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Runtime: 8:18
0:00 General Motors Takes $7.1 Billion EV Hit
0:57 Stellantis Kills Off Plug-In Hybrids in U.S.
1:31 Our Next Energy Ditches EV Battery Business
2:07 Range Anxiety Still Top Concern for Buying an EV
3:10 Kia Unveils New EV2 In Brussels
4:03 Hyundai Shows Off All-Electric Staria Van
4:56 Stellantis Brussels Show Reveals
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This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
GENERAL MOTORS TAKES $7.1 BILLION EV HIT
In order to help stop the massive losses with its EV business, Ford wrote off $19.5 billion in EV investments last month. And now General Motors is doing the same. GM said it will take $7.1 billion in charges against its 4th quarter earnings as it scales back its EV plans. That’s in addition to a $1.6 billion write down it took in the 3rd quarter. And GM says it will take more charges this year but they’ll be less than the 2025 amounts. The money is related to canceling or renegotiating contracts with suppliers and reworking its EV production footprint. And while GM is rolling back its future EV plans, the company says these charges won’t affect production of its current EV lineup.
STELLANTIS KILLS OFF PLUG-IN HYBRIDS IN U.S.
And while GM is scaling back plans for fully-electric vehicles, Stellantis is killing off its plug-in hybrids. The Drive reports that the automaker is ending production of the plug-in versions of the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee and the Chrysler Pacifica for the 2026 model year in North America. Stellantis says it’s discontinuing the models because of “shifting customer demand.” But while it’s giving up on plug-in hybrids, Stellantis will focus its electrification efforts on regular hybrids and extended range EVs.
OUR NEXT ENERGY DITCHES EV BATTERY BUSINESS
EV battery startup Our Next Energy or ONE, planned to be the first U.S.-based company to open a lithium-iron phosphate or LFP plant in the country but is abandoning the automotive business altogether. The company says it’s pivoting to grid storage systems and the locomotive and defense sectors. As a result, it’s laying off 45% of its workforce. The company says it has $35 million in new contracts but it needs $60 million to break even this year. However, its CEO expects to hit that break-even point.
RANGE ANXIETY STILL TOP CONCERN FOR BUYING AN EV
Range anxiety is still the top reason U.S. consumers are reluctant to buy an EV. According to a new survey from Deloitte, 47% of respondents said that driving range is the greatest concern for adopting a fully-electric vehicle. That was followed by charging time and overall cost. Interestingly, in South Korea, India and China, one of the top concerns with EVs is the safety of battery technology. Lowering fuel costs remains the top reason that U.S. consumers say they would consider an EV for their next vehicle purchase, however only 7% of those surveyed said they intend to buy an EV as their next vehicle.
KIA UNVEILS NEW EV2 IN BRUSSELS
I wish more auto shows could be like this year’s Brussels show because there’s so many new models on display. Kia revealed the EV2, its new entry-level electric SUV. About a size down from the new Nissan LEAF, the EV2 will be offered with two battery sizes, about 42 kWh and 61 kWh. Kia estimates the smaller pack will return a WLTP range of up to 317 kilometers or nearly 200 miles, while the 61-kWh pack is estimated at up to 448 kilometers or about 275 miles of range. In an effort to get the most out of its small footprint, the rear seats slide and recline, and there’s a frunk as well. Production of the EV2 starts in the first quarter of this year and sales should follow soon after.
HYUNDAI SHOWS OFF ALL-ELECTRIC STARIA VAN
Sticking with the Hyundai Group, Hyundai pulled the wraps off the STARIA Electric. While the van has been on sale in some markets around the world since 2021, this is the first fully electric version. The front-drive STARIA combines a 160 kW or roughly 210 horsepower electric motor with an 84-kWh battery pack. The setup provides up to 400 kilometers or nearly 250 miles of range and thanks to an 800-volt architecture, fast charging from 10-80% in 20 minutes. The van is also offered in 7- or 9-seat configurations and even has the ability to tow up to 2,000 kilograms or 4,400 pounds. The STARIA Electric goes on sale in Korea and Europe in the first half of this year with other markets to follow.
STELLANTIS BRUSSELS SHOW REVEALS
Stellantis probably has the biggest presence at the Brussels show. It even has an entire section dedicated to its commercial vehicles. So, we’ll rifle through these kind of quick. Peugeot showed the refreshed 408, which gets a few styling changes, slightly more power for the PHEV and a couple of upgrades for the EV version. Fiat announced it’s bringing back the Qubo van early this year. The new QUBO L will be offered in standard and long-wheelbase versions for 5- to 7-passenger seating and with diesel, gas and electric powertrains. Opel showed the new Astra, Alfa debuted an even more performance oriented version of the Giulia Quadrifoglio and DS Automobiles took its model, called the Number 4, and completely tricked it out to look like an off-road rally car.
If you’ve got a minute, check out our coverage of CES. We have interviews with automakers and suppliers about the latest and greatest tech they’re developing. You can watch those videos on our website or YouTube channel.
But that’s it for today’s show, thanks for watching and have a great weekend.
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I think when the term “ range anxiety” is used it often sounds dismissive and for millions of people it’s not a fear but a reality. If you live in a remote area, like me, to go somewhere it’s a long drive at best. If my 14 hour drive with one gas stop is going to turn into 16 + hours with 4 or more stops ?? Then I’m out.
Range anxiety is real even in an urban area like Orlando. I was there with a rental Mach E that Avis forced on me. 3/4 of chargers I went to were either broken, incompatible, busy, or in unsavory areas that smelled like urine. Majority non-Tesla chargers are on dealership lots so if they’re closed then you’re SOL. Every charger seems to require a new proprietary app that gets your info and credit card number and is no cheaper than gas would’ve been. Terrible experience.
