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Hybrid Vehicles Are Most Likely to Be Involved in a Car Fire
Which vehicles are the safest? Crash test ratings and real-world accident statistics are common metrics for safety, but fire data is another big one. Over $1 billion in property damages are incurred annually due to car fires. Although some assume electric vehicles with their energy dense battery packs are most fire-prone, a new study finds that is not the case. Hybrid car fires are an overlooked hazard.
Jalopnik reported on a new industry study released by AutoinsuranceEZ.com that sheds light on some surprising findings. Let’s cut to the chase.
Authors Rachel Bodine and Rachael Brennan summarized their findings:
“Hybrid vehicles have the most vehicle fires per 100K vehicle sales, followed by gas vehicles. Despite the recent concern about electric vehicle fires, they have the fewest fires per 100K vehicle sales and had only two model recalls for fire risks in the past year.”
The team of researchers analyzed data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and government recall data. They found that the facts tell a different story than much of the headline-grabbers.
Source: AutoinsuranceEZ
CarEdge recently covered the ongoing EV fire concerns with the Chevrolet Bolt and a few other models. With EVs under heavy scrutiny, there’s a lot to be gleaned from this report. Hybrid vehicles are the most likely to be involved in car fire incidents, and seemingly by a long shot. Gas vehicles are second per 100,000 sales, but the clear leader in total fires due to there being far more gas-powered vehicles on the road.
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Why Are Hybrids Prone to Fires?
Why are hybrid car fires more common than others? Mechanics and EV enthusiasts alike have long pointed out that hybrid vehicles are far more complex than gas or pure electric vehicles. Think about it: they have combustion AND battery components. The study’s authors pointed out the differing sources of fire-related recalls.
“Both hybrid and electric vehicle recalls were all related to battery issues. This is a stark difference from the gas recalls, which were recalled for issues with fuel leaks, electrical shorts, and anti-lock braking systems (ABS).”
One fact that we can’t overlook is just how insanely difficult it is to extinguish EV fires. Fire departments around the world are in dire need of support, updated training and adequate resources to prepare for the onslaught of electric vehicles to come. We recently reported on the challenges that firefighters face with EV fires. Even tow yards are in a difficult situation. EVs need to ‘social distance’ until there’s no chance of flare ups. Will we one day run out of room in the junk yard? Or will safety be a trade off for practicality?
Automotive Safety Is a Moving Target
With the industry undergoing so much change, it’s imperative that automakers and all OEMs prioritize safety over profits. The transition to EVs is certainly NOT the time to cut corners. At CarEdge, we’ll continue to stay on top of what this all means for you, the consumer. What do you think? Do you know anyone impacted by any type of car fire? Let us know in the comments below. Join the CarEdge Community to interact with car buying experts and fellow car enthusiasts.
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The Barrier-Breaking 2022 Lucid Air Is the New Luxury Standard
For years, electric vehicle skeptics have had three big demands that would be needed to win them over: range like a traditional vehicle, faster charging, and affordability. With the arrival of the ultra-luxury Lucid Air, the emerging EV-only automaker has achieved two of these three goals. One could argue that luxury vehicle consumers fall into one of two categories: those who prefer classic, traditional luxury, and those who like to experience the latest and greatest in technology and powertrain integration. The 2022 Lucid Air without a doubt falls into the latter category. Here’s our CarEdge first look at the electric newcomer moving the goal posts in the battery-powered range wars.
The 2022 Lucid Air Has Tesla Roots
When engineer Peter Rawlinson left Tesla in 2012, the automaker now synonymous with EVs was just getting started. The early success of Tesla was in part due to the efforts of Rawlinson, who served as Vehicle Engineer for the development of the Model S, the first Tesla model to make it mainstream. Citing the need to care for his ailing mother, and a boss that wasn’t treating him too well (as he puts it), Rawlinson left the company just as Model S sales were ramping up.
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But he would soon return to the automotive startup scene, this time as Chief Technical Officer of Lucid Motors in 2013. By 2019, he was CEO. His tenure at Lucid has seen the flagship model, dubbed the Air, make it from sketches and prototypes to the first customer deliveries in late 2021. Now that the 2022 Lucid Air is in production at the new AMP-1 site in Casa Grande, Arizona, drivers and engineers are marveling at the innovation and specs.
The 2022 Lucid Air: The New Range King
When Lucid announced the 2022 Lucid Air would have a range of up to 520 miles on a single charge, not everyone believed it was possible. Now that at least one independent range test squeezed 500.1 miles out of a single charge going 70 mph on the highway, the range wars are heating up.
No other automaker can claim a 500-mile EPA rating as of early 2022. Tesla’s Model S comes closest at 405 miles of rated range. The all-new Mercedes EQS luxury EV is rated for 350 miles of range, however Edmunds drove the EQS a full 422 miles in their test loop. For now, the Lucid Air reigns supreme.
