BMW’s recent attempt to charge customers for activating pre-installed hardware options, such as heated seats, received backlash from the automotive industry. BMW sales and marketing chief, Pieter Nota, explained that although customers didn’t actually pay double, the perception led to negative sentiment. As a result, BMW decided to discontinue this practice.
Instead, BMW will now focus on charging for software upgrades. However, the company has faced criticism in the past for attempting to charge £295 for accessing Apple CarPlay functionality. Eventually, BMW reversed this decision as well.
This time, Nota stated that features like driving assistance and parking assistance will be available for buyers as optional upgrades. According to Nota, customers are accustomed to paying for such features in other areas.
The Mini Aceman, an upcoming electric vehicle, is progressing with its development and undergoing hot weather tests in Europe. Our photographers captured images of a prototype of the electric car, which featured a new type of camouflage instead of the previous yellow-over-black disguise. Additionally, the Aceman showcased a fresh design for its wheels, featuring a five-twin-spoke layout.
At first glance, the Mini Aceman may resemble a larger Mini model, possibly the size of the Countryman. While this is partly true, there are reports suggesting that the British manufacturer will reposition the new Countryman as a slightly larger crossover that shares its platform with the BMW X1. This strategic move will create more space between the Mini hatchback and the Countryman, positioning the Aceman as the middle child within the Mini family.
As technology progresses, terms once reserved for textbooks are now becoming well-known to the general public.
The term ‘rare earths’ may not be commonly discussed at the breakfast table, but it has gained familiarity among those interested in cars, particularly since the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and the scrutiny surrounding rare earth materials.
So what exactly are rare earths and what are they used for? Contrary to their name, they are not particularly scarce, and their relevance extends beyond EVs. These metals are already widely used in various technologies commonly found in households, not just in internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.
Rare earth materials consist of 17 metals that appear on the periodic table of elements. In the automotive world, they are best known for their usage in the permanent magnet electric motors of EVs. However, it is important to note that not all car manufacturers choose to use permanent magnet motors to avoid relying on rare earth materials.
These rare earths have intriguing names that are pleasing to say. According to Porsche, which incorporates them in its EV drive motors, neodymium is the most prominent, but dysprosium and terbium are also utilized. Yet, if there are concerns about the sustainability of these materials, why use them at all?
The rationale behind their use lies in their ability to produce the world’s most powerful permanent magnets, generating a magnetic field significantly stronger than regular iron (ferrite) magnets. Porsche explains that its EV motors include magnets consisting of around 30% rare earth metals combined with iron.
These stronger magnets are also smaller and lighter than iron magnets, allowing permanent magnet motors to take up less space and weigh less compared to alternative motors powered by electrical windings instead of magnets.
Regarding rarity, Porsche clarifies that some rare earth materials are more abundant than lead. However, their extraction and processing are considerably more challenging, which in a sense makes them equally difficult to obtain.
EV motors are not the sole or initial application of rare earth materials. In fact, a rare earth material (distinct from precious metals) is used in the catalytic converters of ICE cars, as well as in catalysts for refining petrol and diesel fuels.
These materials are also utilized in the small electric motors present throughout vehicles for the same reason they are used in traction motors: more power in a smaller space.
In addition to cars, rare earths have various behind-the-scenes uses, such as sensor production and glass and mirror polishing. They are also employed in other industries, including computer hard drives, LED screens, and radar technology.
As the world rapidly moves towards leaving internal-combustion-engines (ICE) once and for all, research and innovation have seen great speed, which is why the limitations that electric vehicles (EVs) had in the past have been left behind. The biggest issue the early EVs had was that the batteries weren’t engineered well enough to make them practical for daily use. The limiting factor that prevented EVs from being practical for daily use is now in the past, as EVs have evolved greatly. The Lucid Air, for example, has a staggering 516-mile range, demonstrating how far EVs have come. On April 5, 2023, Chevrolet introduced the production version of the 2024 Equinox EV, which is the cheapest 300-mile vehicle you can get your hands on. In the fall of 2024, Chevrolet will start delivering the base model (the 1LT Equinox EV) and it is expected to cost around $30,000.
A front shot of two 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EVs on a racing track
While Chevrolet will offer you five different trims, the base-model 1LT’s motor will deliver 210 horsepower to the front wheels and 242 pound-feet of torque, which is quite decent for an entry-level compact SUV. If you think this SUV needs more power, Chevrolet has you covered with an optional bigger battery and all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain. This increases the power output to 290 horses and 346 pound-feet of torque. All of this extra performance will enable your 1LT to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in six seconds. You have the option of getting a bigger battery pack for the 300-mile range, but it will cost slightly more than the $30,000 price tag. Nonetheless, 250 miles on the base trim is impressive nonetheless.
