The Renault Trafic Van E-Tech Electric debuts at the IAA Transportation Motorshow in Hannover, Germany. It’s the brand’s latest commercial EV and fits above the electrified Kangoo but below the Master in the lineup.

The Trafic Van E-Tech Electric makes 121 horsepower (90 kilowatts) from its electric motor. The 52-kilowatt-hour battery provides 149 miles (240 kilometers) of range in the WLTP test. The vehicle supports single-phase 7.0-kW AC charging, 22-kW AC charging at public stations, and an optional 50-kW DC fast charger.

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The van can carry up to 2,430 pounds (1,100 kilograms). The maximum towing capacity is 1,653 pounds (750 kilograms).

The Trafic Van E-Tech Electric is available in multiple body configurations. The total length is available as 16.67 feet (5.08 meters) or 17.98 feet (5.48 meters) long. Buyers can choose heights of 6.45 feet (1.967 meters) or 8.20 feet (2.498 meters). This provides storage volumes from 205 cubic feet (5.8 cubic meters) to 314 cubic feet (8.9 cubic meters), depending on the configuration.

There’s also a cabin floor variant for upfitters looking to create custom vehicles using this EV as a starting point.

Renault is not saying when Trafic Van E-Tech Electric goes on sale in Europe. Similarly, there are no pricing details available for it yet.

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Last year, Renault introduced the Hippie Caviar Hotel RV concept (gallery above) using a pre-production electric Trafic as a starting point. One of its most interesting features was a bed that was capable of sliding out of the rear doors to let folks rest in nature. Plus, it had a rooftop terrace with backrests.

Renault even imagined the Caviar Hotel RV concept having luxury features like the ability to order food into the wilderness, and drones delivered those meals.

The company brings the smaller Hippie Caviar Motel concept to this year’s IAA Transportation Motorshow. It uses the electric Kangoo van as a starting point. The vehicle has a bench that folds into a bed, a panoramic roof, and a ski rack. Recycled tires and cork are on the floors and shelves.

In a tweet, Elon Musk announces that deliveries of the Tesla Semi begin on December 1. Pepsi is the first company to get them.

The only other details that Musk gave were that the Semi had a range of 500 miles and was “super fun to drive.”

The Tesla Semi originally debuted in November 2017. The specs announced at the time said the truck could reach 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in 5.0 seconds when not pulling a load. That time increased to 20 seconds when hauling an 80,000-pound (36,287-kilogram) trailer.

At its gross vehicle weight and going highway speeds, the Semi had a projected range of 500 miles or 300 miles (483 kilometers), depending on the battery option. At a Tesla Megacharger, it was allegedly possible to recoup 400 miles of range in 30 minutes. 

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Later, Musk said that a range of 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) might be possible from a future version of the Semi. He even called the improvement “easy.”

In September 2022, Tesla updated the Semi listing on its site and removed the button to place. The changes included using three motors to power the rear axles rather than the original plan for four.

Shortly after the 2017 debut, PepsiCo placed an order for 100 Tesla Semis. Walmart Canada requested 130 of them, and Anheuser-Busch ordered 40 units. Frito-Lay, a wholly owned subsidiary of PepsiCo, reserved 15 of the trucks.

Tesla originally planned to begin Semi deliveries in 2019. Despite the production delay, there are multiple spy shots and videos of the truck testing. The pre-production units are coming from Nevada, but the automaker eventually plans to build them at the Giga Texas facility. It’s not clear how many Semis the automaker intends to produce each year.

EarthCruiser specializes in making high-end, ultra-rugged off-road vehicles. The company’s newest offering in the United States is the Core Dual Cab Chassis that has room for six people and a rear section that’s adaptable for multiple uses, like firefighting in forests or rescue operations.

The chassis is based on the Isuzu NPR. Power comes with a 6.6-liter V8 making 350 horsepower (261 kilowatts) and 425 pound-feet (576 Newton-meters) of torque. The drivetrain consists of a six-speed automatic transmission and a two-speed transfer case. The four-wheel-drive system includes front and rear locking differentials.

