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Rivian subscriptions, MPG lessons, Ram EcoDiesel drive: Today’s Car News

We drive one of the highest-mileage light-duty full-size pickups. An analysis of fuel economy across the entire U.S. fleet points to how reality lags regulation. And Rivian is looking at subscriptions. That and more, here at Green Car Reports.

Comments from Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe suggest that the electric truck hopeful is considering a subscription service as a way of supplementing or replacing its direct-sales model. So far other automakers have had only mixed success with such ideas.

An analysis of U.S. vehicle fuel economy—across all vehicles still in use—finds that mileage has stagnated since the George W. Bush administration. There’s a good explanation why, and some serious implications for the future.

We loaded the the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel up with people and gear—and diesel fuel—and drove 732 miles. Considering its heavy-hauling ability set, it’s one of the most fuel-efficient trucks you can get.

And Tesla has acquired DeepScale, a startup working on vision processing technology—and potentially of use to the automaker as it refines its Autopilot systems and works toward the release of Full Self-Driving Capability.

Electric Volvo XC40 will have a frunk, new driver interface

The new XC40 EV will be more than just an electric powertrain dropped into the company's small crossover, Volvo announced Wednesday, backing up that claim with design sketches and some fresh insights into its approach to electrification.

Volvo's design team is leaning into the stylistic advantages of electric powertrains, which don't have the same packaging needs as internal-combustion engines. Robin Page, Volvo's head of design, says the XC40 EV was designed to incorporate these attributes, rather than obscure them.

“Without the need for a grille we have created an even cleaner and more modern face, while the lack of tailpipes does the same at the rear,” said Page. “Its bold, instantly recognizable design is now even sleeker and more modern in the all-electric version.”

According to Page, this approach contributes to an aesthetic based on “visual clarity and the reduction of element,” or, put more succinctly: minimalism.

There's utility in these changes too: The XC40 EV will have a usable underhood cargo compartment (a “frunk,” for “front trunk”).

Volvo says the XC40 EV will also sport a unique interface designed around the electric car ownership and driving experience, optimized to keep drivers apprised of critical information like battery status.

The XC40 family was designed from the ground up for electrification, which contributes greatly to the EV coming off as more than a hasty attempt to appeal to the green crowd. That didn't stop the company from incorporating a few nods to sustainability, such as carpets made from recycled materials.

Information on Volvo's first EV has been trickling out ahead of its formal debut on Oct. 16. Last week, Volvo shared some of the details of the XC40's driver assistance tech.

Dubbed Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS, this new sensor platform is the first implementation of the new scalable semi-autonomous driving platform that Volvo plans to evolve into a full self-driving ecosystem as technology allows.

Washington state is charging hybrid owners $75 to incentivize electric cars

Washington state is shifting some of the financial burden of EV subsidies onto hybrid owners, a local report says, effectively punishing shoppers for purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles.

Starting in October, hybrid drivers will be on the hook for an additional $75 in annual vehicle registration fees to help pay for improving Washington's electric vehicle infrastructure. The ultimate goal is place an EV charging station every 40 to 70 miles along major highways. It's a proliferation strategy that mirrors the approach taken by charging networks in Europe—and along I-5 under the earlier West Coast Electric Highway initiative that installed CHAdeMO DC fast-charging hardware.

It's not unusual for states to impose additional registration fees on battery-electric and sometimes even plug-in hybrid vehicles, but adding a registration surcharge for basic hybrid vehicles is an oddity, especially since hybrid drivers don't have the ability to dodge fuel taxes the way BEV (and some times PHEV) drivers do.

As The Seattle Times puts it, these drivers are subsidizing electric stations that they will never use. We might add that it penalizes those who chose more fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, the fees will also help fund tax breaks for middle-incoming plug-in buyers of new vehicles under $45,000 and used ones under $30,000, says the Times. The bill was one of several green initiatives passed by the Washington state legislature aimed at reducing emissions and one of two written explicitly to help incentivize electrified transportation.

The shifting burden of paying for transportation infrastructure maintenance and upgrades will likely remain contentious at both the state and federal level. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has publicly advocated for raising the federal gasoline tax, which has been set at 18.5 cents per gallon since 1993. The Chamber suggested a 25-cent increase, which would be 36 percent above the pace of inflation.

Consumer advocates have also raised concerns over the widespread implementation of what could charitably be called disproportionate registration fees for electric vehicles imposed by states to recoup revenue lost in gas taxes. These “road use” fees sometimes amount to double the average driver's annual outlay in gasoline taxes; in at least one proposal, it's triple the average fuel tax bill.

