Bengt Halvorson
@ben-gt.bsky.social
Tracks and unpacks tech in the EV, efficiency, mobility space. Geeks out about cars. Former Green Car Reports mastermind. Now contrib to Car and Driver, others.
Are we getting a Kia EV4 in the U.S.? A Kia EV3? A Kia electric pickup?
We know automakers are feeling the tariff squeeze. Kudos to one of the brand's top U.S. execs for being blunt about the decisions it faces on EVs, prices, and everything.
www.caranddriver.com/news/a695325...
We know automakers are feeling the tariff squeeze. Kudos to one of the brand's top U.S. execs for being blunt about the decisions it faces on EVs, prices, and everything.
www.caranddriver.com/news/a695325...
November 25, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Are we getting a Kia EV4 in the U.S.? A Kia EV3? A Kia electric pickup?
We know automakers are feeling the tariff squeeze. Kudos to one of the brand's top U.S. execs for being blunt about the decisions it faces on EVs, prices, and everything.
www.caranddriver.com/news/a695325...
We know automakers are feeling the tariff squeeze. Kudos to one of the brand's top U.S. execs for being blunt about the decisions it faces on EVs, prices, and everything.
www.caranddriver.com/news/a695325...
Supplementing with a real live show pic of GV60 Magma as Bluesky can’t seem to load C/D preview cards.
November 24, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Supplementing with a real live show pic of GV60 Magma as Bluesky can’t seem to load C/D preview cards.
Hyundai Crater concept is a little bit VehiCross, right? Love it.
November 20, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Hyundai Crater concept is a little bit VehiCross, right? Love it.
Not quite like old times…
This zinester just spent an afternoon with the different movement it is today. Do you copy?
This zinester just spent an afternoon with the different movement it is today. Do you copy?
November 10, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Not quite like old times…
This zinester just spent an afternoon with the different movement it is today. Do you copy?
This zinester just spent an afternoon with the different movement it is today. Do you copy?
I took a 400+ mile powerhouse out to a different powerhouse: Bonneville Dam!
The 2026 Lucid Air Touring gets new cells (and more range), HVAC upgrades from Gravity, and hands-free highway driving that's smooth enough for motion-sensitive passengers. Best big American electric sedan? Check, mate.
The 2026 Lucid Air Touring gets new cells (and more range), HVAC upgrades from Gravity, and hands-free highway driving that's smooth enough for motion-sensitive passengers. Best big American electric sedan? Check, mate.
November 8, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I took a 400+ mile powerhouse out to a different powerhouse: Bonneville Dam!
The 2026 Lucid Air Touring gets new cells (and more range), HVAC upgrades from Gravity, and hands-free highway driving that's smooth enough for motion-sensitive passengers. Best big American electric sedan? Check, mate.
The 2026 Lucid Air Touring gets new cells (and more range), HVAC upgrades from Gravity, and hands-free highway driving that's smooth enough for motion-sensitive passengers. Best big American electric sedan? Check, mate.
Are EVs as dynamic Halloween decorations the new pumpkin spice?
All I know is that today the kids on the block are loving the Spoooky on a neighbor's R1T...
All I know is that today the kids on the block are loving the Spoooky on a neighbor's R1T...
October 24, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Are EVs as dynamic Halloween decorations the new pumpkin spice?
All I know is that today the kids on the block are loving the Spoooky on a neighbor's R1T...
All I know is that today the kids on the block are loving the Spoooky on a neighbor's R1T...
The other factor to consider: Where do you live, and what’s the impact of the Bolt EV’s LFP battery chemistry on charging in cold weather?
The latest generation of LFP cells (see Tesla) has shown this to be far less of an issue. But I’d like to see some reassurance from GM.
[3/3]
The latest generation of LFP cells (see Tesla) has shown this to be far less of an issue. But I’d like to see some reassurance from GM.
[3/3]
October 10, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The other factor to consider: Where do you live, and what’s the impact of the Bolt EV’s LFP battery chemistry on charging in cold weather?
The latest generation of LFP cells (see Tesla) has shown this to be far less of an issue. But I’d like to see some reassurance from GM.
[3/3]
The latest generation of LFP cells (see Tesla) has shown this to be far less of an issue. But I’d like to see some reassurance from GM.
[3/3]
So the Leaf in 10-69% recovers what Bolt adds 10-80% charge. And based on this charge, Leaf was there in 24.5 min
Bolt EV real-world results missing, of course!