The Air’s exceptional range is made possible by a drag coefficient of 0.21 (lower than even Tesla models) and a very large 118 kWh battery pack. That massive battery is responsible for a large portion of the 5,200 pound weight of the Air. That’s heavier than a Ford F-150!
Raising the Bar: 406-520 Miles
Not all trims of the Air are rated over 500 miles. The ‘base’ trim (if you could really call it that) is estimated to be rated for 406 miles. That’s just one mile over the Tesla Model S long-range. If that’s not a shot at Tesla, I don’t know what is.
The debut Lucid Air Dream Edition is rated for 471 – 520 miles of range. With enough power for a 2.5 second 0-60 time, bested only by the Tesla Model S Plaid in the EV segment. Actually, very few cars period can claim such reality-warping acceleration. Unfortunately, the Air Dream Edition is no longer officially open for reservations. If you’re in the market for a state-of-the-art $169,000 luxury EV with supreme performance, Lucid says you can join the waitlist.
The next best thing is the Air Grand Touring, which now lists for $139,000. Clearly, Lucid Air pricing is unabashedly premium. The Air doesn’t flirt with the more economical price points that even Tesla wades into in the sub-$50,000 range. At least with the Lucid Air’s pricing, the target market segment is as clear as its panoramic roof. Here’s the full breakdown of trim levels for the 2022 Lucid Air.
Powerful Performance
Not only is the 2022 Lucid Air the longest-range EV on the market, it’s also one of the most powerful in the world with up to 1,111 horsepower and 1,390 lb-ft of torque in the Air Dream Edition. The less extravagant (and a bit less expensive) Air Pure still cranks out 480 horsepower from a single rear-wheel drive motor.
Behind the Air’s snappy performance is a compact yet innovative electric motor. Lucid’s team thought outside of the box, the electric motor box that is. They engineered the motor for better thermal management (essential in EVs) and triple the power density of competitors.
The Air’s electric powertrain was designed and developed in-house. The Air’s 900-volt electrical system is bidirectional. That means the Air can power household electronics and can even lend a “jump charge” to other EVs. The Air is capable of 19.2 kW of level-2 home charging, far higher than the competition. Most EV charging is done at home, so this is an overlooked feat of the Lucid Air’s engineering. At DC fast chargers, the Air can accept 300kW (or more) with the Air’s 800 volt architecture. More on that below.
Superior Fast-Charging
Gone are the days of EVs taking an hour of charging to make it the next 200 miles. Unless you buy a Chevrolet Bolt (please don’t buy a Chevy Bolt). Most 2022 model year electric vehicles can gain over 200 miles of range in about 30-40 minutes at a fast-charger.
The Lucid Air goes above and beyond. In just 20 minutes, the Air can add 300 miles of range at a DC fast charger like those at Electrify America stations. Plus, the Air comes with three years of free charging at Electrify America. The Air can accept up to 300 kW speeds at 800 volts. That’s the best in the market for now, and is surely a feat of battery thermal-management engineering. Tom Moloughney of InsideEVs confirmed these spectacular charging specs.
Lucid Air Pricing
The 2022 Lucid Air starts at $77,400, but most buyers will likely opt for the Touring and Grand Touring trims, which easily exceed well beyond $100,000.
| Trim | Price | Range | Horsepower | Drivetrain |
| Air Pure | $77,400 | 406 mi | 480 HP | RWD |
| Air Touring | $95,000 | 406 mi | 620 HP | AWD |
| Grand Touring | $139,000 | 516 mi | 800 HP | AWD |
| Dream Edition* | $169,000 | 520 mi | 1,111 HP | AWD |
*The Dream Edition is not currently available for ordering.
Interior and Tech: 5K screens, OTA Updates and All You Could Ask For
Stepping into the Lucid Air is perhaps the most science fiction-turned-reality experience you can buy. The unreal clarity of the ‘glass cockpit’ display is made possible by a 34-inch, 5K floating screen that sweeps around the driver, curving like the cockpit of a jet. It puts essential information into the driver’s sightline, with vehicle controls to the left, driving details in the center, and navigation and media to the right. An optional solid glass roof spans the entire cabin almost without interruption. It’s a more surreal view than even the Tesla glass roofs, except for maybe the Model X.
Lucid Motors has equipped all Air trims with Lucid DreamDrive, an advanced driver-assistance system. Lucid Motors claims that DreamDrive is the only driver assistance technology with the combination of an advanced sensor suite, high-resolution LIDAR, a driver monitoring system, and a fully redundant platform. Surreal Sound, Lucid Air’s immersive audio system, is powered by 21 speakers with Dolby Atmos technology, a first for autos.