The Equinox EV’s Comparison With Rival SUVs
Chevy Equinox EV
Nissan Ariya
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Tesla Model 3
Model
2LT
Venture+ FWD
SE RWD
Long Range
Range
300 miles
304 miles
303 miles
358 miles
Price
$34,000 (est.)
$47,190
$45,500
$47,240
Chevrolet has confirmed that all models of the Equinox EV will feature a DC fast charging system. So, rest assured, you will not be waiting long for your Equinox EV to juice up to 100 percent. In this budget, potential buyers are looking for a long-range vehicle that makes their daily commute easy, and the vehicle shouldn’t be underpowered. 242 pound-feet of torque might be just enough. This SUV stands its ground against competitors such as the Nissan Ariya, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Tesla Model 3, all of which have a 300-mile range or more. This is very crucial because nowadays, potential customers look at the numbers before purchasing, and this compact electric SUV has similar performance numbers to its rivals.
Good Looks And A Practical Interior – The Equinox EV Has It All
Chevrolet
Side angle shot of the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV in radiant red
The Equinox EV boasts futuristic looks, including single headlights, which extend across the entire front of the SUV, giving it a muscular, sporty look. The wide grille, which is flanked by two slim LED strips, adds to the SUV’s aggressive stance. The 1LT’s side has flush door handles and standard 19-inch wheels. Furthermore, the wide flared arches give this SUV a necessary muscular look. At the rear, you see animated taillights that showcase its futuristic looks, a shark fin, and a diffuser to provide that necessary downforce. This SUV has many of the safety and driver assistance features you would expect in a 2024 electric SUV. The standard features include a lane-keeping system, blind spot assistance, and an automatic emergency braking system. Also, you will get reverse automatic braking and rear-park assist to make your daily reversing maneuvers much easier.
However, GM’s Super Cruiseis reportedly only available in the 2LT and higher models, so, we will not be getting the Level 2 Autonomous Driving System in the 1LT. In the 1LT, your grocery runs are going to be stress-free thanks to the presence-sensing tailgate, which will open automatically when it senses the key fob near the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the spacious trunk offers a maximum cargo capacity of 57.2 cubic feet (with the rear row folded), ensuring all your groceries fit in with ease. Furthermore, this SUV has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds with the AWD model.
The electric Chevy Equinox crossover’s interior is ultramodern, spacious, and filled with all the latest technology. On the base model, you get two 11-inch screens: one for the infotainment system and the other for the driver’s display. The 1LT’s interior will also have a moon roof, a two-tone interior, and ambient lighting to give you the feeling of being in your lounge. Chevrolet has gone with the traditional knobs for temperature control, and we welcome this change because having temperature control buttons on the touchscreen is distracting. In the infotainment section, Chevrolet is designing its very own infotainment system in collaboration with Google, and the first car to come equipped with that will be the Chevy Blazer 2024. This infotainment system is being developed in collaboration with Google and Chevy officials, who claim it will improve navigation and other driver assistance features like GM’s Super Cruise. It is not official whether the 2024 models of the Equinox EV will come with this new in-house infotainment system; however, we expect the Equinox EV to come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Even The Top-spec Equinox EV Costs Less Than $45,000
Chevrolet
Rear three-quarters shot of a red 2024 Chevy Equinox EV on the street
The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV’s deliveries will commence in the fall of 2024, pricing starts at $30,000. If you don’t quite have the $30,000 budget, we have a great piece of news for you: this EV qualifies for a $7,500 tax credit, which makes this SUV more lucrative and budget-friendly. If you’re eligible for it, you can get your Equinox EV for less than $23,000! There are other EVs with a 300-mile plus range like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE RWD with a 304-mile range with the price of $45,500, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range has an impressive 333-mile range, and it sets you back $47,240, the Nissan Ariya venture+ has a price of $47,190, and it comes with a 304-mile range. However, none of them comes close to the price that Chevrolet is offering for the Equinox EV 1LT.
Trim
GM Est. Range (FWD)
Est. Price
1LT
250 miles
$30,000
2LT
300 miles
$34,000
3LT
300 miles
$37,000
2RS
300 miles
$40,000
3RS
300 miles
$44,000
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