Edmunds highlights the top car-tech trends from CES 2025
CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas continues to provide a sneak peek at future technology. The annual showcase includes advanced automotive tech in an industry striving to reduce pollution and increase occupant safety while also providing greater convenience and entertainment for road warriors. These are the most impressive innovations we saw at this year’s event.
BMW announces battery recycling partnership with SK tes
BMW Group and Singapore-based SK tes launched a European battery recycling partnership to recover cobalt, nickel, and lithium from used batteries, the automaker announced Monday. Recovered materials will be returned to BMW’s supply chain to produce new batteries, creating a circular recycling ecosystem for end-of-life batteries. The first batteries produced with recycled raw materials will be used in BMW’s next-generation “Neue Klasse” electric vehicles. The closed-loop battery recycling partnership with BMW will later expand around the globe, and is set to expand to the US-Mexico-Canada region as early as 2026, according to the release.
US finalizes ban on connected vehicle tech from China, Russia
The Department of Commerce issued a finalized rule Tuesday banning the sale or import of connected vehicle hardware and software originating from China or Russia. The action ends a year-long exploration into the potential security threats of external connectivity between bluetooth, cellular or satellite technology and autonomous driving platforms, according to a White House fact sheet. However, the rule excludes trucks and buses, which regulators said will be addressed separately. “Through this rule, the Commerce Department is taking a necessary step to safeguard U.S. national security and protect Americans’ privacy by keeping foreign adversaries from manipulating these technologies to access sensitive or personal information,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in the release.
DOT announces $635M in EV charging, other clean transportation grants
The Federal Highway Administration on Jan. 10 announced $635 million in grants to build out electric vehicle charging and other clean transportation infrastructure across 27 states, four tribal areas and the District of Columbia. More than three dozen projects expanding “community” EV charging will receive $368 million and about $268 million will go towards seven “corridor” fast-charging projects that build out charging and alternative-fueling capabilities along designated alternative fuel corridors, the Department of Transportation said.
Dive Brief Tesla recalls over 239K vehicles for rearview camera display fault
Tesla is recalling over 239,000 vehicles for a condition where the computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image when shifting into reverse, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recalled vehicles include certain 2024-2025 Model 3 and Model S sedans, 2023-2025 Model X and 2023-2025 Model Y SUVs. Tesla has released an over-the-air software update to address the problem, but the automaker is still working to identify any vehicles that may have experienced a circuit board failure or stresses that can lead to one. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 7.
Most automakers close 2024 on a high note
Most automakers closed 2024 with recording-break U.S. sales, helped by surging demand for battery electric vehicles. Despite a cooling global sales environment that led to production cuts and layoffs, a majority of automakers, including General Motors, reported Q4 year-over-year sales gains. GM sold 2.7 million vehicles in 2024, a 4% YoY improvement and its highest total since 2019, the company said. In Q4, the automaker also posted a 21% YoY improvement. GM also sold 42,000 EVs in Q4, up 10,000 from the prior quarter and nearly double the amount sold in Q2.
GM using AI to find the best locations for EV chargers
General Motors is turning to artificial intelligence and machine learning to find the optimal locations to install new electric vehicle chargers to best serve drivers, the company announced in a Jan. 8 blog post. As part of the project, data scientists at GM are using predictive analytics and geospatial algorithms to evaluate EV traffic patterns in the U.S. to determine where additional EV chargers might be needed. The work is supporting GM’s collaboration with public charging infrastructure operator EVgo to build 2,850 DC public charging stalls in major metropolitan areas across the U.S., including 400 flagship destinations featuring high-power 350 kilowatt chargers.
Automakers respond to devastating California wildfires
The deadly wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles since early January have left a path of destruction, scorching tens of thousands of acres and leveling hundreds of structures across the metropolitan region, which forced thousands to evacuate. But in the wake of the disaster, aid has poured in from around the country, the Los Angeles Times reported. The aid also comes from some of the world’s leading automakers.
VW's Scout has more than 50,000 reservations for upcoming EVs as automaker aims to grow U.S. share
LAS VEGAS — Scout Motors has received more than 50,000 refundable reservation deposits for its first electric pickups and SUVs, according to Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume. Volkswagen revived Scout, which was an American brand from 1961 to 1980, and revealed production-intent vehicles of its Terra pickup truck and Traveler SUV in October. The vehicles will be offered as all-electric models or extended-range electric vehicles, or EREVs.
Toyota shuffles its North American C-suite operations
Several executives at Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Connected North America will take on expanded roles to bolster the company’s electrification and software development leadership, the automaker announced last month.