Interior Space
On Lucid’s website, they boldly state “Cabin? More like mansion.” While that may be a bit of an exaggeration, an abundance of space welcomes drivers and passengers alike. About 98 cubic feet of passenger space is plenty big for a sedan. Seats, dash trims, and most other materials are sustainably sourced yet undeniably premium, as they should be for the price. Massaging seats are an option, but it’s kind of ridiculous that they’re not included with the $80,000+ car. The rear cabin fits three adults with segment-leading amounts of legroom. An optional Executive Rear Seating Package offers reclining rear seats. You know, private jet style. An optional Executive Rear Seating Package (with later availability) will offer a jet-style experience for two that lets you recline way back.
Plenty of Storage
First of all, the Lucid Air’s frunk, or front trunk, is the largest of any electric car at 10 cubic feet. The actual trunk is decently-sized at 16.2 cubic feet. However, it has some tricks up its sleeve. The trunk opens up to the rear cabin, making it possible to fit large items that normally a luxury sedan can’t handle.
Over-the-Air Updates
The 2022 Lucid Air receives over-the-air updates through its secure and high-speed Ethernet-Ring data network. Lucid plans to have full OTA functionality, meaning that updates to vehicle performance will be possible. So far, only Tesla has repeatedly and successfully upgraded vehicle range and performance for existing customers. Many legacy OEMs can update infotainment via OTA updates, but some still require a service center visit.
How Does the 2022 Lucid Air Compare?
We’ve already established that the Air is the ultimate highway warrior with EPA rated range of up to 520 miles. But how does the Lucid Air stack up to the competition? Is the Lucid Air better than a Tesla? We’ll let the specs speak for themselves. This vehicle is still so new to the market that it’s too early to draw conclusions with regards to reliability, but here’s how performance and price measure up to Tesla, Mercedes, and other luxury electric vehicles.
| Price | Range | Horsepower | Charging* | Cargo Volume | |
| Air Pure | $77,400 | 406 mi | 480 HP | 300 mi/20 mins | 26 cubic feet |
| Air Touring | $95,000 | 406 mi | 620 HP | 300 mi/20 mins | 26 cubic feet |
| Air Grand Touring | $139,000 | 516 mi | 800 HP | 300 mi/20 mins | 26 cubic feet |
| Air Dream Edition | $169,000 | 520 mi | 1,111 HP | 300 mi/20 mins | 26 cubic feet |
| Tesla Model S | $94,990 | 405 mi | 670 HP | 200 mi/15 mins | 25 cubic feet |
| Tesla Model S Plaid | $129,990 | 396 mi | 1,020 HP | 200 mi/15 mins | 25 cubic feet |
| Mercedes EQS 580 | $119,110 | 340 mi | 516 HP | 300 mi/31 mins | 25 cubic feet |
| Porsche Taycan | $187,600 | 260 mi | 751 HP | 195 mi/23 mins | 14 cubic feet |
With the Lucid Air pricing exceeding that of the popular and proven Tesla Model S, it’s a relief that so much range, luxury and performance is included. The only fault we see here is reliability. It’s simply too early to know how the Air will fare over time. The fact that Lucid has Tesla roots provides some comfort for the wary car buyer. Despite frequent fit and finish blunders and the occasional abysmal rating, Tesla actually has a solid reliability record when it comes to battery and powertrain performance over time and mileage.
How Can I Buy a Lucid Air?
If you’re sold on the 2022 Lucid Air, you can make a refundable deposit at Lucid’s website. The reservation deposit is $300 for the base Air Pure, and $1,000 for higher trims. As of early 2022, all except the debut Dream Edition are available for order.
CarEdge’s Take
The 2022 Lucid Air is the premier luxury electric vehicle for the time being. It may not have Tesla’s Supercharger network, but it has superior range, infotainment and luxury qualities. This is Lucid’s first powertrain, so time will tell if reliability and longevity are just as impressive.
Despite its strengths, this EV is still a niche product. The price alone will likely limit the popularity of this magnificent luxury EV. With Lucid Air pricing starting at $77,400, at least you know you’ll get your money’s worth. Is it the best luxury EV on the market today? It’s too soon to tell. Hopefully, CarEdge will get behind the wheel of the Air soon.
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Electric Car Safety: Here’s What the Data Reveals
Your opinion of electric vehicles likely depends on which side of the news you’ve seen. If you know anything about the Chevy Bolt hazard, you might even scurry to the other side of the street when you encounter one. But does the data support EV skepticism, or is the big picture something different altogether? Do we even have enough data to draw firm conclusions? It’s important to get down to the facts, and that’s our goal today. Here’s what crash test ratings, vehicle fire statistics and real-world data can tell us about electric car safety in 2022.
EV Crash Test Ratings
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conduct standardized crash testing for vehicles that possess the potential to become popular and sell in big numbers. If it’s popular, they’re going to crash it and collect data. These two crash testing programs don’t treat electric vehicles any differently than they would a traditional combustion-powered vehicle.