In both cases, HUGE improvement. I’ve owned both and am very much looking forward to the days of not plodding along at <50 kW.
[2/3]
Bolt EV real-world results missing, of course!
In both cases, HUGE improvement. I’ve owned both and am very much looking forward to the days of not plodding along at <50 kW.
[2/3]
October 10, 2025 at 5:37 PM
So the Leaf in 10-69% recovers what Bolt adds 10-80% charge. And based on this charge, Leaf was there in 24.5 min
Bolt EV real-world results missing, of course!
In both cases, HUGE improvement. I’ve owned both and am very much looking forward to the days of not plodding along at <50 kW.
[2/3]
Bolt EV real-world results missing, of course!
In both cases, HUGE improvement. I’ve owned both and am very much looking forward to the days of not plodding along at <50 kW.
[2/3]
In the vicinity of 150 kW from 12-38%, at >100 kW until ~55%, still pulling 62 kW at 80%
October 9, 2025 at 5:14 PM
In the vicinity of 150 kW from 12-38%, at >100 kW until ~55%, still pulling 62 kW at 80%
No adapter needed at Supercharger. Selected space when parking, and the Leaf was charging before I could go back into the app and see session details.
October 9, 2025 at 5:14 PM
No adapter needed at Supercharger. Selected space when parking, and the Leaf was charging before I could go back into the app and see session details.
Outside temp was 54 degrees F, so I manually hit the battery warmer toggle (took about 20 min). Reassuring to have “right now” est peak charge power!
October 9, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Outside temp was 54 degrees F, so I manually hit the battery warmer toggle (took about 20 min). Reassuring to have “right now” est peak charge power!
I fast-charged the 2026 Nissan Leaf, and the experience was flawless: 10-80% in 32 min
Takeaway: Real-world, it’s road-trip quick, actually faster-charging than the Ariya.
More details to follow.
Takeaway: Real-world, it’s road-trip quick, actually faster-charging than the Ariya.
More details to follow.
October 9, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I fast-charged the 2026 Nissan Leaf, and the experience was flawless: 10-80% in 32 min
Takeaway: Real-world, it’s road-trip quick, actually faster-charging than the Ariya.
More details to follow.
Takeaway: Real-world, it’s road-trip quick, actually faster-charging than the Ariya.
More details to follow.
Honda sold more Prologue EVs last month than Passports or Ridgelines!
Some EVs have veered from forecasts, but this keeps with the messaging all along. Honda expected 40,000 Prologues a year; here it looks on a path to meet or possibly even exceed that, post-credit.
hondanews.com/en-US/honda-...
Some EVs have veered from forecasts, but this keeps with the messaging all along. Honda expected 40,000 Prologues a year; here it looks on a path to meet or possibly even exceed that, post-credit.
hondanews.com/en-US/honda-...
October 1, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Honda sold more Prologue EVs last month than Passports or Ridgelines!
Some EVs have veered from forecasts, but this keeps with the messaging all along. Honda expected 40,000 Prologues a year; here it looks on a path to meet or possibly even exceed that, post-credit.
hondanews.com/en-US/honda-...
Some EVs have veered from forecasts, but this keeps with the messaging all along. Honda expected 40,000 Prologues a year; here it looks on a path to meet or possibly even exceed that, post-credit.
hondanews.com/en-US/honda-...
Even with EV tax credit rush bringing us toward more impressive YTD results, 2025 is the year that charging infrastructure is really getting out ahead of EV sales.
In the long lens, that's a good thing.
cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...
In the long lens, that's a good thing.
cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...
September 29, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Even with EV tax credit rush bringing us toward more impressive YTD results, 2025 is the year that charging infrastructure is really getting out ahead of EV sales.
In the long lens, that's a good thing.
cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...
In the long lens, that's a good thing.
cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...
Another back-to-back quick take: Dodge Charger Daytona EV and Lucid Air Pure. Obvious range/charging/performance/noisemaking specs aside, both big electric cars on BEV platforms. Daytona EV is nearly a foot longer, but Air simultaneously feels much larger inside. And Air drives SO much nimbler.
September 19, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Another back-to-back quick take: Dodge Charger Daytona EV and Lucid Air Pure. Obvious range/charging/performance/noisemaking specs aside, both big electric cars on BEV platforms. Daytona EV is nearly a foot longer, but Air simultaneously feels much larger inside. And Air drives SO much nimbler.