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EarthCruiser outfits the Core Dual Cab Chassis with custom-tuned leaf springs and performance shocks. There are live axles at both ends. Each corner has a vented disc brake with a dual-piston caliper. The rotors measure 13.7 inches in front and 13 inches at the back.

With the chassis cab configuration, buyers can outfit the rear section for whatever job they need. For example, EarthCruiser’s Core models are already in service with several Oregon fire departments. They serve duties like being high-axle water rescue vehicles.

In April 2022, EarthCruiser switched to the Isuzu NPR Series Class 4 from the previous Fuso platform. The company planned to use the chassis for its EXP, FX, and Core models. The firm outfitted the chassis with its own four-wheel-drive system, including parts like an Atlas transfer case, Fusion axles, and Auburn locking differentials.

The Terranova is EarthCruiser’s other line of products. These one-ton chassis pickup-based models have a camper replacing the cargo bed. The features include a pop-up roof so that people 6-feet-5-inches tall can stand inside. The extending section has eight windows for letting more light into the cabin. Inside, there’s a queen-sized mattress and a sitting area for four people that converts into another bed. A kitchenette includes a sink, cooktop, and refrigerator. 

If you need to do some heavy hauling of Lego bricks, then the Volvo 6×6 Technic kit might be perfect for your plastic construction needs. It even supports the company’s Control+ app that lets a person drive the rig with realistic-looking gauges. The model costs $249.99 and is available now.

The kit models the Volvo A60H Articulated Hauler. It has 2,193 pieces. When complete, the heavy-hauling rig measures roughly 24 inches (61 centimeters) long, 9 inches (23 centimeters) wide, and 8 inches (22 centimeters) tall. 

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The model’s details include a six-cylinder engine under the hood and a functional automatic transmission. The dump section tilts upward for getting rid of whatever the player is hauling. The truck can drive forward, backward, steer and change gears in the app. The operation comes from three motors with a Bluetooth controller and six AA batteries.

Lego reserves its Technic line for large, detailed models that often have extra features that are absent from smaller kits. For example, there is the 1:8-scale Ferrari Daytona SP3 from earlier in 2022. It consists of 3,778 pieces, and the completed car measures about 23 inches (59 centimeters) long. The includes a functional eight-speed sequential gearbox. The V12 engine has moving pistons. The suspension is fully functional, and the butterfly doors open.

The Daytona SP3 retails for $399.99, and Lego recommends the model for builders who are 18 or older. The company also released the $79.99 book Lego Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3: The Sense of Perfection that covered the conceptualization, design, and production of this model.

The division also launched a McLaren Formula One car kit with 1,432 pieces and a price of $179.99. It’s about 25.5 inches (65 centimeters) long. This is large enough to include features like an engine with moving pistons, a working differential, functioning suspension, and steerable wheels.

Honda has big plans for the future, and they involve far more than just EVs and hybrids. Speaking to a round table with the media, company representatives outlined plans to expand into the hydrogen fuel cell space beyond just passenger cars.

“Now is the time to expand the commercialization of fuel cells into additional domains beyond light-duty transportation,” said Honda Energy Solution Business Head Ryan Harty. “In order to deliver a solution like a fuel cell … we need to commercialize these technologies.”

As part of that goal, the company is looking to partner with North American firms in a variety of industries that might benefit from hydrogen technology, namely commercial trucking and power generation. Honda’s next-generation fuel cell stack is a third of the cost of the existing system found in the 2022 Clarity, while offering double the durability and significantly faster startup times in cold weather. As such, Honda thinks that multiple fuel cells, daisy-chained together, would make for an ideal zero-emissions powertrain for commercial vehicles and construction equipment.

As with passenger cars, the fuel cells would generate electricity, which would drive the wheels through torquey electric motors – ideal for the low-speed grunt that medium- and heavy-duty trucks need to move heavy cargo. Construction equipment could likewise be fitted with fuel cells, which could also run implements like cranes, dump beds, and backhoes. Such vehicles currently emit 26 percent of the transportation sector’s greenhouse gases in the United States. Honda expects fuel cells to achieve cost parity with diesel engines in the near future, making hydrogen power a more feasible way to reduce the industry’s carbon emissions.