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As a refresher, here are the crash tests conducted by the NHTSA and IIHS:
- Frontal Crash Test
- Side Pole Crash Test
- Side Barrier Crash Test
- Rollover Resistance Test
The following additional tests are conducted by the IIHS:
- Moderate-Overlap Front
- Driver’s-Side Small-Overlap Front
- Passenger-Side Small-Overlap Front
- Side Impact
- Roof Strength
- Head Restraints
How do electric vehicles perform in these crash tests? Take a look at the limited data we have.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) does not provide overall ratings. They instead provide dozens of ratings for many different safety metrics. You can check out their ratings here.
Takeaways From Crash Test Results
This data from the NHTSA and IIHS shows that while data is limited (but growing), all EVs tested so far have received excellent solid ratings. In fact, all eight electric models tested by the NHTSA in 2021-2022 earned five-star ratings. Considering that over 70% of EVs sold in the US are Tesla models, these ratings do represent the vast majority of EVs on American roads today. Still, far more testing is needed with so many electric models coming in 2022.
The IIHS sees the trends in their own data: EVs are actually making passenger vehicles safer than ever before. In a 2021 IIHS report on electric vehicle safety, they shared what they’ve learned so far.
“Evidence is growing that electric vehicles are at least as safe as conventional ones, with two more vehicles that run exclusively on battery power earning safety awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In addition, an updated analysis of insurance data shows injury claims are substantially less frequent for such vehicles.”
Those are powerful words from an insurance-minded crash-tester. We definitely need more electric car safety testing. EV sales made up 6.5% of American auto sales in 2021, and that figure is expected to reach or exceed 40% by 2030. One useful safety test would be comparing how long it takes to extinguish a fire for each EV model. I’d love to see that testing implemented for the safety and preparedness of our first responders.
Are EV Batteries Safe?
Whether you prefer a vehicle that requires gasoline, diesel or battery packs, all vehicles are built to haul around what are essentially concentrated energy sources. That’s how the vehicle converts potential energy in the form of combustible carbon or electrons into kinetic energy to get you from A to B. The latest and greatest battery chemistries pack more power than ever before into battery cells, but they also claim to be safer. However, any concentrated energy source is volatile under certain conditions. That’s why we don’t light matches at the gas pump. What about EV batteries? Are they a fire hazard worthy of extraordinary caution?
The CarEdge team recently dug deep into the latest EV battery fires that have made the news, and our findings certainly shed light on the facts. Here’s a summary of what the data and engineering investigations featured in our EV battery fire report reveal.
Firefighting and DOT Fire Stats
Data compiled by the National Fire protection Association (NFPA) and the US Department of Transportation shows that among all vehicle types, there’s an average of one vehicle fire per 19 million miles driven. Both the NFPA and the Center for Auto Safety say there is not yet a centralized database for electric vehicle fire statistics. In an effort to address the lack of information surrounding EV battery fires, Tesla decided to begin releasing statistics in their annual impact reports.
Data From Tesla
Tesla’s 2020 Impact Report says that from 2012-2020, there’s been one Tesla fire per 205 million miles traveled. The fact that Tesla models made up 79% of American EV sales in 2020 highlights the relevance of their data. Unfortunately, other automakers haven’t released comparable data (we’re looking at you GM!). We’re hopeful that will change soon.
Source: Tesla
This comparison doesn’t hide the fact that one other EV model has had major problems. The ongoing Chevrolet Bolt recall is costing GM and battery supplier LG a few billion dollars to resolve. There have also been sporadic incidents with other EVs. The Hyundai Kona briefly made headlines with multiple fires, but a fix was quickly implemented. It seems like every Tesla fire makes it into the news, even though there are not many.
Despite the statistics showing just how rare and isolated the events are, EV fires are real, and every one is worthy of proper investigation. The same goes for any vehicle fire.
Electric Vehicle Fire Hazards: First Responders
Although Tesla’s data suggests that EVs are less prone to car fires than combustion vehicles, there are major safety concerns for the firefighters who extinguish the flames when an EV fire does occur. Firefighters need special training to learn how to safely approach EV-related incidents, but only two-thirds of departments have had the opportunity due to funding constraints. Automakers need to come forward and support our first responders with training and resources to prepare for the electrification of the auto industry.
EV fires require A LOT more water to extinguish. Tesla’s First Responders Guide recommends 3,000 to 8,000 gallons of water on hand to put out a Tesla fire. Some fires have needed 30,000 gallons of water to extinguish. Basically, firefighters have to do whatever it takes to cool down the battery, and that’s really hard to do with so much energy densely packed into the pack. Once the fire appears fully extinguished, there’s a chance it could still flare up, even days later. Towing services and junkyards are advised to park damaged electric vehicles at least 50 feet from other vehicles in the yard. As EVs become more popular, that might not be feasible in just a few years.