This week I've driven a number of competing EVs and hybrids back-to-back—at NWAPA's Drive Revolution, an evolution of the EV-tech event I started 13 years ago!
You notice things. Like how despite a touted 800V platform in the Kia EV6, the Ford Mustang Mach-E makes better use of cabin space.
You notice things. Like how despite a touted 800V platform in the Kia EV6, the Ford Mustang Mach-E makes better use of cabin space.
September 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
This week I've driven a number of competing EVs and hybrids back-to-back—at NWAPA's Drive Revolution, an evolution of the EV-tech event I started 13 years ago!
You notice things. Like how despite a touted 800V platform in the Kia EV6, the Ford Mustang Mach-E makes better use of cabin space.
You notice things. Like how despite a touted 800V platform in the Kia EV6, the Ford Mustang Mach-E makes better use of cabin space.
My first impressions of the 2026 Nissan Leaf—with a set of test numbers, as you might expect from Car and Driver!
Takeaway: Don't expect anything sporty here, folks—or one-pedal driving. But the 2026 Leaf is a stunning achievement in terms of value for money.
www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a660...
Takeaway: Don't expect anything sporty here, folks—or one-pedal driving. But the 2026 Leaf is a stunning achievement in terms of value for money.
www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a660...
September 12, 2025 at 3:41 PM
My first impressions of the 2026 Nissan Leaf—with a set of test numbers, as you might expect from Car and Driver!
Takeaway: Don't expect anything sporty here, folks—or one-pedal driving. But the 2026 Leaf is a stunning achievement in terms of value for money.
www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a660...
Takeaway: Don't expect anything sporty here, folks—or one-pedal driving. But the 2026 Leaf is a stunning achievement in terms of value for money.
www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a660...
Parting shots of the Ioniq 9. Still loving this design and all the spaciousness.
August 26, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Parting shots of the Ioniq 9. Still loving this design and all the spaciousness.
Takeaway: So just as with the Ioniq 5 and 6, it doesn’t make *that* much of a difference—whether that be 150- or 350-kW CCS hardware with an adapter, or Superchargers. Seek out what's available, fully operational, and along your route! [3/3]
August 23, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Takeaway: So just as with the Ioniq 5 and 6, it doesn’t make *that* much of a difference—whether that be 150- or 350-kW CCS hardware with an adapter, or Superchargers. Seek out what's available, fully operational, and along your route! [3/3]
Preconditioned and plugged in at 21%, power level steadily rose to that 127-kW ceiling by 27% and pegged there all the way to 82%. Total time from 21% to 80% was 32 minutes. It dropped below 90 kW when I stopped the charge at 85% and 38 min. [2/3]
August 23, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Preconditioned and plugged in at 21%, power level steadily rose to that 127-kW ceiling by 27% and pegged there all the way to 82%. Total time from 21% to 80% was 32 minutes. It dropped below 90 kW when I stopped the charge at 85% and 38 min. [2/3]
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 flags some Tesla Superchargers as higher-power 325 kW locations. Toward V4, it would seem that this already means a faster charge. But at present, it doesn’t. As I experienced this past week, it amounts to the same 127-kW peak as on other 400V Superchargers. [1/3]
August 23, 2025 at 9:28 PM
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 flags some Tesla Superchargers as higher-power 325 kW locations. Toward V4, it would seem that this already means a faster charge. But at present, it doesn’t. As I experienced this past week, it amounts to the same 127-kW peak as on other 400V Superchargers. [1/3]
Post something from your camera roll that comes up when you search yellow car
August 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Post something from your camera roll that comes up when you search yellow car
NYT @nytimes.com is one of the few media outlets with surging revenue and a model that's working. And yet it too has recently been showing signs of being spread thin (or just losing touch with the basics). From today's morning newsletter:
August 18, 2025 at 4:23 PM
NYT @nytimes.com is one of the few media outlets with surging revenue and a model that's working. And yet it too has recently been showing signs of being spread thin (or just losing touch with the basics). From today's morning newsletter:
Getting the most out of an EV might mean retraining your driving habits. One-pedal or not, regenerative braking is an amazing thing!
www.caranddriver.com/features/a65...
www.caranddriver.com/features/a65...
August 15, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Getting the most out of an EV might mean retraining your driving habits. One-pedal or not, regenerative braking is an amazing thing!
www.caranddriver.com/features/a65...
www.caranddriver.com/features/a65...