On December 10, 2023, the automotive world saw a variety of news and developments.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging and Range Anxiety: A notable concern in the EV market is range anxiety, which is the fear that an EV won’t go far enough on a charge. This continues to deter many Americans from going all-electric. An analysis of fast charging statistics revealed that EV charging at paid DC Fast Charging stations averaged around 42 minutes per session, showing a need for improvements in EV charging infrastructure and technology.
- New Model Releases and Pricing: The automotive market saw announcements and details regarding new models and their pricing. For example, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander XLE and the 2024 Buick Envista Preferred were among the vehicles that had their prices revealed, catering to different segments of the market.
- Focus on Popular Vehicles: Popular new and used vehicles continued to attract attention. Models like the 2023 Toyota Camry, Ford Bronco, and Chevrolet Tahoe, as well as used vehicles like the Honda Civic and Jeep Grand Cherokee, remained in focus for consumers looking for reliability and value.
- Subaru Forester 2024 Details: Subaru of America announced pricing and details for the 2024 Forester, one of its most popular SUVs. The model is known for its safety, capability, versatility, and value, and is offered in multiple trim levels, each catering to different consumer needs.
- Consumer Reports on EVs: Consumer Reports conducted a highway-only range test on EVs, finding that nearly half of the vehicles tested fell short of their EPA estimates. This further emphasizes the challenges facing the EV industry in terms of meeting consumer expectations and the real-world usability of EVs.