EV Unintended Acceleration: What We Know
When cars launch full-speed ahead without warning, we have a major problem. Fortunately, that has not been proven to have occurred following dozens of investigations over the years. A number of serious accidents involving EVs have resulted in drivers claiming that the car accelerated on its own. Tesla vehicles have faced these accusations for years, but investigations have never found evidence of unintended acceleration. Plus, Tesla EVs are computers on wheels, and they maintain very detailed logs of all driver inputs. These logs are thoroughly inspected in every investigation.
The Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined that reports of sudden unintended acceleration involving four different Tesla models were due to user error. In other words, the driver mistakenly smashed the accelerator pedal. With so much torque and instant feedback, that’s enough to launch a Tesla like a rocket. Depending on where that rocket is aimed, it could go launching right into harm’s way. The lesson here? Powerful EVs demand more attention than some drivers are used to. Electric car safety features can only go so far if drivers are careless or over confident.
Hyundai recently recalled 2,700 2017-2019 Ioniq electric vehicles (the generation prior to the all-new Hyundai IONIQ 5) to correct a rare but scary defect that may cause the Ioniq to accelerate after the driver releases the accelerator pedal when in ‘limp mode.’ With no accidents reported, it appears as though Hyundai got ahead of this issue before anything tragic happened. As far as we (and the US government) know, no EVs have accelerated on their own without driver input.
Tesla Autopilot Safety
This is another headline grabber for Tesla. Anytime there’s a crash involving a Tesla on autopilot, it’s sure to make the news. Tesla Autopilot certainly has its faults, notably ‘phantom braking’ and difficulties with poor visibility. However, Tesla keeps track of their accident data from all Tesla vehicles worldwide, and this is what they’ve found as of December 2021:
“In the 4th quarter, we recorded one crash for every 4.31 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology (Autosteer and active safety features). For drivers who were not using Autopilot technology (no Autosteer and active safety features), we recorded one crash for every 1.59 million miles driven. By comparison, NHTSA’s most recent data shows that in the United States there is an automobile crash every 484,000 miles.”
Although this is not independently verified, it’s intriguing data to say the least. Could Tesla Autopilot really be safer than human drivers? Considering that 15% of motor vehicle accidents in the US are attributed to driver distraction, it may not be all that surprising. More automakers are offering level 2 autonomous driving features. As Autopilot-like technology increases, electric car safety will be under the microscope. Learn more about Tesla’s annual safety report here.
CarEdge’s Take
Our goal at CarEdge is to provide you with factual information that’s useful for your decision-making process as you consider your next vehicle purchase. Why do we cover EVs so intently? Because industry insights show that major automakers are dead set on electrifying their entire lineups by 2035 at the latest. From Ford to GM and everyone in between, the story is the same. With hundreds of billions of dollars going towards EV development, it’s important to hold automakers accountable with such a nascent technology.
Over 2 million EVs are already on American roads and global EV sales totaled 4.5 million in 2021 alone. This is just the beginning. Sales of electric vehicles are expected to rise 75% to more than 8 million in 2022. Electric car safety is more important than ever. Are EVs safe? So far, it looks like electric vehicles are at least as safe as combustion vehicles. But when things go awry, EV fires are far more difficult to extinguish than what we’ve seen in the past, and that’s a concern worth addressing promptly at all costs. If you’re thinking about going electric for your next vehicle purchase, rest assured that EVs from Tesla, Ford, Volkswagen, Hyundai-Kia and others are ranked up there with the very best in the entire industry.
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The All-New Nissan Ariya EV: Pricing and Range Announced
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The all-new 2023 Nissan Ariya is arriving to high expectations. Following a decade of delayed development, controversy, and Nissan’s former leadership in EVs long gone, the Ariya has a lot to live up to. For years, Nissan led the pack. Over half a million Leaf’s were sold globally by 2021. However, EVs from Tesla, Korean automakers and even General Motors eventually surpassed the Leaf’s market share in America as the 2010s came to a close.
Today, competition in the electric crossover segment is even more fierce. Will the 2023 Nissan Ariya’s pricing act as a deterrent, or will the progressive design language and decent range drive sales? Let’s dive into what this much-anticipated electric crossover will have to offer.
The Ariya’s Forward-Thinking Design Is a Concept Brought to Life
What do you picture when you think of Nissan’s brand? The affordable Altima, Frontier, maybe the bug-eyed electric Leaf? Soon, the Ariya will up the ante for the Japanese automaker’s brand image.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya features futuristic design language and a suite of next-gen tech. The exterior conjures up ideas of what a Murano might look like a decade into the future. The front fascia stands out with a large black faux grill topped off with slender LED headlights. A large, redesigned Nissan logo sits prominently front and center, illuminated by 20 LEDs.