Fuel cells could also be used as backup power generators – the forthcoming CR-V–based hydrogen car will feature a V2L system, for example. Honda says it is capable of building a megawatt-class fuel cell system (1 mW is enough power for 750 average homes), which could theoretically be added to existing utilities grids to provide energy during blackouts and severe weather. As such, the automaker wants to partner with large-scale power generation companies, and Honda is experimenting with the idea internally by using a current-generation Clarity fuel cell to provide backup power to its Torrance headquarters.

It all comes back to Honda’s “Triple ZERO” goal of eliminating its environmental impact by the year 2050 through the use of sustainable materials, renewable energy, and net-zero carbon emissions. The company is aware that its yearly production of 30 million power units – found in cars, motorcycles, generators, yard equipment, marine engines, and yes, airplanes – mean that it must take its environmental goals seriously.

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Honda wants to demonstrate that hydrogen fuel cells are a viable way to reduce environmental impact, not just for the automaker but for other companies as well. Such collaboration is essential “to expand the scope of this technology,” said Harty. Honda hopes to begin external sales of its fuel cell system by the mid-2020s.

Isuzu Motors has announced a significant update for the N-Series truck, known as the Elf in Japan. In fact, it was in 2007 when the Japanese vehicle maker introduced the outgoing sixth-generation model; now, the seventh generation has arrived and it came with major upgrades, including advanced safety features that are otherwise first seen in a Japanese light-duty truck. More importantly, an electric version has been introduced, which would be a first for Isuzu.

Design-wise, the changes are pretty obvious. The Elf adapts a similar grille found on its passenger truck cousin, the Isuzu D-Max, while the vertical headlights that mimic the brand’s twin-bar logo are retained, albeit, heavily styled. There are also major updates in the cabin that focus on enhancing driver comfort and fatigue mitigation.

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Isuzu has introduced various features to enhance the N-Series truck’s efficiency, including the newly-designed Isuzu Smooth Intelligent Transmission (ISIM). The ISIM is a 9-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that’s said to offer improved fuel economy when paired with the 4JZ1 diesel engine.

The ISIM’s 9-speed gearbox is claimed to keep RPMs low for fuel efficiency and reduces noise to alleviate driving fatigue. Isuzu claims that the dual-clutch structure enables quick shift changes, reducing torque loss and shift shock during gear shifts.

Isuzu has also introduced advanced safety systems and driver assist features to the Elf truck, including improved stereo camera performance, a short-range millimeter-wave radar, and a driver status monitor. The truck features nine new safety assist features that are first in a Japanese light-duty truck, including the pre-collision braking system, blind-spot monitoring system, and a full-speed range adaptive cruise control.

Isuzu’s first mass-produced Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) joins the N-Series range. The company claims that the Elf BEV will accelerate the implementation of commercial BEVs globally. Up to five battery packs each with 20 kWh can fit the Elf EV, though the range wasn’t mentioned in its release.

The updated Elf range will roll out in Japan this year, with the F-Series scheduled to come out in the summer. Pricing in Japan starts at 6,481,200 Japanese yen (including taxes) or around $47,200 at the current exchange rates.

Ford has revealed the all-new 2023 E-Transit Courier, its smallest electric commercial vehicle, which will be available in Europe starting next year.

Compared to its internal combustion-engined predecessor, the new battery-powered compact van is bigger in every metric, including the load capacity. Now, the width between the rear arches measures 48 inches (1,220 millimeters), allowing the E-Transit Courier to fit two Euro pallets for the first time.

Additionally, the total cargo volume measures 102.4 cubic feet (2.9 cubic meters), equating to a 25 percent increase over the outgoing model, while the maximum payload is 1,543 pounds (700 kilograms) and the maximum towing weight is 1,653 lbs (750 kg). 

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An interesting feature of the new Ford E-Transit Courier is the load-through bulkhead feature, which allows drivers to carry long items like pipes or planks that are over 8.5 feet (2.6 meters) long, although the official press release doesn’t mention the maximum length.