Mitsubishi Mi-Tech PHEV concept teases 4-motor layout, downsized powertrain

Mitsubishi will show a 4-motor PHEV concept at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, highlighting new electrification tech and unconventional gasoline power in a new downsized SUV package.

The automaker describes the Mi-Tech as “An electric SUV that delivers unparalleled driving pleasure and confidence over all terrain in light and wind.” We suspect that last bit is the equivalent of “rain or shine,” emphasizing the SUV proportions and individually driven motors as go-anywhere, anytime technology.

The individual motors enable torque vectoring on both an axle-by-axle and wheel-by-wheel basis, or, as Mitsubishi calls it, dual motor active yaw control.

Rather than a normal gasoline ICE, the Mi-Tech employs a gas turbine generator. Mitsubishi says this provides for both series hybrid and EV-only operation with the sort of response drivers expect from an electrified powertrain.

The Mi-Tech is also meant to be a driver assist showcase. Rather than relying on the cluster or a large screen for driver information displays, the Mi-Tech actually projects information directly onto the windshield. Picture a head-up display, only on a much larger scale.

It's also equipped with the sort of advanced safety systems expected on next-generation cars, such as emergency steering and brake assist.

It remains to be seen whether Mitsubishi will try to convert the Mi-Tech concept into a production vehicle. The automaker has not had much success with electrified offerings in the States, with only the Outlander PHEV remaining after the departure of the disappointing i-MIEV electric.

Small form factor CUVs and SUVs seem to be the next target for electrification, and their likely popularity in EMEA markets makes them likely candidates for production and overseas distribution. Whether and when that trend will catch on in the United States remains to be seen.

Tesla already topped half a million Smart Summons

Tesla's new Smart Summon remote valet feature has already been used more than half a million times, Tesla CEO Elon Musk says, and while the company is celebrating the widespread adoption of its new tech, the roll-out has not been seamless.

Smart Summon allows owners to remotely summon their car so long as it is in line-of-sight and a relatively short range (Tesla says 200 feet). The idea is that the Tesla will un-park itself and pick its owner up curbside or in some other similarly convenient location. It's pitched as an alternative to walking to a parking space with heavy shopping bags or through a rain or snow storm.

The feature was in early access trials for some time before its wide-scale roll-out with the introduction of Tesla's 10.0 software package. The company said trial customer response was very positive. Based on Musk's tweet from Wednesday, the post-deployment response has been equally enthusiastic.

While Tesla sees this as a point of pride, the first week of Smart Summon has been somewhat rocky, as evidenced by a multitude of videos being circulated on social media. Eager to show off the new feature to friends, family and other followers, owners documented their experiences with Smart Summon to share with the world. The result is a highlight reel that could have been lifted from “America's Funniest Videos.”

The Smart Summon shenanigans have drawn the attention of U.S. safety regulators, and while NHTSA has not launched a formal investigation, the agency says it has been in communication with Tesla.

Tesla is expected to fine-tune Smart Summon's operation as it receives feedback from both customers and the vehicles themselves, and performance should improve as a result.

We'd appreciate your feedback as Tesla owners, or observers, so please do tell us what you think of the feature in your comments below. Is it helpful, more of a gimmick, or risky business?

ATS Automobili Unveils the Track-Only RR Turbo – Wade Thiel

This Track Gem Will Thrill You Looking for an awesome track car? ATS Automobili has you covered with the new RR Turbo. The track-only model was developed entirely in-house. The vehicle does use a Honda-sourced engine, though. That engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and it punches out 591 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. … Continue reading ATS Automobili Unveils the Track-Only RR Turbo – Wade Thiel

September: One Fifth Of Car Sales In The Netherlands Were Plug-Ins

Thanks to volume deliveries of the Tesla Model 3, plug-in sales in the Netherlands almost quadrupled year-over-year September 2019 turns to be the fourth-best month of plug-in electric car sales in the Netherlands ever. Better results were seen only in December 2013, December 2015, and December 2016 (all three months preceded fiscal changes/incentives changes). With… Continue reading September: One Fifth Of Car Sales In The Netherlands Were Plug-Ins

GM’s much-anticipated 2020 Corvette Stingray to be delayed by UAW strike

CLOSE The new mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette made its first public appearance as GM CEO Mary Barra and chief engineer Tadge Juechter cruised about New York City. Detroit Free Press General Motors’ much-anticipated Chevrolet 2020 Corvette Stingray will be delayed going to market because of the UAW strike, the Free Press has learned. Two people familiar with… Continue reading GM’s much-anticipated 2020 Corvette Stingray to be delayed by UAW strike