That’s why today’s show has even more news of multi-billion dollar charge offs and companies flat abandoning the EV space. I don’t see how the “EV future” argument ever makes a comeback. Will always be niche.
Buzzard- totally agree with your point but also I think many folks still don’t see very many charging stations which would add to the range anxiety. They currently don’t have the huge signs along the Hwy like gas stations do. You need an app. We all know along a Hwy there is typically a gas station within 10-20 miles unless out west in the very remote areas. So without the app most people are oblivious to where EV chargers are. In fact one may have parked in a lot and not even noticed them. So it’s kinda like finding a place to air a tire. Some stations might have em. They might work and they might not. But you have to look to find em. For me the big deterrent would be home charging. Until charging is down to less than 5 min. I wouldn’t want to charge anywhere but at home.
Lambo, the apps are also not reliable. Ford’s own official Blue Oval charger network app sent me to Tesla chargers which are not even compatible. It’s a clown show.
I’m a little surprised that Stella is dropping the plug-in Wrangler, because it sold fairly well, making up more than a quarter of Wrangler sales. Maybe the other power trains will “take up the slack,” though. Even though the Wrangler plug-in sold well, I certainly didn’t like it, because it is a gas hog, getting worse mpg than some of the non-hybrid versions, if not plugged in.
I’d like to see a non-plug-in hybrid Pacifica. With the smaller battery, it would cost less, and might not lose “stow and go” as the plug-in does.
As I’ve said before, EVs are great commuter cars for those with home charging, but I wouldn’t want to use one for my twice a year 1100 mile trips, even if every charger worked perfectly. It would probably turn my usual two day trip into a three day trip.
As far as airing tires, I do that at home. For a while, I used 12 volt compressors that plug into the lighter socket, but those are slow. I now have a small 120V compressor at both homes, quicker and more convenient.
Here in my Northeast state regular fuel is between $2.69 and $2.99 vs National Grid at home for 37 cents / kWh. After the higher initial cost of the EV and the greater deprecation after 5 years, how much money am I really saving? And the bonus is no range anxiety.
Seems commenters can spell T**** but shall not say the name of one owner **** **** for it might turn you into a republican. Maybe I am just old but can’t go more than 2 hours any more without a bio break and have to stretch out my creaky bones. Then if you had an older British car you wouldn’t get going in the first place because it wouldn’t start because a dog pee’d on the front tire. Then if you started your 14 hour trip in upper peninsula of Michigan you’d be very cold since no app to let heat pump warm your butt. Last long trip did through Washington state no problems with T**** chargers I mean ***** chargers since they all worked was there typically 10 – 15 minutes just enough time for bio break. Then on the road again. As with all manufactured goods one has to get good advice and consider all aspects of ownership. For me having full self driving through twisty mountain roads it would be a big loss to be without FSD or driving 14 hours on the superslab talk about boring.
I suppose when they report “range anxiety”, they truly are incorporating “charge anxiety” in that same definition. EV owners that don’t use their vehicle for longer trips, and charge at home, are fine with their situation, but as stated in some of the responses today; bad chargers, sporadically located chargers, long charge times, etc. are the cause of the anxieties.
For those fantasizing about charging EVs with 1000 miles of range in 5 minutes, here’s a good “reality check” article.
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/07/04/why-your-ev-wont-fill-up-in-five/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLVArxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFrcWhRM291Mkppc0ZhTUpVAR7bqjBIB_XDh7_Rqrw9asZN6aYSjWL_kX9x_8bM6KkBy6MxsjSxxCfiF93-ug_aem_4uKex0kdiCDy25DvWaR1RA
Kit —
I read the article and thought it was very informative and the writer made very good points. For those who have not read the article, the writer focused on the realities of charging the new solid state battery, that one of the Chinese companies claims will charge in 5 minutes and go 1800 miles. Whether or not that was possible outside of a lab was immaterial to the writers point, for they focused on the amount of power that would call for, the equipment needed, the resources necessary by the service provider and number of other things required to just service this one vehicle! The need of a wire larger then your wrist to charge the vehicle, alone was very eye opening. Their point that the battery companies are only interested in battery chemistries and output and not the realities of making it happen, was very poignant!
That said, I think what the writer may have missed is that, while a battery company may be able to build a battery that can go 1800 miles between charges, an OEM may not see it the same way as a use case. Much like the big name clothing designers come out with highly impractical styles for the new season, designers from clothing distributors take elements for this designs and put them in more practical settings! If some had a vehicle that could go 1800 miles between charges, that would be nearly three times longer then the average ICE vehicle range, as well as take 125 days to go from full charge to empty, at 60 miles an hour, non-stop! Yet, an OEM may see that single, 1800 mile, ‘average’ size battery and think that it could power four vehicles, with 425 miles of range! With a battery pack about the size if a fuel tank, placed at the rear of the vehicle, lowering the floor of most current EVs, as well as weight! The only issue that goes back to the writer’s original point would be charging, for if all four vehicles came to the same charging station, looking to refuel at all the same time! The amount of power needed to charge them all in 5 minutes from different charging ports, would raise the questions te article posed about the type wires needed, cooling them, electrical infrastructure and the like. Personally, someone needing 1800 mile of range of any type of personal passenger vehicle, gas or electric, is a little extreme. It makes no sense. But a consistent 425 miles, while using the radio, HVAC and other equipment and systems in the vehicle, is much more reasonable.
The article used an extreme of 1800 miles in 5 minutes, but even dividing by 4 to 450 miles, it’s a lot of kilowatts to charge a 100 kWh battery in 5 minutes.