Inside, the compact electric van comes with a so-called digiboard instrument panel that’s made up of a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch center touchscreen running Ford’s latest Sync 4 system. Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto are standard, as is the built-in modem that enables wireless software updates and always-on connectivity with the Ford Pro ecosystem.

There’s also a suite of advanced driver assistance systems as standard, although the release doesn’t mention what’s included, and customers can opt for an optional bundle that comes with Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering and Stop & Go, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, Intersection Assist, and Reverse Brake Assist.

The squircle steering wheel is designed to improve leg room and visibility for the driver, and Ford has partnered with the vehicle security experts at TVL to offer factory-fit lock packs for the small van, which include secondary hook locks to try and stop peel-and-steal attacks and auto-locking for the sliding side door.

As an optional extra, Ford offers an Office Pack that includes a foldaway flat work surface and lighting which can be used as a sort of mobile desk, similar to the F-150 Lightning’s Work Surface.

The all-new 2023 Ford E-Transit Courier is set in motion by a 100-kilowatt front-mounted electric motor that draws power from a yet-to-be-detailed battery pack. Charging can be done via a DC fast charger at up to 100 kW, which can add 54 miles (87 kilometers) of range in 10 minutes, but Ford reckons the small electric van will be mostly charged at home via a wall charger. 

Using an 11-kW AC domestic charger, the battery can be fully replenished in 5.7 hours, and charging can be scheduled via the in-vehicle touchscreen or depot software to take advantage of cheaper overnight energy prices. One year of complimentary access to the BlueOval Charge Network, which should include around 500,000 public chargers by 2024, is also included.

The capacity of the battery, driving range, and energy consumption haven’t been revealed by the blue oval company, which says that more details will be published closer to the vehicle’s sales debut.

The all-new Ford Transit Courier will first be available with a range of gasoline and diesel engines starting this year, with the all-electric E-Transit Courier following in 2024. The small commercial vehicle will be offered in both van and double-cab-in-van body styles.

All models will be built in Craiova, Romania, by Ford Otosan, at the same factory where the small Ford Puma crossover is manufactured.

Founded in 1907, United Parcel Service is among the biggest shipping companies in the world and is currently employing directly more than 530,000 people around the globe. You can imagine how difficult it is to retain a balance between profitability and keeping your employees happy, and UPS does regular meetings with its team leaders to hear what the workers on the road need. As a result of recent talks, the company announces it will finally equip its delivery trucks with air conditioners. 

Of course, this isn’t the whole story. Not every UPS delivery truck will have an AC as the agreement between the firm and the so-called Teamsters is for all newly purchased US small package delivery vehicles to come with air conditioning starting January 1 next year. UPS promises it will allocate new vehicles to the hottest parts of the country where this is possible.

For everyone else – there will be cabin fans! UPS says it will install cab fans on all delivery vehicles that don’t have an AC from the factory within 30 days of contract ratification. A second fan is planned for installation by June 1 next year.

As an additional measure, UPS will also install exhaust heat shields to minimize heat conduction from the engine into the floor of the vehicle. According to preliminary tests, this measure should lower the cabin temperature by up to 17 degrees Fahrenheit. Those shields will be installed on all future new vehicles and retrofitted to existing delivery cars within 18 months of contract ratification.

Another measure agreed between the company and the Teamsters is the addition of a forced-air induction system that is designed to bring fresh air from the front of the vehicle into the cargo area. This solution will be included in the production of new delivery vehicles moving forward and will be retrofitted to existing vehicles within 18 months of contract ratification.

“We have always remained open to solutions that keep our employees safe on hot days,” UPS said in an official press release. “The Teamsters raised AC as a top priority for their members, and the new solutions we’ve agreed to will improve airflow, temperature, and comfort for our employees.”

Stellantis revealed today its revamped lineup of commercial vehicles. It’s part of the company’s Pro One initiative, the new name for its light commercial vehicle business that bundles six brands into one group. It has now launched 12 vehicles for Citroen, Fiat Professional, Opel, Peugeot, and Vauxhall, including the Fiat E-Ducato that likely previews the Ram ProMaster EV. We’ll see Ram’s “reinvigorated” North American lineup later this year.