Nissan says the Ariya is proudly inspired by Japanese culture, culminating in a delicate balance between futurism and tradition.
Footprint, Fit and Finish
The general body styling fits a lot of usable space into a relatively compact footprint, all thanks to the flexibility of the new electric platform underlying the cabin. The Ariya’s crossover stance is supported by 7 inches of ground clearance, width of 75”, and a length of 183”. At a height of 65 inches, the Ariya is 2 inches higher than the popular Hyundai IONIQ 5.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya is available with six two-tone paint combinations and three full-body colors. Most of what we’ve seen so far is the Akatsuki copper and black package, which draws inspiration from the moment just before dawn.
Interior Design Inspired by Japanese Philosophy
The open and driver-focused front dash features two 12.3” screens, haptic controls and interior lighting (as is the trend these days). Nissan says the Ariya’s interior draws inspiration from the Japanese concept of ‘ma’, which refers to qualities belonging to both space and time. They liken the interior to a ‘sleek cafe lounge on a starship’, and that’s a reasonable comparison given the looks and feel of it all.
Interior Dimensions Take a Back Seat
It’s clear that Nissan cares deeply about the design language of the 2023 Ariya. While the result is an eye-catching crossover, it seems that interior dimensions have taken a back seat. The front and back rows do provide ample room for four to maybe five passengers, but the sloping roof design makes for just 17 cubic feet of rear cargo space with front-wheel drive. Add a second motor in the back and rear cargo capacity drops further to just under 15 cubic feet.
Inside the cabin, the few who’ve had access to the pre-production prototypes say that passenger volume is similar to what you’ll find in the Tesla Model Y. The lack of a central transmission tunnel creates an abundance of leg room throughout, which is most notable in the backseat. If you’re wanting a panoramic glass roof, you can have that on the higher trims. Nissan has not yet released official interior volume specifications.
Nissan Ariya Tech: ProPILOT Assist and the Promise of OTA Updates
ProPILOT Assist comes standard as a driver assistance feature, an admirable decision possibly taken out of the Volkswagen ID.4’s playbook. ProPILOT Assist is a hands-on assistance system that helps drivers stay centered in their lane, navigate highway traffic and maintain a set speed and distance to the vehicle ahead. The higher trims (Premiere and Platinum+) upgrade to ProPILOT 2.0, which enables hands-off driving on the highway with the help of 360-degree sensing using 7 cameras, 5 radar sensors and 12 sonar sensors.
Dual 12” screens provide the driver with Nissan’s latest infotainment and digital gauge cluster. The Ariya is capable of receiving remote over-the-air updates to improve performance and tech, a feature popularized by Tesla but rarely matched in terms of usefulness.
Power and Performance
The Ariya is the first model to be powered by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s new Common Module Family (CMF)-EV platform. At the core of the CMF-EV platform is a 4-inch tall battery pack along the floor. The narrow battery pack opens up the cabin above to more passenger volume and design flexibility. There are two battery sizes to choose from for the Nissan Ariya: 65 kWh and 90 kWh.
What kind of battery does the Ariya have? Nissan decided to source NMC (Lithium-Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt-Oxide) batteries from Chinese battery leader CATL, who also supplies to Tesla, Volkswagen and several other global automakers.
If you’ve ever heard horror stories about the older Nissan Leaf’s battery woes, fear not. The new CATL battery is completely different and state-of-the-art. The old Leaf was a driving experiment in the earliest days of electric vehicles.
2023 Nissan Ariya Price Options
Front-wheel drive trims produce 238 horsepower (178 kW), reaching 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. Nissan clearly thinks highly of the Ariya, as the price point sits above several competitors. The Ariya Venture+ base trim’s price starts at $44,485 before incentives (and before dealer markups), and the premium Platinum+ offers AWD and 389 HP (442 lb-ft of torque) for a price of $60,190. The price for the mid-grade Evolve+ package starts at $50,190. With a 0-60 time of around five seconds, the AWD Ariya can hold its own against the other electric crossovers.
Does the Nissan Ariya Qualify For the Tax Credit?
Sadly, the Nissan Ariya does not qualify for the new federal tax credit. Where is the Ariya built? For at least the 2023 model year, Nissan will build the Ariya in Japan. The new tax credit requires North American assembly.
See the FULL list of EV tax credit winners and losers.
2023 Nissan Ariya Range: 265-300 Miles
The 300 mile target range is on par with class leaders like the Model Y and Mustang Mach-E, IONIQ 5 and EV6. However, there’s a catch. The maxed-out 300 mile range is only for the entry-level Ariya Venture+ front-wheel drive trim. This is great for budget-minded shoppers, but the opposite of what we see in the Model Y and Mustang Mach-E. Typically, higher trims equal more range in EVs. Check out the full spec sheet of range, battery capacity and power output below.
