EV News

[Jimbo]

You still have all of the maintenance of an ice. With better fuel economy (than an ice vehicle)


Personally, I think full ev is better, simpler, and the way to go. Maybe not for everyone. But for me.

You get even better "fuel economy " without ALOT of the maintenance you're accustomed to.

My neighbor just got a Honda Hybrid CRV ... she likes it, so thats the important thing ... she drives about 25 miles daily of late to her friends, shes liking the gas mileage real well.

She's staying off the highways, so shes probably getting better mileage, using the electric more I'd imagine seeing shes not at high speeds.


I got a buddy at the lake that has a Ford F 150 Hybrid ... he likes it, but he reminded me that he's Leasing it, he's not sure that he would BUY a Hybrid ...

 

[Neutron]

The problem with the way GM is now doing their software including the infotainment system is due to the platform they chose. GM uses Android Automotive OS (Not the same as Android Auto which is why I hate the name Android chose for AAOS) which means GM has to compile their code integrated with Android. For example. my Blazer EV is on Android 12, and our Equinox EV is now on Android 14. Android 12 went out of support in March 2025, so right off the bat GM is running a lot of their vehicles on an outdated OS. Even Android 14 is considered outdated with being 3 versions behind the latest major release. My biggest issue with Android is how their updates are done. I don't like how fragmented it is because unless you have a Pixel phone, you are at the mercy of the hardware manufacturer and the carrier before getting the update. For GM and other car manufacturers, they have to get whatever the newer version will be and get code for all of the hardware, modules, etc to work without issue and ensure the vehicle is safe to drive. Try that with how many different models, etc and you can see why this is an issue for GM. We just had to get the telematics module replaced in our Equinox EV last month because it went completely out. Use CarPlay as an alternative you say? Nope, didn't have the option because outside the Lyriq, GM removed CarPlay and Android Auto from their other EVs. I keep telling myself I can't compare our EVs with Tesla because Tesla built a car around a computer. The legacy manufacturers had to integrate a computer inside a vehicle.

 

[Jimbo]

The problem with the way GM is now doing their software including the infotainment system is due to the platform they chose. GM uses Android Automotive OS (Not the same as Android Auto which is why I hate the name Android chose for AAOS) which means GM has to compile their code integrated with Android. For example. my Blazer EV is on Android 12, and our Equinox EV is now on Android 14. Android 12 went out of support in March 2025, so right off the bat GM is running a lot of their vehicles on an outdated OS. Even Android 14 is considered outdated with being 3 versions behind the latest major release. My biggest issue with Android is how their updates are done. I don't like how fragmented it is because unless you have a Pixel phone, you are at the mercy of the hardware manufacturer and the carrier before getting the update. For GM and other car manufacturers, they have to get whatever the newer version will be and get code for all of the hardware, modules, etc to work without issue and ensure the vehicle is safe to drive. Try that with how many different models, etc and you can see why this is an issue for GM. We just had to get the telematics module replaced in our Equinox EV last month because it went completely out. Use CarPlay as an alternative you say? Nope, didn't have the option because outside the Lyriq, GM removed CarPlay and Android Auto from their other EVs. I keep telling myself I can't compare our EVs with Tesla because Tesla built a car around a computer. The legacy manufacturers had to integrate a computer inside a vehicle.

So, GM doesn't download updated Software directly to the Vehicle ?

I agree with the Android Auto and Automotive issue ...
It was a stupid idea (at least I thought so when I first heard about it) My thinking is they want people to not realize they are using Android Automotive just confuse the buyer.

 

[Neutron]

So, GM doesn't download updated Software directly to the Vehicle ?

I agree with the Android Auto and Automotive issue ...
It was a stupid idea (at least I thought so when I first heard about it) My thinking is they want people to not realize they are using Android Automotive just confuse the buyer.

They do, but updates can take months to reach everyone. I've read about people getting an update for their Blazer EV and finally 4 months later ours gets it. The Equinox EV went several months as well to get the Android 14 update.

 

[Jimbo]

They do, but updates can take months to reach everyone. I've read about people getting an update for their Blazer EV and finally 4 months later ours gets it. The Equinox EV went several months as well to get the Android 14 update.

I see ...
No way to go out and get it ?

Android Auto, I know thats quite different, you can go ahead and get it once it's been released, instead of waiting for it to roll to you.

 

[Ronnie-]

So, GM doesn't download updated Software directly to the Vehicle ?

They do.

I agree with the Android Auto and Automotive issue ...
It was a stupid idea (at least I thought so when I first heard about it) My thinking is they want people to not realize they are using Android Automotive just confuse the buyer.

Honestly I dont have a problem with Android Automotive. Works decently well IMO. Its not as smooth as the tesla infotainment in our model y, but its pretty good.

In fact, even in our Lyriq, which does carplay and android auto, I find myself using the built in system, as it is more integrated with the car than the others are.

 

[AZ.]

You still have all of the maintenance of an ice. With better fuel economy (than an ice vehicle)


Personally, I think full ev is better, simpler, and the way to go. Maybe not for everyone. But for me.

You get even better "fuel economy " without ALOT of the maintenance you're accustomed to.

I am involved in the local transportation. Yes, hybrids are nice but still give far more maintenance over EV.

Its amazing in a 10 year window the payback to electric only.

