those classic Disney tunes we’ve grown to love.

Hyundai said production of the Disney-themed electric SUV would be “extremely limited,” with just 1,000 vehicles available for purchase.

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A little over a year later, Hyundai’s limited-edition IONIQ 5 is actually a pretty good deal. But that’s if you can find one.

According to CarsDirect, Hyundai launched a “secret” new $2,500 dealer cash incentive earlier this month. It’s considered a secret because the offer isn’t advertised, and the dealership can choose to keep it.

The $2,500 is on top of the $10,000 discount Hyundai introduced last March, only a few months after the special edition IONIQ 5 hit the market.

Hyundai-limited-edition-IONIQ-5 — Hyundai IONIQ 5 Disney100 Platinum Edition interior (Source: Hyundai)

Hyundai is also promoting a 0% APR financing offer for 60 months or up to $7,500 in Bonus Cash. On a 36-month lease, CarsDirect estimates you can score up to $13,750 in discounts on Hyundai’s Disney-themed IONIQ 5 right now. With the dealer cash, savings could amount to over $16,000. The deal is only good until March 31.

The 2024 Hyundai D100 Platinum Edition starts at $59,400 and has a range of up to 260 miles. With $16,000 off, prices could drop to as low as $43,400, which is even cheaper than the SE trim ($45,850).

Hyunda’s limited-edition IONIQ 5 is part of the outgoing 2024 lineup. The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 received several major upgrades, including more range (up to 318 miles), an interior and exterior refresh, and an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers. With leases as low as $199 per month, the 2025 IONIQ 5 may be an even better option.

The base 2025 IONIQ 5 starts at $42,500 with up to 245 miles range, while the extended range version starts at $46,550.

2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim	EV Powertrain	Driving Range (miles)	Starting Price*
IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range	168-horsepower rear motor	245	$42,500
IONIQ 5 SE RWD	225-horsepower rear motor	318	$46,550
IONIQ 5 SEL RWD	225-horsepower rear motor	318	$49,500
IONIQ 5 Limited RWD	225-horsepower rear motor	318	$54,200
IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD	320-horsepower dual motor	290	$50,050
IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD	320-horsepower dual motor	290	$53,000
IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD	320 horsepower dual motor	259	$55,400
IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD	320-horsepower dual motor	269	$58,100

2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 prices and range by trim (*includes $1,475 destination fee)

Hyundai is also offering a free ChargePoint Level 2 Home Flex EV charger (or $400 public charging credit) right now if you buy or lease a 2024 or 2025 IONIQ 5.

Want to test out Hyundai’s electric SUV for yourself? We can help you get started. You can use our link to view offers on 2024 and 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 models at a dealer near you today.

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Source link by Electrek
Author Peter Johnson

#Hyundais #limitededition #IONIQ #heavily #discounted

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Hyundai’s limited-edition IONIQ 5 goes on clearance

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