2023 Nissan Ariya Charging: Up to 175 miles in 30 Minutes
The Ariya’s max charging speed is 130 kW at a DC fast charger like those at Electrify America. There’s the chance that, like the Volkswagen ID.4, the Ariya could have a great charging curve that maintains high charging speeds longer than some competitors. In fact, Nissan told Tom Moloughney of InsideEVs that the Ariya can add 175 miles of range in 30 minutes of DC fast charging.
The total cost of charging depends on how and where you charge. We covered all the charging cost details in our recent feature.
Charging isn’t always a deal breaker, especially if you don’t travel long distances very often. Keep in mind that most EV charging happens at home overnight. Charging at home, the Nissan Ariya can receive 7.2 kW with a level 2 charger plugged into a 240 volt outlet. That’s nearly 20% less than home charging speeds in the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. Will it matter? If you’re likely to charge overnight, it probably won’t.
CarEdge’s Take
As the Nissan looks beyond the Leaf EV, they’re reaching for a different set of electric car buyers. The Nissan Ariya’s price ranges from $44,485 to $61,485, and that’s about $20,000 more than the Leaf.
The Ariya is many years in the making, but there’s a lot more to come from Nissan’s EV development team. Nissan recently shared their goal of producing 15 electric models by 2030. Hopefully early adopters of the Ariya will find that Nissan’s $17.5 billion investment is paying off.
For a 2023 model, the Ariya’s max charging speed of 130 kW is behind the curve. Three of the direct competitors in the segment offer over 250 kW charging for about the same price. That isn’t to say there aren’t some real positive things to say about this EV. If you’re ready to get in line for the 2023 Nissan Ariya, patience will come in handy. Nissan says that limited numbers of Ariyas will arrive at select dealers starting in late 2022.
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The National EV Charging Summit Lays Out the Roadmap For EV Adoption
The 2022 National EV Charging Summit was held virtually this week, but the pandemic isn’t stopping the golden era of electric vehicles. The summit featured a series of virtual roundtable discussions about the state of EV charging stations in America, and how the build-out of a national charging network will bring confidence to EV-curious consumers. The summit was led by the EV Charging Initiative, a diverse group of stakeholders from across industries and the public sector.
The National EV Charging Summit united automakers, charging equipment manufacturers, community organizers and a number of government officials around a common goal: bringing reliable, convenient charging to all Americans. Even Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm popped in to share her commitment. Here’s what we learned from the summit.
Why Does America Need a National Charging Network?
Over 62% of Americans support building out a nationwide charging network, and 39% of American drivers are considering buying an electric vehicle next time they’re in the market for a car. While many auto enthusiasts lament the demise of the spirited combustion engine, frugal drivers are welcoming the fuel savings, albeit at a higher upfront cost. At current residential electricity rates, charging up is equivalent to spending about $1.00 per gallon of gas.
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However, many Americans live in a charging desert. What good is the EV revolution if there’s nowhere to charge? Most EV drivers plug in at home, but not everyone can do that. From apartment dwellers to rural residents, owning an EV simply isn’t viable if there aren’t chargers for road trips, family visits and work transportation needs. When it makes sense for consumers, electric vehicles offer plenty of benefits. Cheaper fuel, less maintenance, sporty performance and no tailpipe emissions to name a few. But EVs risk remaining a symbol of luxury and impracticality if it doesn’t get a lot easier to charge up in America.
How Will It Come Together?
In summary, federal funding is supposed to get the ball rolling, and the private sector will take it from there. EV charging stations, particularly DC fast chargers, are really expensive to install. On top of upfront costs, America’s electrical grid is not ready for the demand that would be generated by mass adoption of EVs.
Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm highlighted the need for upgrading the national power grids to not only prepare for the adoption of EVs, but to also clean up the sources of energy that power them. She noted that “EVs are only as clean as the energy that’s produced to power them.” To lead partnerships and planning, the US Department of Energy and US Department of Transportation are partnering together to establish a new joint office tasked with building out a national charging network.
At one point, the summit even turned into a forum for announcing thousands of new job openings. Secretary Granholm and others touted 2,000 new EV-related jobs in a new joint office between the DOE and DOT. This new office will coordinate the build-out of the national charging network.
The real details were discussed and pressure-tested when representatives from the private sector and utilities came together to talk about what needs to be done, and the numerous challenges that lie in the road ahead. A practical, consumer-focused approach was a common theme. As RMI Managing Director Britta Gross put it, “no amount of level one or level two chargers can instill consumer confidence in EVs without DC fast chargers.”