 

[Jimbo]

They do.


Honestly I dont have a problem with Android Automotive. Works decently well IMO. Its not as smooth as the tesla infotainment in our model y, but its pretty good.

In fact, even in our Lyriq, which does carplay and android auto, I find myself using the built in system, as it is more integrated with the car than the others are.

I was curious as to if 1 was better than the other in most peoples opinion or they are about the same ...

I think GM just wanted to get in and screw things up ...
Android Auto and Apple Car Play work well and people use them
GM just wants to have thier own to confuse (are you able to use Android Auto as well as Android Automotive in the vehicle, is it easy to change between them ?
Originally they made it sound like GM would Not let you use the others.

I was curious about that when I was looking at Trucks back in '23

 

[navychop]

had to

Really? Not just a "bad" choice they made?

 

[osu1991]

Apple Maps to power navigation experience for Ford UEV Platform

Apple and Ford announced Apple Maps will be integrated directly into Ford’s UEV Platform through the MapKit for Automotive SDK.

www.apple.com

Apple and Ford today announced that Apple Maps will be integrated directly into Ford's upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform through Apple's new MapKit for Automotive SDK. Coming to Ford's UEV Platform in 2027, this integration will deliver a beautiful and easy-to-use navigation experience powered by Apple Maps directly to the vehicle's displays. Road-level Maps information will also enable Ford's Latitude AI team to build a seamless hands-free driving experience

 

[navychop]

And I promise I won't…….

 

[meStevo]

Here's how our domestic brands enjoy EV growth in non-US markets while our protectionist policies depress our market and restrict our options.

• China automaker Geely will build electric vehicles at a Ford plant in Spain under a new manufacturing joint venture in Europe.
• Pending regulatory approvals, the companies said the joint venture will begin operations in the first half of 2027, with the first new vehicles scheduled to roll off the line in 2028.
• The announcement comes after months of reported talks between the two sides, as legacy automakers such as Ford attempt to compete with growing Chinese carmakers.
  
  The joint venture is expected to include a new electric crossover for Ford, in "addition to a new member of the Bronco family, plus two electric Geely SUVs, with production starting in 2028," the companies said.

China's Geely to make EVs at Ford plant in Spain under new joint venture

Back at home, we continue heading in the other direction. Legislation advanced yesterday that could see the end of Mercedes-Benz being sold in the United States.

Mercedes-Benz Is Facing a Potential Sales Ban in the U.S. After a New Senate Panel Decision

You'd think maybe they'd get a waiver, but we just saw Polestar shown the door from our market via other legislation - nothing is guaranteed. M-B is a much bigger player in the space, both ICE and EV, so it's hard to see this actually coming to pass.

One thing's for sure: for the foreseeable future we'll have the fewest and most expensive options on average, while watching the rest of the world enjoy the inverse. The kicker is it's not limited to vehicles either - charging infrastructure is advancing quickly elsewhere, and we won't get to enjoy that either. Charging 10% to 80% in a few minutes is on track to become the norm, while that continues to be a 20-35 minute stop for us.

 

[telstar_1]

Odd dynamics out of our gov't- discouraging EV adoption whilst taking actions resulting in greatly increased liquid fuel costs. Is this what's good for GM? For anyone?

 

[osu1991]

BMW is finally making the electric convertible we've been waiting for

BMW is reportedly building an electric i4 Convertible for 2028 on the Neue Klasse platform, entering a segment with almost no EV options today.

electrek.co

 

[osu1991]

View: https://x.com/riviantrackr/status/2081798249157886070?s=61&t=7bFnMbZ-sCI7vzOC4iG94w



Oops…


View: https://x.com/itskyleconner/status/2081814462248394816?s=61&t=7bFnMbZ-sCI7vzOC4iG94w

 

[osu1991]

The American E.V. Has Been Crushed. Will It Take the U.S. Auto Industry With It?

The American E.V. Has Been Crushed. Will It Take the U.S. Auto Industry With It?

The largest U.S. automakers have backed away from electric vehicles, even as global sales are booming. The decision may make them obsolete.

www.nytimes.com

 

[navychop]

TLDR

 

[meStevo]

Economy permitting, think they're going to sell as many of these things as they can make.

Kia opens EV3 pre-orders in Mexico ahead of US launch

Kia opened pre-orders for the highly anticipated EV3 in Mexico, where the electric SUV will be built and shipped to...

electrek.co

 

[Ronnie-]

So, GM doesn't download updated Software directly to the Vehicle ?

I got out of the truck at the office a few moments ago and a new update popped up. As I was installing it, I got to looking back at how many updates ive had since I got it on april 4.

This will be number 6. So in more or less 4 months, thats 6.

GM is vastly improving their software rollout frequency with at least the 26 models.

I think its been a month since we updated our 24 Lyriq. I would have to look back and see how many its had in that time. (edit: from the app all I can see on the Lyriq is this year, and its had 6 as well, but thats since january. )

 

[meStevo]

Related, Hyundai / Kia are upping their software game, probably in future models though rather than most of the existing ones.

Hyundai and Kia are preparing major software upgrades

Hyundai Motor Group is rolling out its next-generation, Android-based Pleos infotainment system across its global lineup, slowly shifting from traditional auto manufacturing to a major big-tech software provider.

www.arenaev.com