Ram will reveal the electric ProMaster EV by the end of 2023. Ram’s revamped commercial lineup will include the 1500 REV in late 2024, one of four electrified pickups from Stellantis that’ll serve commercial customers. Fiat and others also make trucks. Stellantis says it will release more details about its “upcoming electrified van and pickups” for North America at an unspecified date in the future.

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The new 2024 Fiat E-Ducato that debuted today packs a 110-kilowatt-hour battery offering up to 261 miles of range. Rumors continue to suggest the ProMaster EV, which was supposed to debut in the first half of the year, will share a lot with the electric Fiat Ducato that is for the European market. Stellantis says the new EV has 30 percent more range than the previous example, with up to 270 horsepower and 302 pound-feet (410 Newton-meters) of torque.

The van has a new charging system and two standard onboard chargers, with the fast-charging system capable of refilling the battery in just 55 minutes.The EV and the rest of the company’s revamped commercial lineup will use the second generation of battery-electric vehicle propulsion technology. It will power the compact, mid-size, and large van segments from Pro One’s six brands.

In the compact segment, an electric van from Stellantis could have up to 205 miles of range. The mid-size vans, which will feature 50- or 75-kilowatt-hour battery packs, will have up to 224 miles of range. The large vans from the various brands can go up to 261 miles on a single charge. These figures reflect the forgiving WLTP cycle.

Stellantis will also introduce second-generation hydrogen fuel cell technology. It will provide power to its mid-size vans, launching in mid-2024. The company says the new propulsion system can provide up to 249 miles of range, and the Ram’s future US portfolio will include vehicles with hydrogen fuel-cell tech. It’ll also expand to the company’s large vans next year, with up to 311 miles of range and a five-minute refill time.

The new lineup of commercial vans also includes updates to the cabin with a new generation of the automaker’s human-machine interface. It has larger configurable instrument clusters and center displays, which work with the Dynamic Surround Vision camera system. Over-the-air updates are also now possible, and the new commercial vans come equipped with full LED headlights.

We’re excited to see Stellantis’ updates for Ram, the ProMaster EV, and more in the US.

Shopping for a used vehicle comes with some risks, including paying too much for a popular model. However, buyers willing to search beyond their local market could save real money. While it’s easy to assume car prices are about the same everywhere, a recent study by iSeeCars indicates people can save upwards of $6,100 on a typical used car by shopping in a less expensive market. 

After analyzing over 6.5 million one to five-year-old used car transactions from January to August of this year, iSeeCars discovered a wide range of price differences. Across the 50 largest cities in the US, it determined the most expensive place to buy a used car is Palm Beach, Florida, while the cheapest is Cleveland, Ohio. With used car prices up almost 50 percent since 2019, that means a road trip might be an excellent way to save a chunk of change. 

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In addition to West Palm Beach, buyers in Denver, Colorado, Austin, Texas, and Seattle, Washington, paid between $1,000 and $3,400 more than average for a used car. Other high-priced car markets include Salt Lake City, Utah, the Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan area, Charlotte, North Carolina, Los Angeles, and Boston. 

Meanwhile, buyers in the least expensive cities, which include Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus, Ohio, Norfolk, Virginia, Fresno, California, and Orlando, Florida, saved between $1,700 and $2,700 on average. Interestingly, the least and most expensive markets are scattered throughout the US. That means the distance between an expensive market area and a cheap one could be just a few hours away. 

Take the Ram 1500, for example. The popular truck has an average price of $47,159 in Denver but is $7,795 less in Cleveland, selling for about $39,364. Even after factoring in the cost of a plane ticket and a 1,400-mile trip home, a buyer could save thousands of dollars for a few days of effort. In addition to trucks, buyers looking for vehicles like the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota Corolla can save about $2,100 between the cheapest and most expensive markets. 

A survey by Automotive News indicated that people will travel 469 miles to buy a car. The pricing disparity between major US car markets not only provides an incentive to make that journey. It could be a good way to combine a car purchase with a short vacation.