Gathering Partners for a Daunting Task
What needs to happen first? The US Department of Transportation and Department of Energy are mapping out a plan of action to make EV charging stations commonplace by 2025. By fall of 2022, every state will have a detailed plan and timeline for how to execute the electric charging station network buildout. Summit panelists understood that without universal access to public fast charging, the EV revolution is dead in the water. No one wants to spend $50,000 on a car that could leave them stranded desperate for electrons on the interstate.
The coming national charging network is not just a government project. Utilities and private industry are getting in on the action too. Utilities have a lot of skin in the game. They stand to make a lot more money if charging infrastructure turns out to be a lucrative business venture for power providers. We heard more about the new partnership between American utilities that we learned about last month. The Edison Electric Institute (EEI), an association representing US utilities, announced a monumental initiative to combine the forces of 51 investor-owned electric companies, one electric cooperative, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. This new coalition is a coordinated effort to install thousands of fast charging ports along major U.S. travel corridors by the end of 2023. The coalition members are committing $3 billion of their own money to bring fast chargers online over the next two years.
America’s three electrical grids in the lower 48 states need to be ready for the power demand to come. The last time the electrical grid underwent such sudden, major change was the adoption of air conditioning in the 1950s. Utility representatives at the summit understood the importance of this, and outlined the road ahead for needed upgrades. However, it’s going to cost some money.
Who Will Pay For It?
There are three funding sources leading the way with the build-out of America’s EV charging infrastructure: Public funds, utility investments and private sector capital. Federal funding is already jump-starting the growth. DOE Secretary Granholm touted the recent bipartisan Infrastructure Law that allocated $7.5 billion for charging stations and the associated infrastructure. She also addressed the costs of going electric. The Secretary made sure to promote the revised EV incentives that face an uncertain future in the Senate.
Automakers, suppliers, charging infrastructure companies and others have already committed over $330 billion to EV development by 2025. However, summit participant Atlas estimates that $90 billion in funding is specifically needed for EV charging stations if EVs are to reach dominance in the light-duty passenger vehicle segment. But on the global scene, that’s pennies. Worldwide, climate investments are forecast to total $23 trillion by 2030.
As we’ve mentioned above, utilities are throwing money at this too. The Edison Electric Institute members are committing $3 billion of their own money to bring EV charging stations online over the next two years. Southern California Edison plans on upping their annual electric charging station installations to 8,000 annually, up from 1,000 a year in 2020. Half of them will go in underserved areas.
Summit panelists expressed a desire to get OEMs to the table for these discussions. When talking about big money like this, the pragmatic approach is to involve the OEMs who will turn this lofty vision into reality. How would the billions in funding best serve the build-out? Equipment manufacturers probably have some good ideas.
Rick Spina from GM shared the company’s commitment to providing $750 million for accelerating the rollout of home, public and commercial charging. GM is rolling out Ultium Charge 360, a line of turnkey charging solutions meant to be sold from the dealership. Ford also has big charging plans for their Blue Oval network partners.
What Are Stakeholders Focused On?
The conference, while well-intentioned, was an echo chamber at times. In other words, we heard a lot of the same themes repeated over the course of the day. Here’s the gist of it all:
“Confidence inspiring” – Right now, charging an EV is not confidence inspiring unless you are a Tesla driver. But Teslas are expensive, and other OEMs are going electric. Charging needs to be easy and carefree.
“Best practices” – The EV charging industry needs standardization. There are too many types of charger connections, payment hoops to jump through, and other complications that should be made simple for the consumer.
“Charging equity” – Panelists emphasized bringing charging to places where it’s not available now, like apartment complexes, small towns and underserved communities.
“Incentives” – Installing a DC fast charger station is not a quick money-making business decision. Installers spend $50,000 to upwards of $100,000 to install a station. Incentives bring installation a lot closer to making financial sense.
“Partnerships” – The federal government can’t do this alone, and neither can private industry. Working together is the only way this will turn out well.
“Consumer focus” – What does the consumer want? Affordable, easy and quick charging experiences. Developers seem to have this in mind, and that’s a relief.
“Reliability” – You know how gas stations sometimes have plastic bags covering the pumps if they are out of order? It’s no big deal if you can drive across the street to another gas station. With EV charging stations, broken chargers can ruin a road trip. Chargers need to work, and they need to work all the time.
“Job Opportunities” – Numerous panelists shared exciting job opportunities for veterans, underserved communities, and any electricians looking to expand their skill sets.
CarEdge’s Take
There was a lot of talk at the National EV Charging Summit, but also some substance. Clearly, a lot needs to be done before EV charging infrastructure becomes as commonplace as it needs to be. Automakers are all-in with EVs, and you could argue that there’s no turning back. It remains to be seen if their half-trillion dollar investments will be worth it in the end. However, the outcome depends on if we can build a future where owning and charging an electric vehicle is an accessible and reliable experience that empowers the consumer, not burdens them. We’ll keep you up to date with the latest as big changes head our way.
