A new safety standard says all light-duty vehicles will need automatic emergency braking by 2029. Brakes will kick in at speeds up to 90 mph for impending collisions and up to 45 mph when sensors detect a person. It’s much-needed: 42,514 people died in crashes last year alone.
What you should know before buying an electric vehicle
Beyond your current speed and fuel level, your car’s instrument panel flashes warnings when something is wrong. If your tire pressure or windshield washer fluid is low, you’ll get a notification. The same goes for problems with headlights, brakes, steering, temperature, oil, battery and more.
The check engine light may seem like a big deal, but it’s usually tied to something like your car’s oxygen (O2) sensor. But a new cause tops the list, and it’s related to your catalytic convertor. Tap or click here for our report.
Do you know which cars don’t have catalytic convertors? Electric vehicles. And we see more EVs on the road from manufacturers besides Tesla. Here is crucial information you need to know before buying an electric car.
They’re out there
Ford introduced the Mach-E for the 2021 model year and has since electrified its bestselling F-150 pickup truck to bring us the F-150 Lightning.
GM just announced a hybrid Chevrolet Corvette coming next year, followed by a fully electric version somewhere down the line. The Hummer EV is GM’s first electric truck, and the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV is under development.
Demand for EVs is high
People have become more accepting of EVs to the point where it’s sometimes difficult to secure one. Many reservations are backed up. Whether you want to drive an EV to help the environment or to combat the high cost of fuel, there are a few factors to take into consideration:
- EV costs include more than just the electricity itself. Commercial chargers have fees, and you’ll sometimes need time to find one. Some states also impose an additional EV tax.
- With the fees, tax and deadhead miles, EVs can cost more to power than conventional vehicles.
- EV fuel prices vary widely when compared to gas prices.
Tap or click here for our full report on EV fuel pricing.
Getting a break
Look for an EV that qualifies for a federal tax credit. This can offset up to $7,500 off your purchase price.
740K SUVs recalled - Check the list for yours
It is vital that you clearly see the road and any obstacles when driving at night. Your vehicle’s headlights must illuminate straight ahead with the glow making side objects visible. Tap or click here to see why these headlights catch fire.
Every 13 miles
How often Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode requires human intervention. In a 1,000-mile test, drivers had to intervene to prevent dangerous behavior more than 75 times. The good: Self-driving mode brakes for pedestrians and lets oncoming cars through. The bad: It also runs red lights and drives into oncoming traffic. Just say no.
Recall Alert: Nearly 250K SUVs with faulty wiring could engage brakes unexpectedly
Your vehicle’s ability to stop quickly is a crucial element in keeping you safe, so your brakes must be in perfect working order. But when your vehicle stops for no reason, it could cause an accident. Tap or click here for a Google app that detects car crashes and dials 911.
🛑 Thinking of driving for Uber? Pump the brakes. Dean Ceran, an Uber vet since 2016, grossed $100,000 in 2023 … and ended up with a measly $20,000. Most goes to taxes, maintenance and Uber’s hefty slice.