NHTSA denies Tesla door-release defect petition, opens new door rules

NHTSA has denied a petition asking it to open a defect investigation into the hidden manual door releases on the Tesla Model 3. But in the same decision, the agency agreed to start writing new door-safety rules for the entire auto industry.

The denial, published today, covers 179,031 model year 2022 Model 3 vehicles. NHTSA said it found exactly one complaint matching the petition’s allegation — and it came from the same owner who filed it.

This is the new 18-in-1 electric vehicle you can build yourself

If you’ve ever wished you could buy one electric vehicle that could evolve with your needs instead of replacing it every time your use case changes, a Canadian company thinks it has the answer.

ENVO Drive Systems has unveiled its new Utility Personal Transporter (UPT), a modular electric vehicle platform that can be configured into as many as 18 different vehicle types, with even more combinations possible through optional accessories and upgrades.

NEVI gets real in Illinois as first federally funded EV chargers go online

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) cut the ribbon on the state’s first federally-funded EV charging station this week, after energizing new high-speed chargers at a Phillips 66 Mach 1 station in Casey, IL.

The new Hyundai Kona leaks with a tougher look and a surprise inside

Hyundai skipped the typical mid-cycle refresh and instead gave the Kona a complete overhaul. The first image of it leaked, revealing a taller, SUV-like design.

Schneider Electric’s upgraded app-free EV charger now has NACS

Schneider Electric has just given its Charge Pro commercial Level 2 EV charger a sweet upgrade that includes NACS support, app-free charging, and a quicker setup process.

Massachusetts wants to pay EV drivers for their battery power

Some Massachusetts EV owners will soon be able to earn incentives for sending electricity from their car batteries back to the grid when demand spikes.

Volvo’s new midsize electric SUV delivers more range than expected, with up to 330 miles

Volvo is already calling it a game-changing electric SUV. The new 2027 EX60 now has an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 330 miles, making it the longest-range EV Volvo offers.

Heybike Mars 2.0, ALPHA, Horizon e-bikes get up to $800 exclusive savings to new lows, Segway EVs up to 46% off, Aventon, more

We’ve got an EV-focused edition of Green Deals for you today, starting with up to $800 exclusive savings you can score on Heybike’s Mars 2.0 Folding e-bike, ALPHA All-Terrain Mid-Drive e-bike, and Horizon Full-Suspension e-bike – all at new low prices starting from $799, after using our code at checkout. We also have the newly launched Segway Back to School EV Sale with up to 46% savings across e-scooters, e-bikes, and the GoKart Pro 2, with this sale offering the second-ever discount on the GT3 Pro SuperScooter to its $2,500 low. There’s also the all-time low prices on Aventon’s Level 3 Commuter and Pace 4 Cruiser e-bikes, and the EGO Power+ 2,100 PSI Cordless Electric Pressure Washer bundle with a 6.0Ah battery, as well as the Schumacher NACS to J1772 EV charger adapter, a VIOFO two-channel dash cam system, and more. As always, you can find all the hangover deals from this week down at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Anker SOLIX Summer Camp Outlet Sale with exclusive bonus savings, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

I love e-bikes, but do they always need pedals?

There are few recent advances in the transportation industry that have had as large of an impact on the shifting ways we travel around our cities than micromobility. I’m talking bikes, scooters, mopeds, self-balancing doo-hickeys, etc.

And there are a lot of hills I’m willing to die on in the micromobility world. But one of them is that we need to stop defining such vehicles by what they look like and start defining them by what they do.

Ford will build the new Bronco and an electric crossover with China’s help

Ford announced plans to build a rugged new Bronco and an electric crossover with China’s Geely as part of a new alliance.