Weekend News Roundup June 01, 2024

A recent study found that Tesla vehicle batteries degrade at a faster rate than the manufacturer’s warranty assures. Recurrent discovered that the range plummeted to 64 percent of the EPA-rated range after three years after combing data from 12,198 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. While the information illustrates how inaccurate federal testing can be, it also falls short of where even Tesla believes the range should be. - Ryan Erik King Read More

The Tesla Cybertruck’s launch has been far from smooth, to say the least. We’ve heard about the time a car wash bricked a Cybertruck, the frunk’s taste for fingers and that coolant leaks aren’t covered by the warranty even if you’ve only driven 35 miles since taking delivery. Those are all legitimate problems that anyone would be rightfully upset about experiencing, but the most concerning problem people appear to be having is with just how sharp the body panels can be. One new Cybertruck owner even ended up in the hospital after cutting his wrist during delivery. - Collin Woodard Read More

Former United States President Donald J. Trump, currently facing 34 felony counts in criminal court, is campaigning for re-election this fall by taking shots at the increasingly popular electric car industry. Trump has already called for oil and gas industry executives to donate significant campaign funds in exchange for a reversal of Biden administration climate policies. If elected this November, Trump would roll back tailpipe emissions targets and dramatically slash EV tax credits. These policies may prove unpopular even among Republican voters, as electric vehicle production has spurred job growth and investment in southern states. - Bradley Brownell Read More

Cars just aren’t worth repairing anymore. One in every five cars seen by an insurance adjuster is estimated to cost too much to be repaired and returned to drivable condition. There are a ton of factors to look at here, but with high-tech lighting and sensors at the extremities of every car these days, increased use of exotic materials, and more expensive airbags than ever, it’s not hard to see where a lot of that money is going. This recent report from Bloomberg
breaks down how the modern car market is great for Copart, but not so good for consumers. - Bradley Brownell Read More

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is an incredible car. It’s an absolute blast to drive, relatively affordable, reliable, fuel-efficient and just darn cute. It’s never going to be the quickest car on the road, but you don’t buy it to go fast. Unless you’re looking for V8-swapped Miatas, that is. Drop an LS in, and suddenly, you’ve got a completely different car. You might die, but oh, what a way to go. So we were a little surprised when Cars & Bids listed the first V8-swapped Miata that we don’t desperately want to drive. - Collin Woodard Read More

The type of guy who puts Hellcat in his name has to have a serious devotion to Dodge’s monstrous V8-powered cars. As it turns out, he earned that name by stealing Hellcats and swapping their motors into the cars of paying customers. He and three other men were booked on various charges including engaging in organized crime and theft of a vehicle in San Antonio, Texas. - Logan Carter Read More

Don’t do illegal shit, but especially don’t do it when you’re calling in to talk to a judge about the last time you were accused of doing illegal shit. Earlier this month a Washtenaw County, Michigan man was ordered to appear before the court on a video conference for driving on a suspended license. Corey Harris called in to his court date from the driver’s seat of his car, while driving. With a suspended license. It is illegal in Michigan (and many other states) to hold your cell phone while driving, which Mr. Harris also accomplishes. - Bradley Brownell Read More

Cadillac may have shocked some when it revealed its entry-level Optiq EV back in late 2023. While the brand just showed us how it looked back in November, it didn’t reveal any other details. That’s changed, as Cadillac has finally revealed more specs and features about its newest small EV, including its starting price and range. The 2025 Optiq will start at just $54,000 when it goes on sale later this year, putting it in a prime spot against other competitors in the price range, like higher trims of the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Tesla Model Y. - Lawrence Hodge Read More

In the year of our lord 2024, who carries cash anymore? I don’t, but the other day when I filled up with gas I regretted my decision to stick with plastic money instead of paper money because card transactions were 20 cents more per gallon. Why do gas stations tack on these extra charges for card transactions? According to the Association for Convenience and Petroleum Retailing or NACS, it’s because credit card companies collect on average about 2.5 percent of every card transaction processed. - Logan Carter Read More

Enthusiasts have been hesitant to embrace EVs in the past, and who could blame them? You just can’t reproduce the thrill of a naturally aspirated engine or the whine of a turbocharged eager oxygen breather. It seem’s Toyota feels the same way. - Lawrence Hodge Read More